The JK1 class led this morning’s ELC chapel service. It started with the recitation of the pledges, O Canada and The Lord’s Prayer. The class representatives remained at the front for musical worship. They led the actions and singing of three energetic and action filled songs – “Sing High, Sing Low”, “Our God is an Awesome God” and “My Light House”.
Ms. Faris shared a message about kindness today. She began by asking students, “How does Jesus want us to treat others?” Students responded with answers such as love, faith, care and kindness. She emphasized how important it is to show kindness to and be a light for others.
Next, she used an experiment to emphasize her point. She took a glass bowl and explained that it would represent our environment – the classroom, world, or home. She held up a jar of pepper and said that it represented us, friends, neighbours – the people around us. She sprinkled the pepper into the water. Once she set the stage, she introduced “Bob” a green object with an angry face. She explained that Bob was angry, unkind and not setting a good example for others. When she put Bob in the water, the pepper pulled away and moved to the edges of the container. She explained that people move away when they are around unkind individuals. However, when Bob is removed from the environment and “Emily” , a kind, gentle and good friend personified in a clear cup of sugar with a smiley face, the pepper returned to the middle of the bowl. Ms. Faris explained that when we spread love and kindness we are creating a world of kindness. She concluded by reading a story called A World of Kindness – a children’s picture book written by the editors of Pajama Press and illustrated by nine celebrated Canadian children’s book artists.
This was a great segue for Mrs. Kaske and some of her SK2 students. Mrs. Kaske shared a story about her childhood, in which she longed to receive a shoebox from Operation Christmas Child. She wanted someone to show her kindness and generosity. However, she never received one of these special boxes. Decades later, someone heard her story and gave her a shoebox filled with the things that she wanted and needed as a child – socks, a water bottle, flip flops and a stuffy toy. This led to the opportunity to discuss how we can show kindness to someone as part of our upcoming Care and Share Day. Representatives of the SK2 class dressed in or carried shoeboxes filled with toys, explained that on Wednesday, October 28th, students will either receive an empty shoebox that they can fill with their families or donate money so that the SK2 class can buy and fill boxes as a class. These boxes will be collected by Samaritan’s Purse and distributed to children throughout the world who need God’s kindness and generosity.
Mrs. Kaske ended today’s chapel service with prayer. The children repeated her words as she asked the Lord to give us kind and loving hearts and for Him to help us remember the children around the world who will receive the shoe boxes.