This morning, a smaller rendition of Chapel Team 1 (without our Grade 8 students who are away at Muskoka Woods) opened our elementary chapel service with the national anthem, the Lord’s Prayer and the Land Acknowledgement. They started musical worship with a song called “Way Maker”. This is a song that focuses on unwavering faith in God’s presence during difficult times, celebrating Him as a Way Maker and a Promise Keeper who is always working for our good.
Before leading the students in an upbeat song called ” second song called “Everyday ”, the Chapel Leaders reviewed the six pieces of the Armour of God.
Next, Mr. Bailey quickly transitioned from Worship Team guitarist “Dr. STEMcurnius”. He led more review of this year’s theme and gave a short quiz on the lessons from the Armour Up with Faith theme. It included asking about the Bible story (Jesus Walking on Water), the science experiment (Pepper-Dish Soap Surface Tension Experiment), as well as the lessons and practical application associated with the sub-theme.
After the review, the Chapel Leaders continued with musical worship and the song “Our God”. The chorus of this song proclaims that God is “greater,” “stronger,” and “higher than any other,” positioning Him as sovereign over all creation. Our students sung this with certainty and filled the gym with praise.
Our guest speaker today was Pastor Jeremiah, who also recapped our Armour Up with Faith theme. He started by giving three examples of how we accept things by faith every day. We accept that a chair will support us when we sit down. that our parents will get us to school safely, and that items that are “certified” to use are safe. Pastor Jeremiah then shared Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. He explained that faith is being sure of what we hope for and knowing what is true, even if we don’t see it. Next, he gave quick mention of three Bible stories – Noah and the Ark, David and Goliath, and Peter Walking on Water. Each of these people had faith and as a result, they put it into action. Jesus wants us to have faith first. Even when we sink a bit in our faith (like Peter on the water), He reaches out to help us. Pastor Jeremiah explained that faith is something that needs to grow like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. Faith can also die like a plant, without food from the Word of God and prayer. He encouraged the students to remember God’s faithfulness to them and to note how God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He then asked Grade 1-3 students to tell God about one thing that they can choose to trust God with. He asked students in Grades 4-6 to think of a time when God has come through for them. Finally, he asked Grade 7 students to think about where they might be holding back from God and why. Pastor Jeremiah concluded in prayer. He asked God to help us have faith like Noah, David and Peter. He also asked for God’s help to remember and trust Him despite the chaos in the world and to help us put on the full armour of God, including the Shield of Faith, so that we can grow, trust and look to Him.
Our Chapel Leaders then concluded the service by leading everyone in reading the benediction.