This morning, Chapel Team 1 led our worship which started with O Canada, The Lord’s Prayer and the Land Acknowledgement. Then, the leaders reviewed how we can be CRISP-er, something that we are continuing to focus on this school year.
After the review, Mrs. Kaske and representatives from the SK2 class announced our October Care and Share event for Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child. Either dressed as or holding shoeboxes, the students shared a loving message about what they can pack for a child who might not otherwise receive anything for Christmas. To support this initiative, families have two options – to pack a box themselves or donate money so that they SK2 class can purchase items and pack boxes for them. Students will either receive an empty box (and fill it with their family) or make a donation on Care & Share Day on October 28th.
Next, the Chapel Team continued to lead a time of musical worship with three songs and the reading of Bible passages interspersed. Each of the anthems (“Jesus Hope of the Nations”, “Mighty to Save” and “Build Your Kingdom Here”) speak of Jesus being our Hope so we can build His kingdom here on earth.
Our guest speaker today was Pastor Jeremiah. His message focused on compassion and how difference is wonderful. He started by explaining that God created us uniquely with special qualities – just like a unique colour in a crayon box. These differences continue to be embraced in heaven!
He also focused some time sharing that cultural differences are also a gift that He gave the world. He shared a personal story and then encouraged each of us to be politely curious to learn about those who may be different from us. He used this to segue into the story of the Good Samaritan – who showed compassion to a person who had been robbed, beaten and lying on the side of a road. Despite cultural differences, he took the time to care for the man and paid an innkeeper for expenses that the man would incur during his re-cooperation. Pastor Jeremiah explained that Jesus teaches us to show compassion to those who are in front of us, especially if they are different. He quoted Romans 15:7 to accept each other, just as Jesus has accepted you. To apply this teaching, Pastor Jeremiah explained that compassion starts with being able to:
- See – someone who is new, alone or left out
- Stop – and change your plans so that you can make the time (or use resources)
- Serve – and do something kind about it
Pastor Jeremiah also linked the message back to this month’s Care & Share and the song, “Mighty to Save”. He said that everyone needs compassion and doing something like preparing a shoebox for someone who needs one is something tangible. He made other suggestions as well, such as sitting with someone new, asking and listening about someone else’s culture or family, and speaking up when someone is put down. To conclude, he shared Colossians 3:12 which asks us to clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. He also emphasized that we are not grey crayons. Difference is wonderful because God made it so. He closed in prayer, asking God to give us eyes to see, courage to stop and hands to serve those in front of us.
After Pastor Jeremiah’s message, the Chapel Leaders asked everyone to read the benediction before they returned to their classrooms to start the academic day.