This morning, Mrs. Saballa and Ms. Wong opened our elementary chapel service by leading O Canada and the Lord’s Prayer. After listening to the Land Acknowledgement, a short upbeat video was shown to remind students of the components of our CRISP acronym (Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Servant’s Heart and Perseverance).
Mrs. Saballa and Ms. Wong then launched into our first worship song – “Way Maker”. This is song about trusting God’s character and how He is working for our good, even when we don’t see it. Our two chapel teachers then reviewed how we can be CRISP-ER together. This involved emphasizing our CRISP characteristics and applying them to everyone (even if they do not look like us) and standing up together to do the right thing.
Next, an old traditional song called “This is the Day” was sung. It is based Psalm 118:24. A second verse was added with the words “These are my friends that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in them.” Some of the students looked fondly at their neighbours as they sang this together.
Our Bible readings today focused on loving one another (John 13:34) and understanding what love is (1 Corinthians 13: 1-6). First, the students read John 13:34 together. Then, groups of students by grade read the famous passage about love from 1 Corinthians 13. Everyone read John 13:34 again afterwards.
The second worship song was “Build Your Kingdom Here”. This song is a request for spiritual revival and God’s active presence on Earth. Students responded with enthusiasm especially when singing the chorus. Then, Mrs. Saballa and Ms. Wong read another Bible passage, taken from Revelation 5:9, which described how worthy Jesus is to be praised for He died to ransom people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Our guest speaker this morning was Pastor Mark Griffith, who instantly connected with the children with a short review of the components of CRISP and a quick game. He asked those who agreed with a series of statements to quickly stand, look around and then sit back down. Some of the statements included:
- I love sports.
- I love movies.
- I have felt left out.
- Someone has helped me unexpectedly.
- Someone’s words made be feel better that day.
- I have seen someone being picked on and wasn’t sure if I should help.
- I have friends that do not look like me.
The purpose of the game was for the students to determine how many people see and think like them and to realize that people do not have to look alike to share experiences. Pastor Griffith then told the story of “The Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:27-35) but in a Wesley context, using the help of four volunteers. One student played the injured person. Two students pretended to walk by and chose not to help. The “Good Wesleyan” picked up the books on the floor and helped the injured student to class. Afterwards, the audience gave the volunteers a round of applause for their performance,
Pastor Griffith then incorporated some more context from the Good Samaritan story into the Wesley version. He explained that there was “history” between the people groups in the Biblical story. The Good Samaritan had a different background than the injured person, but the Good Samaritan didn’t focus on that. He still had compassion and chose to help. Pastor Griffith made some powerful statements as he reviewed each CRISP component in the context of the story. These included words like:
- “Difference is not a reason to put some down or tear someone apart.”
- “Words carry weight. Lead with love, like the Good Wesleyan.
- “Silence is a choice. It makes you complicit with the bad action [if you do not speak up against it]”
- “The Good Wesleyan had a good heart and was thinking like Jesus. Jesus came to save and help everyone.”
- “History shapes our present. We cannot change the past. [But] we can move forward like the Good Wesleyan today.”
To conclude his message, Pastor Griffith asked the students to think about how they would finish the following sentence, “This week, I am going to be a Good Wesleyan by doing _________.” He suggested to think about how they can make that person’s life better or how they can help by standing up for what is right. He also brought it back to Scripture. At the end of the Good Samaritan story in Luke, Jesus asked the audience who was the neighbour to the injured person. They responded, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.” Pastor Griffith also asked the students to do the same.
Mrs. Vant Erve then thanked Pastor Griffith for his message and lead the audience in prayer, which also included having the students read the benediction to end the service.