Messy Church ... At Home!
MESSY CHURCH AT HOME: HOLY SPIRIT HOVERCRAFT!
With advent, we are reminded of the first coming of Jesus our saviour God, as a baby, as well as His second coming, still to take place. In these “In between” times, we can know God as comforter and friend in the third person of the trinity, the promised Holy Spirit. He promises to live in us when we confess our sin and invite Him into our lives. This Messy Church activity simply reminds us that God’s Holy Spirit, who desires to live in us, is the same Spirit of power, that hovered over the waters at the creation of the heavens and the earth (Genesis chapter 1; verse 1).
You will need: sports cap bottle lids, such as those used on Fruit Shoots; blank CD/DVDs; balloons; superglue; glue sticks; sequins; marker pens.
Beforehand, glue the bottle lids to the CDs. To do this, remove the sports-cap lid from the bottle and push it down so it is closed. Glue the lid to the centre of the underside of the disk around the hole, and leave it to dry overnight.
Decorate the underside of the disk and/or write the words ‘Holy Spirit hovercraft’. Once complete, blow up a balloon and attach the end to the lid. Put the lid in the open position, and watch it glide over a flat surface.
Think and talk about how, in Genesis 1, the Spirit hovers over the water of creation. God is the creator of all of our planet’s seas and oceans. What can we do to look after the world we live in? Does God’s Spirit still hover around our watery world today and is He living in us as our comforter and friend?
With advent, we are reminded of the first coming of Jesus our saviour God, as a baby, as well as His second coming, still to take place. In these “In between” times, we can know God as comforter and friend in the third person of the trinity, the promised Holy Spirit. He promises to live in us when we confess our sin and invite Him into our lives. This Messy Church activity simply reminds us that God’s Holy Spirit, who desires to live in us, is the same Spirit of power, that hovered over the waters at the creation of the heavens and the earth (Genesis chapter 1; verse 1).
You will need: sports cap bottle lids, such as those used on Fruit Shoots; blank CD/DVDs; balloons; superglue; glue sticks; sequins; marker pens.
Beforehand, glue the bottle lids to the CDs. To do this, remove the sports-cap lid from the bottle and push it down so it is closed. Glue the lid to the centre of the underside of the disk around the hole, and leave it to dry overnight.
Decorate the underside of the disk and/or write the words ‘Holy Spirit hovercraft’. Once complete, blow up a balloon and attach the end to the lid. Put the lid in the open position, and watch it glide over a flat surface.
Think and talk about how, in Genesis 1, the Spirit hovers over the water of creation. God is the creator of all of our planet’s seas and oceans. What can we do to look after the world we live in? Does God’s Spirit still hover around our watery world today and is He living in us as our comforter and friend?
Messy Church at Home: 6
Hits at Advent Messy Church sessions were decorated Advent Candles. They really seem to absorb a wide range of folk - Dads and Mums, Grandads and Grandmas, aunties and uncles, as well as children, all really get into it and produced superb candles.
Just buy a few white candles - 1 inch diameter (ordinary dinner candles would do fine), and pens that will write on wax - permanent OHP pens, or the kind of markers sold to write on CDs are fine. Candle paint works of course but it's more expensive and it takes a while to dry.
To help things along make a guide on a sheet of paper with a line marked with 24 divisions to lay the candle against - clearly this depends on the size of your candles. Just use the guide to help you mark your candle and number the divisions. The candles can be decorated with Christmassy pictures.
Just buy a few white candles - 1 inch diameter (ordinary dinner candles would do fine), and pens that will write on wax - permanent OHP pens, or the kind of markers sold to write on CDs are fine. Candle paint works of course but it's more expensive and it takes a while to dry.
To help things along make a guide on a sheet of paper with a line marked with 24 divisions to lay the candle against - clearly this depends on the size of your candles. Just use the guide to help you mark your candle and number the divisions. The candles can be decorated with Christmassy pictures.
Really simple but a great countdown to Christmas as we prepare ourselves by thinking about the story of Jesus' birth, and the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophesies. Advent is a time when we refocus on the amazing truth that God sent his only son into the world to redeem us. In the words of Graham Kendrick's hymn "The Servant King:..."
From heaven you came, helpless babe,
Entered our world, your glory veiled;
Not to be served but to serve,
And give your life that we might live.
This is our God, the Servant King,
He calls us now to follow him,
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to the Servant King.
From heaven you came, helpless babe,
Entered our world, your glory veiled;
Not to be served but to serve,
And give your life that we might live.
This is our God, the Servant King,
He calls us now to follow him,
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to the Servant King.
Messy Church at Home: 5
Matthew’s gospel account tells of Jesus and Peter walking on the water, but Peter’s faith is discouraged by the storm. Here is the account from Matthew 14:
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Jesus and Peter walk on the water activity:
You Will Need:
- Dry erase (whiteboard) marker
- A glass filled with water
- A small jug
- Food colouring (optional)
Draw a stickperson on the bottom of your glass with the marker pen. Wait a few moments for it to dry and then gently pour on some water. Your person will lift off the glass and literally float on the top of the water. You can try blowing gently to make him move and dance!
Think about how, in our story today, two people walk on the surface of water. What else could you draw or add in to help bring this story to life.
Let’s pray that God gives us faith and we won’t be discouraged.
Think about how, in our story today, two people walk on the surface of water. What else could you draw or add in to help bring this story to life.
Let’s pray that God gives us faith and we won’t be discouraged.
Messy Church at Home: 4
It’s Remembrance Day soon, when we remember all those who have died for our freedom in different wars. We remember by wearing a Red Poppy. Here is how you can make a Pinwheel poppy.
You will need: squares of red paper (or paper you have coloured red); scissors; paper fasteners; a black sharpie pen; a holepunch.
Cut your square of paper into the rough shape shown below - just fold a square in half diagonally, cut slits down the folds and shaped the edges. Use a hole punch to make holes on the four corner dots, and make a hole in the centre by pushing a paper fastener through. Curl each pointed end to the centre and put the paper fastener through all the holes. Colour the paper fastener black to look like the poppy seeds. Make a second square and add it to the original poppy if you want a fuller poppy shape.
We also remember, with grateful hearts, that Jesus, the son of God, gave up his life so that we might be rescued from our sin. John 3, v 16 says it all. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
You will need: squares of red paper (or paper you have coloured red); scissors; paper fasteners; a black sharpie pen; a holepunch.
Cut your square of paper into the rough shape shown below - just fold a square in half diagonally, cut slits down the folds and shaped the edges. Use a hole punch to make holes on the four corner dots, and make a hole in the centre by pushing a paper fastener through. Curl each pointed end to the centre and put the paper fastener through all the holes. Colour the paper fastener black to look like the poppy seeds. Make a second square and add it to the original poppy if you want a fuller poppy shape.
We also remember, with grateful hearts, that Jesus, the son of God, gave up his life so that we might be rescued from our sin. John 3, v 16 says it all. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Messy Church at Home: 3
There are still loads of brightly colour leaves and flowers around for you to collect and squish as shown in our first "Messy Church at Home Post". There are many things you can make with them to show Gods beautiful creation; pictures, fridge magnets and calendars. A favourite of Messy Church has been bookmarks. The bits and pieces you need are pictured below:
1. Simply cut out some coloured thin card into long strips (natural colours are good) and place your pressed leaves or flowers onto the card.
2. Use a tiny dab of PVA glue to hold them in place once you’ve designed your bookmark.
3. Write or print out a bible verse from the photo attached here and place it at one end of your bookmark. Glue in place.
If someone you know has a laminator ....
4. Insert the whole thing carefully into a laminating pouch and pass it through a laminator. Make sure the leaves or flowers are very flat and pressed thinly.
If you don’t have a laminator....
5. Use some good old sticky backed plastic (just like Blue Peter) to cover the bookmark.
6. Trim the edges and enjoy using your bookmark (one is pictured below:)
2. Use a tiny dab of PVA glue to hold them in place once you’ve designed your bookmark.
3. Write or print out a bible verse from the photo attached here and place it at one end of your bookmark. Glue in place.
If someone you know has a laminator ....
4. Insert the whole thing carefully into a laminating pouch and pass it through a laminator. Make sure the leaves or flowers are very flat and pressed thinly.
If you don’t have a laminator....
5. Use some good old sticky backed plastic (just like Blue Peter) to cover the bookmark.
6. Trim the edges and enjoy using your bookmark (one is pictured below:)
Have a look at our brilliant bible verses, pictured below. They might give you ideas for other activities as well as reminding you of how good our creator God is.
Messy Church at Home: 2
As promised, this week, a quick guide to making your Messy Church bird feeder, as part of our focus on Gods beautiful creation in Autumn.
Picture 1 (below) shows all you need; some bird seed, a pack of lard at room temperature, some yoghurt pots and some string:
Picture 1 (below) shows all you need; some bird seed, a pack of lard at room temperature, some yoghurt pots and some string:
- First make a hole in the base of the yoghurt pot (soak the label off), using something pointy. Be careful and get Mum or Dad to help you. Thread the string through the hole and tie it in a loop.
- Here’s the messy bit! Mix a couple of handfuls of seed with quarter of a block of lard using your hands!!! Yuck! Then squeeze as much of the mix into the pot as you can.
- Put the pot into the fridge for a couple of hours to harden the fat.
- Hang up your feeder on a tree branch near a window (see picture 2 below).
- Watch and enjoy and send us your photos to put on our web site.
- MOST IMPORTANT: Say a prayer of thanks to God for his amazing and awesome world, and do all you can to protect it.
A great bible passage to help us give thanks comes from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, chapter 3, vs 15-17:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be THANKFUL. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with GRATITUDE in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, GIVING THANKS to God the Father through him."
Why not let us know how you get on - Email your stories and/or photos to:
NEXT WEEK: What to make with those pressed leaves and flowers
What a FANTASTIC afternoon of MESSY CHURCH fun at St Hildeburgh’s in Hoylake
It was wonderful to welcome over seventy people to our January “Messy Church” afternoon. We learnt all about care for God’s creation and how we, too, can look after it. There were craft activities and games aplenty, before we went into the church for a short time of worship and singing. The day was rounded off with steaming plates of sausages and baked been for everyone who came along. Special mention goes to our vicar, Rev Paul, as several of our Messy Church-goes decided to clean his face!
Our TWENTIETH Messy Church Afternoon: July 2019
We had a wonderful “Messy Church” afternoon at St Hildeburgh’s on Saturday, 13th July – enjoyed by young and old alike! It was wonderful to welcome a number of people coming along to St Hildeburgh’s for the very first time. The day was something of a milestone for our church, as this was our TWENTIETH “Messy Church” afternoon. Given this, we were all in ‘party mood’, with games, competitions, worship, a picnic – and LOTS of fun: Both indoors and outside.
Our Easter ‘Messy Church’: Fun, Food, Sun and Worship!
We had a fantastic Messy Church afternoon at St Hildeburgh’s on Easter Saturday - we felt truly blessed by the Lord. It was wonderful to welcome over eighty people with a good number of folk coming to St Hildeburgh’s for the very first time.
As usual, we began with games – some indoor, but with the sunny day we were blessed with, lots of fun was had outside also; with everything from games of skittles to sack races. Then there was a range of craft activities which we all took part in, all with the theme of Jesus and the Easter story.
Next we all trooped into the church for a lively time of worship, led by Peter from our Ministry Team and our vicar, Rev Paul. Peter gave a fun talk, we learned a new Easter song, and Rev Paul led us in prayers.
We rounded the afternoon off with a hot meal for all comers in our Church Centre of chicken nuggets, potato wedges … and of course, baked beans!
Thanks to all who came along to enjoy our time together and the many members of our church family who worked tirelessly as helpers.
Why not come along to our NEXT ‘Messy Church’ afternoon? You would be very welcome! It’s on Saturday 13th July. Put the date in your diary!
As usual, we began with games – some indoor, but with the sunny day we were blessed with, lots of fun was had outside also; with everything from games of skittles to sack races. Then there was a range of craft activities which we all took part in, all with the theme of Jesus and the Easter story.
Next we all trooped into the church for a lively time of worship, led by Peter from our Ministry Team and our vicar, Rev Paul. Peter gave a fun talk, we learned a new Easter song, and Rev Paul led us in prayers.
We rounded the afternoon off with a hot meal for all comers in our Church Centre of chicken nuggets, potato wedges … and of course, baked beans!
Thanks to all who came along to enjoy our time together and the many members of our church family who worked tirelessly as helpers.
Why not come along to our NEXT ‘Messy Church’ afternoon? You would be very welcome! It’s on Saturday 13th July. Put the date in your diary!
WOW! Our Harvest ‘Messy Church’ in October
Our Harvest ‘Messy Church’ (13th October 2018), was a wonderful occasion – we felt really blessed. Fitting for the Harvest theme, we had a “bumper crop” of folk coming along – well over 120 people - with many coming along to St Hildeburgh’s for the very first time.
Our Harvest ‘Messy Church’ (13th October 2018), was a wonderful occasion – we felt really blessed. Fitting for the Harvest theme, we had a “bumper crop” of folk coming along – well over 120 people - with many coming along to St Hildeburgh’s for the very first time.
The afternoon began with games and other fun activities in the church centre – including face painting for the youngsters. Next came craft, making and painting, all with a harvest theme, and celebrating God’s creation and the fruits of His creation. As usual, the children made their own ‘Messy Puds’, and the St Hildeburgh’s ‘Voyagers’ group (which meets on Sunday mornings) had a special table this time, which was very popular.
Then we went into the church, where Rev Paul and Peter from our Ministry Team led us in a time of worship – with prayers, a thought-provoking drama-based talk on the ‘Parable of the Sower’, and lively songs led by Catherine O’Neil Edwards, our local school’s former head teacher.
The afternoon was rounded off by a hot meal for all – young and older alike – of good old hot dogs, chips and beans – and those delicious ‘Messy Puds’!
The afternoon was rounded off by a hot meal for all – young and older alike – of good old hot dogs, chips and beans – and those delicious ‘Messy Puds’!
Didn’t we all have a FANTASTIC day
at July's
"MESSY CHURCH"
in Hoylake
(14th July 2018)
at July's
"MESSY CHURCH"
in Hoylake
(14th July 2018)
It was great to welcome a good crowd of folk of ALL ages, as we met up in our church grounds for July's "Messy Church" at St Hildeburgh’s : Children, grannies, grandads, carers, parents, aunties, uncles … and even "BRONTE" the pony!
It was wonderful to welcome a number of people joining us for the first time at St Hildeburgh’s: Welcome to Jesus’s family in Hoylake!!
We had decided to hold this Messy Church afternoon in our church grounds - to make the most of the sunny weather we had been having. The theme for the day was “Saving God’s Wonderful World” and outdoor activities included: “Bug spotting”, water games, nest building, competitions, bird spotting … and more!
Following the activities in the church grounds, everyone went into the church itself for a short time of worship. We sang a couple of really lively songs, listened to a short thought-provoking talk, and ended with a prayer. After this, we all trooped back into the church grounds, where everyone joined in a picnic provided FREE to all, a time of fellowship, a good chat, and to make some new friends. (See the photos below)
Below:
“Saving God’s Wonderful World”
Photos of JULY’s
“Messy Church”
at St Hildeburgh’s
“Saving God’s Wonderful World”
Photos of JULY’s
“Messy Church”
at St Hildeburgh’s
Below:
Celebrating the Church’s “Birthday”:
Photos of May’s
“Messy Church”
at St Hildeburgh’s
Celebrating the Church’s “Birthday”:
Photos of May’s
“Messy Church”
at St Hildeburgh’s
On Saturday 5th May (2018), it was wonderful to have another, well-attended “Messy Church” afternoon at St Hildeburgh’s. It was a gloriously sunny day and the afternoon started at 4.00pm with games for the youngsters in our Church Centre. This was followed by thought-provoking, craft activities, linked to the theme we had chosen for the day of “Pentecost”. On the day of Pentecost, two thousand years ago, God sent his Holy Spirit upon Jesus’s followers, and they went out to spread the “Good News” of Jesus Christ – in many ways, it’s the Church’s “Birthday”. So our Messy Church afternoon was very much a day of real celebration.
After our craft activities, we went into the church for a short time of worship, with lively songs which we all really enjoyed. We then trooped back into the Church Centre where everyone sat down for a hot meal together. Many and sincere thanks go to all the members of our church family who worked so hard to make the day such a success.
After our craft activities, we went into the church for a short time of worship, with lively songs which we all really enjoyed. We then trooped back into the Church Centre where everyone sat down for a hot meal together. Many and sincere thanks go to all the members of our church family who worked so hard to make the day such a success.
Below: Some Photos from February's "Messy Church" at St Hildeburgh's:
