This week's worship:

 

This day may we know:

the wisdom of God the Father,

the friendship of God the Son and

the guidance of God the Holy Spirit.

The words of wisdom on the picture were written by St Paul around 2000 years ago.  

He wanted to teach people that the best way to live in friendship is to encourage one another rather than being critical and negative.

 

The word 'build' makes us think of making something.

To build something can take time, needs perseverance and commitment.

To destroy something though takes no time at all.

 

Look at the photo of the three children. Do you think they are good friends?  What makes you think this?

 

One of my favourite films of all time is Toy Story 2 where all of Woody's friends never give up on him even when he is being unkind to them.  If you have the film why not watch it again whilst school is not open to you - I have put a link to YouTube to the song "You've got a friend in me" which you might enjoy watching (check with an adult first before you go online!) https://youtu.be/CNi02gxTI1M

 

What kind of friend are you?

Do you encourage others and build them up, or more often, do you criticise and point out the things they struggle to do?

It is very easy to lose our tempers and to say something that later we regret.  It's a challenge but during this time let's all try to find positive things to say about each other and to each other so that we are building each other up!

 

A prayer of encouragement:

Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of our friends. At every opportunity, help us to encourage one another and build each other up.

Make us aware when our friends are sad or feel that they have failed. Help us to encourage one another and build each other up.

When we are tempted to be negative or criticise our friends, instead, help us to encourage one another and build each other up.

Amen