Fellowship "Elbow Bump" for August 7

Photo by Giovanni Alecrim on Unsplash

Our World Belongs to God 47

We continue on this week with the"Contemporary Testimony: Our World Belongs to God." 

Paragraphs 1-6: Preamble (April 11-29)
Paragraphs 7-12: Creation (April 30-May 8)
Paragraphs 13-17: Fall (May 11-15)
Paragraphs 18-22: Redemption (May 18-22)
Paragraphs 23-27: Jesus Christ (May 25-29)
Paragraphs 28-30: Holy Spirit (June 1-2, 5)
Paragraphs 31-33: Revelation (June 8-10)
Paragraphs 34-40: God's New People (June 11-19)
Paragraphs 41-54 The Mission of God's People (June 23-)

Paragraph 47 (Today)
Serving the Lord
in whom all things hold together,
we support sound education in our communities,
and we foster schools and teaching
in which God’s truth shines in all learning.
All students,
without regard to abilities, race, or wealth,
bear God's image
and deserve an education
that helps them use their gifts fully.

[For the importance of education, see Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Proverbs 4:1-9; for the need for God’s light, Psalm 119:105; for the central place of Christ, Colossians 1:17; for equal acceptance, James 2:1-13.]

I've attended public schools and Christian schools, both high school and university. I've been on both sides of the classroom podium, and I've studied in online classrooms.  I value and honour our educators. We have amazing opportunities and choices in education, but it's all very complex, especially for those who seek God's glory in all they do.  It seemed hard enough before this year; now what we had before seems so simple compared to education in 2020!

As I wrote this, the Government of Ontario was releasing its directives for classrooms in this most unusual year. As if the past year was not difficult enough, this next year could be even more difficult. Every teacher and school administrator I've spoken to has expressed similar concerns. Some in our congregation teach in Christian schools, some in the public system, and others are school administrators. Each one faces the same uncertainties, needing to plan for multiple challenging scenarios.

Our students face similar challenges, in every grade and university level, not to mention the complexities of maintaining friendships during COVID-19.

Let's also not forget the parents of our students who are still trying to figure out what September might look like!

Let's pray now for our teachers, students and parents:
"Lord, we lift up our teachers and school administrators. We ask that you would give them grace and patience as they wait to find out what this school year will be like. We pray that you would give them peace as they bring the uncertainties of the year ahead to you.  Please help them to teach truth in your love. We pray for the students, as they try and navigate relationships during this pandemic. We pray that you will give them an environment conducive to learning.  And we pray for wisdom for their parents, as they make plans for the Fall.  And most of all, we pray for an environment where your name can be glorified by parent, student and teacher alike."

Pray with me as our Lord taught us to pray,

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Go with this blessing:

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Pastor Mark