This year, the whole faculty (including maintenance, cleaning, office, and technology staff) spent a weekend away to fellowship and grow closer as a team. Our speaker, Stan Owens-Hughes, talked to use about our theme this school year of SERVICE. He has been a missionary to the indigenous tribes of Colombia for the past 25 years. What I loved is our devotional time where we just mediated on a passage of scripture and then we came together with our small groups to talk about how the Lord had spoken to us. Here are a few of my take-aways and applications for serving 3rd Grade!1. Jesus served Judas even when he knew he was going to betray him - John 13
"Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end...." v.1
"the devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist..." v. 2-4
"When he finished washing THEIR feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place." v.12
2. Jesus shows us true motivation for our service. - Matthew 20:1-28
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard, HE AGREED TO PAY THEM A DENARIUS for the day and sent them into his vineyard." v. 1-2
"The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So, when those came who were hired first, THEY EXPECTED TO RECEIVE MORE. But each one of them also received a denarius. WHEN THEY RECEIVED IT, they began to GRUMBLE against the landowner." v.9-11He answered one of them, "Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you ENVIOUS BECAUSE I AM GENEROUS?" v. 13, 15
Quotes from my devotional time:
Oh Jesus, to be the kind of servant that you were! Thank for your example, that I might at least serve ONCE in my whole life as you have served. Dear Lord, I know there are so many selfish motivations to serve, so many missed opportunities to help someone. Being aware of wrong motivations will help me seek the right ones.
Help me to serve you, serve my students, with my WHOLE heart (whether they deserve it or not, whether it's noticed or not, whether I am tired or energized...)You have to know who you are in Christ and where your eternal life is headed. You are completely special to God, but it is nothing about you that makes you more important than others. He loves us all!
Each group had to come up with a song about service. It was so much fun to see the Lord work in my group and that the words perfectly blended together all of our thoughts. Here is our song...
"He Has Served Us" (to the tune of "We Will Rock You")
He has, He has served Us! (2x)
Back in the day, Jesus walked on the earth
He washed disciples feet and he humbly served
He healed the sick
Made the blind to see
He died on the cross to set the captives free
He has, He has served Us! (2x)
You need a friend, I will walk with you.
You need a meal, I will cook that, too!
Jesus is my Lord
And he served me
Now I will go and be his hands and feet.
We will, We will serve you! (2X)
Prayers and Praises:
Please continue to pray for the Farmer's strike and for President Santos. They are still in negotiations. Roads are clear to travel on - with police officers asking you to give a thumbs up if your travel is going ok :-)
Praise for a disciple relationship that is starting! I will be encouraging, praying, and meeting with a 10th grader named Maria Alejandra. Please pray for our relationship as I get to know her :-0 Can't wait to see how God will bless this relationship! We are meeting once a week during lunch on Thursdays - if you would like to pray specifically for us at that time.
Continued prayers for patience and grace with my students.
Because they haven't heard,
Carrie
