Family Services
We have family service every half term in one of our local churches. These are opportunities for us to come together as a community to share a special time.
28th September 2023
Our family service this morning was focussed on Friendship. Reverend Steve led our service exploring how friends help each other. Two of our collective worship ambassadors demonstrated this important message with one helping the other to use a rather large spoon to eat their cereal! Revered Steve shared the story of David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 20) from the bible to illustrate how Jonathan helped his friend David.
Some pupil then shared a prayer:
Dear God,
You have blessed us with wonderful friends who bring joy and laughter to our lives. Thank you for their smiles, their kindness, and their love.
But sometime, God, friendship can also be challenging.
We may have disagreements, misunderstandings, or hurtful moments.
In those times, I ask for your guidance and wisdom, to help us find forgiveness and understanding.
Please help us be a good friend to others,
to always be there for them when they need me, to listen with an open heart, and to offer a helping hand.
Teach me to be patient, caring, and compassionate towards my friends,
even when we may not see eye to eye.
Help me understand that friendship requires effort and commitment,
and that it's worth working through any difficulties that may arise.
We also want to pray for those who may not have many friends or who may feel lonely.
Please bring them comfort and show them that they are not alone.
Help us to be a friends to them, to extend a hand in times of need,
and to show them the love and acceptance they deserve.
Amen
18th October 2023
Today we joined together in worship for our Harvest Festival Service. Reverend Steve led our service alongside two of our youngest collective worship ambassadors from year 2. We sang songs to thank god for Harvest times and Year 3 & 4 told us the parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12 :16-21). Donations of food were received for the Quantock Food Bank to help local families in need.
Some pupils in year 6 then shared a prayer:
Our Harvest Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for the plentiful harvest that we have received this year. We are grateful for the delicious fruits, vegetables, and grains that have grown in our fields and gardens.
We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our farmers who have worked tirelessly to cultivate these crops. They have nurtured the soil, planted the seeds, and cared for the plants, so that we may have an abundance of food on our tables.
As we gather today to celebrate the harvest, fill our hearts with gratitude and joy. Help us not to take for granted the food we have been given, but to remember those who are less fortunate and may not have enough to eat. Teach us to be generous and willing to share our blessings with others.
We are also aware that the harvest isn't just about food. It represents the results of our hard work, perseverance, and the growth we have experienced throughout the year. Help us to remember this as we reflect on our achievements and set new goals for the future.
Lord, we pray for continued blessings upon our land, that we may have fruitful and abundant harvests in the years to come. Give us the wisdom to be good stewards of our resources, so that we can protect and sustain the earth for future generations.
May we always be thankful for all we have.
In your holy name, we pray.
Amen.
7th November 2023
Our family service this morning was based on Remembrance. Reverend Steve led the service exploring the different colours of the poppy and the importance of generosity and considering others. With the help of the collective worship ambassadors and some parent and community volunteers he shared the story of the eighteenth camel; Corinthians 1 verses 26-28.
Two of our collective worship ambassadors then shared a prayer:
Dear God,
We thank you for the brave soldiers who protected our country, even when it was hard and scary. We know that they showed great love and courage to keep us safe.
Help us remember the stories of the past, of the heroes who made sacrifices for us. We may not have known them, but we are grateful for their bravery.
Lord, we ask that you comfort the families of those who have lost loved ones in wars. Be with them in their sadness and help them find peace.
Help us all to appreciate the peace we have today, and may we never forget the importance of peace and kindness.
Guide us to be good friends and neighbours, showing love and understanding to everyone, just like the soldiers did.
Amen.
11th December 2023
Our Christmas service this morning was focussed on telling the story of birth of Jesus through Chocolate! Reverend Steve led our service cleverly telling the story of the birth of Jesus, with the support of parents and members of the community, using surprise appearances of chocolate to ‘celebrate’ the story. The reception children took on the roles of angels, wisemen, shepherds and Mary and Joseph to help build our tableau.
8th February 2024
Our family service this morning explored different ways that we can show love. Reverend Steve led our service by exploring how love can be shown as a noun (via gifts such as chocolate and flowers) or as a verb (via acts such as making our packed lunches and doing our washing!). Pupils helped share this message through miming different ways that we can show love and the choir led the children in songs of love by being grateful to God for our beautiful World. Two pupils shared a prayer that had written.
29th February 2024
Open the book joined us today to share the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1: 1-7: 73)
Wednesday 27th March 2024
Our family service today was focussed on the story of Easter. Reverend Steve Morley led our service with the help of 'Peter the Palm Tree' who told us the story of Easter week and shared some things he had kept to help him remember the story - such as coins, a nail, a thorn crown, a white cloth, a rock and an empty bag! This story helped us understand the events of Easter week and all of the children were given a palm cross at the end of the service.
Our collective worship ambassadors helped led the service and shared a prayer written by the children in Year 5 and 6:
Dear Heavenly Father,
May you bless us this Easter. Please help us remember the hope and love that Easter brings.
Thank you for the beauty of springtime and the joy of Easter.
Thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to teach us valuable lessons.
We are grateful for the sacrifice that Jesus made for us by dying on the cross.
Help us remember about all the fun times we have and help us to be kind and helpful to others, just like Jesus was.
We pray for those who are suffering or in need, that they may find comfort and strength in Your love.
In Jesus’ name, we pray,
Amen