Archive - Crib Sheets

This week’s story in the Book of Acts occurs after the day of Pentecost.  At this point, the disciples are filled with the “Holly Spirit” and ready to begin making disciples of all nations.  Their first audiences of course are in Jerusalem.  Today the disciples have gathered at Solomon’s Portico – a public space that was subject to the authorities.  One might say the disciples were “thumbing their noses” at those who had specifically forbidden them to speak, act or do anything in the name of Jesus.  Clearly they had the courage to challenge those in authority, even knowing what the punishment would be.

The “signs and wonders” the disciples were able to perform in Jesus’ name amazed the people and consequently, there was always a crowd wherever the disciples happened to be.  Their actions were so dramatic that some people believed that if they touched Peter’s shadow, they would be healed.  Because of all this, large numbers of men, women, and children were added to the church.  There was beginning to be power in numbers.

We all know that it is the little things that can really brighten someone's day!  Just recently, a TCC youth recognized and connected the fact that a woman in his neighborhood was also his TCC grandparent.  This link has made a difference in the life of these two people.

With summer approaching, our Sunday School classes will not be in session to be able to send cards, letters or artwork to these adults who are unable to attend worship regularly.  We are hoping that individual families might be able to take a few moments during the hot months to drop a note to their TCC grandparents.

Please find attached a list of the TCC grandparents listed by grade.  If you are interested in writing to them, please send me an e-mail (click on my name associated with this article) and I will send you the requested information.

Have you noticed the bright chain of links hanging on the banister outside the office?  This is the beginning of our Generosity Links!  Here at TCC, parents have been asked to recognize their child(ren) for any act of kindness they witness.  The following youth listed in the attached document have performed acts of kindness that have demonstrated a giving nature.

Know someone who deserves some recognition?

Slips of paper are available for adults to fill out in the church foyer as you enter the sanctuary. On each slip, adults need to write the youth’s name and the act of generosity performed. Filled out links can be put in the canister on the window ledge outside the office. Each link that is collected and will be connected to other slips forming a chain.

Peter and John were loyal Jews who went to the Temple daily to pray.  As they went through the entrance called the Beautiful Gate, they saw a man who had been lame since birth.  Each day, the man was carried to the Temple so that he could beg for his living.

In Bible times, people regarded those among them with physical disabilities as having some moral failing.  They were obviously being punished either for their own sins or for the sins of their parents.  Jesus did not believe this to be true.  He passed his disbelief on to his followers.  Jesus also passed on his ability to heal. 

The lame man asked Peter and John for money.  Having no money, Peter offered him all he had – wholeness – “in the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, rise up and walk”.  To the people of that time, a name carried the power and authority of that person, so Peter offered the man healing not through his own power, but by Jesus’ power.  The man believed in this healing power of Jesus and was made whole.

All who saw this miracle were amazed, and soon a crowd gathered.  Peter then told Jesus’ story to all the people.  He wanted to make sure that people understood that the power to heal was not his, but God’s alone.  All the glory belonged to God.

On Sat., May 12, 2012, the USPS is doing their annual food drive. The Tewksbury postal carriers will bring all collected food items to the Tewksbury Food Pantry. On this day in past years, TCC volunteers have really made a difference at the pantry with the sorting. The food pantry would love our help again this year between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. Individuals or families, with or without kids, are all welcome to participate. As a bonus, if a child participates in the sorting at the pantry, he or she would be eligible for $5 Bible Bucks as well as a link on the Generosity Chain. There will be a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall (on the Missions bulletin board) for 2 or 3 hour shifts. If you would like to participate, please remember to wear your red TCC mission shirt!

Can you answer the question below? Take a few moments to test your child's knowledge and learn some new facts based on questions related to TCC’s support of Heifer International.

If Reena’s Heifer goat in India produces four quarts of milk a day, for 250 days of the year, how much milk will she have to supply her family? Hint: 4 quarts=1 gallon

Please submit answers via e-mail (click on Sue's name above) on or before Tuesday 5/8. One correct answer will be chosen at random to receive a prize from the RE prize box.

Could you answer the question below? Answers are in parathesis following the question.

1. The small Philippines buffalo is  (a) caracal; (b) caribou; (c) carabao

(carabao)

2. Buffalo cannot swim and they sink in the water. True or False?

(False)

3. Heifer provides buffalo to these two continents: (a) Asia; (b) Africa; (c) Australia.

(Asia and Africa)

Due to a large number of CYW youth having expressed interest in participating in Boston’s Walk for Hunger this coming Sunday morning there will be no Contemporary Youth Worship.  Youth who will be in church this Sunday have two options: they may remain in adult worship or with prior permission, youth may assist in a Sunday School classroom.  If they choose the second option, please have them drop Sue Panilaitis an e-mail or seek her out prior to 9:30 on Sunday morning.

This week’s scripture story is often called “The Great Commission” because it sets forth the mission statement of the church.  Moses received a covenant for Israel on Mount Sinai.  Now Jesus gives to his disciples a new commission from the mountain of Galilee.  To those who believe in God’s power comes the charge to “make disciples of all nations.” The disciples are to teach others, even Gentiles, what Jesus taught them. 

By the time the disciples met Jesus in Galilee, they were inspired and had whole new story to tell – they were the followers of a resurrected Christ.  And they were eager to spread the word.  Jesus had a specific goal in mind.  They were to go to the people of all nations, tell the story, make disciples, and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

With the Great Commission came a promise.  Jesus promised the disciples that he would be with them always, “until the end of the present age”(Matthew 28:20).  This promise confirms what was anticipated before Jesus’ birth : “ And they would call him Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23).

Could you answer the question below? Answers are in parathesis following the question.

Nah Beh has two acres of land from which he used to get a total of 5,000 kilograms of rice per year.  With the help of his Heifer water buffalo, he can now harvest three times as much rice per acre than before.

 How many kilograms of rice will he have with his Heifer water buffalo? (15,000 kgs)

If he keeps half for his family to eat, how much will he have to sell? (7,500 kgs).

In Luke’s Gospel, there are three appearances of the resurrected Christ.  The first occurs when Cleopas and Simon, followers of Jesus but not part of the inner circle were walking along the road to Emmaus after having gone to Jerusalem for Passover.  As the three men walked and talked, Cleopas and Simon shared with their unknown companion their beliefs that Jesus was obviously not the “one” to redeem Israel as the man had died.  At this point, Jesus began to interpret for them the things that about himself in the Scriptures, expressing how foolish they were not to believe what had been prophesized.  How shocked the men were at dinner that night when Jesus broke the bread and they truly realized with whom they has spent the day.

Jesus appeared to the disciples for the third and final time after the Resurrection by the sea of Galilee.  Some of his disciples were fishing, which had been their trade before following Jesus.  After fishing all night, they had caught nothing.  Then Jesus called to them, telling them to cast their nets from the other side of the boat.  When they did, they caught a net full of fish. The disciples did not immediately recognize their friend and teacher.  However, when they did, they were astounded.  Peter plunged into the sea in an effort to reach Jesus quickly. When everyone was ashore, Jesus invited them to join him for breakfast.

First it was a conversation outside the tomb. Then an appearance on the road to Emmaus.  Little by little, Jesus was proving to his friends that God had truly raised him from the dead.  After Jesus accession to Heaven, the followers were able to tell Jesus lessons to others with great certainty that Jesus is alive and our redeemer.