Fun in the Sun

An assembly from the Culham St Gabriel archive

Suitable for Key Stage 1

Aims

To explore the effects of the different seasons and the importance of sharing time with friends – even for Jesus!

Preparation and materials

• You will need a flip chart or equivalent on which to record the children's ideas.
• You will also need a selection of images showing the contrast between winter and summer and the ability to show them during the assembly.
• Familiarize yourself with the story in the Bible of Jesus and his disciples in Luke, chapters 5 and 6), 

Assembly

1. What a change there has been in the weather! The winter was long and cold, but suddenly in the spring the weather changed.

What has the weather been like recently? What have we been able to do in the good weather that we couldn’t do in the winter?

Using the flip chart or chosen alternative, record the thoughts and ideas volunteered by the children of what they enjoy doing in better weather.

2. When the weather is good, more of what we enjoy doing involves a greater number of people.

Give examples from the notes made of the things the children said that they enjoy doing in the sun, Examples might include playing football, going to the park or beach, having a picnic, going on holiday.

Can you think which aspects of these activities work better when there is more than one person taking part?

Collect examples of times when it is good to do things together, writing them on the flip chart or alternative.

3. We know from the Bible that even Jesus needed friends, In fact, he had 12 special friends.

Describe how Jesus called his disciples, as it is told in Luke, chapters 5 and 6.

4. Why do you think Jesus wanted and needed special friends?

Not only did he need those friends to help him do his work but he also needed their love and support when he felt sad. Of course, it was good to have them to share his times of happiness with, too.

5. It's just the same for us. Think about why we need friends. Reflect on how lucky you are to have friends. Also, it feels good to help others who are lonely and left out so that they can experience such happiness as well.

6. Think back to the cold dark days of winter.

Show images of winter.

Think of words to describe the season of winter and how we feel, especially when we are outside in the cold or wet.

7. Look outside (if the weather is good). Let’s see if we can think of some good words to describe how we feel in the summer and sunshine.

Show images of summer.

8. The sun makes everything much brighter and clearer. Jesus is often called 'The light of the world'. Without Jesus in our lives, we can feel cold, sad or depressed, unsure of where to go, but letting Jesus in, listening to the stories he told and learning from them, is like being or looking outside on a bright and beautiful day. Having Jesus with us can make us feel happier, warm, comfortable and more confident about where we are going and which is the right way to get there.

Time for reflection

The changes in the weather and the seasons are wonderful. There is goodness and happiness in each season.

What a wonderful world God created! Light and dark, warm and cold, sunshine and showers. Whatever the weather, whatever the time of year, God is always there, loving us, caring for us, being our friend.

Prayer 

Father,
We thank you for the beauty we see in the changing seasons.
We thank you for the warmth of the summer sun.
We thank you for our friends and the fun we have with them, especially at this time of year. Help us to remember your teachings.
Let us understand how important it is to love one another.
Help us try to be good friends, looking after others – especially those who feel lonely and sad.
Amen. 

Song/music

'Morning sun, morning sun' (Come and Praise, 93)

'He's got the whole world' (Come and Praise, 19)

'Can you be sure that the rain will fall?' (Come and Praise, 31)