Fun in the Sunshine
An assembly from the Culham St Gabriel archive
Suitable for Whole School (Pri) - Church Schools
Aims
To consider the different seasons and the changes that these bring to our lives.
Preparation and materials
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Have available some images of different seasons of the year, such as:
- winter, available at: http://tinyurl.com/htszrlv
- spring, available at: https://tinyurl.com/wbwmx2kp
- summer, available at: https://tinyurl.com/2nnbh7dj
- autumn, available at: http://tinyurl.com/z4qwash -
You will also need to be familiar with the story of Jesus and the disciples found in the Bible in Luke 5 and 6.
Assembly
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Show the images of different seasons of the year.
Ask the children to identify each season and describe the types of activities they enjoy at different times of the year. -
Point out that there has recently (hopefully!) been a great change in the weather. The winter was long and cold, but suddenly, things appear to be changing.
Ask the children to describe the changes they have noticed in the weather. -
Ask what different activities the children have been able to do in the good weather that they could not do in the winter. Use some of the children’s ideas to show that many activities that we enjoy in the sunshine include a greater number of people. For example, playing football, going to the park or beach, having a picnic and going on holiday. Point out that doing things with other people can often increase the enjoyment found in an activity.
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We know from the Bible that even Jesus needed friends. He had 12 special friends who are known as the disciples. (You may wish to tell the children about the calling of Jesus’ disciples, which is found in the Bible in Luke 5 and 6.) Encourage the children to think about why Jesus wanted and needed special friends. Explain that not only did he need those friends to help him do his work, he also needed their love and support, whether he felt sad or whether he wanted to share his happiness. Explain that this is also true for us. We all need other people to share our lives, for the good times and the bad.
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Jesus often spoke about the importance of loving other people. By this, he meant that we should be kind and thoughtful, and we should always care and think about the needs of others. Sometimes, this can be difficult to carry out, but Jesus is an excellent example to us. In John 13, there is a story about Jesus washing the feet of his friends before they shared a meal together. The disciples were very surprised because Jesus was their leader, yet he got down on his knees and washed their hot, dirty feet! Jesus explained that he wanted his disciples to follow his example and be willing to do even unpleasant things to help other people.
Time for reflection
Think back to the cold, dark days of winter. When spring appears, the sun seems to make everything much brighter and clearer. In the Bible, Jesus is described as ‘the light of the world’. Christians believe that he can bring light to their lives even in the saddest and most difficult times.
The changes in the seasons are a wonderful thing. There is goodness and happiness in each season. What a wonderful world God has created! Light and dark, warmth and cold, sunshine and showers. Whatever the weather, whatever the time of year, God is always there, loving us, caring for us and being our friend.
Prayer
Dear God,
We thank you for the beauty that we see in the changing seasons.
We thank you for the warmth of the summer sun.
We thank you for our friends and for the fun we have with them, especially at this time of year.
Help us to understand how important it is to love one another.
Help us try to be good friends.
Thank you that you are the best friend of all.
Amen.
Song/music
‘Light up the fire’ (Come and Praise, 55)
