July 19, 2020 Sunday Morning in Pajamas: Summer Church School & Devotionals

Love your neighbor Follow this link for a plethora of resources on anti-racism. There are resources for both adults and children.

This Morning The Greatest Commandments

Focus Scripture Love does no wrong to anyone. That’s why it fully satisfies all of God’s requirements. It is the only law you need. - Romans 13:10

What's the most important thing? “When Jesus is asked, ‘What’s the most important thing?’ Jesus’ response is to love, love God with everything that you have and then love those around you in the same kind of way. Jesus doesn’t separate loving God and loving others. For Jesus, everything hangs on these two. And so the defining mark of a Christian is love.” - Rob Bell, "Bullhorn"

"The Most Important Commandment" from Young Children and Worship with Storyteller Meredith McCormick I wonder how the priests and elders feel as Jesus tells what is the most important commandment? I wonder why it is hard for some of them to love Jesus? I wonder how the people feel when they love God with all their hearts, with all their souls, with all their minds, and with all their strength?

What does that mean? Commandment A rule given by God. God gave the people of Israel, our faith ancestors, these rules because they had been slaves and needed to learn how to love God, themselves, and their neighbors again. Some people call the Ten Commandments "the Ten Best Ways to Live." Jesus taught us, of the commandments, the most important thing to remember is: Love God with your heart: God loves us so much and God desires for us to love God back. Love God with everything you have: What are all the ways that we can show God how big our love is? Remember these words: when you wake, when you get ready to go to sleep, wherever you may go.

Activity - Sing and Dance Along Help remember the Greatest Commandment with this peppy song and dance! Found in the Gospels of Matthew 22:34 - 40 and Mark 12:28 - 34

Bedtime Stories with the Skit Guys

" Greatest Commandment "   Tommy and Eddie present Philip and Andrew, who try to figure out what the greatest commandment is, but are surprised Jesus says it all comes down to loving God and loving your neighbors. You’ll be challenged to think about whether you’re a fan or a follower of Jesus.

Closing - Watch "One Love" Tuff Gong Worldwide is proud to present this track premiere of "One Love" from the release, '1 World Children's Chorus: Celebrating Bob Marley!'  The album is a collection of Marley classics performed and recorded by children from school music programs around the world. Through this program, children were provided instruments and clothes. Additionally, a portion of proceeds from this release helped keep these programs funded and alive.  Find out more about the project @ tuffgongworldwide.com/1wc

Did you miss our 2020 Community VBS: Compassion Camp? It's not too late for your family to participate at your own pace sometime during the rest of the summer! Each of the links below will take you to a full VBS day of activities: Monday VBS - At the Table Tuesday VBS - To the Neighbor Wednesday VBS - For Myself Thursday VBS - Along the Way Friday VBS - With the World The VBS curriculum will be available through September 1st We have a slideshow showing some of the families who participated during VBS week July 13 - Jul 17. You may view it here and if your family participates later this summer, please share your photos and videos too and we will add them to the slideshow! VBS is fully funded via our free-will offering. If you would like to support this ministry, please follow this link to make an online donation or mail a check to: First Congregational Church Attn: Catherine Curtis 535 Forest Ave Glen Ellyn IL 60137 "VBS" on memo line

"Great and Small" 2020 Guide to the Most Okayest Summer Ever! Need some simple, faith-filled, and fun activities for the summer before and after VBS? A touch more connection... A little more summer, and maybe A little more God! Click here for music as well as digital and printable activity booklets!

Youth Education Staff

Catherine Curtis Director of Christian Education catherine@fccge.org 630.469.3096 ext. 23

Danny Harman Director of Youth Ministries danny@fccge.org 630.469.3096 ext. 19

Cathy Basso Youth Education Coordinator cathy@fccge.org 630.469.3096 ext. 19

Kathleen Page Nursery Coordinator

Huong Luu Nursery Coordinator

- Vaziri, Aidin (September 7, 2010). "Michael Franti got his guitar, then headed to Iraq. Any requests for anti-war music?". SF GATE. 4:00 am, Thursday, September 7, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2015.