8/18 "Cloud of Witnesses"

The lectionary draws upon Hebrews 11:29-12:2 for August 18, and the last two verses especially stood out to me when I started thinking about the bible story for the week

Hebrews 12:1-2a:Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

 Do you remember when we blew up balloons and sent them up into the sky for Jaime?  I like to think sometimes that she's up there in clouds, watching us, dancing and smiling.  Today in our stories we talked about a "cloud of witnesses."  A witness is someone who knows the truth and shares the truth with others.  In this case, we're talking about the truth about Jesus and his love.  How do we share this truth about God's love?  (ask kids to respond--see if you can get them to talk about telling others about Jesus, songs, playing nicely with our brothers and sisters, helping our mom and dad, coming to church, etc.) 

Where is the cloud of witnesses?  Well...The cloud of witnesses is kinda like the internet; it's out *THERE* (gesture wide) , we can talk to all sorts of people from everywhere in the world, and we can feel all connected to each other.  On facebook, I can talk to my family, my friends--and I can even still talk to Jaime, on her page.  I do sometimes.  Would you like to leave a message for Jaime?  Some of the adults here today are going to help you write out messages for Jaime and other people who have taught us about Jesus love.  You can thank them, tell them about how you feel today, or tell them about how you are sharing Jesus love with others.

Remember the picture clouds you made in Sunday school earlier?  We're going to take them and post them on the big front bulletin board, turning them into a bigger cloud.  See how BIG the cloud is?  That's just the Jesus love cloud that surrounds us here--how much bigger do you think it would be if the adults upstairs added to it?  What about if other churches in Hazelwood added to it? What about in ALL of Missouri? That's the cloud of witnesses and love of Jesus--it's HUGE!  It's full of people who want us to know Jesus and love him and help us to grow into wonderful people who will share our love with others. 

Can you pray with me?
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for your love.  Thank you for everyone who shows me your love.  Help me to show your love to others and tell them about you.
Amen.