Worship Leader: We gather together in Jesus’ name All: Help us to explore, discover and learn together

Who is in your family? Do you sometimes feel like your friends at school are your family too?

What are some of the special things you do as friends or as a family?

Jesus and his disciples often had to depend on family, friends and neighbours for food and shelter. Sometimes they would have to sleep outdoors. Jesus warned his followers that they would have to give up a lot if they really wanted to follow him.

The Church can be like a family too. Some people go to church because they feel they are members of God’s family; others go because they want to find out more about God. For years people have been going to church especially on Mothering Sunday to remember how the Church cares for them like their mother. The Church cares for our school family too.

This week’s Lent Challenge Bishop Stephen is challenging us to do something special for our own family – this could also be the family of the school, the family of the church or the family of the neighbourhood. It could even be for our “biggest family” – the world.

God our Father, Bless all mothers, fathers and carers as they look after their families. Give them strength and wisdom, kindness and patience, as they protect their children and help them to grow. We ask that each and every one of us may play our part in making our own family home, church and neighbourhood a supportive and happy place to be. Amen

Worship Leader: Go in peace to discover God’s world and your place in it. All: We go in Jesus’ name