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SUNDAY SCHOOL

THE 7 UPS

1. Wake Up!
Decide to have a good day.
"Today is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalms 118:24)

2. Dress Up!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord
looks at the heart." (I Samuel 16:7)

3. Listen Up!
Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.
"He who guards his lips guards his soul." (Proverbs 13:3)
"Gossip betrays confidence. Avoid men who talk too much." (Proverbs 20:19)
"Listen to advice, accept instruction and in the end, you will be wise." (Proverbs 19:20)

4. Stand Up!
For what you believe in. Stand for something or you
will fall for anything.
"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at theproper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good..." (Galatians 6:9-10)

5. Look Up!... To the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me". (Philippians 4:13)

6. Reach Up!...For something higher.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways,
acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

7. Lift Up!...Your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." (Philippians 4:6)

CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A CROSS
In fact, Christian life is practically a journey to Golgotha; and Christianity without a cross is really not Christianity.
Those who have received their good things on earth, will have no share in the Kingdom, as the story of the rich man and Lazarus explains to us (Luke 16:25). We say that, as regards individuals, just as we say it as regards groups and churches also. For Christianity is a participation in the sufferings of Christ, as the Apostle St. Paul said:

"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:10).

He also said  about this participation in the sufferings:

"I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but  Christ lives in me" (Galations 2:20).

So that if you want to live with Christ, you must be crucified with Christ, or you must be crucified for Him, and suffer for Him, even if that would lead to die for Him also.

NARNIA : BETWEEN THE LINES

Have you seen "Narnia" the film? Or perhaps read

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" the book?

Most people would say it is just a fantasy story... Wrong...

So what is the true moral of the story?  In fact nearly every single movement in the story has a Biblical meaning! "God in the Land of Narnia" is a book explaining the full Biblical meaning in approximately 300 pages.

If you are interested in the full meaning of the story, click here to view the  summarised version of "God in the Land of Narnia."

SOMETHING TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CHURCH : SACRAMENTS

A SACREMENT, in a very broad sense of term, combines two elements: one visible, the other invisible– one can be seen, or tasted, or touched, or heard while the other remains unseen to the eyes of the flesh.

It is an invisible grace we receive through a visible rite ,sign or substance.

In Baptism the substance is water by which we receive the second birth from Water and Spirit.

In Confirmation the substance is the oil of Myron, by which the Holy Spirit dwells in us.

In Confession the sign is the confessing person, who accepts the prayer of absolution at the end of Confession to gain forgiveness of sins.

In Communion the substances are the bread, which is the Holy Body  and wine, which is Precious Blood of Emmanuel our God.

In Unction of sick the substance is the oil, by which we receive physical and psychological remedy.

 In Matrimony the sign is the bride and groom who receive the prayers, so the Holy Spirit dwells upon them and unites them in body and spirit.

 In Priesthood the sign is the ordained person, who accepts the prayers of the Sacrament of Priesthood and the laying of hands for a certain priestly rank, to gain the grace for starting church services - whether Sacraments or authority for various church matters and management.

The Holy Spirit works in the church through the 7 SACRAMENTS, giving us His gifts, blessings and comfort, and teaches us and guides us to the way of truth.

“But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26).

“Do not seek the perfection of the law in human virtues, for it is not found perfect in them. Its perfection is hidden in the Cross of Christ. “ (St. Mark the Ascetic)