Handmaidens of the Lord
Saturday, January 26 – continued
One-Day Spiritual Refreshment
Introduction to the day:
Have you ever realized after reading a book to a child that there was a life-lesson contained in it?
Barb Eby will look at several classic works of children’s literature and find scriptural principles on topics like servanthood, giftedness, and suffering, along with some biblical and contemporary handmaidens of the Lord who modeled them.
Linnea led the ladies in singing several songs to open the morning service.
Rebekah, Abigail, Ellie provided beautiful music.
Kathy welcomed everyone to this special day for ladies.
The Ladies Fellowship Committee – Kathy, Dorinda (hidden behind Barb), Jen, and Deb – praying for each lady – especially for Barb.
Barb began her session by leading us in singing a nursery rhyme – since we were studying children’s books.
Singing Itsy Bitsy Spider
The first story was The Little Red Hen. In this photo Barb is pointing to one of the groups of ladies who said, “Not I” at the appropriate time.
She used this story to remind us of the rewards and challenges of being a servant of the Lord?
The next story she used was Five Chinese Brothers.
Barb used this story to talk about giftedness – and a very gifted person did some great artwork for these props.
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The plot of the story:
Long ago in China lived a family with five brothers who resembled each other very closely. They each possessed a special talent. One can swallow the sea; one has an iron neck; one can stretch his legs; one can survive fire; and the last can hold his breath forever.
When one of the brothers, a very successful fisherman, agrees to let a young boy accompany him on his fishing trip, trouble results. This brother holds the entire sea in his mouth so that the boy can retrieve fish and treasures. When the man can no longer hold in the sea, he frantically signals to the boy, but the boy ignores him and drowns when the man releases the water.
The man is accused of murder and sentenced to death. However, one by one, his four brothers assume his place when subjected to execution, and each uses his own superhuman ability to survive…
…one cannot be beheaded…
…one cannot be drowned because his legs extend…
…one cannot be burned…
…and one cannot be smothered.
At the end of the story, a judge decides that the brother accused of murder must have been innocent, since he could not be executed, and the five brothers return home.
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God has gifted each of us to help, equip, and encourage each other.
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Following the second story it was time for lunch in the fellowship hall.
I will tell you about lunch in my next post – tomorrow night.