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This is the traditional music of Go Tell it on the Mountain with new words in the verses. The music is public domain.
The music in the verses is repeated with the last note in the second line of each verse staying on the same note instead of going up. The words are based on the Bible passage from Acts 14 with the call to share the Good News about Jesus. (Chorus) Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, Go tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is Lord! From Antioch they journeyed with fasting, prayer, and grace, The Spirit sent them forward to every tribe and place. With courage born of heaven, their mission clear and true- They told of Christ the Saviour , and we are called there too! Chorus- Go tell it on the mountain... They preached the word with boldness, though some refused to hear, Still many hearts were opened, and joy replaced their fear. They carried hope unshaken, God's word like flame unfurled- And now we bear the calling, to share it through the world. Chorus- This mission stands before us, together bold we stand- To spread His love and mercy and follow His command. So let us speak with purpose, and live the truth we sing, Proclaiming hope and mercy, found only in our King. Chorus- © words Don Stott, Eliab.com Even There Before the song, before the light, in hush of dawn or darkest night, when words fall short, or none appear-- -God listens. Even there. In broken hallelujahs rung, by weary hands or trembling tongue, through shadows deep or plaintive prayer-- -God listens. Even there. When gladness dances, sorrow sighs, beneath bright stars or stormy skies, when fear and faith bring one to prayer -God listens. Even there. In grateful praise and quiet plea, by lifted hand or bended knee, through silence deep when burdens tear - God listens. Even there. So let the music now arise, from longing hearts and tear-stained eyes; He hears us, meets us, leads us near-- -God listens. Even here. © Don Stott. Eliab.com June 28. 2025 Listen to the Song version of "Even There" © Words&Music Don Stott, Eliab.com Love’s Breadth
God’s love is so wide - - - - - - - - it reaches and it wraps the whole world and beyond. God’s love is so high """"""""""""""""""""" it rises and it soars to the heights of celebration and elation! God’s love is so deep _____________ it drills and and it dives to the depths of discouragement, despair and even death and it binds and holds and it heals the hearts of the isolated; the lonely; the refugee. You will never, ever, be parted from God’s Wide, high, deep, deep, love! (Don Stott – Eliab.com) “Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb its depth! Rise to its heights! Live full lives full in the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-20, The Message) My Advent Leaf Lowly leaf, still, beside the bush track so scarred, deformed, and common place – Yet your hollows and hues draw me to kneel and look at you. Now lifted, I notice a deeper design in this delicate gum. As Advent begins, I’m reminded of Mary and Joseph labouring along the Galilee trail to Bethlehem. – Two humble souls, though sidelined and shamed remain resolute, faithful, and grateful. God’s plan may seem so flawed to some but this devoted pair soon delight to hold the perfect “Promised One”! As I cradle my fragile “Advent Leaf” I’m reminded I need to stop; to welcome and worship the “Creator King” who has come and who has seen my sin -stained life and still loves me… truly, completely, forever. (c) Don Stott Dec 3 2022  Some resources to start your thinking, planning and praying about children in worship, faith development and the many challenges facing children and children's ministers in the future.
Books Faithfully Different, Regaining Biblical Clarity in a Secular Culture by Natasha Crain , Harvest House Publishers, 2022 Being the Bad Guys, How to live for Jesus in a world that says you shouldn't by Stephen McAlpine ,The Good Book Company, 2021 Evangelism in a Skeptical World, How to make the unbelievable news about Jesus more believable by Sam Chan , Zondervan Academic, 2018 Christians, The urgent case for Jesus in our world by Greg Sheridan , Allen&Unwin, 2021 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, How to stay emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world by John Mark Comer Hodder & Stoughton, 2019 Going the Distance, How to stay fit for a lifetime of Ministry by Peter Brain The Good Book Company (UK) and Mattias Media (Aust), 2004 Articles and Web Links The Decline and Renewal of the American Church. Four articles by Dr.Timothy Keller Ministering to Generation Z and The Future of Children's Ministry The Future of Kid's Ministry 7 Current and Future Trends of Children's Ministry The Future of the Church is in your Kid's Ministry WEBSITES...
A few years ago I created a website as a resource for Christian Education teaching (children aged 8-12 years). I'm now a retired teacher but I have maintained the site for those who might find some of the pages or the activities helpful. Check it out here - http://RE3.weebly.com See also the Sunday School website I created during COVID lockdown in Melbourne Aust. 2020 which may be of interest for those who still can't meet as a Sunday School http://kidsvine.blogspot.com Leadership Leads
YOU AS THE LEADER Maintain your relationship with God – devotional life, quiet days, reading and prayer. Understand your leadership style and value it. Do things you are good at- find and develop others to do those things you find harder. Develop a support network – mentors, friends, parent support group, administrators, prayer team. Limit the number of programs and ministries you are involved in. YOU AS THE LEADER TO LEADERS Know your vision, mission, values, strategy and goals Communicate these to the Church and your leaders -continually evaluate these with your teams - reports to Church Board or Council. Newsletter items, reports to other staff members, meeting notes or email. Develop a structure of carers for your teams (80/20 principle) Encourage your volunteers – hold celebrations, write notes to them, phone-text email. Give them chocolate and lots of it! FINDING, RECRUITING AND DEVELOPING LEADERS When recruiting leaders - Pray for the right leaders. Some people have the gift of recruiting. Find them and use them well. Know the task you are asking them to do. Spend time getting to know your congregation well Work out whether you are a phone, letter, email or face to face recruiter. As you ask them to be involved remember you are doing them a favor not the other way around. Describe the task in way that appeals to them and is also truthful regarding time commitment, skills needed etc.. Are the right people in the task already or is it hindering you finding volunteers? What is the environment like you are asking your leaders to work in? Have job descriptions Encourage leaders to fill out an application form and code of conduct form Provide training and support for your leaders Liase with other staff members so that you all have a balance of leaders. Put people in the right ministries Include your leaders in the decision making process. "We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing" Psalm 39:6
What is your most profound regret in life? One pastor put it this way.. "Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing... Through all that haste I thought I was making up time. It turns out I was throwing it away." -Mark Buchanan "TIME is a relentless river. It rages on, a respecter of no one. And this, this is the only way to slow down time: When I fully enter time's swift current, enter into the current moment with the weight of all my attention. I slow the torrent with the weight of me all here. I can slow the torrent by being all here. I only live the full life when I live fully in the moment. And when I'm always looking for the glimpse of glory, I slow and enter. And time slows. Weigh down this moment in time with attention fully and the whole of time's river slows, slows, slows.'' -Ann Voskamp -"One Thousand Gifts". Beatitudes for Children's Workers
Blessed are they who love children with all their heart, for they shall be rewarded with big smiles. Blessed are they who have planned and prepared, for the children will be interested and pay attention. Blessed are they that arrive early, for they shall be able to welcome the children have time to talk to them rather than rushing to get things in place. Blessed are they that get to know the children, their children's parents, and the children's home situation; for they shall be able to minister more effectively. Blessed are they who respect each child's personality and seek to meet that child on his or her own level of understanding, for young lives shall reap benefits from these efforts in years to come. Blessed are they who bear witness to children week after week, for they shall see boys and girls grow in knowledge and love of God. Blessed are they who spend time alone with God each day, for they shall grow spiritually and the Lord will use them as His instruments. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for the Lord will honour your commitment and give you pleasure and satisfaction in your ministry to children. (author unknown) |
AuthorDon Stott- 'Aussie' teacher, pastor and children's worker. Archives
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