“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

Immersed in the powerful words from Paul to the Ephesians and leading up to Dedication Sunday, the children of First Presbyterian have learned what it is to be loved by God before the creation of the world and what it means to be his craftsmanship. In children’s church, little ones have viewed and discussed works of art including Da Vinci’s Last Supper and Monet’s Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge, learning that they, even more so, are priceless masterpieces. While singing songs, the children enjoyed a game of freeze where they struck a pose and said, “I am God’s masterpiece!” As God’s beautifully created workmanship, they learned that they can steward the grace given to them by serving others with their unique gifts out of love for Jesus.

 

And so the idea of the giving quilt was born.

 

“Children need to hold something tangible,” says Cate Heroman, lifelong educator and frequent collaborator who volunteers in ministries at First Presbyterian.“When children give something that they have created and have held in their hands, it impacts them.”

 

Beginning in October, the children of First Presbyterian began designing quilting squares during the Sunday School hour. On each square, a child draws a picture that depicts their spiritual gifts and how they can use these unique gifts for Christ, stewarding God’s grace that has been given to them. Some painted themselves singing and praising God with others. One drew himself sharing an umbrella in the rain. Others painted hearts, hands and feet to show that they can be greeters at church, pray for others and go share the good news of Jesus with the world. In addition to the quilting squares, stories from The Gospel Story Bible curriculum have been woven into the theme of stewardship throughout the nurseries and classrooms on Sunday mornings. 

 

Culminating November 12, the giving quilt showcasing the spiritual gifts and handiwork of the children will be incorporated into a combined Kingdom Kids Sunday School class with Cate Heroman as the guest storyteller. The quilt is the children’s contribution to the church and ultimately to Bethany Centre in Uganda, an orphanage and school that First Presbyterian children learned about in August during the Global Missions Conference.

 

Your turn. Freeze . . . strike a pose and say, “I am God’s masterpiece!” Celebrate giving out of the grace we have been given.