May, a Time to Rejoice by Karen Whiting

REJOICE! May 12th many churches celebrate the ascension of Jesus in Acts 1. That gives us so much hope and leads to Pentecost ten days later that celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. These are great reasons to rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Feeling stuck at home? There’s nothing like rejoicing to lift your spirits. There are more than 200 scriptures with the word rejoice. Read aloud many verses about rejoicing and chat about why people rejoiced, even when things are not going their way.

It’s spring and a great time to see nature spring up with new life. Celebrate new growth and that each day is closer to life going back to normal. Rejoice as you each share accomplishments, dreams, and goals. Rejoice with praising God who is in control and knows all that is happening. Rejoice at being with family.

Have a sing-spiration with praise music or just a praise celebration with calling out reasons to be thankful and reasons to praise God.

Ascension of Jesus

Through a ball up and it comes back down. Gravity pulls it back to earth. Birds fly, but must land to rest and eat. Planes fly but must land to refuel. Jesus is different.

As the disciples stood and watched, Jesus rose into the sky, up above the clouds. He stayed up. Two men in white clothes, probably angels, asked why they stood looking. They added that Jesus was taken into heaven and will come back in the same way.

We know he will come back down because we know he went up and believe what the Bible said. Here are ideas to celebrate the Ascension:

Fill a room with white helium filled balloons. Add one red helium filled mylar balloon. Let it go up and push it’s way between the cloud of white balloons. Then talk about how Jesus rose up into the clouds.
Or, cut a white piece of poster board. Write on it, “Jesus will come again.” Hang it over your bed as a reminder of the ascension and future return of Jesus.
Enjoy white desserts, like ice cream or whip cream clouds.

May also includes Mother’s Day and Family Wellness Week

Rejoice as a family. Do the acrostic to find activities you can do as a family to stay healthy in body, soul, and mind. Then add your own ideas. Choose something to do together!

1. Game of catching a person who must stand still like ice. It’s a fun way to exercise. 2.Eat together morning, noon, evening. 3. Activities like Chutes and Ladders or monopoly. 4. Eating outdoors. 5. Travel on foot. 6. Talk to God.