Ellis Island - Faith and Adversity

My husband and I recently visited Ellis Island.  I’ve been wanting to go ever since they renovated and re-opened it in 1990.  My children have visited this National Park Service landmark with their respective schools, but as it sometimes goes, we get too busy to enjoy the gems in our own backyard.

This will be the first of several blog posts that stem from this visit.  It is an incredibly inspiring place and the faith and determination of the people who traveled through its doors are amazing.

We purchased the audio tour because I’ve found that there is usually so much wonderful information on these soundtracks, often including the testimony of actual people.  On this audio tour there was the voice of a Russian immigrant who (in the course of the discussion of the inspection of immigrants) said, “if they refused me, there was no way I was going back to Russia.  I’d rather throw myself over the side [of the returning ship] and die in the deep of the ocean than return to Russia.”

This man’s comment really got me to thinking about how much faith these people must have had, who attempted this journey, and how very deplorable their homeland situation must have been.  They trusted God that America held a promise of a brighter future, and that He would see them safely across the Atlantic to begin a new life.

 A National Park Service Ranger who introduced a 45-minute documentary that we watched, helped us to understand how much had to be left behind and what was likely brought forward to the new homeland of these immigrants.  Picture everything of importance that you could carry in one suitcase, one basket, one bedroll, and maybe the equivalent of a backpack.  Now walk from Ellis Island at Liberty State Park to Philadelphia.  You’ll quickly determine what REALLY is the most important stuff.   Grandma’s candlesticks? Gone, left on the NJ Turnpike.  The family Bible?  Yeah…they probably managed to carry that.

That would have been the most likely type of experience of many immigrants.  People walked and carried their most prized possessions for many, many miles from villages and towns all across Europe and Russia to ports with passenger lines to America.  They had to have the fee for their passage and $25 per person to enter America.  It took years to save up that kind of money, so most didn’t have the extra money necessary to get transportation to their port of departure.  The Ranger told us that some people were so poor they carried empty suitcases so their neighbors wouldn’t know how little they had when they left and the steamer company wouldn’t turn them away for the chance of being turned back at Ellis Island for being so poor as to be “a potential burden on society.”

Think about the millions of people who came to this country through Ellis Island.  What a challenge it was!  Think how bad it must have been at home to brave this experience!  The adversity they faced in their flight to a new life!  The scariness of the unknown!  Think of the faith they put in God to get them here safely and to connect with someone who could help them get their feet on the ground and make a future here.

I don’t think most people could have survived this trip and the challenges they faced upon arrival without a deep faith in God.

I was awed, inspired, and more appreciative of my own country where I can worship as I please.  If you haven’t been to Ellis Island, take a vacation day and go.  You’ll need about three hours to tour the Main Building and do it justice.  The other buildings are not currently open to the public.   We’ve got a national treasure in our own back yard (actually lots of them).  It will stir your soul and deepen your faith.

Then come to worship and thank God for all that you have.

Summer Worship at St. Andrew, 9:30 am on Sundays

www.elcaAndy.org

Do you have a relative who came to America through Ellis Island?  What story do they tell you of the adversity they faced in this experience?

Oviraptor & Jesus

Friday was the fifth and last day of this year’s VacationBible School program, “The Great Bibleland Dig”, recycled.  The kids had a great time digging in our archaeological dig site on the “road to Emmaus” to find clues to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”

So what did they find?

They found a leather sandal, a walking stick and piece of pottery.

What Bible story do you think we were exploring on Friday?

In its day, the road to Emmaus was well traveled but full of rocks.  It was common for people to walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus.  Many foot weary travelers could have blown out a flip-flop on the trek.  It was on this road that two disciples of Jesus were talking about Jesus and the events of Holy Week including His death on the cross.  While walking they met a ‘stranger’ with whom they discussed their hopes and confusion about the things that had happened.  This ‘stranger’ revealed himself to them in the blessing, breaking and sharing of the bread at that night’s dinner, just as Jesus had done during His Last Supper and Passover meal with the disciples.  In that act, the disciples understood who was with them and they ran to tell the others.  We are also challenged to recognize that Jesus is our SAVIOR, that He is with us always and we are to share that Good News with others.

At craft time, our junior archaeologists made a beaded cross necklace, a tissue paper mosaic cross which the words “Jesus is our Savior” and a footprint with the “Footprints in the Sand” poem decorated with stickers.   During snack time, they ate pretzel rods tied together in the shape of a cross with licorice strings, and chocolate chip cookies decorated with a chocolate frosting road and mini-chip rocks.  A cross was added to our archaeology dig journal to remind us that Jesus is our SAVIOR.

They dug for treasure in our archaeological dig site and found crosses and miniature dinosaurs to take home to remember the day’s lessons. 

During our Activity Center time, we learned about different kinds of bread and talked about what we would put in a time capsule to leave for future archaeologists who want to learn about Jesus.

In the afternoon, each junior archaeologist was given a wooden dinosaur puzzle to remind them of the fun they had this week in VBS.

They learned about Oviraptor.   When archaeologists first discovered Oviraptor fossil remains, they named it Oviraptor or “egg thief” because they thought it was stealing eggs, as many were found over a nest of eggs.  Later excavations have shown evidence that Oviraptors were not stealing other dinosaur eggs; they were protecting their own.  Oviraptor fossils show parents with wings spread wide to protect their eggs from the falling volcanic ash or mudslides that were rushing down to cover their nests.  In doing so, they were sacrificing themselves in an effort to save their eggs.

Oviraptor and Jesus.  Sacrificing themselves for others.     

Oh how much God loves us… He sent Jesus to us as a GIFT; He gives us Jesus as our FRIEND;  He gives us Jesus as our TEACHER; He gives us Jesus as our HELPER; and because we still don’t get it, He gives us Jesus as our SAVIOR.

It was a week of fun and learning, digging and growing, and singing and crafting.  It was a week of stretching the archaeological facts to bridge dinosaurs and Jesus and the Bible and a whole bunch of fun.  And hopefully, it was a week of memories that will last a lifetime. 

Amen.

I remember some of the stories, crafts and songs from when I was a child in Vacation Bible School.  Do you?

(And now I thank God because it’s over…whew!  I’ve been doing this for a long time.  Anyone want to take it on?  Send me a note…)

Come and join us for worship on Sundays at 9:30 am through Labor Day.www.elcaAndy.org

Maiasaura & Jesus

Thursday was the fourth day of this year’s Vacation BibleSchool program, “The Great Bibleland Dig”, recycled.  The kids had a great time digging in our archaeological dig site outside the city of “Jericho” to find clues to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”

So what did they find?

They found more pieces of clay pottery, a small clay bowl, and several “gold” coins.

What Bible story do you think we were exploring on Thursday?

In its day, Jericho was a bustling city of commerce and trade.  It was a frequent place for beggars to perch near the city gates to ask for the help of strangers.  In this day’s Bible story, we learned about the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, whom Jesus healed.  Bartimaeus would have sat with a bowl to collect the gifts of coin from passersby.  When Jesus HELPed Bartimaeus, he no longer needed to beg and he leapt up saying, “Thank you, thank you” to  Jesus.

At craft time, our junior archaeologists made a banner with a cross and helping hands encircling the cross which proclaimed “Jesus is our HELPER”.  They also made a “silver” embossed frames with textured items glued beneath the foil.  During snack time, they ate hand shaped gelatin jigglers and made cracker “hands” by smoothing peanut butter between Ritz crackers and sticking 5 pretzel sticks in the peanut butter.    A hand was added to our archaeology dig journal to remind us that Jesus is our HELPER.

They dug for treasure in our archaeological dig site and found “gold” coins and dinosaur finger puppets to take home to remember today’s lessons. 

During our Activity Center time, we learned about how the images on coins told people who the money belonged to (religious symbols for temple money, Ceasar for Roman coins, U.S. presidents for American coin) and how people used seals to mark their ownership of their belongings.  We used rubber stamps shaped like hands to practice stamping, and created our own “seal” with half a potato and some paint.

In the afternoon, each junior archaeologist was given the opportunity to excavate a dinosaur skeleton with a miniature dinosaur archeology kit.

They learned about Maiasaura.   Archaeologists are continually finding new evidence to suggest that though their brains may have been small and the social skills of dinosaurs very simple, it appears some dinosaurs did indeed rely on others for help.  Maiasaura seem to have taken extra care with their young dinosaurs, and the dinosaurs of others.  Maiasaura was a North American plant-eating duckbilled dinosaur that made its nest within about 30 feet of other Maiasaura nests.  It appears that the young dinosaurs stayed in the nests a long time while their parents went out and brought back vegetation for them to eat.  Archaeologists wonder if groups of Maiasaura helped take care of each other’s nests to keep away predators. 

Maiasaura and Jesus.  Helping others.  

This world can be a very tough place to survive, whether you are dinosaur or human.  Jesus showed us how we should be a HELPER to others.  In doing so, we can all flourish and grow.  Helping others brings us joy in knowing that someone else’s life is a little better because we took some time for them.

Amen.

Come and join us for worship on Sundays during the Summer at 9:30 am.

www.elcaAndy.org

Pterodactylus and Jesus?

Wednesday was the third day of this year’s Vacation BibleSchool program, “The Great Bibleland Dig”, recycled.  The kids had a great time digging in our archaeological dig site outside the city of “Jerusalem” to find clues to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”

So what did they find?

They found part of a scroll, a phylactery, a metal plate for burning incense and a piece of pottery inscribed with the words, “Love God.  Love people.”

What Bible story do you think we were exploring on Wednesday?

Jesus frequently encountered the Pharisees when he was near Jerusalem.  Many sought to question him, not to learn from him, but to try and trick him into saying something that would go against the teachings of the Torah/Prophets/Old Testament.  Other people would gather around Jesus in the temple to learn from him.  His teachings told of a new way to interpret the things they had learned.  For instance, Jesus taught an easy way to keep God’s Commandments, just remember “Love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and love your neighbors as yourself.”

At craft time, our junior archaeologists made personalized pencils wrapped with embroidery floss and beads, and formed clay pots which they will paint later and keep a scroll with the above verse inside.  During snack time, they ate tortillas filled with either banana or honey butter and tied with a licorice string to remind them of the scrolls that the Israelites used to learn about God.    A scroll inscribed with “Jesus is our TEACHER” was added to our archaeology dig journal.

They dug for treasure in our archaeological dig site and found dinosaur pencils and small plastic dinosaur bookmarks that they could take home to remember today’s lessons. 

During our Activity Center time, we went outside (yes, in the sweltering heat) to do crayon rubbings of our cornerstone.  The corner stone of St. Andrew says “Jesus” and we talked about building a church/temple on Jesus, with Jesus being the strongest cornerstone of all.

In the afternoon, each junior archaeologist was given the opportunity to paint some dinosaur watercolor projects and create their own dinosaur scene with a selection of stickers.

They learned about Pterodactylus.  Dinosaurs are not noted for being exceptionally smart (at least like we think about being smart), since their brain size seems to indicate brain function primarily ordered for survival.  But it makes you wonder how young Pterodactylus would learn to fly, right?  Didn’t someone have to teach them how to fly and leave the nest?  Survival instincts, trial and error, along with watching other Pterodactylus probably played the majority of what motivated the young to fly from the nest.

Imagine what might have become of dinosaurs if they had the capacity to teach what they learned to future generations?

Pterodactylus and Jesus… teachers?  

Why not?  We’re still learning about dinosaurs.  Each archaeological discovery teaches us more and more about them. 

The more we dig around in the Bible, the more we know about Jesus and our relationship with the God who created and loves us.  Our journey to knowing God is a life-long lesson with Jesus as our TEACHER and the Bible our schoolbook.

Amen.

Come and join us for worship this Summer at 9:30 am

www.elcaAndy.org

Mapusaurus and Jesus?



Mapusaurus vs. Argentinosaurus by Paleo Pastori

Tuesday was the second day of this year’s Vacation BibleSchool program, “The Great Bibleland Dig”, recycled.  The kids had a great time digging in our archaeological dig site outside the city of “Bethany” to find clues to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”

So what did they find?

They found broken clay pottery pieces, a long metal spoon and a “petrified” wooden spoon and some “petrified” olive pits.

What Bible story do you think we were exploring on Tuesday?

In Bethany, Jesus liked to call the house of his FRIENDs, Mary and Martha, his home away from home.  He visited them often and while there received wonderful hospitality and was greeted by many followers who liked to hear the stories Jesus had to tell about the kingdom of God.  Martha is known for being busy with preparations for Jesus’ visit, while Mary is credited with recognizing that taking time out to listen to what Jesus had to say was the more important activity.  Everyone could help with the chores later.

Our junior archaeologists made placemats and bread baskets in craft time.  They ate apple wedges smeared with peanut butter and decorated with white mini-marshmallows to resemble a friend’s smile, and they enjoyed large heart shaped cookies that they could decorate with writing gel.    A large red heart was added to our archaeology dig journal to help us remember that Jesus is our FRIEND.

They dug for treasure in our archaeological dig site and found red wooden hearts and small plastic dinosaurs that they could take home to remember today’s lessons. 

They ground up brown grains of wheat and white grains of barley while learning about how these grains were used in Jesus’ time.  They learned about basket weaving and how Mary and Martha would have had to make the baskets to take to market for the items they would buy to serve for dinner…no shopping carts or plastic bags in Jesus’ day.

In the afternoon, each junior archaeologist was given a wooden dinosaur puzzle to work on and/or take home, recreating a dinosaur skeleton. 

They learned about Mapusaurus dinosaurs.  They learned that while dinosaurs are not credited with having large enough brains to accommodate social thinking, like friendship, there were some dinosaurs, like Mapusaurus, who did hunt in packs.  Mapusaurus were meat-eating dinosaurs that traveled in a group of 7-9 dinosaurs in the Patagonia region of Argentina.  Mapusarus means “earth lizard.”

Don’t you wonder how different dinosaur lives might have been if they could have truly made friends with each other?

Mapusaurus and Jesus?  Yeah, it’s a stretch, but what’s an archaeological dig without some dinosaurs?

What’s VBS without some FRIENDs?

The best FRIEND we can have is Jesus.  He will always be by our side, no matter what.

Amen.

Come join us for worship this summer at 9:30 am through Labor Day.

www.elcaAndy.org

T-Rex and Jesus

Yesterday was our first day of this year’s Vacation BibleSchool program, “The Great Bibleland Dig”, recycled.  The kids had a great time digging in our archaeological dig site outside the city of “Bethlehem” to find clues to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”

So what did they find?

They found a small bottle, like for perfumes.  They found an “ancient” king’s scepter with an “H” inscribed in it.  They found a scroll with what appeared to be a star chart. 

What Bible story do you think we were exploring today?

Right, the story of the Wise Men, or Magi, following a star and bringing gifts to the newborn king that prophecies and studies of ancient texts has foretold.  They learned that Jesus was a GIFT from God, to us.  They learned that Jesus was not the kind of king people expected.  They expected a political royal to usurp the Roman Empire.  They got a servant king.

They made a camel picture and Star of Bethlehem during craft time and ate rice krispy treats wrapped with licorice bows resembling gifts.

They dug for treasure in our archaeological dig site and found nuggets of gold that they could take home. 

They ground up spices and herbs to make a sachet while learning about how these things were used in Jesus’ time.

They colored fuzzy felt dinosaur pictures and learned about another kind of king.  They learned about T-Rex…tyrannosaurus rex.  This dinosaur was so named after the word ‘tyrant.’  He ruled the dinosaur kingdom with fear.  He was a tyrant dinosaur… a ferocious meat eater indiscriminately slaying any dinosaur to cross his path.

Tyrannosaurus rex and Jesus were completely opposite kinds of kings.

T-rex promoted a reign of terror.  Jesus promoted a reign of love.

T-rex was a tyrant king.  Jesus was a servant king.

And in a little church in Parsippany, a bunch of kids had a ton of fun playing amateur archaeologists while learning about Jesus, with a little dinosaur fun on the side. 

They learned that Jesus is God’s GIFT to us.

Amen.

Who Is Jesus?

That question has been bouncing around in my brain for 2 months now as I prepare for our Vacation Bible School program for our Children’s Circle Summer Camp at St. Andrew Lutheran Church.

We are resurrecting a Vacation Bible School program from 1999.  The troubled economy is hitting all aspects of the Church.  Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of the ELCA, is cutting all sorts of programming, including the creation of new VBS material, so we’re recycling.   The kids loved it in 1999 and I’m sure they are going to love it again, now.  Of course we’ve made some adaptations as much of the “learner materials” are no longer available, but at least it will cost us less.   

PLUS, what’s an archaeological dig if you don’t find some dinosaurs, right?  (That’s certainly not part of the program, but it’s amazing what a little creativity can bridge together.)  We’ll  just dig a few layers deeper at each site and see what we find.

The Bible stories, and the question which they answer, are timeless and unfettered by any economic woes.  They answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”   THAT’s something we all want to know, right?

The challenge of Vacation Bible School is to make the Bible stories fun.  This Vacation Bible School program is themed around an archaeological dig.  We’re going to go digging in the Bible to find the answers to the question “Who is Jesus?”

We’ll start our archaeological dig at a site where three kings gazed at star maps and found a servant king unlike any before Him, a GIFT from God Himself.

Next we move to an archaeological site near Bethany were we find relics that point to the FRIENDship that Jesus shared with Mary and Martha.

After that dig, we move to a site where we discover ancient scrolls that TEACHERs in the temples and synagogues might have used.

We move on to an archaeological dig where we find the clues that point to a blind beggar and the HELP that he received from Jesus.

And lastly, we visit an archaeological dig site that uncovers a rocky road toward Emmaus, site of the SAVIOR’s appearance to two disciples.

So if Jesus is a GIFT, FRIEND, TEACHER, HELPER, and SAVIOR, what do Tyrannosaurus Rex, Mapusaurus,  Pteradactylus, Maiasaura, and Oviraptor have to do with Jesus?    You’ll have to check back here during VBS and keep reading to find out.

If you know a child up to age 10 in need of a Summer Camp experience, why not investigate Children’s Circle Summer Camp?  You can send that child to camp for one week or several.  The week of our VBS program is July 18-22.  

RRRROARRRR!   We’re going on a dig!  Don’t forget your canteen!  Call the Children’s Circle director at (973) 884-3652 for information, rates and to visit the Center.