SHELTER: our new theme begins today! This week we shall look at shelter. Our passage today is from John 10. Below is a short section taken with just a few of Jesus’ words. We encourage you to read the whole passage if you have time. If not, read these words and think about how Jesus reassures us of finding security with him 

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” ~ John 10:14-18 (NRSV) #nctmlent21 #lent

SHELTER: for Media Monday today, we want to see what shelter means to you. It could be a home, a bus stop, a tree, a church, an animal pen - whatever you feel represents shelter! #nctmlent21 #lent

SHELTER: Today’s tune for Tune Tuesday is “Arms of Grace” by Beth Croft. It wonderfully summarises how much shelter God can provide us with in times of need or when you feel in darkness. The lyrics are below if you would like to sing along: 

How many times have you found me wandering in the rubble of yesterday’s hope? 

Weighed down with burdens, barely standing but I am desperate to see you again, to see you again. 

Running into your arms of grace with no reason to hide away. It’s not the first time I’ve been in this place, I’m coming home again. I’m welcomed home again. 

#nctmlent21 #lent

SHELTER: for Wild Wednesday today, why not try to build a bug hotel using materials such as sticks and leaves that you find on the ground around you? Try to avoid picking any of the fresh greenery that’s starting to come through - they need time to grow into spring now! Send us pictures of your miniature bug hotels for us to share! #nctmlent21 #lent

SHELTER: Craft Thursday time! This week we have a way of building a mini shelter/house out of a cereal box. You will need an empty cereal box, scissors, glue, sellotape, colours and a small bowl or a large mug. Step 1: cut the cereal box open along one fold so you can easily access the brown centre. Step 2: draw around the bowl or mug and cut out your circle. Step 3: fold the circle into halves then into quarters. Step 4: cut along one folded line to the centre of the circle. Step 5: overlap two of the quarters and stick together to make a “roof” as shown. Step 6: cut along the side of the box so you have a long strip of cardboard. Fold in half then open out again and fold the two side straight into the centre (as shown). Step 7: again, overlap the two quarters and stick them together with glue to make the “walls”. Step 8: colour in both the roof and the walls with the design of your choice. Step 9: stick the roof onto the walls with 3 pieces of tape. Now you have a beautiful miniature shelter as a representation of how God always provides a shelter for you! #nctmlent21 #lent

SHELTER: Food Friday!! Our theme of shelter and finding security this week led us to thinking about the wonderful feeling that a comforting, home cooked meal can bring. This week’s recipe is for a warm and delicious Sausage and Lentil dinner! We hope you enjoy trying it out (recipe by Jack Monroe) #nctmlent21 #lent

SHELTER: Social Saturday! Today for our children (and children at heart) we would like you to build a fort using blankets, cushions, chairs - whatever you can find! (Just check nobody else needs it first) For those who have no need for a fort, we invite you to set up a temporary prayer station for yourself. This can be done by sticking up a few words that keep you focused on prayer, or maybe it’s just wrapping yourself in a blanket in your favourite chair. Whatever it means to you to find the security needed to spend time with God. Send us pictures of your creations as we love to share from our congregations! #nctmlent21 #lent