Introduction
Fall is the time of year when we notice the colors of the leaves turning from green to brilliant reds and yellows. As we celebrate the many majestic colors of this season, let us focus on who God created us to be and how we can celebrate our differences.
Decorations
Decorate the tables in the colors of Fall. Use coordinating tablecloths, paper cups and plates, and centerpieces. Or make each place setting a different color with a neutral tablecloth.
Refreshments
Serve a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, highlighting the various colors of the food we eat. Arrange them by color. Serve fruit muffins or breads. Offer hot and cold drinks.
Meeting Outline
Opening Prayer
Praise and Worship
Suggested Music for Worship:
“10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman*
“Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong*
Spiritual Gifts Assessment:
Lifeway.com
Umcdiscipleship.org
Brewsterchurch.com
Scripture Reading: Luke 10:38-42
Devotional Thought
Reflection Song
“Take My Life and Let it Be” by Chris Tomlin*
Closing Prayer
*Available on YouTube
Create a Collage
Depending on the age or skill level of your group, choose a craft that involves making a collage or mosaic. For example:
- Cut pictures from old magazines and glue onto poster board, creating one image out of many.
- Collect varied materials (buttons, feathers, paint, paper, etc.) to make a mixed media artwork.
- Use ceramic tiles to make a mosaic.
Different Colors, One Beautiful Picture
One of the first things we teach children how to do is differentiate colors. You might hear a parent or a teacher say to a toddler, “The apple is red,” or “The ball is blue,” in an effort to teach them what red and blue mean. Knowing how to distinguish one color from another is important in daily life, but equally as important is knowing that all colors play a part in creating a beautiful picture.
When children are a little older, we might show them a rainbow and have them try to name the colors they see. A rainbow captures our attention because it contains many colors. Think about what a rainbow would be like if it were only orange, or only purple, or only green. It wouldn’t be a rainbow at all. Just like a rainbow needs all the colors to be what God intended it to be, the kingdom of God needs all of us to work together and be who God created us to be. Each one of us is made in God’s image. We might have different features or characteristics, but we are all reflections of the same Creator. That is why the rainbow is such a valuable image for us today. It teaches us that all colors contribute to making the perfect picture.
In the story of Mary and Martha, the women showed us their colors. Although they were sisters, Mary and Martha were individuals who responded to Jesus differently. The gospel of Luke tells us that Martha, not Mary, opened her home to Jesus. As the elder sister, Martha was the matron of the house. She welcomed Jesus and his traveling disciples into her home and so proved herself to be a good hostess. But as soon as she opened her door, Martha became distracted with the amount of work to do. After all, these were hungry and tired men who needed a meal and place to rest. It was Martha who got to work while Mary stopped and listened.
The scripture says that Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet,” which is where a disciple would sit to learn from the teacher. It was quite a provocative act, since women weren’t generally allowed to be students in first century Palestine. Martha would have expected Mary to help with the housework, not to sit down with the men. When her expectations weren’t met, this resulted in some frustration. Now we see the differences between the two women clearly. Martha complained that she wasn’t getting any help from her sister, but Mary was making clear her intentions to follow Jesus. Martha believed her sister was being lazy, but Mary realized that what Jesus had to say was important. Martha only thought about what she could offer, but Mary put herself in a position of humility to receive from the Lord. Martha opened her home to Jesus, but Mary opened her whole heart. Both are important, but to paraphrase Jesus, only one is necessary.
Today we celebrate our differences, our strengths, and even our weaknesses. Some of us, like Martha, might have the gift of hospitality. Others might have the gift of teaching, or service, or administration. All of these are important gifts that the church needs, each one like a different color of the rainbow. But it doesn’t matter what gifts or abilities we have if we don’t give our hearts to Jesus. He is the One who brings us together, with all our differences, to make a beautiful picture. Like a painter uses his paint to create a masterpiece, will you allow God to use your talents and abilities for His glory? If you do, you’ll find yourself a part of God’s beautiful picture.
Additional Resources
We’re Different, We’re the Same by Bobbi Jane Kates. Illustrated by Joe Mathieu. 1992. Random House Publishing. Available from Amazon.
Elmo and his Sesame Street friends help teach toddlers and the adults in their lives that everyone is the same on the inside, and it’s our differences that make this wonderful world, which is home to us all, an interesting—and special—place. This enduring, colorful, and charmingly illustrated book offers an easy, enjoyable way to learn about differences—and what truly matters.
