Collective Worship
Collective Worship
Our school has a strong Christian ethos, placing emphasis on teaching children to appreciate values such as love and respect for one another, service, encouragement, equality and forgiveness. Through our times of worship, we provide opportunities for children and staff to reflect on many aspects of Christianity as well as exploring views of other world religions. The children at St Paul's represent dozens of different countries but what unites us is Christ. In many ways, the global adoption of Christianity is reflected within the school. Our regular collective worship services reflect this diversity as do our regular church services.
Aside from our daily acts of worship we also have half termly services at St Paul's Church led by the Church; the ministers of St Paul's Church, Rev Jo James leads weekly whole school service. Rev Jo James also leads specific services in church, such as Harvest, Easter and the annual carol service.
St Paul’s School Prayer.
Heavenly father, I give to you today
All that I do, think and say.
Fill me, Jesus, with your love and joy
Help me to build up and not to destroy.
Holy Spirit, teach me to serve,
Show wisdom, tolerance; your Word I’ll preserve.
In a world full of challenge, injustice and harm,
Let me know your love, let me find calm.
Amen
Bible Core Concepts
The first thing you notice about the bible is that it is a big book. To make things more complicated it is broken down into books on law, history, wisdom, prophecy, gospels and letters. Yet there is an overarching narrative and timeline that runs throughout both Old and New Testament.
We call this timeline the core concepts and they are broken into the following 8 sections:
|
Concept |
Meaning |
|
God |
Fundamental to Christian belief is the existence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit |
|
Creation |
Christians believe the universe and human life are God’s good creation. Humans are made in the image of God. |
|
Fall |
Humans have a tendency to go their own way rather than keep their place in relation to their creator. This attitude is called sin, and Genesis 3 gives an account of this rebellion, popularly called ‘the Fall’. This describes a catastrophic separation between God and humans, between humans and each other, and between humans and the environment. This idea that humans are ‘fallen’ and in need of rescue (or salvation) sets out the root cause of many problems for humanity. |
|
People of God |
The Old Testament tells the story of God’s plan to reverse the impact of the Fall, to save humanity. It involves choosing a people who will model a restored relationship with God, who will attract all other people back to God. The Bible narrative includes the ups and downs of this plan, including the message of the prophets who tried to persuade people to stick with God. The plan appears to end in failure with the people of God exiled, and then returning, awaiting a ‘messiah’ – a rescuer. |
|
Incarnation |
The New Testament presents Jesus as the answer: the Messiah and Saviour, who will repair the effects of sin and the Fall and offer a way for humans to be at one with God again. Incarnation means that Jesus is God in the flesh, and that, in Jesus, God came to live amongst humans. |
|
Gospel |
Christians believe Jesus’ incarnation is ‘good news’ for all people. (‘Gospel’ means ‘good news’.) His life, teaching and ministry embody what it is like to be one of the People of God, what it means to live in relationship with God. Jesus’ example and teaching emphasise loving one’s neighbour – particularly the weak and vulnerable – as part of loving God. |
|
Salvation |
Jesus’ death and resurrection effect the rescue or salvation of humans. He opens the way back to God. Christians believe that through Jesus, sin is dealt with, forgiveness offered, and the relationship between God and humans is restored. |
|
Kingdom of God |
This does not mean that no one sins any more! The Bible talks in terms of God’s ‘Kingdom’ having begun in human hearts through Jesus. The idea of the ‘Kingdom of God’ reflects God’s ideal for human life in the world – a vision of life lived in the way God intended for human beings. Christians look forward to a time when God’s rule is fulfilled at some future point, in a restored, transformed heaven and earth. Meanwhile, they seek to live this attractive life as in God’s Kingdom, following Jesus’ example, inspired and empowered by God’s Spirit. |
These concepts represent one way to make sense of Christian belief and practice.
What is the Bible?
If you are new to the school you may also be new to the Bible. It is a rich source of wisdom, poetry, law and history but essentially it boils down to one core concept: the bible reflects the character of God in written form. Below is a 60 second video that provides a useful overview of who wrote the bible, its core points and over what period of time the Bible was written.
