Summer of Wonder: Water

This summer we're going to slow down and notice the world around us. There is so much to marvel at, from the highest mountain peaks to the tiniest microorganisms in the deep ocean. Our world is amazing! 

Each week this summer, we will look closely at a different part of God’s creation, wondering at the beauty, science, and mystery of the world around us. Today, we are focusing on water! We’ll wonder about water, the places we find water, and what forms water can take. We invite you to think about where God could be as you’re wondering about water. 

Scripture: 

Genesis 1:1-8, John 4:10, Amos 5:24, Psalm 23:2

The Bible, which is our book of stories about God and God’s people, has a story about the beginning of our world.  It begins like this:

“First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.”

  • I wonder what you notice about this verse? 

  • I wonder what a watery abyss could look like or feel like?

  • I wonder what it could be like for God to exist in this place?


Prayer

These Prayer Cards below list some places in the Bible that talk about water in different ways. I wonder how we can feel close to or learn more about God as we think about water? Which of these water verses is your favorite?

Story: Water Can Be

One of our favorite stories about water is called Water Can Be, by Laura Purdie Salas. What are some different things that water can be? Listen to this story to hear some ideas.

Water can be so many things!

I wonder what you think water can be?

Activities:

  • Summer of Wonder: Water Playlist - Visit this playlist to be inspired by all kinds of videos about water, from oceans and coral reefs to frozen seas and more!

  • Paint with Water

    Grab some paintbrushes and a bucket of water and head outside on a dry day. Paint pictures, letters, your names, or anything you like on a sidewalk or driveway. If it’s a hot sunny day, you might see the words and pictures disappear shortly—a great demonstration of evaporation!

  • Make a Water Scope to look closely at what’s inside a body of water! Instructions for making your own Water Scope is #6 in this Book of Stuff to Do Outside.

Note: Some of these activities are messy, and might require special ingredients or materials. Grownup supervision and permission is required before you try any experiments at home. 


Song Playlist

Here are some songs that talk about water in different ways. You can listen to them and sing a long if you like!

I’ve got peace like a river - A famous song with images of beautiful water scenes

Deep Cries Out - A fun video of kids playing in water with meaningful lyrics “I've got a river of living water, A fountain that never will run dry”

Living Waters - Song video

“Are you thirsty? Are you empty?
Come and drink these Living Waters
Tired and broken; Peace unspoken
Rest beside these Living Waters”

Peace is Flowing Like a River - 7 children from the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Singapore come together to sing an uplifting song amidst the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Wade in the Water - This song was written during the era of slavery in the United States, but was not officially published until 1901. Its lyrics have coded instructions to the enslaved escapees about how to avoid being re-captured. It suggests walking or "wading in water" in order to hinder the dogs of the enslaved escapee's chasers. The song is normally associated with the Harriet Tubman ("Moses") and the Underground Railroad. The song also relates to the Bible. Its verses reflect the Israelite's escape from Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus. The Chorus also refers to John 5:4, about The Pool of Bethesda.

Summer of Wonder Video

Would you like to help us make our 2020 Summer of Wonder video? All summer long, any time you notice something beautiful or interesting that makes you feel wonder about God’s creation, you are invited to take a photo or 3 second video of it and send it in. (You might need to ask for help from your grownup at home!) At the end of the summer, we will put all of these video clips and pictures together into a movie! Clips and images can be sent to Lianna at lianna@sanctuaryic.org or 319.321.7771. Have fun exploring God’s creation!

Thanks for joining in today! I hope you have a great week!