This morning, our chapel team leaders led the pledges, The Lord’s Prayer, O Canada and the Land Acknowledgement to open up the first chapel service of 2025. After reading from John 15: 12-14, the team led the audience in singing “This is My Commandment”.
Next, the Chapel Leaders led the reading of a reminder about the actions of compassionate leaders. Then, they went through four different scenarios. Each scenario had two different possible responses. For each of the four, students were asked to choose the one that demonstrates compassion.
After this practical lesson on compassion, the Chapel Leaders read John 15: 12-14 again before introducing the next song, a upbeat version of “Jesus Loves Me”.
Our guest speaker this morning was Pastor Jeremiah. He introduced a passage from Colossians 3:12-14 that asks believers to clothe themselves with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” His message centered around how leaders with compassion need to do three things:
- Listen – with focus and purpose, as if you had headphones or a stethoscope on
- Show Appreciation – with words or actions that are encouraging, that build up, that make people feel seen
- Give Second Chances – by forgiving others, giving them opportunities to move on or try again
Pastor Jeremiah used examples from Jesus to show how He did these things consistently throughout His ministry on earth. Jesus associated with sinners. He showed love and kindness to them, and He gave them second chances (Peter). Pastor Jeremiah challenged the students to do at least one of the three (listen, forgive, say thank you) this week. He acknowledged that this may be difficult for some. In his concluding prayer, he addressed this – asking God to help if we struggle with forgiveness, being kind or listening, to fix our hearts if our actions do not give Him glory, and to help us be good role models for others.
After the message, the Chapel Team led the audience in singing “How Deep the Father’s Love”. To close, everyone repeated the aspirational closing passage.
