Pleease help me with some ideas on the subject of 'planting hope'!

[LaBelleDameSansPatience]

I need to write a week's worth of assemblies on the theme of 'planting hope' and I just can't find anything. Saturday is slipping past and I am still sitting here at the computer!
I need a bible story, but the one about seeds falling on fertile ground isn't exactly about hope. I also need a good story about new life sprouting out of seemingly dead, dry seeds (= never give up hope?)
I would be very grateful for any ideas.
Also a suitable hymn.

[newlark]

Mark 4:30-32 The Parable of the Mustard Seed?

30 Again he said, ?What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.?

[LaBelleDameSansPatience]

I thought I couldn't use that, because it specifically says 'this is what the kingdom of God is like', but maybe I can just stretch it a bit further, to say that great things come from tiny seeds ... that does really encompass hope..

[TheWoollybacksWife]

What about the story of Jesus raising the daughter of Jairus from the dead? He tells her parents that she is only sleeping. The tales of Jesus' miracles had given them hope that he could help their daughter.

For a hymn what about Lord of all hopefulness?

[LaBelleDameSansPatience]

Yes! I remember that hymn from school (now that you haveremindedme). Thank you.