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Baptism

Children's sermon
Matthew 3:13-17
Elaine M. Ward
Story Time At The Altar
86 Messages For Children
In our Bible story Jesus went to John the Baptist at the River Jordan to be baptized. In those days people were baptized by walking into the water and being dunked. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up out of the water, suddenly a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Jennifer was six and her greatest joy was to go with her father on his trips. He enjoyed the company of his daughter, as well. As a preacher, one day he invited Jennifer to go with him to another city where he would be preaching and she said, "Yes!" In the car he decided to talk to Jennifer about his sermon and asked, "Where do you think God is?" After thinking a moment, she said, "Well, God is in heaven." Her father decided to push her a bit and said, "But, Jennifer, people have looked up into the sky with powerful telescopes and in spaceships and have never seen God." Jennifer thought some more and said slowly, a bit upset, "Well, God is in your heart then." Jennifer's father forgot that God is Spirit and you don't see God with your eyes and said, "But, Jennifer, people have opened hearts and have never found God there either." Jennifer began to cry and her father felt badly, when suddenly she continued, "Well, all I know, Daddy, is that God was what I knew before I knew anything else." Jennifer's tears and words were like a baptism, when out of the heavens, whether from the sky or from his heart, her father heard the words, "This is my beloved daughter. Listen to her."

Talk together: How does God speak? What might be some ways?

Prayer: Dear God, whether in heaven or our hearts, we know you before we know anything else. Thank you for being like a loving Parent, loving and listening to us always. Amen.

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Christmas is nearly here! In our worship today let us reflect the joy and happiness of Mary in the way in which we too greet the birth of our Saviour.

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 Lord Jesus, we are longing for your birth.

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 Lord Jesus, we wait to greet you with clean hearts.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we welcome you -- make us right with you.

Lord, have mercy

 Reading:

 Luke 1:39-45

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