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Children's sermon
John 1:43-51
Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Object: 
paperweight globe scene that creates a snowstorm when shaken
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have one of these at home? (Show your object and let them answer.) Whenever I shake this I create what appears to be a snowstorm. When I create my snowstorm I always imagine that I'm in the storm. Do any of you imagine that too? (Let them answer.)

I brought this along today because I want to tell you about two boys about your age who spent the day together because there was a snowstorm, which canceled school.

One of the two boys, named Philip, woke very early. Philip saw all the snow outside. He turned on the radio and heard that his school was canceled due to the snow. It was still very early in the morning. Philip ran to the phone and called his friend, Nathanael. (In an excited voice) "Nate, I have great news!" Philip said. "There is no school today!" Nathanael was still trying to wake up. He replied (in a doubting voice), "How do you know that there's no school? This isn't a joke is it? I'm not certain that I believe you." Finally he looked out the window and saw all the snow. Then he believed what he had heard.

Philip and Nathanael had a great day. They went sledding. They made a snow fort. They threw snowballs at each other. They finally went indoors. There they continued to play together. They had a snack. Finally the friends parted. The next day there was still snow on the ground, but their school was held. All week long they remembered the great time they had on their snow day.

This story reminds me of today's Bible story. In it were two friends, whose names were also Philip and Nathanael. Philip met Jesus. Philip called his friend Nathanael with the good news. Nathanael at first didn't believe Philip. Then Nathanael met Jesus and believed. Both became disciples of Jesus. The next time you make a snowstorm or have a day canceled because of snow, remember the two friends who met Jesus and followed him.
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