Login / Signup

Free Access

Magda's Trouble

Children's Liturgy and Story
Call to Worship:
After he had been deep in prayer, Jesus was able to walk on the sea. In our worship today, let explore the relationship between prayer and God's response to us.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I dismiss prayer as not working, yet I know I've never really prayed as you prayed.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I can't believe in miracles, yet I know I've never really prayed as you prayed.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I am so terrified that I forget to keep my eyes on you, yet I know I've never really prayed as you prayed.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:
Matthew 14:22-33 (NRSV)

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. [23] And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, [24] but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. [25] And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. [26] But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. [27] But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."

[28] Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." [29] He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. [30] But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" [31] Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" [32] When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. [33] And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."


Story:
Being a Christian doesn't prevent bad things happening to us. Christians suffer in life just like anyone else. But Christianity does give us the tools to deal with bad things when they happen. Peter was OK until he took his eyes off Jesus, and allowed his fear to have the upper hand. When he reached out again for Jesus, he was safe.

In this story, Magda finds herself "drowning" in fear, until she reaches out to Jesus. Then she's OK.

Magda's Trouble
The very worst day of Magda's life started just like any other day. She was bright and happy as she waved goodbye to her Mum and skipped into school. She met her best friend Jessie and they ran into class together.

Even the trouble started slowly and quietly. They were in the playground together, a little group of girls all crowded round Sandy who had brought her sister's diamond engagement ring to show them. Of course, Sandy shouldn't have touched her sister's engagement ring, but when she noticed that her sister had forgotten to put it on and had gone off to work without it, Sandy couldn't resist. She longed to display the ring to all her friends at school.

The ring really was beautiful. It sparkled and glowed in the sunshine and sent little rainbows darting out from the diamond. Magda thought she had never seen anything so gorgeous in all her life.

"Can I try it on?" she pleaded.

Sandy was hesitant. "Better not. What if something happens?"

"What could possibly happen? Go on, just for a second. Do let me try it."

"Well, OK, but be careful."

Magda slipped the ring onto her middle finger. It was quite loose even on that finger, but she turned her hand this way and that, admiring the ring.

Then she began to fly her hand through the air. "Look! It's like a butterfly! See the butterfly fluttering in the air?"

All the girls began to clap and cheer her on. Magda swooped her arm down and up, high and low, to this side and that side. She didn't even hear Sandy's anguished cries. But when she stopped, laughing and exhilarated and ready to return the ring, to her horror she saw that it had disappeared.

"Where is it?" she cried. "What's happened?"

"You fool!" groaned Sandy. "Now you've lost it. What am I going to do?" And she began to wail loudly.

Magda was suddenly desperately anxious and that made her irritable. "Oh shut up!" she shouted. "It can't have gone far. We'll soon find it!"

The girls began to search, but they couldn't find the ring. When their break ended, Magda was in tears. Sandy told her that she would have to pay for the ring and that it cost over a thousand pounds. Magda gulped. She couldn't begin to imagine what her father would say. Then she began to wonder whether she would be arrested. Perhaps losing the ring was the same as stealing it.

Magda felt cold fear wash over her. She wished she'd never seen the ring. She wished she'd never insisted on trying it on. She wished she'd never started showing off with it. She was in despair. She didn't know what to do. Then she thought of Jesus and silently begged for his help.

"What's the matter with you girls?" asked their teacher, noting their worried faces. Magda cringed, but she knew she would have to own up. She told the teacher the whole sad story, watching as the teacher's lips hardened and a frown appeared on her brow.

The teacher made the whole class go out to search for the ring. She organised them into a long line, and made the children search every blade of grass, but the ring remained hidden. Magda felt terror beginning to overwhelm her. She thought she might die of fright. She wondered why Jesus had let her down. Surely he could have found the ring for them?

But Magda had nowhere else to turn, so she clung onto Jesus silently pleading with him to help.

The teacher ushered them all back indoors and called for the Head. He was furious with them all, but especially with Magda and Sandy. Then he turned on his heel and marched out. Magda's spirits stayed slumped in her boots.

Magda suffered for the whole day. She couldn't eat. She couldn't work. She could't think of anything but the ring and her parents' reaction when they heard.

But at the end of the day, just as they were packing up ready to go home, the Head came back into the room. He opened his hand. "Is this the ring?"

Magda felt relief wash over her like a tidal wave. "How did you find it, Sir?" she cried.

"It's a good job I have a metal detector," answered the Head. "The ring had fallen some way from where you were searching. It must have flown off when you were acting so stupidly, Magda. And as for you, Sandy," he added, "I hope you've now learned never to take anything that doesn't belong to you, even to borrow it."

Magda and Sandy both nodded, sheepishly. But Magda remembered to say "Thank you" to Jesus, because she realised that miracles do still happen, even for people who really don't deserve them.


Activity:
You need:
A tray of sand
Candles and matches

Tell the children today's gospel story in your own words and get them to act out the story. Ask them whether there have been any times in their own lives when they've been really frightened and ask them how their fears were resolved.

Talk about prayer and ask them whether they think prayer works. Take their answers seriously and discuss with them why prayer might not seem to work at times (the answer may not be what they expect, may be later than they expect, they may not identify the answer, etc.)

Talk about meditative prayer - resting in God's presence. Give them each a candle and help each of them to light their candle and stick it in the sand. Encourage them to focus on the candle flame and allow God to fill their hearts and minds. There may be a common problem which you could all pray about together, or there may be someone who is sick who needs all your prayers.

Remember to pick up on this next week, asking the children whether their prayer had any effect.


Prayers:

God of strength and support, when we in the church are hit by storms, help us to keep our eyes upon you. Remind us that those who refuse to get out of the boat can't walk on water and that you are there to help us when the waves become overwhelming.

God of strength and support, we pray for all those in positions of authority who dare to raise their heads above the parapet. When they are shot at verbally or physically, may they be strong in their response.
God of strength and support, give us the courage to take risks. May we be so steeped in prayer that we know the right course of action and may we stick to that action even when it's unbearably scary and lonely.
God of strength and support, be with all who are sick and who need your healing power. We name them before you ...

Blessing:
May you be so close to God in prayer
that you are able to take the risks
that God is calling you to take.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Be with you, be in your homes
And in your families,
With those whom you love
And with those for whom you pray,
Both now and always. Amen.


UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Epiphany 7 (OT 7)
24 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
17 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Transfiguration Sunday
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
36 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Ash Wednesday
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
35 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: Two pairs of headphones. One should be a larger, more traditional pair, and the other a smaller, ‘ear bud’ pair.

* * *

John Jamison
Object: A phone with a camera, a candy bar, and all kinds of noisemakers. You could use a real megaphone or make one by rolling up a piece of poster board. Other noisemakers could be bells, horns, whistles, pan lids to bang together, and anything else that can make a lot of noise.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For March 9, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Frank Ramirez
Ash Wednesday is a day for remembering our sins, asking for forgiveness, and resolving to change. In his essay “On Forgiveness,” C.S. Lewis made an important distinction between asking forgiveness for sins and excusing our sins. Instead of confessing fault, people make excuses for what they’ve done – not only to God, but to each other. How many times have you heard (or made) what seemed to be an apology, but which ended up as an excuse for which no blame was taken?
David Coffin
Around 1987, an aspiring young musician left the confines of his Midwest rural Indiana home to try to find fame and fortune in the streets of Los Angeles, California. He found the streets as a place to fight survival as he saw homelessness, ruthless predators taking advantage of people and he ended up living in a friend’s mother’s basement.
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 58:1-12

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
   the Most High your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you,
   no scourge come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
   to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
    so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
(vv. 9-12)
Peter Andrew Smith
Jonathan picked up the phone on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Hi, I’m calling from Blessings Outreach Ministry,” the voice on the other end said. “Am I speaking to Mr. Jonathan LeSalle?

“Yes, it is.”

“Mr. LeSalle, I’m Bethany from the donations committee. I’m calling to thank you for your extremely generous gift you made last week. You’ve made so many wonderful things possible.”

“You’re very welcome,” Jonathan said. “I’ve been supporting your efforts for years and finally had a year where I was able to make a sizeable donation to help out.”

SermonStudio

Bonnie Bates
As we enter the Lenten season, we reflect on the life of Jesus, his ministry, his sacrifice, and his love for us. Paul contrasted, in this letter, the concepts of righteousness to the law and to faith, accenting that righteousness that comes from faith is the more important. The word, God’s word, is not distant from us, rather it is near us, near our lips and our heart. Knowing Jesus and proclaiming our faith, these are what brings us into relationship with God.
Wayne Brouwer
Jesus was tempted.

We know the story is there, but it isn’t our favorite, is it? Somehow it tarnishes our ideas about Jesus. Was he as wimpy as we are, almost ready to step over the edge of whatever morality we might have left, at the first offer?
Mariann Edgar Budde
The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.
-- Isaiah 58:11-12

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!
-- 2 Corinthians 6:2c

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
The story of Jesus in the wilderness warns us against temptations to self-sufficiency, power, and invulnerability.

Old Testament Lesson
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Firstfruits
John N. Brittain
Mitchell (obviously not his real name) was a pillar of the church I served a quarter century ago and an inspiration to many. A firmly established independent business man, he was in one of those lines of work that depended on a good name, and a high reputation, and he had both. Every year Mitchell would be among the first to turn in his pledge card making whatever adjustment in commitment the finance committee had suggested; he was similarly enthusiastic about special projects.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
When Tracy was going on fifteen, her family decided to move to the city from the sleepy market town where Tracy had lived all her life. Tracy was so excited she could hardly wait. Nothing ever happened in the country. There was nothing to do, and along with all her friends, Tracy was usually bored. But things were so different in the city. There were cinemas and pubs and clubs. There was dancing and rock bands and bowling alleys. And there were buses!

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL