Let us join together today in worship of the three-in-one God; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Invitation to Confession:
Father God, forgive our misuse of your Creation and our apathy towards our planet.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, Son of God, forgive our failure to follow you along the difficult path that leads to Calvary,
Christ, have mercy.Holy Spirit, forgive us for the way we ignore you, the God within us.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. [2] He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." [3] Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." [4] Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" [5] Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. [6] What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' [8] The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." [9] Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" [10] Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? [11] "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. [12] If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? [13] No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. [14] And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, [15] that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. [16] "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. [17] "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Story:
It's very difficult to explain the doctrine of the Trinity. This is another story about those friends, Mr Skillett, Mrs Round and Dr Black, in which they realise that although each of them alone is rather strange, when they are together they make a very special person indeed, for they complement each other.
The three "persons" of the Godhead complement each other and together are very special indeed.
A Very Special Person
Mr Skillett, who was as tall as a bus and as thin as two pieces of paper stuck together, patted Mrs Round on the hand. Mrs Round was upset because her latest diet was failing. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't lose weight. Mrs Round was still as round as a little round ball.
Dr Black had tried to help. He had prescribed some special tablets for Mrs Round, but they didn't help. Mrs Round enjoyed food and enjoyed cooking.
"I'm so fat," she wailed. "I look so ugly that people look at me and laugh."
Mr Skillett frowned. "People look at all of us and laugh," he said. "After all, we're all a bit freaky. I'm as tall as a bus and as thin as two pieces of paper stuck together, you're as round as you are high, and Dr Black is like a flitting shadow. He doesn't even have white in his eyes or teeth, so no-one can see him as night. We're a very strange trio when you come to think about it."
Mrs Round wailed even louder. She didn't want to be a freak; she wanted to be normal.
"There, now," consoled Dr Black, patting her other hand. "it isn't so bad being a freak, if you have other freaks to love you and to help you out. And we love you very much, Mrs Round."
Mr Skillett nodded his consent. Then he had an idea. "Do you know," he began, "I don't think we're freaks at all when we're together."
"What do you mean?" asked the other two, mystified.
"Well," explained Mr Skillett, "you are the most beautiful cook in the whole world, Mrs Round. You cook for Dr Black and me, and we all sit down together and enjoy your meals. We couldn't manage without you. Dr Black helps us to get better when we're poorly. He knows what pills and potions to give us, and we get better in no time. We couldn't manage without Dr Black. And me - why, I'm so tall I can even repair the roof of the house without a ladder - "
" - and you carried Hopalong when he couldn't walk," added Mrs Round excitedly, "and you do all sorts of carrying and reaching for all sorts of people. We couldn't manage without you, Mr Skillett."
"There you are, then," said Mr Skillett. "When we're together, we're like one person. But what a special person! When we're together, we can do anything."
"Why, I do believe you're right!" agreed Mrs Round. "And do you know, I don't think I mind being short and fat and round after all. If I wasn't so round, perhaps I wouldn't be able to cook so well. And if I wasn't round, perhaps I wouldn't be part of this trio. And then I wouldn't have you two good friends. You're right, Mr Skillett. Together, we're so very special!"
And she went out to put the kettle on and cut a large slice of cake for each of them.
Activity:
The idea of a God which is three "individuals" but also one, is incredibly difficult for adults as well as children. If you have a local conjurer, invite him to perform a three-ring trick - three interlocking rings which cannot be separated and so are one whole, but which the conjurer is able to separate into three separate rings. If you can't find a conjurer, buy three plastic rings from a toy shop and hold them together so that they look interlinked, then separate them.
Alternatively, there are "executive toys" available which move in perpetual motion when a small battery is inserted in the base. If you can find one which has three circles moving in perpetual motion, it's a good illustration of the ceaseless movement in the Godhead.
Alternatively, you could use ice, water and steam to illustrate one element but three completely different states, but be careful as this is actually a heresy! God doesn't act in different states since God is always three, but also always one.
Diary Time: For details, click here.
Talk to the children about their grandparents. Point out that Grandma is Grandma to them, mother to their mother or father, and daughter to her own mother and father. The children may think of similar examples for themselves and some may have mothers who are also teachers or nurses or shop assistants, but also mothers and perhaps sisters. They themselves may be Scouts and church members and school children all at the same time.
Explain that God is the Creator (Father), human (Jesus the Son), and within each of us (the Holy Spirit). God is all three at the same time and all three are independent yet equal to each other and the same - one God.
Invite the children to draw this relationship symbolically. You could show them some Celtic representations of the three-in-one God to help them.
Intercession:
Three-in-one God, may our Church respond to your Creation of our planet, follow you in human life, and worship you in Spirit. Help our Church to become as fully rounded and as whole as you are, our God and our Redeemer.
Three-in-one God, may we be good caretakers of our world. Help us to notice when our world is in danger of being spoilt or exploited and give us the courage to demand change which will benefit all human beings.
Three-in-one God, we pray for our own community asking that our community might respond more fully to you, our God. Give us the skills we need to reveal you in all your glory to our community and give us the courage to use those skills in your name.
Three-in-one God, we pray for those who are sick or sad or anxious, and for those who are in mourning. May they all know that there are better times to come and may they all be able to turn to you for help and support and comfort. We pray especially for ...
Blessing:
May God the Father and Creator
protect you from all evil.
May God the Son
show you how human life can be lived.
May God the Holy Spirit
fill you with inner wisdom.
And the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now,
be in your homes and in your families
and with all those whom you love
and for whom you pray,
now and always.
Amen.
