The Delivery
Children's Liturgy and Story
Call to Worship:
Jesus said that if two of us agree on earth about anything we ask, it will be done for us by God. In our worship today, let us consider what we would like God to do for us.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes my demands are utterly selfish.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm angry because it seems that my demands aren't met.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I fail to understand what is best for me.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 18:15-20
"If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. [16] But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. [17] If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. [18] Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. [19] Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
* * *
Story:
We may never know what difference our prayers make. But if we all pray together for whatever is right, we can be sure that God will keep his promise and respond to our prayer.
In this story, Jethro is supported by the prayers of the people back home.
* * *
The Delivery
Jethro was terrified. He was driving a lorry full of food and clothing to a remote part of the country where the people were dying from hunger. In amongst the food and clothing he had hidden a large carton of medicines and another large carton of Bibles.
Christianity was forbidden in that country, as were all forms of Western drugs. It didn't matter that Jethro's carton was full of drugs to make people better. They were still regarded as drugs and anyone found in possession of drugs could expect to be executed.
Knowing that, Jethro had decided to include the Bibles. He would certainly be executed if they were found, so he thought he might as well double the risk and take both medicines and Bibles. After all, he could only be executed once. It had all sounded so reasonable and so exciting back home in England. But now that he was alone and driving such a dangerous truck, it felt very frightening.
To make matters worse, Jethro had spotted a road block ahead. There were five or six soldiers with rifles aimed in his direction and another soldier was flagging him down. If he stopped, they would certainly search the lorry. If he drove through the road block they would fire at him. If he turned round and went back the way he had come, he would be hunted down.
Jethro prayed a brief, arrow prayer. "Help me, Jesus. Tell me what to do. Please protect my cargo, for you know how the people need everything I'm carrying."
Then he slowed to a stop. He climbed out of the cab. He nodded and smiled at the guards and showed them his papers. All were in order. Then he waited trembling as the soldiers walked around the truck.
Suddenly there was barked order. "Open the truck!"
Jethro forced himself to continue smiling and nodding. His hands shook as he struggled to unlock the rear door of the lorry. Then he stepped back.
One of the soldiers climbed inside and began to poke about amongst the different cartons. He pulled out a few clothes and threw them on the ground, and he tossed a packet of biscuits to his laughing comrades. Then he pushed his way to the end of the truck where the contraband cartons were hidden. Jethro closed his eyes and prayed.
Jethro waited with his eyes shut, knowing that he was about to be arrested and thrown into some terrible gaol and knowing that his mission had failed. But it seemed like he was waiting a long time, so he opened his eyes and looked up. To his astonishment the soldier was climbing down from the truck and the guard was waving him on.
Still trembling, Jethro climbed back into the cab and drove off, waving and smiling at the soldiers as he passed.
Jethro reached his destination without further incident. He handed out the food and the clothes and the Bibles and gave the medicines to the local doctor. The people were astonished at his courage and at the gifts he had brought, and without knowing quite what he was saying, Jethro promised to bring more.
As he drove back with his empty truck, he realised that he had been stopped at the road block on a Sunday morning.
'They must have been praying for me that morning in church,' thought Jethro. 'I'll definitely make another journey when I've picked up more supplies, because if they pray for me back home, I know I'll be safe.'
And up in heaven God smiled, for the job had been well done by all.
* * *
Activity:
You need:
Nightlights
Matches
A4 or A5 card
Felt tip pens or crayons
Talk to the children about prayer and why some prayers appear not to be answered (sometimes it's much better for us if God doesn't answer our prayers! For instance, if we pray to win the lottery and do win it, we may find that our whole lifestyle is completely changed and we lose all our friends but don't fit into a new situation. Sometimes God answers our prayers in unexpected ways and we only realize later that our prayers have been answered for the best. Sometimes we're unable to spot the answers to our prayers, because we're not looking in the right direction. Sometimes God answers our prayers deep inside us and it's years later that God's gifts truly become apparent.)
Ask if there's something or someone they'd all like to pray for together.
Give each child a sheet of card and get them to fold it in half horizontally, so that the card will stand up. Then encourage them to write a simple prayer on the front of the card (they should each write the same prayer). Show the children how to stand the nightlight in front of the card and light one of the nightlights. Ask the children to focus on the little flame and pray the prayer they have written. Let the children take their prayer cards and nightlight home. Suggest a time when they could pray their prayer each day. Remind them that the nightlight should NOT be close to the card when lit, as that would be dangerous, but could be near the card. They should only light the nightlight under supervision.
N.B. For next week, send a note home with the children asking parents to supply them with family photgraphs which can be cut up. Those with digital cameras could take photos and print them. If any children are unlikely to be able to bring photos, perhaps you could go round during the week and take photos of their family.
* * *
Intercession:
Listening God, you are always more ready to listen than we are to pray. Remind us that when we agree together for good, you will grant our prayers. And help us to learn to pray in accordance with your will.
Listening God, give our local and national leaders time and space for prayer. May they know your presence with them and may we remember to support them with our prayers.
Listening God, hear my prayer. May I forget myself and learn to pray deeply and sincerely for others. Show me the topics you would like me to include in my prayers and help me to allow your gifts to grow deep inside me.
Listening God, hear our prayers for our friends who are sick or in difficulty. We name them before you
* * *
Blessing:
May you remember that God hears your prayers.
May you remember that God grants your prayers.
May you pray in accordance with God's will.
And may 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.
Jesus said that if two of us agree on earth about anything we ask, it will be done for us by God. In our worship today, let us consider what we would like God to do for us.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes my demands are utterly selfish.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm angry because it seems that my demands aren't met.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I fail to understand what is best for me.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 18:15-20
"If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. [16] But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. [17] If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. [18] Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. [19] Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
* * *
Story:
We may never know what difference our prayers make. But if we all pray together for whatever is right, we can be sure that God will keep his promise and respond to our prayer.
In this story, Jethro is supported by the prayers of the people back home.
* * *
The Delivery
Jethro was terrified. He was driving a lorry full of food and clothing to a remote part of the country where the people were dying from hunger. In amongst the food and clothing he had hidden a large carton of medicines and another large carton of Bibles.
Christianity was forbidden in that country, as were all forms of Western drugs. It didn't matter that Jethro's carton was full of drugs to make people better. They were still regarded as drugs and anyone found in possession of drugs could expect to be executed.
Knowing that, Jethro had decided to include the Bibles. He would certainly be executed if they were found, so he thought he might as well double the risk and take both medicines and Bibles. After all, he could only be executed once. It had all sounded so reasonable and so exciting back home in England. But now that he was alone and driving such a dangerous truck, it felt very frightening.
To make matters worse, Jethro had spotted a road block ahead. There were five or six soldiers with rifles aimed in his direction and another soldier was flagging him down. If he stopped, they would certainly search the lorry. If he drove through the road block they would fire at him. If he turned round and went back the way he had come, he would be hunted down.
Jethro prayed a brief, arrow prayer. "Help me, Jesus. Tell me what to do. Please protect my cargo, for you know how the people need everything I'm carrying."
Then he slowed to a stop. He climbed out of the cab. He nodded and smiled at the guards and showed them his papers. All were in order. Then he waited trembling as the soldiers walked around the truck.
Suddenly there was barked order. "Open the truck!"
Jethro forced himself to continue smiling and nodding. His hands shook as he struggled to unlock the rear door of the lorry. Then he stepped back.
One of the soldiers climbed inside and began to poke about amongst the different cartons. He pulled out a few clothes and threw them on the ground, and he tossed a packet of biscuits to his laughing comrades. Then he pushed his way to the end of the truck where the contraband cartons were hidden. Jethro closed his eyes and prayed.
Jethro waited with his eyes shut, knowing that he was about to be arrested and thrown into some terrible gaol and knowing that his mission had failed. But it seemed like he was waiting a long time, so he opened his eyes and looked up. To his astonishment the soldier was climbing down from the truck and the guard was waving him on.
Still trembling, Jethro climbed back into the cab and drove off, waving and smiling at the soldiers as he passed.
Jethro reached his destination without further incident. He handed out the food and the clothes and the Bibles and gave the medicines to the local doctor. The people were astonished at his courage and at the gifts he had brought, and without knowing quite what he was saying, Jethro promised to bring more.
As he drove back with his empty truck, he realised that he had been stopped at the road block on a Sunday morning.
'They must have been praying for me that morning in church,' thought Jethro. 'I'll definitely make another journey when I've picked up more supplies, because if they pray for me back home, I know I'll be safe.'
And up in heaven God smiled, for the job had been well done by all.
* * *
Activity:
You need:
Nightlights
Matches
A4 or A5 card
Felt tip pens or crayons
Talk to the children about prayer and why some prayers appear not to be answered (sometimes it's much better for us if God doesn't answer our prayers! For instance, if we pray to win the lottery and do win it, we may find that our whole lifestyle is completely changed and we lose all our friends but don't fit into a new situation. Sometimes God answers our prayers in unexpected ways and we only realize later that our prayers have been answered for the best. Sometimes we're unable to spot the answers to our prayers, because we're not looking in the right direction. Sometimes God answers our prayers deep inside us and it's years later that God's gifts truly become apparent.)
Ask if there's something or someone they'd all like to pray for together.
Give each child a sheet of card and get them to fold it in half horizontally, so that the card will stand up. Then encourage them to write a simple prayer on the front of the card (they should each write the same prayer). Show the children how to stand the nightlight in front of the card and light one of the nightlights. Ask the children to focus on the little flame and pray the prayer they have written. Let the children take their prayer cards and nightlight home. Suggest a time when they could pray their prayer each day. Remind them that the nightlight should NOT be close to the card when lit, as that would be dangerous, but could be near the card. They should only light the nightlight under supervision.
N.B. For next week, send a note home with the children asking parents to supply them with family photgraphs which can be cut up. Those with digital cameras could take photos and print them. If any children are unlikely to be able to bring photos, perhaps you could go round during the week and take photos of their family.
* * *
Intercession:
Listening God, you are always more ready to listen than we are to pray. Remind us that when we agree together for good, you will grant our prayers. And help us to learn to pray in accordance with your will.
Listening God, give our local and national leaders time and space for prayer. May they know your presence with them and may we remember to support them with our prayers.
Listening God, hear my prayer. May I forget myself and learn to pray deeply and sincerely for others. Show me the topics you would like me to include in my prayers and help me to allow your gifts to grow deep inside me.
Listening God, hear our prayers for our friends who are sick or in difficulty. We name them before you
* * *
Blessing:
May you remember that God hears your prayers.
May you remember that God grants your prayers.
May you pray in accordance with God's will.
And may 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.
