James' Barbeque
Children's Liturgy and Story
Call to Worship:
Jesus said that he gives eternal life to those who follow him. As we worship God today, let us believe in his words so that we too may enjoy the Life that he offers.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we leave you out of our lives.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we are disappointed because you don't answer prayers in the way that we wish.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we refuse to believe that you still act in our lives today.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 10:22-30 (NRSV)
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, [23] and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. [24] So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." [25] Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; [26] but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. [27] My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. [30] The Father and I are one."
Story:
Some of the people who saw all that Jesus did and heard all that he said, still didn't believe in him. But those who followed him did believe, and so enjoyed eternal life - life with a capital L.
In this story, James believes in old Fogarty despite all his friends' taunts and despite all indications to the contrary. And at the end of the day, James has a great birthday party.
James' Barbeque
"It's my birthday on Saturday and I'm having a barbeque in the garden!" James told his friends excitedly.
But Heather looked anxious. "What if it rains?"
"It won't," retorted James. "I went up to the old man and asked him. He said it would be fine, so there's no need to worry."
Heather laughed. "That old fool! You surely don't believe what he says? Why, my dad says he ought to be locked up. My dad says he's not safe to be around normal folk."
Everyone started to laugh along with her, and James was hurt. He liked old Fogarty even if he was two sandwiches short of a picnic. Besides, while old Fogarty might not know the time of day, he really did seem to have an uncanny knack of predicting the weather. James reckoned it was down to spending his whole life out of doors, caring for sheep. "He's good on the weather," James protested. "You'll see! It'll be great!"
"Well, I'm not coming, thank you," said Heather. "I'm not going to spend the evening in pouring rain and feeling freezing cold. But come to think of it," she added, "some people are already wet so it won't matter much, will it!"
The small group laughed again and some of them began to jeer at James.
After that, whenever any of the group saw him they'd ask him if he'd changed his mind. They all refused to come if the party was outdoors, because the weather was always uncertain so early in May and none of them believed in the old man. It was even worse when the weather forecast on the television predicted a wet, cold evening. But James still stuck by the old man.
He crept over to see old Fogarty on the Friday, when the weather was cold and bleak. "Are you sure it'll be OK?" he asked miserably.
Old Fogarty smiled. "Dun you worry, boy," he declared.
"But how do you know?" persisted James. "The telly says it's gonna be awful."
But old Fogarty just shrugged and smiled his toothy smile and refused to say any more.
On Saturday morning, James woke to pouring rain and grey skies. He shivered and felt like bursting into tears.
"We'd better have it indoors, love," said his mother, and James heart fell even further. He could just imagine what Heather and the others would say.
But at lunchtime, the rain stopped and the clouds began to lift. By mid-afternoon James could see a tiny patch of blue in the sky and his spirits lifted. By early evening the sun was out, the sky was blue and it was a gorgeously warm evening. James hummed as he prepared the barbeque and he couldn't help grinning when Heather and the rest crept into the garden. James didn't say a word, but he made sure that the best meal of all went to old Fogarty.
Activity:
You need: A large sheet of paper A smaller sheet of paper for each child Coloured pens
The aim today is to look for signs of God's activity in the life of the Sunday School or church, so may need some prior thought.
Give each child a sheet of paper and ask them to draw a time line. On the line, they should add important events in their life, thus they might include baptism, starting school, winning a competition etc. When they've finished, look at all the time lines and give each child the opportunity to talk about the main events. Ask whether they think God had anything to do with any of these events?
Then take the large sheet of paper and ask the children to help you draw a time line of the Sunday School or church. Again, add important events like outings, anniversaries, special services etc. Ask whether the children think God had anything to do with these events and display in the church the finished time line showing God's activity in the church or Sunday School.
Intercession:
God our shepherd, thank you for your activity in the life of our church. Help us to be always aware of you so that we may always follow where you guide us.
God our shepherd, we hold in your presence today all those people who think they do not need you. May they see where you have been supporting them and may they realise your great love for them. We pray especially for those who are leaders and teachers, that they may help others to know you and to recognise your signs.
God our shepherd, we pray for ourselves because it's sometimes difficult to see where you are leading us. When it feels as though we're stumbling along blindly with no help, may we become aware of your presence always with us giving us strength and encouragement and responding to our prayers.
God our shepherd, touch all those who are sick and help them to know that they are touched by you. May they get better very soon. We pray especially for ...
Blessing:
May God guide you clearly,
hold you closely
and love you dearly.
And may you recognise the signs
which point to his presence in your life.
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.
Jesus said that he gives eternal life to those who follow him. As we worship God today, let us believe in his words so that we too may enjoy the Life that he offers.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we leave you out of our lives.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we are disappointed because you don't answer prayers in the way that we wish.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we refuse to believe that you still act in our lives today.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 10:22-30 (NRSV)
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, [23] and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. [24] So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." [25] Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; [26] but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. [27] My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. [30] The Father and I are one."
Story:
Some of the people who saw all that Jesus did and heard all that he said, still didn't believe in him. But those who followed him did believe, and so enjoyed eternal life - life with a capital L.
In this story, James believes in old Fogarty despite all his friends' taunts and despite all indications to the contrary. And at the end of the day, James has a great birthday party.
James' Barbeque
"It's my birthday on Saturday and I'm having a barbeque in the garden!" James told his friends excitedly.
But Heather looked anxious. "What if it rains?"
"It won't," retorted James. "I went up to the old man and asked him. He said it would be fine, so there's no need to worry."
Heather laughed. "That old fool! You surely don't believe what he says? Why, my dad says he ought to be locked up. My dad says he's not safe to be around normal folk."
Everyone started to laugh along with her, and James was hurt. He liked old Fogarty even if he was two sandwiches short of a picnic. Besides, while old Fogarty might not know the time of day, he really did seem to have an uncanny knack of predicting the weather. James reckoned it was down to spending his whole life out of doors, caring for sheep. "He's good on the weather," James protested. "You'll see! It'll be great!"
"Well, I'm not coming, thank you," said Heather. "I'm not going to spend the evening in pouring rain and feeling freezing cold. But come to think of it," she added, "some people are already wet so it won't matter much, will it!"
The small group laughed again and some of them began to jeer at James.
After that, whenever any of the group saw him they'd ask him if he'd changed his mind. They all refused to come if the party was outdoors, because the weather was always uncertain so early in May and none of them believed in the old man. It was even worse when the weather forecast on the television predicted a wet, cold evening. But James still stuck by the old man.
He crept over to see old Fogarty on the Friday, when the weather was cold and bleak. "Are you sure it'll be OK?" he asked miserably.
Old Fogarty smiled. "Dun you worry, boy," he declared.
"But how do you know?" persisted James. "The telly says it's gonna be awful."
But old Fogarty just shrugged and smiled his toothy smile and refused to say any more.
On Saturday morning, James woke to pouring rain and grey skies. He shivered and felt like bursting into tears.
"We'd better have it indoors, love," said his mother, and James heart fell even further. He could just imagine what Heather and the others would say.
But at lunchtime, the rain stopped and the clouds began to lift. By mid-afternoon James could see a tiny patch of blue in the sky and his spirits lifted. By early evening the sun was out, the sky was blue and it was a gorgeously warm evening. James hummed as he prepared the barbeque and he couldn't help grinning when Heather and the rest crept into the garden. James didn't say a word, but he made sure that the best meal of all went to old Fogarty.
Activity:
You need: A large sheet of paper A smaller sheet of paper for each child Coloured pens
The aim today is to look for signs of God's activity in the life of the Sunday School or church, so may need some prior thought.
Give each child a sheet of paper and ask them to draw a time line. On the line, they should add important events in their life, thus they might include baptism, starting school, winning a competition etc. When they've finished, look at all the time lines and give each child the opportunity to talk about the main events. Ask whether they think God had anything to do with any of these events?
Then take the large sheet of paper and ask the children to help you draw a time line of the Sunday School or church. Again, add important events like outings, anniversaries, special services etc. Ask whether the children think God had anything to do with these events and display in the church the finished time line showing God's activity in the church or Sunday School.
Intercession:
God our shepherd, thank you for your activity in the life of our church. Help us to be always aware of you so that we may always follow where you guide us.
God our shepherd, we hold in your presence today all those people who think they do not need you. May they see where you have been supporting them and may they realise your great love for them. We pray especially for those who are leaders and teachers, that they may help others to know you and to recognise your signs.
God our shepherd, we pray for ourselves because it's sometimes difficult to see where you are leading us. When it feels as though we're stumbling along blindly with no help, may we become aware of your presence always with us giving us strength and encouragement and responding to our prayers.
God our shepherd, touch all those who are sick and help them to know that they are touched by you. May they get better very soon. We pray especially for ...
Blessing:
May God guide you clearly,
hold you closely
and love you dearly.
And may you recognise the signs
which point to his presence in your life.
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.
