Jordan's Story
Children's Liturgy and Story
Call to Worship:
On his last appearance on this earth, Jesus reassured his disciples that he would always be with them, until the end of the age. The age has not yet ended, therefore as his disciples, we too receive his promise, "I am with you always."
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I behave as though you are not with me.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I prefer to forget that you are with me.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I yearn for you, but do not feel you with me.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 28:16-20 (NRSV)
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. [17] When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. [18] And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Story:
There is only one way in which Jesus' promise to be with us always can be fulfilled, and that is through his Spirit.
This story attempts to examine the concept of Spirit, or the God Within.
Jordan's Story
"I don't believe in God," announced Jordan. He could tell that his parents were shocked by the way they looked at each other.
"Why not?" asked his mother, frowning.
"Because God doesn't love me," said Jordan. "Besides, science has all the answers. We don't need God any more."
His father began to argue. "Depends on the questions. Science has some of the answers to the 'how' questions, but it can't answer many of the 'why' questions."
"What d'you mean?"
"Well, science can tell you how we're put together and how to treat illness and how to build a house, but it can't tell you why we're on this earth or why we fall in love or why we have free will. Anyway, what did you mean about God not loving you?"
Jordan shrugged. "I can't feel God loving me. Besides, when there are billions of people on earth how could one God possibly love all of them at the same time? How could God listen to me when I pray, when there are shedloads of people out there who don't even have enough to eat? If he's going to listen to anyone, God would have to listen to them, if he's a God of justice."
Jordan's dad laughed. "You're growing up fast! Maybe you should change your idea of God, Jordan! Don't you remember, when Jesus was seen on this earth for the very last time, he promised his friends that he would always be with them, to the end of the age."
"What's that got to do with me? All that happened two thousand years ago!"
"But the age hasn't ended, therefore the promise applies to people who are friends of Jesus now. And there's only one way Jesus can keep that promise."
Jordan looked puzzled. "I don't see how he can keep it. He's not here any more; he's in heaven. And there's only one of him, like God. How could he possibly be with every single person, all at the same time?"
"That's the point, Jordan," said his dad. "After Jesus left this earth, he sent his Spirit to be with his friends. Your spirit is the real you, deep inside where nobody usually sees. Jesus was God in a human being, so his Spirit is the deep inner part of him. And if Jesus was God, then the Spirit of Jesus and the Spirit of God are exactly the same Spirit -- usually called the Holy Spirit. If you follow Jesus today, his Spirit will be deep inside you, so of course he can love you and guide you and protect you -- and love and guide and protect everyone else all at the same time."
"Oh, I see!" cried Jordan and his face lit up. "God isn't just up in heaven miles away, he's part of me. Like, he's right inside me. Is that why God told Moses at the burning bush that God's name was 'I am'? I've always thought that was such a stupid name, but now I can see it's really clever. It means you can't say God's name without it being part of yourself. This is brilliant! Dad, I usually hate being known as your son, but just this once I'm really glad that you're the Vicar."
Jordan's dad smiled, adjusted his dog collar and put his arm round his son. "I love you, Jordan," he said. "And I always will -- just like God!"
Activity:
You need:
A piece of ice
An empty glass
A kettle
Paper and paints or crayons
A candle and matches
Start by placing the ice in the glass. Then leave it to one side. Explain (as best you can!) the concept of the Trinity -- that God is three "persons" but just one God. God is three-in-one and one-in-three. We therefore worship God, although some people might feel more drawn towards Jesus who was God on earth, or the Creator who is sometimes know as God the Father, or the Holy Spirit, who is the spirit of both God and Jesus.
Since Jesus physically left the earth, we can know him through his Spirit -- the God within. God is within all of us, helping us, guiding us, protecting us, loving us and we can "tune in" to the God within us any time we like.
Look again at the ice, which by now should be water. Point out that nothing has changed. It is still the same commodity, but now seen as a liquid rather than as a solid. Pour the water into the kettle and boil it until the water changes into steam, so that the children can see the water as a gas. (This isn't the best analogy in the world since to regard God as different "states" -- Father, Son and Spirit -- is actually a heresy! But this is probably the best we can do with children.)
Give out the paper and paints or crayons. Invite the children to paint their own picture illustrating God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and discuss the pictures they have drawn.
If you have time, light the candle and encourage meditative prayer by getting the children to focus on the candle flame.
Prayers:
Creator God, you created the universe and all that is in it. You created the Church to act as your agent on earth, carrying on the work begun by Jesus. May our church be so filled with your Spirit that we shine with your light and are able to offer love and compassion support and healing to those in need.
Holy Spirit of God, we experience you now on earth through your Spirit. May we become so tuned to your Spirit that we demand equality for all human beings and refuse to rest until poverty is history and all human beings enjoy basic human rights.
Jesus the Son, you were God in humanity showing us how we too could become like God. In your compassion, hold in your arms those who need your strength, especially those who are confused, sad, lonely or sick. We name in our own hearts those for whom we particularly pray today.
Blessing:
May you be filled with
the Spirit of the three-in-one God.
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.
On his last appearance on this earth, Jesus reassured his disciples that he would always be with them, until the end of the age. The age has not yet ended, therefore as his disciples, we too receive his promise, "I am with you always."
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I behave as though you are not with me.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I prefer to forget that you are with me.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I yearn for you, but do not feel you with me.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 28:16-20 (NRSV)
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. [17] When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. [18] And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Story:
There is only one way in which Jesus' promise to be with us always can be fulfilled, and that is through his Spirit.
This story attempts to examine the concept of Spirit, or the God Within.
Jordan's Story
"I don't believe in God," announced Jordan. He could tell that his parents were shocked by the way they looked at each other.
"Why not?" asked his mother, frowning.
"Because God doesn't love me," said Jordan. "Besides, science has all the answers. We don't need God any more."
His father began to argue. "Depends on the questions. Science has some of the answers to the 'how' questions, but it can't answer many of the 'why' questions."
"What d'you mean?"
"Well, science can tell you how we're put together and how to treat illness and how to build a house, but it can't tell you why we're on this earth or why we fall in love or why we have free will. Anyway, what did you mean about God not loving you?"
Jordan shrugged. "I can't feel God loving me. Besides, when there are billions of people on earth how could one God possibly love all of them at the same time? How could God listen to me when I pray, when there are shedloads of people out there who don't even have enough to eat? If he's going to listen to anyone, God would have to listen to them, if he's a God of justice."
Jordan's dad laughed. "You're growing up fast! Maybe you should change your idea of God, Jordan! Don't you remember, when Jesus was seen on this earth for the very last time, he promised his friends that he would always be with them, to the end of the age."
"What's that got to do with me? All that happened two thousand years ago!"
"But the age hasn't ended, therefore the promise applies to people who are friends of Jesus now. And there's only one way Jesus can keep that promise."
Jordan looked puzzled. "I don't see how he can keep it. He's not here any more; he's in heaven. And there's only one of him, like God. How could he possibly be with every single person, all at the same time?"
"That's the point, Jordan," said his dad. "After Jesus left this earth, he sent his Spirit to be with his friends. Your spirit is the real you, deep inside where nobody usually sees. Jesus was God in a human being, so his Spirit is the deep inner part of him. And if Jesus was God, then the Spirit of Jesus and the Spirit of God are exactly the same Spirit -- usually called the Holy Spirit. If you follow Jesus today, his Spirit will be deep inside you, so of course he can love you and guide you and protect you -- and love and guide and protect everyone else all at the same time."
"Oh, I see!" cried Jordan and his face lit up. "God isn't just up in heaven miles away, he's part of me. Like, he's right inside me. Is that why God told Moses at the burning bush that God's name was 'I am'? I've always thought that was such a stupid name, but now I can see it's really clever. It means you can't say God's name without it being part of yourself. This is brilliant! Dad, I usually hate being known as your son, but just this once I'm really glad that you're the Vicar."
Jordan's dad smiled, adjusted his dog collar and put his arm round his son. "I love you, Jordan," he said. "And I always will -- just like God!"
Activity:
You need:
A piece of ice
An empty glass
A kettle
Paper and paints or crayons
A candle and matches
Start by placing the ice in the glass. Then leave it to one side. Explain (as best you can!) the concept of the Trinity -- that God is three "persons" but just one God. God is three-in-one and one-in-three. We therefore worship God, although some people might feel more drawn towards Jesus who was God on earth, or the Creator who is sometimes know as God the Father, or the Holy Spirit, who is the spirit of both God and Jesus.
Since Jesus physically left the earth, we can know him through his Spirit -- the God within. God is within all of us, helping us, guiding us, protecting us, loving us and we can "tune in" to the God within us any time we like.
Look again at the ice, which by now should be water. Point out that nothing has changed. It is still the same commodity, but now seen as a liquid rather than as a solid. Pour the water into the kettle and boil it until the water changes into steam, so that the children can see the water as a gas. (This isn't the best analogy in the world since to regard God as different "states" -- Father, Son and Spirit -- is actually a heresy! But this is probably the best we can do with children.)
Give out the paper and paints or crayons. Invite the children to paint their own picture illustrating God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and discuss the pictures they have drawn.
If you have time, light the candle and encourage meditative prayer by getting the children to focus on the candle flame.
Prayers:
Creator God, you created the universe and all that is in it. You created the Church to act as your agent on earth, carrying on the work begun by Jesus. May our church be so filled with your Spirit that we shine with your light and are able to offer love and compassion support and healing to those in need.
Holy Spirit of God, we experience you now on earth through your Spirit. May we become so tuned to your Spirit that we demand equality for all human beings and refuse to rest until poverty is history and all human beings enjoy basic human rights.
Jesus the Son, you were God in humanity showing us how we too could become like God. In your compassion, hold in your arms those who need your strength, especially those who are confused, sad, lonely or sick. We name in our own hearts those for whom we particularly pray today.
Blessing:
May you be filled with
the Spirit of the three-in-one God.
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.
