Molly's Silver Bracelet
Children's Liturgy and Story
Call to Worship:
In our worship today let us heed Jesus as he calls us, like Mary of Bethany, to sit and listen at his feet. So for the short time we have together, let us leave behind all that worries us and distracts us.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, we are so busy that it is difficult to find space for prayer or worship.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, the world is an exciting place and there is much to take our attention.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, it is easier to be busy than to sit and listen to you.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV)
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. [39] She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. [40] But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." [41] But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; [42] there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
Story:
Children are mostly better than adults at taking time to wonder over the delights of nature or taking time simply to be. They lose the knack if they are constantly exhorted to "do" something by adults, but the art of "being" is an art that should be encouraged in children as it enables them to connect with God and stands them in good stead for the future when they become adults themselves.
Molly's Silver Bracelet
Molly loved summer because she could lie on her back on the grass and gaze at the clouds scudding by. It was one of her favourite activities, because as she gazed her mind would wander and she'd find all sorts of interesting and exciting thoughts flooding into her mind.
Sometimes she didn't lie on the grass but wandered amongst the trees at the bottom of the garden. That was good too, because the cow parsley grew so high in summer that Molly was completely hidden from the house so she knew that she was alone and wouldn't be bothered by anyone.
Yet she wasn't alone. Somehow, Molly never felt lonely when she took time out by herself like this. Sometimes, stories would pop into her head and she would write them down in an old exercise book or type them on the computer.
Occasionally, Molly knew things which nobody else knew. She didn't know how she knew them; they were just there in her mind. Like when her mother told her that she was going to have a new baby. Molly knew instantly that the baby would be a boy, and she proved to be right. Tom was born in August and Molly's mum and dad gave her a silver bracelet to celebrate Tom's birth. Molly loved the bracelet and wore it all the time. And Molly's mum was so busy with Tom that Molly had lots of time to herself.
Molly didn't mind that at all. She had a glorious sense of freedom and was able to spend hours doing exactly as she wished. Sometimes she read a book or played with friends or used her play station, but she always found time each day just to sit and wonder.
One day, something terrible happened. Molly lost the bracelet. She had no idea where it was. She only knew that she didn't have it and didn't know where to find it. Molly was devastated. The bracelet was so very special to her, like it was a link between her and Tom. Molly knew her mum was too busy to help her find the bracelet and would probably be cross that she had lost it.
Molly didn't know what to do, so she fell back on her favourite activity. She threw herself down on the grass and gazed up at the clouds. As she watched the fluffy white clouds drifting slowly across the blue sky, a sudden thought popped into her mind.
'I wonder if the bracelet fell off while I was playing under the trees? I think I'll go and look.'
She ran down to the bottom of the garden and began to search amongst the overgrown cow parsley. It was a very tiring job and took ages, but Molly had a feeling that she was looking in the right place, so she persevered. It took her all morning, but at last she was rewarded by a glint of silver, hidden deep in the undergrowth. There was her bracelet! Molly fished it out and wiped it on her jeans and slipped it on her wrist again. Then she tightened it so that it wouldn't fall off again.
Then she whispered,'Thank you, God,' and skipped on her way.
Activity:
You need:
A scented candle
A bowl of water
A pebble for each child.
Get the children to sit on the floor and arrange them in a circle around the candle. Give them each a pebble to hold. Keeping you voice soft and low, take them on a journey of the imagination. They can either focus on the candle flame or shut their eyes. They shouldn't respond out loud to your words, but quietly inside their heads.You could suggest that they are walking through a lovely wood, with sunlight filtering through the trees. Say "Look around the wood in your imagination. What do you see in the wood? Animals? Insects? Birds? Take as long as you like to explore." Give them plenty of silence to explore. Then suggest that they walk on and discover a pool. If they like, they can swim. They already have swimwear if they need it and there is no-one to watch or to stop them. Even if they can't swim in real life, they can swim in this pool. Say "How does the water feel? Is it smooth and cool against your skin? Swim to the other side of the pool, where there's a waterfall. If you like, you can swim under the waterfall and feel it cascading over you. It's a lovely feeling."
Tell them that this is a very safe place and that they can return here any time they like, just by closing their eyes and walking through the wood. Then ask them if there's anything in their lfe which they don't like. Explain that they can get help by coming to this place because God is here. When they swim under the waterfall, God's love cascades over them.
When they are ready and you are ready, bring them gently back to the present. Explain that they have been at prayer. Tell them that there are all sorts of ways to pray.
Put the bowl of water in the centre of the circle and remove the candle. Ask the children to think very carefully about something they wish to pray about or someone they wish to pray for. Tell them they can "attach" their prayers to the pebble they are holding. Then invite them to drop the pebble in the bowl of water and say, "As you drop your pebble, God hears your prayer."
Prayers:
God of rest and relaxation, may our church learn to spend time together with you. May we have the courage to cease some of our activities so that we have space to relax in your presence and absorb you.
God of rest and relaxation, teach the world to value those ways of life which focus on quietness and solitude. May all whose lives are frenetic discover the peace and tranquillity which time spent with you can bring.
God of rest and relaxation, help those who are anxious or afraid to relax into your presence and receive from you the support which you are waiting to give them. May they know that your love gets rid of fear and may they dare to face the silence in which you wait.
God of rest and relaxation, lift the hearts and spirits of those who are sick or who are sad. Especially we commend to your loving care those who have lost someone they love and who grieve for them. May they become aware of your strong arms around them and your love pouring into them.
Blessing:
May you take time to be with God,
And thus receive from God
Such love and peace that passes
All your understanding.
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.
In our worship today let us heed Jesus as he calls us, like Mary of Bethany, to sit and listen at his feet. So for the short time we have together, let us leave behind all that worries us and distracts us.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, we are so busy that it is difficult to find space for prayer or worship.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, the world is an exciting place and there is much to take our attention.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, it is easier to be busy than to sit and listen to you.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV)
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. [39] She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. [40] But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." [41] But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; [42] there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
Story:
Children are mostly better than adults at taking time to wonder over the delights of nature or taking time simply to be. They lose the knack if they are constantly exhorted to "do" something by adults, but the art of "being" is an art that should be encouraged in children as it enables them to connect with God and stands them in good stead for the future when they become adults themselves.
Molly's Silver Bracelet
Molly loved summer because she could lie on her back on the grass and gaze at the clouds scudding by. It was one of her favourite activities, because as she gazed her mind would wander and she'd find all sorts of interesting and exciting thoughts flooding into her mind.
Sometimes she didn't lie on the grass but wandered amongst the trees at the bottom of the garden. That was good too, because the cow parsley grew so high in summer that Molly was completely hidden from the house so she knew that she was alone and wouldn't be bothered by anyone.
Yet she wasn't alone. Somehow, Molly never felt lonely when she took time out by herself like this. Sometimes, stories would pop into her head and she would write them down in an old exercise book or type them on the computer.
Occasionally, Molly knew things which nobody else knew. She didn't know how she knew them; they were just there in her mind. Like when her mother told her that she was going to have a new baby. Molly knew instantly that the baby would be a boy, and she proved to be right. Tom was born in August and Molly's mum and dad gave her a silver bracelet to celebrate Tom's birth. Molly loved the bracelet and wore it all the time. And Molly's mum was so busy with Tom that Molly had lots of time to herself.
Molly didn't mind that at all. She had a glorious sense of freedom and was able to spend hours doing exactly as she wished. Sometimes she read a book or played with friends or used her play station, but she always found time each day just to sit and wonder.
One day, something terrible happened. Molly lost the bracelet. She had no idea where it was. She only knew that she didn't have it and didn't know where to find it. Molly was devastated. The bracelet was so very special to her, like it was a link between her and Tom. Molly knew her mum was too busy to help her find the bracelet and would probably be cross that she had lost it.
Molly didn't know what to do, so she fell back on her favourite activity. She threw herself down on the grass and gazed up at the clouds. As she watched the fluffy white clouds drifting slowly across the blue sky, a sudden thought popped into her mind.
'I wonder if the bracelet fell off while I was playing under the trees? I think I'll go and look.'
She ran down to the bottom of the garden and began to search amongst the overgrown cow parsley. It was a very tiring job and took ages, but Molly had a feeling that she was looking in the right place, so she persevered. It took her all morning, but at last she was rewarded by a glint of silver, hidden deep in the undergrowth. There was her bracelet! Molly fished it out and wiped it on her jeans and slipped it on her wrist again. Then she tightened it so that it wouldn't fall off again.
Then she whispered,'Thank you, God,' and skipped on her way.
Activity:
You need:
A scented candle
A bowl of water
A pebble for each child.
Get the children to sit on the floor and arrange them in a circle around the candle. Give them each a pebble to hold. Keeping you voice soft and low, take them on a journey of the imagination. They can either focus on the candle flame or shut their eyes. They shouldn't respond out loud to your words, but quietly inside their heads.You could suggest that they are walking through a lovely wood, with sunlight filtering through the trees. Say "Look around the wood in your imagination. What do you see in the wood? Animals? Insects? Birds? Take as long as you like to explore." Give them plenty of silence to explore. Then suggest that they walk on and discover a pool. If they like, they can swim. They already have swimwear if they need it and there is no-one to watch or to stop them. Even if they can't swim in real life, they can swim in this pool. Say "How does the water feel? Is it smooth and cool against your skin? Swim to the other side of the pool, where there's a waterfall. If you like, you can swim under the waterfall and feel it cascading over you. It's a lovely feeling."
Tell them that this is a very safe place and that they can return here any time they like, just by closing their eyes and walking through the wood. Then ask them if there's anything in their lfe which they don't like. Explain that they can get help by coming to this place because God is here. When they swim under the waterfall, God's love cascades over them.
When they are ready and you are ready, bring them gently back to the present. Explain that they have been at prayer. Tell them that there are all sorts of ways to pray.
Put the bowl of water in the centre of the circle and remove the candle. Ask the children to think very carefully about something they wish to pray about or someone they wish to pray for. Tell them they can "attach" their prayers to the pebble they are holding. Then invite them to drop the pebble in the bowl of water and say, "As you drop your pebble, God hears your prayer."
Prayers:
God of rest and relaxation, may our church learn to spend time together with you. May we have the courage to cease some of our activities so that we have space to relax in your presence and absorb you.
God of rest and relaxation, teach the world to value those ways of life which focus on quietness and solitude. May all whose lives are frenetic discover the peace and tranquillity which time spent with you can bring.
God of rest and relaxation, help those who are anxious or afraid to relax into your presence and receive from you the support which you are waiting to give them. May they know that your love gets rid of fear and may they dare to face the silence in which you wait.
God of rest and relaxation, lift the hearts and spirits of those who are sick or who are sad. Especially we commend to your loving care those who have lost someone they love and who grieve for them. May they become aware of your strong arms around them and your love pouring into them.
Blessing:
May you take time to be with God,
And thus receive from God
Such love and peace that passes
All your understanding.
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.
