Tim's Time
Children's Liturgy and Story
Call to Worship:
John told the gathered crowds that Jesus would baptise with the Holy Spirit. In our worship today let us explore what it means to be baptised with the Holy Spirit.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I fail to leave sufficient time to pray properly.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes silence frightens and disturbs me and I try to avoid it.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I put myself first and fail to allow you to grow strong inside me.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 1:29-42 (NRSV)
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! [30] This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' [31] I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." [32] And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. [33] I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' [34] And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."
[35] The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, [36] and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" [37] The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. [38] When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" [39] He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. [40] One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. [41] He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). [42] He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).
Story:
When Jesus was baptised with water, he was also filled with God's spirit and this enabled him to begin his work. If we follow Jesus by saying "no" to self, taking time out to spend with God and allowing God to fill our inner being, we too will become "baptised with the Holy Spirit."
In this story, Tim does just that, with amazing results.
Tim's Time
Tim was eight years old when he was baptised. Some of the children at school laughed at him because he took his baptism so seriously, but Tim felt it was a serious occasion and was well aware that he was making solemn promises to Jesus.
To start with, everything was new and exciting and Tim was proud to be known as a Christian. But then he discovered that if you were a Christian, lots of people thought you were just sad and boring. Tim didn't want to be sad and boring. He didn't like being left out of things at school because no-one wanted a soppy Christian on their team. He didn't like being ridiculed because he shut his eyes during prayers at school. And he didn't like being regarded as feeble because he refused to join in playground fights or bullying.
He wondered whether it was worth being a Christian. So far he hadn't noticed any rewards. It was hard work trying to be good all the time and he didn't much care for the only children who seemed to want his company. They really were sad and boring. All his old friends were having a lot of fun without him and pushed him away because they didn't want to be labelled as "sad" as well.
Tim noticed that baptism didn't seem to have made any difference at all to most of the children at school. He wondered whether that was because they were baptised when they were babies so didn't know much about it, but then concluded that God knew so it shouldn't make any difference.
Then he wondered whether just to slide back to his old way of being, like he was before his baptism. If baptism didn't matter to any of the others, why should it matter to him? When all his old friends were having a great time playing football and making sure the nerds were kept well away, Tim was very tempted to join them. Then he remembered that Jesus was always on the side of the nerds so he wandered gloomily away, but felt rather angry that he was giving up so much while God wasn't giving him anything.
Tim found himself spending quite a lot of time by himself. He fell into the habit of holding silent conversations with Jesus which he quite enjoyed, even though Jesus never answered.
One day, as Tim wandered home from school by himself, he came across a small girl crying bitterly.
"What's wrong?" asked Tim.
The girl pointed to a tall tree. "It's my new kitten. He's stuck and he's never going to get down."
Tim gulped. The tree really was very high, and Tim was already late because he had been dawdling. He knew he'd be in trouble if he didn't get home soon. But he suddenly realised that getting into trouble didn't bother him too much. He was no longer quite so afraid of doing the wrong thing and being scolded for it. He felt much stronger in his inner being.
Without another thought, Tim climbed the tree. He tucked the kitten inside his jacket, then clambered down and gave the kitten to the girl. Then he ran home as fast as he could.
He did get into trouble at home, but simply apologised and got on with living. And as he grew up, Tim discovered that he became less and less afraid and stronger and stronger inside.
"Thank you, God," he murmured. "I'm glad I was baptised. And thank you so much for all you are giving to me through your Spirit."
Activity:
You need:
A large sheet of paper
Scraps of material and wool
Small pieces of coloured paper
Glue
Pens
Paints
Talk about the baptism of Jesus and point out that change usually occurs slowly. Even Jesus was tempted in the wilderness immediately after his baptism. Ask the children how they can remain loyal to their baptism promises? (Being honest, courageous, caring etc. Spending time with God. Reading the Bible and praying.)
Help the children to make a picture of the baptism of Jesus on the large sheet of paper. Use the scraps of material to make clothes for Jesus, John and any other characters and add hair using the wool. Use the coloured paper to make leaves for the trees.
Stick a flap of paper onto the river and write underneath, "John baptised with water." Then stick a flap of paper in the air and write, "Jesus baptises with God's Holy Spirit." Then fold the flaps over the words, so that the flaps have to be lifted in order to read the words. Elsewhere you could stick flaps which can be lifted to read the qualities given by baptism in the Holy Spirit, such as courage, inner strength, compassion, love etc.
When finished, display the picture in church.
Prayers:
God within, when our church looks only at itself, remind us to forget ourselves in order to look outwards. Remind us that it is only by becoming a true servant to the outside world that we grow strong and powerful with your strength and power.
God within, may our leaders and our nations wear sunglasses, so that they are never dazzled by bright lights and the promise of earthly gain. Help them to learn that it is through serving others that they will find personal fulfillment.
God within, help us to develop the desire for inner strength and then help us to embrace you so that you envelop our inner core. May we grow tall and strong within you and may we never avoid those difficulties and problems which enable us to grow strong inside.
God within, we continue to pray for all who have been hit by disaster, disease or death. May their spirits be fortified by the support of others and by the knowledge that they are deeply loved by you and by other human beings. We pray especially for ...
Blessing:
May the God within you
so fill you with his Holy Spirit
that you grow strong and courageous in him.
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.
John told the gathered crowds that Jesus would baptise with the Holy Spirit. In our worship today let us explore what it means to be baptised with the Holy Spirit.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I fail to leave sufficient time to pray properly.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes silence frightens and disturbs me and I try to avoid it.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I put myself first and fail to allow you to grow strong inside me.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
John 1:29-42 (NRSV)
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! [30] This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' [31] I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." [32] And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. [33] I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' [34] And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."
[35] The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, [36] and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" [37] The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. [38] When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" [39] He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. [40] One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. [41] He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). [42] He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).
Story:
When Jesus was baptised with water, he was also filled with God's spirit and this enabled him to begin his work. If we follow Jesus by saying "no" to self, taking time out to spend with God and allowing God to fill our inner being, we too will become "baptised with the Holy Spirit."
In this story, Tim does just that, with amazing results.
Tim's Time
Tim was eight years old when he was baptised. Some of the children at school laughed at him because he took his baptism so seriously, but Tim felt it was a serious occasion and was well aware that he was making solemn promises to Jesus.
To start with, everything was new and exciting and Tim was proud to be known as a Christian. But then he discovered that if you were a Christian, lots of people thought you were just sad and boring. Tim didn't want to be sad and boring. He didn't like being left out of things at school because no-one wanted a soppy Christian on their team. He didn't like being ridiculed because he shut his eyes during prayers at school. And he didn't like being regarded as feeble because he refused to join in playground fights or bullying.
He wondered whether it was worth being a Christian. So far he hadn't noticed any rewards. It was hard work trying to be good all the time and he didn't much care for the only children who seemed to want his company. They really were sad and boring. All his old friends were having a lot of fun without him and pushed him away because they didn't want to be labelled as "sad" as well.
Tim noticed that baptism didn't seem to have made any difference at all to most of the children at school. He wondered whether that was because they were baptised when they were babies so didn't know much about it, but then concluded that God knew so it shouldn't make any difference.
Then he wondered whether just to slide back to his old way of being, like he was before his baptism. If baptism didn't matter to any of the others, why should it matter to him? When all his old friends were having a great time playing football and making sure the nerds were kept well away, Tim was very tempted to join them. Then he remembered that Jesus was always on the side of the nerds so he wandered gloomily away, but felt rather angry that he was giving up so much while God wasn't giving him anything.
Tim found himself spending quite a lot of time by himself. He fell into the habit of holding silent conversations with Jesus which he quite enjoyed, even though Jesus never answered.
One day, as Tim wandered home from school by himself, he came across a small girl crying bitterly.
"What's wrong?" asked Tim.
The girl pointed to a tall tree. "It's my new kitten. He's stuck and he's never going to get down."
Tim gulped. The tree really was very high, and Tim was already late because he had been dawdling. He knew he'd be in trouble if he didn't get home soon. But he suddenly realised that getting into trouble didn't bother him too much. He was no longer quite so afraid of doing the wrong thing and being scolded for it. He felt much stronger in his inner being.
Without another thought, Tim climbed the tree. He tucked the kitten inside his jacket, then clambered down and gave the kitten to the girl. Then he ran home as fast as he could.
He did get into trouble at home, but simply apologised and got on with living. And as he grew up, Tim discovered that he became less and less afraid and stronger and stronger inside.
"Thank you, God," he murmured. "I'm glad I was baptised. And thank you so much for all you are giving to me through your Spirit."
Activity:
You need:
A large sheet of paper
Scraps of material and wool
Small pieces of coloured paper
Glue
Pens
Paints
Talk about the baptism of Jesus and point out that change usually occurs slowly. Even Jesus was tempted in the wilderness immediately after his baptism. Ask the children how they can remain loyal to their baptism promises? (Being honest, courageous, caring etc. Spending time with God. Reading the Bible and praying.)
Help the children to make a picture of the baptism of Jesus on the large sheet of paper. Use the scraps of material to make clothes for Jesus, John and any other characters and add hair using the wool. Use the coloured paper to make leaves for the trees.
Stick a flap of paper onto the river and write underneath, "John baptised with water." Then stick a flap of paper in the air and write, "Jesus baptises with God's Holy Spirit." Then fold the flaps over the words, so that the flaps have to be lifted in order to read the words. Elsewhere you could stick flaps which can be lifted to read the qualities given by baptism in the Holy Spirit, such as courage, inner strength, compassion, love etc.
When finished, display the picture in church.
Prayers:
God within, when our church looks only at itself, remind us to forget ourselves in order to look outwards. Remind us that it is only by becoming a true servant to the outside world that we grow strong and powerful with your strength and power.
God within, may our leaders and our nations wear sunglasses, so that they are never dazzled by bright lights and the promise of earthly gain. Help them to learn that it is through serving others that they will find personal fulfillment.
God within, help us to develop the desire for inner strength and then help us to embrace you so that you envelop our inner core. May we grow tall and strong within you and may we never avoid those difficulties and problems which enable us to grow strong inside.
God within, we continue to pray for all who have been hit by disaster, disease or death. May their spirits be fortified by the support of others and by the knowledge that they are deeply loved by you and by other human beings. We pray especially for ...
Blessing:
May the God within you
so fill you with his Holy Spirit
that you grow strong and courageous in him.
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.
