Sunday School, April 12, 2015 The
Second Sunday of Easter
This is often called “Doubting Thomas” Sunday.
You might teach the children the lesson about how we can believe without
seeing.
Sometimes we have to trust the words of others about things we don’t see
ourselves.
When a child is alone is one’s bedroom and cannot see mom or dad, does that
mean mom or dad is absent from one’s life?
Does it mean that mom and dad loves them less even when they can’t see
them.
We are not like the disciple Thomas.
He was able to see the Risen Christ.
We have to believe that Christ is Risen and the proof of Christ being risen
is found in our actions of loving and caring for each other.
We believe because we can know the experience of the love of Christ through
us.
Puppet Show on the Doubting Thomas
Doubting Thomas
Characters: Fr. Phil, Doubting Thomas, and Jesus
Father Phil: Today, boys and girls
we are going to meet a famous disciple and friend of Jesus. But he is known for not believing
things. So his name is Doubting
Thomas. O look, I see that he’s here
now. Hello Thomas, how are you?
Thomas: I’m not sure about how I
am? I just have some doubts about how I
am.
Father Phil: Well you do have a
reputation. Some people call you
Doubting Thomas. Is that true?
Thomas: I doubt it.
Father Phil: Can you children say hello to doubting Thomas?
Children: Hello, doubting Thomas.
Thomas: What children? I don’t see
any children.
Father Phil: These children right here.
Thomas: I doubt it.
Father Phil: What do you mean you
doubt it? Look at these children
here. Can’t you see them?
Thomas: I see some little creatures
here, but how do I know that these aren’t space aliens?
How do I know that they aren’t
Sponge Bobs?
Father Phil: Well, you have a serious doubting problem Thomas. You could ask their parents. They would tell you that these are their
children.
Thomas: But if you were a space
alien parent, you might not tell the truth about your space alien children?
Father Phil: Thomas, have a really
serious problem with doubt. Is something
wrong?
Thomas: Yes, I am really having some
problems with belief.
Father Phil: Why?
Thomas: Well, you know my best
friend Jesus died. He died a horrible
death on the cross. And his body was
placed in a tomb. And now his body is
missing from the tomb. And I don’t know
what this means.
Father Phil: Well what happened?
Thomas: Well, my friends went to the
tomb and they said they saw an angel and the angel told them that Jesus had
risen from the dead. How can anyone
believe that?
Father Phil: Well, that is pretty amazing.
Don’t you want to believe it?
Thomas: My friends have teased me
and I think that they are playing a joke on me.
They said that they have seen and talked with Jesus. How can this be true? And why would they say this to me? I don’t think it is a very funny joke. My best friend Jesus died and now my friends
are saying that he lives again and they are saying that they have seen him and
talked with him.
Father Phil: Well, what are you going to do?
Thomas: I told them that I have my
doubts. I don’t believe them. And I won’t believe them unless I can see
Jesus and talk with him. I want
proof. I want to put my hands in the
scars on his body or I will not believe.
How can my friends tease me in this way?
Father Phil: Well, maybe you should
go and talk with your friends.
Thomas: Well, they are having a
meeting in a secret place. They still
are frightened and so they are meeting in secret. I guess I’ll go and see them but I don’t like
this joke they are playing on me.
(Thomas goes and suddenly Jesus appears)
Thomas: O my goodness. Is that you Jesus? It looks like you but are you real? Am I just dreaming? Are you a ghost?
Jesus: Thomas, peace be with you. It
is I, Jesus your friend. Look at my
scars. Put your finger out and touch
them and feel.
Thomas: My Lord and my God! It really is you. I am so sorry that I did not believe. I am so sorry that I doubted.
Jesus: Well, now you can
believe. But many people will not be
able to see me like you have and those people will still believe. Look at all of these children here. They have not seen me like you have but they
still believe.
Father Phil: And now Thomas has lost
his name; he no longer is Doubting Thomas.
His name is Believing Thomas.
Don’t you like that name better.
Thomas: I do like that name better.
Father Phil: Well, I like that name better too. And you see all of these children. They are Believing Children. And now can you repeat after me, “I believe
that Jesus is alive!” Amen.
St. John the Divine Episcopal Church
17740 Peak
Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Family Service with Holy Eucharist
April 12,
2015: The Second Sunday of Easter
Gathering Songs: Glory Be to God On High; Alleluia, Give
Thanks to the Risen Lord; He is Lord; He Lives!
Song: Glory Be to God on High
(Christian Children Songbook, # 70)
Glory be to God on high,
alleluia. Glory be to God on high,
alleluia.
Praise the Father, Spirit, Son,
alleluia. Praise the Godhead, Three in
one, alleluia.
Sing we praises unto Thee, alleluia,
for the truth that sets us free. Alleluia.
Liturgist: Alleluia, Christ is Risen.
People: The Lord is
Risen Indeed. Alleluia.
Liturgist:
Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.
And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.
Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and
worship you.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Liturgist: The
Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Liturgist:
Let us pray
Almighty and everlasting God, who in
the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that
all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in
their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
First Litany of
Praise: Chant: Alleluia
O God, you are Great! Alleluia
O God, you have made us! Alleluia
O God, you have made yourself known to us! Alleluia
O God, you have provided us with us a Savior! Alleluia
O God, you have given us a Christian family! Alleluia
O God, you have forgiven our sins! Alleluia
O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead! Alleluia
A reading from the First Letter of John
We declare to you what was from
the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we
have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this
life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you
the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- we declare
to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with
us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Liturgist: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
Let us read together from Psalm 133
Oh, how good
and pleasant it is, * when brothers and sisters live together in unity!
For there the LORD has ordained the blessing: * life for
evermore.
Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)
Litanist:
For the good earth,
for our food and clothing. Thanks
be to God!
For our families and
friends. Thanks be to God!
For the talents and
gifts that you have given to us.
Thanks be to God!
For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!
For health and for a
good night’s sleep. Thanks be to
God!
For work and for play. Thanks be to God!
For teaching and for
learning. Thanks be to God!
For the happy events
of our lives. Thanks be to God!
For the celebration
of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.
Thanks
be to God!
Liturgist: The
Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and
the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."
After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples
rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with
you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he
breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you
forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any,
they are retained." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the
twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him,
"We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the
mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and
my hand in his side, I will not believe."
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with
them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said,
"Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger
here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt
but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus
said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are
those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the
presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are
written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of
God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Liturgist: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you,
Lord Christ.
Sermon –
We did not make
ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.
Since God is so great
and we are so small,
We believe God came
into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.
We need God’s help
and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We believe that God
is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.
We believe that we
are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is
welcome.
We believe that
Christ is kind and fair.
We believe that we
have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.
And since we all must
die, we believe that God will preserve us forever. Amen.
Litany Phrase: Christ,
have mercy.
For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.
For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.
For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.
For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.
For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.
For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in
our world. Christ, have mercy.
For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.
For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.
For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.
For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.
Youth Liturgist: The
Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving
of an offering
Song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks,
(Blue Hymnal, # 178)
Refrain: Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks
to the Risen Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to his Name.
1-Jesus is Lord of all the earth. He is the King of creation. Refrain
2-Spread the good news o’er all the earth:
Jesus has died and has risen. Refrain
3-We have been crucified with Christ. Now we shall live forever. Refrain
4-Come, let us praise the living God,
joyfully sing to our Savior. Refrain
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all
creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost.
Prologue to the
Eucharist
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong
the kingdom of heaven.”
All become members of a family by birth or adoption.
Holy Baptism is a celebration of our birth into the family
of God.
A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.
The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to
his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the
Lord.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made
us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all
of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God
of Power and Might. Heav’n and earth are
full of your glory.
Hosanna in the
highest. Blessed is he who comes in the
name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the Highest.
(All may gather around the altar)
And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to
live by faith:
Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob
and Rachael.
And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.
Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this
Holy Meal so that when we eat
the bread and drink
the wine, we can know that the Presence
of Christ is as near to us as
this food and
drink that becomes a part of us.
And so, Father, we bring
you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit
to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirt so
that we may love God and our neighbor.
On the night when Jesus was
betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his
friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do
this for the remembrance of me."
After supper, Jesus took
the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is
my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the
forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of
me."
Father, we now celebrate
the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are
telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and
that his presence will be with us in our future.
Let this holy meal keep
us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son
Jesus Christ. May we forever live with
praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.
By Christ, and with
Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory
is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
And
now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,
(Children may rejoin their parents and take
up their instruments)
Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father who art in
heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy
Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.
Done on earth as it is
in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Give us this day our
daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.
And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.
As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.
Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.
But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.
Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy
name.
Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.
Breaking of the
Bread
Celebrant: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast.
Words of
Administration
Communion Anthem: He Is Lord (Renew!
# 29)
1. He is Lord. He is Lord.
He is risen from the dead and He is Lord. Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord!
2.
He is King. He
is King. He will draw all nations to
him, He is king. And the time shall be
when the world shall sing that Jesus Christ is King.
3.
He is Love. He
is Love. He has shown us by his life
that He is Love. All his people sing
with one voice of joy that Jesus Christ is Love.
4. He
is Life. He is Life. He has died to set us free and he is
Life. And he calls us now to live
evermore, for Jesus Christ is Life.
Post-Communion Prayer
We have remembered
his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.
And His Presence has
been known to us.
We have remembered
that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers
and sisters in Christ.
Send us forth now
into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the
bread and wine spreads into each time,
place and person in our lives,
As we are ever blessed
by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Closing Song: He Lives (Lift Every Voice and Sing # 42).
1.
I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world to today; I know that He is
living, whatever others say; I see his
hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him He’s
always near.
Refrain: He lives. He lives.
Christ Jesus lives today. He
walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives. He lives within my heart.
2. Rejoice,
rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing. Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the
King! The hope of all who seek Him, the
help of all who find, None other is so loving, so good and kind. Refrain
Dismissal:
Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to
God!
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