Sunday School, January 11, 2015 1 Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord, Cycle B

January 11, 2015 Epiphany 1: The Baptism of our Lord

Sunday School Themes:

The Baptism of Jesus

The meaning of baptism

The two family experience of each person

One's natural family and the realization one is a child of God

A heavenly voice told Jesus that he was a "Beloved Son."

Each person needs to know that one is a "child" of God

Baptism is the celebration of the realization that one is a child of God

Present comparisons of between baptism and birthdays

Talk about baptism as a celebration of "Christian birth"

Go over the beliefs and vows of Holy Baptism

Remind the students that they and each Christians practice "confirmation" at each baptism because each person reaffirms or confirms the vows of one's baptism.  So even though Holy Confirmation is another celebratory event, it is something that we continuously do; we confirm our beliefs and promises to God and to each other.

Puppet Show:

Interviewer, Jesus, and John the Baptist

Interviewer: Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here on behalf of Jerusalem News Network to interview two very important people, Jesus and John the Baptist.  Welcome, Jesus and John.  Thank you for this occasion to speak with you.

John the Baptist:  Thanks for having us.

Interviewer: John, I must say that you do dress, how might I say, differently than others.  Camel hair robe and you have an interesting diet.  Honey and grasshoppers.  Tell our viewers about your life style.

John:  Well, you know I spent most of my time in the wilderness.  I don't get to town very often to do some shopping and so I just learned to live off the land.  I have learned to depend upon just my own efforts to eat and provide for myself.  And it means that I only have to be attentive to God and not to other people.

Interviewer: John, you are known for practicing a special religious ceremony.  Can you tell us about this ceremony.

John: Well, you know people call me the Baptist, because that is what I do, I baptize.  I bring people into the Jordan River and I immerse them in the flowing water and I ask them to make a commitment to change their lives.

Interviewers:  But John, aren't all of the people whom you baptized good Jewish people.

John:  Well, yes they are but it is easy to get very lazy in one's religion and faith.  Sometimes we just think that we are automatically the same as our parents and that we don't have do work or perform our faith.  To use a baseball metaphor, Sometimes we act like we've hit a triple when we were born on third base.  I am saying that each person has to start over and to make promises to God.

Interviewer:  John, why do people have to come to the Jordan River.  We have some very lovely spas in Jerusalem which would be fine for baptism.

John:  I want my friends to come to the Jordan River.  The Jordan River was the last barrier before the people of Israel entered their Promised Land.  I want people to "re-enter" the Promised Land of obedience to God.

Interviewer:  John I heard that you baptized a very special person recently.

John:  Yes, I am a little embarrassed to say, that I baptized my cousin, Jesus of Nazareth.

Interviewer:  Why are you embarrassed John?

John:  Jesus is my cousin and best friend.  We have grown up together and learned together about the ways of God.  I can only teach people so much.  I want people to graduate from my program of learning and become students and followers of Jesus.  I know that he has a very special ministry and I know that I am to support his ministry.  I am humbled that he asked me to baptize him.

Interviewer:  Jesus, why did you ask John to baptize you.

Jesus: Well, John is my cousin and good friend.  I am a member of his community.  He and and do not compete with each other because we know that we both have special teaching roles for the people who live here.

Interviewer:  John, what happened when you baptized Jesus?

John: Well, there was a flash of light and it seemed as though a beautiful dove came down and there was a voice from heaven which spoke to Jesus and said, "You are my beloved Son.  I am pleased with you."

Interviewer:  Jesus, is this true?

Jesus:  Yes, it is but it happened to me so it could be shared.

Interviewer:  What do you mean?

Jesus: This voice told me that I was God's Son, so that everyone could come to know that each boy and girl and man and woman is a child of God too.

Interviewer:  So you aren't the only child of God.

Jesus:  Oh, no.  I am like the big brother who came to show all people that they were created by God and made in God's image to be sons and daughters of God.  And so I was baptized by John and I commanded my disciples to baptize others so that they might know themselves to be sons and daughters of God.

Interviewer:  Wow!  That is fantastic.  Thank you John and Jesus for sharing this good news about baptism with us.  And remember everyone:  You are invited to know yourself as a son or daughter of God.  That's all the time we have today.  I am signing off from the Jordan River and now back to our studios in Jerusalem.

Liturgy

St. John the Divine Episcopal Church

17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Family Service with Holy Eucharist

January 11, 2015: Epiphany 1: The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Gathering Songs:

 There Is One Lord, Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little Children, God is So Good

Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit

People: And Blessed be God’s Kingdom, Now and forever. Amen.

Song: There is One Lord (Renew # 161)

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; there is one God who is Father of all.

 (Twice to begin, once after each solo verse)

Liturgist:         The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Liturgist:  Let us pray

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

First Litany of Praise: Alleluia (chanted)

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

Liturgist: A reading from the Book of Genesis

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Liturgist: Let us read together a verse from Psalm 29  

Ascribe to the LORD, you gods, * ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his Name; * worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; * the LORD is upon the mighty waters.

The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice; * the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor.

My faithfulness and love shall be with him, * and he shall be victorious through my Name.

Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Liturgist:

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 Mark  

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Liturgist:         The Gospel of the Lord.

People:            Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon:  

Children’s Creed

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.

Your prayers are asked for the health and comfort of  Bill, Cindy, Ginger, JP, Alan, Lou, John, Crystal,  

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy. (chanted)

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.

Liturgist:        The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:            And also with you.

Offertory: Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering

Song: Jesus Loves Me, This I Know (# 104 in All the Best)

1-Jesus loves me, this I know.  For the Bible tells me so.  Little ones to him belong.  They are week but He is strong.  Yes, Jesus loves me.  Yes, Jesus Loves me.  Yes, Jesus loves me.  The Bible tells me so.

2-Jesus love me. He who died.  Heaven’s gates to open wide.  He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in.  Yes, Jesus loves me.  Yes, Jesus loves me.  Yes, Jesus loves me.  The Bible tells me so.

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.

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 up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give him 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.

(Children may gather around the altar)

The Celebrant now praises God for the salvation of the world through

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

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 then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

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.

The Prayer continues with these words

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 that we may love God and our neighbors.

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 (Sung): (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 by 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:        Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:            Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Words of Administration.

Communion Song: Jesus Loves the Little Children (# 30 in All the Best)

Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world.  Red and yellow, black and white, They are precious in His sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

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: God is So Good (# 31 in  All the Best)

1-God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He’s so good to me.

2-He cares for me, He cares for me, He cares for me, He’s so good to me.

3-I’ll do His will, I’ll do his will, I’ll do his will, He so good to me.

4-He is my Lord, He is my Lord, He is my Lord, He’s so good to me.

Dismissal:   

Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God!

World's Most Child Friendly "Lessons and Carols"

St. John the Divine Episcopal Church

17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Family Service with Holy Eucharist

December 21, 2014: Fourth Sunday of Advent

Service of Lessons and Carols

Opening Carol: The Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum, A newborn King to see, pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum,

To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So, to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum, when we come.

Priya: A Bidding Prayer:

Dear People who love God:  Christmas Season is approaching so let us renew our lives by hearing the Christmas Story.  Let us hear the message of the Angels.  Let us go to Bethlehem and see the baby Jesus lying in the manger.  But let us also review the long story of our salvation.  Let us remember that God created us.  Let us ponder why we have the tendency to sin.  But let us remember that God redeemed us from our sins by promising a special Savior and sending us the special Savior Jesus Christ.  Let us also thank God for all of the good things in life that we enjoy and remember those in this world who do not have enough food, clothing or shelter.  Let us remember those who suffer because of war and fighting and human cruelty.  Let us also remember with thanksgiving the blessed Mother of Jesus, Mary and let us remember the great number in the family of Christ who share the same hope that we do, now and evermore.  Amen.

Alex: The First Story In Salvation History:  God Creates Man and Woman

In the beginning God created the world.  After creating the sun, moon, the stars, the plants and the animals, God created a man and a woman who were named Adam and Eve.  Adam and Eve lived in a beautiful garden call Eden.  Since Adam and Eve had the ability to talk, they were given the job of naming everything.  And God told Adam and Eve to take good care of their beautiful garden. 

Divine Jubilation Handbell Anthem: Creation Dance, by Gaspar Sanz, arr. K.  McChesney

Catherine : The Second Story in Salvation History: How Good and Bad Came to the World

God created Adam and Eve as innocent people in a perfect world.  God created Adam and Eve to be able to make free choices.  God did not make them to be like robots who could not make their own decisions.  God gave Adam and Eve a test so they could know that they had real freedom of choice.  He told them that they could not eat the fruit from one tree in the middle of the garden.  God allowed a very sneaky serpent to talk to Eve and Adam.  The serpent told them that they could be like God if they ate the fruit that God told them not to eat.  Eve was tricked into eating and she tricked Adam into eating the fruit too.  Perhaps that fruit was an apple or a pomegranate.  So Adam and Eve knew that they had freedom to choose, but they made the wrong choice.  Since imperfect people could not live in the perfect garden, they had to leave the garden.  They started a family and began to farm, but they missed the beautiful garden.

Choral Anthem: Adam in the Garden, West Indies

Adam in the garden, hidin’, hidin’, hidin’, hidin’, hidin’, hidin’. 

Adam in the garden, hidin’, hidin’, hidin’ from the Lord.

Tell me where is Adam hidin’, hidin’, hidin’, hidin’, hidin’.

Tell me where is Adam hidin’ from the Lord.

Sam: The Third Story of Salvation History: A special person from the family tree of Jesse

The prophet Isaiah said that a special person would be born from the family tree of Jesse, King David’s father.  This special person would have God’s Spirit upon Him and He would begin to be a wise leader.  The prophet Isaiah wrote about a vision of wolves and lambs being able to play together because some day no animal will harm another animal and men and women will live in peace.

Carol: Baa, Baa, Little Lamb (Tune: Baa, Baa, Black Sheep)

Baa, baa, little lamb, did you lose your way?  Yes sir, yes sir, I was lost today.

Far from my shepherd, far from my home.  Far from my flock, I ran off alone.

Baa, baa, little lamb, did you lose your way?  Yes sir, yes sir, I was lost today.

Baa, baa, little lamb, who found you? My Good Shepherd who loves you too.

Left His flock of ninety-nine, Looked for me with love so kind.

Baa, baa, little lamb, your Shepherd looked for you.  Yes sir, yes sir, And He found me too.

Dear little children, does your Shepherd love you?  Yes sir, yes sir, He loves you too.

If we sin and go from Him, Jesus brings us back to Him.

Dear little children your Shepherd loves you.  Yes sir, yes sir, and He loves you too.

Rylie: The Fourth Story of Salvation History:  A voice will cry out in the wilderness to prepare the way

The prophet Isaiah said that a voice would cry out in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord.  This voice would announce the coming of one who would be a strong and good Shepherd.  The voice belonged to John the Baptist who help to announce the importance of Jesus Christ.

Chancel Choir: Where Once There Lay Dragons, arr. Carol McClure

Caroline: The Fifth Story of Salvation History: A Promised Child Named Emmanuel

The prophet Isaiah promised that a sign would be given to God’s people.  A child would be born to a young woman and his name would be called Emmanuel, which means, God is with us.  Emmanuel is another name for Jesus because when he was born, he was proof that God was with us.

Carol: Soon and Very Soon

1-Soon and very soon, we will go to Bethlehem.  Soon and very soon, we will go to Bethlehem.  Soon and very soon, we will go to Bethlehem.  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  We’ll go to Bethlehem.

2-Soon and very soon, Mary will give birth.  Soon and very soon, Mary will give birth.  Soon and very soon, Mary will give birth.  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Mary will give birth.

3-Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.  Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.  Soon and very soon we are going to see the King.  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  We are going to see the King.

William  : The Sixth Story of Salvation History: The Angel Gabriel Delivers a Message to Mary

The Angel Gabriel came to Mary one day in the city of Nazareth.  She was surprised to see the Angel.  The Angel told her not to be afraid because God was going to give her a very special child who would be called the Son of God.  And Mary said, “Let it be according to your word.”  And Mary obeyed God.

Carol: Mary and the Angel (Tune: Reuben and Rachel)

Mary, Mary, look beside you.  There’s an angel standing there! 

It is Gabriel, sent from heaven with Good News for you to hear.

Mary, Mary, don’t be frightened.  God is with you favored one.

You will have a little baby, Jesus Christ, God’s own dear Son.

“How can this be?” Mary wondered. “ I’ve not married anyone.”

“God can do all things,” said Gabriel. “The baby will be God’s own Son.”

“As you say, “ then Mary answered, “As God says, so let it be.”

We join Mary in her praises; Jesus came for you and me.”

           

Daniella: The Seventh Story of Salvation History: Jesus is born in Bethlehem

Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem to register to pay taxes.  While they were there, they tried to get a room at an inn but there was no room for them.  So they had to spend the night in a stable.  While they were in the stable, Mary gave birth to the little baby Jesus.  That same night shepherds came to the stable because the Angels in the sky had told them about the birth of a special Christ Child who would bring peace on earth.

Carol: Christ Was Born In Bethlehem  (Tune: Michael Row the Boat)

Christ was born in Bethlehem, Hallelujah. Born to save us from our sin.  Hallelujah.

Songs of joy the angel sang, hallelujah.  To see Jesus shepherds ran, Hallelujah.

Every girl and every boy, hallelujah, Join us in our song of joy, Hallelujah.

Andrew : The Eighth Story of Salvation History: Angels tell the shepherds to come to the manger

When future kings are born it is announced throughout the kingdom.  When Jesus was born a choir of angels announced his birth in the heavens.  When the shepherds heard the angels announce the birth of Jesus, they were told to go to the manger and worship the Christ Child.  They obeyed and went to be the first visitors to see baby Jesus.

Choral Anthem with Handbells:  Away in a Manger,  arr. Susan T. Nelson

Abigail: The Ninth Story of Salvation History: Jesus is called the Word of God

The writer of the Gospel of John calls Jesus the Word of God.  And as the Word of God, Jesus was with God from before the beginning of time and he was God before the beginning of time.  The Word of God became the man Jesus who was born into this world.  And many people did not accept this man Jesus but those who received him became children of God.

Carol:  Hymn # 83  (blue hymnal) Adeste fideles v. 6

Yea Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus to thee be glory given.  Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.  O Come, let us adore him.  O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

William   : The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John     (Please stand)

     Reponse: Praise to you Lord Christ.   At the end: Glory to you Lord, Christ

The Peace of the Lord be with you always.

People:                        And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering

Offertory Anthem:   We Three Kings, Divine Joy Handbell Choir

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 God.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

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 family 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 up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give him 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.

(Children may gather around the altar.)

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

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 Rachel.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

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 Spirit so that we can we 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 rejoin their parents and take up their instruments)

Our Father (Sung): (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 by 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: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant:        Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:            Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Words of Administration.

Communion Anthem:  The First Noel,   arr. Gary R. Smoke    

 Divine Jubilation Handbell Choir

 Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

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 Carol: Good Christian Friends Rejoice (Blue Hymnal #107)

Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; give ye heed to what we say:  Jesus Christ is born today; ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now.  Christ is born today!  Christ is born today!

Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now ye hear of endless bliss;  Jesus Christ was born for this!  He hath opened heaven’s door, and we are blest for evermore.  Christ was born for this!  Christ was born for this!

Dismissal: Blessing for Advent and Christmas

The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and to the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of angels bring us all.  Amen.

Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God! 

Special Face Painting: Ash Wednesday Explanation for Children

Noah's Ark Puppet Show: Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School

Puppet Show

St. John the Divine Episcopal Church

We are Water and Rainbow People

God’s Salvation is God’s Promise to us

Characters:

Narrator

Noah

Noah’s wife: Emzara

Noah’s Son : Shem

Shem’s wife: Sedeqetlebas   (nickname? Sadie?)

Noah’s son: Ham

Ham’s wife: Ne’elataum’ak  (nickname?  Nellie?)

Noah’s son: Japheth

Japheth’s wife: Arbasisah  (nickname?  Arby?)

Animals for the ark (see inventory)

Jesus

Disciples of Jesus

Songs: Arky, Arky   (five verses to be sung as the puppet story develops)

             Mr. Noah Built an Ark,  (to Old MacDonald)  see the words below

             Here come’s Jesus, See him walking on the Water

Puppet Show

Narrator: (can be any puppet including an animal puppet)

A long, long time ago the great cities of the world were built upon famous Rivers.  The Tigris, the Euphrates, the Nile are some of the most famous big Rivers.  Cities were built upon rivers because people need lots of water; for bathing, drinking, for growing food and for shipping and travel.  But people in the past did not have the weather service.  They did not have weather satellites and so they did not know when rain and floods were coming.

When snow melted in the faraway mountains in the spring and when there was spring rain, the river valleys around cities would flood.  And since most people only travelled a few miles from their home in their entire life, their entire world would flood.  The entire river valley would flood and cover entire cities.

Once upon a time there was a man named Noah

(Scene 1)

Voice of God:  Noah, Noah, Noah, I need to speak with you.

Noah: Am I hearing voices? Who is speaking to me?

Voice of God:  Noah, this is the Lord God.  I want you to do something important.

Noah:  Okay but why me?

Voice of God:  Noah, you are a good man of with faith and you have an important mission.

Noah:  What kind of mission?

Voice of God:  You have to save your people and also the animals.

Noah:  Why do I need to do that?  Everything seems just fine.

Voice of God: Noah, I am giving you a warning about a big flood that is going to come.  You need to warn people.  And you need to do some to save your life.

Song: Arky Arky, verse 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMQjYJdtwoc

Noah:  What can I do?  I can’t just run away?  Where can I go?

Voice of God: Noah, I want you to build a big boat, an ark and you can put your family on this ark during the flood.

Noah:  Okay but I’m not a sailor or a boat builder.  How will I know how to build it?

Voice of God:  I will give you the instructions and you have to follow them exactly.

Song:  Arky Arky, 2nd. verse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMQjYJdtwoc

(Scene 2, showing the progressive building of the ark)

(Props.  Saws and axes, hammers)

Narrator:  So Noah obeyed God and started to build the ark.  He got his sons to help him.  But his neighbors thought that he was crazy.

Neighbor 1: Noah, what are you doing?

Noah:  I’m building an ark.  God told me that there was going to be big flood.  You too should start building your own ark so that you can survive the flood.

Neighbor 2:  Ha! Ha!  Ha!  Noah you are crazy.   It not even raining and we don’t get much rain.  Noah, you have lost your mind.

Neighbor 3:  Let’s go and leave this crazy man alone.

Noah:  Please listen to me and get to work building your own boats so that you can survive the storm.

Narrator:  The neighbors did not listen to Noah; they laughed at him and went away.  But Noah obeyed God and followed his instructions to build a big ark.  And soon the big boat was finished.  And God spoke again to Noah.

Voice of God:  Noah, you have built a very big and strong ark.  And now I want you and your family to round up animals and load them onto the ark.  Make sure you get mommy and daddy animals so they can have babies after the flood.

Noah:  We need everyone help rounding up the animals.  Let’s get to work.

Noah’s wife: Emzara:  I’ll get the rabbits.

Noah’s Son : Shem:  I’ll go find the Lions.

Noah:  You better be careful!

Shem’s wife: Sedeqetlebas   (nickname? Sadie?):  I like birds.  I’ll get some bird seeds and get them to come onto the ark.

Noah’s son: Ham:  Do I have to get the alligators.

Noah:  Yes you do.

Ham’s wife: Ne’elataum’ak  (nickname?  Nellie?):   I’ll go get the peacock.

Noah’s son: Japheth:  I’ll go lead the elephant.

Japheth’s wife: Arbasisah  (nickname?  Arby?):  I’ll find the chipmunk and the raccoon.

(Procession into the ark)

(The ark can have a ramp and the animals march into the ark)

Song: Verse three:  The Animals came in twoosies twoosies…..

(Clouds and rain and rising water)

Noah:  Ship Ahoy!  All aboard.  Pull up the loading ramp.

Neighbor:  Noah, open up.  Let us in.

Noah:  There is no more room.  Remember that I told you to build your own boat.  Sorry.

Song: Verse 4:  It rained and poured for forty daysies, daysies..

(Window openings in the ark will allow Noah’s family members to stick their heads out and speak)

Ham:  Wow!  There is lots of rain and lots of thunder.  I’m glad Dad obeyed God.

Arby:  I’ve never ridden in a boat; this will be fun.

Shem:  I don’t know; those animals will probably start to smell and they might wake us up when we try to sleep.

Alligator:  Those people shouldn’t flatter themselves.  They will smell too if they don’t take showers.

Noah:  Everyone be quiet.  Time to sleep.  Good night.  Let’s thank God for sending us a warning to help us save our lives.

Song:  Mr. Noah built an ark ,  to Old MacDonald had a farm tune.

Narrator:  It rained for forty days and forty nights.  Noah and his family and their animals were safe on the ark.  But it soon stopped raining and the flood water began to go down.  Noah wanted to check to see if it was safe to get out of the ark.  So he sent a dove out of the ark.

Noah:  Look, Dovey has returned and she has an olive branch in her beak.

Dovey:  Noah, I found this on an olive tree and the water has gone down and the ground is dry enough to get off the ark.

Song: Verse 5,  The sun came out.

(Animals and people get off the ark)

Rainbow appears in the Sky

Noah:  Look at the lovely rainbow and all of the beautiful colors.  I wonder what that means?

Voice of God: Noah, this rainbow is a gift to you of my promise.  I promise you that I do not destroy the world because I love and care for the world.  Whenever you see a rainbow remember the promise of my love and care.

Noah:  Thank you God for saving our lives and the lives of all of the animals.  We promise to be good keepers of your world.

Song:  Chorus verse, “Rise and shine and give God the glory.”

Final Bow.

Suggestions:

Use the water theme for the week.

Water at creation.

Genesis 1:1-9

1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.

3Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

6And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. 8God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

9And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.”

Noah and the Flood.

Genesis 6

6When people began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, 2the sons of God saw that they were fair; and they took wives for themselves of all that they chose.

3Then the Lord said, “My spirit shall not abide in mortals forever, for they are flesh; their days shall be one hundred twenty years.”

4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went in to the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. These were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown. 5The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.

6And the Lord was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7So the Lord said, “I will blot out from the earth the human beings I have created—people together with animals and creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.”

8But Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord. 9These are the descendants of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. 10And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

11Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth.

13And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth. 14Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and put the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. 18But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. 21Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them.”

22Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

Genesis 7

7Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation. 2Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and its mate; and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate; 3and seven pairs of the birds of the air also, male and female, to keep their kind alive on the face of all the earth. 4For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.”

5And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him. 6Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came on the earth. 7And Noah with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood. 8Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground, 9two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah. 10And after seven days the waters of the flood came on the earth.

11In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. 12The rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.

13On the very same day Noah with his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons entered the ark, 14they and every wild animal of every kind, and all domestic animals of every kind, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every bird of every kind—every bird, every winged creature. 15They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. 16And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.

17The flood continued forty days on the earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. 18The waters swelled and increased greatly on the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters. 19The waters swelled so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered; 20the waters swelled above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep.

21And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, domestic animals, wild animals, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all human beings; 22everything on dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. 23He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, human beings and animals and creeping things and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark. 24And the waters swelled on the earth for one hundred fifty days.

Jesus Walking on the Water and Calm the Stormy water

John 6:16-21

16When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

Water and the meaning of Baptism

John 3: 5 ff.

5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’