Sunday School, March 8, 2015 The Third Sunday in Lent
Themes:
The 10 Commandments. Try to get students to state all of the commandments in the positive rather the negative, e.g. thou shalt not kill = thou shalt respect life.
The Laws or Commandments are like a user's manual for people. If we follow these rules then we "function" better as people.
What is included in the 10 Commandments?
Our relationship to God:
Recognition of the One God
Don't worship other gods.
Give some special time to God for worship and rest: Sabbath
Respect the name of God
Our relationship with others:
Family: Honor parents, respect marriage.
All people: Respect property, speak truthfully, respect life, Be content and respect what others have (don't covet)
The Epistle
The wisdom of God is not the wisdom of how we often think. Jesus spoke in riddles: by losing we gain and by dying we live. He was speaking about how sacrifice can seem to be bad for us but sacrifice, giving up of ourselves for the good of our families and community is how we survive. And so sacrifice proves to be the wisdom of God because we are so used to thinking in selfish ways.
The Gospel:
Another riddle of Jesus. Jesus spoke of body as a Temple. In his body God lived and dwelled among us in a better and more intimate way than God can dwell in Temples or church buildings.
Remind the children that St. Paul called our bodies, "Temples of the Holy Spirit." So that God lives in each of us. This is why the real church is the people in whom God's Spirit lives; the church building is where the church people gather.
Gospel Puppet Show
March 8, 2015
Characters:
Moderator (stands in front of puppet theatre)
Moses
Jesus
Moderator: Boys
and Girls, you are invited today to a special game show. Do you like games shows? We have two special guests for our game show
today.
And the name of this game show is: The Yes
Challenge! And what is the Yes
challenge? It is a game where you
challenge a person to change a big NO! into a big YES! And that is pretty hard to do. Which word do you like best? No? or
Yes?
Our first contestant is the most famous Lawman
ever. His name is Moses. Let’s give a big hand for Moses, the Lawman!
Hello Moses, welcome to the show. Tell us something about yourself.
Moses: Well I’m a Hebrew man
who was born when our people were captive in Egypt. But I was raised by an Egyptian princess and
so I became a prince of Egypt. But God called me to save my people from
slavery in Egypt. So I led all of my people out of the land of Egypt and God did some great things to
save us. And when we arrived at Mount Sinai, I went up and God gave me a set of rules and
law for us to live by. I have the 10 big
laws written on these stones.
Moderator:
Thank you Moses and good luck in the show. And you are the great Lawman and you are on
the side of the great NO. Tell me about
your challenge today.
Moses: Well, the laws that I received begin with the
most important word in the Law: NO. What is one of the first words a baby learns? NO. A
parent has to say NO to a baby so a baby or child won’t hurt themselves. So NO is the most important word in the
Law.
Moderator: And
so Moses, what is your challenge today?
Moses: My challenge is for someone to change my laws
that say “NO, you can’t” into laws that say “Yes, you can.”
Moderator: Your challenger today is the famous Jesus
of Nazareth. Let’s all welcome Jesus of Nazareth with a round of applause. Jesus is not a stranger to any of us. And he is also a good friend of Moses. Tell us Jesus about yourself.
Jesus:
Well, I was born in Bethlehem
into the household of Mary and Joseph.
But most people know me as God’s Son and Messiah. I came to earth to tell people about God’s
love. Not everyone liked my
message. As you know, I died on the
cross but I came back to life and when I left this earth I sent the Holy Spirit
to be with each person.
Moderator:
Jesus, you know that your friend Moses has a challenge for you. He challenges you to change his “you can’t
laws” into “you can laws.” How do you
think that you can change NO into YES?
Jesus: You know I added an eleventh
commandment. The eleventh commandments
says, “Love one another as God has loved you.”
I think the way that we will turn the NO’s into Yes’s is through the
power of love.
Moderator:
Okay, Moses are you ready for your first challenge? For 10 points what is your first challenge.
Moses: My first challenge is this: Just say NO to
many gods!
Moderator:
That’s a good one. Now Jesus how
do you respond to this!
Jesus:
Just say Yes to the One God. The
word God means there is no one like the one.
So we can only say YES to the One God.
Moderator:
(ding..ding..ding) Good one
Jesus, that’s 10 points for Jesus. Good
try Moses, what is your next challenge? For 10 points.
Moses: Don’t make any statues
to worship. Don’t worship anything in
this life.
Moderator:
Jesus what about not worshipping idols?
Jesus: Worship God the Creator. If God created men and women and the world,
how could anything that God created be greater than God?
Moderator: (ding..ding..ding) That a winner, Jesus! 10 more points. What’s your next challenge Moses? The score is 20 points for Jesus.
Moses: You cannot work on the Sabbath, the day of
prayer. NO work on the Sabbath.
Moderator:
Jesus, what do you say to this?
Jesus:
Say YES to prayer and worship and rest on the Sabbath. Everyone needs a day of rest!
Moderator:
Judges what do you say? (ding..ding…ding) Yes! Another ten points for Jesus. That’s 30 points now. Moses, you’ve got a great law. What’s next?
Moses: How about this? Just say NO to swearing and using God’s name
in a wrong way.
Moderator:
That’s are hard one. What do you
say, Jesus?
Jesus: Always use God’s name in the
right way and live your life that shows that you believe in God.
Moderator:
Wow! (ding….ding…ding) another 10 points for Jesus. 40 to nothing is the score. Moses, don’t get discouraged. What do you have next?
Moses: Well, this one isn’t
exactly a NO! Honor your parents!
Moderator:
Honor your parents! What do you
say about that Jesus?
Jesus:
Well I agree with Moses. Yes!
Honor your parents.
Moderator: The
judges are speaking in my ear piece and they say, “They’re both right!” (ding, ding, ding, ding) So both Jesus and Moses get 10 points for
that Yes! Law. The score is 50 to 10
now. What next Moses?
Moses: Well, I am going throw four quick
NO….laws: Don’t kill, don’t lie, don’t
steal, and don’t hurt people’s marriages!
Those are four big “NO-NO’s”
Moderator:
Jesus, that is quite a challenge.
What is your anwer?
Jesus:
Say YES to life, respect all life!
Say Yes to Honesty and Truth! Say
Yes to respecting the property of other people!
And say Yes! to respecting
marriage!
Moderator: (ding..ding..ding..ding) That’s a clean sweep Jesus. That Forty more points for you. You now have 90 points. Okay Moses, you are running out of time.
Moses: Well, I’m down to my last challenge. I’m losing by a score of 90 to 10. Can I bet 90 points on this last challenge?
Moderator: Let me listen to what the judges are
saying….Yes you can bet 90 points on this last challenge. If you win this challenge you will win the
game. What is your challenge?
Moses: Okay, here I go! Don’t covet!
Don’t be envious or jealous of other people or the things that they
have.
Moderator: Moses is going for the win! What do you say Jesus?
Jesus:
Be content with what you have and be gracious about the good fortune of
other people!
Moderator: (ding..ding..ding..ding) We have a winner. 90 more points to Jesus so he finishes the
game with 180 points. Great game! You both were good sports. What do you have to say Jesus?
Jesus: Moses and I just did this game as
a way of teaching these boys and girls
about God and how they should live.
Moses and I are good friends;
When we hear the word NO in our lives, we need to find a way to say YES
to all of the good things that God has given us to do. I have sent the Holy Spirit to be in you to
help give you power to say YES and do all of the good things for your life. Boys and girls can you remember that you have
power to do good things in your life?
Can you just say, YES!
Moderator:
Thank you Moses and Jesus. Let
give them a big hand and thank them for what they taught us today.
St. John the
Divine Episcopal Church
17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Holy Eucharist
March 8, 2015: Third Sunday In Lent
Gathering Songs:
Jesus in the Morning; Let
All That Is within Me, Ubi Caritas; Oh, When the Saints
Opening Song: Jesus
in the Morning, (Christian Children’s Songbook, # 134)
1. Jesus,
Jesus, Jesus in the morning, Jesus at the noontime. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus when the sun goes down.
2. Love
him…
3. Praise
him…
4. Serve
him…
Liturgist: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
People: His mercy
endures forever. Amen.
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 God, you
know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both
outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from
all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which
may assault and hurt the soul; 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: Praise the Lord
O God, you are Great!
Praise the Lord
O God, you have made us! Praise the Lord
O God, you have made yourself known to us! Praise the Lord
O God, you have provided us with us a Savior! Praise the Lord
O God, you have given us a Christian family! Praise the Lord
O God, you have forgiven our sins! Praise the Lord
O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead! Praise the Lord
A Reading from the Book of
Exodus
Then God spoke all
these words: you shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make
for yourself an idol, You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD
your God, Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Honor your father and
your mother, You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not
steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not
covet.
The Word of the Lord
Let us read together from Psalm 29
The law of the LORD
is perfect and revives the soul; * the testimony of the LORD is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.
and gives wisdom to the innocent.
The statutes of the
LORD are just and rejoice the heart; * the commandment of the LORD is clear
and gives light to the eyes.
and gives light to the eyes.
Anniversaries:
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.
The Passover of the
Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people
selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their
tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both
the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers
and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves,
"Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a
marketplace!" His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for
your house will consume me." The Jews then said to him, "What sign
can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this
temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said,
"This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you
raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking of the temple of his body.
After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said
this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Liturgist: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you,
Lord Christ.
Sermon – Father Phil
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.
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
Offertory Song: Let All
That Is within Me, Melvin
Harrell,
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 the 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.
(Children may gather around the altar)
The Celebrant now
praises God for the salvation of the world through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
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. Sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we
might 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
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 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.
Celebrant: Christ
our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore
let us keep the feast.
Word of Administration.
Communion Hymn: Ubi
Caritas (Renew! # 226)
Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.
(Repeat during communion)
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: When
the Saints Go Marching in, (Christian Children’s Songbook, # 248)
- Oh when the saints go marching in. Oh when the saints go marching in. Lord I want to be in that number. When the saints go marching in.
- Oh when the girls go marching in…
- Oh when the boys go marching in..
Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to
God!
