In our worship today we look at promises and at a man who made a silly and dangerous promise which he shouldn't have kept. Let us ask God for help in making the right sort of promises and in keeping those promises.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we make rash and silly promises.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes we make good promises but fail to keep them.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes we forget to ask for your guidance in our lives.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Mark 6:14-29
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." [15] But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." [16] But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised."
[17] For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. [18] For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." [19] And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, [20] for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. [21] But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. [22] When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." [23] And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." [24] She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." [25] Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." [26] The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. [27] Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, [28] brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. [29] When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Story:
King Herod made an irresponsible promise which resulted in terrible damage. This is a story about Hurricane Hare, to illustrate that promises should be made responsibly, and then kept.
Hurricane Hare Makes a Promise
"Yes, yes!" answered Hurricane Hare impatiently, dancing from paw to paw. He hadn't heard a word his mother had said, but he knew exactly what answer she wanted.
"Do you promise not to go into the farmer's field?" pressed Mrs Hare, suspecting that her son wasn't listening.
"Of course!" cried Hurricane, still not knowing what his mother was talking about. He set off across the grass with his long, loping bounce. As soon as his mother was out of sight, he scrambled through the hedge into the farmer's field. It was his favourite place, for no other hares dared to set paw in the field, so he had it all to himself.
Hurricane settled down to nibble at the tender young corn. It was delicious. As soon as he had had a good nibble, he moved on to the next patch and nibbled some more. He kept a wary eye and a pointed ear open and alert for any sign of trouble, but he wasn't worried. He was the fastest hare on four legs, and he was confident that he could beat anyone, human or animal, who tried to chase him.
But Hurricane had forgotten that human beings don't bother to chase hares, they bring guns and shoot them.
As he inched deeper and deeper into the field, Hurricane heard a sudden rustling. Ever alert, he froze, just his nose quivering in the summer air. After a while, when he'd heard nothing more for quite a time, he loped off to the next area of corn. With that, there was a terrific bang. As Hurricane made to bound away, something whistled past his left ear.
Hurricane was terrified. He flattened himself in the corn and there he stayed. There were some more loud bangs and some more nasty metal objects whistled all around him, but thankfully Hurricane was unhurt.
It was many hours before Hurricane recovered sufficiently to slope off home, back through the hedge.
"Why, Hurricane," said his mother when he was unable to eat his dinner, "whatever's the matter? You're all of a quiver!" Then she added suspiciously, "You didn't break your promise, did you? You didn't go into the farmer's field?"
Poor Hurricane. He began to shiver and shake and sob.
"Well," said his mother gently, "it really is important to keep your promises. If you don't intend to keep a promise, don't make it. If I'd known where you were, I would have come to help you. But since you promised not to go into the farmer's field, I didn't expect you to go there."
Hurricane turned a tear-stained face to his mother. "I disobeyed you and I broke my promise! How can you still love me?"
His mother hugged him tight. "You silly hare!" she said affectionately. "I'll always love you whatever happens. But I'd like to help you learn to make responsible promises and to keep them. Will you ever allow me to do that?"
Hurricane slowly nodded. He thought that perhaps that might be a very good idea indeed.
Activity:
You need:
A card and envelope for each child (and adult if it's
a Family Service)
Pens for each child/adult
Felt tips or crayons
An
overhead acetate or powerpoint page or large sheet of paper containing some of
God's promises (eg. "It's impossible." All things are possible. (Lk. 18:27)
"I'm too tired." I will give you rest. (Mt. 11:28-30) "Nobody really loves me."
I love you. (Jn 3:16) "I can't go on." My grace is sufficient. (II Cor. 12:19)
"I can't figure things out." I will direct your steps. (Prov. 20:24) "I can't
do it." You can do all things in Christ. (Phil 4:13) "I'm not able." I am able.
(II Cor. 9:8) "It's not worth it." It will be worth it. (Rom. 8:28) "I can't
forgive myself." I forgive you. (I Jn. 1:9 & Rom. 8:1) "I can't manage." I
will supply all your need. (Phil. 4:19) "I'm afraid." I have not given you a
spirit of fear. (II Tim. 1:7) "I'm always worried and frustrated." Cast all
your cares on Me. (I Pet. 5:7) "I don't have enough faith." I've given everyone
a measure of faith. (Rom. 12:8) "I'm not smart enough." I give you wisdom. (I
Cor. 1:30) "I feel all alone." I will never leave you or forsake you. (Heb.
13:5) ) For more comprehensive lists, type "God's Promises" into Google -
this will bring up about 361,000 websites devoted to God's promises!
Make Promise Cards:
1. First talk about Herod's silly and
dangerous promise which resulted in such pain and fear and damage, then talk
about God's promises to human beings and display the list of some of God's
promises. Ask the children to select a promise they'd like to receive from God,
and write it on their card.
2. Now ask if there is a promise they feel
they'd like to make to God. You might need to be ready with some suggestions,
such as "I will try to do something every day to show that I love my
neighbour/brother/sister/parents", "I will try to pray at least once a day", "I
will try to read my Bible each day", "I will try to let Jesus guide my life,
and look out for indications that this is happening". The children may come up
with more of their own once they get started. They should write this promise on
the other side of their card. They might like to illustrate their promises
using the crayons or felt tip pens.
3. Finally, get each child/adult to
write their own name and address on the envelope, put the card inside and seal
it. Then collect up the envelopes. Explain that you will post them some time in
the future.
4. Leave it a couple of weeks or so, then post the envelopes in
batches, so that they arrive at different times. It's amazing how often a
Promise Card will arrive at exactly the right time for that person.
Diary Time: For details, click here.
Ask the children first whether anyone has ever made a promise to them which wasn't kept. Ask them what it felt like. Then ask them whether they have ever made a promise which they've been unable to keep. They might also be able to remember promises which were silly or rash and should never have been made. Ask them whether they think all promises should be kept, even dangerous ones. They should write or draw about some of this in their diaries.
Intercession:
Today you could use bubbles to assist in the prayers. Remind the children of God's promise to Noah after the flood that God would always be with his people, and that the sign of that promise was a rainbow. Remind the children that every time they see a rainbow, they know that God is present. Blow a few bubbles and point out that there is a rainbow in every bubble, so that everyone knows God is present. Then suggest that as you lead each prayer, the children should "attach" the prayer to a bubble. Blow some bubbles for each prayer, and take plenty of time. As the bubbles burst say softly, "When the bubbles burst, you know that your prayer is heard."
Reliable God, when we in your Church are tempted to rely on our own strength, remind us of your promise that your strength is made perfect in our weakness and help us to trust in you.
"When the bubbles burst, you know that your prayer is heard."
Reliable God, when all the world's promises have failed, you are still trustworthy. Help us to work with you to ensure that no-one in our world goes hungry but that our world's resources are shared out amongst all human beings.
"When the bubbles burst, you know that your prayer is heard."
Reliable God, when we're tempted to make silly promises just to look good, remind us that silly promises result in disaster. Help us to be sensible and to make only those promises which we're determined to keep.
"When the bubbles burst, you know that your prayer is heard."
Reliable God, you promised love for all human beings. We hold our friends who are sick or sad or suffering within the fountain of your love and ask you to touch them with your healing hands.
"When the bubbles burst, you know that your prayer is heard."
Blessing:
May you remember and enjoy
God's promises to you
and remember and enjoy
your promises to God.
And the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now,
be in your homes and in your families
and with all those whom you love
and for whom you pray,
now and always.
Amen.
