Paul's Play
Children's Liturgy and Story
Call to Worship:
Jesus told the people to report what they saw; that the blind were receiving their sight, the lame were walking, the deaf were hearing and poor were hearing good news. In our worship today, let us explore whether that is still true in our society today.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I don't expect much from Christianity.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm more comfortable when I don't expect very much.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm afraid of being disappointed.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 11:2-11 (NRSV)
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples [3] and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" [4] Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: [5] the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. [6] And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
[7] As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. [9] What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [10] This is the one about whom it is written,
'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.'
[11] Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Story:
Jesus claimed that the proof that he was the expected Messiah was that he had fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy about enabling the blind to see, the lame to walk, etc. But is that still true today? Does Jesus still enable the blind to see?
In this story, Paul is "blinded" by his disappointment and unable to see beyond his pain. It's only much later, when things have taken a surprising turn for the good, That Paul is able to "see" - to understand.
Paul's Play
"It's not fair!" complained Paul. "I wanted to be in the Christmas play, but I've been left out. We had to stand sideways so that the teachers could look at us in profile, then they chose people to be angels and shepherds. But nobody chose me. It's because my face isn't right."
His father sighed. "There's nothing wrong with your face, Paul. Nobody would know you had an operation all those years ago."
"But I still don't look like other people," objected Paul. "If I did, I'd have been chosen as an angel or a shepherd. Now I'll be stuck in the choir."
"The choir plays a really important part in the play," said Paul's mother, encouragingly. But that only made matters worse. After that, Paul was absolutely certain that the choir was for losers.
He went along to choir practice with a bad grace. He toyed with the idea of refusing to do anything, but he was so keen to be part of the play that in the end he reluctantly took his place in the choir.
'At least,' Paul thought to himself sourly, 'no-one will see my face. No-one ever looks at the choir.' And he felt really sorry for himself.
To his surprise, Paul discovered that he quite enjoyed singing. The songs for the play were fun, and the special music teacher who came in from outside was brilliant. Paul soon began to look forward to choir practices.
Then, just a day or two before the play, the music teacher announced that Paul was to sing a solo at the play. "You've all learned all the songs," he explained, "and I've been waiting to see who would be best. It's not just about having a really good singing voice, although that's essential of course. But I also need someone who is confident enough to stand in the spotlight right at the beginning of the play. It has to be someone who will start the play off well, and I think that person is Paul."
Paul was astonished. "But - but - everyone will see me!" he exclaimed. "Everyone will be looking at me!"
The music teacher nodded. "Exactly! That's why you're the one, Paul. It's such an important role, and I'm sure you can do it!"
Paul was the star turn at the play. His voice was so clear and glorious that a record company approached the school after the play and asked to cut a CD of the choir, with Paul singing solo. Paul was so thrilled that he forgot about acting and decided to concentrate instead on singing.
Afterwards he said to his parents, "Now I see! Now I know why I wasn't chosen as an angel or a shepherd. There was something much better waiting for me. And now I never think about my funny face, because I see that it doesn't matter at all!"
And from that small beginning, Paul grew up to become a very famous singer.
Activity:
(N.B. Today, tell all children about the Crib Service if you have one planned, and invite them to come to the Crib service dressed as angels or shepherds. You could also select two children to dress up as Mary and Joseph.)
Continue with the Jesse Tree. This week make symbols to represent the Angel Gabriel who announced to Mary that she was to have a baby, a lily or a rose to represent Mary the mother of Jesus, and something to do with woodwork to represent Joseph. You could also have a miniature crib, and shepherds and kings. Hang your symbols on the next branches up on your Jesse Tree.
A prayer for the hanging of the symbols:
Jesus, Light of the World, thank you for the angel Gabriel who told Mary that she was to be your mother. And thank you for Mary, for her courage and love and gentleness. Amen.
Light again the first and second candles on the Advent Wreath, and light the third candle. The third candle represents John the Baptist. A prayer for lighting the Advent candle:
We light this candle to give thanks for John the Baptist, who realised that Jesus was the Light of the World and prepared the way for him. Amen.
Prayers:
Healing Lord, help us in the church to identify our blind spots, so that we may ask for your healing. Show us where we are limping and lame, so that we may become whole in your service.
Healing Lord, at this time of the year we pray especially for the healing of the nations. May all nations beat their swords into ploughshares, their spears into pruning hooks, so that we might all enjoy peace on earth.
Healing Lord, teach us to become so aware of our own prejudices that we cannot rest until we have exposed them for your healing. Give us the courage to look at ourselves honestly and the humility to accept your correcting touch.
Healing Lord, bless all who are sick, or lonely, or sad. Give them strength and comfort in their difficulties and help them to feel your love as it fills their being.
Blessing:
May your eyes and ears
and mind be opened,
so that you may perceive
God's work in your life this week.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Be with you, be in your homes
And in your families,
With those whom you love
And with those for whom you pray,
Both now and always. Amen.
Jesus told the people to report what they saw; that the blind were receiving their sight, the lame were walking, the deaf were hearing and poor were hearing good news. In our worship today, let us explore whether that is still true in our society today.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I don't expect much from Christianity.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm more comfortable when I don't expect very much.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm afraid of being disappointed.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 11:2-11 (NRSV)
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples [3] and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" [4] Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: [5] the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. [6] And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
[7] As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. [9] What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [10] This is the one about whom it is written,
'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.'
[11] Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Story:
Jesus claimed that the proof that he was the expected Messiah was that he had fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy about enabling the blind to see, the lame to walk, etc. But is that still true today? Does Jesus still enable the blind to see?
In this story, Paul is "blinded" by his disappointment and unable to see beyond his pain. It's only much later, when things have taken a surprising turn for the good, That Paul is able to "see" - to understand.
Paul's Play
"It's not fair!" complained Paul. "I wanted to be in the Christmas play, but I've been left out. We had to stand sideways so that the teachers could look at us in profile, then they chose people to be angels and shepherds. But nobody chose me. It's because my face isn't right."
His father sighed. "There's nothing wrong with your face, Paul. Nobody would know you had an operation all those years ago."
"But I still don't look like other people," objected Paul. "If I did, I'd have been chosen as an angel or a shepherd. Now I'll be stuck in the choir."
"The choir plays a really important part in the play," said Paul's mother, encouragingly. But that only made matters worse. After that, Paul was absolutely certain that the choir was for losers.
He went along to choir practice with a bad grace. He toyed with the idea of refusing to do anything, but he was so keen to be part of the play that in the end he reluctantly took his place in the choir.
'At least,' Paul thought to himself sourly, 'no-one will see my face. No-one ever looks at the choir.' And he felt really sorry for himself.
To his surprise, Paul discovered that he quite enjoyed singing. The songs for the play were fun, and the special music teacher who came in from outside was brilliant. Paul soon began to look forward to choir practices.
Then, just a day or two before the play, the music teacher announced that Paul was to sing a solo at the play. "You've all learned all the songs," he explained, "and I've been waiting to see who would be best. It's not just about having a really good singing voice, although that's essential of course. But I also need someone who is confident enough to stand in the spotlight right at the beginning of the play. It has to be someone who will start the play off well, and I think that person is Paul."
Paul was astonished. "But - but - everyone will see me!" he exclaimed. "Everyone will be looking at me!"
The music teacher nodded. "Exactly! That's why you're the one, Paul. It's such an important role, and I'm sure you can do it!"
Paul was the star turn at the play. His voice was so clear and glorious that a record company approached the school after the play and asked to cut a CD of the choir, with Paul singing solo. Paul was so thrilled that he forgot about acting and decided to concentrate instead on singing.
Afterwards he said to his parents, "Now I see! Now I know why I wasn't chosen as an angel or a shepherd. There was something much better waiting for me. And now I never think about my funny face, because I see that it doesn't matter at all!"
And from that small beginning, Paul grew up to become a very famous singer.
Activity:
(N.B. Today, tell all children about the Crib Service if you have one planned, and invite them to come to the Crib service dressed as angels or shepherds. You could also select two children to dress up as Mary and Joseph.)
Continue with the Jesse Tree. This week make symbols to represent the Angel Gabriel who announced to Mary that she was to have a baby, a lily or a rose to represent Mary the mother of Jesus, and something to do with woodwork to represent Joseph. You could also have a miniature crib, and shepherds and kings. Hang your symbols on the next branches up on your Jesse Tree.
A prayer for the hanging of the symbols:
Jesus, Light of the World, thank you for the angel Gabriel who told Mary that she was to be your mother. And thank you for Mary, for her courage and love and gentleness. Amen.
Light again the first and second candles on the Advent Wreath, and light the third candle. The third candle represents John the Baptist. A prayer for lighting the Advent candle:
We light this candle to give thanks for John the Baptist, who realised that Jesus was the Light of the World and prepared the way for him. Amen.
Prayers:
Healing Lord, help us in the church to identify our blind spots, so that we may ask for your healing. Show us where we are limping and lame, so that we may become whole in your service.
Healing Lord, at this time of the year we pray especially for the healing of the nations. May all nations beat their swords into ploughshares, their spears into pruning hooks, so that we might all enjoy peace on earth.
Healing Lord, teach us to become so aware of our own prejudices that we cannot rest until we have exposed them for your healing. Give us the courage to look at ourselves honestly and the humility to accept your correcting touch.
Healing Lord, bless all who are sick, or lonely, or sad. Give them strength and comfort in their difficulties and help them to feel your love as it fills their being.
Blessing:
May your eyes and ears
and mind be opened,
so that you may perceive
God's work in your life this week.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Be with you, be in your homes
And in your families,
With those whom you love
And with those for whom you pray,
Both now and always. Amen.
