READING:  Matthew 14:22-33
STORY :  "Don't Let Go"

Rev. Richard J. Fairchild
a-or19su.y-a 842
                  
   The following is a children's story for Ordinary 19, Year A.
   It is based on a story or concept found in  Eldon Weisheit, 
   The Gospel For Kids - Series A; Augsburg, 1973.  Because this is
   summer the children will be present for the reading of the Gospel
   and  the story is designed to cause them and the adults to 
   anticipate that reading.

 
CHILDREN'S TIME: Don't Let Go
Theme:	Holding Onto God's Power - Keeping Focus 
Object:	Ball and Rope
Source:	Adapted from Eldon Weisheit, The Gospel For Kids - Series A; 1973

I want someone to help me as I talk a bit about the next reading from the 
bible that we will have today.  Who will help out?  (Take out rope from
bag).... First I want you to told onto this rope.  Hold on as if you were
climbing a cliff and needed it so you would not fall....   Good - remember 
now - hold onto it or you will fall – isn't that right.  (Quietly take out 
the ball)

Now - (catch this ball....)

What happened?  Did he/she drop the rope to catch the ball?  Or hold onto 
the rope?  She/he had to make a choice didn't he/she?

In the next reading from the bible - after our next hymn - we will see 
Peter doing something that is incredible - at the command of Jesus he gets 
out of a boat in a storm tossed lake - and walks on water towards Jesus.  
And everything is fine as long as he is looking at Jesus - but when he 
looks around at the wind and waves - he begins to sink.  Jesus reaches out 
his hand and rescues him and then gently chides him for not having enough 
faith - for looking at the water and the wind rather than at him.

Peter forgot what he was doing - he made a choice to look away from Jesus 
- and he began to perish.  Our choices are the same - to do what Jesus calls 
us to do - or to get distracted - and maybe to start sinking - even though 
God gives us the power to conquer even the greatest storms....  Let us pray:

    
PRAYER AND THE LORD'S PRAYER
     Dear Lord Jesus, Help us to hold on - to turn to you -
     and look at you - rather than at the size of our 
     troubles. - Be with those in danger - rescue them and
     help them - and bless us all.  Amen.

And in the word's Jesus taught us, let us pray:

     Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy
     kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in
     heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive
     us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass
     against us; and lead us not into temptation, but
     deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, the
     power and the glory, for ever and ever.  Amen


copyright - Rev. Richard J. Fairchild 2002 - 2005
           please acknowledge the appropriate author if citing these sermons.