Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

 

Sammy: Good morning everyone! Pastor, today in the Gospel, I heard some things that I would like to know more about.

 

Pastor: Well, you are in the right place, Sammy. In church, we get to learn more about Jesus.

 

Sammy: Yes we do. And I have a question about Jesus. 

 

Pastor: Go for it, Sammy.

 

Sammy: Why is John calling him a sheep?

 

Pastor: He’s not a sheep.

 

Sammy: Exactly. So John is confused. Really confused. Jesus isn’t a sheep. He’s fully God and fully man.

 

Pastor: You know, for a little lamb, you understand so much.

 

Sammy: And yet I know so little.

Pastor: That’s okay. We are all on a journey to learning more about Jesus. John was calling Jesus the Lamb of God because Jesus is the Savior of the world. In the Old Testament, we read about how people had to get their sins forgiven.

 

Sammy: How did people ask for forgiveness of their sins?

 

Pastor: When people sinned, or disobeyed God, they had to ask their dad to sacrifice an animal. The animal stood in the place of the person who sinned.

 

Sammy: You mean to tell me–wait don’t tell me. You really mean people did that to innocent lambs?

 

Pastor: Yes, Sammy. The lambs stood in the place of the people to pay for sin. When we sin, there is a cost. 

 

Sammy: What’s the cost?

 

Pastor: The wages of sin is death.

 

Sammy: Yikes that is scary.

 

Pastor: Well, for all of us who believe in Jesus, it’s not scary. Jesus is the Lamb of God, and he willingly laid down his life as a sacrifice for us. He took away our sin and opened Heaven’s gates to us. All we have to do is be baptized and believe in him. 

 

Sammy: You know, I am glad that Jesus was willing to lay down his life for me. He truly is the Lamb of God.

 

Pastor: Let’s say a pray together. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for taking our sins. Thank you for letting us be a part of your family. We love you. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

 

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

 

Sammy: Good morning everyone!

 

Pastor: Today is a special day, Sammy!

 

Sammy: Oooo! I love special days. Wait–don’t tell me. I want to guess. It’s epiphany!

Pastor: Yes, but that’s not what I was–

 

Sammy: It’s your birthday!

 

Pastor: Not quite.

 

Sammy: Your anniversary!

 

Pastor: Not even close.

 

Pastor: Sammy, let’s focus.

 

Sammy: Right. Well, I give up. 

 

Pastor: Sammy, today is the Baptism of our Lord.

 

Sammy: Ooo. What’s that?

 

Pastor: Boys and girls, what is baptism?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Pastor: Baptism is a sacrament in our church. We become a part of God’s family when we are baptized. Water and Word are necessary parts of the baptism. If someone wants to be baptized, he or she has water poured on his/her head and we say special words.

Sammy: What words are those?

 

Pastor: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Sammy: Where do you get the water?

 

Pastor: Let me show you. [Show boys and girls the baptismal font.]

 

Sammy: And why do you baptise “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”?

 

Pastor: Well, part of worshipping God is becoming part of his family. We profess our faith and become part of the family of Jesus when we are sealed with the waters of baptism. 

 

Sammy: And Jesus was baptized, too?

 

Pastor: Yes, Jesus was baptized just like us. John, his cousin, baptized him. And the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God himself, was present.

 

Sammy: Wow! That’s incredible. Baptism is so cool!

 

Pastor: Yes it is. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads so we can pray together? Dear Jesus, thank you for baptism. Thank you for the Trinity. Thank you for welcoming us into your family. We love you. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”  And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass.  They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties” (Mark 6:38-40).

With the Lord, all that we have is enough.  Can you not see that He, through whom all things came into existence, is more than able to do all that is needful to provide for our every need.  He calls us together and provides all that is necessary.  Do we believe?  Do we trust that He is the One who will lead us all the days of our lives?  Come and taste and see that the Lord is always good.

Lord God, all things are possible with You, but I often doubt, and in my doubts, do not believe.  Help me to move beyond my own abilities to see that in You there is hope.  You give us hope beyond anything this world can provide.  When You tell us to do something, grant us faith such that we do what You command.  If You say that we should tell a mountain to be moved into the sea, help us to speak to the mountain.

Lord Jesus, in the example of Your life and ministry, You have demonstrated how to live a life of willing obedience to the Father.  Lead me to be in constant prayer.  Help me to do those things You give me to do.  Through all that comes, help me now and always to abide in the truth that You are always with me and leading me in the journey of faith.  Not by my will, but by Yours, guide me in the way of everlasting life.  Amen.