“Sacred Stories” Script
Opening Circle and Sacred Time
Introductions
Invite all children and adults to introduce themselves. You may invite the children to share about their baptism (if they remember) or when they were baptized. If they don’t know, weren’t baptized, or don’t care to share, that’s fine! They don’t have to share if they’re not comfortable. We are here to support each other in prayer and presence.Centering
Set up the altar. You may wish to note any differences in the altar for Epiphany. Invite children to collect a flower, leaf, twig (or something like that) to place on the altar. A sense of ritual and sacred time can be initiated by lighting a candle and ringing a bell. Share a few minutes of silence together. You may sound the bell again when silence is over. Children often enjoy the responsibility of these tasks (and should be supervised and assisted as appropriate).Opening Prayer
If you have a particular version of the prayer that you use, you are encouraged to use it.This is the "children's translation" that I wrote and use with my students:
God all around us with many sacred names
We roll up our sleeves to create a beautiful world with you
Please care for us and our needs and forgive us when we don’t do our best
Please help us to be forgiving of others, too.
Help us to be good, loving, and safe so we can help create a loving and safe world for everyone.
Amen.
Sacred Story
Background
Today’s Bible story teaches us about Jesus’ baptism.We don’t know very much about Jesus’ young life, so most of the stories we have about him are when he was an adult. One of the things we know about Jesus is that he was baptized in the Jordan River by John, a hermit who lived in a cave and ate wild food that grew nearby him. Even though people thought John was strange, Jesus wanted John to baptize him. It was important to Jesus that he listen to and make friends with people who were different.
Story: Read together Matt 3:13-17
Story: Read together “Jesus is Baptized” in Children of God Story Bible (p. 68-69)
Who here is baptized?
Does anyone remember their baptism?
Sometimes people are baptized when they are babies and don’t remember.
Sometimes people are baptized as adults.
Sometimes people aren’t baptized.
All of it is just fine.
Water is an important symbol in Christianity. Baptism can happen in different ways, but it always involves water.
Water is an important element and symbol in many religions, not just Christianity. What does water make you think about?
Water makes us think of being clean. When we do things wrong, sometimes we feel yucky or dirty. Baptism reminds us to “live clean” and do good in the world.
We need water for things to grow! Our baptism reminds us to grow each day, not just getting bigger, but getting smarter, wiser, and kinder.
Water refreshes us. Sometimes it can give us a burst of energy.
It invites playfulness and creativity. Many of us love to play in and with water.
It nourishes our bodies! We all need water to live. God’s love can nourish our hearts and minds.
Let’s read together a story about water.
Story: Read together “Wally the Wave’s Wandering Toward Oneness” by Rev. Ryan Althaus
Conversation:
Wally realizes that he is part of a big ocean, just like the fish, coral, sand, and all the other parts of the ocean.
When we are baptized, we become part of the church family, kind of like Wally realizes he’s part of the ocean.
Different people understand baptism in different ways, but in the UCC, we believe that everyone is loved equally by God, no matter if they are baptized or not. We believe that baptism welcomes you into community covenant. When someone is baptized, the community tells that person that they are loved by God and the community, and that we will be there to support and help the baptized person on their spiritual path. We also remember that Jesus was baptized at the beginning of his ministry and we seek to follow his wisdom.
Story: Read together “God is a spring” (p. 26-27) in Images of God for Young Children
Closing Prayer:
“God, we thank you for the ritual of baptism and how it reminds us that we are part of your human family. We are thankful for clean water and for the ways that you help us to grow in your love. Please help us to remember that we are your beloved and that we will always be a part of your holy family. Amen.”Co-Creating Craft:
Create “pop-up” scenes of Jesus being baptized.
You can purchase a kit here. I am planning to print a coloring page, use wax paper, and a popsicle stick to make this myself.
Curriculum texts used:
- Children of God Storybook Bible by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
- Images of God for Young Children by Marie-Helene Delval
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