Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Preparation: This is optional. You can do this without props. small boat sheets or blue paper to make waves and helpers to stand outside the circle of children and make the waves cups of water for the helpers to sprinkle a small amount of water on the kids.

Faith+Open: Gather the children. Today our gospel reading is one where Jesus is with the disciples and they decide to go out in a boat together. Have any of you ever been in a boat? Was it like this? (show them your tiny boat) No that would be silly for people to get in a boat this small.

Faith+Share: But we are going to pretend that we are in this boat and we are going to make a storm. So pretend you are in the boat and it’s nice and calm, you are enjoying the sun and the rocking of the waves. Everybody rocking gently. Now there is a little trinkle of sound… do you hear it? (star rubbing your hands together then have everyone join you). Oh my it’s getting a bit louder. (start snapping your fingers then have everyone join you). Now the wind is starting…(have everyone join in you rocking harder and make wind noise. If you have helpers this is the time for them to start really making the sheets or paper go) Now it’s a big storm (stomp feet and have everyone join you… if you have helpers this is the time to splash a sprinkle of water on the group and you keep talking, summing up the story or pause for the giggles then tell the rest)

The disciples were in this kind of storm where they were getting wet and knocked around and we are having fun with our storm but the real storm was probably very scary. Jesus says, “Peace be calm” and everything stops. (have everyone stop, try it again if it doesn’t work) Now, when I want something to stop I shout STOP! But Jesus said ‘peace, be calm’ I think he said that to show how he was command over the storm and also to give us words to know when we are afraid. Peace and be calm remind us that there is no storm Jesus can’t stop and that we are never alone no matter how scared we are. (if you have time you can ask about what kinds of things are scary to them and have them rehears the words Peace Be Calm)

Faith+Prayer: Jesus, you give us good words of love. Peace, Be Calm. Show us that you are with us all the time and that we are loved. Amen

Faith+Blessing: May you know the Holy Spirit’s peace and calm today and always

LB – Posted using BlogPress from my iPad