This worship series helps children (and adults) connect their lives to creation and the intersection of other issues. We’re all connected. As a through-line for the children’s message, we recommend building a terrarium together - or some kind of nature-centered altarpiece. Each week has suggestions about how to do that. If your worship space does not lend itself to this activity, alternatives are also suggested.

John 20:24-29, New International Reader's Version (shortened from lectionary for the children’s message)

Thomas was one of the twelve disciples. He was also called Didymus. He was not with the other disciples when Jesus came. So they told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “First I must see the nail marks in his hands. I must put my finger where the nails were. I must put my hand into his side. Only then will I believe.”

A week later, Jesus’ disciples were in the house again. Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came in and stood among them. He said, “May peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen me but still have believed.”

Visual Aids:

A clear glass vessel or bowl for the terrarium

If creating the altarpiece, consider something large enough to be seen by the congregation and that allows for items to be inside, outside, or both.
If not creating the terrarium, use glass or plexiglass of some kind - something clear.

Message:

In today’s scripture, Jesus surprises the disciples. They are not expecting to see him, let alone touch him.

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to do something surprising in this sanctuary - we’re going to work with things we can see and touch to remind us that we are connected to one another and nature.

We start today with a glass bowl (or substitute). If I hold it over here, does it look like much? Can you see through it? But what if you touch it? You can tell it’s solid. In today’s scripture, one of the disciples, Thomas, said he wouldn’t believe his friends unless he saw Jesus with his own eyes and touched him. Is it easier to believe something is real when you can see and touch it?

Have you heard of the five senses? Do you know what they are? (Sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste)

How do the senses involve your body?

Does everyone’s body have all five senses? No? Bodies aren’t all the same.

We experience a lot of our lives through our bodies, and that means that everyone’s experience is different because everyone’s body is different. God sent Jesus so that God could have a body for a while and experience life in a body as we do. Sometimes, like Thomas, we have to experience something with our bodies to really believe it’s true.

If creating a terrarium:

We’re going to create a terrarium together to remind us about God’s creation while we’re inside our worship space. Today, we’re starting with our glass bowl to remind us that sometimes we can’t see or touch the things we believe in, but we know it’s there. We can’t see or touch God, but we know God is here. (Put the bowl in the terrarium space.)

For our prayer today, let’s feel the prayer in our bodies. Keep your eyes open and follow what I do, and we’ll move with the prayer. (Invite adults to join from their seats.)

Prayer:

Dear God (arms in the air),
as my body grows (hands on heart),
help me grow to know you better (widen arms to get “bigger”)
and to remember that you gave me this body (back to hands on heart),
so that I can show and teach others about your amazing love (hands back out)
for us (hands back in)
and for all of your creation (hands back out).
Amen.

Between the Sundays: Family Conversation Starters

We have added conversation starters to each children’s message series to help spark conversations within families during the week. We encourage families to use these questions to guide them through conversations and subject matter discussed during the worship service, including the children’s messages on Sundays. These conversations will reinforce learning and nurture faith formation for the entire family.

This series will offer picture book suggestions to go with each week’s topic. Adults in the lives of children might want to use the story time already scheduled in the week to spend a little extra time talking about faith. There is no need for your church to buy all or any of the recommended books. Most of these books should be available in public libraries. Certainly, not all the books need to be read by each family.

Suggested books about interacting with creation and helping:

Amara and the Bats by Emma Reynolds
Out Into the Big Wide Lake by Paul Harbridge and Josée Bisaillon
The Wall and the Wild by Christina Dendy and Katie Rewse

I wonder if you have to have a particular kind of body to like being in nature.

I wonder if any kind of body can help God’s creation: plants, animals, other humans.

I wonder why God created so many different bodies and so many different plants and animals.

Suggested books about diverse bodies (and brains):

Fighting for Yes! by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and Vivien Mildenberger
Everybody Has a Body by Molli Jackson Ehlert and Lorian Tu
I Love My Body Because by Shelly Anand, Nomi Ellenson, and Erika Rodriguez Medina
Just Ask! by Sonia Sotomayor and Rafael López

I wonder what life would be like if my body were different.

I wonder what I would have to learn to do differently if my body were different.

I wonder how I can be a better friend to friends who have different bodies from mine.

For the littlest ones - this book comes in a board book edition. It discusses the diversity of bodies and includes its own discussion questions during the book:

Every Body: A First Conversation About Bodies by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Tequitia Andrews

Promise

Embodied Believing

Believing into Christ

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