Where is our mission field? That’s the question behind this week’s theme for Ordinary Time. And the quick answer is, “Right where you are.”

John 2:7-11, New International Reader's Version

⁷Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the top.

⁸Then he told them, “Now dip some out. Take it to the person in charge of the dinner.”

They did what he said. ⁹The person in charge tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He didn’t realize where it had come from. But the servants who had brought the water knew. Then the person in charge called the groom to one side. ¹⁰He said to him, “Everyone brings out the best wine first. They bring out the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink. But you have saved the best until now.”

¹¹What Jesus did here in Cana in Galilee was the first of his signs. Jesus showed his glory by doing this sign. And his disciples believed in him.

Object:

Empty gallon milk jug.

Message:

Raise your hand if you have been to a party recently. Perhaps it was on New Year's Eve, a sporting event, or maybe even a birthday party. What did you do at the party? Was there food? (Allow the children to answer.) Have you ever been to a party where the food ran out? (Allow children to answer.)

It would be embarrassing to run out of food at a party. If you were going to throw a party, part of being a good host would be to make sure you have plenty of food and drink to offer your guests.

But in today’s scripture passage, that’s what happened at a wedding in Cana; the hosts ran out of wine. In those days, wedding celebrations could last several days, so guests needed a lot of food and drink. But the waiters noticed the stone jars that held the wine were empty. Yikes!

The bride and groom could have sent the guests home thirsty. That would have been embarrassing. But one of the guests invited to this celebration was Jesus. Jesus did an amazing and wonderful thing—a true miracle. Do you know what a miracle is? (Allow children to provide a definition.) A miracle is an amazing thing only God can do. This was the first miracle that Jesus did, but there were others. How many of you have heard the story of Jesus calming the storm? Or Jesus bringing someone back to life? Jesus did many miracles. At this wedding celebration, Jesus took six stone jars, each full of at least twenty gallons of water, and turned the water into wine. You might recognize the size of a one-gallon jug of milk. (Show the children the empty milk jug.). Now imagine 120 of those! Because of what Jesus did, there was more than enough for all the guests to drink.

Jesus provided the miracle, which changed the way this celebration ended. But someone had to point out to him that the wine was gone. As followers of Jesus, we should pay attention and notice the needs around us. When we see the needs, we point them out to Jesus and act in faith to do something about it. I wonder what need you might encounter this week. It is my prayer that when you see someone in need, you will do something about it.

Let’s try this. I will tell you a situation, and you tell me what the “need” is and if I did something about it. I just went through the school cafeteria line and sat down at my table. As I got ready to take the first bite of my lunch, I look at the line and see (and hear) another student’s tray fall to the ground. Food is everywhere. Several students begin to laugh. A few even start to clap. I immediately put down my food and go over and help clean up the mess. I don’t even know this other student’s name, but I am willing to help clean up the mess, even if it means my lunch might get cold or I am not able to finish eating.

Okay, where was the need? (Allow students to respond.) Did I see the need and do something about it? (Allow students to answer.) That’s exactly right. That is what compassion means, seeing a need and doing something about it. Following Jesus means that how we live life may look different. It’s a different life. It’s a new life.

The miracle of turning water into wine was a sign of the new life that God offers us when we follow Jesus. When Jesus turned the water into wine, those at the wedding believed in him. They knew that only God could do such miracles. And believing in him, many chose to follow Jesus with their lives. Jesus gave them new life. Following Jesus doesn’t bring us just a little bit of new life. Jesus brings lots and lots – more than enough for everyone!

This week, you will have the opportunity to show others the new life you have by following Jesus. Remember, this week, when you see a need, do something about it. Compassion shows concern. Offering compassion to someone else is one excellent way to show that you are a follower of Jesus.

Prayer:

Generous God, thank you for the new life you offer in Jesus. Help us put our faith in him into action, seeing a need and doing something about it. 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.

Have you ever been to a party or a celebration where food or drink ran out? Discuss as a family how you felt about it.
Turning water into wine was Jesus’ first miracle. As a family, discuss why you think this miracle was important. Discuss where it happened and who was there to witness it.
If you have a jug of milk in the refrigerator, pour someone a glass of milk and share a situation that happened this week in which you were compassionate. Where was the need, and what did you do about it? Allow each person to pour another person a glass of milk and talk.
Together as a family, watch the YouTube video Give a Little Kindness – Orange Music. How do the lyrics— “What you give to me is not for me to keep. It’s for the world to see your love” —speak to you? Discuss ways you can “give kindness away” in your family.