The Feast of the Transfiguration. It is also Fathers' Day
Children under 8 years
1. The Opening Prayer: "Dear God, Today with joyful hearts we give you thanks that you have shown to us Jesus as your beloved Son. Thanks to Jesus, we are all your children. Amen."
2. The Story. Today we walk with Peter, James. John (we known their names as we have learned last Sunday about the twelve Apostles) and Jesus on a special mountain. There God the Father tells us all that Jesus is God's beloved Son and we should listen to Jesus' teaching. It is an amazing moment when Jesus looks beautiful and shines with light and glory. It is clear that God is Jesus' Father. As we also celebrate our Fathers' Day, let's be grateful for their love and care.
3. Our game: name three things that you know about your Dad! For example, what is the colour of his eyes? What is his hobby? Is he good at dancing? Can he made pancakes?
We can find out the information because we know our Fathers and we are loved by them. Then, we can tell our friends about our dads. Jesus did the same, he knew that God, his Father loves all people, angels, animals and the whole world and Jesus was telling many stories about God's love. Do you have a favourite one said by Jesus about his Father? Can you share with us?
3. The video to watch:
4. Prayers with the Lord's Prayer.
Dear God, we thank you for Jesus , your Son. As we celebrate Transfiguration we pray for everyone.
- we pray for all children and teachers, we your gift of love shines in our little hearts.
- we thank you for our Sunday School and all children from St Mary's. Bless us in our daily life.
- we pray for all people in Twickenham and we ask you for your presence among us.
- we thank you for our families, today we pray for our dads.
We say together the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples: Our Father who art in heaven...(full words at the bottom of the page)
8+ years
1. Opening Prayer: "Dear God, today we celebrate Jesus' Transfiguration as he is the beloved Son of the Heavenly Father. Help us to listen to Jesus' voice in our daily life and love you and other people even more. Amen."
2. Transfiguration. First, let's read what Matthew 17.1.9 is telling us.
The Transfiguration
17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Do we know all characters from the story? Who was Moses and who was Elijah? Do you have a memory of an experience which put you very close to God? Have you climbed any mountains in your life? When do you feel closer to God? In our church? In a beautiful park? We should cherish those moments and experiences when God is with us.
This time of the year we prepare children to the First Communion, when Jesus comes to our life through this sacrament. What are your memories of the First Communion if you have had it? Do you miss these moments when Jesus enters your life? We shall be grateful for every encounter with God and Jesus in our life.
3. the Video:
4. Prayers
God, our Father, we thank you for today's celebration which reminds us that Jesus is your beloved Son.
We pray for our town Twickenham and all people who live here. Today we pray for elderly people.
We pray for our neighbours, teachers and those who support us.
We give thanks for our Dads, may your blessing be upon them.
We pray for our Church, St Mary's and for all in our Sunday School.
We conclude our intercessions with the Lord's Prayer.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.