Open the Word

Begin by clearing the toys out of the sand tray and ask the children to imagine that the tray now represents the city of Jerusalem where lots of people have come for the feast of the Passover. Jesus and his disciples are there too. Then give out the objects or figures and say that they will be used to act out the story. Explain that this is a story in which God speaks in a loud voice, and when you reach that point, the child with the drum will need to make a sound like thunder.

Tell the story as follows:

Lots and lots of people have come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Some Greeks have come to the city. (Child 1 places Greeks in sand tray.)

They have heard that someone called Jesus has done lots of wonderful miracles and they want to meet him.

So they go to Philip, one of his disciples. (Child 2 places Philip into tray.) ‘Sir, we want to see Jesus,’ they say.

Philip passes this message on disciple, Andrew. (Child 3 places Andrew in tray.)

And Andrew passes the message (Child 4 places Jesus in tray.) to another on to Jesus.

Jesus knows that lots of people are expecting him to do miracles. They are hoping that he will become a great earthly king. But that is not what his mission is about.

‘I am here to bring glory to God,’ he says. ‘Think about what happens to a grain of wheat. If you keep it out of the ground it remains one small seed. But you put it into the ground and it dies, (Child 5 pushes seed into sand) so that it can grow up and produce lots more seeds. (Child 6 plants ear of corn in sand.)

Jesus says this because he knows his life is like the grain of wheat. He knows that his mission is to rescue lots of people from sin and make them happy. So instead of praying that he would be saved from death, he prays: ‘Father, glorify your name’.

And immediately a voice comes from heaven (Child 7 gives a roll on the drum) saying, ‘I have glorified it and will glorify it again’.

The sound fills the crowd with amazement and they ask each other what it could possibly mean? (Child 8 puts three final figures into tray.)

Jesus explains that God has spoken like this to help them have faith in him. He says he is about to win a mighty battle. Evil will be driven out of the world and many people will receive happiness through him.

But in order to fulfil his mission, like the grain of wheat, he must die. (Child 9 puts cross into tray.)

For young people

Project earth

Give each person drawings of a cross, Jesus and the world. Ask them to design a poster using these symbols, outlining what Jesus’ mission is. Think of slogans and contact information and opportunities for involvement.

Seeds of faith

Read the Scripture passage and then ask the young people to explain how God is asking us to be people of value and conviction. Ask them to make two bookmarks, one with a verse from the Scripture that affirms us, and another that challenges us. A linked action may be the planting of some seeds and the decoration of the plant pots with words of hope and challenge.

Tell the story as follows:

Lots and lots of people have come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Some Greeks have come to the city.

(Child 1 places Greeks in sand tray.)

They have heard that someone called Jesus has done lots of wonderful miracles and they want to meet him.
So they go to Philip, one of his disciples.

(Child 2 places Philip into tray.)

'Sir, we want to see Jesus,' they say.
Philip passes this message on to another disciple, Andrew.

(Child 3 places Andrew in tray.)

And Andrew passes the message on to Jesus.

(Child 4 places Jesus in tray.)

Jesus knows that lots of people are expecting him to do miracles. They are hoping that he will become a great earthly king. But that is not what his mission is about.

'I am here to bring glory to God,' he says.

'Think about what happens to a grain of wheat. If you keep it out of the ground it remains one small seed. But you put it into the ground and it dies,
(child 5 pushes seed into sand)
so that it can grow up and produce lots more seeds.

(Child 6 plants ear of corn in sand.)

Jesus says this because he knows his life is like the grain of wheat. He knows that his mission is to rescue lots of people from sin and make them happy. So instead of praying that he would be saved from death, he prays: 'Father, glorify your name'.

And immediately a voice comes from heaven
(child 7 gives a roll on the drum)
saying, 'I have glorified it and will glorify it again'.

The sound fills the crowd with amazement and they ask each other what it could possibly mean?

(Child 8 puts three final figures into tray.)

Jesus explains that God has spoken like this to help them have faith in him. He says he is about to win a mighty battle. Evil will be driven out of the world and many people will receive happiness through him.

But in order to fulfil his mission, like the grain of wheat, he must die.

(Child 9 puts cross into tray.)

This house, with its sloping roof and elegant pillars, seemed newly built. Frank saw a couple of angels up ladders painting the window frames gold. A couple more were carrying a brocade settee up steps to the front door while another transferred bright, tropical fish from a crystal bucket into a stream. Beside him, between jewel-studded gates, stood an angel with a clipboard, directing operations.

Although busy, this bustling angel looked approachable. 'Hi there,' Frank called. 'I've just arrived. I was wondering what to do next. I mean, is there somewhere I need to go and register?' A big smile broke out across the angel's face. 'Oh no. No need to register. Your Father in heaven already knows everything about you.' The angel waved the clipboard. 'I've got all the information here and a whole list of instructions about what to do to your house and who to invite to your welcome party.'

'You mean this beautiful house is mine!'
'Well, everything in heaven and earth belongs to the Father, but, yes, this is your mansion in heaven.'
'Wow!' cried Frank. 'And you're planning my welcome party.'
'Naturally.' The angel consulted its clipboard. 'You're a dearly loved child of God. You've given your life to following Jesus on earth and now the Father wants to honour you publicly.'

Frank frowned slightly, feeling uneasy. He'd gone to church at Christmas and Easter and had a great aunt who kept sending him Christian books. But he suspected there was a bit more to following Jesus than that. 'Angel, would you mind double-checking the name on your clipboard,' he said.

'Harshaw,' said the Angel. 'F. Harshaw.'
'Yes,' said Frank. 'That's me. And you are?'
'Gabriel Junior at your service, well, in God's service really… but you know what I mean…'

Frank reckoned he knew as much about serving God as he did about following Jesus, but this didn't seem the time to say so – not with Gabriel pointing over his shoulder and shouting, 'Look. Here comes your number one fan.' Frank turned round and saw a cherub flying towards him, waving excitedly and leading a handsome golden stallion by the reins. 'So it's true then!' the cherub pulled to a halt, beaming. 'We heard a rumour that a very dear child of God had come home to the Harshaw mansion. My friend, there are so many people who want to thank you for telling them about Jesus. Jump onto Sunrise here.' The stallion tossed its creamy mane. 'I'll take you to meet them.'

'Ummm… .' Frank felt more uneasy than ever. 'I'd love to come with you. There's just one problem. Well, two problems actually: a) I don't remember ever telling anyone about Jesus and b) I can't ride.'

'Of course you can ride.' Gabriel waved the clipboard under his nose. 'It says here that you rode from village to village when you were a missionary in Peru.' A missionary in Peru!! Suddenly Frank understood. Just to be sure, though, he grabbed the clipboard.

Entry from the Lamb's 'Book of Life' – the embossed words stood out at the top of the parchment. And yes, there were the facts in black and white –
F. Frances Harshaw - follower of Jesus – retired missionary - prayer warrior…
 
'Listen up, guys,' the edge to Frank's voice wiped the beam from the cherub's face and sent Gabriel into a flutter. 'There's something you really need to know. Your retired missionary is Frances Harshaw, my great aunt. Great aunt Frances is an eighty-year-old woman who serves Christ. I am Francis Harshaw – a twenty-eight-year-old man who… well… who doesn't. Get it?'

'Oh dear! Oh dear! What a mix-up! We're so sorry,' Gabriel fluttered apologetically. 'I mean in heaven we don't pay much attention to whether people are men or women. All that matters is that they belong to Jesus. Somehow you have ended up at the gates of the heavenly mansion we've been preparing for your relative who, it now appears, hasn't even died.'

'Right,' said Frank. 'I'm dead and she's in a nursing home in Sussex. So now we know that the real future owner of this property,' he pointed towards the marble steps,' hasn't got here yet, could you please direct me to my own home.'

'Oh dear! Oh dear! If only I could!' The angel shook its head.
'What? You mean…' Frank felt a stab of fear. 'You mean… I don't have a home here?' Gabriel nodded sadly. 'Please give me another chance,' cried Frank. 'I never took heaven seriously before now. I didn't understand. Deep down I always knew I needed to find out more about Jesus. I just kept putting it off. But now, please, if I could just have my life over again…'

There was a long pause. 'You can't have your life over again, Frank,' the angel said gently. 'But the good news is you aren't dead – or at least not physically. Your aunt has prayed for you for many years. And this dream is part of God's answer.' And with that the house, the garden, the scents and the bright light faded from view. Frank woke to hear a voice crackle over the intercom. 'We are about to begin our descent into Heathrow. Fasten your seat belts and prepare to land.'

Automatically the young man slotted the metal tongue of his seat belt into place. Really, though, he wanted to leap out of his seat and dance down the aisle. His life wasn't over. The plane hadn't crashed. He'd been asleep but now he was awake and free to make the most of his time on earth. 'I'll head for Sussex,' he thought. 'I'll go and visit Auntie Frances.'

For who better to help him follow Jesus than the elderly lady whose heavenly mansion he'd just seen?