THE VINES

Lesson:  God's Love involves all of us

Bible Passage:  John 15:1-6

This takes a lot of preparation but it is worth it.  Measure the distance from the area of the Chlildren's Moment to the farthest point of the church.  Cut string to go that distance. Once cut, I recommend the string be wound around something to prevent it from tangling.  I used last week's church bulletins, but most anything will work.  Have enough for everyone, if possible.  Have the strings anchored at a common point, ideally something with a cross, like a baptismal font, a podium or a portable cross

I have something I want to show you.  Johnny, will you take this string all the way to Mrs. Smith?  And Janey, I saw a new visitor to our church over there - will you take this string to him?  (Continue to do this, involving all of the congregation, including the choir, the sound crew and anyone else you wish).

Do you see these (showing the strings)?  These are like the the branches that Jesus talks about - the branches that come from the Vine that is Jesus.  Our branches reach out all over our church - to everyone here - and, if we could, to everyone in our neighborhood, our city and our world.

We should share the messages of peace and love that Jesus gives us with everyone we meet, making these strings - the branches - reach out all around the world.  And remember, no matter how far these branches reach and how many people they touch -- the branches always come back here -- to Jesus.

Close in prayer