Children’s Message, Sunday, May 20, 2007--Unity (John 17:20-26)

There are lots of places where the Bible tells us the importance of unity—the importance of us being together.
In Matthew, Jesus tells us that , “. . .where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matt. 18:20).
In the Bible reading that the adults will hear today after we leave, Jesus , in prayer, asks for us all to be one just as Jesus and God are one. And one neat thing about this reading is that Jesus, in a way, talks about all of us. Jesus says, “I ask not only on behalf of these [his disciples] but also on behalf of those who will believe. . . “ (John 17:20)
People say that there is strength and safety in numbers.
We are kind of like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. A neat looking picture on its own—different shapes and colors, curves and lines. . . but when you link them together, they show a different picture—tell a fuller story.
Every piece is wonderful and unique. . . but every piece also has a place in the whole that only that piece can fill.
When the pieces of a puzzle are all together, you can see a picture. When the pieces of the people of God are together, you can see Christ’s love.

Let’s pray: Loving God
Thank you for making each one of us special
Thank you for making us part of your big picture
Help us to live and work together
To show your love to the world. Amen