The Children's Address
• Have you ever experienced a baptism? Tell me what happens?
• In the Anglican church there is also another way you can be baptised. Explain about immersion baptism.
• Not many Anglican churches have an immersion font, but there are at least two in the Diocese. One at the Diocese of Melbourne - the cathedral and another at Bentleigh.
• So when you are baptised as a baby, water is sprinkled/poured over your head three times. Do you know why? (Explain the trinity)
• If you are baptised by immersion, then you are dunked under the water three times (and you are allowed to hold your nose if you want to)
• We use baptism in our church, not because you are dirty physically, but as a way of welcoming you to the church.
• A little like an initiation into a club of sorts
• Then you receive a certificate to say you are now a members of Christ's Church within the Anglican tradition.
• Remember you are a Christian first, and an Anglican second.
• In today's story, Jesus showed us the way Christian's become part of God's church
• He too was baptised by John the Baptist, and then what appeared to be a dove appeared above his head. This was a special sign from God that he was pleased.
• After this, Jesus went into the desert for 40 days and nights to prepare himself for his job that God had given him
• Do you know what that was? (Discuss)
• That is why we have the season of Lent that started last Wednesday. It helps us to get ready for Easter
• Discuss the sort of things you do in Lent and some of the simple things children can do (Eg: Weekly worship, grace at every evening meal, nightly prayers as a family etc.)
• Don't try to all these things. Rather just try and succeed with one first.

• Jesus wants us to be useful Christians, and we have to try every day to be the best we can for Him.