The Apostles    John 1:35-49 and Acts 1:12-26

    Jesus needed some special disciples to help him.  They were called apostles.
   The first called were Simon Peter and Andrew his brother, who were fishermen.  He also
   called two more brothers who were fishermen.  They were James and John, the sons of
   a man named Zebedee.

   Later he called others to follow him; Philip, Bartholomew ( Nathanael), and Matthew (Levi),
   who was a tax collector.   There were also five more chosen.

   We learn  a song to the tune of "Jesus Loves Me" to help us remember them.

         Jesus called them one by one,
         Peter, Andrew, James and John,
         Next came Philip, Thomas, too,
         Matthew and Bartholomew.
         James, the one they call the Less,
         Simon, also Thaddaeus,
         The last apostle Judas made.
         Jesus was by him betrayed.

   After Jesus died, rose again, and went back to the Father, Matthias was chosen to
   replace Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Jesus.

   Later Paul was chosen to be an apostle.  He wrote most of the letters in the New Testament.

   Mary, Martha and Lazarus  Luke 10:38-42

   Jesus had some very close friends; two sisters and their brother.  Once when he was in
   their home, Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to his teachings.  Martha, her sister,  was busy
   getting the meal ready, and she became upset because she was having to do all the work
   by herself. She wanted Jesus to tell Mary to help her.  Jesus said, "Martha, Martha, you
   are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has
   chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."