Slide 1
In the Bible there is a wonderful account of a very special lady. She loved Jesus and wanted to share His love with those around her. She lived in a seaside town called Joppa, which is about 2000 miles from here in the country of Israel.

Slide 2
The woman we’re talking about was called Dorcas and she was a great lady. A guy called Luke wrote an account of Dorcas’ story found in the Bible and here it is.

Slide 3
Dorcas was a follower of Jesus and she wanted to do the things that Jesus taught us to do. One of the things that Dorcas knew Jesus wanted her to do was to love other people. So Dorcas spent all of her time doing good and helping the poor. In her little home Dorcas made lots of clothes.

Slide 4
She would then take them to women and children in and around Joppa who needed them. The families were so grateful.

Slide 5
Dorcas so loved Jesus and wanted to show His love to other people that she went all over the place helping people out. .

Slide 6
She would share the cakes she baked. Her neighbours were so grateful.

Slide 7
But top of her list in helping people out, was making clothes for those who couldn’t afford to buy them. She made such a difference to everyone around her.

Slide 8
But one day something terrible happened, Dorcas became ill, so ill that she sadly died. Everyone in the town was so sad. They missed her so much.

Slide 9
Other followers of Jesus in Joppa took her body and laid it in the little upstairs room where Dorcas lived. The people were so upset, what could they do?

Slide 10
Her friends decided that two of them should go to the nearby town where Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, was staying. They quickly set off to find Peter and tell him that Dorcas had died.

Slide 11
They found Peter and told him what had happened. Wasting no time Peter set off with them to go to Joppa.

Slide 12
When Peter arrived at the house he climbed the stairs to Dorcas’ room.

Slide 13
Peter entered the room, to be greeted by a group of women who were all very upset that this dear kind lady had died.

Slide 14
The women were crying and showed Peter the clothes that Dorcas had made for them and their families, whilst she was alive.

Slide 15
Peter asked the women to leave the room. They left to join other neighbours outside. Dorcas had shown the people of Joppa so much of Jesus’ love, they were all going to miss her.

Slide 16
The people waited outside, wondering. Meanwhile, Peter knelt down by Dorcas’ bed and prayed to Jesus. Then he turned to Dorcas’ body and said, “Dorcas, get up!” Dorcas opened her eyes and seeing Peter immediately sat up!

Slide 17
Dorcas was alive! The news spread all over Joppa of what had happened that day. Many people came to believe in Jesus because of the miracle of Dorcas coming back to life. This dear lady showed the love of Jesus to those around her by doing acts of kindness. Remember that little acts of kindness each day helps to change the world for the better. Dorcas certainly knew that!