Narrator:

Has the message of God's love ever amazed you so much that you could feel your heart changing within you? Then you should meet Lydia.

Woman 1:

It's the Sabbath. Are you ready to walk to the river to pray?

Woman 2:

Yes, I'm ready. It's not easy living here in Philippi.

Woman 1:

What do you mean?

Woman 2:

How many worshippers of God are there in this city, do you think?

Woman 1:

Too few to even have a place of our own to go to worship God. That's why we need to go outside of the city gate and walk along the river to find a place to pray.

Woman 2:

That's what I mean. I feel like I'm missing something, but I don't know what.

Woman 1:

I heard that Lydia is back in Philippi. Perhaps we will see her at the river when we meet for prayer.

Woman 2:

Who is Lydia?

Woman 1:

You've never met Lydia? I think she came to Philippi from the city of Thyatira. She's a very successful business woman. She sells beautiful purple cloth and she is a worshipper of God. I like to talk with her.

Woman 2:

She sounds interesting. I hope I get to meet her.

(Music transition bridge)

(Sounds of footsteps, other people murmuring prayers)

Woman 1:

Oh, there's Lydia now. Come, I'll introduce you.

(Footsteps)

Woman 1:

Excuse me, Lydia?

Lydia:

Hello. It's good to see you. I've had such a busy week that it is good to take time to slow down and worship God.

Woman 1:

Look, there are some men coming toward us. What do you think they want?

Lydia:

Hello. We have not seen you here before. May we help you with something?

Paul:

Hello. My name is Paul and this is my friend Luke. We've come here to find a place to pray.

Lydia:

Oh, are you a worshiper of God? So are we. Come, sit with us.

Paul:

We do worship God, the God of Jesus Christ. Have you heard about Jesus and what He's has done for you?

Lydia:

No. I don't understand. What are you talking about?

Paul:

Let me tell you about what God has done for you through His only Son, Jesus. Jesus came and lived a sinless life on earth. He died on a cross to pay the price for our sins. Then He rose from the grave and conquered death. Now He calls us to believe in Him and have true life.

(Sounds of Paul talking...fade...and then come back)

Paul:

Lydia, now that you have heard about Jesus, do you believe that He died for your sins? Would you like to become a follower of Jesus?

Lydia:

Oh my. Thank you, Paul for coming here and for telling me this. I feel so different inside. I feel like my heart has changed because of the message you have given to me. I do want to become a follower of Jesus. But first, let me run home to get my family so that they can hear this good news. Will you wait here for us?

Narrator:

Paul waited at the river while Lydia went to get her family. After they heard Paul's message about Jesus they all wanted to become followers of Jesus just like Lydia.

Lydia:

Paul, the river is right here. Would you please baptize me and everyone in my household?

Paul:

I would love to. Come, we will do it now.

(Water, baptism)

Lydia, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lydia:

I am so excited. I don't think I have the words to tell you how joyful I am. I have so many people that I want to tell about Jesus. Paul and Luke, please come stay with me in my home for as long as you are in Philippi. I am sure that more people will want to hear about Jesus and I have plenty of room for you to meet with them at my house.

Paul:

Thank you Lydia. We would be honored to stay with you. I believe that God will use you to start a Christian church right here in Philippi. And my prayer for this church is that their love for God and for each other will grow more and more. And I pray that they will be holy and that all they do will bring glory and praise to God.

Narrator:

God opened Lydia's heart to hear Paul's message about Jesus. Has God opened your heart to hear the same message? Do you want to become a follower of Jesus? If you do, just pray and tell Jesus about it. Then you can be like Lydia and share your happiness in Jesus with your friends and family.

If you want to know more about the churches that Paul started, read the book of Acts in the New Testament part of your Bible.