Matthew 25:14-30

   ¹⁴ “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. ¹⁷ So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.  ¹⁹ “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’   ²¹ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
   ²² “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’   ²³ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
   ²⁴ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
   ²⁶ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?²⁷ Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.   ²⁸ “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. ²⁹ For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ³⁰ And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Materials:  Puzzle pieces that spell out "LOVE".  I used foam board and just cut this into 15 squares.  To keep the children from playing with the pieces, I put them into paper lunch sacks:  two bags with 5 pieces each & two bags with 2 pieces each.  Keep the last piece, from the center of the puzzle, in your pocket.  Dry erase board of piece of cardboard onto which you can build the puzzle. (I also gave the children puzzle piece magnets with the word 'love' written on them)

Message:  Good Morning.  How are you all today?  Great! I'm sure glad you are here.

Before we get started, can I get a few volunteers. Would you just hold on to this bag for me?  And you hold this one?  Would you hold this other one? and you hold this last one?  Thank you.

Do any of you like to build puzzles?  Good.  I like them too.  I was building a puzzle at home yesterday and thought we could build one together this morning.  Will you help me with that?

Okay, well Zach, you have 5 puzzle pieces in your bag, can you hand them to me?  Thank you for holding those for me.  Look, they make the top row.  What do you all think?  Can we stop now?  no?  what would happen if we stopped? That's right, our puzzle would not be finished; it wouldn't make anything.

So, we need more pieces don't we?  Would you like to add the pieces you have now?  Thank you.  You did a good job holding on to those and you have 5 pieces too.  Look, they make the bottom row.  That makes a lot of the puzzle, but can we stop  now?  No?  You're right.  It still wouldn't be finished would it.

Okay, Alex, let's add your pieces.  You have two.  You don't have as many as five, but look where they go?  They fill in part of the middle row.  So even though there are only two, they are a very important two and the puzzle can't be made without them.

Can we stop now?  No?  Okay, let's add what you have.  You have two more from the middle row.  Look, how close we are now!


Oh, but there is a hole in the middle.  I have that piece here in my pocket.  And you know I was thinking about keeping it--I could keep it in my pocket or i could take it home and put it someplace safe.  What would that do to our puzzle?  You're right, it would ruin the puzzle. So do you think I should keep it to myself or should i put it in the puzzle?  Okay, let's put it in and take a look at it.  That's great!   We did a good job and now we have a full puzzle.

 So the pieces you had--your 5 and your 2 and your 5 and your 2 and my 1 --didn't make anything on their own, but when we put them to work together in the puzzle, look what  we've made. Can anyone tell me what it says?  it says "Love"

Now, why would I have us build a puzzle that says love?  [One child today said 'because we're  in church'].  Just like I gave you pieces of this puzzle to hold, did you know that God gives each of you his love?

Who here is good at giving hugs? [give out a puzzle piece magnet to those who raise their hands in answer to this question or the following ones]  who is very good at sharing?  Who is a good helper?  [Be sure each child gets one puzzle piece magnet].   Each of those things: Hugging, helping, sharing--are parts of God's love.

We built a puzzle that says "Love" and I gave each of you a puzzle piece magnet that says "Love" because I want to remind you that God has given you His love. And just like I wasn't supposed to keep that puzzle piece in my pocket, we aren't supposed to keep God's love to ourselves. I want you to take your puzzle piece magnet home and put it on your fridge to remind you to share God's love with each other and with everyone else every day! 

Let's say a prayer about that. Repeat after me:
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us the ability to love and to share and to care.  Help us remember not to keep your love to ourselves but to share it with everyone else every day.
Amen 

Matthew 25:1-13

 ¹ “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5

The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.    ⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’   ⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
   ⁹ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’   ¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
   ¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
   ¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
   ¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Materials:  None

Message:  Good Morning!  How is everyone doing today?  I'm glad you are here.  I had something important I wanted to ask you about. 

I wanted to ask you some questions about Heaven today.  Do you know where Heaven is?  [let them answer]  "Up in the Sky"?  okay.  Do you think people fight in heaven or do you think people get along?  "Get along". Okay--I think so too.  Do you think anybody is hungry in heaven or do you think everyone will have enough to eat?  I'll bet you are right; I don't think anyone will go hungry in Heaven either.  

Do you know who is in charge of Heaven?  God!  That's right!  God is like a King isn't he?  He's the King of Heaven. Is he the king of anywhere else?  Yes, he is--he's the king of the earth too.  He's the king of everywhere.

Do you think there is anything that God wants us to do here in his Kingdom on Earth? [let them answer] 'be nice', 'love', 'help', etc.  You're right.  While we are in God's Kingdom here, he wants to us to love each other and help each other.  And every time we do that--every time we show love to someone, or bring food to the food pantry for someone who is hungry, or help someone who needs help--we are helping to show God's Kingdom on Earth.

That's pretty special isn't it.  We don't have to be in Heaven with God to be part of his Kingdom--we are part of his Kingdom now.  And we don't have to know exactly where Heaven is or what it looks like to share God's love with each other here on earth.

Let's say a prayer about that:
Dear God:
We thank you for being King of Heaven and of Earth.  Help us show Heaven on Earth by sharing your love with everyone everywhere.  Amen
 

John 8:31-36

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ³³ They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
 ³⁴ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵ Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Materials:  Dry Erase board with marker.  Divide in half, and write 'true' on one side and 'False' on the other with room for 'tick marks' beneath each word.

Message:  Good Morning!  How are all of you today?  That's good to hear.  Today, we're going to do something a little different.  We're going to take a special kind of test together.  The first thing to know about this test is that we're going to answer either 'true' or 'false--that means 'not true' to some questions.  And, to answer 'true', it has to be true for everyone one of us. And, we're not going to be free to go back to our seats until we've answered 'true' to one questions.  Okay?

Okay!  Here's the first one:  I always  share my toys.  Is that True for all us ?  Yes?  That's terrific that all of you ALWAYS share, but you know I can think of a time when I didn't, so we're going to have to say 'false' to this question. [put a tick mark in the 'false' column]


Number two:  I always keep my room clean.  What do you think?  Is that true? (let the kids answer as they choose--I had one little girl say,  'I do but my sister doesn't).  We'll, you know I left my bed unmade this morning, so I don't always keep my room clean either.  so that's another 'false' (put second tick mark in the 'false' column]

Number three:  I never ever get mad or yell at my brothers or sisters or friends.  'never ever' ?  That's pretty hard isn't it.  I'll bet we've all been mad before.  So, we'll have to put another  mark here under 'false'.

Hmmm.  Look at our board, we have 3 that are not true and 0 that are true.  We're not free to go back to our seats until we get one answer as 'true'--so if it keeps going like this, we might be here a while.  But let's see what is next.


Number four:  I never ever borrow anything from my brothers, sisters or friends without asking first.  Is that true for all of us?  No, I can think of a time when I borrowed a toy without asking, can't you?  So that's another mark under 'false'.


Number five:  I  am always nice to my brothers and sister or friends.  There's that word 'always' again!  Are we 'ALWAYS' nice? If this questions said, 'once in a while' or 'sometimes', we might be alright. But since it says 'always', we'll have to put another  mark under 'false.


Okay, we'll we're not doing so great here.  Let's try another one.  
Number six:  Jesus loves me.  Is that true for everyone here?  Yes? Yes!  It sure is.  Jesus loves each & every one of us.  So, let's make a mark under true. [put a tick mark under 'true'].  Now, watch what happens [as you are talking, erase the tick mark's under 'false.'].  Do you see how the other marks disappeared?


Jesus loves us.  He knows that we are not always going to do the right thing--even when we try very very hard--but he loves us anyway.  So, each day we have a new chance to love each other and the most important 'true' thing we can know is that 'Jesus loves us' and because he loves us, he wants us to keep trying to love each other and he will help us do that.

Let's say a prayer about that.  Repeat after me:
Dear God,
We thank you for sending Jesus to show us the truth of your love.  Thank you for helping us keep trying to show your love to each other.
Amen.
Children--you are now free to go back to your seats.  Thank you.

Matthew 22:34-46

 ³⁴ Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. ³⁵ One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
 ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ⁴¹ While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, ⁴² “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”   “The son of David,” they replied. ⁴³ He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,
   ⁴⁴ “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
   “Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
   under your feet.”’
   ⁴⁵ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” ⁴⁶ No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Materials: Bag with opening or slit in  lining.  Lots of slips of paper with items written on them such as:  share toys with my brother, help my mom around the house, be nice to my little sister, etc.  A slip of paper with Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind written on it.  A slip of paper with "Love your neighbor as yourself written on it. (note:  leave the two slips in the bottom of the bag; when you put the many slips in the bag, put them in the lining--so that they are between the outside and inside of the bag.)


Message:  Good Morning!  I'm sure glad you are here today.  I need your help with something.  Have any of you ever been told to 'be good'?  You have?  Then I'm sure you can help me out.  I was thinking about all of the things that I should do to be good and I started writing them down last night.  Here are some of the things I wrote. (Show them the stack of slips).  Here's one:  'Share my toys with my brother'.  And, 'Be nice to my friends'.  And, 'Help out around the house.'   Those would be good things to do, wouldn't they?  Can you think of any others?  [solicit answers from the children and add them to yours] "Share my trains"?  That's a good one!  'Share my cookies'--that's a very good one.

I sure have a big stack here, don't I?  I think I'll put these in the bag and take them home with me so I can study them later. [put them in the liner of the bag].  Being good is hard sometimes isn't it?  Do you think I can always do all the things that are on those slips of paper?  You know, i don't think so either.  I wonder if i can't do all of those things, if we could tell which ones are the most important.  Let's take them out of the bag again to see if we can tell which ones are the most important. Okay?

Hey, look at that! [show the kids that the bag is now empty except for two slips].  There are only two slips left in the bag.  This one says:  'Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  This other one says 'Love your Neighbor as yourself.'

There's only two left to remind us that God loves us, even when we can't always do the 'right' thing.  And what he wants us to do is to love each other--and he will help us do that when it is hard for us.  He will help us to share and care and help and to show love to one another.

Let's say a prayer about that.  Repeat after me:
Dear God,
We thank you for showing us your love. Help us to show our love for you.  Help us to share and care and help and love each other because you love us.
Amen

Matthew 22:15-22

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. ¹⁶¹⁷ Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.  ¹⁸ But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, ²⁰ and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” ²¹ “Caesar’s,” they replied.   Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
 ²² When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

Materials:  A few possessions with names or initials on them. A hand mirror.

Message:  Good Morning!  How are you all today?  This morning, I brought some things to show you.  This is a football.  Can you read the name on there?  it says "Todd".  This was my brother's and it was important to him, so now I take good care of it because it was his.  And this is my cup; see my names on the bottom.  We put our names on things that are important to us and on things that we want to show belong to us.  now, look at this--what do you see? [hold up mirror so each child can see themselves].  yes, I see Zach and Peyton and Alex--and do you know who you belong too?  Yes, your Moms and Dads--that's right.  But you and your moms & dads belong to someone else too--you belong to God.

The Bible tells us God made us like Him.  We don't know if we look like God--like some of you look like your Moms & Dads.  But we do know that God will help us love like he does.  And that the most important things we have--our ability to love and to share and care--all these things belong to God.  God wants us to be like him by loving and caring for others.
 

Let's say a prayer about that:
Dear God:
Thank you for loving us.  Help us love others like you love us.
Amen

Matthew 22:1-14

 ¹ Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: ² “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. ³ He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.    ⁴ “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’
   ⁵ “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. ⁶ The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. ⁷ The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
   ⁸ “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. ⁹ So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ ¹⁰ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
   ¹¹ “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ¹² He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.
   ¹³ “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
   ¹⁴ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Materials:  Invitation

Message:  Good Morning!  How are you all today?  Well, I'm glad you are here.  I wanted to get your help with something.  Do any of you know what this is?  (Hold up invitation)  that's right, it is an invitation.  I haven't looked inside yet, but I don't want to go to whatever it is, so I was wondering if you could help me come up with some excuses I could give to get out of it.  (let the kids help, but add to their answers as needed.)  I could say that I am going to be busy, or that I have a tummy ache, or that I will be out of town.  Thanks--those are good ideas.  But I guess I need to look at the invitation to see who I need to tell that I can't go. 

let's see.  First, it says that there will be lots of people there that I know.  That doesn't sound too bad does it?  Then it says that there will be singing and music.  I like that--don't you?  And it says it is going to be on Sunday, October 9th.  Hey that's today.  And it says at 11:00--we're just a little past that now.  And it says that it will be at our church.  Hmmm.  Guess what, this thing I was trying to get out of -I'm already here.  And you know what else this says?  It says that God has invited me here.  I wonder what I was thinking by wanting to get out of this.

Do you know that God has invited me and you and all of these other people here--not only to sing and pray and worship each week, but also to go out and share His love with others.  We wouldn't want to get out of that would we?  That would be like missing God's party.


Each Sunday when you come here, it is like coming to God's party.  And each day when we share God's love with each other, that's like being part of God's party too!


Let's say a prayer about that.  Repeat after me:
Dear God,
Thank you for inviting us into your love.  Help us show others that they are invited into your love too.
Amen

Matthew 21:23-32

 ²³ Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

 ²⁴ Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ²⁵ John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”
   They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ ²⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
 ²⁷ So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
   Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
    ²⁸ “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’    ²⁹ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
   ³⁰ “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
   ³¹ “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
   “The first,” they answered.
   Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. ³² For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Materials:  A large box of canned goods.  Write "ACTIONS"  on the side of the box, close it and put a slit in the top large enough for a 3x5 card to go through.  A few 3x5 cards with words written on them such as: share, care, help, feed .  

Message: Good Morning.  How are you all today?  I'm glad you are doing well and I'm very glad you came up to talk with me this morning.  I want to tell you about something that happened to me yesterday that made me feel sad.  I saw a family that looked very hungry and it made me think of certain words.  In fact, I wrote some of them down.  Do you have any ideas about what words I thought of? (let the children answer and then add to their answers as needed.)  

That's right.  I thought I should SHARE some food with them--see I have that written down here.  And I thought I wanted to CARE for them and to HELP them.  And that I could FEED them (as you say each word, show the children the card with that word.)  

But look at these cards.  They are just words aren't they.  Do you think that these cards made that family feel less hungry?  No?  I don't think so either.  For us to help each other, we have to turn our words into actions.  I brought this magic box with me today; let's see what happens to these words when we put them in the box (put the words in the slot and then open the box.)

Look, we took our words about caring, sharing, helping and feeding and turned them into cans of corn, spinach, peas, etc.  Now, we can help families like the one I saw yesterday.  I want each of you to take a can of food from this box and as you and your family leave church today, put the can in the grocery basket at the door.  That food will go to the food pantry to help families who are hungry.

When we think about caring, sharing, and helping, we want to find ways to turn those words into actions so that we can show God's love to others.

Let's say a prayer about that.  Repeat after me:
Dear God,
We thank you for caring for and loving us.  Help us to turn our words into actions so that we can help, feed, share, and care for others and so that we can show your love to them.
Amen. 

Matthew 20:1-16

1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the
morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and he said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o'clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why are you standing here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard.' 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.' 9 When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' 13 But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Materials: (note that this is for use with 3 church leaders--adjust as needed.) one envelope with 6 slips of paper, each saying "Jesus Loves Me", Two envelopes with 3 slips of paper each, each on saying "Jesus Loves Me", Three envelopes with 2 slips of paper each, each one saying "Jesus Loves Me".  (You can also prepare slips for each child if you like.)

(Note that in the message below, you will want to start with the pastor who has been at the church the longest.  You can also enlist an accolyte, organist, etc.  Be sure to let them know ahead of time what you are planning.  )

Message:  Good Morning!  How are you all doing today?  I'm glad you came up this morning because I want you to help me with something.  I've been thinking that our pastors do a lot for the church and I was thinking we should give them some payment for their time this morning.  Let's start with Pastor Tom.  Tom, how long have you been here?  (Tom answers 15 years).   Does that sound like a lot to you kids?  Has any of you turned 15 years old yet?  No?  Well, I think we should give Tom, a lot this morning, so let's give him 3 of these envelopes.  (You can ask a child to bring the envelope to the pastor.)

How about you Pastor Keith?  How long have you been here?  (Pastor Keith answers 10 years).  Well, what do you kids think?  Is that less than Pastor Tom?  You're right, it is less time--but it is still a lot of time isn't it.  I'm thinking we should give Tom 2 envelopes. Does that sound fair to you?  Okay, let's do that.  (Pick one of the children and ask them to  think 2 envelopes would be fair?  Yes?  Let's give him two.

Nicole is our accolyte today.  Nicole, have you been serving as an accoltye for 15 years?  (No)  10 years? (No) How long have you been an accolyte?  (1 year).  Well, kids, Nicole is doing a good job but she hasn't been here as long as the pastors, so I think one envelope sounds fair, don't you?

I think we did a good job handing out those envelopes, but I'm curious about what is in them, aren't you?  Let's ask Nicole how many papers she had in her envelope (Nicole answers "6").  That's a lot isn't it?  How many do you think Pastor Keith has? He has more envelopes than Nicole.  Pastor Keith, can you tell us how many you have.  (He answers "6").  Hmmm.  that's interesting.  How about you Pastor Tom, you had the most envelopes, how many slips of paper do you have.  (He answers "6".)

Well, isn't that something!  They all have the same amount after all.   Pastor Keith, what's written on those papers? (He answers "Jesus Loves Me").  That explains it!  Jesus doesn't give us his love based on how old we are , or how years we have come to church, or even on how good we are.  Jesus loves us all the same.  And even though you are very small and are young, Jesus loves you just as much as he loves Pastor Keith and Pastor Tom and everyone else here.

Let's say a prayer about that:  Repeat after me:
Dear Jesus,

We thank you for loving us all the same.  Help us to love each other the way you love us.  Amen

Matthew 18:21-35

 ²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” ²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.   ²³ “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. ²⁵ Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.   ²⁶ “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.   ²⁸ “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.   ²⁹ “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’   ³⁰ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹ When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.   ³² “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³ Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.   ³⁵ “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Materials:  Two long pieces of string tied together with bow, bookmark (I printed some with a bow on top, "Jesus Helps Me Forgive Others' in the middle, and a present on the bottom)

Good Morning!  How are all of you today?  I have something to show you-- (hold up the bow)--what is this?  That's right--it's string.  What else?  Yes, there's a bow here.    There are two pieces of string here and a bow in the middle.  Where do you see bows?  (let them answer.)  Yes, there are hair bows, bows on shoe strings, and bows on presents.  A bow can be used to tie two things together--just like these two pieces of string.  Can I get a couple of helpers?  Okay, let's have you take one end of this string, and you can take the end of the other string.  Now you two are connected because the bow ties each of your pieces of string together.   That's kind of how we are with our friends and family members--we are connected to each other.  But sometimes, we get mad at each other or our feelings get hurt.  Does that ever happen to you?  And maybe we don't want to talk to someone or play with our friend when we're mad.  And that's a little like undoing the bow that connects us (untie bow).   See, now you are both holding your piece of string, but you aren't connected in the same way.  What can we do when that happens--when we get mad at our friends or when our feelings get hurt?  (let the kids answer).  You're right.  We can say we're sorry, we can make up. Have you heard the word 'forgive'?  Forgiving means we can make up with our friends or our brothers & sisters when they have done something wrong or something to hurt us.  And, that's like tying the bow again. (tie the bow as you speak).   And, we can do that as many times as we need too.  No matter how many times the bow comes untied, we can tie it again.  You know, Jesus tells us that God forgives us too.  We don't always say or do the right thing, and God forgives us.  Forgiveness is a gift that God gives us and he wants us to give that gift to each other too.  Even though forgiving each other is hard, Jesus will help us make up with each other.  So this week, every time you see a bow (whether it's in your hair, or on your tennis shoe strings, or on a present), I want you to remember that when we get mad or hurt, we can make up with each other and give each other the gift of forgiveness.

Let's say a prayer about that.

Dear God, Thank you for forgiving us.  Help us to forgive others.  Help us to remember that we are all your children and that you tie us together.  Amen. 

As you go back to your seats, you can each take a bookmark with you.

 

Matthew 18:15-20

  ¹⁵ “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ ¹⁷ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.   ¹⁸ “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.   ¹⁹ “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Materials:  small dry erase board or chalkboard

(do not speak directions in parenthesis)

Good Morning!  How are you all today?  Did some of you start school this week?  Or, your brothers & sisters?  Well, since school has started, I thought we'd practice some counting and math.  Let's start with an easy one.  If you are the only person, all by yourself in your room, how many people are in your room?  That's right, one.  Let's write one on the board.  (then add a plus one next to it.)  (you can ask one of the kids how many people live in their house and use that too.) How about behind us here, how many people are up there:  there's Pastor Tom, and Pastor Keith, and our acolyte today--how many is that?  3--that's right, we'll put 3 on the board (then add a plus one next to it).  Okay, how many of us are up here for the children's message--let's count.  (count aloud).  There are 11 of us, so we'll write that on the board.  (then add plus one next to it.)  Now, let's look out there (at the congregation).  I see Mr. Bob & Ms. Dorothy.  How many people do you think there are?  (go with whatever the kid's guess).  100?  Okay, we'll say 100.  (write that down and then add plus one next to it.)  Well, you all did very well.  Let's look at our list here.  Wait a minute, I have put a 'plus one' next to all of these?  Why do you think I did that?  (let them guess).  Well, I did that to remind us that Jesus is always with us.  So, when you are by yourself in your room, that's 1 AND one more with Jesus.  (you can add the one to each item on the list as you go.)  And when we're all together like we are now, there is one more with us!   If we're alone in our room and feeling sad or scared, it is nice to know that Jesus is there to help us.  But, do you know it is also very important to know that Jesus is with us when we're in a group?  Sometimes, when we are with others, it is hard to get along with each other.  We can get mad, or our feelings get hurt, and then we may have a hard time showing love to each other.  Jesus reminds us that he is with us and he can help us show love to each other.  So this week, I want you to remember that no matter how many people you see at home, or at school, or in your room--there's always one more!
Let's say a prayer about that:  Dear Jesus, thank you for always being with us.  Help us to get along with each other and to show your love to everyone we are with.  Amen. 

Matthew 16:21-28

²¹ From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. ²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” ²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” ²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.   ²⁸ “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Materials:  none needed

Good Morning.  It is good to see you all here today.   I  have some questions for you and I want you to tell me if these things are hard to do or easy to do.  If you have a big plate of spinach, is it hard to share it with someone else or easy?  How about if you have one cookie--is it hard to share or easy?  If you have an old, broken toy, is it hard to let someone else play with it or easy?  What if you have something brand new that is your favorite toy--is that hard or easy to share?  There are lots of things in our lives that are hard to do--sometimes it is hard to share with each other, sometimes it is hard to be nice and to get along.  Jesus had to do the hardest thing ever--do you know what it was?  That's right, he was going to die on the cross. And you know, his friends, like Peter, did not want this to happen.  But Jesus came to show us how much God loved us.  If Jesus can show that God loves everyone even after what people did to Jesus, then Jesus can help us love each other even when we find that hard to do.  So the next time that it is hard to get along with someone, or to be kind, or to share, you can ask Jesus to help you love that person and He will!

Let's say a prayer about that.  Dear God, Thank you for sending Jesus to show us how very much you love us.  Help us show kindness, caring, and love to everyone.  Amen.

 

Matthew 16:13-20

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”    
¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
 ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
 ¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. 

Materials:  Picture (coloring sheets) of: teacher in front of classroom, doctor with child, parents with child, and a blank sheet of paper.

Good Morning!  How is everybody today?  I brought some drawings today and I wanted to ask you if you could tell me who these people are.  (hold up drawing of teacher.)    Who is this?  A teacher!  That's right; how did you know?  [the kids may say because there's a chalkboard, or desks, or students.]  Have any of you had a teacher?  What do teacher's do?  [let kids answer and fill in as needed].  That's right, they help us learn new things.  Let's try another.  Who is this?  A Doctor!  How could you tell?  [they may say because he has a white coat.]  Have any of you been to the doctor?  What do Doctor's do?  [let kids answer and fill in as needed.]  Yes.  Doctor's help us feel better when we're sick.  Okay, here's another.  You're right--this is a Mommy & Daddy.  What do Moms, & Dads, and sometimes Grandparents or Aunts & Uncles do?  They take care of us and love us.  [One Sunday, a child answered 'they pay taxes' to this question!]  Here's the last one.  Uh Oh!  This page is blank.  Well, instead of showing you a picture.  I'll tell you about this one.  This is someone who like Moms & Dads, cares for us and like a Doctor, makes us feel better, and like a teacher, shows us how to live and how to love one another.  Who do you think I'm talking about?  That's right.  I'm talking about Jesus.  But you all have had teachers and been to the Doctor and have parents/grandparents or someone who lives at home and takes care of you--so I see how it is that you know them.  How is it that you know Jesus?  Because you come to church and learn about him and because your family teaches you about him --but it isn't just because others tell you about Jesus, it is because he lives in your heart!  So you can know him yourself--just like a good friend.

Let's say a prayer about that.  Dear Jesus, we are thankful that we can know you.  Thank you for taking care of us, for helping us, and for teaching us how to love others.   Help us show your love to others everyday.  Amen.

Matthew 15:10-28

 ¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” ¹² Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” ¹³ He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. ¹⁴ Leave them; they are blind guides.^[a] If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”  ¹⁵ Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”  ¹⁶ “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. ¹⁷ “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? ¹⁸ But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ²⁰ These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”  ²¹ Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” ²³ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” ²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”  ²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. ²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”  ²⁷ “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”  ²⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. 

Materials:  Apple, Rock, Carrot, Stick--all in a paper bag

Good Morning!  How are you today?  Today, I brought some things and I wanted to ask you if people can eat these.  [Pull each item out of the bag and let the kids name each one and then tell you if it can be eaten.]  You're right!  We can eat apples & carrots, but not rocks & sticks.  What do we do with apples before we eat them?  That's right, we wash them first.  You know it is important for us to learn what is good to eat, and even how we should wash some things before we  eat them.  When Jesus was with his disciples, there were some people who were very concerned about what they ate, how they got the food ready, and even who they ate with.  Jesus taught us even though we think about what is good to eat, what we should put in our tummies, that it is more important to think about what kinds of things are in our hearts.  Do you know that the words that we say and the things we do come from what's in our hearts?    Can you think of some things Jesus would want us to say & do?  [Let them say some and add if needed.]  Yes, Jesus wants us to say kind things, to share, and to be loving toward each other.  And he will help us do those things because he is in our heart too.

Let's say a prayer about that:  Dear God, we thank you for the good food that we have to eat.  Help us to remember that what is in our heart is even more important than what is in our tummy.   Help us to say words and to do things that show you live in our hearts.  Amen.

Matthew 14:22-33

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Good Morning. How is everybody today? Have any of you ever been afraid? What scared you? (a storm, a snake, a dog, etc). Where were you? (in my room, outside, at Grandma's, etc.)

You know in our Bible story today, Jesus' disciples were afraid. They were out on a boat, and they were afraid--it was windy and they might have been afraid of a storm. But they were also afraid because they saw something they didn't understand--they saw Jesus walking toward them on the water and you know what they thought? They thought he was a ghost. that would be scary wouldn't it. Jesus asked Peter to do something very hard and that made Peter afraid too. But you know what Jesus did--he reached out his hand and caught him. That made everything okay again. Sometimes when we're afraid, we want someone to hold our hand or give us a hug-and that makes us feel better.  Has any one ever done that for you? (let the kids answer).  Just like God gives us Moms, Dads, Grandparents, and friends who can hold our hands or hug us, we need to remember too that no matter where we are or what we're afraid of, Jesus is with us. We can trust that he will take care of us and help us.

Let's say a prayer about that.  (have the kids repeat after you).  Dear God, We thank you for being with us.  Help us to remember that you are with us when we are afraid.  Amen

Matthew 14:13-21

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Supplies: a seed (dried kernel) of corn, a fresh ear of corn, can of corn--in a sack so that you can take them out one at a time.

Good Morning. How are you today?
This morning in our Bible lesson, there is a big crowd gathered around Jesus and they are hungry. Do you know what Jesus does? He feeds that crowd with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. That's a miracle isn't it. Is that something you and I could do? You know I think you're right--we couldn't do that. I don't even have bread and fish --all I have is this. [hold out seed]. Does anyone know what this is? (let the children guess). It is a dried up kernel of corn--it is a seed. What would happen if I planted this seed? That's right! It would grow and then it would make a plant with one of these. [take out the ear of corn]. Now look at all of these kernels--that's all more seed. So if we planted each of these, we would get a lot more plants wouldn't we? And when a lot of corn is planted and harvested, sometimes we can it. [bring out can of corn]. So from one little seed, we could get lots of corn. And if we kept doing that, we could feed a lot of people.

do any of you grocery shop with your Moms or Dads or grandmas or someone else? Do you ever ask to have something extra put in the basket? Well, this week when you go to the grocery store, I want you to remember this can of corn. And maybe you can ask the adult with you to put something extra in the basket for the food pantry. If we all did that, we could make our own miracle and feed a lot of hungry people.

Let's say a prayer about that. Repeat after me:
Dear God,
Thank you for seeds and plants that grow. Thank you for reminding us to help others.
Amen

Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” 33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. 47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. 52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

Supplies; Mustard seed, yeast, pearl, 'treasure box'

Good Morning! How are you today?
This morning, I was wondering if any of you can tell me what it is like to be in the army. (Let the children say anything they think here). Well, how do you know all of that? Have you ever been in the army? How about you, have you been in the army? It is hard for us to really know what it is like because we haven't been in the army. Who should we ask? That's right, we should ask someone who has been in the army.

In our Bible lesson today, people wanted to know what the Kingdom of Heaven was like. Jesus was the only person who really knew, He was the only one who could tell them (and us) what the Kingdom of Heaven was like. And do you know what he told them? Well, he said it was like this little mustard seed. Does that make it clear? Well, he also said it was like this yeast, and a pearl, and a treasure in a field, and a big fish net.

Does that sound strange to you? It seems a little confusing doesn't it. But lets think about it for a minute. What kind of Kingdom did Jesus tell us about--one of love. What do we know about this mustard seed? That's right! It will grow. And God's love is like that; it can start small but it will grow. And yeast is like that--just a little bit will make all of the bread rise--just a little love can have a big impact.

What about the pearl--and my treasure box (you see I have my mickey mouse watch in there, and my special rock). How can the Kingdom of Heaven be like those things? We may think the pearl and our treasures are very important and very valuable, but God's Kingdom is more important and more valuable than anything we can own.

and there was one more thing. What does a fish net hold? Fish! That's right, how can God's love be like that? Well, just like a big fish net can hold lots of fish, God's love and God's kingdom is big enough for everybody.

So this week, I want you to remember that God's Kingdom is a kingdom of Love. And even a little love can do big things.

Let's say a prayer about that. Repeat after me.
Dear God,
We thank you for your kingdom of love. Help us to show love that will grow, to remember that your love is the most important thing each day, and to know that your love is big enough for all of us.
Amen

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

SUPPLIES: all these are optional: plant with weed, coloring sheet of flowers--write on petals or grass blades: "Sharing", "Being selfish", "Caring", "Helping", "Being Mean", etc. (You can make this three dimensional so that the 'weeds' can be pulled out.

MESSAGE: Good Morning!

You might remember that last week we talked about planting seeds. Do any of you have gardens at home? What kinds of things grow in your gardens? Do you ever get any plants you didn't expect? We call those weeds, don't we. What do we do with weeds? That's right, sometimes we pull them. But other times, they grow so close to the plant that we can't pull them up without pulling out the good plant (you can show this if you've brought one.) Jesus even told us about a man who had a field like this. He had a bunch of plants growing, some of the plants were the plants he wanted and some of them were weeds. I don't think Jesus was telling us about how to plant our gardens, I think he was telling us about our hearts. Maybe you can help me think of which things Jesus wants us to grow in our hearts and which ones he wants us to weed out. How about sharing? Should we "grow" that or "weed" it out? What about 'being selfish--not letting anyone else play with our toys'? How about being helpful? How about 'yelling or calling names'? You all did a good job--see we know what we should 'grow' and what we should 'weed out', but it can be awfully hard to always do the right thing, right? Most of us have a mix--sometimes we're good at sharing and other times we're selfish Jesus wants to help us weed out the things like selfishness, so that our hearts can grow more love. Take this picture home with you and have a grownup help you think about what kinds of things we should grow in our lives and which ones we should 'weed' out.

Let's say a prayer about this:
Dear God,
Thank you for loving us even when our hearts have lots of weeds. Help us grow more love for you and for others every day. Amen.

Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

PROPS: cut flower, seeds, small empty pot, small pot with rocks, small pot with dirt

Good Morning! Have any of you helped your parents in the garden? Oh, good. Then I need your help this morning. After church today, I am going to plant this flower. I thought I would just put it in this pot (show the empty one). Do you think that will work? No? Why not? (help them answer if necessary). Oh, I see, since this flower is cut off and has no roots, it can't grow. What else could I plant? Seeds! That's a great idea. Can I just pour them in here? The pot needs something--how about these rocks--can I put the seeds in there? No? Then what should I use? Dirt. Ok, so if I put these seeds in the dirt and water them, then I'll get a plant.

You all are pretty smart. Do you know that Jesus said some of the same things about seeds--that they won't grow in the rocks and that they need good soil. But, I don't think Jesus was really talking about these kinds of seeds. I think Jesus was talking about a special kind of seed that comes from him. Do you know where it gets planted? In your heart! How do you think it gets in there? When your parents teach you, when you come to Sunday School & church, when you love each other--all of that puts seeds in your hearts. What do you think Jesus wants to have grow from those seeds? Love, Caring, Kindness, Sharing. And sometimes, we're good at those things, and sometimes are hearts might feel a little 'rocky' and we need Jesus to help us be loving. But just like with these flowers, the more they grow and bloom, the more seeds they make. The more we love each other and care about each other, the more love grows too.

Let's say a prayer about that. Repeat after me: (pause so they can do so).
Dear God,

Thank you for planting the seeds of your love in my heart. Help me to grow in your love and to show kindness, caring, and love to others.

Amen

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”


Props: Rope, picture of yoke

Good Morning. I need some volunteers this morning. Can some of you reach out and hold this rope. Okay, now that we have several of us touching the rope, look around. Can you see that this rope connects us to one another? Now, let's put the rope down. Are we still connected now? (If they say no, you can ask" are you sure about that"). You know, we may not be holding the same rope anymore but we are still connected. Do you know how? We're connected by God's love--it is like having an invisible rope that goes from your heart to your heart to your heart.

In the Gospel lesson that our Pastor is going to read, Jesus did not talk about a rope. He talked about something called a yoke. Do you know what that is? it is something that farmers use to connect two big animals (like cows) together so that they can share the work--of pulling a heavy plow or maybe a heavy wagon. (if you have a picture you can show how the animals are joined).

Do you think Jesus was trying to tell us that I should tie you two together? Or that you two need to hold on to the same rope all day? No, I don't think so either. I think Jesus was trying to tell us that if we remember that we are all connected through his love, then we will care about each other and we can share the hard things in life to help each other. Like when you give someone who is sad a hug, or someone helps you do something that is hard for you.

Let's say a prayer about this. Repeat after me:

Dear God,

We thank you for your love that connects our hearts to you and to each other Help us take care of each other and to show your love to everyone every day.
Amen

Matthew 10:40-42

40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Props: welcome mat, bottled water

As the children come forward, thank each of them for coming up. Ask the children what they were taught to say after someone says "thank you". (help them answer if needed.) Then ask the children: Have you ever thought of what it means to tell someone that he or she is 'welcome.' You know, I bet most adults don't really think about it either. Can you think of another place you see or hear the word "welcome." I have a doormat here. Do any of you have one like this at your house? It tells guests who come that they are 'welcome'. How do we show someone they are welcome in our home? (Help with answers if needed). You can ask questions like: what do we do if they are hungry? Do we listen to them when they talk or do we ignore them? What do we do when they are thirsty? Have any of you ever been thirsty? Drinking water like this feels very good to our bodies when we're thirsty, doesn't it. In fact, our bodies need water. Welcoming people (caring for them, listening to them) is as good for our hearts as cold water is for our bodies.

Let's say a prayer about that. Repeat after me:
Dear God,
We thank you for showing us how to welcome others. Help us be welcoming to others so that they will see your love through us.
Amen