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
Showing posts with label children's message. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children's message. Show all posts
Sunday, July 10, 2011
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
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
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
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Matthew 28:16 - 20
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
MESSAGE
Greet the children.
Are any of you 4 years old? How about 5 years old? [ask some of the children, how old they are.] Is God with you now? Will God be with you when you have a birthday and are another year older? [If someone says that he/she will be 5 or 6 soon, ask them if they think God will be with them then.] What about when you grow up? When you're 20? 30? Are you sure, what about when you're 60? 100?
You're telling me that God is with us at any age. What about in different places. Is God with us here at church? Yes, that's right. What about at school? Can you think of other places where God is with you? [playground, park, etc.]
So, God is with us no matter how old we are or where we are. What about when we're happy (like when we have a birthday)? or sad? or mad? (are you sure, God's with us even when we're mad???)
Sounds like you are telling me that God is with us all the time. And, you know, you're right about that. He's with us all the time because he loves us all the time (no matter where we are, how old we are, or how we're feeling.) And you know what he wants us to do? He wants us to be nice to each other and to love one another--that way we can show others that God loves them too.
Let's say a prayer about that. Repeat after me. Dear God, thank you for being with us in everything we do and in every place we go no matter how old we are. Help us to love and to be nice to others so that we can show your love to the world. Amen.
MESSAGE
Greet the children.
Are any of you 4 years old? How about 5 years old? [ask some of the children, how old they are.] Is God with you now? Will God be with you when you have a birthday and are another year older? [If someone says that he/she will be 5 or 6 soon, ask them if they think God will be with them then.] What about when you grow up? When you're 20? 30? Are you sure, what about when you're 60? 100?
You're telling me that God is with us at any age. What about in different places. Is God with us here at church? Yes, that's right. What about at school? Can you think of other places where God is with you? [playground, park, etc.]
So, God is with us no matter how old we are or where we are. What about when we're happy (like when we have a birthday)? or sad? or mad? (are you sure, God's with us even when we're mad???)
Sounds like you are telling me that God is with us all the time. And, you know, you're right about that. He's with us all the time because he loves us all the time (no matter where we are, how old we are, or how we're feeling.) And you know what he wants us to do? He wants us to be nice to each other and to love one another--that way we can show others that God loves them too.
Let's say a prayer about that. Repeat after me. Dear God, thank you for being with us in everything we do and in every place we go no matter how old we are. Help us to love and to be nice to others so that we can show your love to the world. Amen.
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