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5th Sunday of Easter From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: John 13:31-35 Preparation: Bring along an example of a talent you possess or a special piece of art you’ve made or an unusual object that you own. For example, you could bring balls to juggle or a painting, a sculpture, or a piece of stitchery you’ve made.
Have any of you ever heard the expression, “The proof is in the pudding” or “The proof of the pudding is in the eating”? Let’s say that your friend
Continue reading Proving It to the World
St. Patrick’s Day; “St. Patrick’s Forgiveness”
Mark 11:22-25
Preparation: You may bring shamrock stickers or a hand stamp to give to the children at the end.
Lots of people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. They wear something green, they might decorate their classrooms or homes with shamrocks, or they may even eat Irish food like corned beef and cabbage for dinner. But most people don’t know very much about St. Patrick’s life and what he did. I want to see how much you know about him.
Continue reading St. Patrick’s Day Children’s Sermon
Third Sunday of Advent From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: Luke 3:7-18
Photo by Kamalnv/Creative Commons via Wikimedia
Preparation: If possible, bring a rubber snake or a picture of a snake to illustrate the sermon.
Can you count the lighted candles on the Advent wreath? (That’s right: three. This is the third week of Advent.) You remember that we said Advent is a time of getting ready. Who remembers what we are getting ready for? (Let children answer.) We want to be ready for Christmas,
Continue reading Scolding the Snakes
Second Sunday of Advent From “Scolding the Snakes” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: Mal. 3:2-3 and Phil. 1:6-11
Preparation: Cover a piece of smooth jewelry (a gold or silver heart would be perfect) with mud or clay so that it is hidden inside the lump. Also bring a towel and bowl of water for cleaning the jewelry.
How many candles are lit on the Advent wreath now? (Let kids count.) Two candles! It’s the second Sunday in Advent. This is a time of getting ready,
Continue reading Dirt and Dross
Pentecost Proper 17 From “Sitting on the Rainbow” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: Mark 7:1-8
Preparation: Bring a bowl of water, some soap, and a towel.
Do any of you like to play in the dirt or make mud pies? (Let children respond.) Dirt can be lots of fun. And if there is water nearby, you can make mud pies and build towers and channels for the water.
But if you’ve been playing outside in the dirt and you’re called in for supper, what
Continue reading Washing the Heart
Pentecost Proper 14 From “Sitting on the Rainbow” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: Eph. 4:25-27
Preparation: Bring a clean cooking pot and a large spoon for pretending to stir. Also, if possible, bring along a pot that has a burned crust in the bottom.
I’ve brought something with me this morning. (Show the pot.) Can anyone tell me what this is used for? Do you have any of these in your kitchen? (Let children tell what pots are used for.) We cook food in these
Continue reading Burnt Anger
Pentecost Proper 5 From “Sitting on the Rainbow” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: Gen. 3:8-15
Preparation: Bring a jar with enough cookies to distribute to the children at the end of your talk. (Optional) You might bring a giant foam hand with one pointing finger.
Would you like to play a game this morning? It’s a kind of game that all of us have played before. It’s called the “Blame Game.” Let’s pretend someone has stolen a cookie from my cookie jar. I will ask
Continue reading The Blame Game
For the Fifth Sunday in Lent From “Sitting on the Rainbow” Scripture Reference: Psalm 51
Preparation: Bring a small bottle of vegetable or olive oil, a damp cloth, and soap.
Have you ever gotten oil on your hands and then tried to wash it off with water? Does the oil rinse off? (Let children respond.) No, it doesn’t come off with just water, does it? What else do you need to get oil off your hands? (Someone may offer the correct answer.) Right: you need soap.
Continue reading Coming Clean
For the 13th Sunday after Pentecost or Proper 19 (Lectionary 24) From “Saving the Ants” Matt. 18:21-22 “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No!” Jesus replied to Peter, “Seventy times seven!” (NLT)
Preparation: Bring a large pad of paper and a fat marker.
Have you ever hurt another person? If you’ve either accidentally or purposefully stepped on someone’s foot, or pushed someone, or called your sister or brother a mean name, or made someone feel bad, raise your
Continue reading Seventy Times Seven
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