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Christmas Eve From “Scolding the Snakes” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: Isa. 9:2-7 and Luke 2:6-14
Preparation: Bring a strong flashlight and, if possible, arrange ahead of time to have an adult volunteer darken the church at one point during the sermon. (Agree on a signal to cue the volunteer.)
We have come to the end of Advent. The time of waiting is over. We stand at the beginning of Christmas. Tonight is a wonderful night: it is Christmas Eve. As the sun comes up
Continue reading Light in the Dark
Fourth Sunday of Advent From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: Luke 1:39-55
Preparation: You may have a song queued up to play at the end of the children’s time.
Today, how many candles are lit on the Advent wreath? (Children may respond.) It’s the fourth Sunday in Advent, isn’t it? It’s almost – almost – time for Christmas! We want to be ready for Christmas and we want to be ready when Jesus comes to earth again.
Is everyone ready? The Gospel lesson for today shows us two
Continue reading Leap for Joy
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 28 From “Sitting on the Rainbow” Scripture Reference: Heb. 10:19-25
Preparation: Bring a lightweight piece of material that can be torn in half easily—an old sheet, for example. You may want to cut one edge slightly in the center of the cloth, so it will be easier to tear. If you can do so, drape the sheet over a rack or high chair so it blocks the altar from the view of the children.
A long time ago, the Israelites worshiped God in a
Continue reading Through the Curtain
Pentecost Proper 27 From “Sitting on the Rainbow” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: Psalm 127
Preparation: Place a mirror in a fancy box that can be opened easily. Put a big beautiful bow on top of the box.
Would you like to see a very precious gift? If you look inside this gift box, you will see something so valuable it could never be replaced. It is something priceless; something that all the money in the world cannot buy. You’ll notice that I am being
Continue reading The Gift of Children
Pentecost Proper 16 From “Sitting on the Rainbow” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: Eph. 6:10-20
Preparation: You might bring an arrow or a picture of a soldier’s shield and armor to illustrate your talk.
Do you sometimes hear about wars that are being fought in our world today? (Let children respond.) It’s always sad to hear that a war is going on somewhere, but wars have been fought for a long time. Even two thousand years ago, when Jesus was walking around here on earth,
Continue reading Dodging the Arrows
Pentecost Proper 13 From “Sitting on the Rainbow” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: John 6:24-35
Preparation: Bring a loaf of bread that has been broken into pieces and placed in a basket for easy distribution.
I brought some bread in a basket this morning. I’ll pass it around. You can help yourself to a piece of bread and then pass it to the next person. (Pass the bread around; continue talking as the children help themselves.) When we’re hungry, we can eat bread and it
Continue reading Hungry for Love
Holy Trinity Sunday From “Sitting on the Rainbow” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: John 3:16 and Rom. 8:15-17
Preparation: Bring a little bag of treasures or treats to hand out at the end of your message, or you may have the gifts in your pockets.
Imagine that you are visiting at the home of a friend. Your friend’s father has been gone on a long trip, and the rest of the family is looking forward to his return. They tell you he’ll be coming home
Continue reading Abba, Daddy
Sixth Sunday of Easter From “Sitting on the Rainbow” Scripture Reference: 1 John 5:1-2
Preparation (optional): Arrange for several older members of the congregation to bring small photos of their grandkids and be prepared to show them to the kids during the children’s time.
How many of you have grandparents? Raise your hand. I know quite a few grandparents, and all of them just love their grandkids. They love to have their grandchildren visit them, and they tell their friends how wonderful and sweet their grandchildren
Continue reading Love My Kids
Fifth Sunday of Easter From “Sitting on the Rainbow” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: 1 John 4:16-19
Can you think of a time when you were really afraid? What was it that made you scared? (Let children share.) When did you stop being scared? What was it that comforted you or made you stop being afraid? (Children can tell about their experiences.) When we are scared, it can make all the difference in the world to have someone who loves us close by. Knowing that
Continue reading No Fear
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