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Day of Pentecost From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: Acts 2:1-21
Preparation (Optional): Arrange ahead of time for members of the congregation who are fluent in other languages to stand, one after the other and declare, “Jesus is Lord. I believe in Jesus!” in their various languages.
Can you tell me what language you speak? (Let children respond.) Many of us speak English, but in our country we hear other languages as well. Do any of you speak another language or know anyone who does?
Continue reading The Language of God
7th Sunday of Easter From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: Acts 16:16-34
Preparation: Find or draw a large picture of a jailer standing outside a jail cell with a prisoner inside behind bars.
Can anyone tell me which of these two persons is in prison and which one is free? (Hold up picture so children and congregation can see it. Let child point out the prisoner and the jailer.) That was pretty easy to tell, wasn’t it? Do you think the one who is outside the
Continue reading Freedom for the Jailer
6th Sunday of Easter From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: John 14:26 Preparation: Tie colored yarn around three of your fingers as visual reminders. You may cut extra lengths of yarn and bring these to hand out to children at the end of the sermon.
Why do you suppose I have these colored strings tied around my fingers? (Hold your hand up and let children guess.) Sometimes people tie strings around their fingers to remind them of something. Let’s say you have to bring your turtle
Continue reading The Reminder
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
Second Sunday of Easter From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: John 20:19-31
Preparation: Bring a paper fan (one you’ve purchased or made yourself) and a small whistle.
How many of you have heard the expression, “I’d have to see it to believe it”? Maybe some of you have used that expression yourselves. Let’s say your brother is learning how to skateboard, and one day he comes running in to tell you that he can do an amazing trick on the skateboard. You might say, “I’d have
Continue reading Not Seeing but Believing
Easter Sunday From “Scolding the Snakes” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: 1 Cor. 15:20-26
Preparation: Bring a bouquet of colorful spring flowers and a vase in which to place them on the altar or at the foot of the cross.
Happy Easter everyone! Do you know the words to the Easter greeting that has been used in the Christian church for almost two thousand years? When I say to you, “The Lord is risen!” you answer back, “He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!”
You should sound
Continue reading The Last Enemy
2nd Sunday in Lent From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: Luke 13:31-35
Preparation: Bring pictures of a fox and/or a hen and baby chicks to illustrate talk.
In today’s Gospel lesson from Luke, we are told that some leaders of the Jewish people (called Pharisees) came to Jesus after he had finished preaching to a crowd of people. They told him, “You’d better get out of here if you want to live, because Herod Antipas wants to kill you.” Herod was the ruler of the
Continue reading The Fox and the Hen
1st Sunday in Lent From “Scolding the Snakes” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: Rom. 10:9-13
At most beaches and pools there is a person who sits in a tall chair and watches swimmers in the water. If someone in the water calls for help, this person jumps in the water and saves the person in danger. Can you tell me what this person is called? (Children may answer.) He or she is the lifeguard. The lifeguard’s job is to make sure swimmers are safe.
Imagine
Continue reading Saved by Believing
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
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
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