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First Sunday after Christmas Day
From “Scolding the Snakes”
Scripture Reference:Â Luke 2:41-52
 Do any of you have a favorite teacher, a teacher at school or Sunday school whom you really like a lot? (If they wish, children can name some of their teachers.) Teachers are wonderful, aren’t they? They make learning fun and exciting. They make us happy to go to school. (You may tell about one of your favorite teachers and what made that teacher special.)Â
Jesus was a teacher. People often called him “Rabbi,†which means “Teacher.†Jesus was an excellent teacher. He used interesting stories to teach. He used examples from the world around him; he used things that people could see to teach about heaven and other things that people could not see. Jesus taught old people and young people. He taught people from many different countries and cultures. Most people know that Jesus was a great teacher.
But do you know how old Jesus was when he began to teach? (Let children guess.) Is anyone here twelve years old? (Invite a twelve-year-old volunteer to stand up.) This is how old Jesus was when he first began to teach at the temple in Jerusalem. He was only twelve years old, and already he was asking and answering difficult questions about God.
Are any of you teachers yet? (Let kids respond.) Well, you may not be teachers at a school, but children certainly are teachers at times.
Children teach grown-ups to stop and look closely at flowers and rocks. They teach bigger people to hunker down low so they can get a better view of a line of ants busily working. They teach us adults to stop and take time for really important things like snuggling and reading books.
There are so many things that kids like you can teach adults. From you we learn how to have fun and how to be surprised and curious and how to believe and trust.
Jesus is a great teacher, and we hope we’ll always be willing to learn from him. But don’t forget that you are teachers too! When you go back to your seats, you can ask your parents what you have taught them. Then talk about how you can learn together from Jesus.
Prayer: Â Jesus, you are our very best teacher. Help us learn what you want us to be and do.
Christmas Eve
From “Scolding the Snakes”
Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud
Scripture Reference:Â 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 tomorrow on Christmas morning, we will remember how our Savior Jesus was born as a tiny baby in our world.
Jesus is sometimes called the Light of the World. And at Christmas Jesus fills us all with light and joy. Jesus, the Light of the World, is with us now, but it still gets dark at nighttime. Jesus came to bring light to a different kind of darkness—the darkness that comes when we sin. When we sin and disobey God, it is as if we get lost and start stumbling around in the dark. We keep going the wrong way, keep hurting ourselves and others. And everything seems very, very dark. Then suddenly Jesus is here lighting our path. The light of Jesus pushes away the darkness of our sin and shows the way we should go.
Isaiah was a prophet who lived a long time ago, even long before Jesus was born. Isaiah knew that Jesus would come one day, and that Jesus would bring light to our world. Isaiah wrote, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light—a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow†(Isa. 9:2 NLT).
What do you think it’s like to walk in darkness? (Kids can respond.) I’d like one volunteer to go to the back of the church and stand in the aisle. (Choose a child, then let him or her go to the back.) Wave to us so we can see you. (Wait for volunteer to get ready.) Isaiah talked about people walking in the darkness, so that’s what our volunteer in the back is going to try to do. We’re going to turn off most of the lights, but before we do, let’s hold hands. We don’t want anyone to get lost or scared. (Signal the adult to turn off as many lights as possible.)Â
It’s pretty dark now, isn’t it? And if there were no light at all, it would be darker still. Would it be hard to walk very far in complete darkness? (Let kids respond.) I have something here that might help. (Pull flashlight out of bag.) What could we do to help the person at the back of the church walk through the darkness up to the front? (Child that answers correctly may help shine light.) This light makes a big difference! The light shows the way. (Have the child at the back of the church walk up towards the front on the path of light from the flashlight. You could sing one verse from a carol about light while they walk; i.e. “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks,” “With Wondering Awe,” or “Light of the Living Christ” (see mp3 file below).
Light of the Living Christ mp3: Â Â http://www.lnwhymns.com/data/mp3/220.mp3
Prayer:  Jesus, thank you for being the light in our lives. You show us how to live and where to go. Thank you, God, for sending us the Light of the World at Christmas. Thank you for taking away the darkness of our sin. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Third Sunday of Advent
From “Scolding the Snakes”
Scripture Reference:Â 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.Â
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, when Jesus was born, but we also need to be ready for when Jesus comes back.
Jesus was born long ago in Bethlehem, and when he was about thirty years old, Jesus was ready to begin telling people about God and about why he had come to live on Earth. But before Jesus began to teach and preach, God wanted to make sure the people were ready to listen. So God sent someone ahead of Jesus to get everyone ready. Do you know who that person was? (Someone may answer.)
A man named John the Baptist was sent to tell the people to get ready for Jesus. He was not a shy or quiet preacher. John the Baptist told people to get ready for Jesus by repenting. And he shouted it loud: “Repent!†To repent means to change your direction, to turn around. It means to stop doing the bad things that God doesn’t like, and to start doing the things that God really wants you to do. What if we had the bad habit of hitting people every time we got angry? If we repent, then what happens? (Let kids offer ideas.) We stop hitting, don’t we?
What if you told God that you were really sorry and promised to stop hitting other people, but in the back of your mind, you were thinking, “I’ll stop hitting everyone except my sister. She makes me so mad.†Does God know what you’re thinking? Is that really repenting?
After hearing John the Baptist, lots of people said they would repent and change. Most of the people really did repent. But some people only wanted to look like they were following God. In their hearts, they didn’t really want to change. John scolded those pretenders. Do you know what he called them? He called them poisonous snakes. (Hold up rubber snake.)
How do many people feel about snakes? (Let children answer. Even though most snakes are harmless—even beneficial—some are poisonous and should not be touched.) Snakes are quiet and kind of sneaky. And some snakes are filled with poison. John was angry with people who pretended to repent. They were like snakes: they were being sneaky with God; they were poisonous inside.
We all do things that are wrong sometimes, but once we know what needs to be changed, we must really want to change it. We don’t want to be sneaky and false like snakes.
Prayer: Forgive our sins, Lord Jesus, and change us to be more and more like you.
 Second Sunday of Advent
From “Scolding the Snakes”
Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud
Scripture Reference:Â 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, isn’t it? We remember that Jesus first came to Earth as a little baby born in Bethlehem about two thousand years ago. That was the first time Jesus came to Earth. Will Jesus come again? (Children may respond.) Yes, he will come again. We want to be ready for Christmas, but we also need to be ready for when Jesus returns.
At Christmastime we clean our homes and decorate them to get ready for guests or to have holiday parties. We also want to get our hearts and our lives ready to welcome Jesus. But if it were just up to us to make ourselves ready for Jesus, we could never do it, could we? We can’t wash away our own sins. And we can’t get rid of the bad thoughts in our heads. We can’t do it by ourselves. We need to let Jesus wash away our sins and get rid of the bad things in our lives.
I have something with me that really needs some cleaning. (Show your mud-caked treasure.) I know that there is a beautiful treasure inside, but first I need to wash away all this dirt so that everyone can see it. We are like this lump of dirt with a treasure inside. God has created each one of us to be a special, talented person. But the bad things we do and the mean things we say sometimes cover up the beauty. We need to allow Jesus to wash us. If we ask Jesus to forgive us and to clean away all the sin from our lives, he will start working on us. (Begin to clean your treasure in bowl.)
The Old Testament book of Malachi says that Jesus’ second coming will be like a refiner’s fire. It says that Jesus will burn away all the dross, or sin and bad things, in our lives until the pure silver—the good part of us—shines through.
If you are a metalworker and you want to get a lump of pure silver, you need to get rid of everything in that chunk of metal that is not silver. A refiner’s fire is very very hot, and it will remove everything that is not pure silver. Now Jesus doesn’t really use fire to get rid of the bad things in our lives, but he does promise to help us change and become good followers—if we ask him to and then let him lead us. (Show polished treasure to children.)
Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus. Wash away our sins and uncover your treasures. Help us get ready for you to come. Amen
First Sunday of Advent
From “Scolding the Snakes”
Scripture Reference:Â Luke 21:34
Preparation: Bring a doll’s crib or a small manger filled with crumpled papers on which you’ve printed “worry and bad-attitude statements†(“Why can’t I have that toy?†“What if she doesn’t like me?†“I want my own way,†“He makes me so mad,†“I need to buy new clothes,†“What if those kids pick on me?†etc.). Also bring a doll, representing the baby Jesus, wrapped in “swaddling cloths†and a blanket.
Today is the first Sunday in Advent. We can see one candle lit on the Advent wreath. It’s also the first Sunday in the new church year. Even though most calendars start the new year on the first day of January, the church’s new year starts on the first Sunday of Advent. Time is passing quickly; a new year has begun again.
Advent season is a time of waiting. We usually think of it as a time of waiting for Christmas—when Jesus came to the earth for the first time. The Bible verses that we read in church on the Sundays during Advent, however, remind us that it is also a time of waiting for Jesus to return once more to Earth.
In the reading from Luke, Jesus tells his friends to watch and be ready for him to return. Jesus says, “Watch out! Don’t let me find you . . . filled with the worries of this life.†During this season of Advent, Jesus says the same thing to us. “I’m coming back,†he says. “Don’t let me find you filled with the worries of this life.â€
I brought something very special with me this morning. (Bring out or point to the manger filled with crumpled paper.) This is a manger that I need to get ready for the baby Jesus. I can’t very well use this the way it is, though. Why can’t I put the baby Jesus in this crib? (Let children respond.) It’s full of stuff, isn’t it? What do we need to do to get the manger ready for Jesus? (Let children respond.) Yes! We need to clear out the manger to make room for the baby.
As we get ready for Advent, we want to make room in our hearts for Jesus. We need to clear out the things in our own lives that crowd out Jesus. Let’s see what we have to take out of this manger to make room for Jesus. (Read some words scribbled on the crumpled papers as you pitch them in a waste basket. Empty out manger.)
Now that we’ve gotten rid of all that stuff, there’s room in the manger for the baby Jesus. And when we get rid of all the worries and bad things in our hearts, we make room in our lives for Jesus. Now we can place the baby in our manger. (Place doll in manger.) This Advent, let’s clean out all the bad and unkind and worried things in our lives to make room for Jesus.
Prayer: We know you are with us, Lord Jesus; help us always to remember to keep our hearts clean and ready to be your home.
Pentecost Proper 29; Christ the King Sunday
From “Sitting on the Rainbow”
Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud
Scripture Reference:Â Psalm 93:1-2Â 
Preparation: Bring a chair that slides or rolls easily across the floor to serve as a throne. Place it where the children will be able to push it for some distance.
Today is Christ the King Sunday. Did you know that? Today we read Bible verses and sing hymns that remind us that the Lord is King over everything on earth and in heaven. How do you recognize a king? (Children can offer responses. You may prompt them with more specific questions.) What does a king wear? A crown, a robe. What does a king hold in his hand? A scepter. What does a king sit on? A throne.
Let’s pretend just for a bit that I’m a king and this chair here is my royal throne. I’m going to sit down; then you try to move my throne. Go ahead and push on my throne. Does it move? (Let children push the chair so that it slides a little.) My throne is not very solid and strong, is it? Is it made of heavy stone? Is it bolted to the floor? No. It can be moved very easily. That’s not surprising, though, because I’m not really a king. In fact, this is not really a throne.
Who is really a king? Who is our king? (Let children answer.) Let me read to you from Psalm 93 in the Old Testament: “The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken. Your throne, O Lord, has been established from time immemorial†(vv. 1-2 NLT).
Is God’s throne solid? Can it be moved? Can God’s kingdom ever be taken over by some other king? (Let children respond.) No, it can’t. God’s throne is even more solid than the earth! If you jump up and down on the earth, can you move it? (You can try jumping with the children.) The earth seems pretty solid, doesn’t it? But even the earth moves sometimes. There are earthquakes and volcanoes and land that gets washed away into the sea. God’s throne is stronger and more solid than the very earth that we’re standing on.
There have been many kings and queens who have lived at different times and in different lands. Some of them have wanted to rule the whole world. Some kings and queens have been very powerful and have taken over many countries. They have built huge, beautiful castles and have had fancy thrones. But when those rulers of this earth reach the end of their lives, are they kings and queens anymore? No. Usually another ruler takes over their throne.
The kings of this earth don’t compare to our heavenly King who rules over everything in heaven and on earth. God’s kingdom has no end. It is a kingdom of love. And we are part of that kingdom. Thanks be to God!
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for being the eternal King over the earth and the heavens. All glory and honor be to you, Lord God.
Pentecost Proper 28
From “Sitting on the Rainbow”
Scripture Reference:Â 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.Â
A long time ago, the Israelites worshiped God in a church called a tabernacle. The tabernacle had a walkway around the outside and several large rooms inside. At the very center of the tabernacle was a place called the Holy of Holies. That was a small room that had a very thick curtain closing off the door. The only person allowed into the Holy of Holies was the high priest. Nobody else could go behind the curtain because that was the powerful presence of the Almighty God.
In those long-ago times, before God sent Jesus to us, people did not go directly to God with their offerings and sacrifices. The high priest would take their offerings to God, and he would receive messages from God for the people. The high priest was the only one who could meet God behind the curtain in the Holy of Holies.
The Israelites knew that God was very, very powerful and holy. They knew that they were very sinful and not at all holy. And they were even afraid to be near God’s special holy room. Before he went into the Holy of Holies, the high priest had to clean himself carefully and wear special clothing and put away any unclean or bad thoughts.
The high priest’s robes were trimmed with bells, and a rope was tied around his ankle. When he entered the Holy of Holies, the other priests would wait outside. They were not allowed to go in. If anything happened to the high priest and if they heard him fall, the other priests could drag him out with the rope. They would not dare go inside themselves.
When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, do you know what happened to the curtain that covered the entrance to the Holy of Holies? (Allow children to respond.) The thick curtain was ripped from top to bottom, just as easily as this thin material is torn. (Tear the piece of sheet so children can now see the altar behind it.) Jesus’ death opened a doorway to the presence of God. Now we never need to be afraid to go to God ourselves. We can come with our prayers and our offerings at any time.
The book of Hebrews, chapter 10, says, “Now we are sure that we can approach God by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh†(v. 19 author’s paraphrase). Because Jesus died for us, we can approach the Almighty God.
Prayer: Â We thank you, Lord, for opening a way for us to talk to you and for bringing us through the curtain into your awesome presence.
Pentecost Proper 27
From “Sitting on the Rainbow”
Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud
Scripture Reference:Â 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 very careful with this gift. It deserves to be handled with care. What you will see inside the box cannot be found anywhere else in the universe.
If you would like to see the gift, raise your hand. I will bring the box around so that you can see the very special gift. (Remove the lid and then take the box around to each child and let them look into the mirror in the box. Hold the box carefully so that each child will see his or her own face in the mirror. After you’ve done this, continue the discussion.)
Do you see something that is very valuable and worthwhile? What did I have inside this box? (Let children answer.) Yes, there is a mirror in the box. And when you looked into the mirror, who did you see? You saw yourself, didn’t you? Did you know that you are a precious and valuable gift?
In Psalm 127, the Bible says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him†(v. 3 NLT). You are a gift from God! Our Father in heaven certainly does give wonderful gifts, doesn’t he? Your parents are very happy to have received you as a gift from God; and your church family is also happy that you are here!
How do you think we should treat a priceless gift? Should we handle the gift roughly or toss it around or throw it in the back of our closet? No! Precious gifts should be handled with care and love. They should be treated with respect.
Because you are wonderful gifts from God, you deserve to be treated with respect. If someone is hurting you or making you feel bad or worthless, that should stop. You can tell a grownup whom you trust about the hurt, and they’ll help to stop it. If anyone tells you that you are worthless or good-for-nothing, should you believe him or her? Definitely not! I know and you know and Jesus knows that you are a very precious gift.
God loves you very much, and you should love yourself, too, because God made you with love. Always remember that you are a priceless gift.
Prayer: Â Dear Father in heaven, thank you for each of these wonderful children. May we always treasure them as the precious gifts that they are, sent to us from you. Help these children always remember, too, that they are valuable in your sight.
 Pentecost Proper 25
From “Sitting on the Rainbow”
Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud
Scripture Reference:Â Mark 10:46-52
Preparation: Bring a wishbone to pull and break with one of the children.
What is this little thing I’m holding? Can someone tell me? (Hold up the wishbone and let the children explain what it is and what people do with it.) It’s a wishbone, isn’t it? Why is it called a wishbone? Two people take hold of the bone—one on either end—and they each make a wish. Then they pull until the bone breaks apart. The person left with the bigger piece gets his or her wish.
Who wants to make a wish and pull the wishbone with me? (Choose a volunteer. Then close your eyes, make a wish, and break the wishbone together.) Now, do you think the person with the bigger piece will really get his or her wish? (Let children respond.)
What’s the difference between wishing for something with a wishbone and praying to God for something? Which one is more certain of coming true? Which one do you have more faith in? (Let children offer their answers.)Â
Pulling a wishbone is not like praying to God, is it? But sometimes it can seem important. I can remember fights over wishbones and wishes. Sometimes wishbone wishes can seem like they’re worth a lot, even worth yelling about.
During Bible times, a blind man named Bartimaeus was very certain that his wish would come true. He wanted his blind eyes to be healed; he wanted to be able to see. As soon as he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was coming his way, he knew he would finally get his sight. He had faith in Jesus, and soon everyone around him knew about his faith because he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!†(Mark 10:47 NLT).
Bartimaeus shouted at the top of his lungs. He may not have been able to see, but he certainly was able to speak. He used his voice so loudly that the people near him were embarrassed and tried to get him to be quiet. But Bartimaeus would not be quiet. More than anything, he wanted to be able to see. And he knew that more than anyone in the world, Jesus had the power to grant his wish. So he yelled for Jesus. And Jesus heard him and told him to come. Bartimaeus ran to Jesus’ side and Jesus gave him his sight. “Go your way,†said Jesus, “Your faith has made you well†(Mark 10:52 NLT).
It’s fun to make wishes with wishbones or to wish on the first evening star or on birthday candles we’ve blown out. But when it comes to counting on someone—being absolutely certain of something—it’s important to put our faith in the One who will never fail us. Put your faith in Jesus.
Prayer: Â Jesus, make our faith strong and help us pray to you with a faith like blind Bartimaeus. Open our eyes to the power of your love.
Pentecost Proper 23
From “Sitting on the Rainbow”
Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud
Scripture Reference:Â Mark 10:17-31
Preparation: Bring a large backpack stuffed with things. Place a chair at the front where everyone can see it. You (or a volunteer) will attempt to crawl under the chair—first with and then without the backpack. You should be able to do it when you remove the pack. Also bring a large needle.
Today I brought a big backpack stuffed full of things that I own. (Show the children the backpack you’re wearing.) It’s very bulky. I’m going to pretend I’m on a hike and need to crawl under a fence. We’ll say this chair is the fence. Do you think I’ll be able to do it? Let’s try. (Attempt an unsuccessful crawl under the chair with the backpack on.) Looks like I’m not going to get under. How do you suppose I might be able to get under the chair? (Let children give suggestions.) Take off my backpack? You’re right, it is the only way. I just can’t take all this stuff with me. (Take pack off and crawl through the space.) Well, I made it that time. Thanks for helping.
The space under that chair is pretty small, but is it as small as the eye of a needle? (Show the needle and let the children answer.) The eye of a needle is a tiny space, isn’t it? Do you know what Jesus once said? He said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus meant that it might be difficult for a rich man to enter God’s kingdom if he loved his riches too much. This does not mean it’s impossible for rich people to enter God’s kingdom, but they have to love God more than their riches.
The Gospel lesson for today tells about how a rich man ran up to Jesus and asked how to make it into heaven. This man was very nice, and he had tried hard to obey God’s commandments ever since he was a child. But Jesus could see into this man’s heart, and he knew there was a problem. The man loved his money and his things more than he loved God.
Jesus looked lovingly into that man’s eyes and told him what he needed to do. “You lack only one thing,†said Jesus, “Go and sell all you have, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me†(Mark 10:21 nlt). The man could not do it. All of his riches were too important to him. He walked away from Jesus.
Jesus’ disciples were shocked when they heard what he told the rich man. “Then who in the world can be saved?†they asked. And Jesus answered, “With people, it is impossible; but not with God. All things are possible with God†(Mark 10:26-27 author’s paraphrase). It’s easy to think about and love our things more often than we think about God. God can help us make him most important in our lives. We only need to let him.
Prayer: Â God, help us to love you more than anything in this world.
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Do any of you have a favorite teacher, a teacher at school or Sunday school whom you really like a lot? (If they wish, children can name some of their teachers.) Teachers are wonderful, aren’t they? They make learning fun and exciting. They make us happy to go to school. (You may tell about one of your favorite teachers and what made that teacher special.) 
