Maple syrup is like refined silver children's sermon

This past Sunday, I had children's sermon. For the beginning of March, I had to think for a little bit. I looked at what I had been doing most of the week. I had been boiling maple sap down into syrup. As I looked at a kettle, the verse from psalms kept coming to me, refined like silver. So I looked up the verse Psalms 66:10, "For you God, tested us; you refined us like silver." I started from this thought. I took to church with me, a maple syrup pan that happened to be empty, a small jar of maple syrup and some small pieces of bread for the children to drip and taste when we were done.

I had the children come forward, asked about their week and explained that I had been busy making maple syrup. I told them that a verse had come to me while I was working. Let's look at the verse Psalms 66:10-12. As we read through it, we looked at the " we went through fire and water and came to abundance."
First what does abundance mean? One little boy answered " a lot".  Exactly, it means that you would have a lot!  So when they refine silver, they heat it in the fire and remove all the junk. Well that is kind of what we do with the maple sap. We collect it, pour it through a filter to remove any dirt and then we put it in a pan and boil it. Just like the verse says about through the fire, we boil and boil and boil and boil. There is steam rolling, but when we are done we have abundance of maple syrup or at least something delicious! So we have taken the sap and heated it to "refine"  or purify it and converted it into maple syrup.

We need to remember that God will test us through problems or difficulties in life and by doing that he is "refining" us. He is taking out more and more bad things and making us more pure, more like him. So the next time you have syrup remember that God will work on us too, to
make us sweeter!
We closed in prayer and then I gave each child a piece of bread and let them dip it into the small jar of maple syrup and taste it.

Children's Sermon for the fourth Sunday of Advent

If any of you have ever worked with children, you know that you have to be ready on the fly for what ever might happen. I was scheduled for the children's sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and had notes for my sermon all pulled together (which doesn't always happen). I had a small gift with me that I had tucked the name JESUS inside the gift bag.  I was ready!

As the children came forward this Sunday morning, the church was decorated beautifully and one young man asked "Why are there all of these flowers today?" Well when children ask questions- I try to answer them, if I can, and this question seemed important. I took my notes through them over my shoulder and began to discuss the flowers.

I asked him what special day was coming up? He answered "Christmas." "Correct and what is Christmas?"  To this he had a few problems answering and then another child helped him out with "Jesus' birthday"- "Correct. So what do you do for a birthday party? We decorate where the party will be? And we purchase or make a gift for the birthday child - right? To which I received heads nodding. So we have been preparing for Jesus's birthday all month! We have decorated the church and our homes with lights and garland and flowers and ornaments. We maybe have prepared special food for his birthday- my children get to pick their favorite food for their birthday meals. And we may have taken care of a gift for that person." (At this point I can almost get back onto the children's sermon that I had prepared, so I reached back found my notes and the gift bag and continued)

"So what do you think  you would like -  a small gift like this for Christmas or would you want a big package? The children all answered a Big package.  But let's look at this package- it has everything that we have talked about with our Advent Wreath . It has Peace- as it sits here it is very peaceful and isn't bothering anyone. It has HOPE- as each one of you are hoping that it is for you!
It has LOVE - because inside of it is (and I pulled out the name JESUS) Jesus and he is love. He loved us each enough to die for us. And it has JOY- because we can have the JOY of eternal life. So as Christmas gets closer remember that sometimes the smallest gifts are the best gifts  and that we are celebrating Jesus's birthday with a big Birthday Party on December 25th!"

We then closed in prayer.

I think this helped the young man have a better understanding of what we do for Christmas but I'm very tempted to bring in balloons and streamers next year and "decorate" in a way children would understand- you know a great big banner that says "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS" just might have to appear!

Thanksgiving Children's Sermon

 

Today I had the Children's sermon and we discussed being thankful. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, it says "Be joyful always. pray continuously, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Wow- to be joyful always- I asked the kids did that mean even when we have to get up in the mornings when we would rather sleep in and pull the blankets up over our heads? Yep it does- we should be joyful! How about when we trip playing tag outside- should we be joyful then? Yep even then according to the Bible it says always. Now we have a very special day coming up that a lot of stores appear to have forgotten is even a holiday, so what is that holiday? Thanksgiving! Right! Now the last part of the verse says "to give thanks in all circumstances.
' So who has ever gotten in trouble and been punished? Maybe a time out, or grounded or a spanking? (to which some raised their hands). Now how many have thanked their parents for being disciplined? Wow to be thankful in all circumstances? This could be difficult! So what is your least favorite food at Thanksgiving? I had several answers, like stuffing, cranberry sauce, that purple stuff, etc. So the Bible is telling us to be thankful for cranberry sauce? Yes because we have food to eat- it might not be what we want to eat, but it is food and many children do not have what we have. How about when we have chores to do, should we be thankful then? Yes, because if we have dishes to wash, then we have had food to eat. IF we have laundry to put away - then we have clothes to wear. And if we have a bed that needs made then we must have a bed and a place to sleep. These are all things that we need to be thankful for because in all circumstances we are to be thankful. So this week while we are celebrating Thanksgiving remember to be thankful for even the food that you don't like! And to be joyful at ALL Times! And we closed in prayer

Father's Day Children's Sermon

I thought long and hard about my children's sermon for Father's Day. And then I decided that I would take a look at what Dad's do and here is what came from that. I did have to think about the occupations of our congregations men and then find a few titles that would fit some of God's jobs.

As the children came up I greeted them and asked if they knew what day today was and if they had a good time at Vacation Bible School (it had just been the week before). I asked them if they could help me as I had some questions for them- they said that they would help. I asked them to raise their hands if the answer was yes. So I asked how many of you have a Daddy that's a professional artist? They looked at each other and no one raised their hand. Hmm I said, well let's try this- Who's Dad is a shepherd?- once again no one raised their hand. (I did have one ask if a farmer counted? I asked did he have sheep?- Nope was the answer and I returned with well I guess not) So then I asked who's Father was an engineer- you know the kinds that design plans for roads or bridges or buildings? once again no hands went up. Hmm .. I have a few more, but I was getting confused.  How about a Horticulturalist? (I had to explain a professional gardener) Once again no hands went up. How about a Zookeeper? No hands there. Maybe a Weatherman? Nope. A Composer? Nope. How about a Lifeguard? Still I didn't have any hands go up. One more - How about a Doctor? Not with this group of kids.

So then I said to the children "What if I told you your Father was all of those? Would you believe me? "And so I started to explain that yes today was Father's Day, but how often did we remember God on Father's Day and the many things he does for us? So let's look at those job titles again. IS your Father an artist?- of course who else could paint the sunrise and sunsets so beautiful or create such wonderful flowers. IS your Father a shepherd? - Of course because we are the sheep of his pastures. Is your Father an engineer? Of course he is who made the plans for the World and the Ark? How about the Horticulturalist? Well let's start at the begin and look at the Garden of Eden- must have been good with plants. Is your Father a zookeeper? Who else takes care of the wild animals? Is your Father a Weatherman? Yes actually he is better than the weatherman he gets it right and he controls the weather. Is Your Father a composer? Yes- just listen to the birds or the crickets or the bullfrogs- who else can create that beautiful music? Is Your Father a lifeguard? Yes He is saving lives every day by having people believe in him and giving them eternal life. Is your Father a Doctor? Yes he is the Great Healer of all.

So as we think about Father's Day let's remember to be thankful for our heavenly Father who is always with us and is pretty talented too!

Children's Sermon - Commercials part 3- Eat n Park

 

This is the finally  Children's Sermon that I've used commercials. This is one that is meant more for the Christmas season and could be used independently.  As the children came forward, I made sure that they could see the screen ( I don't use it very often so this was a little different for me). Anyhow I asked them to watch this commercial for me. And we showed them the Eat 'N Park Christmas Tree Commercial. (You can watch it below)

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=eat+n+park+christmas+tree&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=420E783B7F6F6FE6354D420E783B7F6F6FE6354D


When it was done, I said you know that reminds me of Jesus. To which they gave me this weird look (which I expected)  Let me explain- The little star is each one of us. We try and try to have a good life and do everything right, but we never make it to the top- to what we truly can be. But you see the tree is like Jesus, and Jesus bent down to earth to lift each one of us up out of our sins. When we accept his help, he changes us- he fills us with light that we can't help but let shine. Not only do we let it shine, but we also share it with others around us. Just like when the tree bends down and picks the star up- it is filled with light and changes color and then it shares it's light with all the little lights on the tree.

This is what we should be doing as Christian's during the Christmas Season- sharing the light of Jesus with everyone around us!

With this we closed in prayer.

Chlidren's Sermon- commercials part 2

As I explained in the last post, I was stuck on commercials for Children's Sermon's for 3 messages. As the children came forward I welcomed them and asked about their week.  Then I asked a little more difficult questions. did they ever feel like people were against them? Did they have enemies? Or had they ever had to deal with a bully? To these, I had a few raise hands or shake their heads yes. Then I asked if they knew what insurance was? They didn't really know. So I explained that insurance was something that adults paid for ahead of time, so that if they were ever in an accident then they would have help paying the repair bill or hospital bills if anyone had gotten hurt.  I asked if they knew that we had insurance that if we accepted Jesus into our hearts that he would help us and defend us from those bullies, but he also would make sure that we were in heaven with him.

Let me explain, you see there has been this commercial playing that once you hear it, it sticks in your head for HOURS. (to this I hummed the Nationwide jiggle- you can watch the commercial I was referring to below:)

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=nationwide+commercial&qpvt=Nationwide+commercial&FORM=VDRE#view=detail&mid=8F478B80F99E2AD8008B8F478B80F99E2AD8008B

The funny part is that when I started humming it- the kids joined in! They knew the jiggle. So I asked how was on their side? Nationwide - one answered. Yes according to this commercial they are, but who is always on YOUR side? He will never let you down- no matter what?   Jesus- I finally got as an answer.  Yes! So instead of 'Nationwide is on Your Side"  - the next time you hear this commercial- I want you to think this "God is for us Who's against us?" (Which if you sing it just right does fit into the jiggle.)

But we have a State Farm Insurance Salesman in our congregation, so I added that just because one insurance company is reminding us that "God is For US"- there is another thing to remember. "Like a Good Neighbor, God is Always there."(sung to the State Farm jiggle)

With this we closed in prayer and as they returned to their seats, I hummed the Nationwide Jiggle!

Children's Sermon -"What's in Your Shoebox?"

To begin with the woman who presented the children's sermon a week before me entitled hers "Can You Hear Me Now?" As she was talking, I'll admit I was listening to her, but to the tug inside me saying "Go with commercials- do children's sermon on commercials." So this was the first in what became a 3 part series of Children Sermon's featuring commercials.

As the children sat down , I began with so how was your week and do you know what happens here in 2 weeks? They looked at me a bit odd because to them there wasn't any special holidays in the next 2 weeks. So I asked how many had or were planning on packing a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child- to which most raised their hands. So I asked "What's in Your Shoebox?"( Using the Capital One "What's in Your Wallet" tone) They gave me a couple of basic things that they had either included or had purchased to include, but I had brought with me a "Great BIG bag" of things that could be packed into a shoebox (and I had worked really hard to make sure that some were unusual. So as they gave me ideas, I pulled out the items. "Soap"-"how about a washcloth to go with that?" "Yes" the kids replied. "Toothbrush" they suggested and I asked about toothpaste- "yes." "Hairbrush?"- "and hair ties and barrettes! " They wanted crayons- and I asked about a coloring book and paper- to which they added pencils and I asked about a sharpener and erasers. I started out trying to show the children that somethings need to go together. What good are crayons or colored pencils or markers- if you don't have something to write on?!  We looked at a few other school supplies and then moved to flip flops/ crocks and socks! How about a t-shirt- you all have a couple of t-shirts at home right? Imagine if you didn't own any? Not even 1? Or a hat- boys how many of you have multiply ball caps? You have more than 1 right?

How about a fishing kit for the older boys? Or for the older girls a sewing kit, but you need to include some fabric and scissors too!  Toys are good too! and then we started talking about what could and couldn't be in out shoeboxes. How about hand sanitizer- nope- it's a liquid. I know everyone likes bubbles- nope it's a liquid! (To this I pouted because we all liked having me blow bubbles in church but we can't send them.) How about balloons- YES they can go and they don't take up much room! What about gum?- Yes- just not food- it might spoil before it gets there! How about shampoo and shower gel- NO once again a liquid!. Better than bubbles - how about a Nerf Gun- to which the kids told me NO- it was violent and might remind them of the shooting that could be going on near them! Beach Balls are something that are big once they get air in them, but they are small enough to get into the box. Craft Supplies- how many of you like to make a craft?_ So we could put together or get craft kits to send- just remember no glue or paint, but fun foam crafts with glue dots, beads etc. all work really well!

I showed the kids that they could make a tic-tac-toe game to send, or a fun marbles activity, a bookmark, bracelets, necklaces- whatever they thought that they could share with a new friend!
So I asked them to think about and pray about "What's in Your Shoebox?!" To remember that we all love to get a gift and would we rather have 1 large gift or several medium sized gifts? Did we want to have something that would break easily or something that the kids might treasure.

With this we closed in prayer.


I don't know if I got the kids thinking, but I do know that I had some adults thinking about what they packed, because they came and told me so. But I can tell you that the kids that packed shoeboxes knew what was in them and they were things that they thought would be cool to have themselves.

 

Easter Children's Sermon- EMPTY

I was once again given children's sermon for Easter which I totally love doing, but I do try to step it up and hit it from a different angle when I do have this opportunity. So the more I thought about what I was going to do, the more the thought of "the tomb was empty" ran through my head. So here is what I ended up with.
Before service you will need a box(empty) and you might want to make it look pretty.

My EMPTY Easter gift-
Praise the Lord it was EMPTY!

"Good Morning, and Happy Easter! You all look quite handsome and pretty in your Easter outfits. Well look what I have here- an Easter Gift! Now that is exciting, but it reminds me of a couple of months ago. You know when the snow was on the ground and we were celebrating another holiday with presents- Christmas! Exactly and you know without Christmas and Christ coming to the earth we couldn't have Easter, but well let's see what's in my box!" (With this I let a few of the kids take a really quick peek into the box.) " well what's in there?" child replied "nothing" "what- someone else had better check this out" (so I let another child take a quick peek) "so what's in there?"  "nothing" replied the child. (To this I couldn't believe that someone would give me an empty gift, so I go ahead and open then box and find that it is EMPTY!)  "Why who would give me an EMPTY box? What a dirty trick for someone to play- no chocolate, no baby bunnies, not even a jelly bean!!!" ( I am acting like I am mad, but I change me tune) "Wait a minute, isn't that why we are here to worship today? to celebrate an EMPTY tomb? But who celebrates EMPTY? Do you have a party when the ketchup bottle is EMPTY?  No one would do that? And what do you do when the milk is EMPTY? Complain to someone that we are out of milk. What do you do when the peanut butter is EMPTY? There is no party, or anything so is there anything that we have a party for or celebrate being EMPTY besides the grave of Jesus? (And the kids and the adults thought about this- one child said when the dishwasher was empty- to which I explained that it meant that the dishes were all dirty or someone had gone hungry- the dishwasher doesn't stay empty long and who ever heard of and "Empty Dishwasher Celebration?" One adult said that their bills to be paid bin was empty and I pointed out that so was their checking account- and that isn't a celebration.)

So today , Easter, we celebrate something very special to Christians everywhere- an EMPTY TOMB- which means that our Savior lives!!! Happy Easter! HE Lives!!!! And we closed in prayer.

Children's Sermon- What is Advent

To begin the Advent season, I had the Children's sermon. I was torn as to do I discuss "hope"- which is what the first candle represented or do I discuss "Advent." After some prayer and thinking things through, I decided "Advent."
So I asked the children what that wreath was called that they lite those specials candles on was called- one child came up with "Advent wreath" so I then asked "-okay but what does that mean? We have the Advent wreath, the advent calendar, the advent season, but what does that mean???" They looked at me with blank stares. So I asked if any of them were the big brother or sister in their families and they raised their hands. "So do any of you remember what you did before your younger brother or sister came along or maybe what your parents did before the arrival?" I got cleaned and paid attention to me. "Cleaned- exactly they cleaned the house because who wants a dirty house with a brand new baby? and did they get a room ready? Did they maybe paint the room, get a crib and furniture? So they got ready for the baby. Hmm What happens at the end of this month? "Christmas!!!" Right and that's who's birthday? So what should we be doing? Getting ready for a baby?!?! YES- Advent means to prepare or get ready for Jesus. Now does Jesus really care if our houses are clean and perfect or does he care about our hearts and minds being clean and focusing on him? Right - he wants us to focus on him. So throughout this month, when you hear the word Advent, I want you to think "get ready because Jesus is coming" and I want you to take a little extra time thinking about, talking about Jesus and his story of coming to the world as a baby.

I then shared that we had Advent Calendars available in the entry for families that didn't have an Advent Calendar and that there were Advent devotionals
available for the adults. And we closed in prayer.

Apples/ cider - children's sermon

This children's sermon was a little bit different, but it is what I was led to talk to the children about.  I took in my bag with a hand crank apple peeler, an apple, a cutting board and a picture of a cider press.

After greeting the children I began by pulling an apple from the bag and asking how many liked to eat apples- which most of them, of course, liked apples. But I asked if there was something that was made from apples that they might like better than just a plain apple. To this the children answered- apple pie, apple juice.... I had 1 little one who said "no- I just like apples." Well I then asked the adults if any of them liked apple pies, apple cider, apple crisp or apple dumplings better than a plain apple. As I mentioned the items the adults were raising their hands and agreeing that these other apple items were better than a plain apple. I then explained that we don't just get an apple pie from a whole apple. The apple needed to change a little bit. So I pulled out the apple peeler and asked if any of them knew what this thing even was- few had ever seen such a contraption. I set it up on a stool and showed them how to place the apple on the peeler and had 1 little boy come and peel the apple for me. As he was peeling, I asked what the apple was feeling. The kids answered -"ouchy",  and "pain", but I explained that it might be feeling pressure. The pressure of the sharp edge cutting off the skin- it takes pressure to take that skin off.

Then I pulled out my picture of the cider press. And I explained that when this machine worked that the apples would feel the pressure of the chopper when it was cut or ground into little pieces, but then it felt the pressure of the plate when it was squeezed.

But what do apples under pressure have to do with anything? Well here is what I shared, that in James 1:2 it says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of you faith develops perseverance."

So what does that mean? What is a trial? Well a trial is a problem - so the Bible is saying "Be happy if you have problems?" Yep "Because God is making you better once the problems are over." This is much like the apple- The plain apple is good, but after pressure or some trouble- most would look at an apple pie or apple cider as much better than a plain apple.

This is much like things at school. Maybe you are having problems with spelling and you are feeling the pressure of trying to learn those words. Well that pressure will make you a much better speller and will save you time from having to look up those words. OR maybe you are learning you math facts- the pressure to learn those will make a world of difference when you are adding or figure numbers out.  Not all pressure is good- sometimes we have pressure to do things that are wrong, and this is pressure that we want to stay away from. But the good pressure is where God will work to make us more like he wants us to be. And we closed in prayer.

US Flag Children's Sermon

I presented this children's sermon on Memorial Day Weekend, but I think it could be presented at any time especially near a patriotic holiday, but it was most appropriate for Memorial day. The idea here can be used but maybe not all of it for other American holidays.  At the front of our church there are 2 flags- the US Flag and the Christian Flag- these were key elements for this children's sermon.

Once the children were seated, I asked them if they knew what was special about the weekend. I got a few going "we're almost out of school." But I did have an older child know that it was Memorial Day weekend. So I asked what should we do on Memorial Day? Some said "camp", "picnic", but I had one that said "remember." Now this young person I challenged little bit more, "what are we to remember?" He replied " Those men and woman that fought for our country."  I asked "You mean people were fighting over land?" to which others answered "No, our freedom!" Oh, ok! I get it, but let's look at something here for a minute. I asked 2 children to go up to the flags and pull them up a little bit so the congregation and children could see them.

Can you tell me what is the same about these flags?

 

The children told me that they both had red, white and blue on them.  "You're right!" Anything else? Do you know the names of these flags? well of course they knew the United States flag, but not a one knew the Christian Flag.  "Well, let's do some comparing of these flags, because if they are at the front of our church, they must be important.

 

The United States Flag, the red stands for valor and hardiness.  on the Christian Flag the red represents blood.

 

In the United States flag, the blue stands for perseverance & justice, where in the Christian Flag it stands for faithfulness, truth and sincerity.

 

In the United States Flag, the white stands for purity and on the Christian Flag it represents purity and peace.

 

So each of the colors represents something and they are very similar. The United States Flag has 13 stripes to represent the 13 colonies and currently it has 50 stars to represent the 50 states. The Christian Flag has a cross on it to represent the cross that Christ died on.  So they are similar, but here is something kind of cool!

The Christian Flag can be flown and pledged to in any country in the World. It could be flying in Asia, Africa and even right here. As long as you are a Christian and believe in Christ, you can pledge to the Christian Flag. But the united States Flag - only those that live in the United States would pledge to that flag. Canada has it's own flag, England has it's own Flag, Russia has it's own flag.

 

The Christian Flag is a "World Flag" where the United States Flag, is a "Country Flag."  But we were talking about Memorial Day and we know that we have had soldiers die for the US Flag, but who should we remember when we look at the Christian Flag? Yes Jesus, who died for our freedom, but not our right to do as we like but our freedom from Sin and Hell. So when you look at the front of our church, which flag to you think should be the most important?  "Yes the Christian Flag."  So this weekend, take time to remember all of those who have given their lives for you- our soldiers and Jesus himself- and if you get a chance thank a Veteran.

 

Before we close, would all the veterans stand(applaud the veterans) We want to thank you for serving our country and being examples of a Christian. Let's close in prayer.

 

 

After presenting this children's sermon, I realized how many of our children don't know the Christian pledge, so I am including it as a reference here that should you be interested in using it with this idea, please do so. I am also giving 2 websites that had info about both flags.

 

I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag
and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands.
One brotherhood, uniting all mankind,
in service and love."

 

 

http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/chrflag.html- info on the Christian Flag

 

http://www.ehow.com/facts_4759624_meaning-colors-american-flag.html- info on the United States Flag

Camper Sunday - Children's Sermon

This past Sunday was "Camper Sunday" at our church as we had a speaker in from Wesley Woods Church Camp (where most of our youth go). Well I had the children's sermon. Before I left home I grabbed Robert's tent in it's bag, a ball and a tube of glow sticks.

When it was time for children's sermon, I "drug" the tent to the front and told the woman who heads camping at our church "I'm ready, Karen! I'm ready for Camper Sunday! But I'm confused? When I came in I didn't see any RV's that I know we have in the congregation and no tow-behind campers and the yard wasn't full of tents. What kind of "camper" Sunday was this anyway? Wait he's from Wesley Woods! This isn't camper Sunday it's CAMP Sunday!!!!  Well I get it and boy can I tell you things about camp!  I never went to Wesley Woods, but I did go to church camp and scout camp and 4-H camp. Well to be honest, I spent most of my summers packing and unpacking from camps when I was home. But one of the most important things that I learned while at church camp was a song called "Pass It On" What do you think that means?  Here (and I pulled out my ball) and passed it around. Now make sure everyone gets to pass it. Wasn't that great? We passed the ball along. Is that what it's all about? UMMM no that isn't what this song is about. Let me share the words...

 It only take a spark to get a fire going. And soon all those around can warm up in it's glowing. That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it, You want to sing, it's fresh like spring you want to pass it on.

 

 

So you see once you receive Christ, you want to share it with EVERYONE!  It's like a fire, you can't contain a fire. And you can't contain Christ either. You have a light that you want to share with everyone. So on this Camp Sunday I want to give each of you a glow stick to remind you that you need to share the light that is inside of you that is Jesus. And that you should "Pass It on."

 

And we closed in prayer.

An Easter Children's Lesson/ Activity

I saw this post on Pinterest and loved what I saw. I did use this for the last Children's Sermon that I had, but I didn't used the same words. So here is kind of what I said and then you will need to click on the link to see the pictures that go along with it. Here's the link and it is WAY COOL!!! http://futureflyingsaucers.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/awesome-childrens-easter-object-lesson/

I started by asking questions as I folded my paper
So where are we to share the story of God's love? How about on a boat? (goes with the 2nd picture)
How about at Home or our friends house? (Goes with 3rd picture)
How about when we travel (this goes with picture 4&5 and I flipped the one side out so it did look like an airplane for a minute and then put it back the way it needed to be)
How about anywhere that we walk around (goes with the 6th picture)
Then you need to finish tearing the whole way through.  Now I did skip a few parts because I had 2,3 & 4 year olds.

But I showed the 3 crosses that Jesus and the robbers were crucified on.
Then I talked about the sign that hung above Jesus
The sword that pierced his side
And the dice that were cast for his clothes
Then I showed the tomb and that it is now empty.
I closed by writing out the word "Jesus" with the paper pieces

Such a neat way to share God's story with a single piece of Paper!

Snowflake Children's sermon

I was having problems with this post, so I will try it again, but I'm sure it won't be exactly as I first wrote it. sorry if you have seen this earlier and it's not the same.

This is a children's sermon I did a few years back, but it is always fun. So I begin "so have you been enjoying the snow? (Assuming that you have snow- it's a good lesson for a wintry weekend) Have you been sledding? Snowman building? How about just checking out snowflakes? What do you know about a snowflake? Did you know that is starts as a speck of dirt? Did you know that snowflakes grow? They all have 6 sides but did you know that they all are unique? What does that word mean? Unique! Well that means that each 1 is different, there isn't any 1 snowflake exactly the same.  Here let me show you. I have asked a couple of adults to help me today, if they would stand. Now they have NO idea what they have agreed to, but I need to ask them to agree to the following rules. First rule- you won't look at what the other adults are doing- please do your own work. Second- You can't ask any questions. And finally that they will do their best to follow the directions. (Once the adults have agreed to this they each receive a square piece of paper like what you would cut snowflakes out of)

Okay adults here we go- (make sure that the children can easily watch the adults) Please fold your paper in half and then in half again. Now tear the top right corner off.

We will continue by having you fold your paper again in half and again tearing off the top right hand corner. And we need to do that one more time- fold your paper in half and tear off the top right corner. (now have the adults open their snowflakes)

 

What they aren't all the same?!? What happened? Did the adults follow the directions? They did? Oh I get it  this is how God works, we are all different.  You are just like the snowflakes- you are each unique and if we look into God's word in Psalms 139:14 it says "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  So you see that we have been told in the Bible that no matter what others may have said or told you, you are perfect just the way God made you. Just like the snowflake- you are unique exactly the way God wanted you to be.

 

With that we closed in prayer.

 

Olympics - Children's Sermon

Today's Children's Sermon was based on 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Once the kids came to the front I asked them if they had heard anything about some big world wide event that started on Friday? With a few questioning looks, I asked if they had heard anything about athletes going to compete? To which I got "The Olympics!" "Yes! You are correct, but wait let me have 3 volunteers." I selected 3 kids and had them lineup as if starting a race. Then "Today we are going to have our own Olympic Event - right here. We are going to have the 25ft race! So line up, get ready, get set, Oh wait a minute, I forgot, I have a few questions for the runners. First who is your coach?" one young man replied "My Dad" "Really?(turning to his Dad), Dad did you know this?" To which he shook his head no. Another young man replied "I don't know" and the 3rd runner replied "My sister" I replied "I see, hmmm." Okay so for this huge race, have you been training? I mean the Olympics have a whole Training Center in Colorado and they have been training for years and eating special diets. So have you been training?" To this they shook their heads no. "I see, well, I think that is all of the questions, so if your ready." (we cleared a path across the front of the church for the runners to run across) "On your mark, get set,.. Wait (and after I got the one who started anyhow back to the starting line) who is going to win this race?"  To which all 3 raised their hands. "Well, that's good that you all think that you are going to win, because what's the point of racing if you have the attitude of "oh well I think I'll come in last"  Is there much point?" No!" So okay let's try this again "On your Mark, get set, go!" (and the 3 ran across the front of the church and then I declared a winner.)

"Well did you know that God talks about running and racing in the Bible, Let's look at 1 Corinthians 9:24-25"
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who compete in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."

"So God has given us a race to run. The race of living a Christian Life. We are to run or live life in a way that we will win the Crown or eternal life. So according to what we just read, what do we need to do? (A reply was) Train -"Yes we must train to be Christan's and to follow God, but how do we do that?" "We need to worship, sing and come to church" were some of the answers. I agreed with them, but I then asked about our training manual - the Bible. "If we read it and spend time talking with our Trainer - Jesus, then we will be able to Run the Race that God has set before us."

"So this week when you are watching the Olympics, enjoy watching them, but ask yourself if you are training with God and Running a Good Race for him." And we closed in prayer.

LASt DAy of VBS

Tonight will be the last night of our "Be Strong and Courageous VBS" IT has been an awesome week with 64 kids one night and registered we have 77 registered. The kids are having a great time, and they are telling others the Bible stories that they are hearing. I have seen God at work this week with the children and it has been incredible VBS program is Sunday morning at 10:15am - Come see what the kids have learned!

Children's sermon - Love of a mother

I brought with me a picture of my Great Aunt on her 90th birthday and then a picture of her descendants. This children's sermon might be a little specific to me, but I think it could be adapted to other families.

As usual I got the kids warmed up a little bit with a Good morning and how are you? First let me read you some scripture. We will be reading from Deuteronomy 7:12-13 "If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers. He will love you and bless you and increase your number..." Then I said that I wanted to share something that had happened to me yesterday. I held up the picture of my Great Aunt at her 90th  birthday party. I explained who she was and that how cool it was for someone to have lived 90 years. 

My Great Aunt on her 90th birthday

"That means she was born in 1922, boy that was a long time ago. So what do you think it was like to be a kid your age when she was young? (the kids didn't really give me answers so I explained a couple of things) when she was born she was raised on a farm and they were still using horses to do the farm work. She helped bake bread because that was before sliced bread. And she had to help make butter, if they wanted it for their bread. The I jumped to when she got married, she got married and her husband was sent off to serve in World War 2, while she was home raising their first child. Now I know that being a single parent is hard, but being a single parent in the 1940's would have been very difficult. But on top of that her husband was a prisoner of war. She wasn't even sure that he was living or if he would come home. But he did! When the war was over, they went on to have a total of 4 children. now kids tell me do you get along with your siblings? (And I asked a couple of the kids that I knew had at least 3 kids in the family) well these kids haven't always gotten along either, especially now that they are adults and have families, but they were all together yesterday because their mother loved them. "The Lord promised that he would increase our numbers if they followed the laws." well you see my great aunt, at least as long as I have known her, has had her Bible on her kitchen table for her quiet time with the Lord. Even when I traveled with her, she had her Bible with her. She lived her life in a way that was pleasing to the Lord. in return, she has had increase of her numbers, which showed yesterday when her descendants at her party were 34 with one on the way, but the true number is 36 as there were a few that couldn't make it in for the party. So from the love of 2 people, they had four children who in turned loved someone and they had children and it continues.

The entire family!

So with this being the week before Mother's Day I challenged the kids to start the first part of this verse with paying attention to the laws of the Lord and to maybe begin with "Obey thy mother and father" as it is never too late to start following the Lord's laws and then he will be able to increase your numbers too. Imagine what you could tell your great grandchildren if you start following the Lord now!

We closed in prayer.

Time - Children's Sermon

Yesterday I once again had our children's sermon at church. I had a couple of ideas (will share those later) but when I went to change the clocks, I knew it was perfect for a lesson on time.
I started as I was going to the front with"I'm late, I'm late for a very important date Come on kids get up here, hurry up a bit" (as they poked along because they were tired) And we sat down, and I asked them what time it was? I looked at my watch and then the church clock -"Oh dear they don't match. What other ways do we keep track of time? how do we know our schedule?" A few kids came up with the calendar and watches. "your right - so what's on your schedule?  School, homework, but what about prayer time? Is that ever on your calendar? How about your to do list?" And the kids looked at me a bit weird. So I asked "Is now the right time to pray? (some said yes and some said no) Is there a right time to pray? The pastor always asks us for our joys and concerns before we pray, but is that the only time to pray?" They responded no. "So what is the right time to pray? According to the Bible we are to pray unceasingly. But I have other things to do than pray all day. Should we skip recess and school to pray? (They thought about that one for a while) We can pray anytime it comes to mind. We can pray before a test, while doing our chores, while playing at school or at home. It is like the radio that is on in the background. WE can stop and pray just like we can stop and listen to the radio if something gets our attention.

I then read Ecclesiastes 3:1-12 to the children and stopped along the way to explain a few, but at the end it says that "God has made everything beautiful in its time. And we need to remember that no matter what it is, prayer time or play time, slow people in front of us. No matter what God gives us- it is in his perfect timing."

Valentine's Day Children's Sermon

It has been a while since I have written up my children's sermon, but it's not that I haven't been doing them, just ended up busy on Sunday afternoons and forget later in the week. But on to today's children's sermon: Signs of Love (before going to church this morning I packed my totebag with all sort of things that I've seen advertised for Valentine's Day - flowers (just a silk one), a box of chocolate, a fancy jewelry box, school valentine's, balloons, etc)

So kids what holiday is coming up this week? Valentine's Day! Yes you are right, so what is Valentine's Day all about? Love!?! Oh it's that all that mushy stuff? Well not always. So what are some signs of love that we especially see right now for Valentine's Day? Flowers - Yes and I pull out my silk flower.

What else? Chocolate - yes and I pull out my box of chocolates. Someone else offered teddy bears - yes but I didn't bring one of those. How about jewelry? Yes they responded and I pulled out a little velvet box. Anything with hearts - yes!!! Those are all things that we use to show love, but what about the wooden cross? Have you ever received a Valentine's with a wooden cross on it? - NO, but it shows God's Love! Excellent! What about this book (holding up the Bible) does this show love? Yes You are right, some people call this a book of love letters from God. And in the Bible in the book of John chapter 3 verse 16 we hear how much God loves us. (I asked the kids to recite this verse for me and they mumbled it - quickly) So here my children's moment changed directions a bit. And I asked if I gave you a giant Hershey's kiss would you be excited? Would you go tell your Mom or Dad "Hey I got a giant Hershey's kiss!" Well you need to say that verse with just as much excitement because "God loves YOU enough to send his ONLY son, his only child, so that we can live where? In heaven with him!(Was their reply)

Now Jesus showed us by dying on the cross how to show love - he served others during his time in ministry here on earth. Sometimes all these "signs of love" are just things, what really counts is how we serve others for Jesus. I want you to think of a way that you can serve or help someone this week as their Valentine!
With this we closed with prayer and they each received a small chocolate heart candy.

Christmas on Sunday?!?

Has anyone else noticed that Christmas lands on a Sunday this year? Has this caused problems with the traditional Christmas Morning events? Have you heard these words in your home..."Do we really have to go to church on Christmas morning?"  I have heard of several houses having this very conversation to which I answered, "take a minute and think about what you are saying...."

When it comes to our birthdays, here, we try to have it on the birthday or after the birthday (Mainly because before the birthday doesn't really make sense - the first time around the baby wasn't here, yet) But to celebrate a birthday you usually have the honored guest present, there are guests to help celebrate, there are decorations and gifts and sometimes something to eat (maybe cake & ice cream) and a song. So on Christmas morning will all of those things be there?

 In church- the chosen place for the celebration.
The Honored Guest - I think Jesus will be there.
Those to celebrate with - will you be there?
Decorations - I think they might already be up
Gifts - Have you given something to Jesus this year? Time? Your Heart? Your money to help the kingdom?
Something to eat - in some churches there might be a coffee area, but this isn't required
A Song - Will you be singing his praises this year and be part of the Jesus Christmas/Birthday Party?

If not you are missing out on the most important Birthday party of the ages!!!
Think about it... Christmas on Sunday - seems right to me!