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Faith + Home Thanksgiving Devotion

November 25, 2013 bw Leave a comment

Use this simple format around the Thanksgiving table to gather all in your home that day around each other and the God’s word of love, mercy and forgiveness for us all. This does not need to be done in order nor do all parts have to be practiced. Use this devotion in a way that makes sense for you and those gathered.

Share with each other your highs and lows of the past year. Have paper, pens or crayons for younger household members to write done what others share.

Highs________________________________________________________________________

Lows________________________________________________________________________

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

What are some ways that you show joy? As an individual? As a family? Who is someone that you are grateful for today? When is your favorite time to pray as an individual or a family?

Gracious God, we don’t always remember to show you our gratitude. Thank you for your unending presence, unconditional love and mercy. We thank you for this meal that we are sharing today. May it nourish us for service in your world. We pray for those who are hurting today, don’t have community, family, a safe place to be or food for their journey. May our gratitude lead us to willingly share what we have with your people in need. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

At the end of the meal, say together: Rejoice always for God loves you now and forever.

Children's Sermons

Children’s Sermon Luke 23:33-43, Christ the King Sunday, Year C

November 20, 2013 bw Leave a comment

Preparation: Have an object (any object will do) in a box or bag or in some way covered up. You are going to play the game 20 questions with this object.

Gather the children around you and show the box that contains the object you have chosen. You can tell the kids whether it’s an animal, vegetable or mineral if you would like. Then have the children ask you only “yes” or “no” questions about the object. You don’t have to keep track if they ask 20 questions or not, that is up to you! It also doesn’t really matter if they guess what the object is or not for this lesson. When the children have either guessed or reached question number 20, say, “It was hard to only ask ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions wasn’t it? Were you wondering if I was telling the truth or if there was more information than ‘yes’ or ‘no’? Even though being told ‘yes’ or ‘no’ seems like an easy way to go, it’s actually harder than being able to get a longer answer from someone isn’t it? It’s better to have a real conversation and get more information.”

Who can help me remember the story from the Bible about Jesus we just heard? (Accept all answers and guide them through a retelling of the gospel.) Is this the time of year when we think about this story? This sounds more like Good Friday doesn’t it? Well, we are hearing this story today because it is the last day of the Church’s calendar-kind of like our New Year’s Eve and this story is really important to us but this story comes with a lot of questions to. People in the story are even asking questions: Are you not the Messiah? Do you fear God? Can’t you save yourself Jesus? Jesus doesn’t give a yes or no answer to these questions does he? Do you think if he told them they would have believed him? Maybe yes, maybe no-but the most important thing is that Jesus heard their questions. And then Jesus tells the people listening something more important than anything: that they will be with Jesus. This is why we hear this story today. It helps us to remember what is most important as we celebrate Christmas, that Jesus is with us always and loves us. Jesus will never leave us, no matter what questions or how many questions we may have about God. We can ask God whatever we want, even if it is a hard question. We can talk to each other about our hard questions too, can’t we? We can talk to our moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas and everyone here. We all have questions about God and we should talk about them together.

Dear God, thank you for listening to our questions. We know that we can talk to you anytime we need to about anything. Thank you for families who talk to us about you. In Jesus name, amen.

“Jesus is with you today.” (Make the sign of the cross on one another.)

Faith + Home Connection

Faith + Home Connection December 2013 Isaiah 9: 2-7

November 19, 2013 bw Leave a comment

Gather the household around the Christmas tree. Turn on the lights or light candles. Open with prayer: God of light, we gather to hear the promises of your love to us. May we walk in your light and share your light and love with your creation. In your son, the light of the world, Jesus’ name, amen.

Read Isaiah 9: 2-7. As it is being read have paper, pencils, colored pencils, crayons and markers available. Draw the images that Isaiah offers here as it is being read. Maybe read it through more than once.

For children: (Note: some of the images are hard in this passage. Yet, many of our children are exposed to images of war and destruction. This can be a good time to talk openly about those things.) God wants us all to live in peace. What does the word peace mean to you? What does peace look like? What would you say to God in a prayer for peace?

For youth/adults: The promise of prosperity and peace is the focus of this passage. Yet, we know that those things are elusive in our world and it’s easy to think that tangible, financial prosperity is the true meaning of these promises of God. But prosperity in that sense of the word for people means poverty for others. What do you think God’s prosperity looks like in the world? When is “enough” stuff “enough” for us? How can we participate in God’s promise of everyone living in peace and stability? How can we encourage our neighbor to thrive? In this season of gift giving how can we celebrate the joy in giving gifts (this is not a bad thing!) to loved ones and not get caught up in the extravagance?

A great way to give gifts and walk alongside a local or global neighbor is to contribute to a favorite charity in honor of that person. Make a fun card and attach a small ornament or piece of Christmas candy to the card. Or make some cookies or other treats for neighbors without family.

Dear God, your light shines on us and lifts our burdens. You offer us promises of new life, peace and justice. May we rejoice in the gift given to us, your Son who reveals your love for all creation. Amen.

(Make the sign of the cross on one another) May you walk in the light of God.

Children's Sermons

Children’s sermon November 17th, 2013 26th Sunday after Pentecost Year C Luke 21:5-19

November 12, 2013 bw 2 Comments

Preparation: This children’s time is loosely based off of the Gospel reading and is also an opportunity to talk to children about complex and frightening topics such as super typhoon Haiyan. Have a large cross available for the children to put sticky notes on. Have several stacks of sticky notes, pencils, pens and markers. You will also need either a cross sticker or some sort of simple cross to give everyone in your congregation. Invite the adults to participate with the children.

Have the children gather around the cross. Ask the children if they know why the cross is important to us. (Accept all answers.) Tell the children that yes, Jesus died on the cross and it is how we know that God understands our fear, our hurting and is always with us. Jesus on the cross reveals that God is with us even in some pretty scary times and places. We have all had scary experiences haven’t we and we worry about being alone, sick, hurt or scared. This is completely normal and we all worry. Every single person here-even adults-worry about these same things.

We heard Jesus mention some pretty scary things in the Bible this morning didn’t we? Jesus knows that we hear difficult things on the news or on the computer like storms or other stuff. BUT Jesus wants us to know that even if these scary things happen-we are not alone. We have a whole group of people here and in our neighborhoods that are with us; we have family, friends AND Jesus promises to be with us NO MATTER WHAT. It doesn’t matter where we are or what we are doing-Jesus promises to be there. Jesus says this in the Bible: Matthew 28: 20 “I am with you until the end of the age” which means forever.

But that doesn’t mean that we still won’t worry, right? I do! I worry! Do you know what I do when I am worried? I might talk to my husband or my friend but I always pray and talk to God about what is scaring me. I have some sticky notes here for all of us (including adults!). Let’s all write or draw a picture of what is worrying us or scaring us. (This might take some time so you will need to allow for this. Have older children help younger children or adults help.)

When you are done writing/drawing, put your worry on the cross. Jesus knows what it is to be afraid and hurt and promises to listen and be with you when you are scared and hurt. The cross can remind us of that. After you put your worry on the cross come and pick up a cross sticker to take home to put in your room, on your refrigerator or another place where you will see it. The cross can remind you that when you are afraid God is there and to tell God all your worries and fears.

Dear God, sometimes we are scared. Thank you for promising to be with us and for our friends, family and neighbors who help us when we are worried or scared. We know that you love us and care for us always. In Jesus name, amen.

(Make the sign of the cross): Do not be afraid, Jesus is with you always.

Children's Sermons

Children’s Sermon November 10, 2013 25th Sunday after Pentecost

November 9, 2013 bw Leave a comment

Preparation: Have a small tree branch or seed (maybe a tulip bulb) to show the children. If you can-have a bulb or other seeds to give the children.

Bring the children together and have them sit in a circle where they can see you. Hold up the branch or the bulb. Ask the children what they see. (Accept all answers) Tell them that you see a great big green growing tree or a field of colorful tulips. You see a forest or a garden. Sometimes we have to look past what we know and try to see what God sees.

In our story today, some religious leaders were asking Jesus about what happens after we die. Do we keep all of our friends? Do we stay married to the people we were married to? Do the rules of this world matter? Jesus tells them that they are worried about the wrong things. With God, there is no death-only life. Just like this bulb might look dead to us-it is life waiting to happen. God looks to bring life out of everything-even something as scary as death. God says that because God loves us so much and that we belong to her, that we don’t have to worry about what happens when we or someone we love dies. God will bring about life with God forever. Do we completely understand that? No but that’s ok. We know it’s true because God raised Jesus from the dead and God promises this new life to us too!

Even better, God promises us new life here and now, every day! God promises to be with us when we are scared and can’t see happiness or how a dead tree branch will grow leaves. God gives us all of these people around us to help us see new life in God when it is hard for us. And we show all of these same people God’s new life too! Here is a seed/bulb to help you to remember to look for new life in God everywhere you go.

Dear God of life, help us to see life and love everywhere we go and in everyone we meet. Help us to reveal the new life you promise us all. In Jesus name, amen.

(Make the sign of the cross) Remember that you belong to the God of the living.

Children's Sermons

Children’s Sermon Nov. 3rd, 2013, All Saints Sunday Ephesians 1: 11-23

November 1, 2013 bw Leave a comment

Preparation: You will need two small tea light candles for each child or two glow sticks
for each child. If you give the candles PLEASE emphasize that only adults light candles.
Have the children gather around the Paschal candle (have it lit) if you
have one or the altar candles. Talk about the nature of light and how
even just one little candle can give enough light to let us see in the
dark and show us the way.
Say: “We read part of a letter this morning that someone named Paul
wrote to people in a place called Ephesus. Paul wanted the people their
to know how wonderful it was that they loved God. Paul also wanted to
remind them that God was working through them to reveal God’s love to
everyone that they talked to in their day. The people of Ephesus were
sort of like this candle. They showed people the way to God by just being who God
created them to be and and telling people about God.
Is there someone in your life who talks to you about God? Who is that person?” (Accept
all answers.) “These people are like lights that point us to God aren’t they? Do you know
that you also show people God? You do! You are a light to someone and show God’s
love!”
“I have two candles (tea lights) for you to take home today. One is for you-now never
light a candle with out mom or dad-and one is for you to give to someone who talks to
you about God. When you give it to them say, ‘you are God’s light to me!'”
“Dear God, thank you for all the people who tell me about you. Help us
to talk to our friends about God too. Amen.”
(Make the sign of the cross on one another) “You reflect God’s light.”

Children's Sermons

Children’s Sermon Oct. 27th, 2013, Reformation Sunday, Jeremiah 31: 31-34

October 24, 2013 bw Leave a comment

As the children come forward be playing with a lump of play-dough. Talk about how what is so cool about play-dough is that you can make it into anything that you want. You can make a snake, a letter, a shape, whatever your imagination allows (make one or two of these things if you can). If we don’t like what we have made we can start over and try again, over and over-that’s the really neat part of play-dough.

In a book of the Bible called Jeremiah, the people had forgotten about God. They did not remember to pray to God or that God loved them very much. God wanted the people to remember that they are loved and so God tells the people that God will make a new promise with them. God will forgive them for forgetting God and will help them to know about God in their lives. God reminds them that they belong to him/her and that nothing changes that. God will work in their hearts to help them remember to whom they belong and forgive the things that they had done that were not nice.

God does that with us too! We know that changes us and makes us new, day after day, over and over. Each day God promises to be with us and to help us to live God’s love in the world.

Here is a piece of play-dough for each of you to have. Let’s make a heart out of it to remind us that God changes our hearts to live in God’s love and to share God’s love every single day.

God, you promise to be our God and that we are your people forever. Thank you for making us new every day and for loving all people. Amen.

Make the sign of the cross and say, “You belong to God.”

Faith + Home Connection

Faith + Home Connection November 2013

October 22, 2013 bw Leave a comment

Gather your household to a comfortable location. Share your highs and lows for the day/week.

Read Ephesians 1:11-23.

For children: Who talks to you about God in your house or at school? Is there someone who prays with you? Ask your mom or dad who told them about Jesus. Do you talk to your friends about God? Is that hard sometimes? It can be hard but God is with you always, especially when you might feel nervous or afraid! Say a prayer today for someone that you are grateful for in your life.

For adults/youth: Is there someone in your life who helps you to see God’s work in your life and in the world? What reminds you of God’s promise and of hope in your life? Is it a person or nature? How do we reveal God’s power in Jesus Christ in our communities?

God of all, you sent Jesus to reveal your love and mercy to a broken world. In Christ’s death and resurrection, you revealed your power over death and suffering and declared that nothing separates your people from you. We give thanks for all the people who show us your love, power and mercy in our lives. May we also be that light for others, amen.

(Make the sign of the cross on one another) You are sealed by the promise of the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.

This Ephesians text is appointed for All Saints Sunday, a day where we remember those witnesses of Christ who have died and those witnesses in our lives who are still living. Write a note with a prayer for someone in your life who reveals God’s love to you. You can sign your name or give it anonymously. Another idea is to decorate a simple white candle with symbols of God’s love with permanent markers and give it to someone this week who is the light of Christ for you or for someone else.

Children's Sermons

Children’s Sermon, Oct. 20th, 2013, 22nd Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 32: 22-32

October 18, 2013 bw Leave a comment

Preparation: Have a small plant or a stuffed animal or a picture of your pet.

Bring the children together. Have them sit where they can see you and what you are holding. Show them the object that you have brought with you. (What you will say exactly will depend upon what you have brought.) Hold up the plant/or stuffed animal and say, “I just got this plant/toy this week. I really like it and it is special to me. But I don’t have a name for it yet. What should I name it? (As the children give you names, remind them that you want the name to mean something special to you or your family. If you have brought a picture of your pet already named, lead a conversation around how you named your pet.) Maybe you will settle on a name and you can say, “Yes! I like that name, it has a special meaning to me in my life. Have you ever named anything? A pet, a toy, a baby doll, or maybe you got to help name a younger brother or sister? How did you decide on the name? Did you pick a name that you didn’t like? No, you picked a name that was special to you and tells the world how much you love your pet, or sibling.

Today we heard a story about a man named Jacob. He loved God very much but had been having some troubles in his life. Jacob was moving his family which in those days meant walking and carrying your stuff or putting your stuff on animals to carry. So you couldn’t have everything you needed and it was hard work. One night he had sent his family ahead a bit and he was alone. Now this story is very old and a little different from some of the other Bible stories. A man came and wrestled or fought with Jacob all night. Jacob had his hip hurt and was very tired but refused to stop wrestling until the man gave him a blessing. Do you know what a blessing is? It’s when someone reminds you of how you belong to God and that God loves you very much. Well, finally Jacob got his blessing in the form of a new name! The man said that his name was now Israel which means, “he who strives with God.” Jacob, now Israel, had been wrestling with God! God doesn’t mind when we argue with God, as a matter of fact, God loves that we talk to God about everything!”

“Did you know that God has given you a special name as a blessing too? Remember what a blessing is? A reminder that God loves you and that you belong to God. God calls each of you not just by your name of…(fill in some names here) but “Child of God.” Just as you give your pets or toys special names, God has given each of us a special name too!”

Dear God, thank you for calling us “child of God.” May we share the good news that you love us all and call us yours. Help us to share your blessings with our friends, our family and our neighbors. In Jesus name, amen.

“You are called God’s child now and forever.”

*Special thanks to Lois Moss for the idea!

Faith + Home Connection

Faith + Home Connection October Luke 18: 9-14

September 18, 2013 bw Leave a comment

Share your highs and lows of the day or week with one another.

Luke 18: 9-14 or the Spark Storybook Bible page 396

For children: What kinds of things do you talk to God about? Did you know that every time you talk to God it’s a prayer? Prayer doesn’t have to be fancy words or at a special time, prayer is anytime you have something to say to God. Even when we might be so sad or upset that we don’t have any words, God still hears our hearts and knows what we need. Trace your hand with some crayons or colored pencils on a piece of paper and write or draw something you want to tell God or ask God about in each finger or in the palm of your traced hand. Keep that “prayer hand” where you can see it and pray to God every day.

For youth/adults: Sometimes we get tongue-tied and think that prayer has to be done in a certain manner or in a certain place. Jesus is using this story to remind the Pharisees and us that prayer is about honesty with our relationship with God. God sees to the core of who we are and trying to pretend that isn’t so, isn’t helpful. Do you have a favorite memorized prayer that you say when you don’t know what to pray to God? Have you ever had a time when you had a hard time praying to God-when words just wouldn’t come? God is most interested in the honest cries of our hearts. What would you pray knowing that God already knows our hearts?

This month focus on how our prayer connects to our daily actions. If you pray for a situation or a person/people, make a note of how you might reveal the love of God in that place or with that person/people.

Keep a prayer journal this week/month. Write or draw your prayers to God and notice what keeps coming up for you. Pray your joys, sorrows, thanksgivings, needs and fears. (For younger children see the “prayer hand activity above.)

Make the sign of the cross on one another and say: “May God be merciful to you.”

Let us walk with you on the journey of faith. Whether your feet are big or small, fresh or worn, running or crawling, God's love goes with you and you stand on holy ground.