Faith Formation Journeys

Walking Together in Grace

Category: Children’s Sermons

  • Zacchaeus! Children’s Sermon Luke 19:1-10 Pentecost 24C October 30, 2016

    Zacchaeus! Children’s Sermon Luke 19:1-10 Pentecost 24C October 30, 2016

    20130822-223454.jpgGather the children up front. Ask them if they have ever had to climb up on something in order to see. Take responses, share when you have had to use a ladder or other device to help you see or do something. Bring in a step stool or ladder for an added illustration. You could mention here as well that a great place for kids in worship is to sit up front so they can see and be engaged in what is going on!

    20130822-223633.jpgToday we heard a story about a man named Zacchaeus who had to climb a tree in order to see Jesus. Does anyone know the song? Let’s sing it together because it tells us the story! Sing Zacchaeus song:

    Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he
    He climbed up in the sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see
    And as the savior passed that way he looked up in the tree
    and he said, “Zacchaeus you come down, for I am going to your house today…
    For I am going to your house today.”

    (you can also read the story from the children’s bible and skip the song)

    Now Zacchaeus must have really wanted to see Jesus! He was trying to look over the crowds and be able to see Jesus for himself, not just hear that others had seen him. And then, not only did he see Jesus, but Jesus saw him! And Jesus not only saw him in the tree, but knew who he was and knew that he had not been an honest man-he had taken tax money from people that wasn’t his. But Jesus did not say anything other than I am going to your house. Why would Jesus do that, pick a man who he knew had done wrong things? (take answers)

    This story is about Jesus and how Jesus welcomes and loves and forgives all the things that he can see. The other people, they felt jealous and even angry that Jesus had picked someone they did not like. But Jesus love is so big and wide it includes everyone. And Jesus knows that we all do wrong things at times and wants to show us grace that we be included too, just like Zacchaeus.

    What are ways that you try to see Jesus? (take answers) However and whenever we see Jesus, Jesus sees us back and loves us just as we are.

    20130822-224425.jpgJesus, we want to see you in our life. Help us when we are unsure or have a difficult time knowing you are there. Help us remember you always see us and love us. Amen

    20130822-223908.jpgMay you see Jesus from above and below and all around you +

     

    FaithCross_WorshipMake a tree that can stand on the table or one that is bigger. You can just draw on paper or do one that is 3D.  Write “Jesus sees you and Loves you” on the tree. Then have people either write their name, or color in a Zacchaeus with their name, or color on plain cut out person, or have a camera and take their photo and print it. Whichever method you choose, place your ‘people’ on the tree.

  • Children’s Sermon for October 23, 2016 – Luke 18:9-14, Lectionary 30

    Children’s Sermon for October 23, 2016 – Luke 18:9-14, Lectionary 30

    Prepare: Get a long piece of paper – comically long! – to use as a scroll.  This could be a long strip from an art roll, or several pages taped together.

    For the worship station you will need posters, images or objects that reflect concerns in your community or in the world, containers and beads (or something similar).

    20130822-223454.jpgAs the children gather tell them that you are going to show them the best way to pray.  Have your scroll ready and start a prayer with the most grand address to God that you can think of.  Something like, “Gracious and merciful God, ruler of all creation, Lord of the storms and sea, Spirit if Truth and understanding,” and so on. Then finish with, “let me tell you all the ways that I am humble!” At this point drop one end of the paper so that it unrolls across the floor.  (Make a big deal of it!  You are going for a laugh!)

    20130822-223633.jpgSo, what did you think of my way to start a prayer? Pretty fancy huh? I totally think that Jesus would think this was great.  I bet God can hardly wait to hear the cool stuff I do! Let’s take a look at the Gospel lesson today and see what Jesus says.  I hear it’s about praying . . . 

    (take a minute to review the lesson, or maybe read it if they haven’t heard it yet.)

    Or, maybe not!  Did you guys even hear the Gospel story today? This is exactly the wrong! Jesus was kind of upset with the guy who was bragging, and he really seemed concerned for the guy who asked for mercy.”

    Jesus is calling us to action rather than words. We are called to go do stuff, not to talk about what we have done. We are called to be gracious and merciful, and to be good and just and kind. If we spend out time focused on how our actions make us feel we kind of miss the point. How do your actions, how do your words make others feel? How are you God’s hands and feet in the world?  That is what Jesus is hoping for us.

    20130822-224425.jpgGracious Lord, sometimes we forget that our actions tell more about us than our worlds. Lead us to be compassionate, caring, and merciful as we live out our lives. Amen.

    20130822-223908.jpg+ God is merciful to you +

     

     

    FaithCross_WorshipFor the worship station, set up a prayer station with items, images, etc, that call attention to injustice or problems in and around your community. Invite people to offer prayers by dropping beads into baskets or jars in front the the things that concern them the most.

    This does NOT need to be a quiet time, you may invite people to talk about what they see and feel!