Faith Formation Journeys

Walking Together in Grace

Tag: Matthew

  • Children Sermon Reign of Christ Sunday November 20, 2011

    Scripture: Matthew 25: 31-46

    Preparation: pitcher of water, small cups

    Faith+Open: Gather the children with you. Have a pitcher of water and enough cups for each child (don’t worry you are not giving them much water!) I have some water here to pass out to all of you. Today we are we are celebrating that Jesus is the one we call Lord and that he has shown us how to follow him and to know God. When you get water, hold on to it and don’t drink it quite yet. 

    Starting with some older children fill their cups fairly full. Share your water out of the pitcher until it is empty. Then have them share with other children until their cups are empty. (If you have a very large amount of children ask for a few volunteers for this activity.)

    Faith+Share: God pours all of God’s love into you and wants you like a fountain, to pour it out to others. When you think that you have run out God keeps pouring (pull an extra pitcher of water out from a hiding spot or have someone from the congregation bring up another full one) What are some ways that we can pour God’s love into other people?(Accept all answers–emphasize that when we give food, water, shelter, clothes or help of any kind we are helping others and we are serving God. This is how we show and act in love) 

    We are so blessed that God loves us so much and give us all of God’s love every day. Let’s tell everyone we know about this love! 
    Go ahead and drink your water imagining God filling you up with love. 

    Faith+Prayer:  God, thank you for filling us with your love. Be with us as we share our love with others. Amen

    Faith+Blessing: Remember God is with us always.  Make sign of cross together saying:

    God in my head
    God in my heart
    God on my left
    God on my right

    And remember your high fives and hugs on the way back! 

    Extension Ideas: 

    1. Talk about what a king looks like–how is that like or unlike what we know about Jesus? What do Christians look like?

    2. Sing the Song Grace Flows Down (lyrics below, go to your favorite music source to hear song–comes up on youtube)

    Amazing Grace
    How sweet the sound
    Amazing Love
    Now flowing down
    From hands and feet
    That were nailed to the tree
    As Grace flows down and covers me 

    Chorus
    It covers me
    It covers me
    It covers me
    And covers me

    ~LB/BW

  • Children Sermon Pentecost 22A Matthew 25:14-30

    Children Sermon Pentecost 22A Matthew 25:14-30

    Scripture: Matthew 25: 14-30

    Faith+Open: Gather the children with you. Have children line up smallest to tallest. Then take the smallest child and the tallest child and put them side by side. Ask the kids, “who do you think can jump the highest? Who do you think can run the fastest? Snap their fingers? Stand on one foot?  Do some experiments and have them try out those things.

    Faith+Share: What about serve God?  (Both!) Yes! In today’s Gospel story, we hear that it doesn’t matter how big or small or if you can do a lot or a little, the important thing is that you use what you are good at to share God’s love! Who can give a smile? A hug? A high five? Help a friend tie a shoe? Read a Bible story? You are each important to God and important to everyone here. When you go back to your seats today give a hug or high five to those that you walk by. 

    Faith+Prayer:  Jesus, we are tall and small, big and little, all different sizes and ages. We are all your children and we praise you for this gift. Amen

    Faith+Blessing: Remember God is with us always.  Make sign of cross together saying:

    God in my head
    God in my heart
    God on my left
    God on my right

    And remember your high fives and hugs on the way back!

    Extension Ideas: 

    1. Read one of the lectionary link stories from Children’s Literature for this week.

    2. Do more experiments of things that kids can do

    3. List many ways kids can serve God. Have a project ready for them to do.