Faith Formation Journeys

Walking Together in Grace

Tag: Time after Pentecost

  • Children’s Sermon Aug 19, 2012 Pentecost 12B John 6:51-58

    Scripture: John 6:51-58 “Bread of Life Theme”

    Preparation:  Print up strips of paper with a Bible verse, suggested to use John 6:51a “I am the bread of life come down from heaven.” Or John 6:35 “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in my will never be thirsty.” or you could use a verse that speaks about the word of God or another verse you want the children to know.

    Cut these strips a part and put them in baggies with a little candy

    Make a plate or basket of healthy foods and a plate or basket of junk food

    Faith+Open: Gather the children to you. Show them the two different baskets of food. Say, “What do you notice about these baskets? How are the same? How are they different?” Take answers and lead the discussion in a direction that shows that both baskets offer food, a way to get full or not be hungry. But one basket has food that is good for us, that helps nourish our bodies and give us good, lasting energy. The other basket is food we like as well, but this food is more of a treat food or junk food. It’s not the kind of food that helps us grow and be healthy.

    Faith+Share: Say, “Jesus says he is the bread of life. What do you think this means?” Take answers. Say, “Which basket of food do you think Jesus is for us?” (healthy food–but maybe also the sweet food as the word of God be like honey–Ezekiel said that once!) “Jesus says he is the bread of like it’s like saying that Jesus is good food for our minds and our spirits. The words of Jesus are something that we can learn and that will stay with us. The promise of Jesus that he will last, he will be with us all the time and that our basket/plate from God will not run out.”

    “Now, Ezekiel was a prophet who once said the word of God tastes like honey on his lips. So a little sweetness is sometimes good as well. I have a baggie here for you with a word from God in and a little sweetness for you as well. (pass out now or pray and pass out). I want you to take this piece of paper home and put it in your Bible or on a mirror or in the car or on the fridge, someplace where you will see it and read it and remember that Jesus promises God’s love and care for you always.”

    Faith+Prayer: Jesus, Thank you for food that is good and food that is sweet. Thank you for promising to be like bread for us to help us grow in you. Amen

    Faith+Blessing: May your eyes be opened to see all the amazing works of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

    ~LB
    Use with permission for non profit. Intellectual property rights apply

  • Children’s Sermon Aug 12, 2012 Pentecost 11B John 6: 35, 41-51

    Children’s Sermon Aug 12, 2012 Pentecost 11B John 6: 35, 41-51

    Scripture: John 6:35, 41-51

    Preparation: canned food or loaves of bread–or whatever items you are collecting for a food bank or other project. Take your items and ‘hide’ them around the sanctuary where they will be visible from where the children sit, but not too obvious. You are going to play a version of “I Spy” with the kids looking for these items.

    Faith+Open: Gather the children up front with you. Say, “Good morning! I am wondering if you can help me find some things. I think there are some items like this one (hold up a sample) hidden around this room. Raise your hand if you can spy anything from where you are.” Take a few minutes and let kids find things. You go get the items as they spy them.

    Faith+Share: Say, “Wonderful job! You have found all of them-good thing we won’t be finding pork and beans behind the altar at Christmas! Do you know what these items are for?” Take answers. Then go on to explain what you are collecting the items for and how they can help. One idea for food is to have grocery bags with needed items listed on them to hand out for the kids to take home and bring back next week.

    Say, “In our gospel story Jesus says that he is the bread of life and in our reading from Ephesians we are hearing about how we live together as a community, as people who care about one another. When Jesus says he is the bread of life he is talking about how he gives life and love for you and for all people. Bread is food and we need food to live. We also need the word of God and Jesus to live as Christians. We then take what we have and share with others. So we will take this food (or other item) and share with those who need it so that they can know they are loved and cared for by us and by God.”

    Faith+Prayer: Jesus, we love you. Thank you for giving us the bread of life. Thank you for giving us gifts to share. We pray for everyone who is hungry or thirsting or lonely or sad. Be with them God as we know you are with us. Amen

    Faith+Blessing: May your eyes be opened to see all the amazing works of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

    ~LB (adapted from original children’s sermon by Pastor Michael Stadtmueller)

    Use with permission for non profit. Intellectual property rights apply