Christ the King Sunday
Revelation 1: 4-8
Credit for Photo

Good morning, everybody!  Today I want to talk with you about kings.  Kings and queens are important rulers, aren't they?  They are leaders who are responsible for all of the people in their country.  Good kings and queens do their very best to make sure all of their people, or subjects, are able to live healthy, happy lives, with enough food to eat, and a place to live, and work to do.  Throughout history there have been good kings whose people thrive and who love their leaders.

 One famous king in the Bible was King David.  As a boy, King David was a shepherd who took care of sheep for his father.  You may remember that King David made a name for himself by killing the huge, powerful enemy, Goliath.  Goliath was big and strong, and David was much smaller, but David had one thing Goliath didn't have...David had faith that God was on his side.  David was so sure of it, that he wasn't afraid of Goliath at all!  When none of the Hebrew soldiers would volunteer to fight Goliath, David stepped forward.  He took a rock and placed it in his sling shot--the same weapon he used to protect his sheep from bears and wolves.  David swung the stone around and around in the slingshot and then let it fly.  It hit Goliath just right, killed the mighty enemy, and the Hebrew people won the battle, all thanks to David, his slingshot and his faith in God.

David grew up to become the most beloved king Israel ever had.  He wasn't perfect, but he really tried his best to serve God and to serve the people so that everyone in the kingdom of Israel could live a good and faithful life.  I think that is the number one thing that makes a person a good leader--that he or she see themselves as a servant of the people.

The very best servant King ever is Jesus.  Today is Christ the King Sunday!  The Bible tells us that Jesus is the King of kings--the Ruler of all rulers.  There are many kings and queens and presidents and rulers in this world.  They may be Top Dogs in their own countries, but Jesus is the ruler of the Kingdom of God, and that means that he is more important and more powerful than all those other monarchs put together. Rulers who believe look to Jesus for guidance and strength as they rule their own countries.  And yet when Jesus lived here on earth, he fed the hungry.  He healed the sick.  He washed his disciples' feet.  He died on a cross.  He lived a life of service and cared deeply for his people.  He still does. 

We are subjects in the Kingdom of God.  We are God's people, and Jesus is our king.  For this, we can be very thankful, because we know that Jesus loves us and cares for us. 

Let's pray together,

Dear God, On this Christ the King Sunday, we remember that no matter where we live, we are members of Your Kingdom.  Help us to follow Jesus' example of serving others.  Amen.

The Legend of 5 Kernels: A Thanksgiving Story

Photo Credit

Sunday, November 18, 2012
Thanksgiving Sunday (U.S.A.)
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prop: A small bag with 5 kernels of popcorn or candy corn for each child

Good morning, girls and boys!  I am happy, and thankful, to see you all here this morning!  This-coming Thursday, people in The United States will be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday.  The traditional way to celebrate Thanksgiving is by eating a huge meal.  It almost always includes turkey and gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce, veggies and dessert--often pumpkin pie, and also many other specialties.  Those preparing the meal for their loved ones often spend days in the kitchen cooking up special foods, and everyone is as stuffed as the turkey when the meal is done.

But before digging into the feast, people all over the country stop and give thanks for the many, many blessings God has given them in the past year, just like the Pilgrims did.

We all know the story of the first Thanksgiving.  The first year in their new home was terribly difficult for the Pilgrims.  They were not prepared for the harsh weather and their supplies did not last through the winter.  People in their little group starved to death in that first year.  If it weren't for the help they received from the Native Americans, they would have all died.  So in thanks to God for their first harvest, and their new friends, the Pilgrims invited the Native Americans to dinner, and together they shared a feast. 

The second winter, however, was also very difficult.  Again, the Pilgrims did not have enough food.  In fact, there were times when each member of the colony were only allowed 5 kernels of corn to eat for an entire day.  Yet the people had faith that God would take care of them, no matter what, and they pulled through.  Nobody died that second winter.  And the harvest was huge!  There was so much corn that the Pilgrims were able to help the Native Americans.

They held a second Thanksgiving feast, again inviting their new friends to come.  Massasoit, the chief, came with his wife, several other chiefs, 120 braves and meat they had hunted.  All sat down to a feast of 12 venison, 6 goats, 50 hogs and pigs, numerous turkeys, vegetables, grapes, nuts, plums, puddings and pies. But, to remind everyone of the hard times they had endured and all they had to be thankful for, the Pilgrims and their guests sat down to an empty plate.  Then each person was given 5 kernels of corn.  The 5 kernels of corn reminded the Pilgrims of all they had suffered the previous winter, and of how much they had to be thankful for that second Thanksgiving day. 

I'm going to give each of you a little bag with 5 kernels of corn in it.  Save it until Thursday.  And then before your Thanksgiving meal, think of 5 things for which you are thankful.  Maybe you would like to go around the table and put 5 kernels of corn on each person's plate, and everyone at your Thanksgiving feast could share their 5 thanksgivings before the meal.  Or you could use the corn to help you say your good-night prayers.  Whatever you decide, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!  And I want you to know that one of the things for which I am very thankful is you.

Let us offer our thanks to God now.

Good and Gracious God, There is so much for which to thank you!  I'm sure we can all think of many more than 5 things.  We know that all of the people and things that keep us safe and warm and happy come from you.  All of the people we love and who love us.  All of the beauty in the world.  For our many blessings, Lord, we give you thanks and praise.  Amen.

The Spirit of Giving

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The Spirit of Giving
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Mark 12:38-44
Prop: A Piggy Bank (Optional)

Good morning, everyone!  I brought something with me to show you this morning.  It's a piggy bank!  Not all banks are shaped like pigs, of course.  Banks come in all kinds of shapes, but most of them do have a slot in the top.  Do any of you have a bank at home, with a slot in the top to put the money in?  If you do, raise your hand. 

This morning we're going to talk about money.  My mother always said it isn't polite to talk about money, but Jesus actually talked about it quite a bit.  This story is about one of those times.

Jesus was in the Temple in Jerusalem.  The Temple was the biggest, fanciest sanctuary where the Hebrew people worshipped.  For the Jews, it was the holiest place on earth.

On the day of our story, Jesus had been teaching large crowds of people.  When he was finished, Jesus and the disciples rested in the Temple.  They sat in what was called the Treasury.  From there, Jesus could see the people putting their offerings in the money box.  They didn't pass offering plates through the crowd like we do today.  At the Temple, folks went to the Treasury and put their money in the money box whenever they felt like it.

So, Jesus watched people come and go, and make their offerings to God in the Treasury.  He saw many rich people come along and put in large amounts of money.  Then he saw a widow walk quietly up to the Treasury box.  She slipped two small coins into the box, and quickly walked away.  The coins together were worth about one penny.  And yet, do you know what Jesus told his disciples?  He said to them, "This poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury."

Jesus went on to explain that all the other people he saw had given what they had left over.  But the poor widow had given all that she had.

Even if we don't have a lot, we all have something we can share with those who have less than we do.  And even though giving to others makes our piggy banks lighter, it makes us, and God, very happy.

Let's Pray,

Kind and Generous God, Help us to be generous, too.  Help us to share the good gifts you have given us with others so that all may know of your love and care.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

For All the Saints

By M. Dibdon SpoonerSunday, November 4, 2012

All Saints Sunday

Mark 12:28-34

Good morning, boys and girls!  Today I want to tell you about someone very special.  Her name is Margaret.  Margaret was born nearly one thousand years ago, in the  year 1045.  She was raised as a member of the Hungarian court, like a princess, because her family was related to the king.  When she was 12 years old, she was sent to England to get more education.  Then the Normans conquered and took over England.  Margaret, her mother and her brother tried to escape in a ship and return to Hungary.  Their ship was blown off course, and landed instead in Scotland--a rather wild country in the opposite direction of where they were trying to go.
Margaret and her family were welcomed by Scottish King Malcolm III.  King Malcolm fell in love with the beautiful and gentle Margaret.  They were married in 1070, when Margaret was 25 years old.

Like I said, Scotland was a rather wild place at this time.  King Malcolm was a good man, but he was more of a soldier than a gentleman.  Margaret helped him to become a gracious leader.  Together they cared about the poor and did all they could to help them.  King Malcolm and Queen Margaret had 8 children, and all of them grew to love and care for the poor as their parents had.Margaret was a prayerful person. 

She gathered women together to study the Scriptures and sew decorations for the church.  She was always surrounded by beggars, and gave them food, money and clothes.  She set up hospitals and homes for people in need.  During the special seasons of Advent and Lent, she and her husband would wash the feet of people in need and give them money on their way home from church.  Margaret fed children who had no parents.  She brought a love of art and education to her people, and the people loved her in return.  Margaret's children were wonderful leaders who followed their parents' example, and brought Scotland years of peace and prosperity.

Margaret was a kind and generous leader, and someone who lived her faith each and every day by showing God's love to everyone. In the year 1250, the Catholic Church decided that Margaret should be declared a saint, and she became the special saint of Scotland.

The Apostle Paul was a follower of Jesus almost two thousand years ago.  Paul wrote some of the Bible, and he is sometimes called St. Paul. Paul was an important man in helping to build and grow the church when Christianity was a brand, new religion.  Paul wrote that all Christian believers are saints. Not only people whose faith and good works made them famous and brought special recognition, like Margaret of Scotland, but also people like you and me and everyone sitting in this church.  All of us who believe in God and love Jesus and want to serve Him are saints. I recently read this about saints:

"Saints are big dreamers. They believe that with God on their side, no one and nothing can stop them. Saints are go-getters. They don’t wait for someone else to do good first; they jump right in. Saints are love-bringers. They try to see Christ in every person and every situation. Saints tell us what matters most in life is not what we earn or own, not the job we have or the people we know. What really matters is how much we love God, others, and ourselves, and how well we show that love in all we do."  (Loyola Press Website)

Let's pray together,
Dear God, we thank you for our brothers and sisters in Christ who teach us by example what it means to be a faithful disciple.  We thank-you for those who went before us, like Margaret of Scotland, and for their stories which help us learn how to follow Jesus, and for those we meet every day who are kind and generous and loving.  Help us, too, Lord, to show your love in all we do and say.  Amen.

In preparing this story, I came across the Loyola Press website, which has wonderful Saints stories written for children.  I highly recommend it!

Bless the Lord

Sunday, October 20, 2012
Proper B24
Psalm 104
Props: Photos or slides of natural beauty

The world is a pretty amazing place, when you think about it.  There are so many different kinds of landscapes, like mountains that reach way high into the sky, and deep valleys that plunge deep into the earth.  There are vast oceans dotted with tiny islands, damp rain forests and dry deserts, flat plains with rich soil, mucky swamps and sandy beaches.

There are so many different kinds of plants in the world, too--from towering redwood trees to plants so small it takes a microscope to see them.  There are colorful flowers of every shape and size, straight grasses, round bushes, spreading trees and creeping ground covers.  There are splendid orchids that need special care to flower, and weeds like dandelions that will grow just about anywhere. 

There are so many different kinds of animals in the world!  Dogs and cats.  Fish and birds.  African animals like lions and zebras, giraffes, meerkats and an animal called the naked mole rat!  There are Australian animals like kangaroos, koala bears, rainbow lorikeets, dingo dogs and wombats.  In Asia there are animals like the Asia elephant, blow fish, cobra snakes, giant pandas and yaks.  Central American animals include anaconda snakes, beautiful, blue morpho butterflies, toucan birds, pumas, tarantulas and tree frogs.  I think you get the idea.  There are more different kinds of animals in the world than I would ever be able to count! 

A person doesn't have to be out in the country or the wilderness to see natural wonders, either.  You can see bits of nature in even the most crowded city.  You might go to a park and play on the grass or rest under the shade of a tree.  You might see a dandelion or other plant growing through a crack in the sidewalk.  You can see hawks flying around the tall buildings of New York City, as well as pigeons and other birds.

Natural beauty is everywhere, including in the person sitting next to you.  You are a wonder of nature yourself!  For the beauty of nature all around us, we give thanks to God, the Creator.  It is God who gives us these gifts of land, sea, plant, animal and people.  Thanks be to God!

As a way of thanking God for the gift of Creation, I want you to think about your favorite type of animal--adults and children--are you thinking of an animal?  OK, now on the count of three, I want us all to say together, "Thank-you, God, for..." and then make the sound your favorite animal makes, OK?  One, two, three!  "Thank-you, God, for........"  AMEN!

Job and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Sunday, October 14, 2012
Proper 23B
Job 23:1-17
Prop: A copy of Judith Viorst's book (optional)

The book could simply be read as the children's sermon, if desired.  Below, however, is a way to use reference to the story without actually reading the book word-for-word.

An author named Judith Viorst wrote a book called Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.  Perhap you've read it!  It is one of my all-time favorites.  It starts like this:

Alexander is speaking:

I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mystake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

At breakfast Anthony found a Corvette Sting Ray car kit in his breakfast cereal box and Nick found a Junior Undercover Agent code ring in his breakfast cereal box but in my breakfast cereal box all I found was breakfast cereal.

I think I'll move to Australia.

Next, it's time for Alexander to go to school, and things don't go any better.  He's forced to sit in the middle seat in the back in the car pool, and even when he complains about being scrunched and smushed and feeling carsick, no one answers him. 

Once he gets to school, Alexander's day still doesn't improve.  His teacher doesn't like his picture of the invisible castle.  He sings too loud.  He misses the number sixteen when counting.  Alexander could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

He gets in a fight with his friends, and his mom forgot to put dessert in his lunch box.

After school, Alexander and his brothers has an appointment at the dentist.  Guess who is the only one with a cavity.  That's right...Alexander.  Dr. Fields tells them to come back next week, and he will fix it.  Alexander says, "Next week, I'm going to Australia."

Well, poor Alexander's day goes from bad to worse.  He gets into a fight with his brothers and even though they start it, Alexander is the one to get in trouble.  They pick up his dad at his office, where Alexander knocks a big pile of books off the desk.

Back at home, there are lima beans for dinner and Alexander hates lima beans.  There is kissing on TV and he hates kissing.  His bath is too hot, he gets soap in his eyes, his marble goes down the drain, and he has to wear the pajamas he hates.

The book ends like this...

When I went to bed Nick took back the pillow he said I could keep and the Mickey Mouse night iight burned out and I bit my tongue.

The cat wants to sleep with Anthony, not with me.

It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

My mom says some days are like that.

Even in Australia.

All of us have experienced terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days, just like Alexander.  Sometimes we have a string of terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days when it just seems that nothing goes right.  And sometimes our worries are bigger than biting our tongue or having to eat lima beans.  Sometimes it feels, as I think it did to Alexander, like no one is listening to our complaints.  But I am here to tell you that there is one person who is always ready to listen...one person who always cares about how we are feeling.  That person is God.  You can always bring your troubles to God, and know that God hears you, no matter where you are.  Even in Australia.

Let's talk with God in prayer now.

Dear God, We thank you for always being with us, always caring about us and listening to us.  Help us to see that we are not alone.  On good days and on bad, you are our God.  We are your children.  Thank-you, Lord.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Sunday, October 7, 2012
World Communion Sunday
Psalm 8
Props: Flags or photos of flags from Mexico, Japan, Great Britain, Democratic Republic of the Congo and your own nation, and the Christian Flag

Good morning, everybody!  Today I want to show you pictures of several national flags.  First, there’s this one.  This is the flag of Mexico.  I like the bold colors in Mexico’s flag.  And this white one with the red circle in the middle—this is Japan’s flag.  The red circle represents the sun.  This is Great Britain’s flag.  It is called the Union Flag, or Union Jack, because the design is a combination of three flags in one—the flags of Scotland, Ireland and England.  Here is a picture of the flag from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  This is a new flag design that has only been used by the country since 2006.  The gold star stands for “the light of civilization.”  And finally, here is a flag you might recognize right away. 

 

This is the flag of your country—our nation’s flag, right?  You see our flag flying outside of schools, post offices, court houses, city hall, in front of some people’s homes, at gas stations, in public parks—lots of places, right?  And if you were to go to Mexico, or Japan, or Great Britain or the Congo, you would see the flags of those countries flying, too.

 

Each of these flags represents a different country.  Right now, there are 242 countries in the world.  That means there are 242 national flags.  People often feel very strongly about their national flag because it reminds them of their country, their homeland. 

 

There is another flag that brings together people from all different countries.  It looks like this.  It is the Christian flag.  People from all over the world claim the Christian flag as their own.  What brings us all together under this flag is our love for Jesus, and our wish to serve Him.  There is even a pledge to the Christian flag.  It goes like this:

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

Today is a special day in the life of the Church called World Communion Sunday.  Today we pay special attention to the unity that Christians all over the world share.  We all love Jesus and wish to serve Him.  The love of Christ brings us together, not matter where we live, no matter which national flag we wave, no matter what country we are from.  Thanks be to God!

(If your church does not participate in World Communion Sunday, you can skip the above paragraph.)

I’d like to close our time this morning by saying together the Pledge to the Christian Flag.  Will you please repeat after me?

I pledge allegiance

to the Christian Flag

and to the Savior

for whose kingdom it stands.

One community,

uniting all humankind

in service and in love.  Amen.

 http://ibcbrussels.com/2012/05/08/multicultural-worship/flags-of-the-world/