Category Archives: Trinity Sunday

Trinity Sunday is the Sunday after Pentecost and celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Triune God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Trinity C

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Day: Trinity Sunday C

Lectionary Passage: John 16:12-15

Scripture Focus: John 16:12-15

Object: Can String Phone

Preparation: To make a can string phone you need two clean tin cans (or paper cups), a piece of string, and a nail and hammer. First, punch a small hole in the bottom of each can using the nail and hammer. Each hole should be just large enough to that the string will go through. Then, from the outside, insert one end of the sting into the hole in one can. Tie several knots so the string will not slip out. Repeat with the other end of the string using the second can. The trick to the can string phone is to be sure the string is tight, then when a person talks into the can the vibrations are sent along the string to the other can.

When I was a little girl, my sister and I used to play house and we used a can string phone to talk. Like this one. The trick to a can string phone is to make sure the string is really tight and straight so that you can talk to the other person. It really works! The only drawback is that you have to be pretty close together for the can string phone to work. But, what happens when someone is really far away?

That’s something that worried Jesus’ friends when he told them that he was going to go back to Heaven to be the Father. But then Jesus told them some really good news: He was going to send the Holy Spirit. And part of the Holy Spirit’s job is to pass on messages from Jesus. So, even though Jesus is Heaven, we can still learn about following him through the Holy Spirit. That means, you don’t have to have a can string phone or a cell phone or any other gadget to talk with Jesus because we already have the best thing: the Holy Spirit.

Let’s pray: God, thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit who continues to teach us and help us learn the way of Jesus. Amen.

Trinity Sunday B

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Day: Trinity Sunday B

Lectionary Passage: Romans 8:12-17

Scripture Focus: None

Object: A banana

Preparation: Bananas naturally divide into three wedges. Before worship, practice this neat trick: Peel a banana halfway, then slowly slide your finger down the center of the banana top until the banana splits itself into three equal parts. Then, slide your hand up the banana to make the three parts stick together again. To see a video of this trick, click here.

Today is Trinity Sunday! Trinity means three. We use that word to help us understand how God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are related. We call them the “Trinity.” But that doesn’t mean there are three different gods. It’s a bigger mystery than that! Let’s see if we can collect some clues to understand the Trinity.

I think a banana can help us. I’m going to show you how to slice a banana into three parts with just one finger (perform the trick and reveal the three slices of banana). This is our first clue: It is possible to make one part into three parts. Now, lets’s see if we can make the three parts into one again (slide your hand up the banana to make the three parts stick together as one piece again). This is our second clue: It is possible to make three parts into one again.

Just like the one banana had three parts, the one true God has three parts. The first person, we call them persons instead of parts, is God the Father who created all things. The second person is God the Son. That’s Jesus! We know Jesus was sent to love us to offer us eternal life through grace. The third person is God the Holy Spirit who is our helper and friend, guiding us to follow God’s ways. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the Trinity! Case closed!

Let’s pray: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, we give you thanks for all the ways you help us and love us. Amen.

Trinity Sunday A

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Day: Trinity Sunday

Lectionary Passage: Matthew 28:16-20

Scripture Focus: Matthew 28:18-20

Object: None

Note: Today’s children’s sermon requires some playacting on your part. Don’t worry if you are not the world’s greatest actor, just have fun and the kids will too and they will learn the lesson in the process.

Alright troops! It’s time to get in line! (As you give these instructions, do them so the kids can see exactly what you want) I want everyone to stand up, nice and tall, backs straight, that’s right, stand at attention, arms at your side, head nice and high, looking straight ahead. Yes, we are looking very good (walk the line of kids in the manner of a general inspecting his troops).

Now, that you’re at attention, I’m going to give you  your mission. Are you ready? If you’re ready, say “Yeah!” I can’t hear you! (Let the kids shout it!) That’s better! Our mission, troops, is to “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” (Still walking the line of kids in the manner of a general inspecting her troops) Our Bible story for today tells us these orders came straight from Jesus Christ. He wants each of us to out and make sure we tell everyone we meet all about God and God’s love so they can become friends with Jesus too. That’s our mission! And with a fine looking group of troops like this, I think we’ll do just great.

Now, let’s repeat our mission to make sure we know it by heart. Say it after me: Our Mission is to… Make disciples… of Jesus Christ… for the… transformation of the world! Okay, now we’ve got to salute to show you’ve gotten your mission and you’re ready to go out and make disciples. Here’s what you do (show them a traditional military salute). So, if you are ready to help Jesus with the mission to help others become friends of Jesus, then give me a salute! Alright!

Let’s pray: Thank you God for giving us all such an important mission. Help us remember it every day. Amen.