Category Archives: Sacraments & Means of Grace

Baptism of the Lord C

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Day: Baptism of the Lord

Lectionary Passage: Luke 3:15-22

Scripture Focus: Luke 3:21-22

Object: Calendar

You know January is a really special month. It’s the only month in the whole calendar that starts a new year. See, this calendar proves that January is the beginning of a brand new 365 days. No other month in the calendar is like that. Sure, you’ve got fancy holidays like Valentines in February and Saint Patrick’s Day in March and Thanksgiving in November, but only January begins a new year. It’s special that way. January marks the beginning of something wonderful: A whole new year full of amazing new adventures.

And that reminds me of a story from the Bible. It’s about a new beginning, too. It’s the story of Jesus’ baptism. You see, Jesus was ready to start his ministry on earth. He wanted to start telling people all about God and helping them to love God. But first, he wanted to be baptized. So, he went to see his cousin John who was baptizing people in the Jordan River. John baptized Jesus by pouring water over him from the river. And when he did that something amazing happened: Read Luke 3:21b-22.

This was the start of an amazing adventure for Jesus. Just like January is special because it starts a new year, the Baptism of Jesus is special because it starts his ministry.

Let’s pray: God, thank you for new beginnings, new adventures, and new years. Help us follow Jesus in this New Year and always. Amen.

Christ the King A

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Day: Christ the King Sunday

Lectionary Passage: Matthew 25:31-46

Scripture Focus: Matthew 25:32-33

Object: Team logo signs

Preparation: You will need to print out both team logo signs. If you are United Methodist, you may want to choose the sheep logo with the cross and flame. Click Here for Team Logos

This morning I want to tell you about two teams and then you get to pick which team you want to join. The teams are called the Sheep and the Goats (reveal the team logos).

The Goats go to church and say they follow Jesus. But they don’t like to help people who are hungry, and they don’t give clothes to people who need them, and they never visit people who are sick because germs are gross!

The Sheep also go to church and believe in Jesus. They love to help other people. They feed people who are hungry. They give clothes to people who have none. And they visit people who are sick because they want to comfort them. God is very pleased with the Sheep.

Now that you know about the two teams, I want you to stand up and pick the team you want to be one: The Goats who say they follow Jesus but don’t like others. Or the Sheep Team who believe in Jesus and love others. (Let the kids pick and if they seem confused, help guide them to the Sheep Team.)

I’m so pleased you picked the Sheep Team! That is the team Jesus loves! As members of this team we need to remember to love other people by helping them in any way that we can because that’s exactly what Jesus wants us to do.

Let’s pray: Thank you God for sending Jesus to teach us to love other people and to reach out to them and care for them so that we don’t just say we believe in Jesus but we really live it. Amen.

Easter 3A

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Day: Easter 3

Lectionary Passage: Luke 24:13-35

Scripture Focus: Luke 24:30-31

Object: None

Note: If you want to teach the John Wesley Blessing to its traditional tune, it can be found in the United Methodist Hymnal #621. If you have younger children, then you may want to teach a simpler blessing like “Before I eat, I bow my head. Thank you God for daily bread. Amen.”

Our story for today is about a very special journey to a town called Emmaus. Two friends were walking there when all of a sudden they were joined by none other than Jesus. Except they didn’t know it was Jesus! They had a wonderful journey together and when they arrived in Emmaus, the friends asked Jesus to have dinner with them. Jesus was so glad they asked him to eat with them. When they sat down around the table, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. Suddenly the friends knew it was Jesus! All because he had done something he had done a thousand times before: he gave the blessing before the meal and share a meal with them.

And that’s important for us to remember. We all need to remember to ask a blessing before we eat. When we ask a blessing, we give thanks to God for giving us the food that we’re about to eat. And this morning I want to teach you a very special blessing that most call the John Wesley Blessing. John Wesley was the guy who started our United Methodist Church. Okay, let’s learn it together, you repeat after me…

Be present at our table, Lord,

Be here and everywhere adored.

Thy creatures bless and grant that we

May feast in paradise with Thee.

Amen.

That was great! Now, whenever you have a meal, you can say the John Wesley Blessing to give thanks to God for the food you have and remember the story of Jesus and the two friends on the road to Emmaus.

Let’s pray: Thank you God for all the blessings you give us especially food and friends. Help us to always remember to give you thanks. Amen.

Baptism of Jesus A

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Day: Baptism of Jesus

Lectionary Passage: Matthew 3:13-17

Scripture Focus: Matthew 3:16-17

Object: Sharpie marker and an object (make sure the marker will NOT rub off whatever you choose)

Today’s Bible story is about a very special event: the Baptism of Jesus! But he isn’t the only one to get baptized. I bet most of us in this room have been baptized. Some when we were just babies, others when they were teenagers and maybe others when they were a lot older. Some people get baptized with a whole of lot of water like when you go swimming and some just get a little sprinkle on top of their head. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how much water is used, the most important thing is that you were baptized!

You see, when you’re baptized, it’s like having “property of God” stamped on your life. Kind of like how I wrote “property of Danyelle” on this cup. No matter what I do… (rub it with your fingers)…. (lick your thumb and try to wipe it off)… (put it on the floor and try to stomp on it)… (etc.)… that notice isn’t coming off this cup. It’s there for good! Well, in baptism, God stamped “property of God”  on your life and that claim by God can never be erased. No matter what you do, no matter how much trouble you get into, or how much bad stuff you may do, you’ll always belong to God. Because God always keeps promises. And when God claimed you in baptism as God’s very own, God meant forever and ever and ever no matter what.

Let’s pray: God we are so thankful that you have claimed us as yours. Help us to follow Jesus every day. Amen.