Year A - The Sunday after the Ascension of Christ (June 5, 2011)

The Ascension is not one of the best known stories about Jesus, but it offers several rather diverse possibilities for children.  It…

1.      provides an “end” to Jesus’ story and answers the question “where is Jesus now?”

2.      clearly insists that Jesus “passed the baton” to his disciples and us

3.      is an opportunity to review Advent through Easter

So, I suggest using the Ascension texts on the last Sunday of Easter. 

Acts 1:1-11 and Luke 24:44-53

R   Display pictures of Jesus’ birth, healing, teaching, Palm Sunday, Crucifixion, Empty Tomb, and Ascension.  With the children review Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.  Then tell the story of the Ascension in your own words.  Stress that during his life on earth, his disciples knew Jesus as a very special person, after Easter Jesus was different.  He appeared and disappeared sometimes in locked but still ate fish and bread.  Thomas could touch him.  Since the Ascension, people have seen Jesus only in visions and dreams.  Jesus is still alive and is not just with God, but part of God. 

R   Instead of using pictures, bring out seasonal paraments from Advent through Easter.  If you have season banners, hang them all in sequence and walk your way through them.  Or, lay out your stoles in order and match them to their seasons.  Recall things you did during each season to remember that part of Jesus’ life.  Even add them (or let a different child add each one) to your robe as you talk about their seasons and then wear all of them for the rest of the service. 

R Both accounts of the Ascension make it clear that Jesus passes his ministry to his disciples.  Near the end of school many elementary schools have field days featuring, among other events, relay races.  Describe or ask some children to help you demonstrate the passing of a baton in a relay race.  Children could run the perimeter of the sanctuary, carrying a baton which they pass to the next child at the front of the sanctuary.  Then explain that though Jesus did not actually pass a baton to his disciples, he did tell them very clearly that they were to take up his ministry on earth.  His earthly part of the race was complete, but theirs was just starting. 

If you have a wood worker in the congregation, ask him or her to prepare a baton for each child or each worshiper.  Dowels can be cut into 8 inch lengths and the ends sanded.  Wood burn or draw with a marker a cross on each baton.  As you give one to each child say, “NAME, Jesus needs you to be his disciple.”  At the benediction raise a baton in one hand offering it to the whole congregation with words of challenge.  With the other hand bless them, reminding them that God will be with them as they carry their baton.

R Tell the story with movements which you invite the children to do with you.  Begin with hands and faces looking up (as Jesus ascends).  Drop your hands to your sides (as you ponder what the angels said).  Then, go into marching pose pumping your arms (as the disciples take up the task).  Repeat these motions and the angels words during the benediction.

RThe Ascension is about both endings and beginnings.  The end of the school year is also very much about endings and beginnings.  The school year just passed is over.  It is past, but everything children learned, the people they knew, and the things they did during the year will be part of them forever.  Jesus’ life on earth is officially over.  It is now in the past.  But Jesus is still alive in a new way.  Everything he said and did continues to matter.... 

The truth is I think this connection could be useful, but I also followed it to several really dead ends.  If you follow it a conclusion that really works, what about sharing it in Comments.

Acts 1:1-11

R   Have children bring pew Bibles with them to the front before the scripture reading.  Help everyone find the Table of Contents, then the list of New Testament books.  Together read the names of the first four books aloud.  Briefly note that these books contain all the stories about Jesus.  Then read aloud “The Acts of the Apostles” and introduce it as the story of the beginning of the church.  Without reading all the long complicated names of the letters, point out that all the rest of the books, except the last, are letters that people wrote to each other during the stories that are told in Acts.  Then, help the children find Acts 1:1 (give the page number) and read it stopping immediately after “In the first book, Theophilus.”  Identify Luke as “the first book” and introduce Luke – Acts as a two book set that was written for a friend named Theophilus (maybe Theo today).  Then read the rest of verses 1-5.  Briefly summarize the big change that is happening here as the disciples move from being with Jesus to becoming the church.  Send them back to their seats with their fingers holding the place to follow along as you read the whole text for the day.  (This will obviously work only when most of the children are readers.)

Psalm 47

R   Psalm 47 begins with a call for applause.  After pointing this out, teach the congregation a simple short clapping pattern which they then repeat after a worship leader or the choir says each verse or after verses 1, 4, 7, and 9.  You might try clapping the rhythm of the first line of “Peoples, Clap Your Hands!” (Genevan 47 which is # 194 in The Presbyterian Hymnal) or enlist the aid of a music leader in selecting another good pattern. 

R Tie Psalm 47 psalm to the Ascension by reminding people that Jesus was God in human skin.  That makes this a fitting praise for Jesus as he acends.

Psalm 93

R   Psalm 93 celebrates God who is more powerful than the flood waters or the sea surf.  If you have a sound team, work with them to produce a recording of powerful water sounds to play as the congregation reads the psalm aloud – loudly to be heard over the recording.  (Hint, hint: if you produce such a recording, could you post it, and let the rest of us know where to find it, the less technically able among us would be oh so grateful J.)

Verses 1,2,5    any water sounds

Verse 3            rushing water sounds (flood or big waterfall)

Verse4             heavy surf sounds

Ephesians 1:15-23

I think the Contemporary English Version (CEV) may offer the best translation of this text for children.  Today verses 19-23 can be heard as Paul’s comments to the Christians in Ephesus about the Ascension.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

^19 I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used ^20 when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven. ^21 There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. ^22 God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. ^23 The church is Christ’s body and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Verses 19-21 describe Jesus Ascension power.  Verse 22-23 then describe the passing of Jesus’ ministry to the church.  Jesus is the Lord of the church.  The church is Jesus body present to do his ministry in the world.

RSpin out specific examples of today’s “forces, authorities, powers, and rulers” and celebrate the fact that Christ is more powerful.  For the children, list all armies (whether ours or theirs); terrorists who kill people to get their way; all presidents, prime ministers, and kings (the ones we like as well as the ones we don’t), any bully, etc.

R   The church as the body of Christ is a metaphor.  To help children explore both sides of the metaphor detail how different people and groups in your congregation serve as different parts of the body.  This would be an easy way to draw children into the “real” sermon.  Laugh with everyone about the idea that the minister might be the mouth of the church.  Then, point out that your mouth will not be around at the swimming pool or at the office this summer when someone needs to stand up for Jesus’ ways or say Jesus’ kind, loving words.  Insist that each of them must be Jesus’ mouth where they are.  Then go on to imagine who are the hands describing what they do being sure to include children serving as hands and so forth.  (Hmmm, I wonder how Jesus’ feet would play soccer?)  Offer children a sermon worksheet with outlines of the body parts you will explore.  Invite them to write or draw in each part at least one way they can be that part of Jesus’ body.

 



Get someone to improve on this and to feature the parts of Jesus' body
discussed in your sermon. 
As a last resort copy it with my permission and print it "as is."



 

School Is Out!!!

NOTE:  On this blog you have two sources of ideas for the Sunday nearest THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: this article which includes general ideas that could be used any Sunday of the lectionary year and text-specific ideas included in the posts for the last few weeks of May and the first few weeks of June. 

The end of the school year is HUGE for children.  It is a marker of their growing up.  When the church recognizes this event, children feel loved and important.  When the church does not notice it, they feel marginalized.  One of the best places to raise the event is in the congregation’s worship.  As it is done, children and their parents feel loved and included.  Other worshipers remember their school days and enjoy all the hoopla.  (The end of the school year is one experience every person in the room shares.)

As we plan for including the end of school in our worship, we must be sensitive to the many feelings children bring to it.  Some are bursting with pride at work well done.  Some are profoundly relieved that what is an ordeal is over at least for a while – IF they don’t have to go to summer school.  Some are stung by the news that they will repeat the grade they have just suffered through. 

Kids are also looking toward summer with different levels of excitement.  Some anticipate sports camps, family vacations and free time.  Others are nervous about those same plans.  And still others see only boredom and maybe unwelcome child care arrangements ahead.

With all this in mind, there are several ways to raise the event in the congregation’s worship.

% At the very least mention the end of the school year in the congregation’s prayers voicing both appreciation of the year accomplished and looking forward to the summer.  Remember students, teachers, janitors, cafeteria workers, and all others who work at schools.

% Becky Ardell Downs suggested on a lenten Sunday focused on God's being more interested in loving us than in judging us that each child be given a report card from God.  Such a report card would be a big relief to all those who got report cards at the end of the school year.  Here is her suggestion:  

I ended up going with the "God does not grade us" idea and I actually made "God Report Cards" for all our kids (we have 6-15 each week, we had 8 this week). I asked the kids how they felt about getting report cards (SCARED!) and told them I had gotten report cards from God for each of them. They got all A's, of course, which made them all so happy, in subjects such as Love, Peace, Joy, Forgiveness, Kindness, Courage, ...etc. They just HAD to real quick show their moms. We read again the verse-- God didn't send Jesus to Judge or Grade us, but to love and save us. We don't have to be SCARED about God's grade for us! I was able to tie this into the sermon as well. (Of course I told the kids God didn't really make the report cards I gave them, and I invited them to fill in the rest of the card as they thought was right. My own son added some plusses to the A he got on kindness!)

% Just before the congregational prayer, invite the children to join you at the front.  Together identify things you want to say to God about the school year just ending and about the summer ahead.  Either cobble those concerns into a prayer that you offer with the children while you are together or incorporate them at the beginning of the congregation’s prayer.  The former helps children stick with you.  The latter demonstrates to them that their concerns are part of the whole church’s concerns.  (Warning: if this is done as a children’s time much earlier in the service, many children will not even hear it in the church’s prayers later.)

% A week or so ahead, invite the children to bring to the service one item they are looking forward to using during the summer, e.g. a soccer ball, sleeping bag, their library card, etc.  At some point invite them to come forward with these items.  Ask about them and how they will be used.  Ask children who arrive without items to name what they are looking forward to using.  After the conversation, offer a prayer asking God to be with the children as they use the items, asking God to help them use them with kindness and fairness, pray that the summer be as much fun as everyone is hoping and that all will be safe and loving throughout.

% Write end of the school year and/or beginning of summer psalms

Provide children with a paper and crayons or pencils.  One side is titled “Prayer for School.” The other is titled “Prayer for Summer.”  Add shadowy lines that might guide printers if they write what they want to tell God about each one or that could be ignored by those who prefer to draw pictures about school and summer that contain their prayers.  Ask ushers to distribute supplies as children are seated and give instructions early in the service or do so during a children’s time or just before reading the psalm for the day.  Talk about some possible topics for the psalms and invite children to display their psalms on a bulletin board, tape them on the communion rail after worship, or show them to you as they leave the sanctuary.

To call for more specific psalms, divide the titled prayers into sections as below.

!#:!#:!#:!#:!#:!#:!

A Psalm for the End of My School Year

Praise God for people, subjects, and activities at school: 

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Tell God about the things you are sorry about from school this year

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Tell God what you are looking forward to this summer

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Write or draw a last line for your psalm.

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

!#:!#:!#:!#:!#:!#:!

% The end of the school year suggests a benediction.  Below is one possibility.  But, I offer it with the concern that closing the service in this way will suggest to worshipers of all ages that it is fine to disappear until fall.  If you do an end of school benediction, it might be wise to surround it with words to the contrary.

UINUINUINUINUINUINUINU

Ask the groups in parentheses to stand for a special benediction, concluding with one for all in the congregation.

(Students stand) As you go forth into your summer, remember that God will be with you at the pool, at camp, at home, even at summer school, and wherever you go.  Have fun and be a good disciple. 

(Teachers stand) As you go forth into your summer, enjoy your change of pace.  Learn something new for the future.  And, remember that God is with you, watching over you and guiding you both in the classroom and out of it.

(Parents of children in school stand) As you go forth into a summer of new schedules and different activities for your children, there will be lots of juggling.  As you juggle, remember to love and enjoy your children.  And, know that God loves you and your children always.

(Everyone for whom the end of the school year will make no difference at all stands)  Hang in there.  It is easy to feel that everyone else is on vacation or doing interesting new things while you “keep at it.”  Remember that God is with you in the ongoing, everydayness of life. 

(All worshipers)  No matter where you are going this summer or what you will be doing, remember that God is with you always and in all places.  God loves you and watches over you.  So, go in peace.

UINUINUINUINUINUINUINU

% At some point in the service point to all the church activities planned for children and their families during the summer.  If children will be going to a church camp or conference, gather them up front and send them off in the name of the church and with an appropriate short prayer.  Name in town activities and encourage all to participate. 

% If many of your families will travel during the summer, start a bulletin board titled something like “First Church on the Road” and invite everyone to post pictures of themselves at other churches they visited.  Or, give families a picture of Jesus to color and perhaps laminate.  Invite them to take pictures of themselves with "flat Jesus" in places they go and even doing what they do without leaving town this summer.  Post these pictures on a bulletin board or web site to celebrate the church spread out during the summer.

This is a hodgepodge of general ideas - maybe a starter brainstorm.  Now, 

% Check the postings for the Sundays of late May and early June for text – specific suggestions.

% Add another possibility in a Comment here on on the Facebook page.  We all need all the ideas we can get!

That Time With the Children!!!!!

The Time With Children
The Children's Sermon
Time with Young Disciples

It goes by many different names.  But basically it is a time of less than five minutes when the children of the congregation are invited forward for a presentation especially for them.  Many of you who read this blog, use it to prepare such messages.  I want you to know that...

In a perfect world, I am against Children’s Times in worship for lots of reasons.

L They say to the children this is for you.  What is unsaid is, now please sit down and be quiet or leave for other activities so that we adults can do real worship which you will find boring. That does not invite children to participate more and more fully in the congregation's worship.

L The age span of the children who appear make it very hard to say something that will be meaningful to all of them.

L The object lessons often used require that listeners be able to transfer characteristics of a concrete object to an abstract spiritual truth.  People who study how we think have proved that this ability does not develop in the human brain until adolescence.  To prove this to yourself, ask a child, "what did Pastor say on the steps today?"  The child will tell you all about the object presented.  Then ask, "Why do you think Pastor told you about that?"  The child will hem and haw and say "I suppose it has something to do with God."  The children don't get object lessons.  The adults on the other hand do and use them to recall the more complex abstractions of the sermon.

L Children are often exploited for the pleasure and laughter of the adults.  When children offer or hear another child offer something that seemed perfectly reasonable to them only to hear the congregation laugh, they are embarrassed.  That is one reason most children refuse to go forward far earlier than their parents expect.

But they do have positive value

J They do say that the congregation values children.

J They also give the children a chance to get close to the congregation's leader.  When the main worship leader takes time to speak with the children, they feel that they count.  Conversely, when this is the only part of worship delegated to someone else, they assume that the real leader is not interested in them.

To my thinking the negatives far outweigh the positives.  The real goal is not to provide five minutes for the children, but to invite children to grow into the entire worship experience.  We do this better when we plan worship mindful of the presence and needs of worshipers of all ages.  We don't have to dumb down worship for children, but we do have to toss them lifelines that help them join in the singing, praying and listening. You'll find this blog filled with ideas about how to do that on each Sunday of the lectionary cycle.

So, if in this less than perfect world you must offer a Children's Sermon....

F Avoid object lessons that children do not understand.

F Use the time for worship education.  Explain and explore the meaning of prayers and responses that are regularly used.  Highlight one aspect of a sacrament as it is celebrated.  Tell the story behind or walk through the verses of a hymn just before you sing it.  Bring the pulpit Bible to the children and read one of the day's texts from there, stopping along the way to talk about some aspect of it with the children.  Or, talk about that reading with the children and then send them back to their seats inviting them to listen to it from there.  You will find lots of worship education suggestions in this blog!

F If possible move the time around in the order of worship in order to explore with the children what is about to happen.  Talking about a part of worship just before doing it has a big impact.

F Pick one part of the main scripture story for the day that may be speak to or interest children, but will not necessarily be of concern to the adults.  Explore that facet of the text with the children.  It will meet their need and enrich the worship experience of the adults as well.

Or, omit the Children's Message and instead... 

Structure worship so that it invites children as well as adults to participate.   

F Don't just read the day's scriptures, present them.  Ask two readers to read the texts that are conversations between two people.  Have stories with complicated action pantomimed as they are read.  Plan readings of the psalms that highlight their poetic format. (This is called "including the arts in worship".)

F Include the children's sermon in the real sermon to invite children to listen to as much of it as they can follow.  Cite children's literature and movies as well as adult culture.  Use common childhood experiences in illustrating points.  When children hear something that catches their interest, their heads bob up and they still with you for a while.  Make sure there is at least one thing that will catch the attention of the children in every sermon.

F Include the children's concerns in the church's prayers. 

F Invite children to be worship leaders.  They can serve as ushers, greeters, readers, singers, instrumentalists, acolytes….  All they need is a little help with preparation.

F Look at the worship bulletin through the eyes of a young reader.  Then either get an elementary teacher in the congregation to help you reshape it so it is easier to read or create a child’s version of the bulletin.  Mainly what is needed is a basic font, names for the parts of worship that use more verbs than nouns (e.g. We Listen to God’s Word instead of The Epistle Reading) and concrete vocabulary.  Many congregations place such bulletins in a small canvas bag with paper and a pencil or markers to create a children’s worship kit.

So use the ideas in this blog to create the best possible children’s messages if you must.  But I also encourage you to use them to explore other ways of speaking to children and including them more fully in worship.  

Why Children Belong in the Sanctuary

Many congregations today plan for children to be anywhere else rather than in the congregation’s worship. Sunday School is held at the same time. Children’s Churches are created to provide children with worship on their own level. (Some larger congregations provide a series children’s worship experiences for young children, older elementary children, and youth thus making what happens in the sanctuary "adult church." ) Still other congregations simply provide recreation activities to keep the children out of the sanctuary.

The argument for this approach is that children and worship as it is generally practiced are incompatible. Children live in a fast paced world that is very visual and participatory. Where else do they mainly sit and listen in a situation that is planned for people other than just children? They wiggle and add noise to a quiet room. The fear is that they will be bored and therefore will decide before they are able to appreciate it fully that worship is not for them and leave worship forever.

But when they are not part of the worshiping congregation children miss out.

In the congregation's worship we take our place among all of God’s people. Simply being in the room and walking through the rites and rituals connects us to people of all ages in our community. Children see the youth and adults that they know as teachers, coaches, and the “big kids” singing and praying. Families worshiping together claim the faith for the entire family. In some families it may be the only time they see their parents express their faith in a visible way. The stories told and songs sung by people of all ages have a different importance than those same stories and songs told and sung with only other children. Finally, worship is not an activity a child expects to outgrow moving on to another group. Instead it is a mysterious way of coming into God's presence with people of my community. I may not understand it fully now, but I do expect to understand it more fully later and to be part of that community for my entire life.

Children frequently participate in activities they do not fully understand. If they feel valued in those activities and if the adults around them let them know that the activities are very important, children participate as well as they are able and look forward to the day when they will understand more fully what is going on.

Also, during the elementary school years, children are focused on the larger world. They want to know how everything around them works and who gets to do what. They want to try almost everything. That will not last. During adolescence the focus turns to my peers and our special activities. That means we have a very important window of opportunity to invite children into the congregation’s worship between the ages of six and about twelve. If we do it well, they will have both a home within the larger congregation and a foundational understanding of worship on which they can build throughout their lives.

So, how do we include children in the congregation's worship?

First of all we do not dumb worship down for the sake of the children. We offer the full feast. But we plan that feast expecting worshipers of all ages to be present.

At the very least we include the concerns of children. If prayer requests are made publicly we hear with respect a child’s grief over a dead pet. When school starts, report cards are eminent, and the school year ends we include them in the church’s liturgy. (Many congregations are incorporating a blessing of the book bags into congregational worship at the beginning of the school year.) Holidays such as Halloween that are of special interest to children are noted in sermons.

We can also throw young worshipers life lines. We can tell the story behind a hymn before we sing it. Key vocabulary words can be identified and defined before a scripture is read. One aspect of a sacrament or ritual can be explored just before it is celebrated. The texts for the day can be presented in a lively way that both captures the essence of the text and catches the attention of children rather than simply read in a monotone. Such short moments of worship education are often appreciated by adults who are new to worship or need a refresher course.

Children are most sure they belong in worship when they become worship leaders. Children can sing, play musical instruments, read scripture, light candles, serve with adults as greeters and ushers, take up the offering, and more. In smaller congregations all that is required is alert adults to invite children to take leadership especially suited to their interests and abilities. A child playing Jesus Loves Me with one finger on the chimes is a real call to worship for the whole congregation. In larger congregations, plans must be made for groups of children. So, there are children’s choirs and acolyte groups. Children’s classes are asked to help prepare a scripture presentation. And, more.

Years ago I had a fight with a music director about a prime piece of time. He wanted it for a children’s choir. I wanted it for a kid’s club. He finally said, “Let’s be honest. These kids are going to grow up, probably disappear from church for a while at some point, and hopefully come back. And where will they come? They will come to the sanctuary. And, if they have been in my choir and learned the ways of the sanctuary, it will feel like coming home and they will stay.” He is right, of course, and that is why it is so important that during their elementary years we welcome children to the sanctuary and intentionally find ways to help them grow as worshipers there among God's gathered people.

Year A - The Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 29, 2011)

On this Sunday it seems a long time since Easter Day and for the last week or two we have been out of the post-resurrection stories.  So, it might help to retrace the arc of the season’s stories.  Present pictures of biblical events and challenge worshipers to put them in chronological order.  Or, present them in order walking people through the season.  Then, look ahead to the coming Ascension and Pentecost celebrations setting them in relation to Easter.  

Pictures to include: crucifixion, empty tomb, Thomas, Emmaus, Ascension, Pentecost.

 

If school is ending in your area this week, include that in your worship.  There are text-specific ideas in this post and more general suggestions in a “Schools Out!” article that will posted at the end of April under a new index that will be called the Popcorn Index.

Acts 17:22-31

Paul speaks about “the unknown God” who is bigger than anything we can imagine or carve or paint.  It is a good time to ponder the mystery of God who is more than we can understand. 

For children the story of the blind men defining an elephant based on the one part they got hold of is a good starting point.  There are some things we know about God, e.g. God created the whole universe, is totally good, and all powerful.  But there is lots we don’t know about God.  To keeping them thinking, I talk with children about “used to thinks” about God.  I tell them I used to think that God was like a very old wise man.  Now I think God is neither man nor woman but both and more than both.  You might recall the blind man who first held the elephants tail, then imagine that he was led to its ear.  He might say, “I used to think an elephant was a rope, now I know it is more than a rope.  I wonder else it is.”  In an informal setting in which you can be sure the children won’t be laughed at, invite them to share their “used to thinks” about God. 

R The name God gave Moses was “I am who I am, I will be who I will be.”  People called God the great I AM.  Again, ponder the mystery that God is more than we can understand.
  
 R It’s a good Sunday to explore and sing “Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise.”  Before singing take time to enjoy some of the big mysterious words and phrases describing God.  Say them aloud together.  Talk briefly what words such as immortal, invisible, un-resting, un-hasting say about God here. Put some of the poetic phrases (“in light inaccessible hid from our sight”) into your own words.  Then sing about and to this "bigger than we can understand" God. 

Psalm 66:8-20

This is a psalm of praise written after a time of testing.  Older children and youth have been through a time of testing at the conclusion of the school year.  Connect their testing to that mentioned in the psalm and elsewhere in the Bible.  Then invite children to create their own psalm of praise for God celebrating the end of the school year.  Suggest that they write or draw things that were hard about school and things that they really liked.  Provide a titled page with shadowed lines that could be used for writing with space remaining for surrounding illustrations or could be ignored with pictures drawn all over the page.

!@#!@#!@#!@#!@#!@#!@#!

I Praise you God at the end of this school year!

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

!@#!@#!@#!@#!@#!@#!@#!

1 Peter 3:13-22

This passage includes two themes that speak to children.  The first is that we need to be ready and willing to stand up for Jesus and be able to say why we are doing it.  This is especially important as children get ready for summer when there are new opportunities to stand up at camps, pools, even in free time at home.  Peter urges us to be brave in standing for what is right and to be gentle with others as we do it.  Two examples,

Runner Eric Liddell (“Chariots of Fire”) refused to run in an Olympic race he very much wanted to run because it was scheduled on Sunday.  Eric believed that playing sports on Sunday was disrespectful to God.  So, he calmly announced that he would not run.  He had to be brave because lots of people got really angry with him.  He was however gentle.  He didn’t scream and shout about how wrong the Olympic officials were to schedule the race on Sunday.  He simply said that he would not run because much as he loved racing, he respected God more.

 The Empty Pot, by Demi, tells of an Emperor who announced that he would choose to succeed him the child who grew the most beautiful plant from the seed he gave them.  Ping, who was very good with plants, did everything he could, but his seed would not grow.  Frustrated, but honest, on the set day he placed his empty pot among the pots of other children which were filled with lush green plants.  The emperor went immediately to the empty pot asking the boy to explain why it was empty.  In response to Ping’s honest account of what he had done and what had happened (his witness), the emperor revealed that all of the seeds had been cooked so they would not grow.  He was looking for a brave, honest boy who would become a brave, honest leader – and found him.

R The second theme is Peter’s insistence that even though at times it will look as if the bad guys are winning, God will win in the end.  This is the best Easter Good News for young children.  So begin exploring this theme by wishing everyone Happy Easter and reminding them of what happened.  On Friday it looked like the bad guys had won.  They had killed Jesus and sealed his dead body in a tomb.  All Jesus’ friends were frightened and sad.  Then on Sunday, Jesus came straight out of that tomb proving that God is more powerful than the worst evil.  This is an important Easter message from God to remember every time it looks like the bad guys are winning and we are feeling hopeless.  It is also important to remember when the bad guys are winning and we are tempted to join them.

John 14:15-21

R This is a hard text for children to follow as it is read.  Verse 20 is probably the key verse for them.  “I am in my Father, you are in me and I am in you.”  We, God and Jesus are so close we are “in” each other.  To help concrete thinkers explore this, talk briefly about how close we are to a best friend, to a brother or sister, to a parent…  (If you are seated together on the steps scrunch close together, leaning against each other.)  Then claim that God is even closer.  Admit that it is hard to think about God who is bigger than the whole universe being inside us, but insist that it is true.  Recall or sing a couple of verses of the song “I Have a Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart” to celebrate this closeness of Jesus, God and us.

I have a joy, joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart….

I have the love of Jesus, love of Jesus down in my heart…

Even

And if the devil doesn’t like it he can sit on a tack…and stay.

R Olympic runner Eric Liddell (“Chariots of Fire”) described his closeness to God saying, “God made me run and when I run fast, I feel his (God’s) pleasure.”  Encourage worshipers to imagine God enjoying with them the things they love to do most. 

If you use this in a children’s time with a smallish number of children, begin by inviting them to run all the way around the perimeter of the sanctuary or down the center aisle and back to their place. Compliment them on their speed and style. Then tell them about Eric Liddell.

R After exploring Jesus’ living in us and us in him, introduce the idea that we are Jesus’ hands and feet today.  We are to do what Jesus would do if he were in his body today.  List together some of the things Jesus did and identify specific ways we can do those things today – making friends with people who need friends, forgiving others, sharing food and other stuff with people who need it, etc.  Note that none of this is easy, but it what we are called to do as Jesus’ hands and feet and that as we do it we have Jesus’ promise that he is with us.

Children packing disaster relief supplies

R Greek students point out that “in us” can also be translated “among us.”  So identify ways God is “in us” and we are “in God” at church.  Be specific – singing, praying, and doing God’s work in our area and the whole world.  Describe some activities in which children are involved explaining how God is “in us” and we are “in God” as we do them. 

R An end of school take on this verse is the obvious-to-adults, but worth-saying-again-to-children fact that God is “in them” and they are “in God” always – during the school year and during the summer.  Identify some of the many things children are looking forward to doing during the summer.  After each one say, “God will be in you and you in God at…”.  You might also explore the fact that they are Jesus’ hands and feet and voice everywhere they go this summer and challenge them to act accordingly.