Scripture

Mark 12:38-44

Script

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone!

 

Pastor: Does anyone here have jobs to do at home? Are you ever able to earn money for doing a job for your family?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Pastor: When I was growing up, I was able to earn some money if I…

 

Sammy: We have lots of helpers at the farm. They earn money for cleaning stalls and feeding my family and I.

 

Pastor: What we do with our money shows where our hearts are.

 

Sammy: What do you mean, Pastor?

 

Pastor: Well, for example, sometimes people spend a lot of money on really expensive clothes or cars.

 

Sammy: Farmer Mark has a red pickup truck and lots of flannel. Is that what you mean?

 

Pastor: No, Sammy. Sometimes people buy really expensive cars and clothes because their goal is to impress others. Or sometimes people spend a lot of money on traveling. There’s nothing wrong with these things, but we have to remember to also give to others.

 

Sammy: I like sharing!

 

Pastor: Me too, Sammy. Jesus asks us to give to others and share what we have. These gifts we give to others might be money, food, a nice card, or our time. Many people are poor, sick, sad, or lonely, and they rely on others to help them.

 

Sammy: Hey Pastor, isn’t our church doing something right now to feed people?

 

Pastor: Yes we are! We are collecting food for our Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. There’s information about what we need in the bulletin. Whether you can contribute one item or many items, we are grateful for your gift.

 

Sammy: Let’s pray. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for reminding us to give to others. Thank you for helping us see the needs of others. Help us to give our gifts to serve you. Amen. Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture

John 11:32-44

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Pastor, this story from the Gospel reading today is a spooky one.

 

Pastor: Is it?

 

Sammy: Yes! A mummy came out from a tomb!

 

Pastor: Sammy, that’s not what happened!

 

Sammy: Yes it is! I was listening. This guy named Lazarus died and Jesus told some men to roll the stone away from the cave. And then a mummy came out!

 

Pastor: Sammy, we are going to talk about what really happened. I think you still have Halloween on your mind. That’s different from the Gospel reading.

 

Sammy: I did eat a lot of candy. Boys and girls, did you get a lot of treats for Halloween?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Pastor: Back to our Gospel for today. Jesus was really good friends with a man named Lazarus. He wasn’t old. He was a young man, like Jesus. Do you have a best friend?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Sammy: My best friend is you, Pastor.

 

Pastor: You’re my best friend, too, Sammy. Jesus’s friend Lazarus got sick and he died before Jesus could get to him to heal him.

 

Sammy: Oh no!

 

Pastor: It’s okay, Sammy. Death is not the end. Jesus is the end. He’s the beginning and the end.

 

Sammy: Amen, Pastor!

 

Pastor: When Jesus arrived at Lazarus’s house, he saw Mary and Martha there. They are Lazarus’s sisters. And they were crying. Jesus cried, too.

 

Sammy: Jesus cries? Why did he cry?

 

Pastor: Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is just like us. Boys and girls, can you think of a time when you cried?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Pastor: Jesus went to the tomb and asked the people to roll the stone away. He said a prayer and then told Lazarus to come out—

 

Sammy: And that’s when the mummy came out!

 

Pastor: No, Sammy. That’s when a living, breathing, fully alive Lazarus walked out.

 

Sammy: Wow!

 

Pastor: I want each of us to remember that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. We get to live forever because of Jesus. We do not have to be afraid because Jesus loves us. He cries with us and is with us everywhere we go. Let’s pray: Dear Jesus, Thank you for the gift of eternal life. Thank you for your love. Thank you for helping us when we are sad. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him” (Matthew 14:1-2).

The authorities seem to marvel at God’s work showing up in their backyard. “Who is this?” Those in power in our world keep an eye on others while attempting to keep their power. They will die and what they thought was their power goes to another. Do not seek power, but the One in whom is all power and authority. Look beyond the temptations of this world to see that You have been created for an eternal purpose.

Lord, so many seem to scramble for power and authority. That belongs to You alone, “for thine is the power and the glory.” Guide me away from the pursuit of things that will never be mine to receive the righteousness You give by grace. Help me to stay focused upon Your goodness and mercy so that I may walk the life of faith that You have given me. In the end, it does not matter what others think of me. It does matter what You are doing in my life.

Be the One who leads me always, Lord Jesus. Let me not be stopped by those who are constantly questioning me but led by Your Holy Spirit in and through all things. Guide me this day to not be anxious, but to be diligent in all that You give me to do. By Your mercy, lead me through this day as I look to You alone so that I may do what is pleasing in the Father’s sight. Amen.