Scripture:

Luke 6:17-26

 

Script: 

 

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

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Pastor, I am encouraged by the words of Jesus.

 

Pastor: Jesus’s words in this sermon are very encouraging, Sammy.

 

Sammy: Jesus recognizes how broken our world is, and his words are comforting to me.

 

Pastor: Jesus’s words are comforting to many who believe in him. He promises that the poor will inherit the Kingdom of God. He says people who are hungry will have full bellies.

 

Sammy: I like having a full belly!

 

Pastor: Me, too, Sammy. Jesus also talks about how anyone who is crying now will laugh.

 

Sammy: That’s because Jesus gives us joy!

 

Pastor: Yes he does. When we put our hope in Jesus, he gives us so much in return. Jesus gives physical healing to many people, too. The Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all talk about how Jesus healed many people. We don’t know everyone’s story. We don’t know why each person needed healing, and we don’t know what each person did after he or she was healed.

 

Sammy: But we do know that Jesus healed them. And they walked away changed. They received healing from the Word of God. And Jesus gave them more encouraging words that would never be taken from them.

 

Pastor: Yes he did. Boys and girls, I have something special for each of you today. I am going to give each of you a heart. Can you read what this heart says? [Heart can say Jesus loves you or a verse from the scripture today.]

 

Sammy: Hey, Pastor! Do you have enough hearts in that basket for everyone today? Maybe the boys and girls can help you share the love of Jesus with our congregation.

 

Pastor: Boys and girls, will you please help me give a heart to everyone?

 

[Give a heart to each member of the congregation and then return to the front of the church for prayer.]

 

Pastor: Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, thank you for always giving us hope. Help us to trust you to take away our tears and to give us laughter. Help us to have faith that you will always care for us and love us. In your name we pray, Amen. Bye, everyone!

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Script:

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

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Pastor, what does Jesus mean when he tells Simon, James, and John that they will be catching people?

 

Pastor: Jesus is teaching these men that they are going to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations.

 

Sammy: That’s a really big job. I thought these guys were just fisherman.

 

Pastor: Yes, they were. But remember Jesus transforms the hearts and minds of all who believe in him and have faith. He can use us to further his kingdom no matter what job we have.

 

Sammy: So you are telling us that even I, as a little lamb, matter to Jesus? And all of the children here? They matter to Jesus?

 

Pastor: Each one of us, especially the littlest ones, matter to Jesus. He calls each of us to follow him, and we have to decide whether or not we will listen.

 

Sammy: Pastor, I love how Simon, James, and John leave everything and follow Jesus. I wish I would be better at following my mama when she calls me. I do get distracted sometimes, or sometimes I don’t want to follow her. I want to go my own way instead.

 

Pastor: Sometimes following Jesus is difficult, and sometimes following him takes a lot of sacrifice for believers. A lot of people have to give up something—sometimes something little, like a bad habit, or sometimes something big, like some of their friends or family members.

 

Sammy: That must be really hard for them. You know, Pastor, even when I want to go my own way, Jesus always comes back for me. He is the Good Shepherd. I just have to listen for his voice.

 

Pastor: And Sammy, I want you to know that even though following Jesus can be hard sometimes, doing something hard doesn’t mean that it’s a bad thing. Boys and girls, can you think of a time when you had to do something hard in your life?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Pastor: Thank you all for sharing your examples with us. Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads in prayer. Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to drop everything to follow you. Help us to listen for your call. Help us to know that even though we are small, we are still important in your kingdom. We love you. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

 

Script

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

Sammy: Good morning, everyone!

Pastor: Sammy, today is a very special day.

 

Sammy: Yes it is! Happy Groundhog’s Day!

 

Pastor: No, Sammy. I mean, today is Groundhog’s Day, but that’s not what I was talking about.

 

Sammy: (CHOOSE) Punxsutawney Phil saw/didn’t see his shadow, so there will be six more weeks of winter/an early spring.

 

Pastor: Oh, Sammy.

 

Sammy: Pastor, these events are important in the world of animals and farmers. We have to know when spring is coming, and Phil is our expert weather-groundhog. There was a groundhog ball and a groundhog banquet this week in his honor. Punxsutawney Phil is famous.

 

Pastor: Here we go again.

 

Sammy: Pastor, did you know that Groundhog’s Day is actually rooted in a special day called Candlemas Day? Christians would bring their candles to the church on Candlemas Day to have them blessed, and this blessing would bring blessings into their house for the rest of winter. Did you tell the congregation to bring their candles today?

Pastor: Well, not but I–

Sammy: So eventually, Candlemas Day evolved and had weather predictions attached to it. There’s an old English song that says, “If Candlemas be fair and bright/Come, Winter, have another flight;/If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,/Go Winter, and come not again.”

 

Pastor: I am not seeing how the Groundhog fits in here.

 

Sammy: The groundhog’s name is Phil. Punxsutawney Phil. German Christians introduced a new tradition where they had little hedgehogs running around. If the hedgehog saw his shadow, then there would be six more weeks of Winter.

 

Pastor: Punxsutawney Phil is not a hedgehog. He’s a Groundhog.

 

Sammy: Yes I know he’s a groundhog, Pastor. When the German Christians arrived to the United States, they had a hard time finding hedgehogs, but Groundhogs were everywhere. Punxsutawney Phil was elected by the animals to serve as the chief weatherman on Candlemas Day, and he’s been predicting the weather since 1887.

 

Pastor: You mean to tell me that Punxsutawney Phil has been predicting the weather since 1887. He’s been alive since 1887.

 

Sammy: Exactly. That’s why he’s famous.

 

Pastor: Sammy, I am glad you shared all of this information about Candlemas and Groundhog’s Day with us.

 

Sammy: You’re welcome.

 

Pastor: Hearing about traditions in our church is always good. Lots of wonderful things we do today were started by Christians before us. Let’s say a prayer. Please fold your hands and bow your heads with me. Dear Jesus, thank you for inspiring your sons and daughters to seek blessings. Thank you for helping us come to you in the middle of Winter for comfort. We look forward to celebrating the joy of your resurrection and the new life we get to experience in you this Spring. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone. Happy Groundhog’s Day!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“The disciples said to Him, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.”  But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given” (Matthew 19:10-11).

There is a difference between living with what we think is right and the reality in which we find ourselves.  We can go to the place where we make such sweeping statements.  Notice what the Lord says.  He is filled with compassion for our sinful state.  Do not make broad declarations which apply to only a few.  Our Lord will take us from where we are and move us to where we need to be.

Lord, You have given us the gift of marriage.  Beyond the reality of bringing forth the generations, there are many things we learn through marriage which teach us how it was meant to be from the beginning.  Lead me, Lord, so that I do not just think of myself, but others, and willingly see them through Your eyes.  Through faith, help me live the message You have given me that they may come to know You.

Lord Jesus, all things have been put into place for Your own purposes.  I only know in part.  Help me to live the portion You have shown me.  In this world filled with broken people, guide me to live graciously with kindness and mercy.  Except for Your grace, I would be like the worst of them.  Continue to be the One Who leads me in all circumstances and guides me to be compassionate and loving. Amen.