Scripture:

John 12:1-8

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: Hey, Pastor! I am free this evening.

Pastor: Okay…what do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: Exactly what I said. I am free this evening. You know, for you to invite me over for dinner.

Pastor: Uhh, Sammy, I–

Sammy: I know I haven’t been over to your house in some time, so I thought I would share my dietary preferences and restrictions, and my favorite foods, and what I don’t like to eat.

Pastor: Sammy, wait a second. Why do you think you’re coming over for dinner tonight?

Sammy: I guess I just got really inspired with Lazarus and Mary and Martha having Jesus over for dinner. I know Martha cooks really well, and I thought that you might cook really well, too, Pastor. Well, except for maybe that one time that you almost cooked a mouse on your grill.

Pastor: Sammy, the dinner that Lazarus and Mary and Martha had for Jesus was a very special event.

Sammy: I know. And I cannot wait to see how special the dinner you prepare for me is going to be, too.

Pastor: Boys and girls, what do you think I should make for Sammy at the dinner?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I love all of these answers. Pastor, I will take one of everything!

Pastor: Let’s talk more about Jesus’s dinner with Lazarus before we get too carried away. Mary did something very special for Jesus at this event. She purchased very expensive perfume, called nard, and she poured this perfume on his feet.

Sammy: I like perfume. I don’t know what nard is, but I like Estee Lauder, Chanel, Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Burberry…

Pastor: Sammy. Let’s focus.

Sammy: I’m just giving you ideas for my welcoming gift when I get to your house, Pastor.

Pastor: Mary’s perfume was a very special kind of perfume. She anointed Jesus with the perfume, which is an essential oil. She was preparing Jesus for his path to the cross.

Sammy: That is a special oil. I am glad that Mary gave that perfume to Jesus. If anyone deserves the best we can give, it’s Jesus.

Pastor: Amen to that, Sammy. Boys and girls, can you please fold your hands and bow your heads in prayer with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to recognize the gifts we have. Thank you for helping us share with others. Help us to honor and love you better each day. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: 

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

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: Hey Sammy! Did you know we have just two more weeks of Lent until we reach Palm Sunday and Holy week?

Sammy: I didn’t know that, Pastor! That’s great news! But what does that news mean?

Pastor: Well, Sammy, Palm Sunday is a special day where we celebrate Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem. 2,000 years ago, Jesus and his disciples arrived in Jerusalem and Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey.

Sammy: That’s very special. That donkey was one lucky critter to carry the Son of God.

Pastor: Yes indeed. When the donkey came into Jerusalem with Jesus on his back, the crowds of people grew and grew. They lined up in the streets to see Jesus. Boys and girls, what were some of the things that you think the people saw when Jesus rode by on the donkey?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: These are great answers!

Pastor: Yes they are! People laid their coats in the road so that the King of Kings, Jesus, could have a grand entrance. And they grabbed palm branches and waved them in the air.

Sammy: And there was singing and dancing…

Pastor: Yes, Sammy. The people sang and danced and shouted “Hosanna!” which means, “Save us!” The people knew that Jesus was coming to save them.

Sammy: What was he saving them from? From evil rulers? Bad laws? Chores?

Pastor: No, Sammy. Jesus came to save us from our sins. He saved his people, but not in the way that they expected him to save them.

Sammy: I am glad that Jesus came for me.

Pastor: Me too, Sammy. Let’s pray. Can we please fold our hands and bow our heads? Dear Jesus, Thank you for being with us and for saving us. Thank you for choosing to walk a difficult road so that we could live in peace with you forever. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: 

Luke 13:1-9

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 have to tell you, this week has been challenging for me.

Pastor: Why is that, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, there just seems to be a lot happening in our country and our world right now. I mean, there always is a lot happening, but a little lamb like me has trouble processing everything that is going on. It’s overwhelming.

Pastor: Tell me about it, Sammy. But one thing that I can encourage you and all of the boys and girls here to do is just to worry about kid stuff. Focus on being kids.

Sammy: That sounds like a good plan to me.

Pastor: Jesus knew about the current events of his day. There was a lot of violence and bad things happening around him. He responded with encouragement and tried to help people see that they need to focus on their relationship with God.

Sammy: That’s a good thing to focus on. I think being closer to God will help me have more peace about what is going on in the world.

Pastor: Absolutely. And our God is a God of second chances and multiple opportunities. Boys and girls, can you think of a time when you made a mistake and your family or friends gave you another chance?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I make mistakes all the time! I think one of my biggest mistakes was tipping over the water bucket onto Farmer Luke. He wasn’t happy with me, but he refilled the bucket, told me he forgave me, and gave me another chance to drink my water out of the bucket.

Pastor: That’s great, Sammy. It’s important that we have mercy on each other, just like God has mercy on us. Let’s pray together. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for your mercy and love. Please forgive us when we make mistakes. Help us to forgive each other when we make mistakes. Please keep our focus on you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: 

Luke 13:31-35

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: [Doesn’t appear right away. Stays hidden.]

Pastor: Sammy? Sammy? Are you there? Hmmm. Maybe we need to try again boys and girls. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: [Peeking up and hiding again.] Shhhh!

Pastor: Did you guys see Sammy? What’s going on Sammy?

Sammy: [Peeking up and hiding again.] Shhhh!

Pastor: Boys and girls, what do you think is going on with Sammy today?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: These are great ideas. Sammy, if you can hear me, I just want you to know that you are safe. Our church family, including the boys and girls, are here.

Sammy: [Peeking up] Are you sure? Is the fox gone?

Pastor: What fox?

Sammy: Jesus saw a fox this morning in the Gospel reading. And I trust and love Jesus with all my heart. And if he says there is a fox, then I need to hide.

Pastor: Oh! Is that what is making you upset?

Sammy: Yes, Pastor! And we have foxes all over the place around here. I can’t be too careful.

Pastor: Well, Sammy, Jesus was talking about a man named King Herod. He isn’t really a fox; he’s a man.

Sammy: So why did Jesus call him a fox?

Pastor: Jesus calls Herod a fox because he behaves like one. Boys and girls, how does a fox behave?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: That’s exactly right! Foxes eat little lambs like me for snack.

Pastor: I want you all to remember that Jesus is the King of Kings, and he is even King above Herod in our Gospel for today. Jesus protects us, just like a mama hen protects her baby chicks.

Sammy: Speaking of chicks…

Pastor: Not now, Sammy. Let’s pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for keeping us safe from foxes in our lives. Please help us to always trust in you. Thank you for giving us faith. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”  They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”  And hearing this, they were amazed; and they left Him and went away” (Matthew 22:20-21).

The traps of men will always fold before the Lord.  We have our systems in this world and the Lord lets them be.  We are in two kingdoms.  For now, we are in this world, but we have also been redeemed in order to prepare for the world to come.  The way of the Lord is love, but the way of rebellion is hatred.  Which way will you go?  It is one way or another, there can be no compromise.

I need Your help, Lord.  I am not wise enough.  You are.  I need Your wisdom to avoid the stumbling blocks that are laid before me daily.  Guide me in the mire of this world’s constant confusion to look to You and hold fast to the word You have spoken.  Lead me so that I walk forward and upward, abiding in Your grace.  Through all that comes, help me learn how to live and speak Your word of truth in all circumstances.

Jesus, You have taught me that if I hold the ground of truth and do not flinch, the liar will flee.  Lord, I do not ask to be clever, but to have the fortitude to hold the ground You have placed me on.  Teach me to react not with hatred as this world does but live in love.  Lead me today in Your love so that I walk according to the word You have already spoken.  Let the words of my mouth be pleasing in the Father’s sight today.  Amen.