Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! 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: Whew! It’s warm in here, isn’t, Sammy?

Sammy: I am a perfectly comfortable temperature. Wool is great like that–keeps me warm in the winter and cool in the spring.

Pastor: I don’t know, Sammy. I am pretty warm. 

Sammy: I am not surprised. I mean, look at you. You have all those layers of polyester fiber on you. Do you know what that fabric is made of, Pastor? It’s not wool.

Pastor: Well, Sammy, I know there’s a lot of places in our world that are pretty warm, and the very first Palm Sunday was celebrated in a warm place, too.

Sammy: It was?

Pastor: Yes, the very first Palm Sunday was in Jerusalem. It’s pretty warm there.

Sammy: I think you are warm too because of all the celebrating we just did. 

Pastor: That’s right! Today is a great day: Palm Sunday. We had a great time processing in and waving our palms and singing together, didn’t we?

Sammy: Why is today called Palm Sunday, Pastor?

Pastor: Well, Palm Sunday refers to Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. While he was riding into Jerusalem, the people put their coats on the ground for the donkey to step on. They waved palms, and said, “Hosanna!”

Sammy: What does “Hosanna” mean? 

Pastor: It means “save us.”

Sammy: Save us? Save who from what?

Pastor: Well, Sammy, the people were asking Jesus to save them from Romans. But Jesus didn’t come to save us from the Romans.

Sammy: Jesus came to save us from our sins.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. Jesus came to save us from our sins. He had to die on the cross. It was a warm day that first Palm Sunday, but you know, Sammy, I am starting to feel a little cold.

Sammy: What’s wrong, Pastor?

Pastor: I don’t know. I just feel cold now. 

Sammy: You are really struggling with temperature regulation today. Well, Pastor, I will pray and then I can give you a warm hug. Would that be okay?

Pastor: That would be great. Boys and girls, would you please fold your hands and bow your heads?

Sammy: Dear Jesus, thank you for Palm Sunday. Help us to always honor you as our Savior and King. We pray for Holy Week–please fill our hearts with love and help us to honor you and follow you this week. Amen.

Sammy: I need my hug, Pastor. Bye, everyone.

Pastor: Bye, Sammy.

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! 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! It’s almost, Easter, Pastor!

 

Pastor: Yes it is, Sammy. 

 

Sammy: I cannot wait to see all of the kids looking for Easter eggs. 

 

Pastor: It’s a great time of year for hunting for eggs, Sammy, but that’s not what Easter is about.

 

Sammy: That’s right. It’s about celebrating the return of chocolate eggs and bunnies to the store. I just love chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, cream eggs, and all of the different Easter treats.

 

Pastor: That’s not what Easter is about, Sammy.

 

Sammy: Oh. Well I guess it’s about the Easter bunny, right? Seeing the Easter bunny at the mall or at our church.

 

Pastor: No, Sammy. That’s not what Easter is about, either. Boys and girls, do you know what Easter is about?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Sammy: Oh I get it! Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. He died on the cross and rose again after three days. That’s what Easter is all about. Easter is all about Jesus.

 

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. Easter bunnies and chocolates are wonderful, but they are not the reason for Easter. Easter is all about Jesus, God’s Son. 

 

Sammy: So what is going to be special about Easter at church?

 

Pastor: Easter is a time of baptism, renewal, and joy. We are going to have bells, trumpets, special music, and a special Gospel reading.

Sammy: You know, Pastor, I really like Jesus’ promise to us in this reading today. 

 

Pastor: I do too, Sammy. Jesus says, 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

Sammy: Jesus shows us exactly this with Lazarus and with how he raises from the dead, too.

 

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. One day, all of us will live with Jesus in Heaven forever. Let’s pray: can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for Easter. Thank you for creating us. Thank you for being our God. We love you. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”  And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them” (Mark 10:15-16).

We are to be like children, but not childish.  See with wonder the creation around you.  Look, explore, discover, and search for the pearls of great price.  Do not scramble to gain for its own sake, but seek for the Lord where He may be found.  Adults accumulate, children see the world through the eyes of wonder.  Do not be distracted by this world, but seek to look at it with awe and wonder.

Lord, I have forgotten the joy of childhood.  Those quite moments where I pondered the stars, looked at the butterflies fluttering, and marveled at the activity of creation.  I have become busy with being responsible or distracted and have set into a pattern of always being busy.  Restore the wonder You first gave me that I may see Your hand behind, in, and through all things.  Teach me what it means to come to You as a child.

Lord Jesus, You give the power to become a child of the Heavenly Father.  Teach me what it means to be a child.  Help me to see things the way You would have me see them.  Lead me according to Your purpose so that I mature in the way You know I need to mature.  Guide me in the faith You have given me and awaken me to the awe of wonder of all that has been made through You.  Amen.