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 boys and girls! 

Pastor: Happy Reformation Day, Sammy!

Sammy: That’s today?!

Pastor: Yes. Today is Reformation Day. 

Sammy: Happy Reformation Day, Pastor! Boys and girls, will you say Happy Reformation Day with me? Ready? Happy Reformation Day!

Pastor: Wow we are awake this morning!

Sammy: You bet we are. Let’s tell the boys and girls all about Martin Luther, Pastor.

Pastor: I think that’s a great idea, Sammy. Martin Luther–

Sammy: Wait a second.

Pastor: Yes, Sammy?

Sammy: Let’s talk about Martin Luther’s children. I mean, this is a children’s sermon after all.

Pastor: Sure we can do that. Martin Luther had six children.

Sammy: Raise your hand if you have six kids in your family. Anyone?

Pastor: Each of Martin Luther’s children had special jobs around the house. They had chores to do and they had reading, writing, and math lessons.

Sammy: Raise your hand if you have to do chores. Me too. I have lots of chores around the farm.

Pastor: So far, so good. But here’s where it gets interesting. Before each meal, Martin Luther’s children had to recite the Creeds, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer.

Sammy: Raise your hand if you have to recite the Creeds, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer before each meal? Anyone?

Pastor: So the interesting part here, is if Martin Luther’s children did not recite the Creeds, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer before a meal, then they didn’t get to eat.

Sammy: You’re kidding?

Pastor: No, that’s the truth. Martin Luther and his wife, Katie Luther, were very good parents. They loved each other and they loved their children. Because they loved them, they wanted to give them the greatest gift.

Sammy: Bicycles?

Pastor: No.

Sammy: New toys!

Pastor: No.

Sammy: Sidewalk chalk.

Pastor: Wrong again.

Sammy: Bubbles?

Pastor: Sammy, the greatest gift parents can give to their children is faith. Parents can instill faith in their children by teaching them the Creeds, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer. Parents can also read the Bible to their children and can talk about Jesus and his love for them.

Sammy: Faith is the greatest gift. Faith lasts a long time. Much longer than sidewalk chalk and bubbles.

Pastor: Jesus loved Martin Luther. He loved each of Martin Luther’s children. And Jesus loves each of you. Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, thank you for faith. Thank you for helping Martin Luther create the Lutheran church. Help us to grow in our faith. Amen.

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 boys and girls! Pastor, I have a question for you.

Pastor: I am ready for your question, Sammy.

Sammy: What are taxes?

Pastor: Well, paying taxes means that adults give part of the money we earn to the government.

Sammy: You give money to the government?

Pastor: Yes. When adults go to work, they earn money, and part of the money they earn goes to the government. Most of us don’t even see the money that goes to the government. They take it from our paychecks.

Sammy: They steal your money?!

Pastor: No, it’s not stealing our money. We are required to give some of our money in taxes.

Sammy: But what does the government do with the money?

Pastor: Well, some of the money is used for building roads, improving schools, and helping people in need.

Sammy: We help people in need at church.

Pastor: Yes we do. One of the things we do as a church is we give money as an offering to the church and to God. 

Sammy: Hang on. Adults give money to taxes and to the church? Do they have any money left?

Pastor: Yes they do. The church uses the money from gifts to serve and love God and the people in our community of faith. Boys and girls, what are some of the things we do as a church to help people?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: These are all great ministries and events in our church.

Pastor: Yes they are. We have to remember that even our time is a gift. When Jesus talks about giving to God what belongs to him, he doesn’t just mean our money. He wants us to give him our time. When we help with ministries at church, or we sing in the children’s choir, or we read our Bibles, we are giving God our time.

Sammy: I like that we can give God our time–I don’t have much money at all.

Pastor: That’s okay, Sammy. You know what? Let’s all give God our time right now. Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for our country. Thank you for our church. Help us to give our time and our gifts. Amen.

Sammy: 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 boys and girls! Pastor, I have a question for you.

Pastor: Sure, Sammy. I am ready for your question.

Sammy: Are you patient?

Pastor: I like to think that I am.

Sammy: What about as a parent? Are you a patient parent?

Pastor: I try to be. 

Sammy: Even when it’s hard?

Pastor: Yes, even when it’s hard. We all make mistakes, Sammy. Children make mistakes just like adults.

Sammy: That’s true. It’s just, well, I make a lot of mistakes, Pastor. And sometimes I feel really bad and I hope that my maa-maa won’t be angry with me.

Pastor: I think that’s a perfectly normal feeling, Sammy. Boys and girls, when have you made a mistake? What happened?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Thank you all for sharing. Parents sometimes have a hard time being patient with their children. It’s hard to be patient, but it’s important to remember that Jesus gives us a great example of just how patient he is with us in scripture. 

Sammy: He does?

Pastor: Yes–Jesus talks about how God sends one prophet after another and his people reject them. Then, when Jesus comes to talk about God’s kingdom, people reject him, too. God is very patient with us, with all of us, from our littlest believers up though our biggest believers. One of the best things we can do is to be patient and loving with each other in return.

Sammy: I like that plan. I am going to tell my maa-maa that Jesus wants her to be patient with me.

Pastor: Sammy, she already knows. Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, thank you for being patient with us. Thank you for loving us. Help us to be patient with each other. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

PROP: Puzzle–choose one that best fits the age group of your kids. A simple shape or alphabet puzzle is recommended. A 500 or 1,000 piece puzzle is not recommended.

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 boys and girls!

Pastor: Today I have a special activity for everyone. We are going to put together a puzzle!

Sammy: A puzzle! Oh that’s wonderful!

Pastor: Yes it is! 

Sammy: What’s a puzzle?

Pastor: Well, a puzzle is a wonderful activity where you take pieces of wood or cardboard or paper, and you try to fit them together to make a picture.

Sammy: What kind of puzzle did you bring?

Pastor: I brought this puzzle for us. [Show puzzle to children]

Sammy: That looks pretty challenging, Pastor.

Pastor: I think we can do it if we work together. What do you think, boys and girls?

[Provide a few minutes for children to assemble puzzle. Make note of who is doing more work, and who is doing nothing/very little]

Pastor: All done! Shall we show the congregation? [Hold up puzzle]

Sammy: Wow! You did a great job! Today is a day when I wish I had thumbs like you guys.

Pastor: That’s okay, Sammy. You were a great observer. But you know what? 

Sammy: What’s that, Pastor?

Pastor: I noticed that ____ worked really hard on our puzzle and put a lot of pieces in place. Will you stand here please? [Have children line up in the approximate order in which they offered help, from the most help, to the least help.]

Sammy: Anyone who just watched can stand at the end of the line. Don’t worry–I just watched the puzzle come together, too.

Pastor: Jesus teaches in our Gospel text today that hard work and generosity as defined by God are different from how we define hard work and generosity. You see, Jesus talks about how God gives generously to all people who work for him, whether they did a lot or a little.

Sammy: That doesn’t seem fair.

Pastor: Jesus’s rules are different from man’s rules.

Sammy: So what else does Jesus say? 

Pastor: Jesus teaches that he is allowed to be generous with what belongs to him. He also teaches that the first shall be last and the last shall be first.

Sammy: What does that mean? 

Pastor: Jesus gives to each of us as believers, and he does things that may be mysterious to us. Today, some of you were watchers like Sammy. I am going to give you a treat first. Others of you helped me with the puzzle a lot. I am going to give you a treat last. Each of you will get a treat, but just like Jesus teaches, the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.

Sammy: When you get your treat, let’s sit down together so we can pray.

Pastor: Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to understand how much you love us and other people. Thank you for giving generously to us. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

PROP: Provide either a plate of different shaped cookies/different types of cookies or a bouquet with different types of flowers.

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 boys and girls!

Pastor: Sammy, what is that smell?

Sammy: Oh! Come see what I have, Pastor!

Pastor: Look at what Sammy has everyone!

Sammy: Yes and after the children’s sermon today, you can all take one with you. I have plenty to share.

Pastor: You know, Sammy, it’s actually great that you brought these to share with us today.

Sammy: It is? I just wanted to share a surprise with everyone.

Pastor: Yes, surprises are great, but what I like about this surprise is how it relates to the text today from the book of Romans. 

Sammy: How’s that, Pastor?

Pastor: Well, you see, Sammy, we are all different. And each of our differences is a gift to the church. Each of us is good at something, and some of us are good at many things. And God uses each gift that we have as believers to advance the Kingdom and for his glory.

Sammy: Oh I see! So it’s just like how each of the [flowers/cookies] that I brought is a little different but they are still all the same: [flowers/cookies].

Pastor: We are all people–

Sammy: Not me. I am a lamb.

Pastor: Right. You are a lamb, but all of the rest of us are people. And even though we are all people and children of God, we are all created different.

Sammy: How did God make you different, Pastor?

Pastor: Well, God gave me [share a gift or talent you have].

Sammy: I agree. Something that makes me different is I am the only sheep in our area that goes to church each week.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. Boys and girls, what are some of the differences that you have that make you special?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Great answers, everyone! Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for making each of us different. Thank you for giving each of us gifts. Help us to use the gifts you give us for your glory. Amen.

Sammy: 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! Good to see everyone! Tell me about your summer so far? How was Vacation Bible School?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: I am glad that everyone is doing well and that you are having a great summer. What are some of the foods you’re enjoying this summer?

Sammy: Well, at the farm the grazing is delightful! There’s wonderful plants growing in abundance over the summer. I enjoy eating a lot.

Pastor: Me, too. I don’t graze like you, but I do eat special foods in the summer time.

Sammy: What kinds of foods?

Pastor: I eat BBQ, grilled foods, sweet corn, fresh watermelon, peaches.

Sammy: That all sounds delicious!

Pastor: Summer is a great time of year. The fresh food is in abundance and thanks to our local farmers and gardeners, there’s plenty to eat.

Sammy: In a week we will really get to see the abundance of food growing in our county at the County Fair! I can’t wait to go! I heard all about the fair on the farm.

Pastor: You know, all of this talk of food reminds me of the Gospel story for today. Jesus met with a large crowd and was healing the sick and talking with them for the day. When evening came, the people were hungry.

Sammy: Was there a meadow nearby?

Pastor: A meadow? 

Sammy: For grazing. 

Pastor: People don’t graze. They need food that’s not hay and grass.

Sammy: Oh. I forgot. Well, what did they eat?

Pastor: All the disciples had was five loaves of bread and two fish.

Sammy: That doesn’t sound too bad. That could feed a few people.

Pastor: That’s right, but Jesus wanted to feed more than 5,000 people. That’s more than a few. That’s more people than we have for church right now.

Sammy: Wow! How did Jesus feed all of the hungry people?

Pastor: Jesus blessed and broke the loaves and gave the food to the people to eat. All of the people ate and they were all full. And there were leftovers!

Sammy: I love leftovers!

Pastor: Me too! Does anyone else love leftovers?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Thank you all for sharing this time with me. Jesus is God. He provides everything we need and he surely loves us. Will you all please fold your hands, bow your heads, and repeat after me? Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us good food. Thank you for miracles. Thank you for being with us and healing us. We love you. Amen.

Scripture:

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Script:

Sammy: Good morning everyone! 

Pastor: We have VBS happening at our church this week.

Sammy: It’s going to be so exciting.

Pastor: I am looking forward to traveling to Ireland with all of the boys and girls tomorrow. And you know, it’s not too late to sign up and join us in the adventure to Emerald Crossing.

Sammy: How do we sign up?

Pastor: Ask your family to go online to our church website. You can also come talk to me or Mr. Scott after church today.

Sammy: You know, Pastor, I am a little nervous about VBS.

Pastor: Why’s that?

Sammy: Every year I go to VBS, I meet new people.

Pastor: And?

Sammy: That’s it. I just get nervous to meet new people.

Pastor: You know, Jesus talks about how we are going to live in our world. He tells a story, a parable, about a man who plants seed that is good. And then an enemy comes in and plants a bunch of weeds in a field.

Sammy: Why would an enemy do that?

Pastor: That’s what enemies do. They do bad things on purpose to hurt us on purpose.

Sammy: That’s terrible.

Pastor: I know, but Jesus has a plan. He protects the wheat and when harvest time comes, he gathers the wheat into the barn. 

Sammy: I am glad that this story has a happy ending, and I am glad that we have Jesus in our lives, but what does this parable have to do with me being nervous about VBS this week?

Pastor: Well, Jesus is reminding us that just like the wheat and weeds, we as believers grow up and live with nonbelievers. We are either children of God, or we are not. So as children of God, we have to remember that we are living among people who love God, and we are living among people who don’t love God.

Sammy: What does that mean?

Pastor: At VBS this week, and at preschool and elementary school in about a month, you are going to be in groups and classes with other children who are believers and who love God. You are also going to be in groups and class with other children who are not believers and who do not love God.

Sammy: How can other children not love God?

Pastor: Sometimes they don’t know about God. We have to remember that not everyone teaches their children about Jesus, but we can.

Sammy: We can?

Pastor: Well, in church we share the love of Jesus every week. In preschool or school, you can tell others that Jesus loves them. This week at VBS, make a new friend. And you can tell your new friend that Jesus loves him or her, too.

Sammy: I like that plan. I can tell my new friends at VBS that Jesus loves them.

Pastor: That’s great! Boys and girls, will you pray with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to make new friends. Help us to tell others about you. Please help us as we go to VBS, school, and work. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone! 

Pastor: How are you doing, Sammy?

Sammy: I am doing great, Pastor. 

Pastor: That is good to hear, Sammy. 

Sammy: Pastor, I was listening to the parable this morning. Jesus was talking a lot about seeds.

Pastor: Yes, Jesus is telling the parable of the sower. A parable is a story, and a sower is someone who spreads seeds in the ground.

Sammy: And then the seeds grow up into plants!

Pastor: Most of the time, yes, the seeds do grow into plants. Boys and girls, what kinds of plants do you have in your garden or yard?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Thank you all for sharing with me. I have another question for you: How many of you have ever planted a seed that didn’t grow? What do you think happened?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I watch Farmer Matthew plant seeds. A lot of his seeds do grow, but sometimes there’s weeds that take over part of the farm. Or sometimes birds eat the seeds. And sometimes Farmer Matthew misses the part of the farm that he plowed, and the seeds just fall on a bunch of rocks. That’s so silly.

Pastor: I think you are onto something, Sammy.

Sammy: I am?

Pastor: Yes–you really were listening to the parable of the sower that Jesus shared with his disciples. When we hear our families read the Bible to us, we need to remember that we have to ask questions if we don’t understand something. That way nobody can take away our faith.

Sammy: That makes sense to me–I have lots of questions.

Pastor: And when the seeds are sown on rocks, that is like when people lose their faith when something bad or difficult happens in their lives.

Sammy: You know, I tend to pray more when bad or difficult things happen in my life. I look at those times as a chance to listen more closely to what Jesus is saying to me.

Pastor: That’s a great way to pray. We want to be good soil; we want to hear the Word of God and stand firm in our faith. When we love Jesus and listen to what he is saying to us, we can grow and produce fruit.

Sammy: I love fruit! 

Pastor: Me too, Sammy. Jesus wants us to share the Gospel with everyone we meet. That’s what bearing fruit is all about. Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, Thank you for teaching us through parables. Help us to produce good fruit. Thank you for your Word. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Matthew 10:40-42

Sammy: Good morning everyone! 

Pastor: How are you doing, Sammy?

Sammy: I’m thirsty, Pastor.

Pastor: You’re thirsty?

Sammy: Yes, I need water. Can I have some water?

Pastor: I don’t have any water to give you. There’s a water fountain in the hallway.

Sammy: Even if I use the stool, I still can’t reach the water fountain. I’m thirsty, Pastor. I need a drink. Boys and girls, have you ever needed a drink? Maybe right before bedtime?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: I don’t have a drink for you, Sammy.

Sammy: Well, Jesus says if you give me a drink then you get a treat. I am just trying to help you out, Pastor.

Pastor: Oh, Sammy. Jesus is talking about how we should treat each other.

Sammy: I know that. I am a little one. I am thirsty. I would like a drink. I can’t reach the water fountain. Nobody is sharing a cup of water with me. 

Pastor: Hang on, Sammy. You are missing the point. 

Sammy: I don’t think so. I think I understand the point perfectly. I’m thirsty. I need a drink. You give me a drink. You get a treat. 

Pastor: Jesus is talking about how we should treat each other. People did not always treat Jesus or the disciples very nicely. There were men who brought God’s word to people. These men were called prophets. A lot of times, prophets spoke words of truth that were hard for people to hear. Sometimes, people listened to prophets, and sometimes they just got mad at the prophets.

Sammy: What does this all have to do with my drink?

Pastor: I am getting to that part. Jesus shows us that we need to be loving and welcoming to strangers and to people that are little. 

Sammy: I am little!

Pastor: Yes you are. Jesus is talking about how we need to focus on listening to people who follow God and we need to focus on loving and serving the littlest people in our lives–children.

Sammy: That makes sense to me.

Pastor: I don’t have a drink for you, Sammy. But I think after church I can help you get one. 

Sammy: That sounds great, Pastor.

Pastor: Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for encouraging us to love and serve each other. Help us to always listen to you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

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! Did you bring your sword, Pastor?

Pastor: My sword?

Sammy: Yes your sword. I thought you could show the boys and girls the sword I found the other day.

Pastor: Yes. I remember that day. You were wandering around my yard and I invited you in for a drink.

Sammy: Yes you did. I was a thirsty lamb. You have good water.

Pastor: After you got your drink, you wandered around the house.

Sammy: Yes I did. I found all sorts of wonderful things in your house. So many fun toys and the sword. Show them the sword.

[If you have a play sword, a picture of a sword, etc. share this item with the children]

Pastor: Here is the sword.

Sammy: That’s a great sword!

Pastor: You know, Sammy, it’s great that you found this sword in my house ahead of this Gospel reading today.

Sammy: It is?

Pastor: Yes it is. Today in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword.”

Sammy: What does that mean? What is Jesus saying?

Pastor: Jesus is talking about how when people believe in him, they sometimes have family and friends that don’t believe in him.

Sammy: Some of my family members don’t believe in Jesus. It’s hard for me to talk to them sometimes about how much I love Jesus.

Pastor: Don’t be discouraged, Sammy. When Jesus came to earth the first time, he brought a sword, and people were divided against one another. When Jesus comes back to create a new Heaven and a new Earth, we will have peace.

Sammy: I look forward to that day, Pastor. But until then, maybe hang on tight to that sword.

Pastor: I will, Sammy. Boys and girls, can you please pray with me? Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, help us to pray for peace among our friends and family. We thank you Jesus for your love. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!