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: Today is a special day, Sammy!

Sammy: Oooo! I love special days. Wait–don’t tell me. I want to guess. It’s epiphany!

Pastor: Yes, but that’s not what I was–

Sammy: It’s your birthday!

Pastor: Not quite.

Sammy: Your anniversary!

Pastor: Not even close.

Pastor: Sammy, let’s focus.

Sammy: Right. Well, I give up. 

Pastor: Sammy, today is the Baptism of our Lord.

Sammy: Ooo. What’s that?

Pastor: Boys and girls, what is baptism?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Baptism is a sacrament in our church. We become a part of God’s family when we are baptized. Water and Word are necessary parts of the baptism. If someone wants to be baptized, he or she has water poured on his/her head and we say special words.

Sammy: What words are those?

Pastor: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Sammy: Where do you get the water?

Pastor: Let me show you. [Show boys and girls the baptismal font.]

Sammy: And why do you baptise “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”?

Pastor: Well, part of worshipping God is becoming part of his family. We profess our faith and become part of the family of Jesus when we are sealed with the waters of baptism. 

Sammy: And Jesus was baptized, too?

Pastor: Yes, Jesus was baptized just like us. John, his cousin, baptized him. And the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God himself, was present.

Sammy: Wow! That’s incredible. Baptism is so cool!

Pastor: Yes it is. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads so we can pray together? Dear Jesus, thank you for baptism. Thank you for the Trinity. Thank you for welcoming us into your family. We love you. 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! 

Pastor: Happy Epiphany, Sammy!

Sammy: Epiphany? What’s that, Pastor?

Pastor: That’s the time in the church year when we celebrate the Wise Men going to see Jesus. They recognized that Jesus is God.

Sammy: What was so wise about these men?

Pastor: Well, they were astronomers, which means that they studied the stars. The wise men understood that even though they were wealthy, smart men, there was one who was greater than them–that’s Jesus. They also knew not to return to King Herod to tell him about Jesus.

Sammy: I heard that the Wise Men also brought gifts to Jesus. 

Pastor: Boys and girls, what gifts do you think the Wise Men brought to baby Jesus?

Sammy: I know! A wool blanket!

Pastor: That’s a great gift from a sheep to baby Jesus, but that’s not the right answer. What did the Wise Men bring to Jesus?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: The Wise Men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Sammy: Those are expensive gifts, and strange gifts for a baby. What were they thinking? Are you sure they really were Wise Men?

Pastor: I’m sure of it, Sammy. These gifts show everyone that Jesus is a prophet, priest, king, and God. 

Sammy: I still think a wool blanket is a good idea, Pastor. 

Pastor: You know what’s neat, Sammy? Jesus was wrapped in a blanket made for lambs that were supposed to be for sacrifice. Jesus died on the cross, and he is the Lamb of God sacrificed for us all.

Sammy: That’s the best gift ever!

Pastor: Yes it is. Boys and girls, would you please pray with me? Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, thank you for special gifts. We thank you for being the best gift. Help us to love you more and more each day. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Matthew 11:2-11

Sammy: Good morning everyone! It’s the second third Sunday in Advent, Pastor.

Pastor: Yes it is, Sammy. 

Sammy: I noticed today that there are a lot of greens around the church. This place looks great!

Pastor: Yes our church looks beautiful. We are preparing for Christmas.

Sammy: Is decorating the church part of preparing for Christmas?

Pastor: Yes it is. When we decorate our church, we are including symbols of the season and icons to help us remember the reason for Christmas.

Sammy: What is the reason for Christmas again?

Pastor: Boys and girls, would you please help me answer Sammy’s question? What is the reason for Christmas?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: That’s right! The reason for Christmas is Jesus. We are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus and we are waiting for his return. That’s what Advent and this time of year are all about.

Sammy: That’s what John the Baptist did, right? He prepared the way for Jesus. He was helping people get their hearts ready for Jesus. But wait, we don’t have John the Baptist anymore. Who is supposed to help us get our hearts ready for Jesus’s return?

Pastor: Well, Sammy, that’s partly my job. 

Sammy: Oh no.  

Pastor: I know–it’s a big job for just one person. Our church has me as the pastor and the power of the Holy Spirit. God is working in our hearts because of the gift of the Holy Spirit to each believer in Jesus. We can prepare our hearts for Jesus every day.

Sammy: I am glad that we have you and the Holy Spirit, Pastor.

Pastor: Well, thank you, Sammy. 

Sammy: Pastor, how can I prepare my heart? What can I do by myself to prepare for Jesus like John the Baptist wanted us to prepare?

Pastor: We can do a couple of things. We can read our Bibles, say prayers, sing to God, and love Jesus and each other.

Sammy: I like that. I think I can do all of those things with the help of the Holy Spirit. And maybe with a little encouragement from you, too, Pastor.

Pastor: That’s great, Sammy. Boys and girls, will you pray with me? Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to be ready for you. Help us to pray, listen, watch, and stay ready for your return. Thank you for loving us. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Matthew 3:1-12

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 the second Sunday in Advent, Pastor.

Pastor: Yes it is, Sammy. Today we lit a candle for peace.

Sammy: There’s two candles lit, Pastor.

Pastor: Yes, and we have two more weeks to go in Advent.

Sammy: Christmas is coming soon, Pastor. I still have so much to do. I have to clean up the barn with my maaa-maaa. Then I have to get a gift for each of my friends. I have a lot of friends, so that’s a lot of gifts. After that, I am baking cookies with Farmer Matthew.

Pastor: Hold on a second, Sammy. You bake cookies?

Sammy: Of course! And baaa-nana bread.

Pastor: Sammy, you have a lot of things on your list here.

Sammy: I do. It’s overwhelming. I am a busy lamb.

Pastor: I think you are missing something, Sammy.

Sammy: Oh no! What am I missing?

Pastor: Boys and girls, what do you think Sammy is missing? What should Sammy be focused on as we get ready for Christmas?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Sammy, we need to be focused on Jesus this Christmas. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus to come to earth and begin his ministry. Each Christmas, we are preparing our hearts for the return of the King, the return of Jesus.

Sammy: Wow! When you put it like that, Pastor, all the other stuff on my list doesn’t seem to matter.

Pastor: We have to stay focused, Sammy. I know that it’s easy in this season to get distracted by celebrations, parties, cleaning, shopping, and baking, but we have to remember the point of Christmas is to worship God.

Sammy: I am going to try to do better, Pastor. I think I will try to read some books about Jesus every day. That way I can remember how he came to earth as a baby.

Pastor: That sounds great, Sammy. Boys and girls, will you pray with me? Dear Jesus, Thank you for helping us prepare our hearts for your return. Thank you for being our King. Help us to focus on you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Script:

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, I really liked the Gospel message today.

Pastor: Me too, Sammy. Tell me what you liked about the Gospel reading from Matthew 24.

Sammy: Well, I liked that Jesus is teaching about how he is going to come back one day. And I like the story of Noah. And he talked about Noah here.

Pastor: Yes he did. Jesus teaches about how He will return and his return will be like the flood. People were working, eating, drinking, and marrying each other.

Sammy: And then the flood came!

Pastor: And then the flood came and Noah and his family were saved by God because they were living righteous lives.

Sammy: And all the animals were saved, too!

Pastor: That’s right!

Sammy: Except the dinosaurs. They literally missed the boat! Baaahhh!

Pastor: Boys and girls, can we try to name some of the animals that would be on Noah’s ark?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: Great answers! Don’t forget the sheep. And remember, Noah had to have room for two of each kind of animal. That’s a lot of animals!

Pastor: Yes it is. Sammy, I like how you and I are talking about Noah. You see, a lot of people read this passage, and they are afraid of Jesus coming back. We as Christians do not have to be afraid. We are chosen by God, truly loved by him, and given the gift of eternal life by his son Jesus. Because we believe in Jesus, we get to spend an eternity with him in heaven. We do not need to fear his return.

Sammy: Just like Noah didn’t fear the flood. God gave him everything he needed to prepare his heart. God even sent the animals to Noah. We have a good God.

Pastor: Yes we do. Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Please fold your hands and bow your heads. Dear Jesus, Thank you for returning to us. Please guide our hearts to you. Help us to have faith like Noah. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

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

Sammy: Sadly. Hey Pastor…

Pastor: Sammy, why do you seem so sad?

Sammy: Well, the other lambs were really mean to me today. They made fun of me because my fleece is too curly.

Pastor: I’m really sorry to hear that Sammy.

Sammy: Yes. It made me feel really bad.

Pastor: Boys and Girls, has anyone ever been mean to you or hurt you?

Wait for Answers

Sammy: I am really sad to hear that everyone. I don’t understand why people or lambs can be so mean.

Pastor: It’s a part of living Sammy. We can never escape the mean actions of others. People are mean to family, friends, and complete strangers all the time. And if we are honest, we are mean to people too.

Sammy: I guess I have been mean before too.

Pastor: Jesus never promises us an easy life. But he does promise to be with us through tough times and trials. He says, “not a hair of your head will perish.”

Sammy: That really gives me hope Pastor. Thank you.

Pastor: Boys and girls. Can you please fold your hands and bow your head? Dear Jesus, that you for keeping us, thank you for forming us. Thank you for staying with us in times of trial. In Jesus name we pray, amen!

Sammy: Bye everyone!

Note from our Executive Director: Many thanks to Paul Borg, LCMS pastor and friend of Lutheran CORE, for his report on the recent gathering of the Global Confessional and Missional Lutheran Forum (Global Forum) in Nairobi, Kenya.  This is an international gathering of Lutheran church leaders and representatives of Lutheran reform and renewal communities throughout the world.  Many of them are from Western Europe and Africa.  The NALC was very instrumental in the formation of the Global Forum.  On several occasions the Forum met in conjunction with the NALC’s Lutheran Week.  More recently it has met in Africa.  We are very grateful to hear from Paul about how the Spirit of God is moving mightily in the Lutheran Church throughout the world. 

Pause and ponder with me for just a moment. There has never been a time in all of civilization when so many unbelievers are discovering and embracing the Creator of the universe, Jesus. Never. And because of the financial support of CORE, I was gifted with a wonderful five day opportunity in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. I lived with, listened to, and learned from many global Christian leaders. They are being empowered and used by Jesus to reach those who do not yet know Him.

Many of us know the statistics of this unique moment of Christian history: a greater number of people are coming to know Jesus as Lord, than centuries past. Therefore, during this week, we sat together, ate together, became friends with each other and prayed with so many of these leaders whom Jesus is using to reach the unreached.

This particular gathering includes close to 50 Lutheran pastors and leaders from 14 different countries. We, in the global North, asked those from the global South, to teach us and be missionaries to us. There were many fascinating revelations that were, in the end, a call back to the basics: the core of sacred Scriptures, the essential act of reaching the lost, and prayer as a constant, life-sustaining heartbeat.

Here are three examples of their encouragement. They lovingly said to us:

1) Hold on passionately to the power and authority of sacred Scriptures. It is indeed “True Truth,” accurate and true as it describes history, life and faith. This is what the missionaries taught us! The Bible brings us out of darkness and evil, into light and into the presence and joy of Jesus. Maybe we simply need to remind you of what you, in the past, had profoundly taught us: Many of you in the North are diminishing that power of The Scriptures. 

2) Ask Jesus for a passionate zeal to reach the lost. May that zeal not be a part of, but the very heart of every breathing moment of life. This is more than reading books and listening to lectures. And always have a couple of unbelievers as personal friends. Those growing relationships with unbelievers empower not only growth in faith but transformation of all of life, both for the Christian and for the one who may not yet know Jesus.

3) Personally talking with our Creator of the universe, Jesus. Consider prayer as more than quick sentences for appropriate occasions. Instead, consider prayer as breathing. That intimate personal conversation becomes life giving, like a courtship with our Creator. Such intimacy results not only in profound joy but also in profound power. Jesus asks us to do what Jesus did. His miraculous life was empowered by His intimacy and continuous prayer with His Father.

Finally, I thank you for your investment in me and the leaders of God’s church. Your generosity has brought about much encouragement, strategic planning and purposeful connection between the Lutheran leaders, globally. Thanks in part to your support, we are bringing forth the Kingdom of God back into the dry bones of the Church. Amen!

Luke 20:27-38 

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! What is the special theme this week? 

Pastor: What do you mean, Sammy? 

Sammy: Well, two weeks ago we celebrated Reformation Sunday, and last week we celebrated football Sunday– 

Pastor: No, Sammy. We celebrated All-Saints Day. 

Sammy: That’s what I meant. So we had two big weeks in a row at church. What is the big event or theme this week? 

Pastor: Well, this week we are talking about Resurrection. 

Sammy: Happy Resurrection Day, Pastor! 

Pastor: Not quite, Sammy. It’s not really a feast day or a holiday or a celebration. We are having worship together during ordinary time. 

Sammy: Pastor, these times are anything but ordinary. Have you read the newspaper lately? Watched the news? 

Pastor: Let’s get back to our topic for today: Resurrection. Boys and girls, what does “resurrection” mean? 

[Allow time for responses] 

Sammy: These are great answers.  

Pastor: Jesus did rise from the dead. But we also look forward to our resurrection. 

Sammy: What do you mean, Pastor? 

Pastor: One day, Sammy, after we die, we are going to wait for Jesus to come back. When he comes back, the dead will rise and will see his glory. 

Sammy: Is that going to be a scary day? Like a Halloween day? 

Pastor: No, it’s going to be like Easter Sunday. 

Sammy: Oh I love Easter! We get to sing Alleluia songs to God and there’s an egg hunt and Bartholomew the Bunny comes to worship.  

Pastor: That’s the spirit, Sammy. There’s nothing scary about resurrection. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will not die, but will have eternal life.” That’s a gift from God. 

Sammy: Yes it is. 

Pastor: Let’s pray. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for resurrection. Thank you for your gift of new life. Thank you for your love. Amen. 

Sammy: Bye, everyone! 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy! 

Luke 6:20-31

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 noticed that the paraments on the altar are white today. Why is that? Is today a special day at church?

Pastor: Yes, today is All-Saints Sunday.

Sammy: Go Saints!

Pastor: What do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: Go Saints! Kick the ball! Run the ball! Tackle the guy! Touchdown! Woooo!

Pastor: We don’t live in Louisiana, Sammy. Our football teams around here are the Ravens and the Commanders.

Sammy: Oh.

Pastor: ….

Sammy: Go Saints!

Pastor: Let’s move on, Sammy. We are not celebrating a football team today. We are remembering the Saints in Heaven today.

Sammy: Like St. Peter and St. Paul?

Pastor: Yes, but not just St. Peter and St. Paul.

Sammy: Who else?

Pastor: All Christians in Heaven are Saints.

Sammy: Woah. That’s really cool. You mean when we get to Heaven, we get upgraded to Sainthood?

Pastor: That’s right. Martin Luther teaches that we are both sinners and saints. We are not perfect people, but we are redeemed by the blood of the lamb—by Jesus! By Jesus. He’s the lamb. I wasn’t talking about your blood, Sammy.

Sammy: Okay good. I was a little bit worried there for a second. I thought I might need another band-aid.

Pastor: Boys and girls, can you share with us someone you know who is now a Saint in Heaven?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I like hearing about your families and friends. I have a lot of peace knowing that Jesus is one day going to welcome me into Heaven with him, and I will get to join the Saints of Heaven, too.

Pastor: There will be rejoicing on that day, Sammy. What a gift to get to worship our Lord. Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, thank you for your blood. Thank you for welcoming us into Heaven. Thank you for your great love. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Script:

Luke 17:11-19

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 just wanted to thank you for doing a great job.

Pastor: Thank you, Sammy.

Sammy: You always listen to me, tell me stories, teach me about the Word of God, and you are a great friend to me.

Pastor: That’s very kind of you, Sammy.

Sammy: I just wanted you to know.

Pastor: You know, Sammy, your thankfulness reminds me of the Gospel reading for today. Jesus healed ten men with a skin disease.

Sammy: A skin disease?

Pastor: Yes—they called out to Jesus and asked him to heal them. He healed them by telling them to go show themselves to the priests. On the way to the priests, they were healed.

Sammy: But why did he tell them to go to the priests? Why not just heal them right away?

Pastor: What do you think, boys and girls? Why did Jesus send the men to go to the priests instead of healing them right away?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: These are great answers and ideas. Jesus wanted the men to act in faith. Walking toward the priests meant a commitment of faith for them. And men with a skin disease were considered unclean. They were unable to worship God at the temple if they had a skin disease.

Sammy: So that would be like if we couldn’t go to church?

Pastor: Yes.

Sammy: But they couldn’t help it!

Pastor: That was the rule. In Jesus’s time, there was no cure for this skin disease.

Sammy: That’s horrible. They were forever banned from church. I love church. I want to be here every day.

Pastor: I know, Sammy. But you know, what? Jesus healed all ten of these men, and then they could go to worship God in the temple.

Sammy: And one of them went back to thank him. That man is my favorite. Jesus gave him his life back.

Pastor: Jesus gives each of us a new life in him, and it’s important to thank our God for the many gifts he gives us. In fact, let’s pray and thank him right now. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your head? Dear Jesus, we thank you for your healing power. We praise you for directing us to you. Help us to be thankful for everything you give us. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!