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!

“They attack, they lurk, they watch my steps, as they have waited to take my life.  Because of wickedness, cast them forth, in anger put down the peoples, O God!”  (Psalm 56:6-7)

All around are those who mean harm.  Yes, there are wicked people in the guise of everyday normal people.  Do not fear and do not fret over them.  Their time is short but the Word of the Lord is forever.  Look to the Lord, be guided by His Spirit and know the truth He revealed once for all.  The peoples will be put down and the Lord lifted up.  Keep your eyes upon the Lord.

Lord, You know the times and events and the ways of people.  Guide me, O Lord, that I would walk in the ways You have established now and forever.  Keep me from the tangles of the wicked ones who plot to lie, cheat, steal and destroy.  Lead me in the way of life that I would go there.  Help me now and always to be one who studies Your Word to see the simplicity and goodness of Your commands.

Lord Jesus, without You it would be impossible, but with You it is possible.  You are the One who makes my salvation possible.  Lead me away from the foolish thinking of this age and into the truth You have revealed for all.  Grow my faith to become action, firmly witnessing Your goodness in the world and guiding my footsteps to be pleasing to the Father.  Amen.