Scripture

Matthew 5:13-20

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: How are you doing today, Sammy?

Sammy: I am doing great! Today we are talking about salt. I know all about salt. There is a ton of it outside.

Pastor: What do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: There’s salt all over the sidewalks and parking lot here at church. Haven’t you seen it, Pastor?

Pastor: Yes I have. It’s a special kind of salt that helps melt the snow and ice. We don’t eat it.

Sammy: Oh. That’s good to know.

Pastor: You tasted it, didn’t you?

Sammy: Yep.

Pastor: Boys and girls, we put a special salt for eating on our food. The salt on the ground outside is not good to eat, but salt that your parents and grandparents give you is good to eat. I have some salt with me here. Let’s talk about it. What are some things you notice about it?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: What kinds of foods do you put salt on? 

Pastor: I put salt on every dinner cooked at home.

Sammy: Do your dinners need salt? Aren’t they just fine the way they are?

Pastor: Yes they are wonderful.

Sammy: Boys and girls, what kinds of foods do you put salt on?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Talking about salt is really important. We all eat and use salt. Jesus is talking about salt and how his followers need to be the salt of the earth. 

Sammy: What does that mean?

Pastor: That means that we need to go into the world and spread the good news that Jesus is Lord. We are called to love God and each other.

Sammy: That’s a big job.

Pastor: Yes it is, but there are a lot of us, and we have the power of the Holy Spirit to help us and to guide us.

Sammy: Every time I eat salt, I’ll be thinking of Jesus calling us to be the salt of the earth.

Pastor: Wonderful, Sammy. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, help us to be the salt of the earth. Help us to share your message with everyone we meet. Thank you for being Lord and Savior of our lives. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

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: Sammy, today we have scripture from the Gospel of Matthew.

Sammy: Yes, it’s one of my favorites: The Bee-Attitudes.

Pastor: The what?

Sammy: The Bee-Attitudes. You know, like honey bees, and bumblebees, and carpenter bees, and not like wasps or hornets or yellow jackets or anything like that.

Pastor: Here we go again.

Sammy: All right everyone! Can everyone help me with the Bee-Attitudes? Can you buzz like a bee? 

[Allow children time to buzz like bees]

Sammy: That was really good. But let’s do that again, but louder. Ready?

[Allow children to buzz like bees]

Sammy: Great job! That’s just the warm-up!

Pastor: Sammy, I don’t think you understand what Jesus is talking about.

Sammy: Of course I do, Pastor! We just had to warm up. Okay everyone! Are you ready for the next part?

Pastor: I can only imagine…

Sammy: Repeat after me: Be comforted. Be filled. Be merciful. Be pure. Be peaceful. Let’s try again. Ready? Be comforted. Be filled. Be merciful. Be pure. Be peaceful. Great job! See, Pastor. These are the Bee Attitudes.

Pastor: Oh I get it. The Beatitudes. Jesus is teaching us about who is and what he does. He is merciful in his forgiveness. He mourns over our sins and comforts us in our guilt. He is pure in heart and he makes peace between us and God.  What he is saying helps us to know how much he loves us. Even though we fall short of his love. People hearing these words for the first time would be surprised. 

Sammy: Why’s that? 

Pastor: Jesus says that those who are sad will be comforted. The meek will inherit the earth. The pure in heart will see God.

Sammy: These are big promises.

Pastor: Yes they are. They are promises that are filled by Jesus. He loves each one of us, and his love is a gift.

Sammy: The Bee-Attitudes are fun. Can everyone buzz with me one more time?

Pastor: Great job, little bees. Let’s say a prayer and then you can buzz like a bee back to your seats. Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, Thank you for teaching us how to live. Thank you for helping us with our Bee-Attitudes. We love you and praise your name. Amen.

Sammy: Buzzzzzz.

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!

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!

Many thanks to Brian Hughes for his review of “The Jesus Shaped Way” by Bob Rognlien.  Brian is a dual rostered NALC and retired ELCA pastor and vice president of the board of Lutheran CORE.  A link to Brian’s video can be found HERE. 

Brian writes – “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:5-6

Lutheran Pastor Bob Rognlien has released his latest book on discipleship, “The Jesus Shaped Way, six steps to being and making disciples the way Jesus did,” and is IMHO, a must read for anyone seeking to launch a discipling culture movement in their congregation.  For most of its recent life the church has concentrated on two words from that text: Truth and Life.  What does Scripture teach us that is True and how do we Live in response?  What if HOW Jesus made disciples, The Way, is equally important?   Drawing from decades of leading two-week pilgrimages to the Holy Land and years of building disciples who can make disciples, Pastor Rognlien brings together those experiences in profound ways.  You can purchase the book and the video training course in the Store at www.bobrognlien.com. 

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! 

John 8:31-36

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

Sammy:

Sammy: Good morning, Pastor. Good morning boys and girls. Hey Pastor, why do you look like you are looking for someone.

Pastor: I am expecting a friend come today. I thought he would be here at worship. But I can’t find him.

Sammy: What does he look like? Maybe I can help you find him.

Pastor:  Well, you can’t really miss him. He’s a really big guy. He’s in a strange outfit, and he’s really grumpy. And his name is Martin Luther.

Sammy: Oh, I thought you were talking about Santa Clause for a moment. But he’s not grumpy. You really know how to disappoint someone Pastor.

Pastor: Sorry to disappoint you, Sammy. But Martin  Luther is as fun as Santa Clause.

Sammy: Pastor you really shouldn’t lie in church.

Pastor: No really. He always brings pretzels and cider with him. So that means snacks Sammy.

Sammy: Okay, I think I like him now. But why is he visiting today?

Pastor: Well today is reformation Sunday. It’s a day when we remember Martin nailing the 95 theses on the door of his church. This moment caused a movement to spark reformation within the church.

Sammy: Oh okay. So he was really important. And I just realized something pastor. His name is Luther. Aren’t we part of a Lutheran church?

Pastor: Good job Sammy. We are a Lutheran church. He is the person that wrote a lot of what we teach here at St. Paul’s. His courage is why we are here today. Let us pray now: Dear Jesus, Thank you for reformers like Martin Luther. Thank you for teachers that followed his lead by teaching people the true gospel. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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!

Luke 17:5-10

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 made it to church on time this morning.

Pastor: That’s great, Sammy.

Sammy: I do a good job of showing up almost every week. Sometimes I get sick and I have to stay home. Or sometimes I go to the beach on vacation.

Pastor: I am proud of you for coming to church, Sammy.

Sammy: I also pray, and I sing, and I talk to the kids here about God.

Pastor: Yes, you do.

Sammy: And I take the time to help you out, Pastor. That’s a lot of work. I found your keys, invited myself to your house for dinner…

Pastor: Where are you going with this, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, none of it is good enough, is it, Pastor?

Pastor: What do you mean?

Sammy: I was reflecting on the Gospel reading for today, and I was just thinking that all the things I do and all the effort I put into church and my family isn’t good enough.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. We will never be good enough. Jesus talks in the reading today about how if we live a holy and righteous life, that is what we are supposed to do. If we show up to church every week, if we sing in the choir, feed the hungry, help each other, serve each other, and love each other, we have done the minimum and we haven’t added anything to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Sammy: So I have to be a good Christian and it’s still not good enough.

Pastor: That’s correct. We sin every day, and doing our best to live a holy life is all we can do. We have to rely on Jesus to do the rest.

Sammy: What do you mean?

Pastor: Boys and girls, what did Jesus do for us?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He took all of the sin and shame that we have and he covered us with his grace. He forgives us when we ask him to forgive us because of his great love for us.

Sammy: That’s beautiful.

Pastor: Yes it is. One thing you should know, Sammy, is that when we come to the Kingdom of Heaven, we go empty handed. We don’t bring anything with us, just our sin and our shame. Even as a pastor, I will approach Jesus with my hands bearing my shame. There is nothing I can do or say that will make me good enough in his eyes.

Sammy: That’s why we cling to the cross of Jesus.

Pastor: Yes, that is why we cling to the cross.

Sammy: Whew. That’s a relief.

Pastor: What do you mean?

Sammy: I have a lot of peace now. I was going to make a spreadsheet of all the things I do for Jesus around here. But like we talked about, I am supposed to do all the things I do. And I’ll cling to the cross of Jesus forever.

Pastor: Me too. Let’s pray. Can you all please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, help us to realize we aren’t good enough. Help us to know you are the only one who adds to the Kingdom of Heaven. Thank you for letting us join you in Heaven. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!