Saving Hands
Children's sermon
Object:
Oversized “hand cutout” and/or Frances Hook's painting of Jesus and the children, and/or classic painting of Jesus and Peter on the water
“...and he cried out, “Lord save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and saved him.” (30b, 31a)
Good morning boys and girls,
How are you today? Thinking about school yet? For some of you it will soon be time for going back to classes, seeing your friends and having new experiences, won't it?
I am happy to see you here at worship this morning.
I want you to look at your hands. With your hands you can do so many things. Your hands can pray. (Fold hands in prayer) You hands can make a fist. (Make a fist) Your hands can be open to receive gifts. With your hands you can touch, caress, and even hug.
I want you to look at Jesus' hands in this painting. (Show Jesus and the children painting by F. Hook) What do you see with his hands? Yes, see how they are showing love and tenderness and forgiveness.
Once when Jesus' disciple, Peter, tried to walk on water. Peter got scared of the wind and waves and began to sink. He hollered out to Jesus, who was nearby, “Lord, save me!”
And the bible says that Jesus reached out with his hands and caught Peter and saved him from possible drowning.
Jesus' hands, in fact, all of his being, were always busy saving and healing and helping people.
And then later on at a very sad time when Jesus was crucified they drove nails into his hands. (optional: push a hole in the cut-out hand)
Even when his hands were hurt, they were doing good. Jesus with hurt hands, and feet and side, died so that you and I can be saved too -- like Peter.
You and I can do naughty things or wonderful things with our hands, can't we?
How will you use your hands now and as you grow up?
Prayer: Dear saving Jesus, help us to use our hands for love, for praying, for saving and for helping.
Amen.
Good morning boys and girls,
How are you today? Thinking about school yet? For some of you it will soon be time for going back to classes, seeing your friends and having new experiences, won't it?
I am happy to see you here at worship this morning.
I want you to look at your hands. With your hands you can do so many things. Your hands can pray. (Fold hands in prayer) You hands can make a fist. (Make a fist) Your hands can be open to receive gifts. With your hands you can touch, caress, and even hug.
I want you to look at Jesus' hands in this painting. (Show Jesus and the children painting by F. Hook) What do you see with his hands? Yes, see how they are showing love and tenderness and forgiveness.
Once when Jesus' disciple, Peter, tried to walk on water. Peter got scared of the wind and waves and began to sink. He hollered out to Jesus, who was nearby, “Lord, save me!”
And the bible says that Jesus reached out with his hands and caught Peter and saved him from possible drowning.
Jesus' hands, in fact, all of his being, were always busy saving and healing and helping people.
And then later on at a very sad time when Jesus was crucified they drove nails into his hands. (optional: push a hole in the cut-out hand)
Even when his hands were hurt, they were doing good. Jesus with hurt hands, and feet and side, died so that you and I can be saved too -- like Peter.
You and I can do naughty things or wonderful things with our hands, can't we?
How will you use your hands now and as you grow up?
Prayer: Dear saving Jesus, help us to use our hands for love, for praying, for saving and for helping.
Amen.
