Sweet good news
Children's sermon
Object:
a large cookie jar
Good morning! This is Easter. CHRIST IS RISEN! What a
wonderful day this is. Today is a day of wonderful, good news. It
is the good news that Jesus is raised from the dead.
I wonder, how many of you like cookies? (Let them answer.) I love cookies. In a small way, cookies are good news. When I was much younger we had a large cookie jar something like this. It always sat high on the shelf in the kitchen. Many, many times, when I went into the kitchen, I would look up at that shelf wishing I could reach it. I always looked up.
Today the writer says we are to "seek the things that are above." I think he meant more than seeking cookies high on a shelf. But I do believe he meant that we are to seek those things which Jesus taught and did. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is much better news than a cookie, but even little bits of good news, like cookies, can remind us of that great good news we have this fine Easter day.
Dear God: Thank you for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This is good news that is above us. Help us think about this good news often. Amen.
(As the children go back to their seats, give them a cookie from the cookie jar. [Your custodian will appreciate the small, crumbless cookies you give.])
Alternative: Object -- empty cookie jar. Jesus' grave was empty just as this cookie jar is empty. Cookies are good; Jesus is good. We might expect the cookie jar to have cookies in it just as the disciples expected Jesus' body to be in the grave. We might be disappointed that there are no cookies in the jar just as the disciples were disappointed that Jesus' body was gone. But ... Jesus was alive and that was the best news of all. Furthermore, the cookie jar may be empty, but I have a cookie for you anyway. (Give them a cookie from a hidden container as they return to their seats.)
I wonder, how many of you like cookies? (Let them answer.) I love cookies. In a small way, cookies are good news. When I was much younger we had a large cookie jar something like this. It always sat high on the shelf in the kitchen. Many, many times, when I went into the kitchen, I would look up at that shelf wishing I could reach it. I always looked up.
Today the writer says we are to "seek the things that are above." I think he meant more than seeking cookies high on a shelf. But I do believe he meant that we are to seek those things which Jesus taught and did. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is much better news than a cookie, but even little bits of good news, like cookies, can remind us of that great good news we have this fine Easter day.
Dear God: Thank you for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This is good news that is above us. Help us think about this good news often. Amen.
(As the children go back to their seats, give them a cookie from the cookie jar. [Your custodian will appreciate the small, crumbless cookies you give.])
Alternative: Object -- empty cookie jar. Jesus' grave was empty just as this cookie jar is empty. Cookies are good; Jesus is good. We might expect the cookie jar to have cookies in it just as the disciples expected Jesus' body to be in the grave. We might be disappointed that there are no cookies in the jar just as the disciples were disappointed that Jesus' body was gone. But ... Jesus was alive and that was the best news of all. Furthermore, the cookie jar may be empty, but I have a cookie for you anyway. (Give them a cookie from a hidden container as they return to their seats.)
