Childrens Sermon Service

Good evening! Why are we in church this Wednesday evening?
(Let them answer.) Yes, this is Ash Wednesday, but what does that
mean? What is Ash Wednesday? (Let them answer.)

This is the first day of the church season we call Lent. In
forty days, it will be Easter. What do we celebrate on Easter?
(Let them answer.) Yes, Easter is the day we celebrate the
resurrection of Jesus from the grave. That's a really happy day,
isn't it? (Let them answer.)

But, before we can celebrate Jesus being raised from the
dead, we have to remember how he was killed and all that he
suffered for us. That's not so very happy, is it? (Let them
answer) No, it isn't and that's where the ashes come in. There is
a tradition in the church to begin Lent by putting ashes on our
foreheads so we will remember how sad it is that Jesus had to
suffer and die for us. Ashes are a symbol for grief and sadness.

Here are some ashes. (Show the ashes.) I'm going to put some
on your forehead now to help you remember all that Jesus did for
you; how much he suffered for your sake. (Put the ashes on their
foreheads, making the sign of the cross on each forehead in
ashes.) I hope this will help you remember what Ash Wednesday
means. Saint Paul tells us that now is the acceptable time, the
time of our salvation. Ash Wednesday helps us remember how Jesus
saved us. Let's thank him for suffering and dying for us so that
we could all go to Heaven.

Dear Jesus: We thank you so much for all that you did for us. In
this Lent season, help us to remember and thank you for your love
and care for us. Amen.