Happy Birthday, Church!
Children's sermon
The Giant Book Of Children's Sermons
Matthew To Revelation
Object: a big electric fan, with the sound increased by use of a microphone (if a fan is not available, then let the children make the noise themselves)
Good morning, boys and girls. Today I want to tell you about Pentecost, which is the birthday of the Church. The Christian Church was born on Pentecost Day. How many of you know when you were born? (let them answer) Everyone knows his or her birthday, and today is the birthday of the Church. Let's say, "Happy Birthday," to the Church. (lead them in saying, "Happy Birthday")
Pentecost is a great church holiday. On Pentecost we remember the very first day that the Church had life. It was a day like this. Everything was kind of quiet. The disciples of Jesus were together in an upstairs room when all of a sudden they heard a sound, a loud sound. (turn on the fan) It sounded like something they had heard before only louder than anything that they had experienced.
What does that noise sound like to you? (let them answer) It sounds like a wind, a big wind, bigger than any wind they had ever heard before. Whenever something like that happens to some people, it scares them. But when the disciples ran out of the house, it wasn't because they were afraid. It was because God's Spirit came upon them.
At that time of the year there were a lot of people in Jerusalem who came from other countries. You can tell when people come from other countries because they may dress a little differently and speak differently. Have you ever heard someone speak another language? (let them answer) You can't understand them, can you? (let them answer) Usually you can't. But on this day, as everyone was speaking his own language, God worked a wonderful miracle. As Peter preached his special sermon, everyone understood him. Peter told everyone about Jesus and the wonderful things that he had done. He told people about how Jesus taught us of God's love, died for our sins, and rose from the grave.
The people were just wild about the things that Peter said that day. Thousands of them decided to follow Jesus. They were baptized that day and made members of Christ's Church. That is why we call this the birthday of the Church. All of God's promises came true that day because the Spirit of God came to live with us. Pentecost is a day that all of us remember and the Church celebrates it today.
Let's all say this together. "God bless the Father." (have them repeat it) "God bless the Son." (have them repeat it) "God bless the Holy Spirit." (have them repeat it) "And God bless the Church." (repeat it) "Happy Birthday, Church."
Good morning, boys and girls. Today I want to tell you about Pentecost, which is the birthday of the Church. The Christian Church was born on Pentecost Day. How many of you know when you were born? (let them answer) Everyone knows his or her birthday, and today is the birthday of the Church. Let's say, "Happy Birthday," to the Church. (lead them in saying, "Happy Birthday")
Pentecost is a great church holiday. On Pentecost we remember the very first day that the Church had life. It was a day like this. Everything was kind of quiet. The disciples of Jesus were together in an upstairs room when all of a sudden they heard a sound, a loud sound. (turn on the fan) It sounded like something they had heard before only louder than anything that they had experienced.
What does that noise sound like to you? (let them answer) It sounds like a wind, a big wind, bigger than any wind they had ever heard before. Whenever something like that happens to some people, it scares them. But when the disciples ran out of the house, it wasn't because they were afraid. It was because God's Spirit came upon them.
At that time of the year there were a lot of people in Jerusalem who came from other countries. You can tell when people come from other countries because they may dress a little differently and speak differently. Have you ever heard someone speak another language? (let them answer) You can't understand them, can you? (let them answer) Usually you can't. But on this day, as everyone was speaking his own language, God worked a wonderful miracle. As Peter preached his special sermon, everyone understood him. Peter told everyone about Jesus and the wonderful things that he had done. He told people about how Jesus taught us of God's love, died for our sins, and rose from the grave.
The people were just wild about the things that Peter said that day. Thousands of them decided to follow Jesus. They were baptized that day and made members of Christ's Church. That is why we call this the birthday of the Church. All of God's promises came true that day because the Spirit of God came to live with us. Pentecost is a day that all of us remember and the Church celebrates it today.
Let's all say this together. "God bless the Father." (have them repeat it) "God bless the Son." (have them repeat it) "God bless the Holy Spirit." (have them repeat it) "And God bless the Church." (repeat it) "Happy Birthday, Church."
