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Please choose from the following children's sermons:

• Jeopardy, based on Matthew 22:34-40
  Rev. Randy Quinn   (see below)
   
• Love God, Love Neighbor, Matthew 22:34-46
  by Rev Frank Schaefer  (see below)
   
• What do you want on your Tombstone? Deut. 34:1-12,
  by Rev Frank Schaefer   (see below)

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Jeopardy
based on Matthew 22:34-40
Rev. Randy Quinn

How many of you have ever watched the TV show, Jeopardy?

Do you remember how it works? An answer is given, and the people have to guess what the question is. The answers are given in different categories that serve as a clue about the question. Only one person gets to guess each question - if they get it wrong another person can try.

And then at the end of the game, there is one final answer - but everyone gets to guess this question.

So, let me see if you get the idea. I'll tell you the category is something in the church. If you know the question, raise your hand since only one person can guess.

And the answer is...a piece of cloth representing a servant that a pastor wears. (If they don't get it, I'll help by pointing to it.)

The correct question is: What is a stole? [Although I suspect another "correct" answer would be: What is a robe?] (The hard part is remembering to make the "answer" a question, isn't it?)

How about his one: what husbands used to vow to do to their wives in the wedding ceremony, using a word that means giving our entire selves to the service of and adoration of another person or thing. (If they don't get it, I'll give a hint: it is what we do when we come to the sanctuary.)

The question is: What is worship? (And, yes, husbands used to promise to worship their wives - not football.)

How about one we can all do together, a "final jeopardy" answer: the One we come to worship together.

The question is: Who is God?

Let's pray:

God, help us remember that you are the One we have come here to meet today. Help us receive your love and celebrate your love and then share your love, so that you will be seen in the ways we act after we leave this place today. Amen.

 

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Love God, Love Neighbor
a children's sermon based on Matthew 22:34-46
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

props: a bag of candy (individually wrapped candy pieces, like tootsie rolls)
 

Greetings, my little friends, today I brought some of my favorite candy.  Well,    before I open the bag and eat some of this candy, I'd like you to know that I really care for all of you kids. (continue to talk while you unwrap a piece of candy and stick it in your mouth) I like you guys so much, I outright love you.   Hmmmm, I tell you this candy is soooo good.

How would you feel if I decided to eat this whole bag of candy all by myself, right here in front of you?  Would you still believe me that I care about you? Even if I didn't  share my candy with you?  That doesn't make sense doesn't it.  It would be like saying one thing, but acting a different way.

In one of our bible lessons this morning, Jesus says: "the greatest commandments are to love God and love other people." 

You know, sometimes I thing it is easier to love God than to love other people around you.  It may be easier to love God, because God is perfect; he never disappoints us.   But to really love others can be hard sometimes.

How should we love others?  I think it's not enough to just say that we love others.  We must show it through our words and our actions.  It means that we must do good for others and share with them.

Hmmm. I wonder whether that means that I should share my candy with you?  What do you think?

Give out the candy pieces and, as you hand them out,  tell each child that you care about (love) them.

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What do you want on your Tombstone?
a children's sermon based on Deut. 34:1-12
by Rev. F. Schaefer
props: none

Do you remember the commercials for the "Tombstone" pizza?  The question they asked again and again was: "what do you want on your tombstone?"

Speaking of pizza, what do you guys like on your pizza?  Cheese?   Pepperoni?  What else?

Well, one of today's lessons is about the death of a very important prophet.  His name?  Moses.  You have heard of Moses, I'm sure.  Well, Moses died when he was very old.  And when he died, the people of Israel had a lot of good things to say about him.

What would you like people to say about you when you die, say in 60 or 70 years from now?  What would you like to see on you tombstone?

• S/he was very nice
• S/he was a giving person
• S/he could spit 20 feet
• S/he had great clothes
• S/he was really cool
• Sh/e always helped others
• S/he had the most beautiful dog

What do you want on your tombstone?  Let the children share.

I think what I'm hearing from most all of you is that you are really interested in being known for being a good Christian boy or girl.  I think God is very pleased with that.  And I hope and pray that all of that will come true of you and that when you die, people will be genuinely sad and will be missing you.

Let us pray: "Dear God, help us to live the good and Christian lives that we want to live and that you want us to live.  Sometimes it is not easy, but with your help, Lord, we can make it.  Amen."