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Choose from the following children's resources:
Promised Blessings,
by Rev. Frank Schaefer -- see below
God's Show and Tell,
by Rev. Frank Schaefer --please
scroll down
Children's
Dedication Service (the Gospel lesson lends itself for
children's dedication)
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Promised Blessings
a children's sermon based on the Gospel lesson
by Rev. Frank Schaefer
Props: none
Good morning boys and girls. Today's bible lesson is about a very, very old man
who lived in Jerusalem around the time Jesus was born. His name was Simeon.
God had given Simeon a promise that before he died, he would see the Savior of the world.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, one day Simeon came into the temple when Mary and Joseph
were there with baby Jesus. When Simeon saw baby Jesus, he immediately knew that baby was
no ordinary baby; Simeon knew this was the Savior of the world! And he praised God
and blessed little baby Jesus.
And old Simeon was so happy that he had the provilege to see Jesus, that he said:
"now, that I have seen God's salvation, I don't mind dying."
You know, probably most of you--when you were babies--were blessed in church, just as
baby Jesus was blessed by old Simeon (either at your baptism or a children's dedication
service).
Why do you think we bless our children in church? (let the children answer)
That's right--all of these are good reasons. We also bless our babies because
we want to devote them to God; give thanks to God for them and ask God to protect them.
Because Simeon blessed baby Jesus we have this great tradition of blessing our
children. And God promises to take care of his children--little or big children, doesn't
matter.
Do you think God ever breaks God's promises? I don't think God ever does. In fact the
bible says in many places that God is faithful to God's children and keeps all promises.
In our Bible story this morning we heard that God kept the promise to Simeon. Simeon did
see the Savior of the world before he died.
And God also will take care of you and me as God has promised. Do you believe
that?
Let's pray: "All loving and faithful God we thank you for the many promises
you always keep your promises. Thank you for blessing us and for watching over us.
Amen."
God's Show and Tell
a children's sermon for the 1st Sunday after Christmas
by Rev. Frank Schaefer
Props: if you feel comfortable sharing, bring in a gift you received
for Christmas. Get your music people to accompany the singing of "Jesus Loves
me this I know."
Greetings my little friends, I would really like to know what you all got for
Christmas. What is your favorite gift? Who'd like to share?
How did it feel when you opened one of your presents and found your favorite toy?
Really good? Excitement? Joy? Why do you think gifts make us feel so
good?
If you brought a gift for "show and tell" share it with them and what it
means to you.
Maybe because they surprise us? Maybe because they tell us that someone thought
of us, that someone loves us?
Do know why we get gifts on Christmas in the first place? To imitate Jesus.
Because Jesus gave us a very, very big present; You all know this:
Jesus came down from heaven and he was born as a baby, as a human person and later he
showed us a new way to God.
Jesus gave the greatest gift anybody could ever give: he gave himself. And do you know
what that gift of Jesus means to us? It means that Jesus loves us very much.
Jesus loves you and he loves me. We know it's true for sure, because the bible tells us
that he was born in a stable in Bethlehem--and that's what we celebrate in this season of
Christmas.
I'd like to sing a song with you that you all know--I think. It's not a Christmas
carol, but it says exactly what I have been trying to tell you just now--that Jesus loves
us.
Let us sing (you may invite the entire congregation) "Jesus Loves me this I
know."
A Service of Dedication for Children
Invitation: When the people of Israel once brought their
little ones to Jesus, the disciples rebuked them. But our Lord Jesus said to them:
"Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them...for theirs is the Kingdom
of Heaven." (Luke 18:15-17). Jesus blessed the little children
and dedicated them to God. Jesus himself was dedicated in the temple and
blessed by the elder Simeon.
Let us follow Jesus example and bring the little children unto God and let us dedicate
their lives to the glory of God Almighty.
Presentation of the children by name (allow the children to be held by mom or dad /
grandma or grandpa, etc)
Prayer over each child with laying on of hands:
God of all creation, loving Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we offer you grateful
praise for the life of name of child. We thank you for sending him/her
into our community. We ask you to bless him/her with your presence and to surround him/her
with your love, grace and strength so that s/he may grow up to be a faithful
follower of Christ.
Lord, we also want to affirm the parents, grandparents, and this community of
faith at this time of joy and celebration. We ask you that you would enable
us to surround him/her with your love, to provide instruction in the
way of our faith, and to be living examples of faithful believers.
Fill name of child with your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus, our
Savior. Amen.
Presentation of children's bible and dedication certificate.
