We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder
a children's sermon based on Genesis 28:10-19
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

props: Sing with the kids or use the lyrics of the spiritual: " Jacob's ladder" (lyrics are listed below) --you may want to ask a musician in your congregation to accompany or lead in the song. 

Greetings, my little friends, please have a seat on the altar steps.  Did you all have a good night?  Do you guys usually dream?  What do you dream about?  Are your dreams usually good dreams?

In today's Scriptures we read about a man, by the name of Jacob, who had a dream.  Jacob had a wonderful dream.  He dreamt that right at the place where he was resting the heavens opened and a huge ladder came down.  And then angels climbed up and down the ladder.

And then suddenly, he heard God's voice.  And God was making a great promise to him.  God said: "one day, this land will belong to you and your family.  I will give it to you."

Isn't that something.  And you know, God's promise came true as today the land of Israel belongs to the great-great-great-great....grandchildren of Jacob.

Have you ever had a dream from God?  You know, that could happen to us.  Sometimes God gives us dreams just like he gave Jacob a dream.  That's one way--(albeit unusual)--of how God speaks to us.

Of course, Jacob thought that this place where he had the dream was pretty special.  He called it Beth-El, which is Hebrew for "House of God."

This morning we too are in a House of God.  What do we call this place?  That's right, we call it "church."  And in church we worship God and we hope that there are angels climbing up and down an invisible ladder.

In fact, when we're in God's house, we hope that we will be able to climb up higher so we can be closer to God.

There is a great song, called "Jacob's ladder" I would like to sing with you.  Who of you knows the song?  Will you help us sing it?

Jacob's Ladder

1. We are climbing Jacob's ladder (3x)
   Children of the world

2. Every round goes higher higher (3x)
   Children, listen now

3. Love will lift us higher higher (3x)
   Children of the world

4. We are climbing Jacob's ladder (3x)
   Children, listen now

Amen.