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Choose from the following Children's Sermons:

• The Gratitude Attitude (see below)
• Thanksgiving Cards for God (please scroll down)
• Don't Worry--God Will Care for You!  (please scroll down)

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Don't Worry--God Will Care for You!
a children's sermon based on Matthew 6:26-33
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

Props: a bird's nest (a basket with straw will do) and a chicken egg (hard-boiled), placed in the nest.

Good morning boys and girls. Today, I brought something with me that you can find outside: a bird's nest with an egg. Don't worry, the egg is just a chicken egg out of my refrigerator. There isn't a living chick inside. But later we're going to pretend that it does have a live chick inside. Where do you find nests like this? (backyard, trees, shrubs...) And who takes care of the eggs? (mother/father bird)

You know, sometimes a storm knocks a nest like this out of the tree and the eggs fall to the ground. Some time ago, I heard about a little boy who found a bird's egg on the grass right in his own backyard. What do you think he did when he found the egg on the ground? He took it inside so he could save the little bird inside. And he took care of the egg.

Would you do that if you found an egg on the ground? Would you take care of a little chick inside the egg? How would you take care of it? Would you protect it? Allow the children to share, give them the egg to show how. It doesn't matter whether what they say is practical or not, just allow them to share their love and compassion.

Conclusion: would you ever forget about the egg for a day or two? Or would you make sure that it stays warm and protected at all times? You know, in our   bible lesson from Matthew today, Jesus said to his disciples: God takes great care of the birds of the sky and the flowers of the field.  He cares so much for the birds that he lets them find food and twigs so they can make their own nest.

I want you to know this morning that God loves you and cares for you even more than for all the birds of the air.  In fact, Jesus said: "aren't you worth more in God's eyes than a bird?  Therefore, do not worry about the future, for God will take care of you."

God will always watch over you.  God will never leave you out of his sight, not even for a little while. God will always care for you. God has promised to be faithful to you and me.

Let us thank God for his faithfulness and his love and his protection for us.

Prayer: (see below for "A Child's Thanksgiving Prayer")

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The Gratitude Attitude
Theme: Thanksgiving
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

Hi boys and girls, today we will talk about a very important word.     And that word is . . . "thanks."  If I didn't know better I'd say this word has magical powers.  You know why?  Because it makes people smile.    Have you ever noticed that?  It doesn't always work, but most of the time when we say "thank you" to someone, they smile.  It makes them feel good to be thanked.

When do you use that word "thanks?"  When do you say "thanks" to someone?  (let the children name examples and encourage their answers).

I have another question: do you think that we can say "thanks" to God too? (Nod slightly to encourage the yes answer) What do you think, does God smile when you say "thank you" to him?  (Nod slightly).  Yes, you are absolutely right: the bible tells us that God likes our offerings of thanksgiving and praise.  It makes God feel good.

And actually, that's what we're doing today (tonight): we have a Thanksgiving Service.  What do we thank God for? (let the children give answers, help only if they are stuck; if you have fruits/ears of grain, etc. on the altar you may want to point to them).

How about if we give God thanks right now and pray a little prayer together?

Prayer: (see below for "A Child's Thanksgiving Prayer")

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Thanksgiving Cards for God
suggestion by a DPSer

Props: Have available simple thank you cards on colorful paper.

Ask: have you ever sent a thank you card to someone? Has anyone in your family? What were you given? Have you ever made a card for God?

Next, you may talk about the weekly offering and its use for the church, missions, and help for the community. (Be prepared: some children think the minister gets to keep the money).

What other ways can we show thanks? What can kids do? Invite them to make thank-you cards for God, and suggest to hang them up in the Sunday School room, church lobby, etc.

Prayer: (see below for "A Child's Thanksgiving Prayer"

 

 

A Child's Thanksgiving Prayer
(may be prayed by the entire congregation)

On Thanksgiving Day,
I thank God for my family and my sister.
I thank God for the rain and the sun.
I thank God for my Teddy Bear.
I thank God for my teachers and for my friends.
I thank you, God, for life and love.

On Thanksgiving Day,
I pray to God for all the poor people
who are hungry today because
they have no food, no home, no family
and no friends. They are all alone.
Only God remembers the poor.

On Thanksgiving Day,
I pray for the children who are hungry,
who have no parents, and no loving church.
I pray that God will spend Thanksgiving with them.
Please God visit me and love me;
I am not poor, but I love you too.