Childrens Sermon Service

Good evening, boys and girls. (Have a string tied around a finger. Hold up your hands and move your fingers, but don't mention the string.) Do you notice anything unusual about my fingers? (Let them answer.) I have a string tied around this finger. (Point to the finger.) Why would anyone tie a string around a finger? (Let them answer.) The reason is this: some people tie strings around their finger when they want to remember something. If I wanted to go to the grocery and get a quart of milk, I might do this so that I will remember to buy the milk when I finally get to the store. Do any of you do things like this to remind you of something? (Let them answer.) Do any of you ever put a toy by your bed, so that in the morning you will remember to play with it? (Let them answer.)

Tonight is Maundy Thursday. It is a very special evening for Christians. It is a night that we remember Jesus. It is also the night that Jesus took his disciples to the upper room. There Jesus gave them the first-ever communion. He gave them communion so that they would always remember him. He also gave them communion so that all who believe in him would have a new relationship with him. That is a relationship of love. Communion is the most sacred act of worship in the church. Because we remember Jesus when we take communion, it means different things to different people. It means more than just remembering Jesus. It is a living contact with Jesus. That's why it is so important.

Ever since that first communion, Christians have continued to take communion. When we take communion we remember Jesus. We also remember the new relationship based on love between God and all of us.