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Sing A Song To Each Other

Children's sermon
Ephesians 5:15-20
Wesley T. Runk
The Giant Book Of Children's Sermons
Matthew To Revelation
Object: some sentences with which you greet the children, reading them to a melody which you make up as you go along


(The following is a sample of what you might use after the children are seated, and before you address them in song) "Good morning, children of St. Mark Church, and may God bless you on such a beautiful day. I thank the Lord for your joy and love which he gave you to share with your mothers and fathers and all of your friends. I praise God for our beautiful place to worship and for all of his gifts of food and energy and sunlight and rain. I pray to Jesus that we will have a wonderful time together this morning and that the Spirit of God will go with you all this day so that your happiness will be a blessing to all that meet you wherever you walk and wherever you play."

I like to do that, and I wish I would do it more often. How do you like being greeted with a song? (let them answer) It seems a little strange, doesn't it? (let them answer) The Apostle Paul suggested to the people in the church at Ephesus that they should always say hello to one another in this way. I don't know if they did it all the time, but it is sure a beautiful way to start the day, isn't it? When you sing songs, your heart is happy and light, and when you are happy and light, it makes the people you meet happy and light. Of course, the main reason that Paul told the people to greet each other this way was so that they could praise God and thank God for his love and the wonderful friendships that God made for people in the Church.

Some of the best friends you will have will be people that you meet in church. By thanking God and saying hello to one another at the same time, we are reminded of how important God is to us and to our friendship. Of course, we don't have to make every greeting quite so long as I did this morning. You could just say, "Good morning, Mark. God bless you." (sing to one of your children or several in this way) I think it is kind of fun, and it certainly does what Paul wanted it to, doesn't it? It makes us think of God, and it is a wonderful way to say hello to a friend.

The next time you come to Sunday school, or maybe when you see a friend today, you can try it and see how good it makes both of you feel. (close by singing) "Now thank you for coming and sharing this part of worship with me. May God bless you today in whatever you do."
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