The Peace
Children's sermon
Let Them Answer
(Ask the children to come forward following the words of the peace before the peace is shared. In advance ask a quartet of choir members to assist you by each singing a different song familiar to the children. I used "Jesus Loves Me;" "Row, Row, Row Your Boat;" "Jesus Loves The Little Children" and "Mary Had A Little Lamb." I also asked them to be prepared to sing "Jesus Loves Me" in harmony.)
Good morning! I've asked some people to help us this morning. They are going to sing for us. Isn't that great? (LTA) We need a director. Who would like to direct? (LTA - Choose a volunteer and assist them if needed to give the group a start. Let them sing a line before stopping them.)
Wait a minute! Something's wrong here! Does anyone know what it is? (LTA) You're right! They are all singing a different song. It doesn't sound good that way, does it? (LTA) What should we do? Shall we ask them to all sing the same song? (LTA) How about "Jesus Loves Me?" Would you sing that for us? (Let the quartet answer and sing a verse in harmony.)
How does that sound? (LTA) Very good! Thank you for singing so nicely for us. What makes it sound so much better now? (LTA) I imagine that it sounds better because they all sing the same words. They each have different notes to sing but they sing them together and make their voices blend or mix together just right.
In worship we have a time in the service when we pause to help one another blend or mix together, too. Does anyone know what it's called? (LTA) It's called the peace. The pastor says "The peace of the Lord be with you always." What do the people say? (LTA) Right. They say, "And also with you."
We just heard the gospel. Do you remember what gospel means? (LTA) And what is the good news? (LTA) Right. God loves us enough to give his Son Jesus to us. We also agreed on what we believe. What do we call it when we say together what we believe? (LTA) Right. It is called a creed. So, now that we agree we are at peace with God and with one another, so we share that peace. How do we do it? (LTA - By sharing the words, by shaking hands or by hugging.) The earliest Christians who lived when the disciples were preaching and teaching gave each other the kiss of peace. They would kiss each other on each cheek as they said, "Shalom!" Does anyone know what "Shalom" means? (LTA) It means "peace." But it means much more than just "Have a nice day." It means, "May God's love and peace which is within the heart, be yours." When we share the peace we share God's love, God's forgiveness and God's blessing with one another. Shall we go share the peace with everyone we know now? (LTA)
(Join them in doing it.)
Good morning! I've asked some people to help us this morning. They are going to sing for us. Isn't that great? (LTA) We need a director. Who would like to direct? (LTA - Choose a volunteer and assist them if needed to give the group a start. Let them sing a line before stopping them.)
Wait a minute! Something's wrong here! Does anyone know what it is? (LTA) You're right! They are all singing a different song. It doesn't sound good that way, does it? (LTA) What should we do? Shall we ask them to all sing the same song? (LTA) How about "Jesus Loves Me?" Would you sing that for us? (Let the quartet answer and sing a verse in harmony.)
How does that sound? (LTA) Very good! Thank you for singing so nicely for us. What makes it sound so much better now? (LTA) I imagine that it sounds better because they all sing the same words. They each have different notes to sing but they sing them together and make their voices blend or mix together just right.
In worship we have a time in the service when we pause to help one another blend or mix together, too. Does anyone know what it's called? (LTA) It's called the peace. The pastor says "The peace of the Lord be with you always." What do the people say? (LTA) Right. They say, "And also with you."
We just heard the gospel. Do you remember what gospel means? (LTA) And what is the good news? (LTA) Right. God loves us enough to give his Son Jesus to us. We also agreed on what we believe. What do we call it when we say together what we believe? (LTA) Right. It is called a creed. So, now that we agree we are at peace with God and with one another, so we share that peace. How do we do it? (LTA - By sharing the words, by shaking hands or by hugging.) The earliest Christians who lived when the disciples were preaching and teaching gave each other the kiss of peace. They would kiss each other on each cheek as they said, "Shalom!" Does anyone know what "Shalom" means? (LTA) It means "peace." But it means much more than just "Have a nice day." It means, "May God's love and peace which is within the heart, be yours." When we share the peace we share God's love, God's forgiveness and God's blessing with one another. Shall we go share the peace with everyone we know now? (LTA)
(Join them in doing it.)
