Children’s Sunday Sermon
March 2, 2025
Good morning boys and girls! We read in our Bible today that the Apostle Paul has written, “God’s foolishness is greater than man’s wisdom.”
What does St. Paul mean by “God’s foolishness?”
Are there times, even now, when we might think that some of the things Jesus said about God seem foolish to us? Things like . . .
Love your enemies;
Bless those who curse you;
The first shall be last and the last shall be first.
Boys and girls, there may be times in your lives that you may think it is foolish of God to tell you such things. But the wisest thing you can ever do is to finally see “God’s foolishness,” as the wisest thing of all!
Children’s Sunday Sermon
March 9, 2025
Good morning girls and boys! Today I’d like to begin with a story about a very special dog . As the story goes, an old hunter took his dog into the woods to teach him how to retrieve sticks. One day, the old man threw a stick and it fell into a river. The dog immediately ran after it, picked it up, returned on top of the water, and then dropped the stick at the old man’s feet. The old hunter couldn’t believe his eyes so he tried it again. He threw the stick in the water and again, the dog retrieved it by walking on top of the water.
Amazed by the dog’s behavior, the hunter invited a friend out the next morning so he could show off his dog. The hunter’s friend picked up a stick and threw it into the river. The dog ran down to the river bank, walked on top of the water, picked up the stick and brought it back to him. With that, the old hunter turned and asked, “do you notice anything different about my old dog?”
His friend thought for a moment and then said, “I’ve got it! That old dog can’t swim!”
Boys and girls, that friend sure had a funny way of looking at things, didn’t he?
Some people might say that about us loyal followers of Jesus. They might think that we have a funny way of looking at things.
For example, some people might say that it’s better to get things than to give things.
As loyal followers of Jesus we say, “No, it’s better to give than to receive.”
Some people might say, “Always make yourself number one.”
As loyal followers of Jesus we say, “No, Jesus teaches us, the first shall be last and the last shall be first.”
As loyal followers of Jesus, we can see most clearly in the bright light of God’s Love for each and every one of us. And that truly is the best way to look at things!”
Children’s Sunday Sermon
March 16, 2025
Good morning girls and boys. One of the most precious gifts we have received from God is the gift of sight. Of all of our senses, this is probably our most important. Just think how different our world would be if we didn’t have the gift of sight. Of course there are people who do not have sight, and they have learned to adapt to make better use of their other senses, such as the gifts of hearing and touching. But for most of us, our sense of sight is our greatest connection to the world around us. Now let’s try an experiment. I need a volunteer who will come to the front of the room and put on this blindfold. Now try to find your way back to your seat. Don’t worry, I’m right beside you to help you on your way. Now just think how tough that would have been if I wasn’t here to guide you!
Boys and girls, you may not want to admit it, but I’m sure many of you were afraid of the dark when you were little. Even adults are sometimes afraid when they are alone in the dark. For little children, it can be frightening at night when they can’t see past their bedroom door. And then comes a wonderful sight! In walks their mother or father to tuck them in, or to read them a bedtime story.
Boys and girls, for all of us, children and adults too, there are times when everything seems dark — times when things seem especially difficult. At those times, even if it is daylight outside it may seem dark inside. It is at those times that we need a wonderful sight. It is at those times that we need someone right beside us to help guide us on our way. And you know that your parents can’t always be right beside you, and neither can I. But don’t worry, boys and girls. Jesus is always right there beside you to help guide you on your way. Jesus is always there to shine His bright light into the dark places inside.
We read in our Bibles today that Jesus went up to a mountain to pray with some of His followers. And when He began to pray, His face changed and His clothing became as bright as lightening. Jesus was shining His bright light for all to see! The next time you are afraid boys and girls remember, you are never alone! Jesus is right there bedside you to light the way!
Children’s Sunday Sermon
March 23, 2025
Good morning boys and girls. Do you ever make lists of important things that you must remember to do? Maybe a list of your chores, like clearing the table after meals or taking out the garbage. Maybe you keep a “to do” list of your homework assignments. “To do” lists are a very good way to remember things and to stay organized. This morning, I have a list from the greatest book ever written:
Do you remember to give things to people who have less than you? (Lk.6:30)
Do you remember to do good deeds for people who say they hate you? (Lk.6:27)
Do you remember to love your enemies? (Lk.6:27)
Do you remember to feel for other people? (Lk.6:36)
When you see a friend who is in need, do you remember to think of Jesus? (Mt.26:31-46)
I don’t think any of us here this morning can answer YES to all of those questions, all of the time. But guess what boys and girls? Those are all things that should be on our “to do” list. Those are all printed in the greatest “to do” list ever written, our Holy Bible. Those are all instructions for being a loyal follower of Jesus. That’s a tall order, isn’t it boys and girls?
Today we read in our Bible that “unless we repent, we will perish.” We’ve talked about the word “repentance,” before. That’s right—REPENTANCE means we feel sorry for something that we did wrong, and we promise not to do that wrong thing ever again. As members of our Christian community we have certain responsibilities, certain things on our “to do” lists as God’s disciples. And if we are not doing all of these things we need to repent – we need to do better. This week, let’s all think about our “to do” list. And just like any “to do” lists, the more often we look at it, the better we will be at getting things done!
Children’s Sunday Sermon
March 30, 2025
Good morning girls and boys. Today I would like us to talk about forgiveness. We all get angry when someone does something or says something mean to us. That’s a normal human reaction. But what do we do about it? Soon the anger passes and next comes the hard part: to forgive. If we don’t forgive the person who did wrong to us we are left holding a bag full of bad feelings and resentment, and even hate. If we don’t forgive, the backpack of emotions we all carry around with us will begin to weigh us down with those bad feelings. You may say to yourself, “I don’t want to forgive that boy or girl because he was mean to me or she was mean to me. Why should I be the one who has to forgive?”
I’ll tell you why boys and girls. Because God wants you to forgive! That’s right, God wants you to love one another just as He loves us. He wants you to forgive one another, just as He offers forgiveness to all of His children who have done wrong. It’s right here in our instruction book — it’s right here on our “to do” list. In our Bible we read today that one of Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “How often must I forgive my brother if He wrongs Me?” And Jesus answers, not seven times but seventy seven times.” Jesus is telling us that we must always be practicing our forgiveness — always.
Boys and girls, now you know why we must forgive, but how do we do it? Well first we must always be thinking about our “to do” list, and high up on that list is forgiveness. Sure, you may get angry when someone does something wrong to you. And then comes the hard part. If you’ve been studying your “to do” list you’ll know that God has asked you to forgive that person. And when you forgive, all of those bad thoughts that weigh you down will be lifted from your backpack of emotions. But there’s something else to remember boys and girls. First you forgive, and then you must forget! And when you do that, you will show God how well you have been studying your “to do” list!
