Children's Sermons

It’s Saturday night and once again I’m wondering what am I going to do for a meaningful children’s sermon tomorrow. The children will have been well saturated in the story of Palm Sunday by the time they get to me. The text for the sermon (Matthew 26:50-56) is difficult for children to understand. All of this leads me to once again wonder why we do children’s sermons. Yes, it is good to be intentionally inclusive of children during worship, but is there another way that would be more effective? Our children who come forward during this time are usually 3-7 years old and this age span in itself creates a challenge. Time constraints do not allow for dialogue about the thoughts presented and most of us have difficulty remembering that these children are concrete thinkers when choosing our words. Each of us is guilty of being too aware of the adult congregation and encouraging laughter in response to our comments. Of course, this further confuses the children. However, I will carefully craft a sermon that will introduce my little friends to Passion Sunday and Holy Week and hope that somewhere in it they will find the good news that they are loved not only by God, but also by all that know Jesus. I still believe that we may need to revisit this common practice and create a different model for children to truly worship. I would like to know what others think about children's sermons.

Knowing God in All Our Days

During the past few months I have spent a lot of time with the Snowbirds and Seagulls, our older adult ministry at First UMC. Also, my parents are in assisted living because of health matters and I am quite aware of their concerns and needs. Of course, my own experience of working with a council on aging and enjoying elderly family and friends in days gone by have also given me an informed perspective as I reflect on how to be in ministry with those who are trying to face their latter years with meaning and hope.

However, it has been the writings of Missy Buchanan that have recently helped to keep me focused on the frail and aging. Nearly everyday a Twitter tweet @MissyBuchanan provides an insight that needs to be pondered and shared in some way. Her two devotional books written for older adults have especially touched my soul. These Upper Room publications are Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body and Talking with God in Old Age and make wonderful gifts for special older persons. I also understand that they have been used to sensitize youth to the realities of aging and I hope we will use them in this way soon.

The struggle to find meaning and fulfillment occurs at various stages in our lives, but seems to be especially poignant in our later years. We question God when we feel that our being is slipping away in so many ways and we wonder why we have to face these issues. We seek assurance that God is with us. This is the gift that we are called to offer those who have prepared the way for us. May the frail and the elderly know peace and comfort through our love and care.