Luke 24:1-12

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning!

Bartholomew: Good morning and Hoppy Easter!

Sammy: It’s the Easter bunny!

Bartholomew: Hi Sammy! Hi boys and girls! My name is Bartholomew.

Sammy: Wow! Hey, Pastor, did you know that a celebrity was coming to church today? Can I have your autograph? Did you leave eggs outside for us?

Bartholomew: Hang on a second, Sammy. I am here to tell you about Jesus. He is risen! Our focus today isn’t on me—I’m just a little bunny. Our focus is on Jesus.

Pastor: That’s right, Bartholomew. Jesus died on the cross and rose again. Today we celebrate that he is alive. He beat death!

Bartholomew: Eggs-actly.

Sammy: But what does that mean?

Bartholomew: Jesus took on our sins and died in our place. Now, all people who believe in him get to live in heaven with him forever. He beat death. And because we have faith in Jesus, we get to beat death, too.

Sammy: That’s cool.

Pastor: Yes it is. Today is a big day of celebrating that Jesus is alive. Boys and girls, what are some of the things that you get to do on Easter?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: So, Bartholomew, did you leave eggs for the boys and girls to find after church?

Bartholomew: Yes I did. After church, we will head outside for an egg hunt for all of the children. And I have special bags for you, too. But I want you to remember that the eggs you find are a symbol of the new life we receive in Jesus. Remember Jesus loves you today.

Sammy: Thanks, Bartholomew. I am so glad that Jesus was willing to die for me and that he is now alive.

Pastor: Well, let’s close in prayer. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for the power of your name. You are the King of Kings. You are the Lord of Lords. You are God. We thank you for choosing us. We thank you for coming down from Heaven for us. We love you. Amen.

Bartholomew: Bye, everyone! Hoppy Easter!

Sammy: Bye, boys and girls! See you next week!

Scripture: 

Luke 13:1-9

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Pastor, I have to tell you, this week has been challenging for me.

Pastor: Why is that, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, there just seems to be a lot happening in our country and our world right now. I mean, there always is a lot happening, but a little lamb like me has trouble processing everything that is going on. It’s overwhelming.

Pastor: Tell me about it, Sammy. But one thing that I can encourage you and all of the boys and girls here to do is just to worry about kid stuff. Focus on being kids.

Sammy: That sounds like a good plan to me.

Pastor: Jesus knew about the current events of his day. There was a lot of violence and bad things happening around him. He responded with encouragement and tried to help people see that they need to focus on their relationship with God.

Sammy: That’s a good thing to focus on. I think being closer to God will help me have more peace about what is going on in the world.

Pastor: Absolutely. And our God is a God of second chances and multiple opportunities. Boys and girls, can you think of a time when you made a mistake and your family or friends gave you another chance?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I make mistakes all the time! I think one of my biggest mistakes was tipping over the water bucket onto Farmer Luke. He wasn’t happy with me, but he refilled the bucket, told me he forgave me, and gave me another chance to drink my water out of the bucket.

Pastor: That’s great, Sammy. It’s important that we have mercy on each other, just like God has mercy on us. Let’s pray together. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for your mercy and love. Please forgive us when we make mistakes. Help us to forgive each other when we make mistakes. Please keep our focus on you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Script

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone!

Pastor: Sammy, today is a very special day.

Sammy: Yes it is! Happy Groundhog’s Day!

Pastor: No, Sammy. I mean, today is Groundhog’s Day, but that’s not what I was talking about.

Sammy: (CHOOSE) Punxsutawney Phil saw/didn’t see his shadow, so there will be six more weeks of winter/an early spring.

Pastor: Oh, Sammy.

Sammy: Pastor, these events are important in the world of animals and farmers. We have to know when spring is coming, and Phil is our expert weather-groundhog. There was a groundhog ball and a groundhog banquet this week in his honor. Punxsutawney Phil is famous.

Pastor: Here we go again.

Sammy: Pastor, did you know that Groundhog’s Day is actually rooted in a special day called Candlemas Day? Christians would bring their candles to the church on Candlemas Day to have them blessed, and this blessing would bring blessings into their house for the rest of winter. Did you tell the congregation to bring their candles today?

Pastor: Well, not but I–

Sammy: So eventually, Candlemas Day evolved and had weather predictions attached to it. There’s an old English song that says, “If Candlemas be fair and bright/Come, Winter, have another flight;/If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,/Go Winter, and come not again.”

Pastor: I am not seeing how the Groundhog fits in here.

Sammy: The groundhog’s name is Phil. Punxsutawney Phil. German Christians introduced a new tradition where they had little hedgehogs running around. If the hedgehog saw his shadow, then there would be six more weeks of Winter.

Pastor: Punxsutawney Phil is not a hedgehog. He’s a Groundhog.

Sammy: Yes I know he’s a groundhog, Pastor. When the German Christians arrived to the United States, they had a hard time finding hedgehogs, but Groundhogs were everywhere. Punxsutawney Phil was elected by the animals to serve as the chief weatherman on Candlemas Day, and he’s been predicting the weather since 1887.

Pastor: You mean to tell me that Punxsutawney Phil has been predicting the weather since 1887. He’s been alive since 1887.

Sammy: Exactly. That’s why he’s famous.

Pastor: Sammy, I am glad you shared all of this information about Candlemas and Groundhog’s Day with us.

Sammy: You’re welcome.

Pastor: Hearing about traditions in our church is always good. Lots of wonderful things we do today were started by Christians before us. Let’s say a prayer. Please fold your hands and bow your heads with me. Dear Jesus, thank you for inspiring your sons and daughters to seek blessings. Thank you for helping us come to you in the middle of Winter for comfort. We look forward to celebrating the joy of your resurrection and the new life we get to experience in you this Spring. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone. Happy Groundhog’s Day!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture

John 1:[1-9] 10-18

Script: 

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls! Good morning, Pastor.

Pastor: Sammy, did you know that we can find Jesus in the Old Testament?

Sammy: We can? I thought Jesus only appeared in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and that he only appeared in the New Testament.

Pastor: Many follows of Jesus today think that Jesus is only in the four gospels, but he is in the Old Testament as well.

Sammy: Where? Do the boys and girls know where we can find Jesus?

Pastor: Boys and girls, do you know where we can find Jesus? 

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: In the Gospel of John today, John declares that Jesus is the Word of God who was in the beginning. Who created the heavens and earth, Sammy?

Sammy: God did. He spoke and creation came into being.

Pastor: That’s right. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit existed from the beginning, before the creation of our world.

Sammy: What is the first thing that God created, Pastor?

Pastor: In the Gospel today, John talks about Jesus as the light of the world, and that’s also the first thing that God created: light.

Sammy: I like the light, Pastor. I like when I can see where I am going.

Pastor: When we follow Jesus, our creator, we will see more clearly than ever before.

Sammy: So where else can we find Jesus in the Old Testament?

Pastor: Jesus walked with Abraham and ate with him. He stood in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When you read stories from the Old Testament, you have to look for him. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are present all throughout scripture, and Jesus walks among his people many times.

Sammy: I love knowing that Jesus walks with us today, too. We have an amazing God.

Pastor: Yes, we do. Boys and girls, let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Please repeat after me: Dear Jesus, Thank you for creating light and for always being there, even before creation. Help us to search for you daily, especially as we read the scriptures. Thank you for your love. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture:

Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]

Script:

Pastor: Good morning, everyone! Let’s say good morning to our friend

Sammy and see if she is there. 1, 2, 3 GOOD MORNING SAMMY!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Pastor! Guess what!

Pastor: Yes Sammy?

Sammy: A ewe on our farm is having an another Lamb! I’m going to have more friends!

Pastor: That’s great Sammy. It’s always great to have another life coming into the world.

Sammy: Your mentioned two babies in our gospel reading today. One of them leaped in his mother’s belly. Why did he do that?

Pastor: Well, the two babies I spoke about today were John the Baptist and Jesus. They were both alive inside the bellies of their mama’s, Mary and Elizabeth.

Sammy: You mean Jesus was a baby just like all of us were? That’s amazing!

Pastor: Yes it is, and you can find him in our church today! Boys and girls where can we find baby Jesus in our church today!

Wait for answers

Sammy: Those are great answers everyone! Pastor Jim. You didn’t answer my question. Why did John leap in his mother’s womb?

Pastor:  John even as a little baby in his mother’s belly recognized the savior to the whole world. That even as a very little person he was already doing what he would as an adult. Point people to Jesus.

Sammy: Wow, if he can point people to Jesus before he is even born, we can do it now even when we are small.

Pastor: Yes, we can. Boys and Girls, can you pray with me today? Fold your hands and bow your heads. Dear Jesus, help us to point to you like John. So others may find you. Thank you, lord Jesus for saving us. Amen

Scripture:

Luke 3:7-18

Pastor: Good morning, everyone! Let’s say good morning to our friend

Sammy and see if she is there. 1, 2, 3 GOOD MORNING SAMMY!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Good morning, Pastor! Pastor, I have a question. Pastor, what does it mean to be baptized?

Pastor: Why do you ask Sammy?

Sammy: Famer Luke says, John was baptizing people in the wilderness. And that someone else will come with a new baptism of holy spirit and fire.

Pastor: Well Sammy, John was preparing the way for his cousin Jesus to come and bring the Holy Spirit to people.

Sammy: Okay, but what does it mean to be baptized? You haven’t answered my question.

Pastor: First let’s ask the boys and girls. Have you ever seen a baptism? What was it like? Wait for answers.

Sammy: Great answers everyone!

Pastor: Baptism is the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is when our bodies become the temple of the holy spirit. That’s what John is talking about when he says, “He will baptize you with the holy spirit.” Through baptism, we are a part of God’s family forever!

Sammy: And you only need to be baptized once, right pastor?

Pastor: One time is good enough for eternity.

Sammy: That is amazing Pastor. Boys and girls. Can you please pray with me? Fold your hands and bow your heads. Dear God, thank you for baptism. Thank you for choosing us to be a part of your family. And thank you for the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Sammy: Bye everyone, bye Pastor!

Pastor: Bye Sammy!

Luke 21:25-36

Script:

Pastor: Good Morning Everyone! Let’s say good morning to our friend

Sammy and see if she is there. 1, 2, 3 GOOD MORNING SAMMY!

Sammy: (Tired) Good morning everyone. Yawns

Pastor: Why are you so tired?

Sammy: I’ve been up ALL day and night looking up at the sun, moon, and stars looking for something.

Pastor: Boys and girls what are some things we can find in the sky? Wait for answers.

Sammy: Those are all great answers. But I wasn’t looking for those things Pastor.

Pastor: What were you looking for then Sammy?

Sammy: Pastor, you haven’t been listening to Jesus have you? Jesus said he’d be coming in a cloud and we should look for signs in the sun, moon, and stars to see when he is coming back. So, I’ve been looking, but I haven’t seen him yet? I don’t even know what to look for.

Pastor: Well Sammy you might be waiting for a long time.  

Sammy: But Jesus says he’s coming back soon.

Pastor: Yes, he does Sammy. But all times are soon to Jesus. He is God. He lives forever. So, time does not really apply to him.

Sammy: I cannot look up at the sky forever pastor. I have important things to do.

Pastor: Yes, we all do. Jesus tells us to be alert and prepare for his coming. But he also tells us not be anxious about it. Remember he is doing the work of coming back not us. So we don’t have to worry about it.

Sammy: What do I do while I am waiting then?

Pastor: Jesus says, love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself. We can focus on that while we wait.

Sammy: Thank you, pastor. I will.

Pastor: Can we fold our hands and bow our heads in prayer? Dear Jesus, thank you coming to be with us. Thank for teaching us to love. Thank you for rescuing us. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture

John 18:33-37

Script

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Pastor! Pastor! I saw a king this morning!

Pastor: Sammy, how do you know he was a king?

Sammy: Well, he was wearing all of the king clothing. I don’t remember the names of all of his accessories.

Pastor: Boys and girls, can you name some things that a king would wear?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Those are all great things that a king might wear. Did you know that Jesus is a king?

Sammy: Pastor, Jesus is the King of Kings. That’s who I saw this morning. I saw Jesus as I was coming into church.

Pastor: Where was he? I didn’t see him.

Sammy: He’s right there, Pastor. He’s on the stained glass and the banner and the bulletin. And he’s in our hearts. He’s everywhere!

Pastor: I guess you’re right, Sammy. I wasn’t looking close enough.

Sammy: Pastor, I know I told you that Jesus is the King of Kings, but what does that mean?

Pastor: That means that he is the king above all kings. And all people bow down to him. That includes kings, presidents, and other world leaders.

Sammy: Wow! Jesus must be a really great king.

Pastor: Yes he is. Boys and girls, can you please fold your hands and bow your heads in prayer with me? Dear Jesus, Thank you for being the King of Kings. Thank you for being kind and generous with your love. We love you. Amen.

Scripture

Mark 13:1-8

Script

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: [In a sad tone.] Good morning, everyone. Hey Pastor, I have some bad news to tell you.

Pastor: What’s that, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, this morning when I woke up, someone tore off the door to the barn. And all the baby animals got out. All the chicks, lambs, foals, calves, and kids were all outside the barn. I don’t know what happened to the door—it was in pieces in the pasture!

Pastor: Oh no, Sammy! That’s terrible. What did Farmer Mark say?

Sammy: Farmer Mark was sad. He had to gather up all of the baby animals. And he still doesn’t have a door on the barn. I saw him in his workshop. He was making a new door.

Pastor: That sounds like a bad thing that happened. Boys and girls, is there a time when sometime bad happened to you? Would you like to share?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: I remember when something bad happened to me…

Sammy: That sounds like a bad time, Pastor.

Pastor: It was a bad time, but you know what? I wasn’t scared.

Sammy: Why not, Pastor?

Pastor: I have Jesus in my heart. I used the light of Jesus to lead me out of my struggle.

Sammy: Can I buy the light of Jesus on Amazon?

Pastor: No, you can’t. It’s only given to those who have faith and are baptized.

Sammy: So I ALREADY have the light of Jesus?

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy, you do. All of us do. Remember, if you are having a hard time, you can always call on Jesus to help you. Let’s try that. At the count of three, can you say Jesus as loud as you can? Ready? 1, 2, 3: JESUS!

Sammy: 1, 2, 3: JESUS!

Pastor: Never forget you can always call on the name of Jesus. Let’s pray. Can everyone please fold their hands and bow their heads? Dear Jesus, Thank you for guiding us in times when we struggle. Thank you for being our light. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture

Mark 10:2-16

Script

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: [sad tone] Good morning, everyone.

Pastor: What’s wrong, Sammy?

Sammy: I wanted to tell you all that sometimes I feel like I am too little to do anything.

Pastor: What do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, sometimes I try to play with older lambs, and they don’t want me to play with them. And I have trouble reaching the special treats in the barn. I am a little lamb, and sometimes the older lambs make me feel like I don’t matter.

Pastor: I am sorry to hear that, Sammy. I want you to know that you always matter to me and to Jesus.

Sammy: [Still sad] Thanks, Pastor.

Pastor: Boys and girls, can you think of a time when you were too little to do something? What happened?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Thank you for your answers, everyone. I remember being too little to _____.

Sammy: I guess it’s a good thing that we have Jesus, right? Even though I am small and other lambs make me feel unimportant, I am always important to Jesus.

Pastor: That’s right. Jesus’s disciples saw that moms and dads were bringing their tiny babies and toddlers to Jesus, and they told Jesus to send the little children away.

Sammy: That sounds familiar. The older lambs tell me to go away, too.

Pastor: Sammy, Jesus is different. He tells the disciples that the Kingdom of God belongs to little children, and he says to let the little children come to him.

Sammy: He does?

Pastor: Yes—Jesus loves even the smallest of babies. Each of us are created in the image of God, and God loves us.

Sammy: That’s great news!

Pastor: That’s what the gospel is all about. The good news of Jesus Christ is for all of us, even the littlest among us. Let’s pray: Dear Jesus, Thank you for welcoming babies and toddlers. Thank you for modeling how to love our Christian family. Thank you for your good news. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!