Luke 20:27-38 

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: Hey Pastor! What is the special theme this week? 

Pastor: What do you mean, Sammy? 

Sammy: Well, two weeks ago we celebrated Reformation Sunday, and last week we celebrated football Sunday– 

Pastor: No, Sammy. We celebrated All-Saints Day. 

Sammy: That’s what I meant. So we had two big weeks in a row at church. What is the big event or theme this week? 

Pastor: Well, this week we are talking about Resurrection. 

Sammy: Happy Resurrection Day, Pastor! 

Pastor: Not quite, Sammy. It’s not really a feast day or a holiday or a celebration. We are having worship together during ordinary time. 

Sammy: Pastor, these times are anything but ordinary. Have you read the newspaper lately? Watched the news? 

Pastor: Let’s get back to our topic for today: Resurrection. Boys and girls, what does “resurrection” mean? 

[Allow time for responses] 

Sammy: These are great answers.  

Pastor: Jesus did rise from the dead. But we also look forward to our resurrection. 

Sammy: What do you mean, Pastor? 

Pastor: One day, Sammy, after we die, we are going to wait for Jesus to come back. When he comes back, the dead will rise and will see his glory. 

Sammy: Is that going to be a scary day? Like a Halloween day? 

Pastor: No, it’s going to be like Easter Sunday. 

Sammy: Oh I love Easter! We get to sing Alleluia songs to God and there’s an egg hunt and Bartholomew the Bunny comes to worship.  

Pastor: That’s the spirit, Sammy. There’s nothing scary about resurrection. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will not die, but will have eternal life.” That’s a gift from God. 

Sammy: Yes it is. 

Pastor: Let’s pray. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for resurrection. Thank you for your gift of new life. Thank you for your love. Amen. 

Sammy: Bye, everyone! 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy! 

Luke 6:20-31

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 noticed that the paraments on the altar are white today. Why is that? Is today a special day at church?

Pastor: Yes, today is All-Saints Sunday.

Sammy: Go Saints!

Pastor: What do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: Go Saints! Kick the ball! Run the ball! Tackle the guy! Touchdown! Woooo!

Pastor: We don’t live in Louisiana, Sammy. Our football teams around here are the Ravens and the Commanders.

Sammy: Oh.

Pastor: ….

Sammy: Go Saints!

Pastor: Let’s move on, Sammy. We are not celebrating a football team today. We are remembering the Saints in Heaven today.

Sammy: Like St. Peter and St. Paul?

Pastor: Yes, but not just St. Peter and St. Paul.

Sammy: Who else?

Pastor: All Christians in Heaven are Saints.

Sammy: Woah. That’s really cool. You mean when we get to Heaven, we get upgraded to Sainthood?

Pastor: That’s right. Martin Luther teaches that we are both sinners and saints. We are not perfect people, but we are redeemed by the blood of the lamb—by Jesus! By Jesus. He’s the lamb. I wasn’t talking about your blood, Sammy.

Sammy: Okay good. I was a little bit worried there for a second. I thought I might need another band-aid.

Pastor: Boys and girls, can you share with us someone you know who is now a Saint in Heaven?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I like hearing about your families and friends. I have a lot of peace knowing that Jesus is one day going to welcome me into Heaven with him, and I will get to join the Saints of Heaven, too.

Pastor: There will be rejoicing on that day, Sammy. What a gift to get to worship our Lord. Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, thank you for your blood. Thank you for welcoming us into Heaven. Thank you for your great love. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Script:

Luke 17:11-19

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 just wanted to thank you for doing a great job.

Pastor: Thank you, Sammy.

Sammy: You always listen to me, tell me stories, teach me about the Word of God, and you are a great friend to me.

Pastor: That’s very kind of you, Sammy.

Sammy: I just wanted you to know.

Pastor: You know, Sammy, your thankfulness reminds me of the Gospel reading for today. Jesus healed ten men with a skin disease.

Sammy: A skin disease?

Pastor: Yes—they called out to Jesus and asked him to heal them. He healed them by telling them to go show themselves to the priests. On the way to the priests, they were healed.

Sammy: But why did he tell them to go to the priests? Why not just heal them right away?

Pastor: What do you think, boys and girls? Why did Jesus send the men to go to the priests instead of healing them right away?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: These are great answers and ideas. Jesus wanted the men to act in faith. Walking toward the priests meant a commitment of faith for them. And men with a skin disease were considered unclean. They were unable to worship God at the temple if they had a skin disease.

Sammy: So that would be like if we couldn’t go to church?

Pastor: Yes.

Sammy: But they couldn’t help it!

Pastor: That was the rule. In Jesus’s time, there was no cure for this skin disease.

Sammy: That’s horrible. They were forever banned from church. I love church. I want to be here every day.

Pastor: I know, Sammy. But you know, what? Jesus healed all ten of these men, and then they could go to worship God in the temple.

Sammy: And one of them went back to thank him. That man is my favorite. Jesus gave him his life back.

Pastor: Jesus gives each of us a new life in him, and it’s important to thank our God for the many gifts he gives us. In fact, let’s pray and thank him right now. Boys and girls, will you please fold your hands and bow your head? Dear Jesus, we thank you for your healing power. We praise you for directing us to you. Help us to be thankful for everything you give us. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Luke 17:5-10

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 made it to church on time this morning.

Pastor: That’s great, Sammy.

Sammy: I do a good job of showing up almost every week. Sometimes I get sick and I have to stay home. Or sometimes I go to the beach on vacation.

Pastor: I am proud of you for coming to church, Sammy.

Sammy: I also pray, and I sing, and I talk to the kids here about God.

Pastor: Yes, you do.

Sammy: And I take the time to help you out, Pastor. That’s a lot of work. I found your keys, invited myself to your house for dinner…

Pastor: Where are you going with this, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, none of it is good enough, is it, Pastor?

Pastor: What do you mean?

Sammy: I was reflecting on the Gospel reading for today, and I was just thinking that all the things I do and all the effort I put into church and my family isn’t good enough.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. We will never be good enough. Jesus talks in the reading today about how if we live a holy and righteous life, that is what we are supposed to do. If we show up to church every week, if we sing in the choir, feed the hungry, help each other, serve each other, and love each other, we have done the minimum and we haven’t added anything to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Sammy: So I have to be a good Christian and it’s still not good enough.

Pastor: That’s correct. We sin every day, and doing our best to live a holy life is all we can do. We have to rely on Jesus to do the rest.

Sammy: What do you mean?

Pastor: Boys and girls, what did Jesus do for us?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He took all of the sin and shame that we have and he covered us with his grace. He forgives us when we ask him to forgive us because of his great love for us.

Sammy: That’s beautiful.

Pastor: Yes it is. One thing you should know, Sammy, is that when we come to the Kingdom of Heaven, we go empty handed. We don’t bring anything with us, just our sin and our shame. Even as a pastor, I will approach Jesus with my hands bearing my shame. There is nothing I can do or say that will make me good enough in his eyes.

Sammy: That’s why we cling to the cross of Jesus.

Pastor: Yes, that is why we cling to the cross.

Sammy: Whew. That’s a relief.

Pastor: What do you mean?

Sammy: I have a lot of peace now. I was going to make a spreadsheet of all the things I do for Jesus around here. But like we talked about, I am supposed to do all the things I do. And I’ll cling to the cross of Jesus forever.

Pastor: Me too. Let’s pray. Can you all please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, help us to realize we aren’t good enough. Help us to know you are the only one who adds to the Kingdom of Heaven. Thank you for letting us join you in Heaven. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Luke 16:1-13

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’ve decided today that I am going to be a manager.

Pastor: That’s a great goal, Sammy! When you become an adult sheep, I am sure Farmer Luke would be willing to give you more responsibilities around the farm.

Sammy: Actually, Pastor, I am going to start being a manager today.

Pastor: Sammy, in order to be a manager, you need someone or something to manage.

Sammy: Yes, Pastor. I know that. Today is the first day that I am going to be your manager.

Pastor: Sammy, that’s not going to work.

Sammy: Why not?

Pastor: I am not sure you know what a manager is, Sammy. Boys and girls, will you help me explain this concept to Sammy? What is a manager?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: That makes sense. A manager keeps track of people and items and helps to run a business in a smooth way. This person keeps everyone focused.

Pastor: Exactly.

Sammy: I don’t know, Pastor. I think you really need me in this role.

Pastor: Sammy.

Sammy: I’ve seen your office, Pastor. The dust bunnies tell me everything. You need me to be your manager.

Pastor: Let’s refocus. Jesus talked to his disciples about a manager who wasn’t doing a good job in the Gospel of Luke today. The manager almost lost his job, but he decided he needed to try once more to impress his boss. He settled accounts and did his best to collect as much income as he could.

Sammy: He sounds like he tried.

Pastor: Yes, he did, but only after his master talked with him. You see, Jesus is teaching about faith. When we have a little bit of faith, we can accomplish only a little bit. But when we have a big faith, we can accomplish big things. That’s the power of God’s work in us.

Sammy: So we don’t want to be managers, then?

Pastor: There’s nothing wrong with being a manager; we just want to be good managers of all that we are given.

Sammy: That make sense to me.

Pastor: Let’s pray: would everyone please fold your hands and bow your head? Dear Jesus, we love you. Please increase our faith in you and help us to always look to you for help. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: John 3:13-17

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: Hey Pastor. I was paying attention to the gospel reading today. Jesus said the Son of Man must be lifted up. I’m not really sure what he means by that. Did they have to lift him up really high in the sky?

Pastor: Kind of Sammy. Before I answer that question. Have you seen any crosses around the church.

Sammy: Yes, I have seen them all over the place. Boys and girls, do you see any crosses around the church?

Wait for answers

Pastor: Thank you for answering everyone. I am really glad that you can find all those crosses. They seem to be everywhere. Even in places you wouldn’t expect them.

Sammy: Okay Pastor, but what does the cross have to do with the son of man being lifted up? That doesn’t seem to make sense to me.

Pastor: Well, the son of man is Jesus and sometimes when we see crosses, we see Jesus on them.

Sammy: Oh yeah, I have seen that before. You have one of those in your office. So, Jesus was lifted up on a cross?

Pastor: Yes he was Sammy. He was lifted up high on the cross on top of a mountain and many people could see him.

Sammy: That does not seem very nice. Who would do that do Jesus?

Pastor: Some very mean people hurt Jesus like he did something bad, but he did not do anything wrong. He ended up dying.  

Sammy: That makes me sad pastor.

Pastor: It made a lot of people very sad. His closest friends couldn’t even bear to watch it.

Sammy: But Pastor. You always say Jesus is alive.

Pastor: That’s because he is Sammy. Even though he died on the cross. He rose up from the dead and he was alive again. And he is still alive today.

Sammy: That makes me happy. But why did he have to die at all.

Pastor: He died to save us. Only he could save us from our sin and he did so by dying on the cross. He became a sacrifice and suffered death so we could live with him forever.

Sammy: Wow pastor. It sounds like God loves us a lot.

Pastor: He does Sammy. Jesus said,  ¹⁶ “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

Sammy: Thank you for explaining all of that to me pastor. That all makes more sense now. Boys and girls can you pray with me? Dear Jesus, Thank you for loving us so much. That you would die for us. Thank you lord for forgiving our sins. And thank you for your love. Amen.

Pastor and Sammy: Bye Everyone!

Luke 13:10-17

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!

Pastor: Sammy, what happened to your leg?

Sammy: Well, I was playing with my friends in the meadow, and I fell and scraped my leg.

Pastor: Are you okay?

Sammy: Yes I am okay. My maa-maa says I am a brave little lamb. I did cry when I fell down, but she held me and told me that Jesus would heal all my boo-boos.

Pastor: Boys and girls, have you ever needed a band-aid or help from your family after you fell down or got hurt?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I am glad that your families helped you all feel better. That’s what our families are for.

Pastor: Exactly, Sammy. God gives us each other and we are called to take care of one another.

Sammy: Pastor, there is something that I don’t understand.

Pastor: What’s that, Sammy?

Sammy: In the Gospel reading for today, Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath. What is the Sabbath?

Pastor: Sabbath is the holy day of worship for Jews. It’s like how we go to church on Sunday. God commands his people to respect the Sabbath and keep it holy. Today, we as Christians are called to set Sunday or another day of worship aside to devote to God.

Sammy: That makes sense. I do a lot of things all week at the farm. It’s nice to have a day of rest and worship with you, Pastor. And with our church family.

Pastor: Yes; God’s original design for our world was broken by sin, but he still wants us. He calls us to honor and worship him through a day of rest. He wants all of his people to take a break.

Sammy: So why didn’t Jesus listen to that rule?

Pastor: What do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, doesn’t the leader of the Synagogue (the pastor) in the Gospel have a point? Jesus did do work on the Sabbath instead of resting.

Pastor: Not quite, Sammy. You see, Jesus healed a woman. You have a boo-boo on your leg, and your body will continue to heal this boo-boo even during worship today. Your body will not stop working.

Sammy: Right. But what does that have to do with Jesus?

Pastor: Jesus heals our bodies. He created us; he loves us; and ultimately, he will heal us completely. His work of healing is for every day. The healing that Jesus does is a healing of our bodies and of our souls. He heals our boo-boos and forgives our sin. That is his gift for every day.

Sammy: I am glad that Jesus does not take a break from healing us. And that poor woman in the Gospel had a really big boo-boo.

Pastor: Yes, she suffered for a long time. But God received all of the glory through her life. Her life was a gift and she was part of a great healing miracle.

Sammy: Amen!

Pastor: Let’s pray. Boys and girls, will you fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for your healing power. Thank you for the gift of worship. Thank you for creating us. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, boys and girls!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy! 

“And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!”  Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified” (Matthew 27:25-26).

The blood of Jesus is on their children.  For those who believe, it is the healing salve of forgiveness.  For those who do not believe, it is the condemnation of the ongoing rebellion against the One through whom all things have their being.  Crowds go with the flow, under the influence of whatever fancy is passing by, and evil is done.  Hatred and anger is not enough, so taking revenge is the way of the wicked. But vengeance is Mine, says the LORD.

Lord, I have been a part of crowds that go off and do things that are wicked.  We do what is right in our own minds, but if our minds are not right, we will do what is wrong.  Jesus, You have put us into a right relationship with the Father, and wickedness will do all it can to keep us from that relationship.  Continue to interfere with the way of this world so that Your healing blood reminds me the You are the Way. The Truth and the Life.

Thank You Jesus for doing all that is needed.  I cannot begin to imagine all that You have done, but I know You alone are able to do it.  By the grace which is mine in You, forgive me when I am carried away by temptations.  Help me to be quick to repent and grant me fortitude to hold fast to the truth You have revealed so that I may humbly walk with You all the days of my life.  No matter what the shouting crowds around me say, be the One who leads me, dear Lord.  Amen.   

“So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”  For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over” (Matthew 27:17-18).

Covetousness runs deep in the sinner.  I do not have; and I want.  Pride comes in and even if I cannot have it, I do not want you to have it.  This is one of the conditions of sin.  This has played out in every generation.  Jesus came to overcome these things so that we can learn how life is meant to be lived.  We do not live for ourselves.  If we do, we remain separated from the Lord.  If you live, live then for the Lord.

Lord, I belong to You.  You created me.  You placed me in my circumstances with the gifts You have given me.  You have called me to humbly submit to You, my Creator.  In You alone, the author of all life, life is to be lived the way it is meant to be lived.  Take me out of the life of the sinner to learn from You how to live a life that brings me to eternal life.  Lead me toward the upward way, away from the sin of this world.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  By Your grace alone is there hope, for You alone have overcome sin.  By Your death and resurrection, You have made it possible for me to follow You.  Lead me on the narrow way so that I may leave behind the coveting and pride of this age to become more like You and learn how to live life as it is meant to be lived.  Amen.

“Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted.  At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas” (Matthew 27:15-16).

Justice may sometimes happen in this world, but then again, sometimes the notorious walk free.  True Justice is in the hands of the Lord alone.  Only in Him is there equity.  This world is neither just, nor equitable.  Any cry for such things acts as though sin does not exist.  You know better.  Look to the Lord who is the source of all justice.  He alone can and will provide; and He will judge everyone after the last day.

Lord, this world cries for justice and they do not find it because justice is found in You alone.  In You is the hope that all long for.  The world keeps seeking it, trusting in rulers, and this leads to tyranny.  The wicked go free and the innocent are trapped.  But You, Lord, set us free.  Though our remaining years may be in prison, in the Lord we are free.  Though we are free in this world, without the Lord, we are in prison.

Lord Jesus, You went through all of this for the sake of those who would follow You.  Help me to see clearly that You alone are the One who can and will set me free from the insanity of this world.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk with You in all Your ways.  Lead me today and each day You give me so that I may learn from You how to live as one who is free in You.  Open my eyes so see more clearly.  Amen.