Pentecost: A Children’s Sermon
Good morning! I'm excited to be here today with you, and you, and you, and you.
I know that y’all learn about the church calendar in Temple, so tell me,
what special day in the church calendar is today? (PENTECOST!)
what special day in the church calendar is today? (PENTECOST!)
And what is Pentecost? (Beginning of the church, Spirit coming down.)
Yes, good. I want to talk to you about Pentecost and the Spirit.
There are a lot of ways to talk about the Spirit.
Some people talk about the Spirit being like the wind,
always blowing somewhere, even though we can’t see it.
And a lot of people talk about the Spirit as God with us;
even though Jesus is not here with us, we have the Spirit.
And a lot of people talk about the Spirit being with us
especially when we are sad or upset.
Some people talk about the Spirit being like the wind,
always blowing somewhere, even though we can’t see it.
And a lot of people talk about the Spirit as God with us;
even though Jesus is not here with us, we have the Spirit.
And a lot of people talk about the Spirit being with us
especially when we are sad or upset.
All of that is true. But I want to talk about something else today.
The Spirit is with us and in us, but the Spirit doesn’t just leave us alone.
The really exciting thing is that the Spirit changes us. The Spirit gives us all special gifts.
The really exciting thing is that the Spirit changes us. The Spirit gives us all special gifts.
Each one of us is different, and we each have different gifts.
Some have artistic and creative gifts. Some have athletic gifts.
Others are gifted in seeing patterns and solving puzzles.
Some have gifts to speak in public, while others find their voice through writing.
And some of you, I'd say all of you, have a very special gift of making people smile.
Others are gifted in seeing patterns and solving puzzles.
Some have gifts to speak in public, while others find their voice through writing.
And some of you, I'd say all of you, have a very special gift of making people smile.
I love the special, unique gifts the Spirit has given each of you.
But here’s the thing: You can’t just hold those gifts in.
Pentecost, you told me earlier, is also called the church’s birthday.
And you are a very important part of the church.
So we need you to use your gifts to make this church a better place.
And you are a very important part of the church.
So we need you to use your gifts to make this church a better place.
If you were listening earlier, you heard our scripture, from Acts,
where Peter is quoting the prophet Joel.
He said that the young will have visions.
where Peter is quoting the prophet Joel.
He said that the young will have visions.
That’s a very special gift you can give us.
This week, I want you to have visions
about our what our church could be
and what our city could be.
And I want you to come back
and tell us all about your visions
so that we can help you make those visions reality.
This week, I want you to have visions
about our what our church could be
and what our city could be.
And I want you to come back
and tell us all about your visions
so that we can help you make those visions reality.
Can you do that?
Let's pray.
God, give us visions.
Give us the courage to tell each other about our visions.
And give us the strength to live into those visions.
Amen.
