Children’s Message, January 25, 2009

Well, here we are, Sunday Morning at Third Presbyterian Church! It is a good place to be. If it is your first time here, welcome. We are a nice place to worship. We have a beautiful sanctuary, nice ministers, fun Sunday school, and there are even treats after worship!

But, you might notice that some people are missing today. No bright red robes. No voices singing down to us from the back balcony. The Junior choir is missing! Except that they aren’t really. They are over at New Life Presbyterian Church just a few miles up the road at the corner of Monroe Avenue and Rosedale. Right about now, they are just finishing worship.

They’re missing from our community, but not from God’s community. This morning, people are, have or will be worshipping at the 71 churches in the Presbytery of Genesee Valley, the over 11 thousand Presbyterian churches, and over 350 thousand churches of all denominations in the United States. In the world this Sunday, millions are worshipping in churches all over the world--huge cathedrals, mud huts and every size building in between. But all around the world, Christians are worshipping the same God, and probably saying many of the same words and singing some of the same songs.

The Junior choir is missing from our community this morning, but they are with us in the huge community of Christians praising God this day. So we pray for New Life Presbyterian Church, and all the other churches who are worshipping this day.

Let’s pray:
Loving God
We thank you that we are all here
We pray for those who cannot be here today
We pray for all the other churches across the globe
As they worship and praise you. Amen.

Children’s Message--Sunday, January 11, 2009

“I like your haircut! It’s a whole new you!”
“I’ve finally got over that sinus infection. I feel like a new person!”
“She’s not in elementary school anymore—she’s a middle schooler now. It’s a whole new start!”

It is funny how things that seem little can change the way we think about ourselves. Maybe something about us looks different. . . maybe we feel different. . . maybe we have moved to someplace different. Even though almost everything else about us has stayed the same, things that seem little can make a big difference.

Today is a day when we are thinking of baptism. We all had the privilege of being a part of Jacob’s baptism. Our scripture today, and your Sunday school lesson in the coming weeks will be focused on the baptism of Jesus.
Baptism is one of those things where things seem like they are pretty much the same, but there is a wonderful newness. I like this definition of baptism: “Baptism is the sign of new life through Jesus Christ.” God has claimed us all as God’s own—but when we come to the font—whether we are one month old, one year old or one hundred years old, we( or our parents) answer yes to God. “You’re right God—I am yours. My child is yours. Please, I would like that new life through Jesus Christ.” And that makes a big difference.

The thing is, it doesn’t only make a big difference the one being baptized—it makes a difference to all of us. It is a special day for Jacob and his parents. They have made promises—but so have all of you! those of you who are littler, you might be in Qabats with Jacob some day. Bigger kids—you might just end up a teen helper or a Camp Cory counselor for Jacob some day. Do you all think that you can help Jacob (and all the other children’s whose baptisms you take part in) to know and follow Christ?

A new you. . . a new feeling. . . a new start! Baptism brings us new life in Jesus Christ! Thanks be to God!

Let’s pray: Loving God
We thank you for the new life you offer us
In Jesus Christ.
Help us to remember and celebrate
The promises we make.
Amen.