EPHESIANS 4:1-7,11-16

MARK 6:45-52

10:30 “Interactive” Kids’ Sermon

“Maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace”

How many girls do we have here? (Raise hands) How many boys? (Raise hands) Are girls and boys different? O.K., let’s form groups – girls here, boys there. Wow, you’re different! Now, let’s all form a circle together and hold hands. Now, we’re all together as one group! (Then collapse circle.)

Anybody have a favorite color? O.K., everyone who likes red over here, blue there (etc.). Wow, you like different colors! Now let’s all form a circle together and hold hands. Now, we’re all together again as one group! (Then collapse circle.)

Anybody like ice cream? What’s your favorite flavor? O.K., everyone who likes _____over here, ______over there (etc.). Wow, you like different flavors! Now let’s all form a circle together and hold hands. Now, we’re all together again as one group! (Then collapse circle.)

Thanks to God, people can be different and like different things and still be together as one group, because we’re all part of the Family of God. Jesus’ friend Paul tells us in today’s first Bible reading to “Maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” We can respect each other’s differences and still be together as God’s family. So let’s form a circle one more time and say “We’re are all part of the Family of God.”

(The Rev.) Francis A. Hubbard

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church