EPHESIANS 4:25-5:2

JOHN 6:37-51

10:30 Sermon with Children

August 10, 2003

(I show my chasuble with pictures of wheat and grapes on it.) What is this a picture of? (Wheat.) and this? (Grapes.) Who made wheat and grapes? (God.) That’s right! God created the world and made all the animals and plants, including wheat and grapes, and then he told human beings to learn how to be farmers and be God’s helpers growing good things – and using them to make good things to eat and drink. When we eat meals, we as Christians say “Thank you” to God by saying “grace” before we eat. Anyone here say “grace” before meals? [So what do we make from wheat? (Bread.) What can we make from grapes? (Wine and grape juice.) Do you think there’s any bread or wine here in the church? (Responses.) Let’s go look for it! (We all walk to the back.) We found it! Every week when you come to church, you’ll find bread and wine on this little table. What’s it for? (Responses.) Every week, we remember God’s love and generosity to us in the Creation by giving us good things to eat and drink by bringing a small amount into church when we say “Thank you” to God.

God makes the wheat and the grapes grow, we human beings take the wheat and make_____(bread), take the grapes and make _____(wine) and then we offer them back to God by taking them up to the altar. When we do this we also remember that all the work we do is made possible by God (not just the work of bakers and wine-makers) so the bread and wine coming up from all the people to the altar represents all the work all of us do with the materials God gives us to do it with.

Then what happens with the bread and wine? (People take it to the altar and we eat and drink it at communion.) That’s right! We take it up to the altar and say some special prayers and after those prayers, Jesus is with us for a very special meal (even though we can’t see him). In this meal we all say “Thank you” to God for God’s love and we receive God’s love in the whole church service.

Next week, we’ll learn more about this special meal.

(The Rev.) Francis A. Hubbard

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church