ROMANS 7:21-8:6

MATTHEW 11:25-30

Sermon with Children

July 3, 2005 – 10:30 a.m.

For the last two weeks in our Bible stories we’ve been hearing Jesus warn us that everyone sometimes has sad or difficult days, and he’s been “coaching” us on how to deal with them. To be “as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves,” to be “street-smart” without becoming cynical, to be smart and do the right thing. Today he tells us that the most important thing we can do when we’re having a difficult or sad day is to tell him, and let him lift our burdens off of us.

Has anyone ever had a sad or difficult day? (Responses.) Just remember a sad or difficult day, think about the things that weigh you down, and then put your hands on this brick and imagine taking the weight of all the things that worry or bother you and giving them to Jesus.

Each one close your eyes, take turns and put all the things that weigh you down on this brick. Now, together let’s lift this brick full of worries and sadness – Wow! Feel how heavy it is! – and together we’ll put it right up here in front of this picture of Jesus. There! Do your arms feel lighter now that you’ve given Jesus the weight of your worries? Wow!

Now let’s sit down and close our eyes and think peaceful happy thoughts. (I quietly sing “I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.”) What are some people, places or activities you think of when you think about peace, joy and love? (Responses.) Jesus says to us that when we come to him, not only will he lift us up by helping us with things that weigh us down, he will also give us peace! So when you think a peaceful thought, think of Jesus at the same time and the peace grows and grows! And this is something God gives you that lots of smart grown-ups haven’t learned yet: Get to know Jesus, have peace.

(The Rev.) Francis A. Hubbard

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church