Galatians 6:1-18

LUKE 10:12,16-20

10:30 Service

Children’s Sermon – July 8, 2007

Two by Two into the World

I’d like the kids to come up and help me explain this Gospel story to the grown-ups. (They gather.) In today’s Gospel story, Jesus tells his followers to go on a special mission to do battle against evil powers! Well, I don’t know about you, but I think I’ll need an “invisibility cloak,” just like Harry Potter. (I open a large duffle bag and pull out my heavy, black cape which I use for graveside services in the winter and hide inside it.) Now, I’m invisible, right? (The kids respond.) What, you can still see me? I guess this doesn’t work, huh? Well, I guess I should go out all by myself even if I don’t have an “invisibility cloak”, right? (“No!”) Hmm. Do you think maybe I should go back and read the directions for this mission? (‘Yes!”)

(I pick up the Gospel Book.) You’re right. Jesus doesn’t say anything about needing “invisibility cloaks”, and he even says not to bring a bag. (I stuff the cloak in the duffle bag and put it away.) And Jesus also says not to go out alone, but to go out two by two! And you all can come! I guess it is a good thing I read the directions.

Now, here’s what he says to do. (I “huddle” with the kids.) We all have an important message to give. Here’s paper and crayons. Everyone who can write, please grab a crayon and pieces of paper and write “God loves you” on lots of papers and “And so do we” on others. Then team up so that everyone is part of a team of two people each; kids who can’t write yet can carry the papers. And go to everyone here and give out these papers and say, “The Peace of the Lord be with you.”

(Afterwards,) Good work! Is this really doing battle against evil? It sure is! Jesus has already fought and won the decisive battle against evil when he died on the cross and rose again on Easter. Our job is to receive God’s love and peace and spread it around! Anyone of any age can do that! And it’s not pretend like “invisibility cloaks”, it’s real.

(To everyone.) The Episcopal catechism says that “the mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” This is something we all can work on every day. Sunday worship is our “team huddle,” where we get instructions from our Head Coach how best to carry out our mission each week. All we have to do (I pick up the Gospel Book) is read the directions, and follow Jesus as his ambassadors in the world.

(The Rev.) Francis A. Hubbard

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church

Monmouth Junction, New Jersey