Children's Conversations at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley Today is the first Sunday of Advent. From the candles, you can guess Advent is about getting ready for Christmas, but there is more. In today's Gospel, Jesus says to keep awake. He doesn't want to scare us; he wants us to be ready for the gift of God. Jesus was born a long time ago, and we know Jesus will come again, but he is also with us now. We should stay awake to be ready when Jesus comes again and to see jesus' presence in each of us.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley Today is Christ the King Sunday. A king can be mean or nice, but he always has power and rules over people. Jesus is a different kind of king who wants us to feed the hungry and care for others. Christ is the king on the cross who calls us to love one another.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley If I gave you $1,000, you might spend it on toys. But if I told you to take care of it, you would probably put it in a bank. In today's Gospel, the master gives his slaves so much money that you wouldn't know what to do with it. The most amazing gift we receive is God's love. And the way we take care of God's love is by giving it away. That way it multiplies.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley Today is All Saints Sunday. We think of a saint as someone who is really good or someone who trusts in God. But being a saint starts with God. In fact, each of you is a a saint. We are all God's saints.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley Today is Reformation Sunday, and to help you understand, I have brought this traffic cone. It tells us to look out and which way to go. Many years ago, Marting Luther was like a traffic cone. He told us to look to the cross and to Jesus. Trying to be good cannot save us, but Jesus can. So, the next time you see a traffic cone, think of Martin Luther and his message.

A children's conversation by Peggy Anderson Here are some hinges. Like the ones on the organ, they hold doors in place. And we need two to keep the door steady. In today's Gospel, they asked Jesus about the most important commandment, and he gave two: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. These are the hinges of the Bible.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley You all love parties because of the food, games, and friends. But what if you gave a party and no one came? In today's Gospel, we hear about a situation like that. No one came to the king's party, so he invited everyone else to come. In the same way, God invites everyone to the party of God's kingdom. And we at church welcome everyone too.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley In today's Gospel, we hear about a vineyard and tenants who don't give the owner a share of the grapes. Grapes taste best when we share them, and the fruits of God's love should be shared in the same way.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley When your parents tell you to do something, you do it because they have authority over you. In today's Gospel, they ask Jesus where his authority came from. God gave Jesus authority, and Jesus gives each of you authority to love and care, to heal and share God's word with others.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley I'm sure you do chores at home, and maybe you get paid. Now, if one of you did a lot of chores, and another did only a little, but you both got paid the same, I know you would think it wasn't fair. But in today's Gospel, Jesus tells a story about a land owner who paid people who worked all day the same as those who only worked a few hours. This story tells us that God's love is the same for everyone, whether they deserve it or not. I'm glad that God loves us all the same.