Children's Conversations at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu

A children's conversation by Pastor Angela Freeman -------------------------------------------------------- I'm sitting on this stump and feeling grump. Isaiah said a branch would spring from the stump, but this is so dry I don't think anything could grow. But if we took this stump up to Manoa where it is wet, something might grow. We all feel grumpy and barren at times but we know Christ is coming at Christmas, and this stump reminds us that in the driest places, God brings hope.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley -------------------------------------------------------- This is the First Sunday in Advent and the beginning of the church year, so we have special banners and the Advent wreath, and we are using blue. We also have this mountain here that represents the mountain of the Lord in Isaiah. Long ago, God called people to the mountain, but then God came down in the baby to be with us. In Advent we celebrate God's coming to use and the fact that God is with each of us.

A children's conversation by Pastor Angela Freeman -------------------------------------------------------- You come to church for many reasons--for cookies, to see friends, and to learn about God. The most important thing we learn about God is that God loves us.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley -------------------------------------------------------- Today is All Saints Sunday, so do you know what a saint is? I used to think saints were old men in robes, but I found this picture of some modern saints. If you look closely, you'll see they are all people of LCH--include some of you! You are all saints because God loves you.

A children's conversation by Pastor Angela Freeman -------------------------------------------------------- When I was very young, I begged my parents for a bicycle, and they finally got tired of my asking and got one for me. It's like today's Gospel story. Jesus is talking about prayer and telling us it is OK for us to ask God over and over because God wants to know what is in your hearts and because God loves us all.

A children's conversation by Pastor Angela Freeman -------------------------------------------------------- There are many candles around the Nave, but there is one up high in the back that is always lit. It shows that God is always with us. You may have a nightlight at home, and this is like our nightlight to remind us of God's presence.

A children's conversation by Pastor Angela Freeman -------------------------------------------------------- Today we celebrate a special day, Michael and All Angels. We cannot see angles, but we know God is always with us, and scripture tells us that God sends angels to be with us and help us. (The first part of this children's conversation did not get recorded for technical reasons.)

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley -------------------------------------------------------- We used this ball to play a game, and you saw I did't follow the rules. In today's Gospel, Jesus praises a manager who cheated on his accounts. I didn't play fair, and neither did the manager. And God doesn't always follow the rules either because God still loves you, even when you cheat sometimes. I want each of you to remember that God always loves you, no matter what you do.

A children's conversation by Pastor Angela Freeman -------------------------------------------------------- Just like me, you have probably lost something and had a feeling of panic until you found it. In today's Gospel, Jesus talks about people who lose something and will not stop until they find it. These stories tell us how much God loves every one of us. You are all special to God, and God seeks you out.

A children's conversation by Pastor Angela Freeman -------------------------------------------------------- Here you all are using your hands to color, and you're all very good. I know you can use your hands in many other ways. I want you to think about how your hands can do awesome work for God in this world. Your hands are holy because they do God's work.