Little Saints, Big Lessons: Children's Sermons from St. Peter's Episcopal Church

On Father’s Day, Mother Paige talks with the children about celebrating their dads with presents, cards, love, and hugs, including a funny story about waking Dad up like a rooster. She connects the day to summer Bible readings in which Jesus teaches what God is like, focusing on the image that God has counted the hairs on our heads. The conversation highlights that dads don’t know every detail like that, but God knows everything about each person and loves them, even before they understand themselves. She encourages the children to remember this when they feel misunderstood or confused, trusting that God’s knowledge and love can bring peace and strength, and then invites everyone to stand and sing about peace like a river.00:00 Father's Day Greetings00:21 Rooster Wake Up00:46 Summer Bible Stories01:21 Counted Hairs Lesson02:14 God Knows You03:35 Peace Like a River

Mother Paige greets the children and, instead of focusing on the long gospel passage, teaches them a key line from Romans by having them repeat: “Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us,” because God’s love has been poured into their hearts through the Holy Spirit. She explains this can be misunderstood as God causing suffering to give hope, but says life can be hard and God does not inflict pain; rather, God is with us to redeem and transform difficult times. She connects this to the cross, noting that Jesus suffered yet overcame death and gives new life and grace. She has the children repeat the phrase again, encourages them to remember and practice it.

00:00 Welcome and Setup

00:08 Romans Phrase Call and Response

01:17 What It Really Means

02:00 The Cross and Redemption

02:08 Repeat the Mantra Together

02:45 Hold Onto Hope

02:59 Song

Rev. Madeline leads a children’s sermon based on the song lyric “Let us build a house where love can dwell,” asking kids why it talks about building a house and what that house might include. Children suggest a church or community space where people can pray, be with God, and become friends, mentioning crosses, baptismal font, and being nice. They brainstorm many practical and welcoming elements—food (hot dog stand, donuts, coffee/tea), tables, plates, seats, couches, beds, lights, windows, books and Bibles, toys and crayons, musical instruments and music, flowers, pets, Band-Aids, hugs, and families—along with imaginative ideas like a fire pit, golden pit, an ark, and animals. She emphasizes that every time they come to church, they are working on building this loving community, and that they need everyone.00:00 Welcome and Song Theme00:03 Why Build a House00:58 What the House Needs01:42 Rapid Fire Ideas03:08 Keep Building Together03:33 Comfort and Care Items04:22 Everyone Belongs04:34 Closing Affirmations

Rev. Madeline shares a children’s sermon retelling of “A Very Good Song” by Mariko Clark, describing creation as God singing life into a swirling, watery mess. You can read the full story at https://tinyurl.com/34t5sbct.

Rev. Madeline leads a children’s sermon about Pentecost, noting that some are wearing red for the day. She explains that Pentecost is when Christians celebrate the Holy Ghost, also called the Holy Spirit, and explores with the children what that means. She describes the Holy Spirit as a mysterious part of God that people sometimes forget about or don’t fully understand, and as God dwelling within each person and at work in the world around them. She reminds the children to look for where God might be working and that God is with everyone all the time. She thanks them for celebrating Pentecost and invites them to sing, directing them to follow Mr. Adam if they want to keep singing.00:00 Pentecost Welcome00:05 Why We Wear Red00:18 What Is Pentecost00:27 Holy Spirit Explained00:43 God With Us Always01:26 Sing Together

Bishop Susan welcomes everyone, including new friends, and explains that the church is nearing the end of the Easter season, celebrating that Jesus rose from the dead and that “hallelujahs” have returned. She recounts that Jesus spent 40 days after Easter appearing to people to show he was alive, then went home to heaven to be with his Father. She notes that while people might miss Jesus, next week they will hear about the Holy Spirit being sent to be with them. For today, she imagines Jesus in heaven telling his Father how much he loves his people, pointing out their kindness and loving actions and asking that they be blessed. The sermon concludes by preparing to sing “Jesus Loves Me” and their Allelu song.00:00 Welcome and Greetings00:12 Easter Recap00:39 Jesus Ascends01:08 Promise of Spirit01:21 Jesus Loves Us02:22 Singing Together

On Mother’s Day, Mother Paige talks with children about ways they are honoring their moms and grandmas, such as breakfast in bed, making cards, and sharing a gift card for an experience together. She connects the day’s love and care to Jesus’ words to his disciples at the Last Supper before his crucifixion: “If you love me, keep my commandments,” and his commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.” She explains that loving others is a way of loving God, and that love shown by mothers and people who love like mothers comes from God’s love.

00:00 Mother's Day Greetings

00:20 Kids Share Their Gifts

01:26 Jesus Command To Love

02:58 Love Others Like Jesus

03:55 Alleluia Song Time

Rev. Madeline greets the children and reads the line, "Into your hands, I commend my spirit," asking if it sounds familiar. The children identify that they have heard it in church services, in Wednesday night family compline, in a Bible reading Nick just read, and in stories where people say similar words, including Jesus. She asks what it means to give God one’s spirit, and the children suggest that God has the whole world and that it means connecting with God. Rev. Madeline affirms these ideas, explaining it is like giving God all of ourselves and remembering we can bring anything—upset, happiness, or worries—to God. She then invites the children to sing "Hallelujah."

00:00 Welcome and Setup

00:04 Familiar Prayer Line

00:47 Where We Hear It01:18 What It Means

01:57 Giving Ourselves to God

02:22 Singing as Response

Mother Paige explains that this Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday. Referring to Jesus’ teaching, she contrasts a robber who climbs in without using the gate with the Good Shepherd who comes properly and means good for the sheep. She highlights Jesus’ “I am” statement, “I am the gate,” describing him as the way into a safe place, and notes that the Good Shepherd calls each sheep by name and the sheep know his voice. In response to a question about language, she says the sheep can speak whatever language they need and God recognizes and understands them through the Holy Spirit. She connects the Good Shepherd to belonging, emphasizing that in Jesus everyone belongs, and encourages the children to help someone who doesn’t feel included feel like they belong.

00:00 Welcome And Sunday

00:13 Good Shepherd Sunday

01:04 Jesus The Gate

01:44 Sheep Language And Spirit

02:23 Belonging And Inclusion

03:29 We All Belong In Jesus

03:57 Challenge And Hallelujah

Rev. Madeline shares a children’s sermon about a post-Easter resurrection story in which Jesus appears to his disciples on the road but they do not recognize him at first. After they invite him to stay for a meal, they recognize him when he blesses and breaks the bread. She asks why this moment revealed Jesus, and a child suggests it is because Jesus often blessed and broke bread with his disciples. Rev. Madeline connects this to the Last Supper, when Jesus instituted what is now known as communion or the Eucharist. She explains that gathering at the altar and coming to the communion rail is a way to recognize Jesus, and she prays that everyone would recognize and feel Jesus’ love there.

00:00 Morning Greeting

00:05 Easter Road Encounter

00:47 Recognizing Jesus in Bread

01:27 Last Supper and Communion