CHILDREN – 32nd Sunday of Year A

OBJECTS: Pictures of green flash

SUMMARY: This sermon discusses the elusive “green flash” phenomenon during sunsets and relates it to the importance of being prepared for unexpected events, using the parable in the Gospel to emphasize the need to be ready for Jesus’ return.

Few people have ever heard of the “green flash” and even fewer have seen it. It is an event that happens just as the sun is setting. At the exact moment the sun drops out of sight beyond the horizon, there is a sudden flash of brilliant green, right in the middle of the red and orange colors of the sunset. It is an exciting, surprising sight.

The green flash is caused by colors of sunlight being bent by the earth’s atmosphere. Conditions must be just right for the green flash to happen. You will have the best chance of seeing it on a clear day. You must stand overlooking a wide expanse of ocean, facing west toward the setting sun. (Don’t stare at the sun. Wear sunglasses and look away until the sun is just about to disappear.)

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SOURCE: Sermon Writer

OBJECT: Objects of beauty from the natural world. An oil lamp, if available.

SUMMARY: This sermon focuses on the beauty of nature and the importance of being attentive to God’s blessings. It includes a list of beautiful things, a story about attentiveness, and emphasizes the need to be prepared to receive God’s love.

I think the most beautiful things occur in nature. What beautiful sights have you seen in the world around you? Here are a few of the things I would list:

• Butterflies
• Many kinds of flowers
• A seashell
• A feather
• The moon – crescent and full
• A smile

(Teachers, personalize this list and encourage participation from the children.)

There are so many beautiful things in this world. If we are to enjoy all that God has created we must be attentive. That means we must take time to look and see what is around us. We must pay attention so we don’t miss God’s blessings.

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OBJECT: A towel, a bathing suit, bottle of sunscreen, comb or brush

SUMMARY: This sermon tells the story of ten girls waiting for a bridegroom to arrive. Five girls run out of oil for their lamps and miss the wedding feast. Jesus uses this story to teach the importance of being prepared for his return.

When we go to the swimming pool, what do we usually take with us? (Let the children answer.) That’s correct. (Hold up the items as you are talking.) We take a towel, bathing suit, bottle of sunscreen, comb or brush.

We wouldn’t think of going swimming without making sure we have our towel, bathing suit and sunscreen. Let’s be prepared for Jesus’ return too. We don’t know when that will be, but we want to be ready. We can get ready by asking Jesus to live in our hearts, by staying away from doing things that will hurt us or other people, and by reading our Bible, praying and going to church.

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SOURCE: Sermon Writer