On Monday night, March 9, our Jewish friends and neighbors begin celebrating the fun festival of Purim. It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from evil Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day,” as recorded in the book of Esther. Haman is the villain in the story. God brings the light of deliverance through the hero, Queen Esther! She carried so much about her community that she rescued those in danger, saving lives. You’ve heard of the corona virus , itsimportant to do whatever we can to keep ourselves healthy, and in a small way, care for our community, too. We can be a hero when we take health and safety seriously. Wash your hands. And use hand sanitizer. Here are packets of hand sanitizer for you and to share with your friends. Like Esther, you can help your community be safe, too, because Jesus loves the whole world!
Making good decisions is always a great idea. Sometimes its difficult! But Jesus knows exactly how we feel. He understands us. To be a good friend means we can know a little bit about walking in someone else’s shoes. Take a look at my boots here! One of you want to try to walk in them!? It’s hard to do! Jesus knows us and knows how hard we try to do good, treat others with respect, and show God’s love. And that’s hard work! But because Jesus walks in our shoes, we know we are never walking alone!
Last week we learned that Cold Spring Church is the Church of Presidents! To become president, or any position you might seek in life, you must grow and learn every day in mind, body , and spirit. Jesus did the same. What things did you learn during last week? Tough question! (Thanks for sharing!)
How many games can you think of that use a ball? Baseball, basketball, baseball, volleyball, football, golf, tennis, ping pong! So many more, too! Catch this! Here’s ball for each of you. Toss it around. When you play a game with a ball, its super important that you keep your eye on the ball. If you don’t keep your eye on the ball, you will spend all of your time chasing it.
This week, I want you to keep your eye on Jesus. How do we do that? Read the Bible. Talk to God every day. So many ways to listen to Jesus. So keep your eye on the ball, and on Jesus, this week!
Are you ready for tomorrow?! Yes. Its probably your favorite holiday of the year. Presidents Day! What? Not your favorite holiday? Well, you should know that Cold Spring Church is the Church of Presidents! Wow. Called the Church of the Presidents by Dr. Paul Howe, author of the publication Mayflower Descendants in Cape May County, reported at least four Presidents of the United States worshipped at Cold Spring Presbyterian Church during their frequent vacation visits to Cape May, New Jersey.
Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)
President and Mrs. Benjamin Harrison worshipped here on August 24, 1890
William H. Taft (1909-1913)
Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)Presidents aren’t born president. No! They are born just like you and me. Then they grow. Learn. Develop their gifts and talents. Jesus was the same way. God’s son was born a baby. Baby Jesus didn’t stay a baby, though. Either did you. The Bible says that “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor of God and people.”
One thing Melissa and I enjoy on Presidents Day weekend is Girl Scout Cookies. Yummy. Girl Scouts aren’t born Girl Scouts, they don’t start as Ambassadors, senior high age. They start as Daisies. Then grow and learn.
Cold Spring Church is the place to grow and learn, learn to be more like Jesus, and to celebrate that we are the Church of Presidents! So enjoy your Presidents Day tomorrow… and enjoy these Girl Scout Cookies today!
When you move in a dark room or space, what do you need to see? Right! Light! Flashlights are way cool. But did you know that every day as you move through life, you have a powerful light that is better than any flashlight you could carry? Yes! It’s your inner light! A light that never dims and a light that God put there to show you the way. Jesus is the Light of the World… and we can sense his presence in our life, be open to God’s action in our life, and by listening to God’s word that lights our path, and your family and the family here at Cold Spring Church, you will always be heading in the right direction… toward the Light that is Jesus! So let your light shine! Your light matters.
Of all the great things we do, there is something that we have that will never run out. What is that? It’s you! Your presence. Participation. Engagement. When you set your devices down for a minute and look up, the person you’re with is the most important person in the world…to you! Being with others is a fantastic way to learn, grow, and serve. Sure, we can do lots of things solo. But when we are together, spending time with God, reading the Bible, working on a project, sharing our thoughts and feelings, can create amazing memories that are shared, and shared again, and on and one. Let’s be brave this year and remember we are sharable’s!
When the Wise men visited Jesus they brought gifts worth giving: Gold, frankincense and myrrh. As cool as those gifts were, they aren’t nearly as important as the individuals themselves. Each of us have value way beyond what we do. Exceeding things we give. Just you being you. Whoa! What a gift! You are the gift worth giving! We can learn a lot from the wise men who knew Jesus was the King! Let’s give gifts like the wise men today. Would you help me give away some real frankincense and myrrh this morning? Great. Here, take some for yourselves and meet me as people are sent out today! Thank you for being amazing gifts!
Do you know how to take a selfie? Sure! Let’s take a few now. Here’s my iPhone, go ahead and take a selfie. Each of you can have a turn. Wow, great shots! Here at the manger scene, imagine its Christmas Eve when we put Jesus as a baby in the manger. If Joseph, Mary and Jesus were born today, do you think a few selfies would be taken?! Absolutely. Can you imagine Joseph holding his phone and taking a selfie with Jesus and Mary in the frame? This week and next, we have a great project for you to work on and you’ll use your photo in a frame like this. And when you take photos of yourself, remember that Jesus is right there in the frame with you, walking with you, always with you, and you can’t see him in the usual way, but he is there just as if it was your friend! This Christmas, and every day, Jesus is in your frame. Now, that’s good news!
Do you usually travel for the holidays? When was the last time you made a snowman? What was the worst Christmas present you ever received?! Great answers! Last week we learned that’s the candy cane was in the shape of a…? Yes, a “J”! And “J” stands for…? Yes, Jesus! Christmas is not a one-time event, it is a conversation based on celebrating the birth of Jesus, God’s Son, who is with us every day of the year! Take a candy cane from this box, and respond to the question. Great! What’s you favorite Christmas ornament on your tree? What is your favorite Christmas play? Super! This weekend, Melissa and I enjoyed time with family playing games and it was super fun! This week, spend time with your family. Maybe you’ll play some games. Instead of TV, try asking your family members to share what makes Christmas time so special to them. Ask, learn, grow, and through your family conversations, remember that God loves you so much! Have a conversation with Jesus every day! Christmas is all about conversations! Thank you for having this conversation with me today!
Notice anything different in our sanctuary this morning? (Kids notice everything!) Poinsettia Trees, decorations, the Advent Candles, and yes, a manger. Wait! It’s empty. Each week we will add characters to our Manger scene because Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of, who? That’s right, Jesus. And for our journey I want to give you a very special energy treat, its a Candy Cane! (Each child is given their own candy cane.) In this special package is not only a candy cane, and a Christmas stocking, but the story of how the candy cane came to be invented. It all started in Indiana, and well, you can learn more about it during your learning time upstairs in a few minutes. Here’s one thing you may not have known. The candy cane is in the shape of? (Turn the candy cane upside down.) A -J-! A -J- for? That’s right, Jesus. Next week we will continue our ADVENT-ure, add a few characters to our manger scene, and prepare for a great celebration, on the birthday of who? That’s right! -J- for Jesus who is with us every day.