Children's Sermon - Books are the Best!

I really enjoy children's sermons.  I should probably be more specific.  I really enjoy children's sermons when they are NOT simply a way to show off how cute the kids are and when they are NOT simply a watered down version of the sermon.

I always try to connect my time with the kids to one of the lessons, preferably one of the ones I'm not preaching directly on.  My favorite way to share a message with the children is through children's literature.  There is a wealth of amazing books out there - and I'm not talking just "Christian" books.  Here are some of my favorites:

Psalm 104

The following are pictures of banners used in worship on Pentecost at my internship congregation.  The banners are a result of a confirmation lesson, the gifts of an artistic congregation member, and the efforts of the quilting group.

The Liturgical Cross

The liturgy is a dynamic and living conversation. Profound words are spoken, the gospel is proclaimed, we are changed! Part of my year as a youth minister was working with the confirmation classes to lead a worship service together. Before we began planning the specifics, we spent a few weeks learning about the different parts of the liturgy.

One day, we went through each piece of the liturgy. We opened up our ELWs to page 94, I had each of the parts written on a piece of paper and had the students place them on four different posters according to the proper category:
1. God speaking to us
2. Conversation with each other
3. The assembly speaks to God
4. The assembly speaks God's Word, Grace, & Gospel (by the power of the Holy Spirit)

Once we had all the parts of the liturgy in their proper places, I assembled the pieces to reveal a cross - a liturgical cross!