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

Deacon Pete greets the children and explains that in the gospel reading Jesus teaches everyone carries burdens that slow them down. Using props, he shows three common burdens: a heavy “book of worry” about things like homework, family, or getting to school; a heavy glass container representing anger at what someone said or did; and a “rock of sadness” that hurts the heart. He contrasts these with...

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 lik...

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 suf...

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—f...

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...

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 wee...

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...

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...

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...

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 disciple...

Rev. Madeline’s children’s sermon, on the Sunday after Easter, introduces the coming weeks’ stories about the first days after Jesus was raised and focuses on the disciple Thomas. She explains that Thomas was not present when the other disciples first saw Jesus risen and that he did not immediately believe, wanting to see for himself. Rather than emphasizing “Doubting Thomas,” she frames him as cu...

Mother Paige greets the children on Palm Sunday, noting everyone is wearing red and that a musical was staged in the streets of Del Mar. She highlights the hymn “All Glory, Laud and Honor,” focusing on the line about children’s lips making sweet hosannas ring. She asks what “hosanna” means and explains it means “help” or “save us,” emphasizing how the children’s cry “Save us, Son of David” was a t...

Mother Paige addresses children after a long Gospel reading, focusing on the short verse “Jesus began to weep” (“Jesus wept”). She explains that in the original Greek it indicates Jesus burst into tears—an intense, “ugly cry,” not a mild reaction. In John’s Gospel, she notes, Jesus is fully human and fully God, showing that God feels what humans feel as Emmanuel, “God with us.” She encourages chil...

We start. by recalling last week’s reading about Jesus healing a man blind from birth, noting that the same reading is heard again today. The children are invited to cover their eyes for one minute to imagine how difficult it is not to see, then uncover their eyes and notice the stained glass window, parish members, parents, and friends. The speaker then asks them to imagine how the healed man mus...

Rev. Madeline talks with children about a line from the psalm, “come, let us bow down and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our maker,” and asks when people kneel in church, such as during Communion, prayer, confession, or the communion prayer. The children suggest kneeling is a way to talk with God, and she explains that physical actions in worship communicate meaning: kneeling makes us sh...

Mother Paige greets the children and notes the start of a new season and a different service opening with the “Summary of the Law,” reminding them of Jesus’ commandments to love God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love their neighbor as themselves. Referring to the Gospel reading, she explains that Jesus came because “God so loved the world,” and that what matters is choosing...

In a children’s sermon, the Rev. Madeline Polhill talks with the children about seeing the color purple in church and what it represents: Lent and feelings like sadness and deep thinking. She explains that Lent is the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter and connects it to the Gospel story of Jesus in the wilderness being tempted. Through discussion, she describes the wilderness as an unexpect...

Rev. Madeline Polhill leads a children’s sermon introducing Lent as the 40 days leading up to Easter, connected to Jesus’ 40 days in the desert and beginning on Ash Wednesday. She explains that the church color will change to purple and that the congregation will stop saying “hallelujah” during Lent, inviting everyone to say it loudly before Lent begins. She gives the children a take-home “map to...

In this children's sermon delivered by Mother Paige, the focus is on a story from Jesus that emphasizes the importance of being valuable and letting one's light shine. Drawing from the analogy of salt in ancient times, Mother Paige explains how salt was once so valuable that people were paid with it, hence the term 'salary.' She encourages the children to see themselves as precious...

In this children's sermon delivered by Rev. Madeline, the congregation discusses the significance of the 40th day after Jesus' birth, when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the temple. The white church decorations and attire symbolize this special occasion. Rev. Madeline narrates the involvement of Anna and Simeon, with Simeon proclaiming Jesus as salvation for all people. The sermon e...

In this engaging children's sermon, Rev. Madeline explores the concept of 'fishing for people' with her young audience. She encourages children to think deeply about how to spread light and happiness in the world. Through discussions about the metaphors of darkness and light in biblical stories, she helps the children come up with practical ways to make others feel happy and cared for....

Rev. Madeline Polhill engages with children, discussing the story of early disciples following Jesus. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and asking questions about the Bible story, speculating on what the disciples might have discussed with Jesus that convinced them to follow Him. The session ends with a song celebrating God's work within us.00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:07 Discu...

In this children's sermon, Mother Paige discusses the significance of a special Sunday, the Baptism of our Lord, focusing on baptism and its importance. She explains how the large candle is used during Easter, Pentecost, and especially at baptisms, drawing connections to Jesus' own baptism. Through interactive dialogue with the children, she highlights the moment the Holy Spirit appeared l...

In this children's sermon, Madeline Polhill engages with young participants about the significance of the gifts given by the three wise men to baby Jesus. Through an interactive and thoughtful discussion, she explores why these gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were offered and encourages the children to reflect on what gifts they can give to Jesus today, suggesting possibilities like kin...