Bright, Shiny Faces

for Sunday, February 10, 2013
Transfiguration of the Lord Sunday
Year C
lectionary focus: Exodus 34:29-35; Luke 9:28-36
(see also Retreat and Go Forth / Transfiguration Sunday Year B)

Good Morning!

When I was a kid, we had a little chant we would say in school:

We are all in our places
With bright shiny faces.

We are all in our places meant that we were each doing our part in the classroom. With bright shiny faces meant that we were each smiling and our minds and eyes were open and we were ready and excited learn.

In our Bible story today, we hear about shiny faces. In the Old Testament story, Moses goes to the top of the mountain to talk with God and comes back with a shiny face; the Israelites were amazed. In the New Testament story, Jesus and His friends go to the top of the mountain and Jesus shines with the Glory of God; Jesus’s friend Peter thinks this shiny excitement is so great that he suggests they stay on top of the mountain forever!

When we come to church, we too are all in our places. And our faces are bright and shiny as we are excited to learn about God and as we rejoice that God is with us. And yes, it would be great to stay in church forever. But God fills us with His love in order that we might go into the world and share His love. We are called to be in our places in the world shining with God’s bright love.

So as we go forth this week, share God’s love with a bright shiny face…smiling with bright, excited eyes that others might also be excited and filled with the Glory of the Lord.

Will you pray with me? (This is an echo prayer: the leader says a line and the children repeat it.)

Dear Lord,
We are all in our places
with bright shiny faces.
Help us
to share Your Glory
with big smiles
and excited eyes
in all our places
in the world.
Amen

We are not Christians alone.
My mission is to share, inspire, and encourage.

Why Did You Bring Us Out of Egypt?

15th Sunday after Pentecost Year A
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Proper 21
for Sunday, September 25, 2011
lectionary focus: Exodus 17:1-7
(Note: The hardest part for the children to understand may be boredom on a car-trip. I wonder…)

Welcome!
Once upon a time when I was about your age, my family went on vacation. We were so excited! We were going to see cool things and do cool things and be free from the routine of home and school and work. We packed up the car with a tent, and food, and games, and we headed out to adventure. But the adventure was kind of a far drive away. And after awhile, it was hot. We were hungry. We were thirsty. We were bored. Are we there yet? We got whiney. She’s touching me! Ugh! Is this what vacation is? We were not happy.

But wait. Mom and Dad pointed out that as hot as we were, as hungry, and thirsty, and squished in the car…we were on vacation! Of course we had enough food and drinks and space. And what’s more, we were on an adventure, a journey to explore and discover and see and do all sorts of new and different and cool things. And yes, we did.  We had lots of fun! It was a great trip. After we remembered that we were on vacation.

In our Bible story today, Moses and the people of Israel are camping. God had Moses lead His people out of Egypt, out of slavery, and into freedom! Oh, the people were happy; they were dancing; they were singing. But going to the promised land was kind of a long trip. And after awhile, it was hot. They were hungry. They were thirsty. They were bored. Are we there yet? They got whiney. Why did you pull us out of slavery for this?

But wait. No matter how hot or hungry or thirsty or lost in the wilderness they felt, they were free! No longer were they being bossed around by Egyptian masters. God had provided them with a great journey, a great adventure, to explore and discover and build and be the nation of HIs people. And of course, God provided them with enough food and water and space. God takes care of the big things and the little things that we need. God had Moses tell the people: I will be standing there in front of you.  And the people of Israel remembered that they were free and God was among them.

Sometimes in life we can get lost in the yucky stuff. We can start feeling hot, and tired, and bored, and get whiney. It is easy to do. But we must remember the important thing: that even in those times, God is with you. God loves you. God takes care of the big and little things we need because He loves us. We are on a great adventure. God gives us all sorts of new and different and cool things to do and He is with us all the way!

Will you pray with me? (This is an echo prayer. The leader says a line and the children repeat it back.)

Dear Lord,

Thank You for adventures.

Thank You for freedom.

Thank You for always being with us.

Help me

to enjoy the adventure!

Amen

We are not Christians alone. My mission is to share, inspire, and encourage.