Children's Message Fourth Sunday in Lent, John 3

​CHILDREN’S MESSAGE for Lent 4 (Year B)
John 3:14-21, John 12:32
Theme:  God So Loves Us
Materials: for each child, 1 large pretzel and 1 small pretzel; a basket for the pretzels
 
How does a person get ready to pray?  (close eyes, fold hands, bow head)
Have you ever seen anyone fold their arms across their chest like this to pray?  Let’s see you try it.  First cross your arms in front of you and then place them close to your chest.
 
Long ago in the country of Germany something special was made during the season of Lent, the church season we are in right now.  Bread bakers decided to make a bread product that reminded them of a Christian praying.  We still have that bread product today.  Can you guess what it is?  (show the large pretzel and explain how it mimmicks folded arms).
 
In today’s Bible lesson we are reminded how much God loves us.  God gave us Jesus to die on the cross so that we will know that we will be loved forever.  The pretzel also can remind us of Jesus taking his outstretched arms and folding them around us to give each of us a giant hug.
 
Today I have 2 pretzels for each of you.  The little pretzel is like you praying.  The larger pretzel reminds us of Jesus’ huge hug. 
 
Let us pray.  Dear God, thank you for being with us, for listening to us when we pray.  As we cross our arms, still us to feel your presence and your love.  And the children of God say…Amen.
 
Author:  Georgia Girvan (presented March 2018)