(Props-Toy, Medals, Ring, Bible, Hat Basket) - Invite children to come forward and sit with you.)

Don; Have you ever played a game where you had to stand really still, like freeze tag or statues? You have to stay in one place, not move, not shift around, right?

Today, I want to tell you about something even better than freeze tag. It’s about staying steady in our hearts. The Bible talks about it like this — listen to this from Colossians 1:22-23:

“He has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him— provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard.”

Repeat after me, “hope”? (Wait for them to repeat “hope.”)

Yes! That’s a good word.

I brought someone along today to help me explain.

(Shift voice to an old-timey prospector voice, Put on hat

Character voice: “Well, howdy there young’uns! Name’s Ol’ Shifty Pete! You know why they call me that? ‘Cause I can’t stay still! I’m always shiftin’ here, and shiftin’ there — lookin’ for somethin’ better, shinier, fancier!

(Run left) Like this great toy, (Run right) these medals, (Run to Ring) diamonds…One day I hope to find the greatest treasure there is. But I just can’t seem to stay put long enough to find it!” (Place items in basket)

Don (normal voice): (Holding basket Hat Off)

Now Ol’ Shifty Pete is wild. That’s how some people are with their hearts. They hear about Jesus and His love — the greatest treasure there is — but then they start chasing other things: toys, being the most popular, winning every game, or having the fanciest new thing. Their hope shifts around, and they forget about the one hope that never, ever changes.

(Pick up Bible from basket)

You see, in the Bible, Paul is telling us in Colossians 1 that Jesus isn’t just a good guy or a smart teacher. No — He’s the one who made everything. Everything we can see — the trees, the clouds, the puppies — and even the things we can’t see — like love and joy and peace.

And when we messed up, when people made bad choices and broke the world a little, Jesus came down as a person — and through His death and coming back to life, Jesus Christ made a way to fix our relationship with God. That’s what the word, “reconciled,” means — to make friends again.

But — and here’s the important part — Paul says we have to stay steadfast. That’s a big word. Say, “steadfast.” (Wait for them to repeat.)

It means to stand strong, not shift around like Ol’ Shifty Pete!

Character voice: (Hat On) “Well, shoot, maybe it’s time Ol’ Shifty Pete stops shiftin’ and starts stickin’ with Jesus!” (Pick up Bible

Don (normal voice) (Take off hat, keeping it up front):

That’s a good idea, Pete. Because Jesus is the one thing we can always count on — His love never changes, and His hope is the greatest treasure of all.

So here’s what I want you to remember:

When you feel like chasing something else… when you start comparing or wanting what others have… stop. Take a breath. And remember to stand strong in Jesus. Don’t shift from the hope you have in Him.

Let’s pray together: “Dear Jesus, / thank you for loving us. / Help us to stay strong / and never shift away from you./ Thank you for being our greatest treasure. /Amen.”

Alright — have a goodie as you head back to your seats. And remember: no shiftin’ — stay stuck to Jesus like glue!

Video: https://youtu.be/Og-Ep7T3so4

 

People Will Talk 7-13-25

Pastor Don X DR

Amy enters, approaching Pastor on the floor as soon as he steps off the platform.

Both point at the kids, miming talking to each other & laughing as though we are mocking them

 

Pastor says something like, “It feels strange when people talk about us and we don't know what they are saying. We wonder are they making fun of us? Are they speaking badly about us?

Amy- Pastor Don, I wouldn’t like it if someone was making fun of me!

Pastor Don- Me neither. It also doesn't feel good to know people are saying bad things about me or others.

Amy- I bet the kids are wondering what we were saying about them.

Pastor- Yes! We were being very rude. Let’s turn up the volume on our earlier conversation.

Amy & Don use the same expressions and gestures improving good and positive things about the kids.

 

Amy-Part of our sermon Scripture from Colossians 1:4-6a says,

“4 we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you…”

Pastor Don-When we have love in our hearts, great things come out of us.

Amy-And people will talk!

Pastor-And when they say mean things about us…

Amy-We respond with love because Christ lives in us.

Pastor- When we remember Christ is in us, we look for and hope for good in others.

Amy-So kids, be confident with who you are in Christ. When people don't speak with love, show them how it’s done.

Pastor-Listen with love, speak with love. Live in love. Let’s pray…

(offer them candy as they go)

Video: https://youtu.be/LX0aeyQyd3Y

Harvesting What You Plant 7-6-25