Children’s Sermon: You’re Invited

Bring Pete the Cat: Pete’s Big Lunch.

I’m so happy you’re here today!

So I want to start with a question: what’s your favorite meal of the day? Accept answers. My favorite is…lunch. I love lunch. It’s in the middle of the day. You get to eat all kinds of foods. I love sandwiches, burgers, and more. Lunch is great! And you know who also like’s lunch? Pete the Cat.

We’re not going to read all of this story but there’s a special story about Pete…and his big lunch. Walk through the story. Pete gets hungry because it’s lunch time and he does what I do at lunch time: open the fridge, stare at it, and wonder what I’m going to eat. Pete wants a sandwich so he starts pulling things out. Go through the weird things Pete pulls out. There’s a whole apple. A whole fish. A box of crackers. A jar of mayo. A can of beans. A pickle. All sorts of stuff! This sandwich is whacky and weird and Pete knows it’s going to be delicious. But once he’s done – he’s got a problem. It’s too big for him to eat by himself. So Pete thinks and thinks and thinks…and what do you think he does? How can he get help eating this sandwich? He calls his friends and invites them. Pete invites all his friends to help share his big lunch.

Jesus is going to tell a story today and part of that story involves someone who throws a big party – a big party with lots and lots of food. Like Pete’s lunch, there’s more food than one person could eat in one sitting. The person who is throwing his party is going to invite people who are like him – people who can afford to have a big party with lots of guests. But those guests don’t come. So the host invites everyone – regardless of who they are, what money they make, or if they are friends or not. The host invites everyone to this party – to this place to eat and share a meal – and the host does that because the host can. The host has something amazing to share and invites all different kinds of people to share in it.

Jesus invites us to imagine that his love and his care for us is like being invited to a big party or being invited to some place with a big lunch. Jesus invites us to realize that all of us, regardless of how old we are or what we know or how many times we go to church or if we took a bath last night or whatever – Jesus invites all of us to be with him. And he does this not because we’re perfect or wonderful or get everything right. Jesus invites all of us to his party because that’s just who Jesus is. You right now are part of Jesus’ party. You, right now, get to share in Jesus’ love and hope. You, right now, are part of Jesus’ family and are in his party. And that invitation – changes everything.

Thank you for being up here and I hope you have a blessed week!

Each week, I share a reflection for all children of God. The written manuscript serves as a springboard for what I do. This is from Christ Lutheran Church’s Worship on the 19th Sunday After Pentecost, 10/15/2017.