Good morning
(Holding a wooden match and a box)
You know what I am going to do?
Are you ready?
Light!
We like to make light, and we like to see light.
In worship, or when we pray, we like to light a candle (Now I light the candle)
Looking at the candlelight makes us feel warm, focused, thoughtful …
Even this very small light of a tea candle catches our attention.
Light symbolizes that God’s love is among us.
Now, if I snuff it (using a snuffer), what will happen?
(I put the snuffer on the light for four or five seconds, then lift it up, letting the smoke come up all at once.)
Where’s the light?
Do you think it’s gone?
It’s just changed its shape.
The light, symbolizing God’s love, can’t be seen with our eyes. But the light of God is now within our hearts.
Now, I would like you to open this treasure box.
I wonder what it has inside.
(“a kernel of wheat” made out of a foam board - just in white yet)
What do you think it is? I’ll paint this one, and you guess what it is.
Today in our Bible story, Jesus says, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls into the earth”
“A kernel of wheat”
When a kernel of wheat falls into the earth,
when any seed falls into the earth, if it can have water, good soil, minerals, nutrients, it takes root, and begins to grow.
It changes its shape. Jesus uses his words like he’s painting a picture, and he describes this change in shape as the seed's “dying”. Not just dying and ending - dying to begin growing. Changing itself to make growth happen. The seed has to stop being what it is in order to become what it is meant to be. Does that make sense?
This simple illustration of the process of a seed falling into the earth and dying or changing its shape - also tells us about Jesus’ death. Jesus was born, grew, lived and proclaimed God’s love, and died for God’s love for us, then rose again. Are you excited that Easter’s coming in two weeks? Easter is one of the most joyful times of the year. Jesus did not just die - he died because he so loved the world and us, and he wanted to show us what we were meant to be. Love changes everything. Like a light or a seed, love even changes God’s own self and our lives.
(Prayer for everyone)
As we officially welcome Spring:
To be of the Earth is to know
the restlessness of being a seed
the darkness of being planted
the struggle toward the light
the joy of bursting and bearing fruit
the love of being food for someone
the scattering of your seeds
the decay of the seasons
the mystery of death
and the miracle of birth.
– John Soos
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/02/how-to-prepare-a-family-for-easter-lent/
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