Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

Kids’ Worship Service

July 24, 2011

Proper 12 Year A

I.            Welcome!

a.    Gathering – Children find a letter to sit on the gathering carpet. Recognize and welcome visitors

b.    Opening Prayer: “Blessed Be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be his kingdom now and forever. Amen”

Children’s Collect for the Day:

“Heavenly Father, we are here to worship and praise you. Open our hearts and minds so that we may hear your words spoken to us through the Bible story today. Give us strength that we may serve you through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

II.          Bible Lesson: (adapted from http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/a-or17cs.php) The Parable of the Mustard Seed and The Parable of the Yeast

 (Proper 12, Year A)

a.    Introduction:  Jesus really liked to tell parables. Who remembers what a parable is? Yes, a parable is a story Jesus used to help us understand what God’s Kingdom is like and to teach us about how we should live our life here on earth. Today we’re going to hear another parable Jesus told.

b.    Bible Story: Let us light the candles as we do in church when we read God’s word. (Read aloud from the Children’s Lectionary found on the children’s alter in Kids’ Worship room. You will also find the Gospel reading below.) (Matthew 13: 31-33)

Jesus put before them another parable: "The kingdom

of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed

in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when

it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a

tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in

its branches."  He told them another parable: "The kingdom

of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with

three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."

c.    Lesson:  Today I brought with me two little bags with some something in each one.  Can anyone tell me what is in this bag?  And this one?  Yes, we have here some mustard seeds and some yeast. Can anyone think of some things that the mustard seeds and the yeast share that are the same? The two most important things today about this mustard seed and this yeast is that they are both very small and that they are both used by Jesus to describe to us what God's Kingdom is like – that kingdom to which we all belong. Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."  (Show the photo of the mustard seed tree. Pass it around so all children have a chance to see the photo up close.)The kingdom of God is like the tree in this photo - if one person hears God’s Word and embraces it – God’s word spreads everywhere!

And this yeast - do you know what happens when you mix it with water and flour and a little salt and sugar?  It spreads and grows all through that mixture and gives us big loaves of bread – with softness and a wonderful taste that the flour and water and sugar and salt just can't achieve by itself. (Show the loaf of homemade bread.  Then take flour mixture and add some of the yeast to it so the children may see the reaction of the yeast with the mixture. Allow children to see the mixture up close and smell it) The yeast has an effect on everything - just from a few tiny particles of it.  Jesus said: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."  God’s word is like the yeast. When we hear it and embrace, God’s love expands our love for His Kingdom and effects all those around us in a loving way.

d.    Let’s pray. Dear God, we thank you for mustard seed  and for the wonders of yeast and for how these things teach us about your love.  Lord - plant your seed into our lives, help us work your yeast into our hearts, that wonderful things may happen.   Amen.

III.       Response Activity :

 Today we are going to celebrate the good in God’s Kingdom and God’s love for each of us. Remember that I told you that this little small bit of yeast made the dough in this bread rise and become fluffy and delicious. Today you will all receive a special bread recipe and a packet of yeast you can take home and make with your mom or dad’s help. When you make your bread at home you can remember how God’s love in your heart can grow and expand. I am also going to give each of you a piece of this homemade bread, if you would like it, to celebrate God’s goodness, the good in the world, and God’s love for us. (Call each child who is sitting quietly to choose a seat to have a slice of breasd.)

IV.         Closing Prayer and Benediction (2mins.)

a.    “Our Father” Say the Our Father aloud and ask children to join in if they know the prayer.

b.    Benediction: “Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord. (all together) Thanks be to God.”

V.            Return to Church services: Children line up behind the acolyte and follow silently to return to church.