This worship series helps children (and adults) connect their lives to creation and the intersection of other issues. We’re all connected. As a through-line for the children’s message, we recommend building a terrarium together - or some kind of nature-centered altarpiece. Each week has suggestions about how to do that. If your worship space does not lend itself to this activity, alternatives are also suggested.

John 13:34-35, New International Reader's Version

Jesus said, “I give you a new command. Love one another. You must love one another, just as I have loved you. If you love one another, everyone will know you are my disciples.”

Visual Aids:

Moss - may be purchased at a gardening store or harvested from home or church property, but try to get a clump kids can touch
Wet wipes

Message:

In today’s story, Jesus tells the disciples that they need to love one another as Jesus loves them and that people will know who they are because of their special love. Do you have people you love? How do you show them you love them? Can you love someone who is far away? Can you love someone you’ve never met? What does love feel like?

Sometimes love can feel like a cozy blanket where you are snuggly and safe. Do you ever feel love like that?

Today, I brought some moss. Who has seen and touched moss before? (Offer them the opportunity to touch the moss.) Moss grows in patches like this that are kind of like a blanket on rocks and dirt. It’s a soft, cozy plant that sticks together in a nice protective covering for the rock or dirt it's on.

If building a terrarium:

Let’s put this moss in our terrarium so that the dirt and rocks can have a cozy blanket of love.

Prayer:

Dear God, Thank you for loving us so that we know how to love others. Help us to love all of your people and all of your creation the way you taught us through Jesus. Amen.

Between the Sundays: Family Conversation Starters

We have added conversation starters to each children’s message series to help spark conversations within families during the week. We encourage families to use these questions to guide them through conversations and subject matter discussed during the worship service, including the children’s messages on Sundays. These conversations will reinforce learning and nurture faith formation for the entire family.

This series will offer picture book suggestions to go with each week’s topic. Adults in the lives of children might want to use the story time already scheduled in the week to spend a little extra time talking about faith. There is no need for your church to buy all or any of the recommended books. Most of these books should be available in public libraries. Certainly, not all the books need to be read by each family.

Suggested books about love and the natural world:

Love Is Here by Mike Marlbrough
My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan, Francesca Sanna, and David Diaz
When God Made the World by Matthew Paul Turner and Gillian Gamble

Suggested books featuring a non-binary character:

How Are You ,Verity? by Meghan Wilson Duff and Taylor Barron
I Am Love: A Book of Compassion by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds

I wonder where I can see love in nature.

I wonder how I can show love to nature.

I wonder what I would say to the earth if I thought it had ears like me.

I wonder how I can show love to a new person I meet.

Suggested books for talking to kids about the different ways people love - comes in hardback or board book, like the other First Conversation books recommended:

Together: A First Conversation about Love by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Anne/Andy Passchier

To Testify to the Truth

A New World

Believing into Christ

References

Colors

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