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.

Revelation 22:1-2, New International Reader's Version

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life. It was as clear as crystal. It flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the middle of the city’s main street. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit. Its fruit was ripe every month. The leaves of the tree bring healing to the nations.

John 14:27, New International Reader's Version

I leave my peace with you. I give my peace to you. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled. And do not be afraid.

Visual Aids:

Aloe plant or an aloe-like succulent

Message:

Today’s Bible story from Revelation paints a specific picture. It talks about a river that’s as clear as crystal and a tree that grows on both sides of the river - a tree that always has all kinds of fruit on it. AND the leaves of the tree bring healing. Close your eyes. Can you picture what the river and the tree might look like?

This beautiful scene we just created in our minds is one of the ways the people of God think peace will look. In the Jesus story today, Jesus tells the disciples that he leaves them peace and that it should help their hearts “not be afraid.” Have you ever felt peace in your heart? What makes you feel that kind of peace?

We don’t have room in our terrarium/the sanctuary for a tree that grows on both sides of a river, do we? So, I brought some aloe today because it’s a plant whose leaves help with healing. Cultures that have lived around aloe for a long time talk about all the good things the squishy goo inside the aloe leaves can do for people. It really helps with sunburn; you might hear someone say that it “calms” a sunburn. What do healing and peace have in common?

Today, let’s think about how we can be like aloe and bring healing and peace to ourselves and people around us. So, today, let’s try a really quiet, calm, peaceful prayer.

Prayer:

Take a deep breath... let it out.

Dear God, thank you for plants that remind us that you bring healing and peace to our lives. Help us bring your healing and peace to others. 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 how to be active in making peace:

The First Day of Peace by Todd Shuster, Maya Soetoro-Ng, and Tatiana Gardel
Peace by Baptiste Paul, Miranda Paul, and Estelí Meza
Peace Is an Offering by Annette LeBox and Stephanie Graegin
Talk Peace by Sam Williams and Mique Moriuchi

I wonder what I can do to make myself feel peaceful.

I wonder how I can help create peace in my house.

I wonder how I can help create peace in my school.

I wonder where I can find peace in nature.

For the littlest ones, this book comes in hardback or in board book form. It’s a good primer in the idea of self-calming:

I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds

Promise

The Tree of Life

Believing into Christ

References

Colors

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