Children’s Time
"God’s Photo Album"
Psalm 105:37-45

objects: a family photo album of a vacation trip and a Bible

         I pulled this album out of our bookshelf the other day. It’s filled with pictures of a vacation trip our family took a few years ago. Why do you think we out photographs in albums like this? It’s fun to look through them. Is it because we want to remember things that happen, and picture help us to remember?

         Look, here is a picture of Tessa and Mitchell standing in front of a big sequoia tree. I almost forgot about that day. Those trees were so big, and Tessa was so small. Gee, I almost forgot about how little she was then. She was not quite three years old. Now she is eight, and much taller. Not as big as a sequoia, that’s for sure. Mitch has grown also. Wow, it’s hard to believe how much has changed since then.

         Some day they may have their own families and their own children. I wonder if some day they will look through this album with their children and remember our family trip. I bet it might make them want to take their own trips together and afterward create albums to remember.

         The Psalm we just heard from the Bible is like a family photo album. No, there aren’t photographs, but the words create pictures in your mind. The words tell the story of a family trip - the family, the children of Israel. It was not a vacation. They were running away from trouble. They were moving to a new home. God was taking them there. It took a long time. Many things happened on the way.

         Let’s open the album and see. If we look at the words in this album just before where Miss Edna just read, we see all sorts of pictures. Moses trying to get Pharaoh to let his family go. This photo is overdeveloped (vs. 28). God sent darkness. Yuck, this one (vs. 29) is all red. The river turned to blood, and fish are dying. I’m not sure I want to remember that, but it was part of the trip. There are frogs (vs. 30) flies and gnats (vs. 31), a hail storm (vs. 32)... Well, enough of that. Let’s turn ahead.

         Look, here the family of Israel is finally leaving, and the Egyptians are glad to see them go (vs. 37-38). Here’s a picture of the food God provided them on their journey - quail and manna (vs. 40). And fresh water, too (vs. 41) - water is important when you travel through a desert. Here is a picture of all of them together. Can you see it? You can’t. Oh, let me read the words so you can see the picture. "God brought his people out (of Egypt) with joy, his chosen ones with singing." (vs. 43). In that picture they are all smiling. They’re happy. They’re so glad, they’re singing. They are thanking God. That’s a nice picture.

         Gee, I’d almost forgot about that trip. This album helps us to remember. It’s important that we remember it. Together. It makes me want to take a trip with my family, a trip with God. How about you? I want to trust God like they did. Seeing those pictures reminds me of some of the mistakes they made. What can I learn from their mistakes as I make my own?

         I like photo albums, even ones with pictures made from words. I like God’s album. Well, you’ve got things to do just now - heading to choir and then to Sunday School where you’ll continue looking through God’s photo album. Before you go, let’s pray.

         Lord, thank you for these "pictures." I want to go on a trip with you, to trust you along the way. I think these kids do, also. Lead us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings
(refers to Matthew 20:1-16)

         Looking through God’s photo album, we find a picture Jesus took of a landowner who hired workers throughout the day to get done what needed to get done on his property. He promised each one a very good day’s wage. At the end of that day they received what was promised, though some grumbled. You see, the ones who started work the earliest were paid the same of those who only work a short time. That doesn’t seem very fair, does it? How do we like that picture in the album?

         Jesus implied it was really a photo of God, who gives abundantly to all, regardless of when they get on board. "Are you envious because I am generous," the landowner - or is it God? - said... As you return your offering, ponder this picture. Think about the generosity of God. In your work for the Kingdom, have you been around for most of the day, or are you only recently getting to work? Does it matter?

Will the ushers come and serve?

Dedication Prayer

         Yes, Lord, this is our story, our song, our picture. As we tell of what you have done and what you continue to do, as we sing your songs - new and old, as we show your pictures to others, in so doing help us to praising you - our Savior - all the day long. Thanks for your daily bread to us. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.