Human Relations Day
Preparation
Bring plastic keys for baby.*
Greet the children
Good morning! How are you today?
Show the baby keys
Did you ever try to open doors with keys like these when you were little? Do they really work?
(Allow time for children to respond.)
Do you have a key to your house or apartment?
(Allow time for children to respond.)
Have you ever lost or forgotten your key? What did you do?
(Allow time for children to respond.)
Have you ever gone to a friend’s house, knocked and no one answered? What did you do?
(Allow time for children to respond.)
Sometimes closed “doors” aren’t actual doors made of wood but things that keep people from doing their best. And keys aren’t the only things that open doors. Sometimes we open doors when we show people we love and care about them. Maybe people don’t have enough money for food or clothes. Maybe they don’t have somewhere safe in their neighborhood to go after school for help with homework or to play. May be they get in trouble at home or at school and no one is around to help them to do what is right.
We have a special offering today to help open doors to success. Do you know what “success” means?
(Allow time for children to respond.)
It means doing a good job or doing your best.
With the money from this special offering called Human Relations Day, we help to open doors to food pantries, clothes closets and community centers where children go to study, play and get an after-school snack. Grownups that care about children and teenagers try to set a good example for them.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, “Knock, and the door will be opened for you.” What do you think that means?
(Allow time for children to respond.)
When we give to this special offering, we open doors to success and help our friends and neighbors.
Let us pray: Dear God, sometimes closed doors aren’t real doors made of wood but things that keep people from doing their best. Please help us to share with others we can “open doors.” Than k you for your blessings. We love you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
*Alternate idea: If you cannot find baby keys, bring your house key and invite the children to try to open a nearby door (visible to the congregation) or a locked box. They will find it doesn’t work.
For a Microsoft Word document of this children's sermon, please click here. | 
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