THEME: The true meaning of Halloween is one of a holy or sacred night to honor our ancestors. (Designed for a Sunday close to Oct. 31st)
BIBLE REFERENCE: The Lord's Prayer
PROMPTS: Halloween candy, costume, pumpkin, or something that relates to Halloween. (handout may be copied below for children)
MESSAGE: It is almost time for one of young folks favorite celebrations, Halloween. You dress up in costumes and go out around the neighborhoods or to a Trunk or Treat event at church and gather in as many tasty goodies as you can. It is fun to dress up in different costumes and see what other kids are wearing and many people decorate up their houses and yards with Halloween stuff.
Did you know that Halloween is now the second most expensive holiday in America? People only spend more money on Christmas. Here's another fun Halloween fact, the Snicker candy bar is the favorite of more people at Halloween than any other candy item. Something your parents probably do not admit to is that 95% of all adults sneak candy from their own give away container. You all know what Halloween is like now, but how in the world did we end up with a celebration like this on October 31st?
Now there is more than one idea on how Halloween came to be like it is now, but one thing is for sure, in the beginning it was really called "hallowed eve." To understand what it means, we need to know that the word hallowed means holy or sacred. In church talk the word hallowed means honoring and respecting. For example, remember how the Lord's Prayer starts out, "Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." So that is like saying, "Our Father, who art in heaven, holy be thy name," or "we honor thy name."
So going way back a long long time ago, people celebrated a day in the fall they called Hallowed Eve to honor and show respect to those who had already passed away. As time went on it got shortened down to Halloween instead of Hallowed Eve. Wearing costumes and getting candy on this night to respect our ancestors is something so confusing I will not even try to explain it.
But for today I would like to ask you to put some of the hallowed back in hallowed eve. When you go out this year, I would like for you to add something to what you say each time you go up to a house. This year when you say "trick or treat," add the words "Jesus loves you." That way you will be sharing your respect for God with everyone you meet.
(you may give away a treat to each child as they are asked to say trick or treat, Jesus loves you)
BIBLE REFERENCE: The Lord's Prayer
PROMPTS: Halloween candy, costume, pumpkin, or something that relates to Halloween. (handout may be copied below for children)
MESSAGE: It is almost time for one of young folks favorite celebrations, Halloween. You dress up in costumes and go out around the neighborhoods or to a Trunk or Treat event at church and gather in as many tasty goodies as you can. It is fun to dress up in different costumes and see what other kids are wearing and many people decorate up their houses and yards with Halloween stuff.
Did you know that Halloween is now the second most expensive holiday in America? People only spend more money on Christmas. Here's another fun Halloween fact, the Snicker candy bar is the favorite of more people at Halloween than any other candy item. Something your parents probably do not admit to is that 95% of all adults sneak candy from their own give away container. You all know what Halloween is like now, but how in the world did we end up with a celebration like this on October 31st?
Now there is more than one idea on how Halloween came to be like it is now, but one thing is for sure, in the beginning it was really called "hallowed eve." To understand what it means, we need to know that the word hallowed means holy or sacred. In church talk the word hallowed means honoring and respecting. For example, remember how the Lord's Prayer starts out, "Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." So that is like saying, "Our Father, who art in heaven, holy be thy name," or "we honor thy name."
So going way back a long long time ago, people celebrated a day in the fall they called Hallowed Eve to honor and show respect to those who had already passed away. As time went on it got shortened down to Halloween instead of Hallowed Eve. Wearing costumes and getting candy on this night to respect our ancestors is something so confusing I will not even try to explain it.
But for today I would like to ask you to put some of the hallowed back in hallowed eve. When you go out this year, I would like for you to add something to what you say each time you go up to a house. This year when you say "trick or treat," add the words "Jesus loves you." That way you will be sharing your respect for God with everyone you meet.
(you may give away a treat to each child as they are asked to say trick or treat, Jesus loves you)