Let Your Light Shine – pumpkin carving activity

Opening song:Jesus wants me for a Sundbeam (p. 60 children’s songbook)
Opening prayer:
Practice song:I am like a star (p.163 childrens songbook)
Spiritual thought:
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. Our Heavenly Father lifts us up, takes us in, washes all the dirt off. He opens us up, touches us deep inside and scoops all the yucky stuff out (like the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.) Then He carves us a new smile and puts His light inside of us to shine for all the world to see.
(Read aloud Matthew 5:14-16)
We can let our light shine by being a good example. When we keep the commandments we are showing others our love for Heavenly Father, and they will have a desire to honor Him as well. We should follow Jesus. If we do we will be able to live happy lives and return to Heavenly Father some day.
Closing song: Shine On (p. 144 Children’s Songbook)
Closing Prayer:
Activity: Carve Pumpkins as a family, you can even make a pumpkin for each person in the family, then place a candle inside and let the light shine forth.
For a special treat, you can make pumpkin seed brittle: Melt a 1/2 stick of butter 1/2 cup light brown sugar and 1/4 cup honey in a saucepan. Heat to 280 degrees (use a candy thermometer) then add your cleaned pumpkin seeds. Pour onto buttered cookie sheet, allow to cool, then break up into pieces.