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Children's Activity

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Seeing Jesus -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - A
Teachers or Parents: Children are often focused on the wrong
The big book -- Luke 10:17-20
Teachers or Parents: In case you didn't know it, angels are
Good soil -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
Today we hear the parable of the sower. The imagery in the lesson is both rich and subtle.
Faith makes us well -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
Teachers or Parents: When we are sick, it is hard to think of
Loving others more than money -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A
Teachers or Parents: Ask the class: "Do you have any ideas of
The tears of Jesus -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B
Materials Clothespins Silk flowers
Who is Jesus -- who am I? -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Teachers: Jesus asks his disciples the question: "Who do
The Spirit is like the wind -- John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A
Materials:Construction paper or other heavy paper (the more colorful the better)
One grain -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Teachers or Parents: Easter comes in two weeks. Plant a bean
"Finding that which was lost" -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Teachers or Parents: These parables about finding something
Kingdom of heaven clock -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Teachers: Jesus tells a parable, which involves different times of
Take care of others -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C
There are two men in today's lesson. One is wealthy and has everything he needs.
The Temple library -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Teachers: Since this is the last Sunday of the year, a good connecting activity to the lesson is to
"Who's number one?" -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
Teachers or Parents: Children need to learn about
Be different from the world -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
What does it mean to be different from the world?
Spreading fame -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C
Teachers or Parents: Who doesn't like knowing someone famous?
Shalom -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
Teachers or Parents: The Bible tells us that the peace of
Prepare the way -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Teachers: Make this Sunday's activity a time for your students
Good fruit -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
Another day, another parable. In today's parable, a man plants a field of good wheat.
The truth will make you free -- John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - B
Teachers or Parents: Reformation Sunday provides us a wonderful
Scared by the light -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Teachers or Parents: Learn the hymn, "What A Friend We Have In
Who gives the most? -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Materials Lace Pennies Glue Instructions
Jesus and children -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Teachers: Jesus talks about children in this lesson. He took a
Quenching a thirst -- John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
Materials:Empty soup cans with the sharp edges removed (one per child)
Watching for the real thing -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Materials Old magazines that can be cut apart Glue Construction paper

Children's sermon

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Sons of Abraham -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
"Then Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abra
Who is my neighbor? -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2010
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" (v. 29)
Man overboard! -- John 21:1-19 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumpe
Likewise -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Remember me -- Ephesians 1:11-23 -- Leah Thompson -- All Saints Day - C -- 2010
"I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this r
Shaping up -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2010
"For in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether
Washing clean -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them
Moving day -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophe
Before a fall -- Luke 6:20-31 -- Leah Thompson -- All Saints Day - C -- 2010
"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophet
Distractions -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2010
But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things." (v.
Who I Am -- John 10:22-30 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"How long will you keep us in suspense?
Mysteries -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2010
With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his goo
It's a sensation! -- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
"Not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though
Get smart -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2010
"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human
Home sweet home -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Leah Thompson -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"See, the home of God is among mortals.
Law and order -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2010
The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (v.
Great expectations -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
"Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being chil
Persistent -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2010
"I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at le
The Christian uniform -- John 13:31-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
Crying game -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Leah Thompson -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2010
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. (v. 4a)
Light in the darkness -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Leah Thompson -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2010
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all… (v. 11)
Little red hen -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2010
"And we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night
All in all -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2010
"In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scyt
Light -- Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5 -- Leah Thompson -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be the
The least of these -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Leah Thompson -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2010
And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these

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New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture — the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response — to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

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John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

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