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Children's Activity

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Not ordinary, but special -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Teachers: Today's Gospel lesson mentions the hometown people's surprise as Jesus speaks to them, not
"Communication" -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Teachers or Parents: The Gospel theme is prayer and the
Promises, promises -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
Teachers or Parents: In this Gospel reading, we see Jesus
John the Baptist -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Teachers or Parents: John the Baptist is a biblical figure
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
Loaves and fishes book -- John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
Teachers or Parents: This is the story of the boy who shared his
What is your name? -- Luke 2:21
Teachers: The lesson tells about Jesus being given a name. Go
Kneeling down in prayer -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
Materials:
Who will do the work? -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
In today's Gospel Lesson, Jesus says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Prepare the way -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Teachers: Make this Sunday's activity a time for your students
The puzzle of two sons -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Teachers: This week's Bible story is about a father and two
Showing off -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - A
Teachers or Parents: Do some research in a Bible dictionary
"Don't cheat!" -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
Teachers or Parents: The Gospel this week gives us a
Serving -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - B
Teachers or Parents: Jesus himself showed his followers a
It's in the book! -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A
Teachers or Parents: Jesus, our Master, tells the two
An image of God's kingdom -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
During our sermon time we discussed the lesson for today using dot-to-dot image.
Sending A Message -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A
Teachers: John the Baptist was the "messenger" God sent to
Deep water -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Teachers: This week's children's message has that great story of the disciples letting down their ne
"What is Trinity?" -- John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
Teachers or Parents: Since the concept of the Trinity is a
Ephphatha -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Teachers or Parents: Just as Jesus opened the ears of the deaf
Sent on a mission -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Teachers or Parents: Again this week our Gospel reading
He's got the whole world -- John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Materials Scissors Blue craft foam Craft foam of another color Glue
Where's Jesus? -- Mark 6:30-34 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Teachers or Parents: In this lesson Jesus tried to take his
Expensive perfume -- John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Teachers or Parents: Children are often impressed with a
The day Jesus was baptized -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Materials:Toilet paper roll (one per child) Construction paper

Children's sermon

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Empty riches -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2010
"So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God." (v.
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
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
Perfect -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Leah Thompson -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2010
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a mang
Centered -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2010
"He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (v. 17)
Foundations -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2010
"For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (v.
Pure in heart -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2010
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (v. 8)
Keep the word -- John 14:23-29 -- Leah Thompson -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"Jesus answered him, 'Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we w
Enriched -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2010
… For in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind. (v.
King of the Jews -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Leah Thompson -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2010
There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." (v. 38)
Silver and gold -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2010
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (v. 34)
The nth power -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2010
"God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his righ
Follow -- John 1:29-42 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2010
The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. (v. 37)
Happy thoughts -- Philippians 4:4-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2010
"Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, w
True heroes -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2010
"For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the p
Whodunit? -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Leah Thompson -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2010
"You are witnesses of these things." (v. 48)
Who do you belong to? -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2010
What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong
Hare-brained -- John 6:25-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2010
Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs,
What's in a name? -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2010
"So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
Bringing fire -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2010
"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" (v. 49)
Being clean -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Leah Thompson -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and
Follow me -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2010
Immediately they left their nets and followed him. (v. 20)
Shoemaker... or Elves? -- Romans 13:11-14 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
"The night is far gone, the day is near.
Waiting out the storm -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Leah Thompson -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2010
"… but they kept shouting, 'Crucify, crucify him!' " (v. 23:21)
Unshakeable -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2010
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which

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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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