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Arley K. Fadness ... CSSPlus contributor

Arley K. Fadness is a retired ELCA pastor who has served numerous Lutheran parishes in South Dakota and Minnesota. He is currently a member of Custer Lutheran Fellowship in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. Pastor Fadness is a congregational consultant who coaches churches in visioning processes, and he also conducts leadership retreats and workshops on “Finding Your True Flair.” A graduate of Augustana College, Luther Theological Seminary, and McCormick Theological Seminary, Fadness is the author of several CSS titles, including Blueprints For Advent and Christmas, Blueprints for Lent, Six Spiritual Needs in America Today, Holy Moses, Hey Joseph!, and Where’s Noah? He is also a contributing author to Sermons on the First Readings (Series I, Cycle A).

Thanksgiving Day - B

Arley K. Fadness
“Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (v. 25b)

Good morning boys and girls,

I'm so glad to see you. It's a fun time in this wonderful thanksgiving holiday season isn't it? Let's make a list of things we are thankful for. (list items on sketch pad as children make suggestions) We have a lot to be thankful for don't we?

Many kids like you enjoyed a gorgeous thanksgiving meal. Do you like the turkey, cranberries, stuffing, veggies galore, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pickles, gravy, pumpkin pie with dream whip, milk, coffee, juices, and even more?  Oh, yum, yum. Then come the dishes, football, and snacks.

Christ The King (Proper 29) - B

Arley K. Fadness
“My kingdom is not from this world” (v. 36a)

Good morning girls and boys,

Have your parents ever told you “always tell the truth?” (children respond)

Of course what they mean, to tell the truth, is be honest, don't lie, tell it like it is.

Truth is a tiny word with only 5 letters -- T-R-U-T-H, but has a big, big meaning.

When Jesus was on trial he was asked by governor Pontus Pilate “what is truth?”

Pilate asked Jesus “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said no, he was king of something else. And what is that? Jesus made it clear that he was the King of Truth.

Governor Pilate didn't get it. Jesus, as the truth, was too big to understand.

What is CSSPlus?

This lectionary-based Children Sermon Service or CSSPlus is a subscription service that provides a new children's sermon every week (based on the Gospel Reading of the lectionary).

Besides the new material, there are 15 to 20 additional timeless children's sermons and children's activities in the archive for each Sunday of the lectionary calendar.

You'll never be at a loss for a relevant, relatable children's sermon again....

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Bethany Peerbolte
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
Ron Love
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For November 22-25, 2018:
  • Alphas and Omegas by Bethany Peerbolte -- We choose the “alphas” and “omegas” of our lives from a long list of possibilities. Sometimes the priorities we establish for ourselves bear no resemblance to the priorities of the reign of God.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Contents
“Pilate’s Point Of View” by David O. Bales
“Priests for Whom?” by David O. Bales


Pilate’s Point Of View
by David O. Bales
John 18:33-37
Peter Andrew Smith
Morris stared at the plain white tiles of the hospital ceiling and wondered how much longer he would have to wait for the nurse to come and get him. He looked around at the curtains surrounding the waiting area and pulled the blanket over his feet. He sighed loudly.

“Bored?” a voice asked from the other side of the curtain.

“Yeah,” Morris replied. “I just want this over.”

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Mark Ellingsen
Bob Ove
Ron Love
Frank Ramirez
Joel 2:21-27 and Psalm 126
That psalm could be for someone who was out of work who the Lord finds a job for. They can rejoice and give thanks for the Lord’s restoration. They will have a happy thanksgiving. Even those still out of work have a Lord who is keeping them alive until a more permanent answer arrives.

We can all find something to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is at least one time when we can make a list of all those things. Some take paper and pen and do that.

Bob Ove
Ron Love
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Mark Ellingsen
2 Samuel 23:1-7 and Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18)
Do what’s right. David says it this way, “One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God, is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land.” These are some of David’s final words and, as such, they are significant. It’s hard to always do the right thing.
Mark Ellingsen
The theme for the final Sunday of the church year is a reminder that Christ already reigns! We already see hints of his rule at the end of time, even today.

2 Samuel 23:1-7
Frank Ramirez
In the book “Through the Looking Glass,” by Lewis Carroll, the chess pieces come to life, including the befuddled White Queen who in response to Alice’s assertion that one can’t believe in things that are impossible, replies, “I daresay you haven’t had much practice. When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

The lectionary scriptures cut the number in half and ask us to believe in three, if not quite impossible, then certainly improbable things.

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
“My kingdom is not from this world” (v. 36a)

Good morning girls and boys,

Have your parents ever told you “always tell the truth?” (children respond)

Of course what they mean, to tell the truth, is be honest, don't lie, tell it like it is.

Truth is a tiny word with only 5 letters -- T-R-U-T-H, but has a big, big meaning.

When Jesus was on trial he was asked by governor Pontus Pilate “what is truth?”
Arley K. Fadness
“Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (v. 25b)

Good morning boys and girls,

I'm so glad to see you. It's a fun time in this wonderful thanksgiving holiday season isn't it? Let's make a list of things we are thankful for. (list items on sketch pad as children make suggestions) We have a lot to be thankful for don't we?

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
I sometimes catch those programmes on television which offer people an evening out with the celebrity of their choice, or at least, ask people who they would choose if they could have that choice. Film stars and pop stars usually come at the top of the list, closely followed by royalty, especially the younger and handsomer members of the royal family.

When I see some of the choices I find myself shuddering and wonder what on earth people can see in such a person. But I suppose the choice is usually based on

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton

Theme For The Day
Jesus Christ is King -- but not the sort of king the world expects.

Old Testament Lesson
2 Samuel 23:1-7
The Last Words Of David

William G. Carter
In the small town of Mapleville, the ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve service was poorly attended. Once it was a popular event for the whole town, gathering people from a variety of denominations and faiths. In recent years, attendance had faded to a faithful few. Most of those who came in any given year were members of the host congregation. What began as a spirited occasion that brought together a variety of clergy, choirs, and congregations had shrunk in numbers and dwindled in enthusiasm.

Special Occasion