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Leah Thompson

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Children's Activity

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One of us -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Baptizer -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Friends -- John 10:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
You just had to be there... -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Impossible -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Prepare a place -- John 14:1-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Read all about it -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Leah Thompson -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Father, Son, Spirit -- John 14:15-21 -- Leah Thompson -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Fair play -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Extra-terrestrial -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Leah Thompson -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Earn your stickers -- John 17:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Receive -- John 20:19-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Promises to keep -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Welcome -- Hospitality -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Safe and warm -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Good soil -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Weeds -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
One pearl -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Bread of Life -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
First impressions -- Matthew 14:22-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Ask... and ask again -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
What do you see? -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Take up your cross -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Big numbers -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Lost and found -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:

Children's sermon

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Baptizer -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts
Speak -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in ever
On the clock -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (v. 6)
This little light -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Do not quench the Spirit. (v. 19)
Doin' time -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. (v.
Batter up -- Romans 6:12-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! (v.
Snapshot -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (v. 11)
You just had to be there... -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. (v. 8)
Playing referee -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you
Money, money, money -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things t
Welcome -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. (v.
Hard work -- John 9:1-41 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (v. 5)
Word for all -- Romans 16:25-27 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
But is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, accor
Make new friends -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God
Forgiveness box -- Romans 7:15-25a -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2011
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
Emptied -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2011
But emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.
Impossible -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
For nothing will be impossible with God. (v. 37)
Love -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (v. 40)
Safe and warm -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2011
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (v.
Betrayed -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Leah Thompson -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2011
And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. (v. 26:16)
A purifying clean -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Leah Thompson -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for hims
Neat and tidy -- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you beli
God's rules -- Romans 8:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
So that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the f
Feet -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2011
Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no
Read all about it -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Leah Thompson -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see -- I am bringing you good news of great

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
"Expect the unexpected!" How often have you gone to a job interview or meeting having built up a par
NULL -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
Could you hide something from your siblings?
NULL -- John 9:1-41 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
We learn cause and effect at an early stage.
NULL -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
Sometimes we are in situations where we cannot do the things that we want to do.
NULL -- Romans 8:6-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Mary Jane and her husband Rob were happy together.
NULL -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
We like names.
NULL -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Leah Thompson -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2011
Knowledge is a great honor and a great responsibility.
Mrs. Johnson was perfect for her job... -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
Mrs. Johnson was perfect for her job.
NULL -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Leah Thompson -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2011
"What's in it for me?" One of the secrets to writing a good story is to create strong characters.
It's easy to talk about things that are far away... -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
It's easy to talk about things that are far away.
NULL -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Leah Thompson -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2011
Country songs are really happy if you play them backward, some people say.
It's all about getting your priorities straight... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
It's all about getting your priorities straight.
NULL -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Leah Thompson -- Good Friday - A -- 2011
It is a life that begins with loss of innocence and ends with loss of innocence.
Jennifer's mom gave her $5... -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
Jennifer's mom gave her $5 to buy some fries at the fair. "Keep the change," her mom said.
NULL -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Leah Thompson -- Good Friday - A -- 2011
You've seen trouble.
Things just worked out for Gloria... -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
Things just worked out for Gloria. She was a bright student. She got along with her parents.
NULL -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Leah Thompson -- Easter Day - A -- 2011
As Peter Pan reminds Wendy, John, and Michael, we must "think happy thoughts!" before we can fly.
Jordan is a professional football player... -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
Jordan is a professional football player.
NULL -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Many people are frightened of cemeteries.
We always want more... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
We always want more. Sometimes it is greed: we want more wealth, a bigger house, another car.
NULL -- John 20:19-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Rebecca wanted to go out to dinner with all of her friends, but had to work instead.
Everybody at school calls Crystal names behind her back... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
Everybody at school calls Crystal names behind her back. Bad names.
NULL -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Marshall and Nathan are brothers, and sometimes they drive each other crazy.
Louise was born to a family of accountants... -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
Louise was born to a family of accountants -- brilliant accountants, no less -- CPAs.
NULL -- Acts 2:42-47 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Fairy tales always end the same way: "And they lived happily ever after." But we all know that this
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For November 2, 2025:
Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For November 2, 2025:

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John Jamison
Object: This message involves roleplay. You will need a chair for Zach to stand on, unless it is ok for him to stand on a front pew. For the best fun, you will also want to have an adult volunteer play the role of Jesus and walk in when it is time. Whether he is in costume is up to you.

* * *
John Jamison
Object: You will need one or more pictures of people recognized as saints. You may find some pictures by Googling “public domain pictures of saints” and printing images from the results.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 and Psalm 119:137-144
Walter Elwell in the Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook notes of righteousness that it is, “Right standing, specifically before God. Among the Greeks, righteousness was an ethical virtue. Among the Hebrews it was a legal concept; the righteous man was the one who got the verdict of acceptability when tried at the bar of God’s justice.” God is a righteous God, even when is people are not righteous.
Frank Ramirez
One of the features of synagogue worship is the Shema. The Hebrew word is “Hear!” and is the opening for Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” God’s people are commanded to “hear” these words. They come from the Lord. And these three scriptures invite us to hear God and each other, something that is lacking in our society today.
Wayne Brouwer
Fred Craddock tells of a vacation encounter in the Smokey Mountains of eastern Tennessee years ago that moved him deeply. He and his wife took supper one evening in a place called the Black Bear Inn. One side of the building was all glass, open to a magnificent mountain view. Glad to be alone, the Craddocks were a bit annoyed when an elderly man ambled over and struck up a nosey conversation: “Are you on vacation?” “Where are you from?” “What do you do?”
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 and Psalm 149

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight. Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live. (vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.
Frank Ramirez
Call them the good old days. Call it the Golden Age. It’s not unusual for people to look back in their youth, or to the youth of their country, as somehow more perfect, honorable, or simpler. C.S. Lewis was always skeptical about claims that chocolate was better in one’s youth. It wasn’t better. Our taste buds were stronger and more receptive.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The Roman Catholic Church's canonisation of Edith Stein some years ago, fuelled considerable controversy. Edith Stein was born and bred into a Jewish family, becoming a Roman Catholic Christian at the age of 31. She was also a leading German intellectual in the early thirties, during the run-up to World War 2, although she gave up that career in order to become a Carmelite nun. But she didn't deny her Jewish roots, for in 1933 she petitioned the Pope, Pious XI to write an encyclical in defence of the Jews.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus didn't reject anyone, even those who were liars and cheats. By a simple act of friendship Jesus turned Zaccheus' life around. In our worship today let us consider friendship and all that it means.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, there are some people I don't like.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I reject.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I keep out of my circle of friends.
Lord, have mercy.


Reading:

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
The world offers many blessings, but none of these things will save us: only the blessing of God in Jesus Christ can do that.

Old Testament Lesson
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Daniel's Apocalyptic Dream
Perry H. Biddle, Jr.
Comments on the Lessons
John W. Clarke
This chapter of Luke brings us ever closer to the end of Jesus' public ministry. Jesus enters Jericho, just fifteen miles or so from the holy city of Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus transforms the life of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. This is one of the few stories that is peculiar to Luke and is a wonderful human-interest story. The fact that Zacchaeus is willing to climb a tree to see Jesus is a clear indication that he really wanted to see and meet the carpenter from Nazareth. His eagerness to see Jesus is rewarded in a very special way.
Scott A. Bryte
Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
Mark Ellingson
This is a story written for people who had been or were about to be persecuted, if not enslaved. (The book of Daniel was probably written in the mid-second century B.C. during a period of Seleucid [Syrian] domination in Palestine.) It tells them and us how their ancestors had once faced a similar slavery under the oppression of the Babylonians centuries earlier. The implication was that if these ancestors could endure and overcome such bondage, so could they and so can we.
Gary L. Carver
Ulysses S. Grant fought many significant battles as commander of the Union forces in the War Between the States. He also served as President of the United States where he probably engaged in as many battles as he did while he was a general. Toward the end of his life he fought his toughest battle -- with cancer and death.

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