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Leah Thompson

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Children's Activity

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Who I am -- John 10:22-30 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
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
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
The Christian uniform -- John 13:31-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Pure in heart -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Keep the word -- John 14:23-29 -- Leah Thompson -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Whodunit? -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Leah Thompson -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Storytellers -- John 17:20-26 -- Leah Thompson -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Hit it, maestro! -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Leah Thompson -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Hear it now -- John 16:12-15 -- Leah Thompson -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME

Children's sermon

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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.
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)
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)
Lessons to learn -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2010
And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says." (v. 6)
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
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
Stamina -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (v. 7)
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
Storytellers -- John 17:20-26 -- Leah Thompson -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have l
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)
Mercy -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his br
Outgrown -- 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
"We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith
Sabbath laws -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2010
"And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set
Spirited -- Romans 8:14-17 -- Leah Thompson -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2010
"For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spir
What do you need? -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2010
For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling blo
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
Entertaining angels -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2010
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels
Hit it, maestro! -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Leah Thompson -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2010
"The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his w
Words -- 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2010
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in
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
Fortune and fame -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2010
"For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
Love poured out -- Romans 5:1-5 -- Leah Thompson -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2010
"And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces enduranc
Lamp -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2010
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and giv

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Thank-you notes take a lot of work... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2010
Thank-you notes take a lot of work.
NULL -- Lamentations 1:1-6 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2010
In the film Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood plays a man who has nothing left to live for.
NULL -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2010
A popular poster in grade school classrooms reads something like this: "Thirty years from now, it wo
Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2010
Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, two contemporary satire writers, outdo themselves in their joint no
NULL -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2010
Kirstin, a university student, worked backstage in the school's theatre as a costumer.
NULL -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2010
The Israelites were familiar with building.
NULL -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2010
Her family and friends keep pressuring her to quit smoking, but Cynthia can't bring herself to do it
NULL -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2010
In Ray Bradbury's science fiction classic Fahrenheit 451, firefighters are not as we know the
NULL -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2010
Jerry was not a good neighbor. His dogs sometimes did their business in Randy's yard.
NULL -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2010
In an old fairy tale, a king asks his three daughters how much they love him.
NULL -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2010
When you are in the third grade, times tables are one of the world's great mysteries.
NULL -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2010
"If you talk the talk, you have to walk the walk." We want our role models to practice what they pre
The Andersons are Catholic... -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2010
The Andersons are Catholic, and they are very fond of the priest in their parish.
NULL -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2010
Anthony is a good actor, but he says he doesn't want to audition for the school play.
NULL -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2010
In a traditional retelling of the story Beauty and the Beast, the Beast asks Beauty the same
Charlize doesn't get along with her dad... -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2010
Charlize doesn't get along with her dad.
NULL -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
Drink offerings have a long history.
You know the story by heart... -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2010
You know the story by heart -- perhaps you have this story.
In the 1992 film Last of the Mohicans... -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2010
In the 1992 film Last of the Mohicans, Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Hawkeye, an Englishman adopt
NULL -- 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2010
Lorraine puts her foot in her mouth at every opportunity, or so it seems to her.
NULL -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
A poor mother in early twentieth-century India sends her child to a British boarding school.
NULL -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2010
In the classic musical My Fair Lady, Professor Henry Higgins bets a friend that he can transf
NULL -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
"Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he!" Many Sunday school students know the
NULL -- Ephesians 1:11-23 -- Leah Thompson -- All Saints Day - C -- 2010
The 1991 film Hook, starring Robin Williams and Julia Roberts, is an adaptation of the story
NULL -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
"Why is the grass green?" a grandchild asks her grandmother after playing outside.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
24 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For December 21, 2025:

SermonStudio

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson
Pastor: Advent God: We praise and thank you for the word of promise spoken long ago by your prophet Isaiah; as he bore the good news of the birth of Immanuel–so may we be bearers of the good news that Immanuel comes to be with us. God of love:

Cong: Hear our prayer.
Dallas A. Brauninger
1. Text

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this
way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.18 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.19 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the
James Evans
(See Advent 1, Cycle B, and Proper 15/Pentecost 13/Ordinary Time 20, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

The recurring phrase, "let your face shine" (vv. 3, 7, 19), offers an interesting opportunity to reflect on the meaning of God's presence in our world. This reflection takes on a particular significance during the Advent season.

Richard A. Jensen
Our Matthew text for this week comes from the first chapter of Matthew. Matthew's telling of the Jesus' story is certainly unique. Matthew tells of the early years of our Savior stressing that his name is Jesus and Emmanuel; that wise sages from the East attend his birth; that Joseph and Mary escape to Egypt because of Herod's wrath. No other Gospel includes these realities.
Mark Wm. Radecke
In the Jewish tradition there is a liturgy and accompanying song called "Dayenu." Dayenu is a Hebrew word which can be translated several ways. It can mean: "It would have been enough," or "we would have been grateful and content," or "our need would have been satisfied."

Part of the Dayenu is a responsive reading that goes like this:

O God, if thy only act of kindness was to deliver us from the bondage of Egypt, Dayenu! -- It would have been enough.
Stephen M. Crotts
Some years ago I was in a London theater watching a Harold Pinter play. The drama was not very good really. I was getting bored. Then right in the middle of the play the theater manager walked on stage, excused himself, and made an announcement. The actors stared. The audience looked shocked. Me? I thought it was all part of the play. Such interruptions are rare in a theater. But nonetheless, the stage manager felt that it was necessary this time. His announcement was nothing trivial like, "Some owner has left his car lights on." Nor was it a terrifying message like, "Fire! Fire!
Timothy J. Smith
It is easy to get so caught up in the sentimentality and nostalgia of Christmas that we neglect the true reason we celebrate. We receive Christmas cards portraying a cute infant Jesus lying in a manger filled with straw. The Baby Jesus is pictured in the center with Mary and Joseph on one side, the shepherds and Magi on the other. We know this scene: animals are in the background, in the distance angels can be seen hovering, as a star shines brightly overhead. However, there is more to Advent and Christmas than celebrating the birth of a baby.
William B. Kincaid, III
If we cannot relate to Joseph and appreciate his situation, then our lives are simple, easy lives indeed. Now, by relating to Joseph or understanding what he endured, I don't mean to suggest that we all either have been engaged or married to someone impregnated by the Holy Spirit. Even in our frantic search for ways to explain how such a thing might have happened, we probably didn't think of blaming the Holy Spirit!
R. Glen Miles
"The Lord himself will give you a sign" is the way Isaiah begins his recitation of the promise containing all promises. Isaiah is talking to Ahaz. Ahaz is the king who is stuck in a political mess. It looks like Assyria is about to invade some of the countries neighboring Judah. Isaiah is recommending that the king refuse to sign on with these other countries and their armies and trust only in Yahweh, the Lord of all. Today's reading is a reminder of the promise of God to be with Ahaz and his people, no matter what happens, no matter who invades.
John T. Ball
Religion is a mutual relationship. We pledge loyalty and devotion to God and God blesses us. This is how Moses worked it out with Yahweh and his people who had recently escaped from Egyptian captivity. If the Israelites prove loyal to this mysterious Sinai god, then God would bless them with prosperity and well being. Those who deal with many gods are no different. Even though they have gods for various concerns, they still expect blessings and security in exchange for loyalty.
Susan R. Andrews
According to tradition, Joseph was the strong, silent type - an older carpenter who willingly submitted to impotent fatherhood - a second--string player in the drama of God's human birth. But according to scripture, none of this is true. All that is actually recorded in the Bible is that Joseph was a dreamer - a righteous man who transformed the meaning of righteousness by taking seriously his dreams.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (UM211, PH9, LBW34, CBH172, NCH116)
The God Of Abraham Praise (UM116, PH488, NCH24)
O Hear Our Cry, O Lord (PH206)
Hail To The Lord's Anointed (UM203)
Blessed Be The God Of Israel (UM209)
Emmanuel, Emmanuel (UM204)
People Look East (PH12, UM202)
Savior Of The Nations, Come (LBW28, CBH178, PH14, UM214)
The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy (CBH202)
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (PH1, 2,UM196, NCH122)

Anthem

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Just before the first Christmas, an angel appeared to Joseph to tell him that Jesus would also be called "Emmanuel", meaning "God With Us." Let us listen to the guidance of the angels today as we prepare to receive God With Us once again.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, fill me with the awe of Christmas.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, fill me with the mystery of Christmas.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, fill me with Emmanuel -- God with us.
Lord, have mercy.

StoryShare

Argile Smith
C. David Mckirachan
Scott Dalgarno
Stan Purdum
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Samantha" by Argile Smith
"I'm Pregnant" by C. David McKirachan
"You'd Better Watch out..." by C. David McKirachan
"Terribly Vulnerable to Joy" by Scott Dalgarno
"The Great Christmas-Tree Battle" by Stan Purdum


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Over the years, I grow more cynical about Christmas and just about everything that goes along with it. I have not become a scrooge, although the advancing years have made me more careful with my pennies. It is not that I cannot be moved by the lights, the music, and the fellowship of the holidays. I have not become an insensitive, unfeeling clod. My problem is that the language and the images and the music seem to have fallen short in expressing what must have been the feelings of the real human beings going through the events recounted in this story.

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What an exciting day this is! Today is the day before Christmas and tonight is Christmas Eve! People have different ways of doing things. Some people open their presents on Christmas Eve. How many of you do that? (Let them answer.) Others open their presents on Christmas Day. Which of you will open your presents tomorrow? (Let them answer.) Some open gifts on other days. Would any of you like to share another time when you open presents? (Give them the opportunity to answer.)

Why do you suppose we open gifts at this time of the year? (Let them answer.)

Special Occasion

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