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When Paul was invited to...

Illustration
Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Acts 9:36-43
When Paul was invited to apply for a promotion, he knew that it would mean a move to another city, far bigger than anywhere he and his family had lived before, and where they knew no one. However, the chance was too good to ignore, and when the offer came, he accepted it. The whole family, he, his wife Beryl, and their newborn daughter Janet, flew to the new city to look for housing. The city was large, fast-paced, lonely and frightening. Two days after arriving, they were driving back to their hotel at night with the baby in the back seat, when Janet suddenly started to choke.
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

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Call to Worship:

Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

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Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
Christ, have mercy.

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Stephen P. McCutchan
For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
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Kirk R. Webster
How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
Thomas A. Renquist
This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
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" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

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