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Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A

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Children's Activity

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Follow Me -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Following directions -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Fishing for people -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Today's gospel lesson is a fun one to share with children.
Follow me -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Teachers and Parents: No parent or teacher will minimize the
Using the right bait -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Teachers or Parents: Teach the children the hymn "I Love To
Jesus Welcome Mat -- Matthew 4:12-33 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Teachers: Today's story tells how Jesus began his ministry.
Answering the call immediately -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Materials:Store-bought placemat (one per child) Sandpaper

Gospel Grams 2

Children's Bulletin (ages 8-10) -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2008

Gospel Grams 1

Children's Bulletin (ages 5-7) -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2008

Children's sermon

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Leaving A Trail! -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023
Object: See the notes.
Wanted: Best Friend -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2020
As Jesus calls his disciples it seems like he has a criterion for the people with which he wants to
Got A Flashlight? -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2017
I want to tell you a story today about two guys that went hiking.  They were two teenage cousins tha
Gone Fishing -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Anna Shirey -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
First Thoughts
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
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)
You are a Christian -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2007
What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to
Following directions -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2007
He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory
Not everyone understands -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
(Hold up the paper) Can anyone tell me what this says?
Fishing for people -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Today I am going fishing. Our lesson today is about fishing, so I'm going to do it.
Working together -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Good morning! I have a job for us to do this morning. I want
Follow me -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Good morning! How many of you have ever ridden on a big
Horse power -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Good morning! How many of you like horses? (Let them answer.)
Using the right bait -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
How many of you like to fish? (Let them answer.) What do you
Dead batteries -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Good morning, boys and girls. I brought some things with me
Building a complete puzzle -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you like to do puzzles?

The Immediate Word

At Home in Capernaum -- Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023
For January 22, 2023:
The United Methodist Church And Paul’s Case For Bipartisan Baptism -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9, Matthew 4:12-23 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2020
For January 26, 2020:
United In Mind And Purpose -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9, Matthew 4:12-23 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2014
In this week’s lectionary text from First Corinthians, Paul highlights the divisions and quarrels
The Jesus Gang -- Matthew 4:12-23, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Roger Lovette, George Reed -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2011
In the wake of the recent Arizona shootings, a great deal of attention has been focused on the tone
Who Will You Follow? -- Matthew 4:12-23, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Paul Bresnahan, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2008
Every four years, the people of the United States are called upon to make their voices heard and cho

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At Home in Capernaum -- Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023
For January 22, 2023:
Leaving A Trail! -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023
Object: See the notes.
The United Methodist Church And Paul’s Case For Bipartisan Baptism -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9, Matthew 4:12-23 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2020
For January 26, 2020:
Wanted: Best Friend -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2020
As Jesus calls his disciples it seems like he has a criterion for the people with which he wants to
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Easter 4
28 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 5
33 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
35 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
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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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