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First Sunday of Advent - A

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Children's Activity

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Be Prepared -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Preparing -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Materials: Toilet paper rolls Paint Paintbrushes
Ready and waiting -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
When Advent begins, everybody starts talking about Christmas and getting ready.
"Be ready!" -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Teachers or Parents: Advent is a time of preparation. The
The Future in the Star -- Mathew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Parents or Teachers: The lesson today was about always being prepared
When Jesus comes back -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Teachers or Parents: Make an Advent countdown calendar. On
Advent calendar -- Mark 13:24-37 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Teachers: This is the first Sunday of Advent and a new church
Keeping secrets -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Materials per angel:Plastic spoons

Gospel Grams 2

Children's Bulletin (ages 8 - 10) for Advent 1 -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A

Gospel Grams 1

Children's Bulletin (ages 5 - 7) for Advent 1 -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A

Children's sermon

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A Pretty Special Gift! -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Object: Three signs, like those you might hold at a rally; a poster on a stick.
Planning For The Surprise -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
There are probably two kinds of kids listening to these verses.
What A Surprise! -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
How many of you love birthday parties? Have you ever been to a surprise birthday party?
The Wait Begins -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Anna Shirey -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
First Thoughts
Shoemaker... or Elves? -- Romans 13:11-14 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
"The night is far gone, the day is near.
Be prepared -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
"And they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of
The right time -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. (v.
Preparing -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. (v.
Put on your Sunday best -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Have you ever heard the expression that you should wear your "Sunday best"?
Ready and Waiting -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Today is the first Sunday in the season of Advent. What happens at the end of Advent?
Wake up! -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Good morning! Sometimes it is very important that we wake up
Be ready! -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Good morning! Have any of you ever traveled on a big ship?
Happy new year! -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Happy New Year! It's not the end of December, but it is the beginning of
Seeing the future -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you like my special hat? (Let them
Wake up! -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Most of us sleep with a pillow under our heads. When we are
When Jesus comes back -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Good morning! We just had Thanksgiving ten days ago. They say
Keep alert -- Mark 13:24-37 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Good morning, boys and girls. I have a question for the

The Immediate Word

Abandon Your Calendars -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
For November 27, 2022:
Swords Into Highchairs, Spears Into Serving Platters -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
For December 1, 2019:
Something's Coming -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Psalm 122 -- Christopher Keating, Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
As we turn to Advent and the first Sunday of the church year and a new lectionary cycle, the foremos
The Biggest Christmas Gift -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Psalm 122 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
The First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new church year -- but since this Sunday is s
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! -- Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
This week we enter the season of Advent, and while the world around us is ratcheting up into full-b
Which Armor Will We Wear? -- Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 -- Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
In Romans, Paul admonishes us to "lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Ro

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Swords Into Highchairs, Spears Into Serving Platters -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
For December 1, 2019:
Planning For The Surprise -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
There are probably two kinds of kids listening to these verses.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
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Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
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

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For September 28, 2025:
  • Money! Money! Money! by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. “This is the even-handed dealing of the world! There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty; and there is nothing it professes to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth!” — Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
The president of the college I attended was the kind of man who always said what was on his mind. He had a very healthy self-image and wasn’t concerned about how people might take him. At one of the graduation ceremonies, he stood at the podium, looked out over the huge crowd of people, shook his head, and said to himself (right into the microphone, of course), “All these Christians in one place, and no one’s taking an offering!”
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
The lesson makes clear that God is Present in the world of business, in our daily work. John Wesley offered thoughtful reflections on the nature of work; he noted:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. (vv. 14-15)

One morning last October, Bruce Klemm got up and sang a song to his wife, Virginia, as he has done every morning of the 42 years they have been married. Little did he know that within a few hours he would be calling her to say goodbye.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus told a story about a rich man and a beggar to illustrate the way in which we fail to notice those who are poor. In our worship today let us remember the poor and ask God to teach us a real concern for them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we fail notice some people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we deliberately leave people out.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we care only about ourselves.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Lent 1, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 9-16.)

The writer of this psalm deftly employs a striking image, that at once offers us hope in times of trouble -- but at the same time, redefines for us what it means to be a human being in the world.

Schuyler Rhodes
Many Christians can be heard in or out of worship these days as they lift up their voices and say, "Praise the Lord!" The phrases are familiar, almost rote. Mouths open and words emerge. Pastors and liturgists remind the faithful that this God is not only worthy of our praise; this God sort of requires it of us. This God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5) who brooks no competition from other gods we might pursue. Yes, God is worthy of praise. Right?
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
It always amazes me when I read about a sports figure who decides to hold out for more money. With salaries that are often in the millions, they feel underpaid unless they are at the next level. I heard one player say to a reporter on Sports Center, "It's not about the money. It is about respect." A few moments later, the host of the show made the comment, "When they say it isn't about the money, it's always about the money."

Chrysanne Timm
As we conclude several weeks of readings in the book of the prophet Jeremiah and next week look at the companion text from the book of Lamentations, a common thread begins to emerge. It is the thread of grief. Jeremiah has been called by God to a truly thankless job -- that of accompanying the people of his homeland into a time of loss and grief. Because of decades of idolatry and treaties with neighboring nations, the people of Judah will lose the land God once graciously gave to their ancestors.
R. Robert Cueni
The lesson for today continues the discussion on the proper use of material possessions by describing what happens when a person tries to "serve both God and wealth" (Luke 16:13). Today's Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus leaves us repulsed by the gory details, puzzled by the literal description of eternal life, and hopeful that the Lord didn't really mean all those terrible things about the punishment due us "Haves" for our treatment of the "Have Nots."

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