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First Sunday in Lent - A

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Children's Activity

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Children's Liturgy and Story

Children's sermon

CSSPlus

Good medicine -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Good morning, boys and girls. I brought a bottle of (name of
From sin to salvation -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Good morning, boys and girls. Let's see how well you remember your Bible stories.
Jesus' forty-day fast in the wilderness -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Good morning, boys and girls! How many of you have ever met the devil face to face?

The Immediate Word

Fully, Only Human -- Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32 -- Chris Ewing -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Striving to win and to test limits, athletes have been in the news lately for risking the use of ill

Children's Story

Devotional

Drama

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Power In The Wilderness -- Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
As we enter into Lent, the focus for many of our people will turn inward as they engage in small act
You Will Be Like God -- Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Humanity as a whole has shown a tendency for desiring power, whether it is power to conquer a nation

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Among the Romans' pithy sayings... -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Among the Romans' pithy sayings was, "Work conquers all." Many Americans hold that
Some question the historical authenticity... -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Some question the historical authenticity of the "garden" story, but many things
The man gave names ... to... -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
"The man gave names ... to every animal of the field." Now it is quiz time. What names
There is an old story... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
There is an old story about a young boy who consistently disobeyed his parents, coming
Malcolm Gladwell's book, The Tipping... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Malcolm Gladwell's book, The Tipping Point, gives a number of examples
Greg tells of his summer... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Greg tells of his summer experience with "Open Air Containers." Open Air Containers is
It is estimated that over... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
It is estimated that over 25 million people died in Europe between 1347 and 1352. The
Lloyd flew to the Oregon... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Lloyd flew to the Oregon coast to interview for a call as pastor. From the airport, he was
How do we prepare ourselves... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
How do we prepare ourselves and others to withstand temptation? There's no one "cure-
Greek mythology has a fascinating... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Greek mythology has a fascinating story about the power of temptation. Certain areas
Jimmy, Mark and Sarah could... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Jimmy, Mark and Sarah could be the best children anyone ever saw.
The new youth director was... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
The new youth director was adamant.
Some years ago, there was... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Some years ago, there was a medical missionary who served in Egypt.
While God accepts us as... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
While God accepts us as we are, it is not God's intent to keep us wallowing in our sin.
Jesus' successful resistance of temptation... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Jesus' successful resistance of temptation sets a pattern for disciples, including those who seeming
A man once went to... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
A man once went to his priest to confess. "Yes, I did it," he admitted.
Will the test be very... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
"Will the test be very hard?" Jake asked his teacher.
The child asked, Why did... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
The child asked, "Why did God let Jesus be tempted and why three times?
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen was... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1999
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen was a dynamic speaker. His long-
In the book of Romans... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1999
In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul tells us the basic Christian truths as he saw them.
One person can make all... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1999
One person can make all the difference in the world -- for good or for evil.
FREE GIFT! splashed in big... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1999
FREE GIFT! splashed in big red letters across the envelope or the computer screen.
Paul is speaking of the... -- Romans 5:12-19 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1999
Paul is speaking of the gracious life of grace made possible through Christ.

Intercession

Poems

Preaching

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Fully, Only Human -- Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32 -- Chris Ewing -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Striving to win and to test limits, athletes have been in the news lately for risking the use of ill

The Village Shepherd

The Sin Of Adam -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - A
It always strikes me as strange that St Paul puts so much emphasis on Adam's sin, but that t
Hooked On Sin? -- Genesis 2:15-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - A
We in the West have an interesting culture in which we quite like to be shocked.
Fasting And Temptation -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - A
I once fasted for five days.

SermonStudio

Tempted In The Strong Places Of Life -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- First Sunday in Lent - A
In his best--selling book called First You Have To Row a Little Boat, Richard Bode writes abo

Stories

Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
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

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For September 21, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Well, it’s autumn, and by now the seeds we planted in the spring either took root and produced or else the weather, pests, rabbits, or our own laziness conspired to make this year’s garden less than a success. But at one point we had to get started and actually plant seeds for the future.

Jeremiah is looking back from the perspective of our spiritual well-being and laments than our spiritual harvest has all been for naught. He wonders if it is now too late for a recovery. Is there no healing, no balm in Gilead, to apply to our wounds?
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 and Psalm 79:1-9
In the spring as farmers and gardeners prepare to plant we are looking at a summer of possibilities. Hard work, to be sure, but also potential. What will happen? What will this season be like? At summer’s end there will be no more questions. We’ll know. Maybe it was a great season, and we have canned or frozen many vegetables. Maybe the farmers have brought in a bumper crop and they got a good price besides.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message will be based on a game you will play. See the note below.

NOTE: Ask three or more adults to come up and play the role of Simon for your group. Tell them to all speak at once, asking the children to do different things. The goal is to create a nice bit of confusion for the children to experience.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great!

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hey!” Annie waved at the woman standing next to the open doorway. “Can you come here?”

The woman made her way past the other nursing home residents and stood next to Annie’s wheelchair.

“What can I do for you?”

“You look familiar.” Annie squinted at her. “Do I know your name?”

“I’m Brenda.” The woman pointed at her name tag. “I work in the kitchen and sometimes help serve the meals when they are ready.”

“That’s right. I think we’ve met before.” Annie tapped her lips with her finger. “You have the nice smile.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” In our worship today let us remember the little things in our lives and ask God to help us to be utterly faithful in them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we pretend that little sins don't matter.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we imagine that you don't notice little sins.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
This poignant prayer of lament and community grief gives expression to what it feels like to suffer as a person of faith. If we believe we are truly part of God's community, then the destruction of that community -- as was the case with Israel in 587 B.C. -- becomes a time for doubt, anger, and confusion. Furthermore, if we believe we are individual members of that community, our personal suffering also creates an opportunity for a crisis of faith: "Why didn't God protect me?" Of course, it does not take a national catastrophe to raise those sorts of questions.
Kirk R. Webster
If feedback is the breakfast of champions, perhaps we would do well to examine some of our prayer habits. If you have ever heard someone use The Just Really Prayer, you know exactly what problem we are talking about.

That prayer goes something like this, "Lord, we just really thank you for this day. We come before you and just really pray for mercy. We offer ourselves to you and just really ask that your will be done in our lives. Amen." I'm thankful this particular Just Really prayer was mercifully short, unlike the next example, The Good Guilt-Based Prayer.
John W. Wurster
Another season has come and gone. Promises that were made have not been fulfilled. Good intentions haven't yielded any tangible results. Dreams have not come true. High hopes have proven to be only wishful thinking. Nothing has really changed; nothing has really improved. The time keeps moving along, but we seem stuck in the same ruts. Old routines remain, prejudices persist, dullness and anxiety continue to be constant companions. Lingering in the air is that nagging sense that things aren't quite right, not as they could be, not as they should be.
R. Robert Cueni
In the scripture lesson for today Jesus tells a perplexing parable about a thoroughly dishonest employee who was praised for his dishonesty. In this story Jesus not only seems comfortable suggesting that it is acceptable to compromise with moral failings, but our Lord appears to commend his disciples to "go and do likewise." For centuries, preachers, commentators, and scholars have struggled to make sense of this outrageous tale.

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