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Fourth Sunday of Advent - A

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Children's Activity

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Angel -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
A mystery -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Telling the story -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
At this point, Christmas is just two days away! This is when things really get exciting.
The name of Jesus -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Teachers and Parents: It is good for children to learn to
O come, O come, Emmanuel -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Teachers or Parents: Teach the children the words to the
All About Babies -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Teachers: This week's Bible story tells the background of the
Taking beautiful pictures -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Materials:Construction paper

Gospel Grams 2

Children's Bulletin (ages 8-10) -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007

Gospel Grams 1

Children's Bulletin (ages 5-7) -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007

Children's sermon

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A Pretty Special Gift #4! -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Object: An empty plastic jug, like a plastic milk jug from the store.
What’s In A Name? -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
What’s in a name? A lot.
A mystery -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2017
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother
Wow! God Is With Us! -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
Has anyone ever told you, "You look just like your father or just like your mother?" You can't hide
God With Us -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Anna Shirey -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
First Thoughts
Piece of cake -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God… (v.
Angel -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and sai
We are chosen -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
... including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. (v. 6)
The promise is fulfilled -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
It's almost here! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. In two days Christmas will finally be here.
Telling the story -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
The Gospel lesson for today is probably one you've heard before.
Set apart -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Good morning! Have any of you ever seen a sign like this?
The name of Jesus -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Good morning! In the Gospel reading we heard that an angel
Grace -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
What an exciting day this is! Today is the day before
O come, O come, Emmanuel -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Everyone has a name. Do any of you know how you got your name?
God calls you -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Good morning, boys and girls. What am I holding? (Show the
What's in a name? -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Editor's note: To prepare for this lesson, go to a library and
Taking beautiful pictures -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Good morning, boys and girls. I have something special with me this morning.
The meaning of names -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Good morning, boys and girls. How important is a name?

The Immediate Word

Missile Gap -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
For December 18, 2022:
Soft Power and The Making Of Friends -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
For December 22, 2019:
Fathering Hope: Giving Joseph A Voice -- Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
As we all know, the holiday season preceding Christmas is not universally one of comfort and joy, of
Longing For Peace -- Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Because of the close proximity this year of the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve/Day --
Hey, Grinch -- Bring Back Christmas! -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
On this final Sunday before Christmas, the collision between the secular Christmas season and the sa
An Unlikely Place -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
In any drama, the right setting for a scene can be key.

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Missile Gap -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
For December 18, 2022:
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Easter 4
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160+ – Illustrations / Stories
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34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
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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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