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Children's Activity

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Big numbers -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Doin' time -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Clean indeed -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Good works -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Dear heavenly Father... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Leah Thompson -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Produce aisle -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Repentance -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Detail work -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
No fear -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Money, money, money -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Here in this place -- John 4:5-42 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Love -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Hard work -- John 9:1-41 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Copycat -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Mary stayed at home -- John 11:1-45 -- Leah Thompson -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Fair play -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Betrayed -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Leah Thompson -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Be prepared -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Feet -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Wall street -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Just deserts -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Leah Thompson -- Good Friday - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
For you -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Leah Thompson -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Arise! -- John 20:1-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Easter Day - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Rate of response -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Leah Thompson -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Peace be with you -- John 20:19-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME

Children's sermon

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If You Do Them! -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- John Jamison -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2025
Object: A bowl and a towel.* * *
Seeing Jesus! -- John 20:19-31 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Object: This message is a role-play for your children and requires no additional ob
Do You Love Me? -- John 21:1-19 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Object: A sheep or lamb stuffed animal.
The Works I Do! -- John 10:22-30 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Object: An orange and a lemon that are about the same size and shape, a knife, a cu
As I Have Loved! -- John 13:31-35 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Object: An old, worn-out shoe and an old banana.* * *
The Mat! -- John 14:23-29 -- John Jamison -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Object: A mat, like an exercise mat, or a blanket.
Power! -- Luke 24:44-53 -- John Jamison -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2025
Object: This message includes movements to reinforce the lesson.
No Tickets Please! -- John 17:20-26 -- John Jamison -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Object: Tickets to give the children.
It's That Simple! -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- John Jamison -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2025
Object: A job description.
To Tell The Truth -- John 16:12-15 -- John Jamison -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2025
Object: The lying game.
Little Piggies -- Luke 8:26-39 -- John Jamison -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2025
Object: A pig stuffed animal.* * *
Nope! -- Luke 9:51-62 -- John Jamison -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2025
Object: This message includes a hand motion you will teach the children.
The Grudge Monster! -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- John Jamison -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2025
Object: This is a role play activity for the children.
Neighbors -- Luke 10:25-37 -- John Jamison -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2025
Object: This is a role play activity.
True Light! -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2025
Object: A small candle and a bright flashlight.
Sisters -- Luke 10:38-42 -- John Jamison -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2025
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it
Being Honest! -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2025
Object: A large paper bag with candy or stickers inside, depending on what you are
When You Pray -- Luke 11:1-13 -- John Jamison -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2025
Object: A card with Luke’s short version of the Lord’s Prayer to give to each child
No Junk! -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- John Jamison -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2025
Object: A garbage bag. * * *
Getting Rich! -- Luke 12:13-21 -- John Jamison -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2025
Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.
Why?! -- John 2:1-11 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2025
Object: A piece of paper for each child.
Treasure! -- Luke 12:32-40 -- John Jamison -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2025
Object: A treasure chest containing photos of some of your family members and frien
The Year of The Lord! -- Luke 4:14-21 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2025
Object: A 2025 calendar.* * *
Fire! -- Luke 12:49-56 -- John Jamison -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2025
Object: A fire extinguisher.* * *
The Greatest And The Least! -- Luke 4:21-30 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2025
Object: A sign that says, “The Home of Jesus!” (

Sermon

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Questions about you -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. How well do you think you know your mother and father?
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
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

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For September 14, 2025:

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John Jamison
Object: A sheep stuffy or toy.

* * *

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

Did you know that Jesus traveled around and hunted for people who were doing something illegal and breaking the laws? (Let them respond.) He really did.And when he found someone who was doing something illegal, do you know what he did with them? (Let them respond.)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Our text tells us that we are skilled in doing evil (v.22). An anonymous late medieval treatise titled German Theology tells us why:

It is the nature and property of the creature to seek itself and its own things, and this and that, here and there, and in all that it does and leaves undone as desire is to its own advantage and benefit. (Varieties of Mystic Experience, p.162)

Martin Luther King, Jr. offers an alternative to this vision:
David Coffin
All three of today’s texts can be viewed as good news that God never gives up on God’s people. This is despite their resistance to repent or simple straying from the community of faith. We can observe family and loved ones at various points of their faith journey through the lens of each of these texts. Jeremiah 4 informs the people their neglect of honoring their covenant with God is about to result in disastrous consequences. Paul recalls in 1 Timothy 1 how he thought he was falling God’s will until he had his literal come to Jesus moment!

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (vv. 6-7)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus told stories to illustrate to the people God's gladness whenever anyone turned to him and chose life. There is still rejoicing in heaven whenever any one of us turns to God.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes I think I'm too insignificant for you to bother with me.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I don't bother with you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I don't bother with other people, but only with myself.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)

The psalm writer has an interesting perspective on the origin of injustice in our world. He begins this psalm with the assertion that those who do not believe in God are "fools." He goes on to accuse them of corruption and of being incapable of doing good. Later on he writes, "Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord?" (v. 4).

Elizabeth Achtemeier
"Now it is I who speak in judgment upon them" (v. 12). Ours is a society that does not accept that as the Word of God. Many people do not believe that God judges anyone. Rather, the Lord is a forgiving God, a kindly deity who overlooks all wrong. As in the Gospel lesson for the morning, the Lord searches for the one lost sheep and returns it gently to the fold, or he hunts for the one lost coin until he finds it. God accepts the lost as they are, we think, overlooking Jesus' teaching about repentance and transformation of life.
Scott Suskovic
We usually don't spend too much time thinking about our own sinfulness. On occasion, of course, our feelings of guilt overwhelm us. We can't stop thinking about our sinfulness. If we are in that situation, we may need to talk that out with someone. Apart from times like that, we don't think much about our own sinfulness. We have ways of getting around that.

R. Robert Cueni
Back before the ways of the Taliban became common knowledge, there was a fascinating little article about how they jailed barbers when they didn't do culturally correct haircuts.1 The newspaper reported that young men in Kabul, Afghanistan, have started wearing their hair the way the actor Leonardo DiCaprio wears his. Long, not only on the sides, but so long in the front that hair can drop over the eyes. They call the style, "the Titanic," named for the blockbuster movie starring DiCaprio about the 1912 sinking of the cruise ship by that name.

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