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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.
True Light! -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2025
Object: A small candle and a bright flashlight.
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
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. * * *
Why?! -- John 2:1-11 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2025
Object: A piece of paper for each child.
The Year of The Lord! -- Luke 4:14-21 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2025
Object: A 2025 calendar.* * *
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!” (
One More Time -- Luke 5:1-11 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2025
Object: This message is a role play about Jesus and the fishermen.
Backward Jesus -- Luke 6:17-26 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2025
Object: A mirror.
Little Boxes -- Luke 6:27-38 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2025
Object: Two small containers or boxes and several pieces of paper.
The Jesus Shirt -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- John Jamison -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2025
Object: A Jesus shirt.
Be Quiet! -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- John Jamison -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2025
Object: A phone with a camera, a candy bar, and all kinds of noisemakers.
Temptation -- Luke 4:1-13 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Object: Two pairs of headphones.
Lion or Fox! -- Luke 13:31-35 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Object: Two stuffed animals: a lion and a fox.* * *
The Fig Trees! -- Luke 13:1-9 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Object: Two garden plants. One plant is healthy and looks great.
Two Sons -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Object: A rock about the size of a tennis ball, baseball, or even a softball.
The Smell of Money -- John 12:1-8 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Object: A small pillow or cushion, a bowl, and a jar.
Being Young -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- John Jamison -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2025
Object: The object for this message is an activity for your children.
The End? -- John 18:1--19:42 -- John Jamison -- Good Friday - C -- 2025
Object: A box of Kleenex?* * *
The Beginning! -- Luke 24:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Easter Day - C -- 2025
Activity: The Easter Game. See the note. 

Sermon

CSSPlus

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...
Easter 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 4
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
33 – 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
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
For May 25, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A mat, like an exercise mat, or a blanket.

Note: You can do this all by yourself, but if you want to have more fun, help your children role-play the story. Select one child to be the sick man, and a few children to be the crowd. I usually play the role of Jesus so I can easily guide things. As you tell the story, have the sick man try to crawl, and have a group of children be the crowd blocking him, and then after Jesus helps him, have the man stand up, roll the mat up under his arm, and walk away smiling. Have fun with it!

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
(This particular installment of StoryShare is adapted from a review of “Seven Psalms” that I wrote for Messenger, our denominational magazine.)

During the night, Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (v. 9)

It all began with a dream.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
The church is a work in progress — and we are expected to be a critical part of that church’s work. In the absence of synagogue worship, Lydia and her fellow believers meet anyway at the riverside. Their faithfulness leads to Paul’s dream which helps create something where there was nothing. The passage from Revelation creates a target for us to aim for, and to work for, even as we wait for its perfect fulfillment.
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Acts 16:9-15
John Calvin claimed that this is a text to stir up our commitments to reach out to those in need, especially in this time of intolerance towards immigrants and the poor. A 2024 Gallup poll indicates that 56% of Americans favor mass deportation. And in the most recent poll on the subject of the poor, (a 2002 NPR/Kaiser poll), 52% of Americans found the poor not to have a proper work ethic. It is unlikely we have outgrown that prejudice. In response, the reformer of Geneva wrote:

SermonStudio

Wayne Brouwer
During World War II, many members of the Lutheran church in Germany lost their faith because Hitler seduced them into ways of living that kept them from practicing their faith. But there was one man whom Hitler could not compromise. His name was Martin Niemöller. During World War I, Niemöller had been a great hero in the German military but when the Second World War came, he refused to bow to the authorities. He was marching to a different drumbeat. And march he did.
Forrest E. Chaffee
After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Stephen P. McCutchan
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us....
-- Psalm 67:1

Steven E. Albertin
(Sing the first verse and chorus of "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic.")

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.

Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
1

Charles D. Reeb
Life has a way of presenting us with defining moments. I remember facing a defining moment in my ministry. I went to see a man in the hospital who was dying. He was not active in the church I pastored, but I knew who he was. When I entered his hospital room, his whole family was standing in a semi-circle around his bed. They greeted me, and then the man told his family that he wanted a moment alone with me. So they left us alone.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said to the paralysed man, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." In our worship today let us explore all that paralyses us, then let us respond to Jesus' command to stand up and walk.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes I'm so afraid of ridicule that I keep my head down.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I'm so afraid of doing the wrong thing that I do nothing at all.
Christ, have mercy.

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