Login / Signup

CSSPlus

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Children's Activity

CSSPlus

Marking time -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
One of us -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Baptizer -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Friends -- John 10:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
You just had to be there... -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Prepare a place -- John 14:1-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Impossible -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Father, Son, Spirit -- John 14:15-21 -- Leah Thompson -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Read all about it -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Leah Thompson -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Extra-terrestrial -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Leah Thompson -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Earn your stickers -- John 17:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Receive -- John 20:19-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Promises to keep -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Welcome -- Hospitality -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Safe and warm -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Good soil -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Weeds -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
One pearl -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Bread of Life -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
First impressions -- Matthew 14:22-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Ask... and ask again -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
What do you see? -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Take up your cross -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Playing referee -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Lost and found -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:

Children's sermon

CSSPlus

Good News! -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- John Jamison -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2023
Object: This message uses two motions instead of objects.
Getting Even! -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- John Jamison -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2023
Object: We want something to represent a club to give to each child.
Transfiguration -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- John Jamison -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2023
Object: A bright flashlight.
Recognizing Jesus! -- Luke 2:22-40 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2023
Object: Seven silver coins to represent shekels.
Take Off the Gloves! -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- John Jamison -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
Object: A pair of medical gloves for each child.
Show and Tell! -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- John Jamison -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2023
Object: Create cards for a game of Charades.
Training! -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- John Jamison -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2023
Object: Three eggs and three, small “Nerf” balls.
Tempting! -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Object:  A cookie, a trophy or award of some kind, and a pair of socks.
Do Not Be Afraid! -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- John Jamison -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2023
Object: A penny for each child.
Listening -- John 3:1-17 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Object: A diploma.
Try -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- John Jamison -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
Object: Three plastic or paper cups like those you get when you buy a soda.
Seeing -- John 4:5-42 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Object:  A pair of tinted glasses, like sunglasses. * * *
Rest -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- John Jamison -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2023
Object: A large cardboard box with the following things inside: a rock, a large boo
The Bowl -- John 9:1-41 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Object: A small bowl made of clay or plain ceramic.
Sowing Seeds -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- John Jamison -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2023
Object: A packet of seeds, a rock, a boot, a weed, a vegetable from the garden.
Unwrapping! -- John 11:1-45 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Object: Three or four rips of cloth.
God's Garden -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- John Jamison -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2023
Object: For the most fun and impact, use a weed-eater.
Erasing! -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- John Jamison -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2023
Object: A wipe-off marker board, markers, and eraser.
God's Math -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- John Jamison -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2023
Object: A blank piece of poster paper, markers, and the attached list of numbers.
Commands! -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- John Jamison -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2023
Object: A babysitter.
We're Going to Need More Baskets! -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- John Jamison -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2023
Object: A handful of dried or fresh reeds, or other material used to create woven b
One Little Thing! -- John 18:1--19:42 -- John Jamison -- Good Friday - A -- 2023
Object: A photo album with no photos in it.
Don't Be Afraid! -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- John Jamison -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2023
Object: This message includes a role-play instead of an object.
Winning! -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- John Jamison -- Easter Day - A -- 2023
Object: A rock.
Bullies -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- John Jamison -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2023
Object: The object for today is a motion you will ask the children to make with you

Sermon

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
Easter 4
28 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 5
33 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
35 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)

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?”

CSSPlus

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.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL