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Children's Activity

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A changing face -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
Teachers: Sometimes when children are younger, the significance and possible explanation of a partic
Children Of God -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A
Teachers: This lesson offers you a chance to do role-playing.
Answering the call immediately -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
Materials:Store-bought placemat (one per child) Sandpaper
Sabbath for humankind -- Mark 2:23-28 -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B
Teachers or Parents: Jesus and his disciples had a meal of
God's checking account -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Teachers: The lesson is on giving to the emperor and to God.
How many know him? -- John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Teachers or Parents: Christmas has unfortunately become a
That the blind may see -- John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Teachers or Parents: Spiritual blindness (the condition of a
Each From Their Own Place -- Luke 13:22-30 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
Parents or Teachers: The lesson today is about people coming from the
Kind of like baptism -- Luke 2:21
Teachers or Parents: Celebrate the new year by celebrating the
Evidence and testimony -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C
Teachers or Parents: Today's children's sermon uses legal
He knows you so well -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A
It's amazing to consider that God knows the number of hairs on our heads.
What is prayer? -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
For such a simple thing, prayer is really intimidating for some people.
Help the children -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Teachers or Parents: The words of Jesus about children give us an
"The cost of discipleship" -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Teachers or Parents: The Gospel message that we are saved as
Protection -- John 17:6-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Teachers or Parents: Protecting our children is an
Best friends -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Teachers: For this exercise you will need magazines to cut
Give us a cheer! -- Luke 21:25-36 -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Materials A t-shirt for each child
What is missing? -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Small and mighty -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
'God forever!' -- Mark 13:24--37 -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Teachers or Parents: This is a new year -------- a new church year, that is.
Walking in faith -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
"Beginning" -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Teachers or Parents: We are one Sunday into the new church year and we are just ahead of the calend
Where's the power? -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Good vision -- Luke 2:22-40 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Teachers or Parents: Prophecy is nothing magical.
Spread the good news -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:

Children's sermon

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Bearing fruit -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2010
"Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among y
Role models -- James 5:7-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the
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.
Apple of my eye -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Leah Thompson -- Easter Day - C -- 2010
"… for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ." (v. 22)
Stamina -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (v. 7)
Family -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2010
"But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus y
Love -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Leah Thompson -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2010
Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every
Missing person -- John 20:1-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Easter Day - C -- 2010
They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord,
Mercy -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his br
Word of mouth -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2010
" 'Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.' So he went away, proclaiming
Beloved -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Leah Thompson -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2010
And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." (v.
Surprise! -- John 20:19-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the
Outgrown -- 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
"We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith
Slave or free -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2010
"For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportu
Likewise -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Worthy -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and hon
Sons of Abraham -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
"Then Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abra
Who is my neighbor? -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2010
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" (v. 29)
Moving day -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophe
Man overboard! -- John 21:1-19 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumpe
Remember me -- Ephesians 1:11-23 -- Leah Thompson -- All Saints Day - C -- 2010
"I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this r
Shaping up -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2010
"For in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether
Distractions -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2010
But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things." (v.
Mysteries -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2010
With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his goo
Washing clean -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them

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New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
Merry Christmas! The midwinter festival has come, and it calls for parties, feasting and drinking and dancing and the exchange of gifts. Like all people in the northern hemisphere, we need light in the dark days of winter. The only problem with all of this is that the pressure to be joyful can send us spiraling in the exact opposite of mind sets.
Christmas shops are not just for Christmas anymore. These stores that specialize in everything yuletide-ish do business year round and can be found everywhere. I have seen them in an outlet mall near Washington, D.C., nestled in a small village in the mountains of North Carolina and adorning the white sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is born! A bright light has come into our world, so let us thank and praise God for his gift to us of Jesus, the Messiah.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, make us worthy to worship at your crib.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, may we remember you in today's excitement.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, be born in our hearts today.

Lord, have mercy

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
A Story to Live By: "
Christmas Stories: "Christmas Presence" by Janice Hammerquist
"Silver In His Soul"
"www.ChristmasHouse" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: Great Prayer of Thanksgiving for Christmas Eve by Thom M. Shuman


What's Up on Christmas Eve

Lamar Massingill
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"Taking His Joy unto Ourselves" by Lamar Massingill
"God Acted that We Might Act" by Lamar Massingill
"The Hopes and Fears of All the Years" by John Sumwalt
"God with Us" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


Taking His Joy unto Ourselves
Lamar Massingill
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Christmas would be incomplete without recognizing Incarnate Love's first fruit, which is joy. Johann Sebastian Bach recognized it when he, as an act of worship, composed "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."

SermonStudio

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7 (C, RC); Isaiah 9:2--4, 6--7 (E)
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night: This night with its carols, its candlelight, its communion, and the combined fragrance of pine, poinsettia and perfume. (Is that Passion or Poison you're wearing? Or maybe it's Polo!) The gentle poetry of Luke's story draws us, too.

Why is it that we are so drawn to this night, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
It's not an easy life, I'll tell you that. I work my small farm during the day, but that doesn't bring in enough money. I have a family to support, taxes to pay -- oy, don't get me started on taxes -- so I need more than my farm brings in. I do the only other thing I know how to do. I hire myself out for the night shift watching other people's sheep. Tending sheep would not be my first choice, you understand. First, I have to stay awake all night. Then, there's counting the sheep to make sure one or two haven't wandered off. Thieves are always a problem.
Timothy J. Smith
There is a special feeling from being in church on Christmas Eve. For many of us it feels like coming home for Christmas. We come to hear the familiar story of Mary and Joseph making their way to the little town of Bethlehem. We hear once again of Baby Jesus born in stable. Soon after an unexpected encounter with angels, the shepherds head to the manger to see Jesus for themselves. Children have creatively acted out this story for generations complete with the wise men offering their gifts. Living Nativities complete with live animals are portrayed in church parking lots in many communities.
Frank Luchsinger
"The grace of God has appeared ... training us ... to await our blessed hope" (Titus 2:11-13), and oh, how we have waited! The air is filled with anticipation, the Holy Night has come. We each wait for different things: the lighting of candles, the singing of carols, loved ones returning home, feasting, and forgetting ferment, for the Prince of Peace is coming. We wait for delight in the eyes of someone we love as he or she opens that special gift. We wait in awe in the hope that one star's strong light lingers still and will lead us home to him who redeems us.
John B. Jamison
He stood on the steps and waved. He nodded to those cheering to him from below, and took a deep breath as if to soak up their praise.
Susan R. Andrews
At the risk of putting you to sleep, I'd like to ask each one of you to close your eyes. Right now, for just a minute. Please close your eyes. And now imagine with me. Imagine that you are holding a newborn baby. Imagine how this baby feels - skin touching skin, curves touching curves - harmonious heartbeats as life surges between you. Imagine the smell - the earthy sweetness of breath and body perfuming the air. Imagine the sound - the silent melody of sighing, stretching, settling. Right now, for just a minute, let your imagination go. Feel the baby. Smell the baby. Hear the baby.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering
P: Born into this world,
C: born into our lives,
P: God made flesh.
C: O Emmanuel, we praise you now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Of Praise
O Come, All Ye Faithful or Jesus, What A Wonderful Child

Gospel Procession
Have the children (dressed as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds) process and then read the gospel from the center of the congregation.

Intercessory Prayers
After each petition:
L: O God of love,
C: be born in us today.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Sing A New Song To The Lord (PH216)
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (UM220, PH22, NCH126)
Born In The Night (PH30, NCH152)
Once In Royal David's City (PH49, UM250, NCH145)
The First Nowell (PH56, UM245, CBH199, NCH139)
On This Day Earth Shall Ring (UM248, PH46, CBH192)
What Child Is This? (UM219, PH53, CBH215, NCH148)
Silent Night (PH60, UM229, CBH193, PH134)
The Friendly Beasts (UM227, NCH138)
That Boy--Child Of Mary (PH55, UM241)
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light -

All: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shone.

Women: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

Men: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders -

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Merry Christmas, boys and girls. (Show one of your signs). Do any of you know what this sign means? (Let them answer.) That's right, it means (provide answer). (Show another sign and ask what it means. Let them answer.) Very good. Signs are very important aren't they? They give us direction. They tell us what to do and what not to do. The Bible gives many signs also.

You all know the story about the shepherds on Christmas Eve. The shepherds were in the field watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared to them. The Bible says that the shepherds
Leah Thompson
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all… (v. 11)

Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) Who can tell me what today is? (allow answers) That's right -- it's finally here! Today is Christmas [Eve]! We have spent the whole season of Advent preparing for right now. The long preparation is finally over. Christmas is here!

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