Login / Signup

CSSPlus

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

Children's Activity

CSSPlus

Listen to God -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2008
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Serving others -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2008
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Patriotism -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2008
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Good for us -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Good Friday - A -- 2008
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Backpacking -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Materials:Thin ribbonRound lollipops
Preparing -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Materials: Toilet paper rolls Paint Paintbrushes
Your home -- John 14:23-29 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Now or later? -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Materials: Craft sticks -- around fifty per child Thick glue
Joining Jesus -- John 17:20-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
A mystery -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Remembering -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Not yet -- John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Baby Jesus -- Luke 2:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Hearing the news -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Backpacking -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Sharing God's love -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEMEAT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Where to look -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
A new man -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Like a dove -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Not welcome -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Changes -- John 1:29-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Gathering us in -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Passing the peace -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Following directions -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Disasters -- Luke 13:1-5 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2007
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:

Children's sermon

CSSPlus

Be Careful! -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2023
Object: A Bible. I begin with it in a paper sack.
God's Surprises! -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- John Jamison -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2023
Object: If you have an old oil lamp, you can use that and modify the text a bit.
God's Treasure! -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- John Jamison -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2023
Object: Create fifteen (15) small bags by tying the tops of little pieces of cloth
Thanks! -- Luke 17:11-19 -- John Jamison -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2023
Object: For this role-play activity, use a piece of poster board or paper to create
Whose Plans? -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
Object: Ideally, find a big map of the Holy Land to show where Mary and Joseph trav
We Are Needed! -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- John Jamison -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2023
Object: Some type of “ID” card, like a driver’s license.
God's Disguises -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- John Jamison -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2023
Object: A poster board with pictures on both sides.
Throw Away the Sack! -- John 1:29-42 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2023
Object: A paper sack or plastic bag.* * *
God's Surprise: Being Careful! -- Mark 13:24-37 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Object: A sign with the word “CAREFUL” printed on it in big letters.
Leaving A Trail! -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023
Object: See the notes.
God's Surprise: God's Craziness! -- Mark 1:1-8 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Object: You need pieces of clothing to dress two children.
The Bee-Attitudes -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2023
Object:  A jar of honey.
Who Am I? -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Object: A birth certificate.* * *
Neighbors! -- Luke 10:25-37 -- John Jamison -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2022
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
Doing What Is Important! -- Luke 10:38-42 -- John Jamison -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2022
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha op
Decisions -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2022
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared
The Glass Prayer! -- Luke 11:1-13 -- John Jamison -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2022
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him,
Love-Proof! -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- John Jamison -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2022
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.
Gimme, Gimme! -- Luke 12:13-21 -- John Jamison -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2022
Object: An ear of corn.
Only the Best! -- John 2:1-11 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2022
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water;” so they filled them to the brim.
Tickets Please! -- Luke 12:32-40 -- John Jamison -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2022
Object: A ticket to give to each child.
At Home -- Luke 4:14-21 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2022
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synag
First Responders! -- Luke 12:49-56 -- John Jamison -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2022
Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) I have a question for you today.
Awards! -- Luke 4:21-30 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2022
He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Rule Number One! -- Luke 13:10-17 -- John Jamison -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2022
Object: A list of rules, or a book of rules.

Sermon

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
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

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For September 21, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Well, it’s autumn, and by now the seeds we planted in the spring either took root and produced or else the weather, pests, rabbits, or our own laziness conspired to make this year’s garden less than a success. But at one point we had to get started and actually plant seeds for the future.

Jeremiah is looking back from the perspective of our spiritual well-being and laments than our spiritual harvest has all been for naught. He wonders if it is now too late for a recovery. Is there no healing, no balm in Gilead, to apply to our wounds?
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 and Psalm 79:1-9
In the spring as farmers and gardeners prepare to plant we are looking at a summer of possibilities. Hard work, to be sure, but also potential. What will happen? What will this season be like? At summer’s end there will be no more questions. We’ll know. Maybe it was a great season, and we have canned or frozen many vegetables. Maybe the farmers have brought in a bumper crop and they got a good price besides.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message will be based on a game you will play. See the note below.

NOTE: Ask three or more adults to come up and play the role of Simon for your group. Tell them to all speak at once, asking the children to do different things. The goal is to create a nice bit of confusion for the children to experience.

* * *

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

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hey!” Annie waved at the woman standing next to the open doorway. “Can you come here?”

The woman made her way past the other nursing home residents and stood next to Annie’s wheelchair.

“What can I do for you?”

“You look familiar.” Annie squinted at her. “Do I know your name?”

“I’m Brenda.” The woman pointed at her name tag. “I work in the kitchen and sometimes help serve the meals when they are ready.”

“That’s right. I think we’ve met before.” Annie tapped her lips with her finger. “You have the nice smile.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” In our worship today let us remember the little things in our lives and ask God to help us to be utterly faithful in them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we pretend that little sins don't matter.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we imagine that you don't notice little sins.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
This poignant prayer of lament and community grief gives expression to what it feels like to suffer as a person of faith. If we believe we are truly part of God's community, then the destruction of that community -- as was the case with Israel in 587 B.C. -- becomes a time for doubt, anger, and confusion. Furthermore, if we believe we are individual members of that community, our personal suffering also creates an opportunity for a crisis of faith: "Why didn't God protect me?" Of course, it does not take a national catastrophe to raise those sorts of questions.
Kirk R. Webster
If feedback is the breakfast of champions, perhaps we would do well to examine some of our prayer habits. If you have ever heard someone use The Just Really Prayer, you know exactly what problem we are talking about.

That prayer goes something like this, "Lord, we just really thank you for this day. We come before you and just really pray for mercy. We offer ourselves to you and just really ask that your will be done in our lives. Amen." I'm thankful this particular Just Really prayer was mercifully short, unlike the next example, The Good Guilt-Based Prayer.
John W. Wurster
Another season has come and gone. Promises that were made have not been fulfilled. Good intentions haven't yielded any tangible results. Dreams have not come true. High hopes have proven to be only wishful thinking. Nothing has really changed; nothing has really improved. The time keeps moving along, but we seem stuck in the same ruts. Old routines remain, prejudices persist, dullness and anxiety continue to be constant companions. Lingering in the air is that nagging sense that things aren't quite right, not as they could be, not as they should be.
R. Robert Cueni
In the scripture lesson for today Jesus tells a perplexing parable about a thoroughly dishonest employee who was praised for his dishonesty. In this story Jesus not only seems comfortable suggesting that it is acceptable to compromise with moral failings, but our Lord appears to commend his disciples to "go and do likewise." For centuries, preachers, commentators, and scholars have struggled to make sense of this outrageous tale.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL