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Children's Activity

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Chance -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
He was a what? -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Friends forever -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Lessons to learn -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Relativity -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Mercy -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Fly away home -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Sons of Abraham -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Fame -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Before a fall -- Luke 6:20-31 -- Leah Thompson -- All Saints Day - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Word of mouth -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Great expectations -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Who is my neighbor? -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Stones -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Distractions -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
King of the Jews -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Leah Thompson -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Hare-brained -- John 6:25-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Persistent -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Be Prepared -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Empty riches -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Bearing fruit -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Silver and gold -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
What (not) to wear -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Bringing fire -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Angel -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME

Children's sermon

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Influencers -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- John Jamison -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2023
Object: The object for today is a cell phone or digital tablet of some kind.
From Nope to Hope! -- John 20:19-31 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Object: I use black electrical tape to create the word “NOPE” on a board big enough
Decisions! -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- John Jamison -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2023
Object: One of those “Magic Eight Balls”, or a simple coin to toss.
Recognizing Jesus! -- Luke 24:13-35 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Object: You will need bread.
Disagreement! -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- John Jamison -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2023
Object: A collection of simple protest signs the children can wave in the air.
The Gate to the Sheepfold -- John 10:1-10 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Object: A sheepfold gate.
Forgiveness! -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- John Jamison -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2023
Object: This message is created as a role-playing activity.
Whatever You Ask! -- John 14:1-14 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Object: A whole, raw potato and a sack.* * *
Two Kingdoms -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- John Jamison -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2023
Object: A cut-out Roman denarius.
If You Love Me! -- John 14:15-21 -- John Jamison -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Object: A box of chocolate, and a single red rose.
Two Sons -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- John Jamison -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2023
Object: This message will include a simple role-play activity.
We Have a Choice! -- Luke 24:44-53 -- John Jamison -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2023
Object: A coin to flip.* * *
Our Keys! -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- John Jamison -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2023
Object: A key to give each child. I use key blanks from a hardware store.
Thirsty! -- John 7:37-39 -- John Jamison -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2023
Object: A bottle of water.* * *
Party Rules -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- John Jamison -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2023
Object: A small card with the words “I CARE!” printed in big letters on one side to
The Real Law! -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- John Jamison -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2023
Object: A dollar bill, or any bill with a president’s image on it.
All, or Nothing at All! -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- John Jamison -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2023
Object: A Bible.
God Bless You! -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- John Jamison -- All Saints Day - A -- 2023
Object: A handkerchief.
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
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.
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.

Sermon

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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.

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