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Children's Activity

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He had compassion -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Teachers or Parents: The theme for both lessons today is good
The marks on Jesus -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
This week's Gospel Lesson deals with Thomas and his desire
It's good to be here -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Teachers and Parents: The transfiguration event in itself is
Who is Jesus, really? -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Materials Craft foam Craft scissors Crayons Unlined white paper
"In whose name?" -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Teachers or Parents: Jesus had a mission to fulfill and
THE King! -- John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Teachers or Parents: Today is the end of the church year.
Forgiving each other -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Materials Ribbon or cording, 22 inches for each child
Our free ticket -- John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Teachers or Parents: John 3:16 is often called "The Gospel in a
The double dare -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Materials Popsicle sticks, 8 for each child Cord Stiff glue Paint
Second chance -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Teachers or Parents: It is important for children to learn
Gifts Of The Magi -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
Teachers: Most youngsters (and many adults) have a
Jesus is the real thing! -- Mark 1:1-8
Materials Polaroid camera and film Instructions
Witnessing about Jesus -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Materials Large safety pins
"Words or Word?" -- John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
Teachers or Parents: Show your chidren how you communicate
A surprised Nathanael -- John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Teachers or Parents: Prejudging others ("prejudice") is very
A room in heaven -- John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Materials:White paper on a roll Scissors Glue
What is your name? -- Luke 2:15-21
Teachers: The lesson tells about Jesus being given a name. Go
I am the good shepherd -- John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Teachers: Today's lesson is about Jesus the good shepherd.
Living in heaven will be perfect -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
Materials: Embroidery floss (multiple colors) Beads Yarn (multiple colors)
The source of our knowledge -- John 1:10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Teachers or Parents: Jesus came into the world to save us
"On becoming a saint" -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - A
Teachers or Parents: The word "saint" in modern English has
A place for me! -- John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Teachers or Parents: Death is a great taboo in our society.
Freedom! -- John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - C
Teachers or Parents: If you have a Monopoly game, get the "Get
A miracle -- John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
This week we again are treated to an example of Jesus using the ordinary to do something extraordina
Keys to the kingdom -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
Parents and Teachers: This lesson tells the story about Peter

Children's sermon

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Time with God -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Wesley T. Runk -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2018
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went of
Great Greatness -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2018
“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name, welcomes me...” (v.37a)
Listening Loudly -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2018
“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” (v. 7b)
Sprinkle, Sparkle -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2018
“Salt is good; (v. 50a)Good morning boys and girls,
Beloved Just As You Are -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Arley K. Fadness -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2018
“And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.'” (
A Smile From God -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2017
Have you ever received one of these on a paper at school?
Listen! -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2017
Let anyone with ears listen!  (v. 9)Good morning boys and girls,
What's My Name? -- John 1:29-42 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2017
How many of you know my name?  But do you know all my names?  I'm also known as Aunt ________.  or U
Wheat And Weeds Separated -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2017
...The Kingdom of Heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; bu
Got A Flashlight? -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2017
I want to tell you a story today about two guys that went hiking.  They were two teenage cousins tha
The Kingdom Of Surprises -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2017
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the
Snack Time -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2017
It's snack time!  (Divide your group in half and give salty items to one group and unsalted items to
Saving Hands -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2017
“...and he cried out, “Lord save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and saved him.”
Time For Some Weeding -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2017
It may surprise you that I have my gardening gloves on today as it isn't the time of year for growin
Great Faith -- Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2017
Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith!
Tight Fisted -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2017
Who thinks they can open up my tight fist? Anyone want to try?
You are Jesus -- that's for sure! -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2017
Simon Peter answered, “You are Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” (v.16)
A Peep Hole -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2017
I have something to show you today BUT...
How Much is Your Soul Worth? -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Wesley T. Runk -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2017
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Secretly -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2017
What do you think of when you see a beautiful present (let kids respond) Maybe birthdays...
Tug-O-Love -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2017
Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be don
Is It Raining? -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2017
I have an umbrella with me today, not because it is raining outside (or maybe it is!) but I want to
Goals For Jesus -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2017
How many of you like to play soccer?  How many of you like to be on the winning team?  Our lives are
A Box Of Forgiveness -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2017
...how often should I forgive?....seventy-seven times...(v. 21b, 21b)
I Want My Mommy -- John 10:1-10 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2017
Today I would like you to think of a time when you saw a little toddler crying -- sort of like my pi

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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?”

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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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