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Children's Activity

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Witnessing about Jesus -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Materials Large safety pins
A place for me! -- John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Teachers or Parents: Death is a great taboo in our society.
Welcoming God -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Materials: Welcome sign example Colored paper Cardboard Glue
"On becoming a saint" -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - A
Teachers or Parents: The word "saint" in modern English has
Freedom! -- John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - C
Teachers or Parents: If you have a Monopoly game, get the "Get
A surprised Nathanael -- John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Teachers or Parents: Prejudging others ("prejudice") is very
Who's number one? -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Materials A favorite easy cookie recipe All ingredients for recipe
A room in heaven -- John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Materials:White paper on a roll Scissors Glue
"Words or Word?" -- John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
Teachers or Parents: Show your chidren how you communicate
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
Fighting temptation -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Teachers and Parents: Teaching our children the difference
Celebrity Jesus -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Materials Hanger String Construction paper Markers Hole punch
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)
Lunch for one -- John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
Clear shellac Animal crackers Pin backs Glue Instructions
Listening to and following Jesus -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
Materials:Large rocks (the bigger the better)Paint
Sometimes it's hard to be strong! -- Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
To illustrate today's Gospel reading, discuss with the
Like a butterfly -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B
Teachers or Parents: Our children should learn the true meaning
You can tell -- John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Teachers or Parents: Children don't need to learn the truth of
Building blocks - not stumbling blocks -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Note: The teacher should bring Legos to class, or each student bring some of her own.
Matthew 5:13-20 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A
Teachers: Jesus made a great compliment to people when he
Great faith! -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
Teachers or Parents: The theme of trusting in Jesus is most
The authority for Christians -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Materials Heavy construction paper or poster board Markers Glue
Earning Respect -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Parents or Teachers: In today's lesson the word "respect" was explored.
Dove of the Holy Spirit -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Teachers: Today's lesson tells about a dove descending from
Sign of the cross -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Teachers: This week's story tells of Jesus driving people from

Children's sermon

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Pictures To Show You -- John 3:1-17 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2017
Isn't it fun to share pictures with each other, particularly if you have just visited a new place an
Math – Jesus' Style -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2017
...I chose to give to this last the same as I give to you...so the last will be first and th
Focus On The Arrow -- John 14:1-14 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2017
The first words that are in our Bible reading today are, "Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Dying Of Thirst -- John 4:5-42 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2017
We are going to go back in time for our story today.
Who's In Charge? -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Wesley T. Runk -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2017
Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the e
Excuses, Excuses -- John 14:15-21 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2017
I have some mail today! Who would like to open it? Please read what it says.
Worth Waiting For! -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2017
Can anyone tell me what all of these items have in common?
Mean Lies -- John 9:1-41 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2017
Let's imagine that there is a new student that comes to your school.
The Very Best Of All -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2017
“The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most
Looking For The Holy Spirit -- John 20:19-23 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2017
When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'receive the Holy Spirit.' (v.
The Big Little Word -- John 11:1-45 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2017
Have you ever played a word game called Scrabble? The bigger the word the more points that you get.
All Are Welcome -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2017
“and gathered all whom he found, both good and bad, so the wedding hall was filled with gues
Stickers Anyone? -- John 17:1-11 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2017
What do you think of  ______________(child with stickers all over them)?
A True Friend -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2017
Hey, who wants to be my friend?  I have candy to share!  I am so happy that you are all my wonderful
A Trick Question Exposed -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2017
“...give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperors and to God the things tha
Go And Lo -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2017
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations....and lo I am with you always...” (v.
Doing The Unpleasant -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2017
I have a surprise in my bag today but I'm not sure if any of you would like to see it. You see...
The Greatest Commandment Of All -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2017
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
Lost And Found -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2017
“As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The Kingdom of Heaven has come near”
Truthfulness Under Pressure -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Good Friday - A -- 2017
How many of you like to have a snack before you go to bed.
Who's The Greatest? -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Wesley T. Runk -- All Saints Day - A -- 2017
The greatest among you will be your servant.
A mystery -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2017
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother
No Fear -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2017
Do not fear... (v. 28)Good morning girls and boys,
Hard Times -- John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-10 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Easter Day - A -- 2017
When you see a box of tissues what do you normally think of?
Always Be Prepared! -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2017
“Keep awake therefore...” (v. 13a)Good morning girls and boys,

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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