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Children's Activity

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Humility -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Teachers or Parents: The Christian view of God's concern for
Loving by doing -- John 14:15-21 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A
Teachers or Parents: Today is Mother's Day and a good time for
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
"Use it or lose it" -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Teachers or Parents: How early can we begin to teach
Who is on the Lord's side? -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Materials Craft foam Craft scissors Markers Pin back Glue
The miracle of working together -- John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Materials:Construction paper Scissors Markers, pencils Stickers
A special honor -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
Materials Craft foam (pre-cut into angel wings to save time if needed)
The authority for Christians -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Materials Heavy construction paper or poster board Markers Glue
Hit the bull's-eye! -- John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A
Teachers and Parents: The central truth of Christianity is
Earning Respect -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Parents or Teachers: In today's lesson the word "respect" was explored.
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
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
Believers are blessed -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Teachers or Parents: Following the great resurrection event of
"The right priority" -- John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Teachers or Parents: It is sometimes very difficult to get
Not for sale! -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Teachers or Parents: Being saved by grace goes against the
A Real Temptation -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Teachers: Today you may teach your students about dealing with
Not allowed -- John 13:31-35 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
Teachers or Parents: The theme in both lessons is the hope of
Father, Son, Holy Spirit -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Parents and Teachers: This is Trinity Sunday, the Sunday that
"Angry!" -- Matthew 2:13-18
Teachers or Parents: Anger is an emotion that can and does
The Bread of Life -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Teachers or Parents: Children especially comprehend the
A voice from heaven -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Teachers: In this scripture, Jesus speaks about his approaching
A wedding party -- John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Teachers: This lesson is the story of Jesus' first miracle. It
An empty tomb -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - A
This is a great way to share the Easter story with children.
Count the cost -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Teachers or Parents: Discipleship is as simple as a childlike

Children's sermon

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Instant Obedience -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2017
How many of you have a dog?  Have you ever tried to teach your dog some tricks?  Isn't it amazing ho
Welcome! -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2017
Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me... (v. 40a)
Using The Jewel(s) Inside Of You -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2017
“well done, good and trustworthy slave...” (v. 23b)
Is It True? -- John 20:19-31 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2017
Have you ever looked closely at a dollar bill?  Do you know whose picture is on it?
Amazing Books -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2017
I have just been to the library and look at all my amazing books!
Backpack Unpacked -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2017
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Seeing Jesus Today -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2017
“...come you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you...” (v.
When will it be time? -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Wesley T. Runk -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2017
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but on
Sheep and goats -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- New Year's Day - B -- 2017
Good morning! Can anyone tell me why we are here in church on a Saturday morning?
Someone's Coming -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2017
“The One who is more powerful than I is coming.” (v. 7a)
A Voice shouts "Straighten up" -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2017
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'made straight the way of the Lord.'” (
The Very Very Best Gift of all -- Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 -- Arley K. Fadness -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2017
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and laid him in a manger, because there was no roo
Growing up tall, smart and loved -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Arley K. Fadness -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2017
“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom and the favor of God was upon him.” (v
Spiritual vitamins -- Romans 16:25-27 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2017
Good morning, boys and girls.
Who Is Greatest? -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2016
The Point: in God’s kingdom the greatest is a servant of all
If Only -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2016
How many of you listen to your mom the first time she tells you to do something?
Love Each Other -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2016
The Point: if you care for the simplest needs of others, you are loving with a humb
Trusting In God -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2016
One day when Jesus was with his disciples, they asked him for something.
The Truth -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Good Friday - C -- 2016
The Point: the truth is that we all need a Savior
Bad Stuff -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2016
Does anyone know what this beautiful plant is?
The Empty Tomb -- John 20:1-18 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Easter Day - C -- 2016
The Point: the empty tomb was full of good news
Don't Give Up -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2016
Jesus often told his disciples stories to help them learn important lessons.
Believing With Your Heart -- John 20:19-31 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
The Point: don’t just know about Jesus, believe in Jesus with your heart
Pretty Package -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2016
Does anyone have a birthday today or this coming week or month?
Do You Love Jesus? -- John 21:1-19 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
The Point: Jesus wants us to love him not as a bother but as a Savior

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?”

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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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