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Children's Activity

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Believers are blessed -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Teachers or Parents: Following the great resurrection event of
A wedding party -- John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Teachers: This lesson is the story of Jesus' first miracle. It
A voice from heaven -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Teachers: In this scripture, Jesus speaks about his approaching
Names and titles -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
Materials:White potatoesAcrylic paint or stamp pads
An empty tomb -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - A
This is a great way to share the Easter story with children.
Protects and beautifies -- John 17:1-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
Teachers or Parents: Spend time beautifying something in your
Count the cost -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Teachers or Parents: Discipleship is as simple as a childlike
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
Ready and waiting -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
When Advent begins, everybody starts talking about Christmas and getting ready.
Fish Story Prayers -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Parents or Teachers: The lesson today was about the prayer of the
Who is Jesus? -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
Teachers or Parents: Jesus was a great many things. The people
"Sheep and goats" -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Teachers or Parents: The theme for our Gospel text is
"Remember to say thanks" -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - A
Teachers or Parents: One of the simple courtesies that
Here, there, and everywhere -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Materials A story book with a short story that can be read Instructions
"Safe in his hands" -- John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Teachers or Parents: Our children have a great need to feel
Give us ... -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Teachers or Parents: Both of today's lessons have to do
Customs that make us wise -- Luke 2:22-40 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Materials Small calendar for each child
We must learn to confess -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Read the Gospel lesson (Luke 13:1-9) to the children and ask
Baptism is important -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Teachers and Parents: The Gospel reading today telling of
Going and coming -- John 14:23-29 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Teachers or Parents: Children fear abandonment. Many children
A Voice From A Cloud -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Teachers: Three disciples heard a voice from a cloud. The
God sent a helper -- John 14:15-21
Materials:Wrapped box (for the teacher) Small boxes (one per child)
He is here! -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Teachers or Parents: When Jesus speaks of being "living
Are you ready for Christmas? -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Teachers or Parents: In our society, it is very easy for us to
Seeing Jesus as he is -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Teachers or Parents: Our children need to be reminded continually

Children's sermon

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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
Be Brave -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2016
I need a brave volunteer today. Please put your hands out...
True Security -- John 10:22-30 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
The Point: in the hands of Jesus we are secure for all eternity
Generous Love -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2016
We want to make a list today and so I've brought a white board to help us remember it all.
A New Commandment -- John 13:31-35 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
The Point: love one another as Jesus has loved us
Hot Bread! -- John 6:25-35 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2016
How many of you have ever smelled fresh bread baking?  It makes you so hungry.  Maybe you will have
The Light Of The Holy Spirit -- John 14:23-29 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
The Point: in the light of the Holy Spirit we can grow in our understanding of the
Unity, Jesus Prayer For Us -- John 17:20-26 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
The Point: Jesus prays for unity among his followers
Dazzling White -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2016
The Point: Jesus makes us dazzling white
Wow! God Is With Us! -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
Has anyone ever told you, "You look just like your father or just like your mother?" You can't hide
Witness To The Saving Work Of Jesus -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2016
The Point: as Jesus ascends to heaven we are left to be his witnesses in the world
All Dirty! -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
Who is brave today and wants to take out the item in my bag?  I have to warn you that it isn't the c
The Promised Holy Spirit -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2016
The Point: the promised Holy Spirit has come to empower our faith and instruct our
What A Suprise! -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2016
Today I have a bag of surprises!  How fun surprises can be!  There is the thrill of surprise and won
Trinity: Father, Son, And Holy Spirit -- John 16:12-15 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2016
The Point: God, the Trinity, has come to us as God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit
What A Surprise! -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
How many of you love birthday parties? Have you ever been to a surprise birthday party?
Key To Eternal Life -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2016
The Point: Jesus is the key to eternal life so put your faith in him
Important People -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
Today I have rolled out the red carpet for you.  We are not famous people, movie stars or royalty, s
Being A Friend -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2016
What makes you sad?  Have you ever had a friend that was really upset?  You often don't know what to
How To Appreciate Jesus -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2016
How many of you like cars?
Made Clean -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2016
I have a really amazing story to tell you today.
Wedding Bells -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2016
Does anyone know what this book is? It is called a wedding album.
Top Of The List -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2016
Have you ever been asked to do something that you didn't want to do?
Get Ready, Get Set... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2016
Today I need your help. I can't remember what we say when we start out on a race.
Wise People Still Look For Jesus -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2016
The Point: Seek Jesus with your wealth, your worship, and your life

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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