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Children's Activity

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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Sabbath laws -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME

Children's sermon

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Seek First! -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- John Jamison -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2024
Object: A colorful flower like a Bird of Paradise or something with an interesting-
Bread of Life! -- John 6:24-35 -- John Jamison -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2024
Object: A basket filled with different kinds of bread.
The Chain! -- Mark 1:14-20 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
Object: A length of chain.
The Promise of Christmas - Heavy Hearts! -- Luke 21:25-36 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2024
Object: A heavy coat for one of the children to wear.
Who Am I? -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- John Jamison -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2024
Object: A copy of a birth certificate.* * *
Afraid of Jesus? -- Mark 1:21-28 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2024
Object: The children and their actions will be your objects today.
The Promise of Christmas - Level and Smooth! -- Luke 3:1-6 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2024
Object: A shovel, rake, or hoe, or all three.* * *
The Promise of Christmas - What We Should Do! -- Luke 3:7-18 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2024
Object: Two shirts and two sandwiches or little bags of chips or cookies.
Bread From Heaven! -- John 6:51-58 -- John Jamison -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2024
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
Jesus the Influencer! -- Mark 1:29-39 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2024
Object: A phone, iPad or tablet, or anything you could use to show examples of "inf
The Promise of Christmas - Being There! -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2024
Object: A small bag of potato chips. This message includes role-playing.
Kind of Confusing! -- John 6:56-69 -- John Jamison -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2024
Object: A large wooden club and a winter jacket.* * *
Keeping Quiet! -- Mark 9:2-9 -- John Jamison -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2024
Object: Today’s story makes a great role-play experience.
The Promise of Christmas - Who To Pick? -- Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 -- John Jamison -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2024
Object: A crèche, or manger scene.
Lips and Hearts! -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- John Jamison -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2024
Object: A drawing or photo of lips and a drawing or photos of a heart.
In Secret! -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- John Jamison -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2024
Object: Three stacking cups.
Treasure! -- Luke 2:41-52 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2024
Object: A painting, a book, and a rock.* * *
Influencers! -- Mark 7:24-37 -- John Jamison -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2024
Object: Fancy, dark sunglasses like a famous person might wear.
Time Out! -- Mark 1:9-15 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Object: The object for this message is the Time-Out hand sign to use with the child
Picking Up Our Cross! -- Mark 8:27-38 -- John Jamison -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2024
Object: A small cross to give to each child.
Me! Me! Me! -- Mark 8:31-38 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Object: One piece of clear glass and one mirror.
The Great Debate! -- Mark 9:30-37 -- John Jamison -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2024
Object: A whiteboard, or large piece of paper you can write on.
My Father's House! -- John 2:13-22 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Object: This message makes a good role play.
One of Us! -- Mark 9:38-50 -- John Jamison -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2024
Object: A pack of Post-It Notes® and a big piece of cardboard or board t
Light and Darkness! -- John 3:14-21 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Object: A copy of the

Sermon

UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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31 – Commentary / Exegesis
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John Jamison
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it out as a role-play. I will show the role-play version, but you can ignore the acting pieces and just tell the story if you prefer.

Note: For the role-play version, you will need to select two girls and one boy to play the roles. You might also have a broom and a dust rag if you want to.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started.

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For July 20, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (v. 24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middle of an admiring crowd of friends. Mary had always been a dancer, from the time she could walk. Privately, Martha thought she'd always been something of a show-off and ought to go on the stage, for Mary loved an audience.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jeanne Jones
Several years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin, I was an honorary nanny for our pastor's son, Jonathan. I took care of him from the time he was able to walk until our pastor moved, when Jonathan was about five. We had wonderful times together. One time, when I was at their house, and we had been doing some spiritual direction together, Pastor Michael asked me if I knew the name of my guardian angel.
James Evans
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against the godly" or "plotting destruction" all day long. The image we have in our minds about who "bad" people are, and how they conduct themselves, make such accusations completely plausible. We are less inclined to believe such things about leaders, especially respected leaders among us. We have difficulty believing someone with wealth and power would deliberately plot to do someone else harm.
Arley K. Fadness
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan. Luke positions the good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God."
Kirk R. Webster
In the early 1990s, Wesley Nunley of Dallas completed a project he had dreamed of for decades. "I tell you, this could be a big thing," he explained. Wes then walked out to a concrete octagon in the middle of his backyard. With a beaming smile, arms raised up in excitement, the energetic retiree said, "This welcomes the UFO to land, which has never been done before."
John W. Wurster
It was the best of times. A time of prosperity and confidence, a time of relative peace, a time when most everything looked pretty good, a time when most everyone felt pretty good. It was a time maybe not unlike our own time.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
Our God is both wise and caring: afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.

Pastoral Prayer
God, we bow before you this morning, knowing that you hear every prayer. We know that in all of Creation, you are the source of life. You are the one who set the light swirling between the galaxies. The breath of your Spirit pulses through all life. You have even become flesh among us. We praise you, Lord, that in all your wonder, you have not forgotten us.

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