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Children's Activity

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Embarrassed -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Teachers or Parents: One of the biggest fears we all have in
Share with all -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Today's lesson is a very easy one to understand. It is practical. It is clear.
You welcomed me -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Teachers: Often children wonder what they can do to
Forgiving a debt -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Teachers or Parents: Who is worthy of teaching about
Watch out for greed! -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
How do we define ourselves? When we think of our lives and our worth, what are the criteria we use?
The sick need medicine -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
Teachers or Parents: Jesus came to save sinners from the
"Luke, the physician" -- Luke 1:1-4; 24:44-53 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C
Teachers or Parents: It is good that our children know more
With God, it's easy -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Teachers or Parents: It has been said that the message of
Upon this rock -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
Today's reading introduces the word "church." One dictionary defines the word "church" as "the compa
Fill up the valley -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Teachers: It is hard to go through an Advent/Christmas season without at least once hearing some of
"Jesus heals" -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
Teachers or Parents: Jesus heals! During his life on earth,
The truth makes us free -- John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - B
Teachers: For this activity you will need sticky labels, or
Going with God -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
Teachers or Parents: Travel is likely to be part of the
Pruning the vine -- John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Materials Small piece of tree branch (1 for each child) Tape Markers
The meaning of transfiguration -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Materials:
Follow Jesus -- John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Teachers or Parents: In today's lesson we learn that some of
Jesus the Vine -- John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Teachers or Parents: Jesus is our vine and we are all
Tell others -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Teachers or Parents: Today's gospel lesson is about sharing in
Can you carry the cross? -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
What does it mean to put Christ first? What does it mean to carry his cross?
Keys to the kingdom -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
Parents and Teachers: This lesson tells the story about Peter
Not fair! -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Teachers or Parents: Young children especially have an acute
What's your treasure? -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
There are lots of different kinds of treasures.
Don't be afraid -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A
Teachers or Parents: Fear is something we all need to deal
We all need God's forgiveness -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Teachers or Parents: Forgiveness is a key to understanding
God's servants -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Teachers or Parents: As Christians, we are called by God to be

Children's sermon

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Fall -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far bet
Feet -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2011
Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no
Promises to keep -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2011
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (v. 20b)
What Is Concealed Now Is Revealed -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Anna Shirey -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2011
First Thoughts: This lesson focuses on the nature of revelation, to suddenly "see" something
Rise -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
For it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Just deserts -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Leah Thompson -- Good Friday - A -- 2011
Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. (v. 18:27)
Trust -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righ
Pointing Out the Christ -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Anna Shirey -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
First Thoughts: I want to focus a bit on John the Baptist -- who is such an interesting chara
Good works -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
"Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly
Arise! -- John 20:1-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Easter Day - A -- 2011
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and
Seeing into the Heart -- John 1:43-51 -- Anna Shirey -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2011
First Thoughts: Here we are looking at Jesus' first "recruiting" mission, as depicted in John
Account-able -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. (v. 7)
Sight unseen -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe
No fear -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." (v. 7)
Freeze! -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Anna Shirey -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2011
First Thoughts: In this next story of Jesus inviting disciples, we're going to focus on Jesus
Produce aisle -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that p
Oh, behave! -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live
Mary stayed at home -- John 11:1-45 -- Leah Thompson -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. (v.
Cleaning Out the Icks -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Anna Shirey -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2011
First Thoughts: A lesson about spiritual possession is a difficult one for children to unders
Rejoice -- Philippians 4:1-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. (v. 4)
One of us -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eye
Remembrance of me -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Leah Thompson -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2011
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he come
Saved to Serve -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Anna Shirey -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2011
First Thoughts: This scripture passage is a great lead-in to a conversation about need and gr
Detail work -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
And he said to him, "Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?" And he was speechle
Coming home -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of y

Sermon

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John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity.

Note: You will need to select six children to play roles in this activity. If you have a smaller group, you might ask some older youth or even adults to play the parts of the two attackers and the man being attacked. I will give suggestions for how they can play their roles, but feel free to help your children make the story as fun and memorable as you can. I have used boys and girls in the various roles, but you can change those however you want to change them.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For July 13, 2025:
  • Samaritans Among Us by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Samaritans were despised and dismissed by the original audience who first heard Jesus tell this parable. Who are the Samaritans in our lives and how does this parable apply today?
  • Second Thoughts: The Helpers by Katy Stenta based on Amos 7:7-17.

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
I say, “You are gods,
    children of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals
    and fall like any prince….”
(vv. 6-7)

There have been any number of brother-sister acts that achieved a measure of fame. Take the Carpenters, famed for their singing, musicianship, and songwriting skills. Also worthy of mention are John and Joan Cusack who have acted together in over sixteen films.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
An ancient legend tells of a remote mountain village where people used to send their senior citizens out into the woods to die. The villagers had an eye to the future; they felt that those beyond a certain age would only slow down progress or use up valuable resources to no economically profitable end. Those who reached a certain age weren’t “put out to pasture” or “put out of their misery”; they were simply put out of other people’s way.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Amos 7:7-17 and Psalm 82
The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is more than 2,700 feet high—over half a mile tall. It has 160 floors and is twice as tall as the Empire State Building in New York City. It is home to the world’s fastest elevator which reaches speeds of forty miles an hour. The Burj Khalifa also hosts the world’s highest outdoor observation deck (on the 124th floor) and the world’s highest swimming pool (on the 76th floor).

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Mabel hummed a familiar hymn tune as she made her way to church. She always enjoyed her Sunday morning walk. It was one of the few times she felt safe to walk alone through the inner city, for she knew nobody would be up at 7.45 in the morning. Today was a particularly beautiful morning, with blue sky, warm sunshine, and the song of a few intrepid blackbirds who still inhabited the city.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Often, a distinction is made between the pastoral or priestly work of the church and the prophetic work. Pastoral care has to do with the care of souls, the offering of comfort in times of loss. The priestly character of pastoral work seeks to mediate the presence of God to those who are hurting.

Schuyler Rhodes
Trusting is never easy. Even in the best of relationships, people step into trust slowly. There is wariness -- questioning -- worry. What happens if trust is betrayed? What if this doesn't work? Sometimes it's like a dance. We step in and out of trust, moving to the rhythms of fear. For many, the routine is achingly familiar. Indeed, it's not easy to trust.
John Jamison
It was back in the days when the railroad was the most common mode of transportation. There were automobiles, and some airplanes, but the steam locomotive was the way most folks traveled and the way that most of the goods were distributed around the country. After dinner, people sat in the drawing room and listened to the radio programs, fading in and out from some faraway location, over the magical broadcasting signal.
Robert Leslie Holmes
Not many tourists to Washington, D.C., look for the Federal Bureau of Standards offices. It's the Capitol and the White House, the Supreme Court Building or the Smithsonian most of us want to see when we go there. Yet, at the Bureau of Standards offices something very important is stored, something that impacts your life and mine every single day. Have you ever bought the materials for a new project? When you did, most likely you purchased so many inches or feet or yards. Or, you stopped to buy gasoline for your car and purchased it at a certain price per gallon.
David O. Bales
I have the two best jobs in the world. I teach social studies at Leon Griffith Junior High School (a fairly small junior high) and I am Sunday School Superintendent at Calvary Presbyterian Church (an enormous church school). Each job is my vocation. I tell people that at school they'll find my room where the halls cross. At church they can look but probably won't find me. I'll be in someone's classroom. At each job I practice what I most deeply believe: it's how you see the world that determines how you respond to it. I'll give you an example, actually, two examples.
Erskine White
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
(Stuart K. Hine)

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