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Children's Activity

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What about you? -- Luke 9:18-24 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Teachers or Parents: Christianity is a movement consisting of
Be open! -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Teachers: This week's lesson tells about Jesus healing a deaf
Taking on the yoke -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
Being tied to someone can be frustrating, particularly if the two people are trying to go in opposit
"The truth" -- John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - C
Teachers or Parents: Reformation Sunday is a good time to
Rewards -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Teachers or Parents: Children know what rewards are all
Saying or doing? -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Teachers or Parents: Today's theme is about hypocrisy --
Making melody -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Teachers or Parents: Music is a theme in this lesson. Help
Jesus' friends -- John 15:9-17 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Materials Thin elastic string Small beads Glue Scissors
The problem with pride (Activity) -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Teachers or Parents: Being humble does not come naturally.
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
Coats and canned goods -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
Teachers: In our lesson today John the Baptist tells the crowds who come to be baptized that they sh
God looks for you -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
There are lots of stories in the Bible about being lost and found.
Do you know Jesus? -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
This week's lesson is a tough one. It's got a lot of very heavy stuff in it. Jesus is frustrated.
Salty disciples -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Teachers or Parents: Make some popcorn -- and share it with
Jesus' forty-day fast in the wilderness -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Materials:Blank calendar pages (two per child) Markers Crayons
A sign -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Teachers or Parents: The people wanted to know that Jesus
Forgiveness certificate -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Teachers: This lesson is about forgiveness. Jesus said to
Priceless gift -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - C
Teachers or Parents: The emphasis is on giving as based in
Who is Jesus -- who am I? -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Teachers: Jesus asks his disciples the question: "Who do
Good soil -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
Today we hear the parable of the sower. The imagery in the lesson is both rich and subtle.
"The cost of discipleship" -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Teachers or Parents: It is very easy for all of us to say
Seeing Jesus -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - A
Teachers or Parents: Children are often focused on the wrong
The big book -- Luke 10:17-20
Teachers or Parents: In case you didn't know it, angels are
Clean heart pledge -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
Teachers or Parents: You've heard of celebrating Christmas in
The tears of Jesus -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B
Materials Clothespins Silk flowers

Children's sermon

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He was a what? -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2010
"He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan." (v. 16)
Written words -- Romans 15:4-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness
Terrific, radiant, humble -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2010
"For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves." (v.
Memory -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Leah Thompson -- Good Friday - C -- 2010
"I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." (v. 17)
Where you came from -- 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2010
"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you lea
Bearing fruit -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good
Fame -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2010
"Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your name
What is truth? -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Leah Thompson -- Good Friday - C -- 2010
"Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king.
Lessons to learn -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2010
And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says." (v. 6)
Role models -- James 5:7-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the
Bearing fruit -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2010
"Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among y
Apple of my eye -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Leah Thompson -- Easter Day - C -- 2010
"… for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ." (v. 22)
Stamina -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (v. 7)
What (not) to wear -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Object: a department store magazine/catalog (or clothing store magazine/catalog)
Family -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2010
"But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus y
Missing person -- John 20:1-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Easter Day - C -- 2010
They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord,
Mercy -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his br
Piece of cake -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God… (v.
Word of mouth -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2010
" 'Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.' So he went away, proclaiming
Surprise! -- John 20:19-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the
Outgrown -- 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
"We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith
Love -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Leah Thompson -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2010
Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every
Slave or free -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2010
"For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportu
Worthy -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and hon
Sons of Abraham -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
"Then Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abra

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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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