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Children's Activity

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Take a risk -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Who is first? -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Who is for us? -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
A special door -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
The eye of the needle -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Serving others -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Shouting for Jesus -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
The most special place -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Giving all she had -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Mighty Dog -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
A to Z -- John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Signs of our seasons -- Luke 21:25-26 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
The right path -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Sharing what God gives -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Magnification -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
NULL -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C
Today is a big day for the church. This is the day when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Producing good fruit -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
Teachers or Parents: John the Baptist warns us that
"The price of admission" -- Luke 23:1-49 -- Passion Sunday - C
Teachers or Parents: The words of Jesus to the thief on the cross
The Advocate comes -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Teachers or Parents: How can one understand the Holy
Jack-in-the-box -- Luke 24:1-11 -- Easter Day - C
Teachers or Parents: Today's children's sermon is an exercise
Doves And Lambs -- John 1:29-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
Teachers: This week's lesson uses two gentle animals in
Turning the world upside-down -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A
Materials:
The spark of life -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Teachers: This is the first Sunday of the new year.
You, Jesus, and God -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me" (v. 40).
Best friends -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Teachers: For this exercise you will need magazines to cut

Children's sermon

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More Tricks! -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- John Jamison -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2020
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an exper
Unfollow -- Matthew 27:11-54 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2020
In this age of social media, the biggest thrill is getting a follower.
Blessings? -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- John Jamison -- All Saints Day - A -- 2020
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against
The Connection -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2020
There are many things in faith that only make sense if we understand the connection.
Meet the Hippocritamus! -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2020
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees s
It’s Already Finished -- John 20:1-18 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Easter Day - A -- 2020
Always finish what you start.
Peace be with you -- John 20:19-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Note: This children's sermon was originally published May 5, 2011.
Stay Charged! -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- John Jamison -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2020
At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to
Bread of life -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Note: This was originally published April 6, 2008.
Talent Search -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- John Jamison -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2020
Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealt
It Is A Puzzle -- John 14:1-14 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
These verses from John’s Gospel can feel more like a minefield than a hopeful message to teach to ch
Sheep and Goats -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- John Jamison -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2020
All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as
Even When You Can’t See Them -- John 14:15-21 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Jesus reminds the disciples that they can continue to show their love for him even when he is gone.
Carried into heaven -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2020
Good morning, boys and girls. Why do you think I brought a kite with me this morning?
A different kind of hero -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2020
Good morning, boys and girls. Do any of you have heroes? (Let
Thank You -- Luke 17:11-19 -- John Jamison -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2020
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himsel
Living Water Seeks Out Empty Places -- John 7:37-39 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2020
These verses follow the metaphor of living water flowing from our hearts into the world.
Are We There Yet? -- Mark 13:24-37 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Objects: You will need three objects:
Making disciples -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2020
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
Fighting Racism Is A Big Job, But So Was The Great Commission -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2020
Children are acutely tuned to pick up on disturbances.
Are We There Yet? Part 2 -- Mark 1:1-8 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Note: This sermon is the second in a series you can continue through Advent.
You Are Loved More -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2020
Jesus’ audience believed that someone had to be extra special for God to care for them.
Are We There Yet? Part 3 -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Note: This sermon is the third in a series you can continue through Advent.
The Roots of Faith! -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- John Jamison -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2020
Hi everyone! (Let them respond) I want to tell you a story that Jesus told people one day.
Are We There Yet? Part 4 -- Luke 1:26-38 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
IMPORTANT: This sermon is the fourth in a series to go through Advent.

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?”

CSSPlus

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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