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Children's Activity

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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
Beloved -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Leah Thompson -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Fortune and fame -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Moving day -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Seeking answers -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Law and order -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Rejoice -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Perfect -- Luke 2:1014 (15-20) -- Leah Thompson -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Monopoly -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Me and my shadow -- John 12:1-8 -- Leah Thompson -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Follow -- John 1:29-42 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Expert witness -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Waiting out the storm -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Leah Thompson -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Follow Me -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Doing what you're ought -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Hands and feet -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Pure in heart -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
What is truth? -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Leah Thompson -- Good Friday - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Lamp -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
'Yes, yes' and 'No, no' -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Missing person -- John 20:1-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Easter Day - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Sun and rain -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Surprise! -- John 20:19-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Big shadow -- Matthew 6:24-34 -- Leah Thompson -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Man overboard! -- John 21:1-19 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME

Children's sermon

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God's Surprise: Being Careful! -- Mark 13:24-37 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Object: A sign with the word “CAREFUL” printed on it in big letters.
Throw Away the Sack! -- John 1:29-42 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2023
Object: A paper sack or plastic bag.* * *
God's Surprise: God's Craziness! -- Mark 1:1-8 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Object: You need pieces of clothing to dress two children.
Leaving A Trail! -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023
Object: See the notes.
The Bee-Attitudes -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2023
Object:  A jar of honey.
Who Am I? -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Object: A birth certificate.* * *
Neighbors! -- Luke 10:25-37 -- John Jamison -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2022
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
Doing What Is Important! -- Luke 10:38-42 -- John Jamison -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2022
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha op
Decisions -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2022
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared
The Glass Prayer! -- Luke 11:1-13 -- John Jamison -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2022
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him,
Love-Proof! -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- John Jamison -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2022
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.
Gimme, Gimme! -- Luke 12:13-21 -- John Jamison -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2022
Object: An ear of corn.
Only the Best! -- John 2:1-11 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2022
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water;” so they filled them to the brim.
Tickets Please! -- Luke 12:32-40 -- John Jamison -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2022
Object: A ticket to give to each child.
At Home -- Luke 4:14-21 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2022
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synag
First Responders! -- Luke 12:49-56 -- John Jamison -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2022
Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) I have a question for you today.
Awards! -- Luke 4:21-30 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2022
He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Rule Number One! -- Luke 13:10-17 -- John Jamison -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2022
Object: A list of rules, or a book of rules.
Fishing Around -- Luke 5:1-11 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2022
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulle
Influencers! -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- John Jamison -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2022
One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully
Flipping Things -- Luke 6:17-26 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2022
They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with u
Getting Ready! -- Luke 14:25-33 -- John Jamison -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2022
Object: Building blocks for the children to use to build something.
Measuring Forgivness -- Luke 6:27-38 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2022
Object: A measuring cup that you might use for cooking, and something to put in the
Lost and Found! -- Luke 15:1-10 -- John Jamison -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2022
Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one.
Is God Here? -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- John Jamison -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2022
Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory

Sermon

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33 – Sermons
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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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