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Arley K. Fadness

Arley K. Fadness is a retired ELCA pastor who has served numerous Lutheran parishes in South Dakota and Minnesota. He is currently a member of Custer Lutheran Fellowship in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. Pastor Fadness is a congregational consultant who coaches churches in visioning processes, and he also conducts leadership retreats and workshops on “Finding Your True Flair.” A graduate of Augustana College, Luther Theological Seminary, and McCormick Theological Seminary, Fadness is the author of several CSS titles, including Blueprints For Advent and Christmas, Blueprints for Lent, Six Spiritual Needs in America Today, Holy Moses, Hey Joseph!, and Where’s Noah? He is also a contributing author to Sermons on the First Readings (Series I, Cycle A).
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Children's sermon

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The Very Best Boating Companion of All -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2018
“And they were filled with great awe...who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey
Touch You First! -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2018
“At this they were overcome with amazement.” (v. 42b)
Chosen and Sent -- Matched and Dispatched -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2018
“He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over th
Truth Tellers -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2018
“It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” (v. 15b)
Sad to Glad -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2018
“...all who touched it were healed...” (v. 56b)
Lunch for a Bunch -- John 6:1-21 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2018
“...the people saw the sign that he had done...”
Delicious Bread -- Good, Better, and Best -- John 6:24-35 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2018
“...I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry...” (v.
Forever Bread -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2018
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” (v. 51a)
Rock Star Disciple -- John 6:56-69 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2018
“You have the words of eternal life.” (v. 68b)
What's Inside a Faithful Heart -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2018
“....from the human heart...” (v. 21a)
Follow me Kids!  -- Jesus -- John 1:43-51 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2018
“Jesus said to Philip, 'follow me.'” (v. 43b)
Eph-pha-tha (ef-a-tha) -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2018
Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphat
Let's Go Fishing -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2018
“And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me and I will make you fish for people.'” (v.
Looking For The Holy Spirit -- John 20:19-23 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2017
When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'receive the Holy Spirit.' (v.
Go And Lo -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2017
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations....and lo I am with you always...” (v.
Lost And Found -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2017
“As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The Kingdom of Heaven has come near”
No Fear -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2017
Do not fear... (v. 28)Good morning girls and boys,
Welcome! -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2017
Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me... (v. 40a)
Backpack Unpacked -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2017
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

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Great Greatness -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2018
“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name, welcomes me...” (v.37a)
Listening Loudly -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2018
“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” (v. 7b)
Sprinkle, Sparkle -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2018
“Salt is good; (v. 50a)Good morning boys and girls,
Watching -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Arley K. Fadness -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2018
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
A Road For The King -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2018
Good morning boys and girls,
Lunch for a Bunch -- John 6:1-21 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2018
“...the people saw the sign that he had done...”

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For April 6, 2025:

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John Jamison
Object: A small pillow or cushion, a bowl, and a jar.

NOTE: This is a simple role-play story. You will need one boy to play the role of Jesus, and one girl to play the role of Mary. Since these are not speaking roles, this may be an opportunity to have a child help who might be hesitant to do a more involved role.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
This is not the same old thing. This is something new. Isaiah tells us to forget the old standards of life and truth. Our God conquers, so no longer judge the old way. Paul in prison says pretty much the same thing. And in the first supper, which takes place in the home of Martha, with Mary, Jesus, and the newly resurrected Lazarus in attendance, we see the world turned upside down as well. Something new. Something new.

Isaiah 43:16-21
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Isaiah 43:16-21

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
“Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” (vv. 7-8)

The first time I saw one of the “He Gets Us” Jesus ads during the Super Bowl two years ago, I sat up and said to my wife, Jo, “This is great! I wonder who is sponsoring this.” When I found out who, and what their motives were, I was deeply disappointed.

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Janice B. Scott
Call to worship:

 When Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus' feet with oil, the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. As we worship God today, may this whole church be filled with the fragrance of our prayers.

Invitation to confession:

 Jesus, sometimes we fail to notice or appreciate beauty.

Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we resent the actions of others and are spiteful towards them.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Gregory L. Tolle
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own. (vv. 8b--12)
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There's nothing quite as wonderful as looking at an old car that's been restored to its former luster. A 1932 Ford Victoria Coupe, rumbling down the road brings a thrill. The rust has been cleaned off, the torn upholstery replaced, and missing windows have been installed. It is a work of art. It is also a work of love. Such restoration projects, as anyone involved in them can attest, are not for the weak of heart. Restoring a classic automobile requires painstaking attention to detail and the patience of Job.
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Theme For The Day
Worship is a blessed waste of time.

Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 43:16-21
A New Thing
Donald Charles Lacy
In our spiritual voyages, surprises -- sometimes outlandishly -- come to us. We scratch our heads and wonder if what we are experiencing is fact or fiction. It may or may not be a time of inspiration. However, it may be one of instruction, as we view it in retrospect. You and I are to remember that every occurrence may very well be a teaching event.

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In December of every year, the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City awards the coveted Heisman Trophy. Voted on by over 800 media members, the Heisman is awarded to the most outstanding college football player during that season. Past recipients have included such notables as Roger Staubach, Marcus Allen, and Barry Sanders. It is a great honor, and it represents the broad and non-partisan recognition of a player's outstanding season.
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You shall pass judgment on yourself. That is the hardest thing of all ...
If you succeed in judging yourself, it is because you are truly wise.
(The king on a planet to the prince)
-- Saint Exupery, The Little Prince

Call To Worship
Leader: You're here! Winter seems displaced by the new growth of spring. This is the fifth Sunday in Lent -- with one more to come: Palm Sunday.

(Candles counting the Sundays in Lent can be lighted.)

Special Occasion

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