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Leah Thompson

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Children's Activity

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Chance -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
He was a what? -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Friends forever -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Lessons to learn -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Relativity -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Mercy -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Fly away home -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Sons of Abraham -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Fame -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Before a fall -- Luke 6:20-31 -- Leah Thompson -- All Saints Day - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Word of mouth -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Great expectations -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Who is my neighbor? -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Stones -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Distractions -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
King of the Jews -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Leah Thompson -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Hare-brained -- John 6:25-35 -- Leah Thompson -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Persistent -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Be Prepared -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Leah Thompson -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Empty riches -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Bearing fruit -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Silver and gold -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Bringing fire -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
What (not) to wear -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
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

Children's sermon

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Copycat -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
Therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not pr
The sowing and the reaping -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Leah Thompson -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2011
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows boun
Good soil -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who
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)
Family -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- Leah Thompson -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
See what love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God; and that is what
Fair play -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. (v. 7)
Hoping vs. knowing -- Romans 8:12-25 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?
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
Life again -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that
Weeds -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, "Master, did you not sow good seed in you
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
Be prepared -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (v. 13)
One pearl -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of
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
Building up -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2011
Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. (v.
How far? -- Romans 8:26-39 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor
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
Wall street -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2011
His master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a fe
Change -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. (v. 2)
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
Now I lay me... -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2011
I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. (v. 16)
Bread of Life -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.
Friends -- John 10:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of
The mission -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed?
Precious in his sight -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight.

Illustration

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Grandpa died when Maggie was a baby... -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
Grandpa died when Maggie was a baby.
NULL -- John 10:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Bethany is too stubborn to follow the rules.
It's like Salvador Dali... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
It's like Salvador Dali came into the gospel and painted a story -- Salvador Dali, of the dripping c
NULL -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
The book Nation by Terry Pratchett is a young adult novel set on a tropical island in the 180
Amnesty International is an organization... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Amnesty International is an organization that works to free prisoners of conscience around the world
NULL -- Acts 17:22-31 -- Leah Thompson -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Do you ever feel like there is something missing?
Abraham Lincoln was shot six days after the Confederate surrender... -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
On April 14, 1865, arguably the greatest president in the history of the United States was assassina
NULL -- John 14:15-21 -- Leah Thompson -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
What do you do when you love someone?
An old brain-teaser... -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
An old brain-teaser: "A man and his son are on a fishing trip when their boat capsizes.
NULL -- Acts 1:6-14 -- Leah Thompson -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Jordan's extended family is huge: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-cousins, the spouses of
The Johnsons owned a hardware store... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
The Johnsons owned a hardware store and they devoted their lives to their business -- tracking what
NULL -- John 17:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Quilt making is a giant undertaking.
NULL -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
Choices. Life is about choices. No one understands this more, perhaps, than refugees.
NULL -- 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2011
Scientists use a tool called a key, sometimes a "dichotomous key," to categorize and identify differ
NULL -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
Jessica left her dress in Sacramento.
NULL -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a -- Leah Thompson -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2011
Evening and morning: the most bewitching times of day.
NULL -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2011
Thieves come in the night. Drunkenness comes in the night. Sleep comes in the night.
NULL -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Leah Thompson -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2011
The Broadway musical Ragtime is about racial injustice in the United States.
NULL -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- Leah Thompson -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2011
It's a dream we all have.
NULL -- Romans 6:12-23 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
It is important to have a good boss. A good boss makes sure you are treated fairly.
NULL -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Leah Thompson -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2010
Perhaps the most famous role model for patience is a woman from Greek mythology.
In the classic book and film The Swiss Family Robinson... -- Philippians 4:4-9 -- Leah Thompson -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2010
In the classic book and film The Swiss Family Robinson, the
NULL -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2010
During the Underground Railroad, people would hide runaway slaves in their homes.
Country music singer Brad Paisley... -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Leah Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Country music singer Brad Paisley is famous for witty lyrics and clever songs.
NULL -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2010
There is an old, Dutch story about a little boy named Peter who saved all of Holland.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Maundy Thursday
15 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
11 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Good Friday
20 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter!
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
For April 20, 2025:

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John Jamison
Object: A bowl and a towel.

* * *

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

Have you ever gotten in trouble for not doing what you were supposed to do? (Let them respond.) Maybe it was something you were supposed to do at home, or maybe it was something you were supposed to do for someone else. Well, our story today is about the time Jesus’ friends didn’t do what Jesus told them they were supposed to do.
John Jamison
Activity: The Easter Game. See the note. 
John Jamison
Object: A box of Kleenex?

* * *

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

Today is the day we call Good Friday, and it is the day that Jesus died. What happened on Good Friday is the story I want to tell you about. It is a short story, but it is also a very sad story. (Show the Kleenex.) It is so sad that I brought a box of Kleenex with me in case we need it. Let’s hear our story together.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Acts 10:34-43
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 65:17-25
The vision of Isaiah, the new heaven and new earth, a world we cannot begin to imagine, moves us from the sorrow of Good Friday and the waiting of Saturday, into the joy of the resurrection. Isaiah proclaims from God, “no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it or the cry of distress.” What a moment, what a time that will be. What hope there is in this prophecy? God’s promises are laid out before us. God’s promises are proclaimed to us.
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
It’s unclear whether the original prophet is speaking about his own sufferings as a prophet bringing an unwanted word to people who want to believe all is well (and which could have led to severe physical punishment on the part of the authorities), or to the nation as the suffering servant who have suffered under the lash of a foreign oppressor, much as God’s people suffered under the Egyptians. These are legitimate interpretations, and perhaps there’s a bit of truth in all viewpoints.
Wayne Brouwer
When Canadian missionaries Don and Carol Richardson entered the world of the Sawi people in Irian Jaya in 1962, they were aware that culture shock awaited them. But the full impact of the tensions they faced didn’t become apparent until one challenging day.
David Kalas
What do you do on the night before God saves you? 

The children of Israel had been languishing in hopeless bondage for centuries. How many of them had lived and died under the taskmaster’s whip? How many of them had cried out to the Lord for help without seeing their prayers answered?  And so, as surely as their bodies were weighed down under the weight of their physical burdens, their spirits must also have been weighed down under years of bondage and despair.
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
It is perhaps not widely known, but the Community Blood Center has a website that contains stories of blood recipients.  I spent some time on that website as I thought about this passage. One of the stories that struck me was Kristen’s. Kristen’s time of need came during the birth of her first child. After a smooth pregnancy, she experienced serious problems during delivery, which led to a massive hemorrhage. She needed transfusions immediately, and ended up receiving 28 units of platelets, plasma, and whole blood.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. (v. 14)

Mary weeps as she comes to the tomb that first Easter morning. She weeps because her dearest friend is dead. When this friend comes up behind her she turns around and sees him, but she doesn't really see him. Do you know what I mean?

Mary thought Jesus was the gardener. She implores him, "Sir, if you have taken him away tell me where you have laid him…"  She sees him but she doesn't see him.
Peter Andrew Smith
I’m sorry but I have some bad news. John heard the words of the doctor again as he sat in the pew waiting for the service to start on Good Friday. He was at church because he was a regular and he hoped, he prayed that he could escape the rising fear and dread that had come from the medical appointment yesterday. The doctor had been sure there was no problem when John had told him the symptoms he was experiencing a couple of weeks ago. The doctor even told him to just ignore them as they were a sign of getting older.
John E. Sumwalt
In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ (v. 25)

I was seven years old, the same age as my grandson, Leonard, when I asked the big communion question in the barn while helping Dad, the first Leonard Sumwalt, milk cows in 1958.

SermonStudio

Bonnie Bates
All my life I have struggled with the concept of calling this day of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion as “good.” What could possibly be good about Jesus being arrested, tried, convicted, and crucified? How can we call this feast day “good”?
Wayne Brouwer
When I was a pastor in rural southern Alberta, we held our Easter Sunrise worship services in a cemetery. It was difficult to gather in the dark, since neither mountains nor forests hid the spring-time sun, and the high desert plains lay open to almost ceaselessly unclouded skies. Still, we mumbled in hushed whispers as we acknowledged one another, and saved our booming tones for the final rousing chorus of “Up from the grave he arose…!” We did not shake the earth as much as we hoped.
Dennis Koch
Gospel Theme:

Different paces and paths to resurrection faith

Gospel Note:
John here obviously mingles at least two Easter morning traditions, the one featuring Mary Magdalene and the other starring Peter and the beloved disciple. The overall effect, however, is to show three different paths and paces to resurrection faith: the unnamed disciple rushes to the empty tomb and comes to faith simply upon viewing it; Mary slowly but finally recognizes the risen Christ and believes; Peter, however, simply goes home, perhaps to await further evidence.
Pamela Urfer
Cast: Two Roman soldiers, FLAVIUS and LUCIUS, and an ANGEL

Length:
15 minutes

FLAVIUS and LUCIUS are seated on their stools, center stage.

FLAVIUS: (Complaining) What was all the hurry about for this burial? I don't understand why we had to rush.

LUCIUS:
(Distracted but agreeable) Hmmmm.

FLAVIUS: I don't know why I even ask. It's so typical of the military: Hurry up and wait.

LUCIUS:
True.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The liturgy can start with a procession in which a child carries the Easter candle from the West end of the church to the altar at the East end, stopping at intervals to raise the candle high and cry, "Christ our Light". The people respond with "Alleluia!" All the candles in church are then lit from the Easter candle.

Call to worship:

The Lord is risen, he is risen indeed! Let us rejoice and be glad in him!

Invitation to confession:

Jesus, we turn to you.

Lord, have mercy.

Special Occasion

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