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In The Power Of His Name

Children's sermon
The Giant Book Of Children's Sermons
Matthew To Revelation
Object: a bottle of shampoo


Good morning, boys and girls. I brought one of your best friends with me this morning. (show them the bottle of shampoo) How many of you like shampoo? (let them answer) Do you like to put the shampoo on your head when you are taking a bath? Isn't it fun to feel all of those wonderful suds just working away to make your hair cleaner than a whistle? (let them answer) Most of you like it, some of you think it is a waste of time, and others don't like to get the shampoo suds in their eyes. But have you ever noticed how often your mom and dad shampoo their hair? (let them answer) They like it a bunch. They can hardly wait to wash their hair. Some parents do it everyday.

Someday you will shower once a day, brush your teeth four times a day, shampoo your hair once a day, comb your hair four or five times a day, and wash your hands six or seven times a day. And guess what? You will love it. That's when you will start telling others to make the big change and to start to do those things as often as you are. Good things happen when you are clean. You have fewer colds and other kinds of sickness and you smell good, too.

Jesus knows about changing sides. One day his disciples were upset because some people who hardly knew Jesus were preaching and teaching and even trying to heal people in the name of Jesus. They were not his disciples, but they went from town to town doing these kinds of things. The disciples were upset because they knew that these people had never even met Jesus. They wanted Jesus to stop them. But Jesus knew something very important and he told the disciples to stop worrying about the other people. Jesus told them that when the other people found out the good things that were happening in the name of Jesus, they would also begin to believe. He said even though they did not know him, they would soon become followers of Jesus. When good things happen to you and to others, you change.

Sometimes we wonder about other Christians who worship differently than we do. We want everyone to be like us. But they talk about Jesus, pray like Jesus, sing songs about Jesus, and read about Jesus, and we realize they are followers of Jesus just like us. We don't all have to be the same; we just need to love Jesus.

So when you see a stranger using the name of Jesus and he/she doesn't sound like you do when you talk about Jesus, remember how Jesus told his disciples to relax and enjoy. Change happens to all of us who know the Lord. Even strangers find Jesus to be good. The next time you have to take a bath, ask your mom or dad if you can also have a shampoo. Tell them you have changed just like Jesus' disciples changed their feelings about strangers who used the name of Jesus.
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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For December 14, 2025:

CSSPlus

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I will send my messenger ahead of you who will prepare your way before you.

Good morning, boys and girls. What am I holding? (Let them answer.) That's right, a loaf of bread. Did any of you eat toast for breakfast this morning? Or did any of you have wheat cereal? (Let them answer.) Bread and (name a wheat cereal) are made from wheat.

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Object: a department store magazine/catalog (or clothing store magazine/catalog)

What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. (v. 8)

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StoryShare

C. David Mckirachan
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"Truckin'" by C. David McKirachan
"Heretic or Saint?" by Frank Ramirez


* * * * * * * * *


Truckin'
C. David McKirachan
Isaiah 35:1-10

SermonStudio

Elizabeth Achtemeier
This passage has many affinities with the prophecies of Second Isaiah (Isaiah 40-55), and it has often been attributed to him. But there are differences. In Isaiah 40:3, the "way" is for the Lord, here it is for the redeemed and ransomed (vv. 9-10). In Isaiah 51:11, the reference is to the return from Babylonian exile. Here in verse 10, that context is missing, and those who are returning to Zion are the members of Israel dispersed throughout the ancient Near East. Thus, this text is probably from a time after Second Isaiah and sometime after 538 B.C.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 35:1--10 (C, E, L); Isaiah 35:1--6, 10 (RC)
Paul E. Robinson
Christmas has a way of bringing back memories. One that came to my mind as I was preparing this message was when my family would be driving home at night in the car and my father would lead us in singing a song. To all of us family members who remember those fun, cozy journeys toward home, there are many layers of meaning to the words. The song goes like this:

There's a long, long trail awinding,
Into the land of my dreams,
Where the nightingales are singing
And the white moon beams.
There's a long, long night of waiting
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: Be Patient
Message: In the meantime, God.... Lauds, KDM

E-mail from KDM to God. Subject: Be patient. Message: In the meantime, God.... Lauds, KDM.
Susan R. Andrews
It was a painful experience for both of us. Jane was a young mother about my age. She had been on the pastor nominating committee that called us to New Jersey. And we had shared much laughter and friendship through the years. She also was on the session - and that cold November night she seemed edgy and distant. I soon found out why. Following the meeting, she waited for me out in the parking lot. And after I locked the church door, she simply lit into me. "How dare you!" she said. "How dare you push your own political viewpoints down our throats, and abuse your privilege as a pastor!
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Theme: Prepare The Way

Call To Worship
Leader: To those wandering in darkness,
People: Christ came as the Light of the World.
Leader: To those who are at odds with others and themselves,
People: Christ is the Prince of Peace.
Leader: To those who seek the presence of the divine,
People: Christ is Emmanuel, God with us.
All: Come, let us anticipate the advent of our Lord.

Invocation

Robert S. Jarboe
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.)

Date:

Reader A:

Reader B:

Introit
(As the introit is being sung, Readers A and B come forward and stand by the Advent wreath until the music is finished.)

Litany
Reader A: Please turn to the Advent litany in your bulletins.
(Pause as they do so.)
Let all who take refuge in God be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
O God, spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Inevitably it happens to any adult or any church leader toward the end of the year, or the time their driver's license expires. Despite the well-intended efforts to try to settle it through the mail, we end up in a long line at the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. Typically there is a little box with numbers one is supposed to take so they may be identified when the clerk calls for that number's turn in line. The wait can be very tedious. The workers and customers are both tired and anxious with each unique personal vehicle issue.

Special Occasion

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