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Children's Activity

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One plus one equals one -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Materials Thick string or yarn (2" lengths) Pony beads -- different colors
Best friends -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Teachers: For this exercise you will need magazines to cut
The Advocate comes -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B
Teachers or Parents: How can one understand the Holy
Serving others -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A
Teachers: Servanthood is today's theme. The suggested activity
Producing good fruit -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
Teachers or Parents: John the Baptist warns us that
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.
It's Your Turn -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Parents or Teachers: Throughout our lives there will always be people who
Bread from heaven -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Materials 7 pieces of white bread, without crust Medium-sized bowl
Abundant life -- John 10:1-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
Teachers or Parents: Teach the children the bedtime prayer used in the 1 Peter object lesson:
He was transfigured -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Teachers or Parents: Transfiguration Sunday is also
Parable of wheat and weeds -- Matthew 13:24-30 36-42 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
Parents and Teachers: Help your students understand the
He'll be back! -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - B
Teachers or Parents: The focus of our attention as we
Giving God what belongs to God -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Materials Small, clean jar for each child
"He has risen!" -- Luke 24:1-12 -- Easter Day - C
Teachers or Parents: Amid all the secular symbols of Easter
Pleased as punch -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Teachers: Today's children's message is about a time when God was well pleased with Jesus.
Keep a promise -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have jobs that
"Lip service is not enough" -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Teachers or Parents: Promises need to be kept. God always
Peace! Be Still -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
Teachers or Parents: Jesus calms a storm in today's lesson.
Written for you -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
The last verse of today's gospel reading says, "But these are written so that you may come to believ
Palm prints -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Teachers or Parents: Use the text today to teach the children
You are beloved! -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Teachers or Parents: See the previous Plus section for an
Jesus brings a friend back to life -- John 11:1-45 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOMEMaterials:
Only Jesus -- John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Teachers or Parents: More and more, we are hearing that it
The one who heals -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Teachers or Parents: There are so many wonderful new
The good soil -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
Materials:

Children's sermon

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It’s Not Fair! -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- John Jamison -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2020
So the last will be first, and the first will be last. (v. 16)
Temptation Challenge -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
Jesus sets the bar high by resisting temptation even from the imagination of the devil.
Two Sons! -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- John Jamison -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2020
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?” (v. 31)
Here in this place -- John 4:5-42 -- Leah Thompson -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
This children's sermon was originally published March 27, 2011.
Before and After -- John 3:1-17 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
In this exchange with Nicodemus, Jesus is trying to explain what it is to be born again.
Renters! -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- John Jamison -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2020
Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard.
Listen Up! -- John 4:5-42 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
The woman from the well had some great news for people after meeting Jesus.
Wedding Gift! -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- John Jamison -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2020
The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So g
Jesus Knows Our Worth -- John 9:1-41 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
There are many wonderful moments in this scripture selection.
Trickery! -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- John Jamison -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2020
Hi everyone! Have you ever tried to play a trick on someone?
Listen, think, and learn -- John 10:1-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Good morning! Do you like stories? (get responses) Jesus told stories like this a lot.
Not alone -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Leah Thompson -- Good Friday - A -- 2020
Note: This piece was originally published April 22, 2011.
Sad is Okay -- John 11:1-45 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
The story of Lazarus was always my favorite.
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
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.
It’s Already Finished -- John 20:1-18 -- Bethany Peerbolte -- Easter Day - A -- 2020
Always finish what you start.
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

Sermon

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New & Featured This Week

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John Jamison
Object: A crèche, or manger scene. Any size and style is fine as long as it includes shepherds. Have the creche set up before you begin.

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StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” (vv. 13-14)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 62:6-12
Isaiah proclaims, “Look, your savior comes.” We celebrate on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day the coming of our savior into the world – not as one full of power, but as a babe, vulnerable and human, as one born among us. Yes, God has great things in store for this babe, great lessons to teach us and for us to absorb as we watch this babe become a child and then a man. But in this quiet moment, this moment in a stable, born of indigent, immigrant parents, we see our own vulnerability portrayed in the Christ child.
Wayne Brouwer
There is a powerful scene in Herman Melville’s great epic, Moby Dick, where Captain Ahab stands peg-legged on the deck of the Pequod during a violent storm (chapter 119). His obsession with the White Whale has carried the craft and crew to exotic and frightening locales, and now it seems as if divine providence might be unleashing furious anger against this ill-fated quest.

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For December 22, 2024:
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For December 22, 2024:

SermonStudio

Derl G. Keefer
I read an old legend about a Christmas party that Satan and his pack of demons were having in hell. As the demonic guests were departing, one laughed and grinned and sarcastically said to Satan, “Merry Christmas your majesty!” At that, Satan replied with a growl, “Yes, keep it merry. If they ever get serious about it, we’ll all be in trouble.”

Today the focus is all about the Messiah and we need to be serious about it. It is the birth of the baby Jesus, the Messiah. It is the coming of God…the doctrine of incarnation. It is the intervention of God’s presence among humanity.
Stephen P. McCutchan
... He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
-- Psalm 96:13

Gregory L. Tolle
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
James Evans
This psalm gives us the proper theme for a Christmas Day celebration: "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises" (v. 4).

Carlos Wilton
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Christmas Day, Cycle A; see also Easter 7, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)

The lectionary includes two sets of readings for Christmas Day: those appointed for dawn services, and those appointed for services that take place later in the day. Psalm 97 is designated as one of these early-morning readings.

William Powell Tuck
Christmas is usually associated in our memory as a time of great joy. But for many it is also a time for cynicism. There are some people for whom Christmas is difficult. It is a time of struggle, depression, loneliness, and anxiety. There are more suicides during the holiday season than at any other time of the year. A comment by a woman in a nursing home indicates the feeling of some: "No one really cares. No one cares about me now.
Mark Wm. Radecke
Because Jesus was Mary's firstborn, there were four words that she and Joseph did not have to hear as they made the arduous trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Four words that make long journeys longer. Four words that strike terror in the hearts of parents of every time and every place. Four words from which even the youngest child seems to be able to craft a sentence: Are we there yet?

I am struck this year by the number of journeys the narratives of Jesus' birth and infancy entail:

* Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem;
Julia Ross Strope
Gathering music
Christmas medley

(Light the Christ candle.)

(Invite adults, children, and youth ahead of time to bring a favorite gift for a one-sentence show and tell.)

Greeting
Leader: Merry Christmas!

People: Merry Christmas!

Leader: Settle your Christmas gifts on the pew beside you and find the space within your minds and hearts to sing, pray, listen, and talk.
James R. Wilson


Call To Worship
Leader: Come, let us celebrate, for Christ our savior has been born!
People: Is our Messiah, the promised one, among us this day?
Leader: Surely I say unto you, Christ the Lord is with us even as we speak.
People: Are even sinners such as we welcome in Christ's kingdom?
Leader: Praise to the Lord God Almighty, for in Christ we are all welcome!
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
After baby Jesus grew up to be a man, he got into terrible trouble, and wicked people killed him. But a good man called Joseph of Arimathea laid Jesus's body gently in his own grave, which he'd made ready for when he should die. After that the wicked people searched for Joseph of Arimathea, and so he ran away from Jerusalem carrying with him a special cup like this one, which contained some of Jesus's holy blood.

Special Occasion

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