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Children's Activity

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Mind and Body Working Together -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Parents or Teachers: Today's lesson is the story of the 10 lepers healed
A place for me! -- John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Teachers or Parents: Death is a great taboo in our society.
God loves us all -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Materials
Fighting temptation -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Teachers and Parents: Teaching our children the difference
A miracle -- John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
This week we again are treated to an example of Jesus using the ordinary to do something extraordina
Witnessing about Jesus -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Materials Large safety pins
A surprised Nathanael -- John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Teachers or Parents: Prejudging others ("prejudice") is very
"Produce or perish" -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Teachers or Parents: Jesus told this parable to make the
Seeing Jesus -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Teachers or Parents: It is natural for people to want to see
Who's number one? -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Materials A favorite easy cookie recipe All ingredients for recipe
The True Light -- John 1:1-18 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
Teachers (preparation for class): Prior to class create your
A room in heaven -- John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Materials:White paper on a roll Scissors Glue
"Words or Word?" -- John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
Teachers or Parents: Show your chidren how you communicate
"Learning like Jesus learned" -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Teachers or Parents: You teach your children a valuable
Lunch for one -- John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
Clear shellac Animal crackers Pin backs Glue Instructions
Sign of the cross -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
Teachers: This week's story tells of Jesus driving people from
You can tell -- John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Teachers or Parents: Children don't need to learn the truth of
Appreciating our baptism -- Mark 1:4-11 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Teachers or Parents: Generally, not much thought is given to
Listening to and following Jesus -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
Materials:Large rocks (the bigger the better)Paint
Great faith! -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A
Teachers or Parents: The theme of trusting in Jesus is most
Humility -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
Teachers or Parents: The Christian view of God's concern for
Dove of the Holy Spirit -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Teachers: Today's lesson tells about a dove descending from
Sometimes it's hard to be strong! -- Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
To illustrate today's Gospel reading, discuss with the
"Use it or lose it" -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Teachers or Parents: How early can we begin to teach
Building blocks - not stumbling blocks -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Note: The teacher should bring Legos to class, or each student bring some of her own.

Children's sermon

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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)
A Greater Baptism -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Wesley T. Runk -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2018
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
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)
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)
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)
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.
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
An A Plus Teacher -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2018
“They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not a
About Losing and Saving -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2018
“...those who lose their life for my sake...will save it.” (v. 35b)
Time with God -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Wesley T. Runk -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2018
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went of
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,
Beloved Just As You Are -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Arley K. Fadness -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2018
“And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.'” (
A Smile From God -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2017
Have you ever received one of these on a paper at school?
Listen! -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2017
Let anyone with ears listen!  (v. 9)Good morning boys and girls,
What's My Name? -- John 1:29-42 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2017
How many of you know my name?  But do you know all my names?  I'm also known as Aunt ________.  or U
Wheat And Weeds Separated -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2017
...The Kingdom of Heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; bu
Got A Flashlight? -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2017
I want to tell you a story today about two guys that went hiking.  They were two teenage cousins tha
The Kingdom Of Surprises -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2017
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the
Snack Time -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Mary Kay Eichelman -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2017
It's snack time!  (Divide your group in half and give salty items to one group and unsalted items to
Saving Hands -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2017
“...and he cried out, “Lord save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and saved him.”

Sermon

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New & Featured This Week

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
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.

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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