Children’s Sermon for November 25, 2012, Christ the King, year B, John 18:33-37

Scripture Focus: John 18:33-37

Prepare:  Find a fancy crown, a crown of thorns, a wash basin, a towel, and a palm branch or palm cross (if you can find one).  Put everything but the fancy crown in a box or bag to keep it out of sight.

Faith+Open:  Have the fancy crown out as the children gather.  Ask them what the crown makes them think of. 

Faith+Share:  When I see a crown like this, I think of kings and queens, and knights and princesses, too!  And today is Christ the King Sunday, they day that we celebrate Christ as King of everything.  Except, do you think about Jesus when you see a crown like this?  Yeah, me neither.  What about this crown (pull the crown of thorns out)?  What story about Jesus does this make you think of?  Right!  This is a reminder of Good Friday, but that wasn’t really a great day for Jesus, was it?  I mean, he was arrested, he was yelled at and hurt, and things just got worse.  Not exactly the glorious kind of day that we usually hear about with kings.

What about this (pull out the palm branch or palm cross)?  Yeah, I think of Palm Sunday.  That was a much more kingly day for Jesus, don’t you think?  People where lining the street and cheering for him, and putting palm branches and cloaks on the ground in front of him.  He was riding on a donkey, though, not a big powerful horse like I would imagine in a “king” story.

Or what about these things (the basin and the towel)?  Remember when Jesus used things like these to wash his disciple’s feet?  Well that’s not a kingly thing at all!  They should have been washing his feet.

It seems like Jesus is not the kind of king that we typically think of.  He rides on a donkey, he washes other people’s feet, and he wears a really painful looking crown.  His kingdom isn’t really the same either.  In Jesus’ kingdom the special people are the people who serve others.  The important things in Jesus’ kingdom are not wealth and power, but love and mercy.  In that kingdom Jesus makes the perfect king.  Jesus is even the king over death!  Yes, he died on Good Friday, but he was raised to life on Easter!  So, on this Christ the King Sunday we celebrate the Kingdom of God, and the promise of mercy and love for all.

Faith+Prayer:  King Jesus, teach us to serve others as you served your disciples.  Teach us to be humble like you were when you rode a donkey.  Teach us to show love and mercy to all, in Jesus name we pray.  Amen

Faith+Blessing:  May God’s grace and mercy be with you all.

~GB

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Weekly Devotion - November 25, 2012 - Christ the King - Lec 34B

Here is the Weekly devotion for Christ the King Sunday, Lectionary 34B - November 25, 2012

Did you miss a week? Go to the Weekly Devotion page to download past weeks!

Weekly Devotion - All Saints Sunday, Year B

Here is the Weekly devotion for All Saints Sunday Year B - November 4, 2012

Did you miss a week?  Go to the Weekly Devotion page to download past weeks!

Children's Sermon Reformation John 8:31-36

Scripture: John 8:31-36
Preparation: symbols of freedom like: flag, Bible, peace signs, statue of liberty, cross, hymnal (the old red hymnal was a sign of freedom in Namibia, Africa as it was given to them in a time of occupation and war but was used to declare their freedom to have english as a common language when the country gained independence)

Faith+Gather: Gather the children with you and welcome them. Say, "I have some items with me today... let's see if we can figure out what they have in common" Have items in a bag or hidden and pull them out one at a time. Save Bible and/or cross for last. Ask kids to see if they can come up with their common element. Give them hints like, "What does this symbol mean?"

Faith+Share: After you have explored items for a minute say, "All these things are a little different and they do have different meanings, but one thing they have in common is that they bring to mind the word 'freedom'. See the flag is a symbol of freedom for our country and the statue of liberty is a symbol of welcome and freedom not only for us in the United States but to those who come from other places. I  also have the Bible here that is a different kind of symbol of freedom--this Bible is in English and did  you know that a long time the Bible was only written in Greek and then in Latin? So people who didn't know those languages could not read the Bible. Today we are talking about the day of reformation which is a day we remember a part of the history of our church but also a day that we look forward to how we are always being made new by Jesus. Part of the history of reformation is that a man named Martin Luther thought it was very important for everyone to be able to read the Bible and to teach their children what it says. So he translated the Bible and that is how the Bible is now  like a symbol of freedom because it means that we can all read and know the stories of God. I also have a cross here--in today's gospel Jesus says, 'The truth will make you free--you all sin and are not perfect and cannot be without sin, but I have come to make you free.' (paraphrase, you can read the scripture directly). Jesus went to the cross for you and for me and for all people, so this cross is a symbol of that freedom that we have through Jesus. It is freedom to love one another and help one another and tell the stories of the Bible to show God's love for the world."

Faith+Prayer: Let's pray together. Jesus, you make us free. Thank you for your love. Thank you for the Bible which tells us your story. Amen.

Faith+Blessing: Make the sign of the cross and say + May you know God's love and freedom today and always.

**Additional Idea: You could also do a children's message that simply explains parts of reformation and how the Bible got translated. You could show many Bibles and talk about how we use scripture all throughout worship. Then use stickers as suggested by Worshipping With Children at this link to have kids find places in the bulletin where there are words from the Bible.

~LB
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Children's Sermon Aug 19, 2012 Pentecost 12B John 6:51-58

Scripture: John 6:51-58 "Bread of Life Theme"

Preparation:

Print up strips of paper with a Bible verse, suggested to use John 6:51a "I am the bread of life come down from heaven." Or John 6:35 "I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in my will never be thirsty." or you could use a verse that speaks about the word of God or another verse you want the children to know.

Cut these strips a part and put them in baggies with a little candy

Make a plate or basket of healthy foods and a plate or basket of junk food

Faith+Open: Gather the children to you. Show them the two different baskets of food. Say, "What do you notice about these baskets?  How are the same? How are they different?" Take answers and lead the discussion in a direction that shows that both baskets offer food, a way to get full or not be hungry. But one basket has food that is good for us, that helps nourish our bodies and give us good, lasting energy. The other basket is food we like as well, but this food is more of a treat food or junk food. It's not the kind of food that helps us grow and be healthy.

Faith+Share: Say, "Jesus says he is the bread of life. What do you think this means?" Take answers. Say, "Which basket of food do you think Jesus is for us?" (healthy food--but maybe also the sweet food as the word of God be like honey--Ezekiel said that once!) "Jesus says he is the bread of like it's like saying that Jesus is good food for our minds and our spirits. The words of Jesus are something that we can learn and that will stay with us. The promise of Jesus that he will last, he will be with us all the time and that our basket/plate from God will not run out."

"Now, Ezekiel was a prophet who once said the word of God tastes like honey on his lips. So a little sweetness is sometimes good as well. I have a baggie here for you with a word from God in and a little sweetness for you as well. (pass out now or pray and pass out). I want you to take this piece of paper home and put it in your Bible or on a mirror or in the car or on the fridge, someplace where you will see it and read it and remember that Jesus promises God's love and care for you always."

Faith+Prayer: Jesus, Thank you for food that is good and food that is sweet. Thank you for promising to be like bread for us to help us grow in you. Amen

Faith+Blessing: May your eyes be opened to see all the amazing works of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

~LB
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Weekly Devotions - August 19, 2012 - 12th Sunday After Pentecost - Lec 20B

Here is the Weekly devotion for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Lec 20B - August 19, 2012

Did you miss a week?  Go to the Weekly Devotion page to download past weeks!

Children's Sermon Aug 12, 2012 Pentecost 11B John 6: 35, 41-51

Scripture: John 6:35, 41-51
Preparation: canned food or loaves of bread--or whatever items you are collecting for a food bank or other project. Take your items and 'hide' them around the sanctuary where they will be visible from where the children sit, but not too obvious. You are going to play a version of "I Spy" with the kids looking for these items.

Faith+Open: Gather the children up front with you. Say, "Good morning! I am wondering if you can help me find some things. I think there are some items like this one (hold up a sample) hidden around this room. Raise your hand if you can spy anything from where you are." Take a few minutes and let kids find things. You go get the items as they spy them.

Faith+Share: Say, "Wonderful job! You have found all of them-good thing we won't be finding pork and beans behind the altar at Christmas! Do you know what these items are for?" Take answers. Then go on to explain what you are collecting the items for and how they can help. One idea for food is to have grocery bags with needed items listed on them to hand out for the kids to take home and bring back next week.
Say, "In our gospel story Jesus says that he is the bread of life and in our reading from Ephesians we are hearing about how we live together as a community, as people who care about one another. When Jesus says he is the bread of life he is talking about how he gives life and love for you and for all people. Bread is food and we need food to live. We also need the word of God and Jesus to live as Christians. We then take what we have and share with others. So we will take this food (or other item) and share with those who need it so that they can know they are loved and cared for by us and by God."

Faith+Prayer: Jesus, we love you. Thank you for giving us the bread of life. Thank you for giving us gifts to share. We pray for everyone who is hungry or thirsting or lonely or sad. Be with them God as we know you are with us. Amen

Faith+Blessing: May your eyes be opened to see all the amazing works of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

~LB (adapted from original children's sermon by Pastor Michael Stadtmueller) 
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Weekly Devotions - August 12, 2012 - 11th Sunday after Pentecost - Lec 19B

Here is the Weekly devotion for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Lec 19B - August 12, 2012

Did you miss a week?  Go to the Weekly Devotion page to download past weeks!


Did you miss the page last week?  Need the service project information?  Keep reading!  We'll add the service projects in order week by week to the Devotion post.

Week 1 (July 8, 2012):

Make a list together of the things that regularly need to get done at home and who does them. Examples might be: taking out trash & recycling, laundry, setting/clearing the table, yard work, taking care of pets, picking up toys, etc. If you have young children try to think of even the most simple things like wiping off a table or counter. Talk about why it’s important that everyone helps and why the things on this list are important to your family. Now say a prayer of thanks for the things you need to do and for the people who do them. Post the list on the fridge or in a visible space. Next week a new thing will be done with the list!

Week 2 (July 15, 2012): 

Get your list that you made last week.  Add to the list if you need to.  Have each person talk about one thing they did this week and how seeing it as service to one another influenced or changed the way they thought about the chore. Now do a chore switch. Each person pick a job that they normally do not do and offer to do it this week. The person who does do the job normally can show them how, give details about when to do this and any other information needed. For young children you can have them help you with something like wiping counters or setting silverware on table. Make a new list for this week of who is doing what new job.

Week 3 (July 22, 2012):

Talk about how your job switch went. What new things did you learn? Was it easy or hard? How did the other person feel about someone else taking responsibility for their normal task? Now do a job switch for one more week. Have everyone pick a new chore to do and post it.

Week Four: (July 29, 2012)

Discuss your job switch. Were there new insights? How is service to

family an important part of how we live as Christians?

Now brainstorm ideas for how your family can or does serve either

another family in your neighborhood or friends that you know. Maybe

older kids walk younger kids to school or offer babysitting. Perhaps

there are people you help by having them over for dinner or playing at

a park. Maybe there is a neighbor who needs help getting the trash out

or the plants watered or the pets walked. Think of one way you can

serve a neighbor or friend together this week or next. Make a plan for

everyone to have a part in making it happen.

Week 5:

Talk about how you served a neighbor or family member outside of your household last week. What did you do? How did that feel?

This week it's time to start thinking about school supplies and getting ready for school. Talk about how you can help one another make this transition. If you are in a home without school age people then talk about what this time of year is like for you now. All: Find out how you can pick up extra supplies for someone at your school or in your community. Research this week who is taking donations and how you can help. Check out these organizations and/or others in your local area. crayonstocalculators.org or  lwr.org (look for info on school kits) You can also talk with your worship planners/pastor about doing a blessing of the backpacks! 

Weekly Devotions - August 5, 2012 - 10th Sunday after Pentecost, Lec 18B

Here is the Weekly devotion for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, Lec 18B - August 5, 2012

Did you miss a week?  Go to the Weekly Devotion page to download past weeks!


Did you miss the page last week?  Need the service project information?  Keep reading!  We'll add the service projects in order week by week to the Devotion post.

Week 1 (July 8, 2012):

Make a list together of the things that regularly need to get done at home and who does them. Examples might be: taking out trash & recycling, laundry, setting/clearing the table, yard work, taking care of pets, picking up toys, etc. If you have young children try to think of even the most simple things like wiping off a table or counter. Talk about why it’s important that everyone helps and why the things on this list are important to your family. Now say a prayer of thanks for the things you need to do and for the people who do them. Post the list on the fridge or in a visible space. Next week a new thing will be done with the list!

Week 2 (July 15, 2012): 

Get your list that you made last week.  Add to the list if you need to.  Have each person talk about one thing they did this week and how seeing it as service to one another influenced or changed the way they thought about the chore. Now do a chore switch. Each person pick a job that they normally do not do and offer to do it this week. The person who does do the job normally can show them how, give details about when to do this and any other information needed. For young children you can have them help you with something like wiping counters or setting silverware on table. Make a new list for this week of who is doing what new job.

Week 3 (July 22, 2012):

Talk about how your job switch went. What new things did you learn? Was it easy or hard? How did the other person feel about someone else taking responsibility for their normal task? Now do a job switch for one more week. Have everyone pick a new chore to do and post it.

Week Four: (July 29, 2012)

Discuss your job switch. Were there new insights? How is service to
family an important part of how we live as Christians?
Now brainstorm ideas for how your family can or does serve either
another family in your neighborhood or friends that you know. Maybe
older kids walk younger kids to school or offer babysitting. Perhaps
there are people you help by having them over for dinner or playing at
a park. Maybe there is a neighbor who needs help getting the trash out
or the plants watered or the pets walked. Think of one way you can
serve a neighbor or friend together this week or next. Make a plan for
everyone to have a part in making it happen.

Weekly Devotion - July 29, 2012 - 9th Sunday after Pentecost, Lec 17B

Here is the Weekly devotion for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost, Lec 17B - July 29, 2012

Did you miss a week?  Go to the Weekly Devotion page to download past weeks!


Did you miss the page last week?  Need the service project information?  Keep reading!  We'll add the service projects in order week by week to the Devotion post.

Week 1 (July 8, 2012):

Make a list together of the things that regularly need to get done at home and who does them. Examples might be: taking out trash & recycling, laundry, setting/clearing the table, yard work, taking care of pets, picking up toys, etc. If you have young children try to think of even the most simple things like wiping off a table or counter. Talk about why it’s important that everyone helps and why the things on this list are important to your family. Now say a prayer of thanks for the things you need to do and for the people who do them. Post the list on the fridge or in a visible space. Next week a new thing will be done with the list!

Week 2 (July 15, 2012): 

Get your list that you made last week.  Add to the list if you need to.  Have each person talk about one thing they did this week and how seeing it as service to one another influenced or changed the way they thought about the chore. Now do a chore switch. Each person pick a job that they normally do not do and offer to do it this week. The person who does do the job normally can show them how, give details about when to do this and any other information needed. For young children you can have them help you with something like wiping counters or setting silverware on table. Make a new list for this week of who is doing what new job.

Week 3 (July 22, 2012):

Talk about how your job switch went. What new things did you learn? Was it easy or hard? How did the other person feel about someone else taking responsibility for their normal task? Now do a job switch for one more week. Have everyone pick a new chore to do and post it.

Weekly Devotion - July 22, 2012 - 8th Sunday after Pentecost - Lec 16B

Here is the Weekly devotion for the 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Lec 15B - July 22, 2012

Did you miss a week?  Go to the Weekly Devotion page to download past weeks!


Did you miss the page last week?  Need the service project information?  Keep reading!  We'll add the service projects in order week by week to the Devotion post.

Week 1 (July 8, 2012):

Make a list together of the things that regularly need to get done at home and who does them. Examples might be: taking out trash & recycling, laundry, setting/clearing the table, yard work, taking care of pets, picking up toys, etc. If you have young children try to think of even the most simple things like wiping off a table or counter. Talk about why it’s important that everyone helps and why the things on this list are important to your family. Now say a prayer of thanks for the things you need to do and for the people who do them. Post the list on the fridge or in a visible space. Next week a new thing will be done with the list!

Week 2:Get your list that you made last week.  Add to the list if you need to.  Have each person talk about one thing they did this week and how seeing it as service to one another influenced or changed the way they thought about the chore. Now do a chore switch. Each person pick a job that they normally do not do and offer to do it this week. The person who does do the job normally can show them how, give details about when to do this and any other information needed. For young children you can have them help you with something like wiping counters or setting silverware on table. Make a new list for this week of who is doing what new job.

Faith + Home Connection July

Faith + Open: Gather everyone in the household where all can be comfortable or around the dinner table. Light a candle and open with prayer: Dear God, you give us all that we need. We thank you for all of the good things that you give us: food, housing, clothes, work (add your own here). Help us to share not just the material things that we have but our love for you! Amen.

Faith + Share: read John 6: 1-15. Page 426 in the Spark Story Bible and page 244 in the Jesus Storybook Bible. Have five pieces of bread out and two gold fish crackers 
to represent the fish.

For Children: Look at the bread and the “fish” on the table. Would that even be enough to feed your family dinner? But Jesus used just a little bit of food and fed 5,000 people! If you were there that day what would you tell people about what Jesus had done? Jesus is able to give us what we need, not always what we want. What are the things that we need? (food, clothing, shelter, family) So is a new toy a need or a want? It’s ok that we sometimes want fun things, but we have to remember that what we want is not always what we need. That is so hard for us to understand! Even for adults!

For youth and adults: When we read a story like this it is easy to think of Jesus as someone who will give us whatever we want whenever we need it. The disciples didn’t understand the true power of what Jesus could do and the people were amazed by the miracle. It’s easy to believe in God when we get a “miracle” isn’t it? What about when we pray for a miracle but don’t get it? God seemingly doesn’t “give” us what we wanted, or what we think we needed. But Jesus wasn’t interested in people believing only because of the miracle. Jesus wants people to believe because God loves them so very much and everything in our lives, miracles or not, are to show God’s love for the world. So even non-miraculous deeds can reveal God to the world. So how can we live our lives beyond thinking about miracles to show God’s love for the world?

Faith + Blessing: At the beginning of every meal this month say: Thank you for what we are given. Help us to give to others what they need to live.

Faith + Close: Extinguish the candle and pray: Giver of all things, we thank you for what we have and know that everything is a gift from you and a sign of how much you love us. Today God we pray for all of those who do not have enough food, drink, shelter or love in their lives. Help us to serve them. Amen.

Faith + Serve: Find a local food pantry and get a list of what they need. Or help serve those in need at  a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. 

Children's Sermon Seventh Sunday of Easter Year B John 17:6-19

Scripture Focus: John 17:6-19

Preparation: Bring a small plant that is destined to be planted outside somewhere, like a little flowering plant, or a vegetable sprout.

Faith+Open:  Invite the children to gather around the plant, but be very protective of the little plant.  Make sure the children are being careful around it and remind them how delicate it is.  Make sure they are all focused on how important and vulnerable the young plant is.

Faith+Share:  Now that we are all gathered together I want to tell you about my little plant.  I am planning on planting it outside later today and I’m very worried about.  I’ve been thinking about all the things that could go wrong with this little plant.  It might not get enough water, or maybe it will get too much water.  And it needs sunlight, too, but not too much sun or it will dry out!  Then there’s the soil to worry about, too!  What if the soil doesn’t have the stuff the plant needs?  I’ll have to find the right food for the plant, but I have to be sure not to give it too much food because that could hurt it too.  Even if I get all the water and sunlight and food right, it could still be eaten by a rabbit or squirrel or dug up by a dog or something.

I really just want to keep it inside.  But, if I do that it can’t really grow and be happy, and no one will be able to eat the vegetables (or see the flowers, depending on your plant).

I think that today’s Gospel story might help me with this.  In the Gospel story we hear Jesus praying for his friends, right before he is arrested, right before Good Friday and Easter.  Jesus is asking God to look after his friends after he is crucified.  Jesus knows that they will be in danger because of what they know about God and Jesus, and that the danger will be greater if they tell people about Jesus, but Jesus knows that for them to be happy they have to tell the story.  Jesus knows that his friends will only be able to share the amazing gifts of God if he lets them go out into the world.

Just like my little plants here.  If I keep them inside where they might be safer, they won’t grow food for people to eat (or flowers for people to enjoy).  God sends us into the world, too.  We are sent out to share Jesus story with others and to love everyone the way that God loves us.  It’s a hard thing to do, but we know that God is watching over us and loves us.

Faith+Prayer:   Loving God, thank you for the amazing stories about Jesus and hid friends.  Help us to share the story and to love everyone we meet the way that you love us.  Amen.

Faith+Blessing:   Remember what Jesus says to his disciples: Do not be afraid and peace be with you. +

~GB

Permission to use for nonprofit. When printing give credit to Faith Formation Journeys. Intellectual property rights apply.

Children's Sermon Easter 6B John 15:9-17

Scripture: John 15:9-17


Preparation: Bring a picture of a favorite pet.  It can be from childhood or a current pet or a friends pet.


Faith+Open:Gather the children and tell them a little about your pet while you show them the picture.  Ask them if they have a pet at home.  Prompt them about how they take care of their pet, feed, water, etc.  Then ask them what their pet does for them.  They may need a little help here.  Offer ideas like how a pet can be a playmate, or can bring you joy or be a companion.


Faith+Share: Pets are pretty fun, aren't they?  Talking about pets makes me think about an important word in the Gospel story today.  Jesus says the word “abide” over and over.  He talks a lot about love, too, when he says abide.  Do you know what abide means?  I looked up “abide” in a dictionary and found a whole bunch of different meanings.  Abide can mean to live in a place or live with someone, it can mean to listen to and follow rules, or it mean to stay with someone.  Like “abide with me.”  I think that all three of these meanings show up in the story, but let’s talk a little more about pets so that we can figure out this “abide” word a little more.  Let’s start by saying that our pets abide with us.  They live at our houses with us, that covers the first meaning.  There are probably rules about your pets, like the cat needs to use the litter box, the dog needs to be on a leash, the turtle isn’t allowed on the table, the fish need to stay in their water . . . you get the idea.  That’s the second one.  The third one is a little more tricky.  I said that it means to stay with someone, but I think that it is more than just staying with someone.  It is staying with someone no matter what!  More than just staying in the same room with them, it is loving them and caring for them.

That gets us to the Gospel story for today.  It’s a story from the Gospel of John, and while Jesus says a bunch of great things in John’s Gospel, it is sometimes a little confusing.  So, let me try to straighten it out a little.  First Jesus says that the Father loves him, and that he loves us.  Then comes that “abide” word, he says “Abide in my love.”  Or live in my love, follow the rules of my love and stay with me no matter what!  He says that if we do that we will have joyful hearts.

Jesus says that if we abide in his love then we can love each other even more, which is the whole reason for the story.  To teach us to live with each other, to listen to what other people need, and to love them no matter what.

Faith+Prayer: Loving God, teach us to abide in your love, to live lives full of love, to listen to the needs of others, and to love and care for them no matter what.  Thank you abiding with us, no matter what!  Amen.

Faith+Blessing: Remember what Jesus says to his disciples: Do not be afraid and peace be with you. +

~GB

*permission to use for nonprofit purposes. When printing give credit to Faith Formation Journeys. Intellectual property rights apply. 

Weekly Devotions for Easter 6B

Here is the Weekly devotion for Easter 6B - May 13, 2012.

Did you miss a week?  Go to the Weekly Devotion page to download past weeks!

Children's Sermon Easter 4B John 10:11-18

Scripture: John 10:11-18 

Preparation: Secure a live sheep--Ha, ha! Just kidding! Highly recommended NOT to try this unless you can move kiddos outside whereby it's a really cool idea and I have seen it done it well!

Real Preparation: 
Plant a few people the children might know to say loudly "follow me". You might want to pick a parent of one of the children.
musical instruments or other 'noise makers'

Faith+Open: Gather children to you and welcome them in. Ask, Do you think you can tell what things are by their sound? Ok, close your eyes (this will have to be the honor system!) and I am going to make some sounds and you say what they are: 
proceed to make sounds like a bell, spoons together, clapping, other instruments, kazoo, whatever you can find. Do just a few 2-3.

Faith+Share: Now about people's voices? Do you think you can tell who someone is by the sound of their voice? Close your eyes again and see if you can guess. Have the people you planted shout "Follow me" You can be one of them because they will know it's you most likely even if they don't know you because you will be sitting closest to them.
Jesus says today that the he knows his own and they know him. He calls himself the shepherd and the people the sheep that follow the shepherd. One way that sheep know who to follow is that they know the sound of their shepherd's voice. Then they can follow the person who they know will take care of them and protect them. How do you know who to follow or trust? (take answers) Yes, it might not be only their voice but I bet you know if your parent or grandparent or teacher is calling your name because you have a relationship with them and know that they care for you. Jesus promises that he cares for you too and that he will be known to us because he will never leave us. 

Faith+Prayer: Jesus, help me know you, help me know your voice and your love. Thank you Jesus for your life and your love, for your death and for your rising. Amen

Faith+Blessing:
Remember what Jesus says to his disciples: Do not be afraid and peace be with you. +


~LB

Weekly Devotions for Easter 5B

Here is the Weekly devotion for Easter 5B - May 6, 2012.

Did you miss a week?  Go to the Weekly Devotion page to download past weeks!

Weekly Devotion for Easter 4B

The weekly Household Devotion bulletin insert is ready to download!

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Children's Sermon 2nd Sunday of Easter, Year B John 20:19-31

Preparation: Prepare an invitation to use as part of this children’s time. See below.


Faith + Open: Gather the children to where you hold children’s time. Tell them to come on up as you have a special invitation to show them. Ask them if they have ever received an invitation to something special: birthday party, confirmation/first communion party, wedding, baptism, Christmas or Valentine’s (whatever!)

Faith +Share:Show them the envelope that holds the invitation. Ask them if you should look inside. (Hopefully they will say yes!) Take the invitation out and read it: “Peace I give to you! Come and see that I am here and believe in me!” Ask the children: “Who do you think this invitation is from?” After accepting all answers say, “It’s from Jesus! In our gospel story today Jesus invites all of the disciples including one named Thomas to see Jesus and believe that God raised him! Jesus also invites the disciples to go and tell everyone about him so that they may believe too! Jesus knew that the disciples had been afraid after his death and not all of the disciples believed Mary when she said that she had seen Jesus risen. But Jesus didn’t mind and came to the disciples to show them that he had risen. But Thomas was not there, so Jesus came again to show Thomas! Jesus comes to us too again and again and invites us to believe, even when it is hard to believe, and to tell others about Jesus being alive and with us always! Jesus invites us every day with his love!

Faith + Prayer: Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your son Jesus who loves us and is always with us. Just as Jesus invites us to believe in him help us to share Jesus with everyone we meet. Amen.

Faith +Blessing: each child an envelope and say to them “Peace to you from Jesus!”


Pleasereference April 15th children’s time supplement for a sampleinvitation that can be printed out.

Weekly Devotion for Easter 2B

The second weekly devotion insert is ready to download!  Check it you here, or click on the "Weekly Devotions tab to see a list.