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October 2024
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Without a Doubt

The disciples knew that Jesus was the Light of the world; he had told them so. They had seen in his life, words, and miracles, a glimpse of the glory of God. It was as if they were looking at a lamp with its light shaded from view, sort of like this lamp. (Show lamp with shade.) When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, it’s as if the shade was taken away and the disciples could see the true brightness of God’s glory.

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Salt and Light

Jesus wants us to be salty, and he wants us to shine brightly. People around us should know for sure that we’re Christians. We should show them love and acceptance and tell them about God and invite them to church.

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A Glimpse of Glory

Jesus was showing his disciples that he was truly special, that he was the Son of God. How do you think that made them feel about him? (Let children answer.) Jesus wanted to remind them that no matter what might happen, and no matter how sad they might feel or how bad things might seem, Jesus was very, very special. He was God’s Son. He would always be there to help them. This is what we remember and celebrate on Transfiguration Sunday.

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An Eye for an Eye

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany From “Saving the Ants” (Download book at left!)Â

Scripture Reference: Matt. 5:38-48 and 1 Cor. 3:18-19Â

Preparation: Bring an organ donation card with you; your own or one from a member of the congregation.

Can anyone tell me what the word revenge means? (Discuss meaning and examples of revenge with children.) Revenge is getting back at someone who hurt you. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus talks about revenge. The people that Jesus was talking to knew about the old

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Choose Life

Moses set two choices before the Israelites and told them that they must decide which path they wanted to take. Moses said, “See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil.” Life or death; seems like a pretty easy choice to make. I brought along a couple of signs to remind you of the two choices. (Hand “Life” sign to your right and have a child hold it up; hand “Death” sign to your left.) Some of the choices that go along with “Life” are obeying and loving the Lord and keeping his commandments. Some of the choices that go along with “Death” are turning away from God and making other things more important in your life than God.

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Blessed Are…

The world says just the opposite. Here are some things you might hear on television or at school. You may even hear this kind of talk from other kids or even from some grownups: “It’s better to be rich and proud, so that you can take whatever you want. It’s better to be bold and pushy; that way you can conquer the earth. If you want to win, you can’t worry about hurting other people.” Those aren’t the sorts of things that Jesus taught, are they?

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A Great Light

If everyone scoots in real close, we’ll see how many people we can get under this dark blanket. (Gather with the children under the blanket.) It’s pretty dark under here, isn’t it? I wanted to read a Bible verse to you, but now it’s so dark I don’t know if I can. But I think I have something that might help. (Retrieve the flashlight out of your bag.) This flashlight will really help; just the thing to push back the darkness. (Turn on the light.) That makes a big difference, doesn’t it? I can see much better. Here’s the Bible verse; Isaiah, chapter 9, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness; on them light has shined” (v. 2 NRSV).

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Lamb of God

It is a sad thing to watch a lamb be killed. But when the people sacrificed a lamb, they were reminded that sin is a very sad thing as well. They knew that God was sparing their own lives when the lamb was killed in their place. They knew that this lamb was specially chosen as the most perfect lamb from the flock for the sacrifice. An innocent lamb has done nothing wrong and has not sinned. Still, this lamb was dying in the place of the people who had sinned.

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Follow the Star

Sunday of the Epiphany Adapted from “Barefoot in the Snow” Scripture Reference:Â Matt. 2:1-2; 9-12Â

How many of you have seen a searchlight shining in the night sky? (Let children respond.) Those lights are meant to lead people to a certain spot in the city. If a store is having a grand opening or if there is a big sale on cars at a dealership, a searchlight might be set up in the parking lot. The bright light can be seen all over town.

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Love Builds the Church

For the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany From “Sitting on the Rainbow”

Image from Half a World Away exhibit

Scripture Reference:Â 1 Cor. 8:1-3

Preparation: You may bring a hammer and nails or some other construction tools.

The Bible reading from 1 Corinthians today talks about building up the church. If you were going to help build up the church, what sort of tools do you think you might need? (Discuss.) I brought some tools with me (show the tools), but the trouble is,

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