Check my blog each Wednesday for a children's message idea for the Narrative Lectionary readings for the following Sunday, brought to you by my husband (a pastor and elementary teacher) and me. This week's reading includes 2 stories: The Good Samaritan and the story of Mary and Martha. I'd suggest focusing on one of them …
Prayer Habits and a Challenge
I'm a fan of Gretchen Rubin's work on happiness and habits, including her book Better Then Before, which is part memoir, part practical suggestions about forming good habits. As my congregation approaches the Lenten season (Ash Wednesday is only 2 days away), I'm doing something I haven't done in a while: issuing a challenge during …
Children’s Sermon Idea for Luke 9:28-45
The temptation when creating a children's message for the transfiguration story is to explain or interpret the supernatural aspects of Jesus' transformation on the mountain. An important reminder: kids aren't developmentally ready to comprehend the theological aspects of the transfiguration. But--are any of us ready? Kids may help the congregation to embrace the mystery of …
On Vacation
I'm on vacation this week...I'll be back next Wednesday with a children's sermon idea! Have a great weekend.
Flinging Myself Across the Ocean
A little over 8 months ago, I zipped my new backpack closed for the final time before stepping on a plane to Glasgow. I'd been scribbling lists, packing and re-packing, leaving out all but the very essentials, scrunching my forehead over seemingly endless decisions. Finally, it was time to leave for the airport.A photo right …
Children’s Message Idea for Luke 7:18-35
Check here each Wednesday for NL children's message ideas from the brain of my husband, a pastor and elementary teacher (he comes up with the idea, I write them down). This text tells of John's puzzling doubts about Jesus' identity. A barrier for John may be his inability to physically see, due to his imprisonment, …
What’s Giving Me Hope
I've been pondering the relationship between hope, cynicism and faith lately. In this fraught national period, it's easy to slip into an attitude centered on the mistrust of others. While it's necessary to hold each other accountable, cynicism is a terrible motivator. Hope is what will sustain us, and faith gives us the power to …
Children’s Message Idea for Luke 7:1-10
This story provides the opportunity to talk with children about authority and power. Who holds power? What kind of power does Jesus possess? At the beginning of your message, show the children an example of power and authority. You could lift your hands (in a gesture directing the congregation to stand) and/or ask the congregation …
Far Away and Familiar
Tim and I stayed two nights in the village of Balestrand, Norway during our trip through the Sognefjord in June and while there we spent a morning in the fellow village of Vik, a 15-minute ferry ride away. Vik is known for The Hopperstad Stave Church, one of the oldest stave churches still standing, which …
Singin’ in the Rain
Linda Holmes is one of my favorite writers, and has been since she wrote recaps for The Amazing Race on the now-defunct site Television Without Pity. She's now one of the main hosts of Pop Culture Happy Hour, a podcast I make a point to listen to each week. After the dismaying news that Carrie …
Narrating Grace 