April 26th, 2020 – 3rd Sunday of Easter

/ John Stevens / 1 Comment

If you find the DSCS helpful and would like to donate, thank you!
You can do so, easily, through PayPal:

Sunday: Third Sunday of Easter

Revised Common Lectionary – Year A

Text: Luke 24:13-35

Dollar Store Item: None

The Take Away: Jesus is seen in the breaking of the bread, which we experience joy, like in the smaller gifts of life.

Video:


Narrative Lectionary

Text: Acts 3:1-11

Dollar Store Item: None/Where’s Waldo/Picture of one stick figure

The Take Away: The beggar is told to look at them, and in the exchange, recieves the gift of healing. We are called to see each other, and in that, we bring the gift of Joy.

Video:

Supporting the DSCS

/ John Stevens / Leave a comment

Greetings Saints!

Thank you for all of your love over the last 7 (SEVEN… wow) years of the DSCS. I have so much fun doing this ministry and love the fact that I keep hearing from more and more of you.

One of my greatest joys is when I will have folks visit Zion Lutheran because of this site, or when you reach out and we have conversations online. It is Grace upon Grace for me! (I keep these comments and visits in my heart for the rainy day file… you know that file!)

I pray for the time that we can gather in our own churches again.

This post could be seen as an annual fund drive for the DSCS if you will. I posted a while back, but then, you know, Pandemic. I apprecaite any way you might give.

The site is free, and will always be free, and my heart is warmed by the generosity of all the folks that take part in the ministry of DSCS in prayer and donations.

Would you consider making a donation to the DSCS? I have asked in the summer before. However this year, using “Spring Board” as the theme, I decided to time it this way.

Please, would you prayerful consider a donation to the DSCS at this time?

You can virtually buy me a cup of coffee:

https://ko-fi.com/johnstevens

or you can donate through paypal:

Thank you!
John Stevens

April 19th, 2020 – 2nd Sunday of Easter

/ John Stevens / Leave a comment

If you find the DSCS helpful and would like to donate, thank you!
You can do so, easily, through PayPal:

Sunday: Second Sunday of Easter

Revised Common Lectionary – Year A

Text: John 20:19-31

Dollar Store Item: Shoelace

The Take Away: Jesus gives his disciples and us peace.

Video:

Teaching Video:


Narrative Lectionary

Text: Acts 1:1-14

Dollar Store Item: Shoelace

The Take Away: The story of Luke, and the Story of Acts; the story of Jesus and the story of Acts are not two different stories. Acts is a continuation of God working.

Video:

Teaching Video:

April 12th, 2020 – Easter Sunday

/ John Stevens / Leave a comment

If you find the DSCS helpful and would like to donate, thank you!
You can do so, easily, through PayPal:

Sunday: Easter Sunday

Revised Common Lectionary – Year A

Text:Matthew 28:1-10

Dollar Store Item: Not the Dollar Tree, but here is a link for the book, “A Monster at the End of the Book”: https://www.amazon.com/Monster-This-Book-Sesame-Street-ebook/dp/B0078X2LKY/

The Take Away: There was fear heading to the tomb. Each step, perhaps even more. There was sadness. There was, perhaps, the urge to turn back. But, when the women get to the tomb, there is great joy, and a surprise beyond all surprises. Jesus is alive!

Video:


Narrative Lectionary

Text: Mark 16:1-8

Dollar Store Item: Dollar Store Item: Not the Dollar Tree, but here is a link for the book, “A Monster at the End of the Book”: https://www.amazon.com/Monster-This-Book-Sesame-Street-ebook/dp/B0078X2LKY/

The Take Away: There was fear heading to the tomb. Each step, perhaps even more. There was sadness. There was, perhaps, the urge to turn back. But, when the women get to the tomb, there is great joy, and a surprise beyond all surprises. Jesus is alive!

The Take Away:

April 5th, 2020 – Palm Sunday

/ John Stevens / Leave a comment

If you find the DSCS helpful and would like to donate, thank you!
You can do so, easily, through PayPal:

Sunday: Palm Sunday

Revised Common Lectionary – Year A

Text: Mark 11:1-11 or another Processional text

Dollar Store Item: None (branches, coats, palm of our hands)

The Take Away: We are still connected!

Video:


Narrative Lectionary

Text: Mark 11:1-11 [14:3-9]

Dollar Store Item: None (branches, coats, palm of our hands)

The Take Away: We are still connected!

Video:

March 29th, 2020 – 5th Sunday in Lent

/ John Stevens / Leave a comment

If you find the DSCS helpful and would like to donate, thank you!
You can do so, easily, through PayPal:

Sunday: Fifth Sunday in Lent

Revised Common Lectionary – Year A

Text: John 11:1-45 or Ezekiel 37:1-14

Dollar Store Item: Tissue or a bag of rocks

The Take Away: God is in control, and always bringing about new life!

Video:


Narrative Lectionary

Text: Mark 13:1-8, 24-37

Dollar Store Item: 1st Aid Kit, Toilet Paper, preparedness stuff.

The Take Away: We are called to pay attention, and be prepared. Chirst is in control, as as we are part of Jesus, we show love by paying attention to those around us.

Video:

March 22nd, 2020 – 4th Sunday in Lent

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If you find the DSCS helpful and would like to donate, thank you!
You can do so, easily, through PayPal:

Sunday: Fourth Sunday in Lent

Revised Common Lectionary – Year A

Text: John 9:1-41

Dollar Store Item: Nothing – Your two index fingers.

The Take Away: This story starts out by calling Jesus one title, and slowly throughout it, we get to the core, Jesus being from/of God and the Messiah.

Video:


Narrative Lectionary

Text: Mark 12:28-44

Dollar Store Item: None or Heart Light

The Take Away: Loving Neighbor and Loving Self is all about loving God. And God loving us. Completely. How do we show love to the widow?

Video:

Spring(board) of Support

/ John Stevens / Leave a comment

Greetings Saints!

Thank you for all of your love over the last 7 (SEVEN… wow) years of the DSCS. I have so much fun doing this ministry and love the fact that I keep hearing from more and more of you.

One of my greatest joys is when I will have folks visit Zion Lutheran because of this site, or when you reach out and we have conversations online. It is Grace upon Grace for me! (I keep these comments and visits in my heart for the rainy day file… you know that file!)

This post could be seen as an annual fund drive for the DSCS if you will. The site is free, and will always be free, and my heart is warmed by the generosity of all the folks that take part in the ministry of DSCS in prayer and donations.

Would you consider making a donation to the DSCS? I have asked in the summer before. However this year, using “Spring Board” as the theme, I decided to time it this way.

Please, would you prayerful consider a donation to the DSCS at this time?

You can do so through paypal:

Thank you!
John Stevens

March 15th, 2020 – 3rd Sunday in Lent

/ John Stevens / 1 Comment

If you find the DSCS helpful and would like to donate, thank you!
You can do so, easily, through PayPal:

Sunday: Third Sunday in Lent

Revised Common Lectionary – Year A

Text: John 4:5-42

Dollar Store Item: Water Bottle

The Take Away: Jesus meets us anywhere, even when others say we don’t belong.

Video:


Narrative Lectionary

Text: Mark 12:1-12 [13-17]

Dollar Store Item: Workbook with questions or math.

The Take Away: Even in the midst of tricky questions, Jesus reminds us that we all belong to God.

Video:

March 8th, 2020 – 2nd Sunday in Lent

/ John Stevens / 1 Comment

If you find the DSCS helpful and would like to donate, thank you!
You can do so, easily, through PayPal:

Sunday: First Sunday in Lent

Revised Common Lectionary – Year A

Text: John 3:1-17

Dollar Store Item: Box of Crayons

The Take Away: God loves the WHOLE world, not just one or two of us!

Video:


Narrative Lectionary

Text: Mark 10:32-52

Dollar Store Item: None, or something that highlights a fear.

The Take Away: Being brave means being afraid and doing it anyway. We aren’t called to be without fear, but to follow the one who we can trust.

Video: