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Greetings Narrative Lectionary Preachers!

Since there are options in what texts to pick for the summer, I thought I would give you a heads up on the direction I am going.  I appreciate you taking this ride with me, and the input and feedback I have received.  All very helpful! (As well from the RLC folks too! Don’t want to leave you out!!).

As you can tell, they are the suggested texts from Luther Seminary, and I am going with the Wisdom/Proverbs fork in the road over the Creeds.  Then moving on to Hebrews.  So here are the texts I will be using for the summer months:

Summer 2015 (15 weeks from May 31 – Sept. 6, 2015)

Psalms (6 weeks):
5/31: Psalm 1 (Introduction)
6/7: Psalm 113 (Praise)
6/14: Psalm 69:1-16 (Lament)
6/21: Psalm 27:1-6 (Trust)
6/28: Psalm 40:1-10 (Thanksgiving)
7/5: Psalm 146 (Praise)

Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry (4 weeks)
7/12: Proverbs 1:1-7; 3:1-8
7/19: Proverbs 8:1-11, 22-36
7/26: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11; 3:1-17
8/2: Song of Solomon 2:10-13; 8:6-7

Hebrews (5 weeks):
8/9: Hebrews 1:1-4
8/16: Hebrews 2:10-18
8/23: Hebrews 4:14–5:10
8/30: Hebrews 9:1-14
9/6: Hebrews 11:1-16 (12:1-2)

Laughter and Music
Faith, Words and Friendship as well
Jim lived Christ’s story
~  Haiku written in memory and honor of Jim, and our friendship)

Greetings Saints!

Another post that, while isn’t directly DSCS related, it really ends up being just that.  For you see, Jim Drury was an inspiration to me and always pushed me to do my best.  No, not just my best, but my creative best.  And I loved him for it.

I head off to Price, Utah in just a little while to say, “See you in a while,” to a dear friend. I have known Jim for a while now, and from the time we met each other, to the present, we became fast friends. Jim was a friend that I talked to daily, and could ask advice about everything under the sun. And he was a straight shooter, and I cherished this about him.

The photo below captures Jim so well, and I love the advice given to him by Linda, his love.

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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:  6th Sunday of Easter

Revised Common Lectionary – Year B

Text: Acts 10: 44-48

Dollar Store Item: Painter’s Tape / Masking Tape

The Take Away:  We all belong, as God widens the circle of Grace!

Video:

Narrative Lectionary – God’s love poured out

Text: Romans 5:1-11

Dollar Store Item:  Crayons

The Take Away:  We are loved because that is who God is, not because we do great things!

Video:

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Sunday:  5th Sunday of Easter

Revised Common Lectionary – Year B

Text: John 15 and 1 John

Dollar Store Item: Fruit

The Take Away:  We are fruit of Christ, Our Love helps grow the Good News. 

Video:

Narrative Lectionary – Gospel as Salvation

Text: Romans 1:1-17

Dollar Store Item:  Rubber Spatula

The Take Away:  We all belong, and are brought into God’s presence as a gift. 

Video:

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Sunday:  4th Sunday of Easter

Revised Common Lectionary – Year B

Text: 1 John 3:16-24

Dollar Store Item: Ball

The Take Away:  We love, because God first loved us. 

Video:

Narrative Lectionary – Paul’s Mission

Text: Acts 13:1-3, 14: 8-18

Dollar Store Item:  Stone with Etched Word / Stone with Cross Drawn on It

The Take Away:  God sets us apart, and makes us holy!

Video:

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Sunday:  3rd Sunday of Easter

Revised Common Lectionary – Year B

Text: 1 John 3:1-7

Dollar Store Item: Doctor or Cooking play set. 

The Take Away:  We are children of God

Video:

Narrative Lectionary – Peter’s Vision

Text: Acts 10:1-17, 34-35

Dollar Store Item:  Painter’s Tape/Masking Tape

The Take Away:  God welcomes all into God’s circle. 

Video:

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Sunday:  2nd Sunday of Easter

Revised Common Lectionary – Year B

Text: Acts 4:32-35

Dollar Store Item: Sea Life Creatures (enough of 1 items that you can give it away). 

The Take Away: By sharing what we have, we receive as well. 

Video:

Narrative Lectionary – The Great Commission

Text:  Matthew 28:16-20

Dollar Store Item: Toy Doctor Set or Cooking Set.

The Take Away:  We are given what we need to tell the story of Jesus!

Video:

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March 12, 2015

Today is one of those days where I am pondering.  Whether it is Lent, my theme of “Paying Attention,”  or the daily Haikus I have been writing, based on a different word for a different day, I have been pondering.

As some of you know, perhaps many by this time, I also perform sleight of hand magic.  I am what they would call, “an amateur magician.”  I like that, because not only is it fun, but it helps bring joy to people’s world.  And, I believe, that really is what life is about many times:  Helping others see the joy and wonder in the world.

I write this because as I was pondering, and exploring my hobby of magic, I came across a back issue of a magic magazine called, “Genii.”  In this edition, a man by the name of Jamie D. Grant was interviewed.  It was reading his interview, and re-reading parts about his life, I was reminded about what helped me get this blog out of my dreams and into the web (throw back to a Billy Ocean song).

Jamie D. Grant creates wonder.  He has created a whole campaign called, “Send Wonder,” and it truly is an amazing thing.

Honestly, what gave me the courage, or the push, to make the step into trying something new, something that could have fallen flat, was Jamie D. Grant’s “Anything is Possible” bottles.  These are amazing piece of art, wonder and strange.

I have had a bottle like this in the past, made by Jamie D. Grant, and it was this very creation that pushed me to look at doing something that had lived in the back of my mind for a while.  It was the idea that spurred the creation of the Dollar Store Children Sermon blog.

Through out my time, and experiences, I have lost that bottle.  It is in this new season of life that I hope to regain one.  They are truly a piece of art, astonishment, and wonder.

Jamie D. Grant has given a great TED talk about Sending Wonder, and can be found here:

Thank you, Jamie, for your inspiration, and most of all, your kindness.

Living in God’s Grace,

John W. Stevens, pastor
Zion Lutheran 720 Jefferson Street
Oregon City, Oregon 97045

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Sunday:  Easter Sunday

Revised Common Lectionary – Year B

Dollar Store Item: Packs of Gum

The Take Away:

Video:

Narrative Lectionary

Dollar Store Item:  Packs of Gum

The Take Away:  Christ is Risen!  He is risen indeed!

Video:

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Sunday:  Palm Sunday

Revised Common Lectionary – Year B

Dollar Store Item:  Finger Pointer

The Take Away:  The move from Palm Sunday to Good Friday

Video:

Narrative Lectionary – Palm Sunday/Triumphal Entry

Dollar Store Item: Finger Pointer

The Take Away:  Moving from Palm Sunday to Good Friday

Video: