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Sunday: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Revised Common Lectionary – Year A
Text: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Dollar Store Item: Different Types of Soil, Seeds, and You.
The Take Away: God plants with wild abandon, joyful sharing Grace, and we can get to do the same!
Video:
Narrative Lectionary
Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Dollar Store Item: Your Mask
The Take Away: We have been blessed to be a blessing. We act in ways that keep our neighbors in mind, and so we think about who we come into contact with, and how we might be a blessing.
Video:
Dear Brother in Christ, I watched your children’s sermon where you were wearing a shirt with pineapples on it, while searching for pineapples. Now I can’ t seem to locate it! Can you help me? I was gonna use it tomorrow. Thanks, Sister in Christ, Jane
Greeting Jane! Here is the link, which was on my church’s YouTube site. Glad you can use it!
Hi John, I just watched your videos for both the Common and Narrative Lectionaries for this Sunday, June 14. You sound like you’re having a bit of a tough time. I want you to know what a blessing you are to so many of us, and that I am praying for you.
Thank you! I didn’t realize that was coming through. I think I’m feeling it at my core, and sensing it also from others, too. I appreciate your prayers, and kind words.
John! Thank you for preaching to this big kid. I like the reference to Judas being sent out. . With my sinful past, why would Jesus want me to go forth? But it is my testimony now that speaks of his love and greatfullness! One thing now, I don’t plan on betraying him.
Blessings to you John.
Hi John,
I’m feeling rather down and unmotivated this morning. Your blessing to go out with joy was just what I needed to hear. May you and your ministry likewise be filled with joy and purpose.
Mark Ballard
Rochester, NY
Thank you very much, Mark!
Hi John,
After 15 years of children’s sermons, I’d reached a point I was struggling to remain creative, and many weeks just skipped it because I couldn’t come up with an idea that wasn’t just a moral lesson. Then in September another pastor at a synod event mentioned she used your site. I am SO glad to have discovered your wonderful ministry! You’ve reinvigorated my joy in doing children sermons and I know my congregation appreciates it and I’m pretty sure my own 4 children do too! Thanks much and keep up the fantastic work!
Blessings,
Jeff
Ellsworth, WI
Jeff,
Thank you so much. Your note made my day!! Joy for my journey!
John
John! Great name by the way!
I really enjoy the simplistic approach to childrens ministry. How fascinated we could be at that age to just sit and study a bug or clouds or, a shoestring, and be so enthralled in it. Such is this ministry approach.
I will adapt to our message this Sunday as we broadcast our Sunday service to our congregation, all in pajamas most likely.
I can still get silly at 62, and can’t wait to give the message. I’ve got the knot down.
Thank you so much!
YBIC
James Malac
James, thank you so much!!! Silliness abound in all God’s glory!
John
I can’t tell you how many times I have used your kids sermons for our Children’s Moment. As a First Christian Church pastor’s wife, I feel extra pressure to deliver a good children’s message when it’s my turn. Now during the pandemic, I thought your “The Monster At The End Of This Book” was a timely way to share an Easter message during our Facebook Live, Easter service. Thank for all you do! You are very inspirational! Peace & Blessings
Thank you so much for the message! Warms my heart.
Thank you for giving me such wonderful ideas each week. Your gift of making the Bible and all its glory accessible to God’s children (and adults, too!) is truly a blessing.
Thank you so much for your kind comment! – John
I like the pendulum idea. I am thinking of using a balancing scale. People’s sins on one side and God’s compassion for the people (heavier weight) on the other side. God’s love and compassion outwieghs what we deserve for our sins.
Kent,
I like the idea of the scales!!
John
I adore your site! I am asked to do children’s sermons from time to time and they are a wonderful reference! Much more than that, I am asked to fill in for pastors services at our local Nursing Home. Many residents can not follow a homily or sermon. These ideas have been such a hit with seniors! They are attentive and remember because of the visuals. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. In Christ’s name, Amen!
Thank you!! This makes me smile.
Dear John,
The minute I hear I “get’ to do the Children’s Sermon for our church service…your web site is the first place I go to. Thank you so much for your happy, creative ideas… for sometimes my heart isn’t excited to work on the Children’s Sermon and you always help me discover the joy and honor of talking with the children in our congregation! My deepest thanks!!!
Thanks for making me part of your blessing this year , there are much and much i receive through the messages . God bless you and the Christian Famlies with you.
John, Bless you and thank you for sharing your ideas Children’s Sermons, especially for Epiphany, I like the idea of moving around the sanctuary talking about Jesus and the wise ones!
Thank you! Blessed Epiphany to you!
Thank you so much. These are really helpful.
Anne Meredith
I’m so glad to find your site! I needed some inspiration to bring Palm Sunday to a very very young audience. This is just exactly what I needed to hear and think about. Thank You!
Kim,
I am so glad you found the site as well, and welcome! Appreciate your comments, and blessings on your Holy Week! – John
Thank you, Pastor! I often checks these out to lead the children’s message Sunday mornings. You are a blessing and an inspiration! Don’t stop!
Pastor Joy
Community United Church
Erie, PA
John
Wondering if/how I can search for “Text”/Scripture specific Dollar Tree Childrens Sermons? I have tried the Search Bar with no success.
Thank You!
Mary
Mary,
Thanks for the question. The search function is something I am still trying to figure out. Need to do more reading on Tagging posts, and the like.
For now, the best way I have found to search is to put what you are looking for in quotes, which searches for the entire text. Another option is to look at the lectionary page here: http://www.textweek.com/yearb/yearb.htm and find the Sunday that possibly has the text, and search for that Sunday in quotes: “First Sunday in Lent” to see if that brings it up.
A better search function would make the site more user friendly, and you are not the first to ask… so after Easter (my timeline for everything), I should look.
What text/scripture are you looking for? I might be able to help.
John
Happy, Happy Birthday on the 22nd. May God continue to use you and bless you – as you bless others with this important ministry. Make sure you celebrate immediately!
I plan on it! Thank you!
I enjoy your insights and the inspirations they give me. The ideas I have used from here have been very well received. I love your star sticker idea and the God Positioning Star! Thank you for all you share and the work you put into this, it is an invaluable resource to me in my ministry.
Laura,
Thank you so much! Made my day.
John
I just found your blog and I love the videos and the ideas! I teach in our Parish School on Sunday’s at a Catholic Church in California and sometimes I am at a loss as to what to do with my 4th graders, you have inspired me! Thank you so much
Many blessings
Thank you!!!
So glad you found me, and you find them helpful.
John
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Any way to send a donation with a credit card? I don’t have paypal. I’m the minister at trinity United church in collingwood Ontario Canada. Love your work!
Brian,
If you click the donate link, PayPal gives the option of donating through PayPal or using a card. That should work for you. Thank you so much for asking!!
John
Oh, my goodness. Thank you! You pulled my calf out of the fire. I couldn’t get a hold on Exodus 32 with the children, and you’ve struck just the right note. Buzz Lightyear or not.
Charlotte,
I am glad that the DSCS was a help!!
Blessings,
John
Always great ideas from this site! This is my go to spot for children sermon ideas! I’m a lay leader and many times have referred to these posts for ideas! Thank you!
Thank you very very much!
Thanks John, for this site and for your creative, deep, thoughtful reflections for children. Very grateful!
Pr. John,
Thanks for this great, no-prop take on witnessing! This will work quite well, especially because I will be presiding at an infant Baptism this Sunday and can use this to link things together. The kids can be “witnesses” of what happens.
Children’s messages are very important. Thank you for your time and effort with your videos. I tweek your messages to fit my children’s group, and they all love them so much. Thanking God for your life, and continue to be a maker of disciples for Christ. To God be the Glory!
I’m a music director at an Episcopal Church and there are times when I get to lead the children during the service – something I love to do!
I really enjoy your Dollar Store ideas. There is much inspiration here. Thank you so much for posting these online.
Thank you so much!