Shannon Kelly

Second Sunday of Advent

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

The people who came out to hear John the Baptist would have recognized the Isaiah passage he was proclaiming. Did these people notice that something was not quite right in their lives? Apparently so, why else would they have come out to hear this bizarre-looking preacher? And so we, in the 21st Century, look for what we need to do to “prepare the way of the Lord.” What is cluttering up the path? Will there be room in our inn for the Christ child to come and be born in us?

Download the lesson plans for the Second Sunday of Advent

LPTW Advent 2, Year C, Younger Children
LPTW Advent 2, Year C, Older Children
LPTW Advent 2, Year C, Adults
LPTW Advent 2, Year C, All

First Sunday of Advent, Year C

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

While the world frantically shops, hoping to find the joy which is announced in the piped-in-music to show up in purchases, we are being called to STOP. No, not to zone out, but to stand and be alert for signs. The Psalm for today calls out: “to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.” And so we hold in tension the delicious preparations of celebrating Christmas with seeking moments of silence in which to be vigilant – to lift up our souls.

Download the lesson plans for the First Sunday of Advent

LPTW Advent 1, Year C, Younger Children
LPTW Advent 1, Year C, Older Children
LPTW Advent 1, Year C, Adults
LPTW Advent 1, Year C, All

Season after Pentecost, Ordinary Time, Proper 29, Year B

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

My kingdom is not of this world. My kingdom is not won in a battle. Clearly, the kingdom Jesus offers comes a very different way than we expected. Jesus refuses violence. Instead, he speaks the truth and waits for ordinary people to hear his voice and choose to follow him. The ordinary gathers energy for the extra-ordinary to come.

Download the lesson plans for Proper 29

LPTW Proper 29, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Proper 29, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Proper 29, Year B, Adults
LPTW Proper 29, Year B, All

Season after Pentecost, Ordinary Time, Proper 28, Year B

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

A beautiful building, the Temple –laboriously built and the pride of the people. Impressive now, Jesus agrees, but not one stone will be left upon stone. The kingdom he offers is not about fancy buildings. His kingdom will, however, remain after all else has been destroyed.

Download the lesson plans for Proper 28

LPTW Proper 28, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Proper 28, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Proper 28, Year B, Adults
LPTW Proper 28, Year B, All

Season after Pentecost, Ordinary Time, Proper 27, Year B

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

The season of Ordinary Time continues for two more Sundays. The Gospel brings us back to noticing what we are being called to do. Clearly it is not to put on a big show or call attention to ourselves. Beware of those whose actions are not compatible with their talk! And perhaps it’s not about the size of the contribution, but the depth of the gratitude.

Download the lesson plans for Proper 27

LPTW Proper 27, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Proper 27, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Proper 27, Year B, Adults
LPTW Proper 27, Year B, All

All Saints Day, Year B

Scripture: John 11:32-44

Note: This is the lesson plan for All Saints Day. Check with your clergy person about what propers you are using for this Sunday. Some churches use All Saints, others use the Sunday Propers.

We step aside from the flow of the propers and celebrate all the saints. We stop. We notice. We are surrounded by a flock of witnesses in our midst — many who have gone before us, some we are just now releasing, and still more with a full life ahead of them. Jesus raises back to life his friend, Lazarus. Lazarus will eventually die, but for now, those who are following Jesus need to know that death has had its stinger removed. “Unbind him and let him go”, says Jesus. Each of us, on our last day on this side of life, will know that unbinding and that letting go.

Download the lesson plans for All Saints’ Day

LPTW All Saints, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW All Saints, Year B, Older Children
LPTW All Saints, Year B, Adults
LPTW All Saints, Year B, All

Season after Pentecost, Ordinary Time, Proper 26, Year B

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

The question from the scribes this week is not meant to be one to challenge or trip Jesus up. Rather, it is common in Jewish tradition to ask if there is a way to summarize commandments. Jesus, in turn, gives a rather traditional answer, siting Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might) and Leviticus 19:18 (You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord). Jesus uses these two passages as a foundation for becoming a whole person of God. For Jesus, these are the core texts of faith and belief.

Download the lesson plans for Proper 26

LPTW Proper 26, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Proper 26, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Proper 26, Year B, Adults
LPTW Proper 26, Year B, All

Season after Pentecost, Proper 25, Year B

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

No ceremony, no pomposity, no swooping in with fuss and feathers. No needs assessments, no programs. Jesus simply stands before the pleading blind man and asks: “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus can see that this man has gathered all his courage to ask: “My sight.” Jesus affirms the man’s courage and assures him his faith will make him well.

Download the lesson plans for Proper 25

LPTW Proper 25, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Proper 25, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Proper 25, Year B, Adults
LPTW Proper 25, Year B, All

Season after Pentecost, Ordinary Time, Proper 24, Year B

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

How in the world will we find our place, our position, our status, if we are already “in”? What if there is no top spot – no seat of honor? What if we do not have to compete for a place at the table – the place is already set, the dinner served, the wine poured? The disciples have been scrambling for position. Jesus tells them that the sign of being “in” is not about being served but in looking for whom to serve.

Download the lesson plans for Proper 24

LPTW Proper 24, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Proper 24, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Proper 24, Year B, Adults
LPTW Proper 24, Year B, All

Season after Pentecost, Ordinary Time, Proper 23, Year B

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

What does it take to get in? That’s the question that Jesus is asked. Jesus answers the question that is not asked and offers a very different way of being. The commandments of old are valid but insufficient. The way we’ve always done it is not working. What in the world would be an entrance requirement for a way of life you have already begun? What if it is not about getting in but about noticing that you are already in?

Download the lesson plans for Proper 23

LPTW Proper 23, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Proper 23, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Proper 23, Year B, Adults
LPTW Proper 23, Year B, All