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First Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7

This passage from “Second Isaiah” was written during the Babylonian Exile, just as the possibility for return to their homeland was first appearing. The words are meant to be comforting and to provide reassurance that God is still with them and things will get better. Through Isaiah, God reminds the people of God’s constant presence and care, even when the people have strayed and disobeyed. Since this might be a day for Baptisms, one may also make the connection to our own living in covenant with God and God’s continued presence in our lives and those of the baptismal candidates.

Download the lesson plans for the First Sunday after the Epiphany

LPTW Epiphany 1, Year C, Old Testament, Younger Children
LPTW Epiphany 1, Year C, Old Testament, Older Children

Second Sunday after Christmas, Year C, Old Testament

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-14

Today is the second Sunday after Christmas Day. White is the color of joy in the church, and we are rejoicing that Jesus has come to live among us. The candle in the center of the Advent wreath is the Christ Candle, reminding us that Light of the World has come into the world. The time of healing and restoration is at hand.

Download the lesson plans for the Second Sunday after Christmas

LPTW Christmas 1, Year C, Old Testament, Younger Children
LPTW Christmas 1, Year C, Old Testament, Older Children

First Sunday after Christmas, Year C, Old Testament

Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Today is the first Sunday after Christmas Day. White is the color of joy in the church, and we are rejoicing that Jesus has come to live among us. The candle in the center of the Advent wreath is the Christ Candle, reminding us that Light of the World has come into the world.

Download the Lesson Plans for the First Sunday after Christmas

LPTW Christmas 1, Year C, Old Testament, Younger Children
LPTW Christmas 1, Year C, Old Testament, Older Children

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C, Old Testament Lesson

Scripture: Micah 5: 2-5a

This is the fourth Sunday of Advent, the four weeks that prepare us for Christmas. Advent means “coming” and the One who is coming is the messiah, Jesus. We remember and celebrate Jesus’ birth and we make ourselves ready for the time that Jesus will come again, when God will make all things new. The stories we hear in this season are from the prophets, who bring us messages of great hope and deep joy as we wait and watch and wonder.

Download the lesson plan for the Fourth Sunday in Advent

LPTW Advent 4, Year C, Old Testament, Younger Children
LPTW Advent 4, Year C, Old Testament, Older Children

Third Sunday of Advent, Year C, Old Testament Lesson

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20

This is the third Sunday of Advent, the four weeks that prepare us for Christmas. Advent means “coming” and the One who is coming is the messiah, Jesus. We remember and celebrate Jesus’ birth and we make ourselves ready for the time that Jesus will come again, when God will make all things new. The stories we hear in this season are from the prophets, who bring us messages of great hope and deep joy as we wait and watch and wonder.

Download the lesson plan for the Third Sunday in Advent

LPTW Advent 3, Year C, Old Testament, Younger Children
LPTW Advent 3, Year C, Old Testament, Older Children

Second Sunday of Advent, Year C, Old Testament Lesson

Scripture: Baruch 5:1-9

This is the second Sunday of Advent, the four weeks that prepare us for Christmas. Advent means “coming” and the One who is coming is the messiah, Jesus. We remember and celebrate Jesus’ birth and we make ourselves ready for the time that Jesus will come again, when God will make all things new. The stories we hear in this season are from the prophets, who bring us messages of great hope and deep joy as we wait and watch and wonder.

Download the lesson plan for the Second Sunday in Advent

LPTW Advent 2, Year C, Old Testament, Younger Children
LPTW Advent 2, Year C, Old Testament, Older Children

First Sunday of Advent, Year C, Old Testament Lesson

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16

Today we begin the season of Advent, the four weeks that prepare us for Christmas. Advent means “coming” and the One who is coming is the Messiah, Jesus. We remember and celebrate Jesus’ birth and we make ourselves ready for the time that Jesus will come again, when God will make all things new. The stories we hear in this season are from the prophets who bring messages of great hope and deep joy as we wait and watch and wonder.

Download the lesson plan for the First Sunday in Advent

LPTW Advent 1, Year C, Old Testament, Younger Children
LPTW Advent 1, Year C, Old Testament, Older Children

Second Sunday after Christmas, Year C

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

A day back from the annual trip to Jerusalem for Passover, Joseph and Mary check with their extended family. Suddenly they realize that their young son, Jesus, is not with any of them. They race back to Jerusalem, frantically searching for the 12 year-old. Three days and unimaginable stress later they find him sitting in the Temple learning from the teachers. He is un-phased by their universal parental response of relief mixed with fury. “Didn’t you know I would be in my Father’s house?” asked Jesus. Yes, Mary had much to hold in her heart.

Download the lesson plans for the Second Sunday after Christmas

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

First Sunday after Christmas, Year C

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Here we have Salvation history in a nutshell. In the beginning was the “Word.” Word as verb: moving, creating, redeeming. Word: creating since the beginning, now here as an infant. The prophets proclaimed this would happen, right through to the last of the prophets: John the Baptist. We have the law, thanks to Moses. Now we receive grace and truth through Jesus, the only Son. He is the Light; the Light that no darkness can extinguish dawns on. Now we are invited to decide who is this child for us?

Download the lesson plans for the First Sunday after Christmas

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

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Mary has simply accepted the message the angel gave her. Now she goes to the one other woman on the planet with whom she can talk: her elderly cousin, Elizabeth, who is expecting a baby whose name will be John. Blessed is she who believes. But what does Mary make of the baby in Elizabeth’s womb “leaping” at the sound of Mary’s voice? Who is the baby John? Who is this baby Mary carries?

Download the lesson plans for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

LPTW Advent 4, Year C, Younger Children
LPTW Advent 4, Year C, Older Children
LPTW Advent 4, Year C, Adults
LPTW Advent 4, Year C, All