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The Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Old Testament Lesson, Year A

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-4

God spoke these words to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who live in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.” (Isaiah 2)

The prophet was called by God to bring justice and mercy, and the promise God made was kept.  The word Church comes from the Greek word to be called. In today’s scripture, we hear that God’s signs point to the fact that there is radical reversal and a change for the people of God. Today we continue that ministry of the prophet to respond to God’s call to us to make the world a brighter place for all God’s people. God invites us to have a relationship that is deeply embedded in the acts of mercy, justice and love.

Download the Old Testament Lesson Plan for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany

LPTW Epiphany 3, Year A, Younger Children, Old Testament
LPTW Epiphany 3, Year A, Older Children, Old Testament

The Second Sunday After the Epiphany, Old Testament Lesson, Year A

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7

The theme of going from darkness into light is a common metaphor the prophets used to speak to God’s people. It is about opposites: light vs. dark; insight vs. ignorance; listening to God vs. not listening; following God vs. waywardness. The easiest way to explain to children is compare and contrast. God’s love is always there to direct us into the light of Christ by giving us guidelines on how to treat each other. This unit includes words of the prophets and the commandments.

Download the Old Testament Lesson Plans for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A

LPTW Epiphany 2, Year A, Younger Children, Old Testament
LPTW Epiphany 2, Year A, Older Children, Old Testament

The First Sunday after the Epiphany, Old Testament Lesson, Year A

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9

“I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon from the prison those who sit in gloom.” [Isaiah 42:6-7] 

The first “Servant Song” from the prophet Isaiah tells us of the mission of God’s servant.  God has chosen Isaiah to bring justice and salvation to the community.  God promises to stay with Isaiah while his does the ministry he has been chosen to do.

Download the Old Testament Lesson Plans for the First Sunday after the Epiphany

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

First Sunday in Lent, Year A

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

A good deal of the media around us assures us that if we get it right, wear the latest styles, and gather the most toys we will have arrived. What if there was another way?

Download the Lesson Plan for the First Sunday in Lent

LPTW Lent 1, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Lent 1, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Lent 1, Year A, Adult
LPTW Lent 1, Year A, All

First Sunday in Lent, Intergenerational Lesson, Year A

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus understood that he had to face the temptations that come with ministry. He realized he needed to get as vulnerable as possible to assure himself that he could stay grounded. So he fasted to get focus. Vulnerability is the door to both growth and to temptation. Jesus stares down the three temptation biggies: success, prestige, and power. (Concept found in: Radical Grace, Richard Rohr, St. Anthony Messenger Press. 1993. Pages 294-297)

Download the Intergenerational Lesson Plan for the First Sunday in Lent

LPTW Lent, Year A, Intergenerational

Last Sunday after the Epiphany/Transfiguration Sunday, Year A

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Mountaintop experiences! Moses received the Law — to obey. Jesus is revealed as the person — to follow.

Download the Lesson Plans for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany

LPTW Last Epiphany, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Last Epiphany, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Last Epiphany, Year A, Adult
LPTW Last Epiphany, Year A, All

Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

Each decision we make, however trivial, is a choice. Our choices produce a pattern. We simply cannot serve two different bosses. 

Download the Lesson Plans for the Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany

LPTW Epiphany 8, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Epiphany 8, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Epiphany 8, Year A, Adult
LPTW Epiphany 8, Year A, All

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

An eye for an eye not only doubles the grief, but also the blindness. Could it be that one of the reasons Jesus came was to help us see the futility of violence?

Download the Lesson Plan for the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

LPTW Epiphany 7, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Epiphany 7, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Epiphany 7, Year A, Adult
LPTW Epiphany 7, Year A, All

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

God is growing us beyond rules established in previous times. We can not only forego murder but even our rage. The kingdom of heaven is here now, and we can access the power to choose self-control.

Download the Lesson Plans for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

LPTW Epiphany 6, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Epiphany 6, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Epiphany 6, Year A, Adult
LPTW Epiphany 6, Year A, All

Feast of the Presentation, February 2

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

On February 2, the church remembers The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. It was an ancient Jewish custom that women who had given birth to a male child should come to the temple to be “purified” 40 days after giving birth. It was also the custom to present every firstborn child to God in the temple. Today, we celebrate Mary and Joseph going to the temple and what happened while they were there.

While in the temple, a devout old man, Simeon, took Jesus in his arms and praised God. Simeon proclaimed Jesus “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory of your people Israel.” He blessed Mary and Joseph, telling them the child’s destiny. We now know these words of praise to be the canticle Nunc dimittis. In medieval times, it was sung as candles were blessed, lit, and carried through the streets in a procession to mark the feast.

Download the Lesson Plans for the Feast of the Presentation

LPTW Feast of the Presentation Younger Children
LPTW Feast of the Presentation Older Children
LPTW Feast of the Presentation Adult
LPTW Feast of the Presentation All