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Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-14

We now celebrate the birth of Christ and the light of the world that has come into our lives.  We have heard of the salvation that Jesus is bringing us and revel in the stories of hope and joy that the prophets share with us.  During this time of year, it is important to help the families of our community remember the focus of this season, the birth of Christ.  Especially with children, the emphasis that Christmas isn’t just one day is a very important message to hear.  Encourage families to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas by putting aside their errands – to take time to tell stories, play games, call on friends and family and enjoy the light of Christ that has come into the world for all of us.

Download the Lesson Plan for the Second Sunday After Christmas

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

First Sunday after Christmas, Year A

Scripture: Isaiah 61:10-62:3

We now celebrate the birth of Christ and the light of the world that has come into our lives.  We have heard of the salvation that Jesus is bringing us and revel in the stories of hope and joy that the prophets share with us.  During this time of year, it is important to help the families of our community remember the focus of this season, the birth of Christ.  Especially with children, the emphasis that Christmas isn’t just one day is a very important message to hear.  Encourage families to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas by putting aside their errands – to take time to tell stories, play games, call on friends and family and enjoy the light of Christ that has come into the world for all of us.

Download the Lesson Plans for the First Sunday after Christmas

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

Fourth Sunday in Advent, Old Testament Lesson, Year A

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16

Advent begins with darkness. In the days of the prophets, the Israelites looked to God for hope and promise.  The prophets began to speak of the hope and light that would be coming to the people of God.  Today we continue to share the stories of the prophets to remind us that we have been given this hope and light through the birth of Jesus Christ.  During this time in the calendar year our days are getting shorter,  and we wait for the light of Christ to shatter this darkness.  In Advent we are encouraged to stop and listen and hear what the prophets are saying.

Download the Lesson Plans for the Fourth Sunday in Advent

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

Third Sunday in Advent, Old Testament Lesson Plan, Year A

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Advent begins with darkness. In the days of the prophets, the Israelites looked to God for hope and promise.  The prophets began to speak of the hope and light that would be coming to the people of God.  Today we continue to share the stories of the prophets to remind us that we have been given this hope and light through the birth of Jesus Christ.  During this time in the calendar year our days are getting shorter,  and we wait for the light of Christ to shatter this darkness.  In Advent we are encouraged to stop and listen and hear what the prophets are saying.

Download the Lesson Plan for the Third Sunday in Advent, Old Testament

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

Second Sunday in Advent, Old Testament Lesson Plan, Year A

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

Advent begins with darkness. In the days of the prophets, the Israelites looked to God for hope and promise.  The prophets began to speak of the hope and light that would be coming to the people of God.  Today we continue to share the stories of the prophets to remind us that we have been given this hope and light through the birth of Jesus Christ.  During this time in the calendar year our days are getting shorter, and we wait for the light of Christ to shatter this darkness.  In Advent we are encouraged to stop and listen and hear what the prophets are saying.

Download the Lesson Plan for Second Sunday in Advent, Old Testament

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

First Sunday in Advent, Old Testament Lesson, Year A

Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5

Advent begins with darkness. In the days of the prophets, the Israelites looked to God for hope and promise.  The prophets began to speak of the hope and light that would be coming to the people of God.  Today we continue to share the stories of the prophets to remind us that we have been given this hope and light through the birth of Jesus Christ.  During this time in the calendar year our days are getting shorter,  and we wait for the light of Christ to shatter this darkness.  In Advent we are encouraged to stop and listen and hear what the prophets are saying.

Download the Lesson Plans for First Sunday in Advent, Old Testament Lessons

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

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Called to be salt! Who we choose to be seasons our community; and what we focus upon casts light. The call: don’t just do something, Be!

Download the lesson plans for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

LPTW Epiphany 5, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Epiphany 5, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Epiphany 5, Year A, Adult
LPTW Epiphany 5, Year A, All

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

**Note: In 2014, The Feast of the Presentation falls on Sunday, February 2. Check with your clergy person so see which readings you will be using.

We make it so complicated. The prophet Micah told us: “Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God.” Jesus invites us to follow him and describes the attributes of those who follow. Where does Jesus go? What does he value?

Note: This year, the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany falls on February 2 which is also the Feast of the Presentation. Check with your church about which readings you will be using as your congregation is probably using the Feast of the Presentation lessons. A lesson plan for the Presentation is found here.

Download the Lesson Plans for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

LPTW Epiphany 4, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Epiphany 4, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Epiphany 4, Year A, Adult
LPTW Epiphany 4, Year A, All

Second Sunday After Christmas

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

A star so bright it commanded the attention of wise men from far away and from a very different faith tradition. Tenaciously, these wise ones followed a star to a very different land and humbly knelt before the infant. Who did they believe this infant was? Who do we say he is?

Download Lesson Plans for Second Sunday After Christmas

LPTW Christmas 2, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Christmas 2, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Christmas 2, Year A, Adult
LPTW Christmas 2, Year A, All

First Sunday After Christmas

Scripture: John 1:18

Today we hear from the Gospel of John – his version of the birth story. “The Word was with God and the Word was God.” This Jesus, whom we can begin to grasp as the baby born on Christmas, is obviously something infinitely beyond our understanding. This is light no darkness can blot out.  This true light is now loose in the world. This is light born into the world by God simply speaking.

Download Lesson Plans for First Sunday After Christmas

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