This week as we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most prominent civil rights leaders from our nation’s past, and the inauguration of a new president who will lead us into the future, it’s natural to consider what makes someone a good leader.  Rarely, though, do we think about the traits of a good follower.  Followers seem secondary to leaders.  They are often thought of as those wanting to emulate or support the leader’s vision.  But what if followers were considered just as important as leaders? In this week’s lectionary reading, we see Mark’s account of Jesus calling his first disciples.  While Jesus could have selected anyone to join his inner circle, he focuses on two fishermen.  They have special gifts and skills that Jesus wants them to use to share God’s good news.  Just like these fishermen, we each have unique traits that God can use to bring about God’s kingdom on earth.  In this lesson, your family will explore each person’s gifts and consider how they might … [Read more...]

You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for worship use.  Please credit Roger Gench of the Presbyterian Outlook. Download the PDF of the full order worship: Liturgy 01.24.21 … [Read more...]

  Welcome  Invite various persons to bring a designated item and use this liturgy as a way to begin your time of learning together. One:    The season of Advent is past and the celebration of Christmas is given way to a New Year, but the story of God’s faithful love continues in All:      Jesus the Christ  One:    The Magi followed the star to discover the light that overcomes darkness (Place a candle on a table but don’t light it yet) All:      Jesus the Christ   One:   The light of the world is God’s own Son (Light the candle) All:      Jesus the Christ  One:    Baptized by water and the Spirit he was anointed by God as (Place the bowl of water on the table) All:      Jesus the Christ   One:    We give thanks and remember, we too are baptized and made siblings with (Each person touches the water) All:      Jesus the Christ  One:    We are here, Holy Spirit, ready for your leading. God sightings and prayer offerings  Invite each person to share where … [Read more...]

Over the last year, we have had plenty of opportunities to lament.  There has been no shortage of moments when we have looked at what’s happening around us and have fervently offered prayers of intercession for someone’s safety or health or healing.  We may have even shaken our heads and asked, “What good can possibly come of this?” Yet, as Christians, we know that God can create good in the direst and most unexpected of places.  There are many accounts of this throughout the Bible, including the simple exchange between Jesus and his followers, Philip and Nathanael, in this Sunday’s lectionary text, John 1:43-51.  In this week’s activity, your children will explore God’s ability to bring good out of anything Begin your time with your children by talking about definitions of the word good.  Ask your children what good means to them.  Likely they will identify several different definitions.  Share that we can think of good as a word we use to describe God.  We often say, “God is … [Read more...]

You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for worship use.  Please credit Roger Gench of the Presbyterian Outlook. Download the PDF of the full order worship: Liturgy 01.17.21 … [Read more...]