NOVEMBER 25, 2012 – LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST / CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2012 – LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST / CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY ADVENT RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN’S WORSHIP ADVENT RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN’S WORSHIP This year for Advent, the Episcopal Digital Network is offering a series of children’s sermons. These free, lectionary-based children’s worship materials provide clergy and lay leaders with step-by-step instructions to assist the children of the church to lead the adults in worship. Designed for use in small congregations, these resources are appropriate for churches of any size and with any number of children, ranging in age from young children to youth. This year for Advent, the Episcopal Digital Network is offering a series of children’s sermons. These free, lectionary-based children’s worship materials provide clergy and lay leaders with step-by-step instructions to assist the children of the church to lead the adults in worship. Designed for use in small congregations, these resources are appropriate for churches of any size and with any number of children, ranging in age from young children to youth. The sermons are available on the Sermons That Work website, http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/childrens-sermons, and in Spanish on the Sermones que Iluminan website, http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw-es/sermones-de-ninos. The sermons are available on the Sermons That Work website, http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw/childrens-sermons, and in Spanish on the Sermones que Iluminan website, http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw-es/sermones-de-ninos. “These materials provide a subject lesson, rather than an object lesson,” explained Teresa Stewart, writer of the children’s sermon series and founder of Paper Bag Cathedrals, a website for small-church resources. “Instead of linking some outside object to Advent, these work in the opposite direction. The children’s feelings – something they know well – are the subject of the exploration. The children will be asked to imagine, pretend and act out experiences that they are already familiar with. Then you can help link these “These materials provide a subject lesson, rather than an object lesson,” explained Teresa Stewart, writer of the children’s sermon series and founder of Paper Bag Cathedrals, a website for small-church resources. “Instead of linking some outside object to Advent, these work in the opposite direction. The children’s feelings – something they know well – are the subject of the exploration. The children will be asked to imagine, pretend and act out experiences that they are already familiar with. Then you can help link these cc photo by amslerPIX cc photo by amslerPIX Copyright © 2012 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society | www.episcopalchurch.org Copyright © 2012 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society | www.episcopalchurch.org feelings to this Holy Season. Start with their expertise. It’s a whole-body, not brainonly, kind of Christian formation. Experiential, not just cognitive.” feelings to this Holy Season. Start with their expertise. It’s a whole-body, not brainonly, kind of Christian formation. Experiential, not just cognitive.” In the introduction to the children’s sermon for the First Sunday of Advent, Stewart writes, “These resources are not simply words designed to be spoken to children. So that they get it. They are also words designed to be spoken to us by children. So that we get it. Imagine that. Being led by a child. What in the world might happen next?” In the introduction to the children’s sermon for the First Sunday of Advent, Stewart writes, “These resources are not simply words designed to be spoken to children. So that they get it. They are also words designed to be spoken to us by children. So that we get it. Imagine that. Being led by a child. What in the world might happen next?” cc photo by Fort Meade cc photo by Fort Meade The four-week installments are: The four-week installments are: First Sunday of Advent (Year C), December 2: “Wait and Trust: Remember God Keeps Promises” “The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made.” (Jeremiah 33:14) First Sunday of Advent (Year C), December 2: “Wait and Trust: Remember God Keeps Promises” “The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made.” (Jeremiah 33:14) Second Sunday of Advent (Year C), December 9: “Wait and Get Ready: Make Things Right for All People” “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me.” (Malachi 3:1) Second Sunday of Advent (Year C), December 9: “Wait and Get Ready: Make Things Right for All People” “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me.” (Malachi 3:1) Third Sunday of Advent (Year C), December 16: “Wait and Dream Big: Expect Really Good News” “I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.” (Zephaniah 3:19) Third Sunday of Advent (Year C), December 16: “Wait and Dream Big: Expect Really Good News” “I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.” (Zephaniah 3:19) Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C), December 23: “Wait and Give Thanks: Celebrate the Promise” “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.” (Luke 1:46-48) Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C), December 23: “Wait and Give Thanks: Celebrate the Promise” “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.” (Luke 1:46-48) For additional information, please contact Sermons That Work editor, Sarah Johnson: sjohnson@episcopalchurch.org. For additional information, please contact Sermons That Work editor, Sarah Johnson: sjohnson@episcopalchurch.org.