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| Week/Dates | Title | Scripture Text | Bible Story | Faith Focus |
| 1. Sept. 3 |
The story of creation | Genesis 1–2 | We are given two stories of creation about how through God’s creative process, light, life, and order emerged. All things that God created are good. | PS: God creates good things, including us. PR: God creates good things, including us! We are created in God’s image. MD: From the beginning God created . . . and it is good. MA: God calls us to care lovingly for creation. JY: We are made in God’s image, and that is very good. YT: God created us for relationship, and it is good. PC: We can be secure knowing that we are part of God’s creation. |
| 2. Sept. 10 | Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden | Genesis 3 | Both Eve and Adam eat forbidden fruit. God visits them; Adam blames Eve, and Eve blames the serpent. God punishes them but God continues to care for people. | PS: God wants us to make good choices. PR: When we disobey and do wrong, God still loves us. MD: God loves us and wants what’s best for us. MA, PC: When we disobey and do wrong, God still loves us. JY: God wants us to make good choices but stays with us no matter what. YT: God desires to be present in our lives, even when we mess up. |
| 3. Sept. 17 | Cain and Abel | Genesis 4:1-16 | Cain tills fields and Abel keeps sheep. God accepts Abel’s offering but not Cain’s. God warns Cain about his anger, but also tells him that he has free will. | PS: God wants us to make good choices, even when we are feeling angry. PR: When we get angry, God asks us to respond in helpful ways. MD: God wants us to resolve our conflicts. MA, PC: God wants our best gifts but still loves us when we fail. JY: God wants us to take responsibility for our actions. YT: God helps us deal with anger. |
| 4. Sept. 24 | Noah’s ark | Genesis 6:5-9:17 | God is deeply disappointed in humankind and decides to destroy all creatures on earth. God chooses to save Noah’s family and representatives of all the creatures. | PS: We can love and obey God. PR: We can trust in God’s promises. MD: God makes a promise to all creation. MA, PC: We can trust that God still keeps covenant with us. JY: We can trust that God continues to honor the covenant made to Noah. YT: As we attend to God’s call, we experience safety and security in God. |
| 5. Oct. 1 | The tower of Babel | Genesis 11:1-9 | People misuse their speech and skills to create a tower that is a monument to pride. God confounds their language and scatters them, creating diversity. | PS: We hold God’s love in our hearts in all we do. PR: We can depend on God’s leadership in all we do. MD: We are asked to build for God’s purposes, not our own. MA: We want to listen to God’s voice above all others. JY: We draw closer to God when we remove the towers we build around ourselves. YT: By trusting in God instead of ourselves, we achieve true success. PC: We are asked to build for God’s purposes, not our own. |
| 6. Oct. 8 Oct. 9: Thanksgiving (Canada) |
Abram and Sarai | Genesis 12–13 | Abram and Sarai are advanced in years and have no children. God calls them to set out in faith and promises them descendants. | PS: God blesses us in many ways. PR: God calls us to go and be a blessing to others. MD: In God’s plan, we can trust that everything will work out. MA: God calls us to go and be a blessing to others. JY: God can use us to bless others, even when we make mistakes. YT: God desires obedience from us, not perfection. PC: God calls us to go and be a blessing to others. |
| 7. Oct. 15 | Hagar and Ishmael | Genesis 16:1-15; 21:8-21 | Sarai urges Abram to bear her children by using Hagar as a surrogate. When Ishmael is born, Sarai is jealous. Jealousy causes Sarai to send away Hagar and Ishmael. | PS: God cares for us when we are in need. PR: God shows us how to see and help others in need. MD: When we feel alone, God hears our cries. MA: God shows us how to love all people. JY: God cares about what happens in our families. YT: God is merciful to the outcast. PC: God cares about our families. |
| 8. Oct. 22 | The birth of Isaac | Genesis 17:4-8, 15-21; 18:1-15; 21:1-7 | God gives Abraham and Sarah a child in their old age. God also promises that while their son, Isaac, will be the recipient of the covenant, Ishmael also will be blessed. | PS: God creates each child as a special blessing. PR: God can surprise us. Nothing is impossible for God. MD: God can do wonderful things in our lives. MA: God’s promises come true, sometimes in ways that delight us! JY: God’s timing may not be our timing, but God’s promises come true. YT: God helps us deal with doubt. PC: God’s timing may not be our timing, but God’s promises come true. |
| 9. Oct. 29 | Rebekah follows God’s leading | Genesis 24 | Abraham’s servant asks God to help him find a wife for Isaac. God does not fail, and the servant’s prayer is fulfilled as Rebekah offers the servant a drink. | PS: We can talk with God in prayer. PR: God will lead us. We can choose to follow. MD, MA: We can trust that where God leads, we can follow. JY, PC: We can trust that God leads as we pray and act. YT: God helps us make decisions. |
| 10. Nov. 5 | Jacob and Esau | Genesis 25:19-34; 27:1-45; 32:1–33:17 | Jacob and Esau are brothers. Jacob tricks Esau into selling his birthright and later steals Esau’s blessing. Eventually the two are reconciled. | PS: Forgiveness is an important part of God’s love. PR: God helps us to be reconciled to each other. MD: With God’s help, we can change for the better. MA: God can help us to make peace. JY, PC: God’s love transforms people. YT: God helps us turn our lives around. |
| 11. Nov. 12 | Joseph and his brothers | Genesis 37 | Jacob gives Joseph a special robe. Joseph’s brothers are jealous of this and other things. They throw him into a pit and Joseph is sold into slavery. | PS: God stays with us no matter what we are feeling. PR, PC: Favoritism leads to trouble in the family. MD: Bragging and envy lead to trouble. MA: Pride and jealousy lead to trouble. JY: Pride and jealousy lead to problems with family and friends. YT: God helps us overcome our jealousy in our close relationships. |
| 12. Nov. 19 Nov. 23: Thanksgiving (United States) |
Joseph interprets dreams | Genesis 39–41 | Joseph is imprisoned and then released to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph tells Pharaoh about an upcoming famine. Joseph is made second in command. | PS: God makes us all with special gifts. PR: God gives us wisdom. We can use our talents for God’s purposes. MD: God gives each of us special gifts. MA: God gives us all special talents. JY: God calls us to use our gifts. YT: God gives each of us a unique set of abilities and character traits. PC: God calls us to use our gifts, even in difficult times. |
| 13. Nov. 26 | Joseph forgives his brothers | Genesis 42–45 | Joseph is a ruler in Egypt. His brothers come to Egypt to buy food. Eventually Joseph reveals his identity and is reconciled with his family. | PS: God helps us to help each other. PR: God has a plan for our lives. MD, PC: Through God, reconciliation and healing are possible. MA: God wants us to forgive. JY: God can bless our actions to bring reconciliation and healing. YT: God helps us to be merciful. |
| Week/Dates | Title | Scripture Text | Bible Story | Faith Focuses |
| 1. Dec. 3 First Sunday of Advent |
Zechariah and Elizabeth | Luke 1:5-25 | Zechariah and Elizabeth are childless. The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and says that they will have a son and name him John. Zechariah is made mute. | PS: God surprises us. PR: God blesses us in surprising ways. MD, MA, JY, YT: God answers prayers in surprising ways. PC: God answers prayer in God’s time. |
| 2. Dec. 10 Second Sunday of Advent |
An angel visits Mary | Luke 1:26-56 | The angel Gabriel visits Mary, a young woman engaged to Joseph, and tells her that she is to give birth to a son who will be called Jesus. He will be the Son of God. | PS: Rejoice! Baby Jesus is coming. PR: We can show God how joyful we are for giving us Jesus. MD, MA: We rejoice in God’s promise. JY: God invites us to say yes. YT, PC: God invites us to say yes. |
| 3. Dec. 17 Third Sunday of Advent |
The birth of John the Baptist | Luke 1:57-80 | Elizabeth and Zechariah have a baby boy and, to the amazement of their friends and family, name him John. Zechariah’s voice returns and he uses it to praise God. | PS: God creates each person special. PR: We can use our voices to praise God. MD, MA: We can stand firm in our faith. JY: God’s faithfulness continues through generations. YT, PC: We are part of a larger story. |
| 4. Dec. 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent |
Jesus is born | Luke 2:1-20 | Jesus is born in a Bethlehem stable while Joseph and Mary are there registering in a census. An angel tells nearby shepherds of the birth and they come to see Jesus. | PS: Let’s celebrate Jesus’ birth. PR: God invites everyone to celebrate Jesus’ birth. MD, MA, JY: God invites everyone to celebrate Jesus’ birth. YT, PC: God’s good news is proclaimed to outcasts and the dispossessed. |
| 5. Dec. 31 | Simeon and Anna celebrate Jesus’ birth | Luke 2:21-40 | When he is eight days old, Jesus is named. Later, Mary and Joseph present baby Jesus at the temple. Simeon and the prophet Anna acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. | PS: God cares for us through our church family. PR: God cares for us through our church family. MD: God’s promises are worth waiting for. MA: God’s promises are worth waiting for. JY: God’s family is my family. YT: God’s promises are worth waiting for. PC: We are all one family in God. |
| 6. Jan. 7 Epiphany Sunday |
Searching for oy Jesus | Luke 2:41-52 | Jesus goes to the temple with his parents for Passover. The family starts to return home, but Jesus stays behind to study with the teachers, upsetting his parents. | PS: We worship and learn about God at church. PR: We worship and learn about God at church. MD: Jesus was a child of God, and so am I. MA: We worship and learn about God at church. JY, PC: We learn trust and responsibility in relationships. YT: We worship and learn about God at church. |
| 7. Jan. 14 | Jesus is tempted | Luke 4:1-13 | Jesus spends forty days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. He is tempted with food, kingdoms, and protection but Jesus rejects all three temptations. | PS: We obey God and Jesus. PR: We pass the test when we choose God’s way. MD: With God’s help, we can stand up to temptation. MA: With God’s help, we can stand up to temptation. JY: God helps us through temptations. YT: With God’s help, we can stand up to temptation. PC: Our faith community supports us in temptation. |
| 8. Jan. 21 | The prophet from Nazareth | Luke 4:16-30 | Jesus reads from Isaiah in his hometown synagogue, and then preaches. At first people are amazed at his words, but then they reject his message and drive him away. | PS: Jesus brings us good news. PR: Jesus teaches us about God’s good news. MD: God’s good news can be difficult to hear. MA: Jesus teaches us about God’s good news. JY, YT, PC: God’s way is good news but not always popular. |
| 9. Jan. 28 | Giving and forgiving | Luke 7:36–50 | Jesus is invited to dinner at Simon the Pharisee’s house but is not made welcome by his host. Meanwhile, a woman known as a sinner bathes Jesus’ feet with her tears. | PS: We can show great love for Jesus. PR, MA: We show how we feel about Jesus by what we do. MD: Jesus sees the best in us and forgives the rest. JY, YT, PC: God forgives everything when we come with sincere hearts. |
| 10. Feb. 4 | Offering ourselves | Luke 10:25-42 | By telling the story of the good Samaritan and by his conversation with Mary and Martha, Jesus suggests how people can love God and neighbor fully. | PS: Jesus teaches us to care for others. PR, MD, MA: Loving God means caring for our neighbors. JY, PC: Loving God means loving others. YT: Loving God means caring for others. |
| 11. Feb. 11 | Come to the banquet | Luke 14:1-24 | Three accounts describe the welcome at God’s table. Jesus says that God’s table is set for everyone but each person must choose to come. | PS: We have a place at God’s table. PR: We share a place at God’s table. MD, MA, PC: God makes room for all of us at the banquet. JY, YT: Don’t miss God’s banquet. |
| 12. Feb. 18 Feb. 21: Ash Wednesday |
The lost is found | Luke 15 | Jesus tells three parables about the lost: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. In each, there is much rejoicing when the lost is found. | PS:Jesus loves me and looks for me. PR, MA: God will do anything to find us. MD: God rejoices in finding us. JY, YT, PC: It’s wonderful to be found by God. |
| 13. Feb. 25 First Sunday in Lent |
The upside-down kingdom | Luke 16 | Jesus shares the upside-down kingdom with his disciples and the Pharisees by addressing dishonesty, living under the law, and ignoring the poor. | PS: God knows what is in our hearts. PR: God likes it when we share. MD: Jesus wants the wealthy to share with the poor. MA, JY: Jesus wants us to use what we have to serve God. YT, PC: Jesus calls us to serve God not wealth. |
| Week/Dates | Title | Scripture Text | Bible Story | Faith Focus |
| 1. March 4 Second Sunday in Lent |
Enter the kingdom | Luke 18:9-30 | Three accounts from the life and teachings of Jesus speak about becoming humble like children to enter the kingdom of God. | PS: Jesus loves all children, including me. PR:Jesus welcomes those who humble themselves like children. MD, MA:Jesus includes children and all those who are like children. JY: Jesus recognizes the value in us. YT: God desires humility in prayer, not self-righteousness. PC:Jesus teaches us the difference between price and value. |
| 2. March 11 Third Sunday in Lent |
Zacchaeus responds | Luke 19:1-10 | A rich tax collector named Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus. Jesus invites himself to the tax collector’s house as others grumble self-righteously. | PS: Jesus is my friend. PR, MD, MA: Knowing Jesus changes our lives. JY: Jesus calls us to ignore labels. YT: Jesus accepts those who are different and difficult to love. PC:Jesus teaches that those outside the kingdom can become insiders. |
| 3. March 18 Fourth Sunday in Lent |
Jesus teaches in the temple | Luke 20:1-26 | Jesus teaches in the temple and the Pharisees question his authority. Jesus refuses to be trapped by their wordplays, leaving them amazed and silent. | PS: Jesus is our wise teacher. PR, MA: Jesus is our leader. MD: Jesus is the foundation of God’s truth. JY: Following Jesus can conflict with society. YT: Jesus teaches us to align ourselves with God alone. PC:As followers of Jesus, we can end up in conflict with society. |
| 4. March 25 Fifth Sunday in Lent |
The Lord’s Supper | Luke 22:1-28 | Judas seeks to betray Jesus. Jesus has Passover with his disciples, offering them bread and cup. He says the betrayer is among them; they argue about greatness. | PS, PR: We remember Jesus. MD: Jesus shows us how to serve. MA:We remember Jesus. JY, PC: We come to God’s table as we are. YT: We remember Jesus through the ritual of the Lord’s Supper. |
| 5. April 1 Palm Sunday |
Jesus’ crucifixion | Luke 23:32-49 | Jesus is crucified alongside two criminals as crowds watch. The curtain of the temple is torn in two as Jesus commits his spirit into God’s hands and dies. | PS: We remember that Jesus died. PR: We remember that Jesus died. MD: With Jesus’ death, God turns our world upside down. MA: Jesus died for us, and we are called to respond. JY, PC: Through the cross, we can all become part of God’s kingdom. YT: Jesus opens the way for all to worship God. |
| 6. April 8 Easter Sunday |
Jesus is risen! | Luke 24:1-35 | Women come to the tomb; they are told that Jesus has risen. Two followers meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus but do not recognize him until later. | PS: Celebrate! Jesus is alive! PR, MD, MA: We celebrate that Jesus is alive and never leaves us. JY: When we meet Jesus, we want to share him with others. YT: Jesus is alive and walks with us. PC:We recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread. |
| 7. April 15 | The ascension of Jesus | Acts 1 | Jesus appears for forty days before ascending to heaven. Peter speaks to the people about appointing another apostle to replace Judas; Matthias is chosen. | PS: We pray together. PR: We pray and wait for God’s leading. MD, MA, JY: We wait for the leading of the Holy Spirit. YT: Jesus’ ascension helps us understand heaven. PC:There are times when we wait for the Spirit’s direction. |
| 8. April 22 | Pentecost | Acts 2:1-41 | Pentecost arrives; Jesus’ followers are filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter quotes the prophet Joel and preaches about Jesus. 3,000 people join the community that day. | PS: The gift of God’s spirit is for people all around the world. PR, MD: The Holy Spirit is at work in our world. MA:The Holy Spirit gives us power. JY: The Holy Spirit brings us all together. YT: The Holy Spirit fills us with God’s good news. PC:The Holy Spirit brings us together and sends us out. |
| 9. April 29 | Life in common | Acts 2:42-47 | The first converts devote themselves to study, prayer, and community. They live together, sharing their possessions and goods. God keeps adding to their number. | PS: God wants us to share. PR, MD, MA: Our church begins with sharing. JY:We are called to be one body. YT: The followers of Jesus share life together in community. |
| 10. May 6 | Peter heals a lame man | Acts 3 | Peter heals a lame man outside the temple. An astonished crowd gathers and watches the man as he rejoices. Peter preaches to the crowd, urging them to repent. | PS, PR: We praise God together. MD: God wants us all to celebrate and worship. MA: We celebrate God’s healing power. JY, YT: In Jesus Christ, we are made whole. PC:We are called to be one body. |
| 11. May 13 | Peter and John arrested | Acts 4:1-31 | The authorities arrest Peter and John, but release them after questioning. They order Peter and John not to speak in the name of Jesus. The apostles refuse to keep silent. | PS, PR, MA, JY, YT: We can speak God’s word with boldness. MD: We cannot keep from praising God. PC: In Jesus Christ, we are made a whole people. |
| 12. May 20 | Stephen’s story | Acts 6-7 | Stephen preaches and does wonders; some don’t like his message. He is arrested and tells of the Israelites’ faithfulness. He is rejected and stoned to death. | PS, PR, MA: We can serve and care for others. MD: In following Jesus, we reach out to serve the world. JY, YT:We are called to step out in faith. PC:We can be faithful, in service to each other and even in death. |
| 13. May 27 Pentecost |
Spreading the good news | Acts 10 | An angel appears to Cornelius, a Gentile, telling him to send for Simon Peter. Peter comes and shares Jesus’ message with Gentiles, converting and baptizing many. | PS:God’s love is for everyone. PR, MD, MA, JY, YT, PC: The Holy Spirit embraces everyone. |
| Week/Dates | Title | Scripture Text | Bible Story | Faith Focus |
| 1. June 3 | Old and new | Luke 5:36-39 | Jesus tells a parable about the idiocy of cutting new garments to patch old ones and of putting new wine that is still fermenting into old, stiff wineskin. | PS, MA, PC: Jesus teaches us new ways to live. |
| 2. June 10 | Wise and foolish builders | Matthew 7:24-27 | A wise builder chooses solid rock for a foundation while a foolish builder chooses sand. Only the wise builder’s house will remain when the floods come. | PS, MA:We want to listen to Jesus and do what he says. PC: We build a strong foundation by acting on Jesus’ teachings. |
| 3. June 17 | Wisdom and foolishness | Matthew 25:1-13 | Ten bridesmaids take lamps to wait for the bridegroom. Five of the bridesmaids run out of oil while waiting but the other five have brought extra oil. | PS: We should always be ready to share God’s love. MA, PC: We can be ready to help with God’s work in the world. |
| 4. June 24 | Hidden treasure | Matthew 13:44-50 | Jesus tells three stories about the kingdom of heaven. The first two tell of people seeking treasure. In the third, a net gathers fish; the good are separated from the bad. | PS, MA:We celebrate finding the treasure of God’s love. PC: We can discover God’s kingdom and risk everything for it. |
| 5. July 1 | The unforgiving servant | Matthew 18:23-35 | The kingdom of heaven is like a king who settles accounts by forgiving debtors. Debtors must then forgive others from their hearts. | PS, MA: Jesus wants us to forgive each other. PC: Forgive because God has forgiven you. |
| 6. July 8 | The vineyard workers | Matthew 20:1-16 | The kingdom of heaven is like a generous landowner who treats all vineyard workers the same, regardless of when each laborer started working. | PS: God always cares for us. MA, PC: God cares for everyone equally. |
| 7. July 15 | The rich fool | Luke 12:13-21 | Jesus encourages people to share their riches by describing a rich fool who builds bigger buildings to hold his wealth, but the rich fool finds that his life will end soon. | PS: Jesus wants us to share with others. MA, PC: We can store up true treasures with God. |
| 8. July 22 | Giving up possessions | Luke 14:28-33 | Jesus addresses loyalty by speaking of how a builder and a warring king use careful planning. Jesus calls hearers to give up possessions and be loyal to him. | PS: God wants us to share and love each other. MA: Jesus calls us to count the cost of following him. PC: There is a cost to following Jesus. |
| 9. July 29 | Two roads | Matthew 7:13-14 | As part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of two gates and two roads. The easy road is chosen by many. The hard road has a narrow gate and few find it. | PS: Jesus invites us to follow a special path. MA, PC: It can be hard to follow Jesus’ way, but it leads to life. |
| 10. Aug. 5 | The mustard seed and the yeast | Luke 13:18-21 | Jesus tells two parables: the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the yeast. He speaks of the seed growing over time and of a little leaven bringing new life. | PS: God’s love grows in me, and I can share it with other people. MA: God’s kingdom starts small and grows into something big. PC: We grow together in God’s kingdom. |
| 11. Aug. 12 | A barren fig tree | Luke 13:6-9 | Jesus speaks of a landowner who wants to cut down a fig tree that is not bearing fruit. But a gardener begs for another year to nurture the tree before cutting it down. | PS: Jesus wants my life to be full of kind acts. MA, PC: God cares for us and expects us to bear good fruit. |
| 12. Aug. 19 | Ask, search, and knock | Luke 11:5-13 | A friend comes at midnight needing bread and is rewarded for being persistent in asking. So too followers are rewarded for asking, searching, and knocking. | PS: God listens when we pray. MA, PC: Be persistent in your prayer. |
| 13. Aug. 26 | The unjust judge | Luke 18:1-8 | Jesus tells a story of a widow who persists until an unjust judge relents and helps her. Jesus says God will not delay in granting justice to those who cry out day and night. | PS: God answers our prayers. MA: God hears and responds to our prayers. PC: Persistently seek the justice of God’s kingdom. |
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