Rules about chocolate: a sermon on insults, abuse, and lies

first preached in 2014; revised in 2017 and 2023 Object Lesson (kids’ names changed for privacy) One of our kids, John, got to open a small box. Inside: heart-shaped milk chocolates, foil wrapped. “Today,” I explained, “we’re going to talk about rules for chocolate.” Jane, whose mother has diagnosed her with “chronic cuteness syndrome,” narrowed herContinue reading “Rules about chocolate: a sermon on insults, abuse, and lies”

Cross-Referenced Personality Tests

I have plenty of unusual projects, but one of my favorites is my ever-growing personality test cross-reference project. This is a large database of individuals’ self-submitted personality types — Zodiac, Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, and of course Hogwarts house. As of March 2020, there are over 2,600 submitted data points, and I’ve aggregated them and color-coded theContinue reading “Cross-Referenced Personality Tests”

At-Home Easter for Families

a collection of suggested and adapted activities, assembled by Pastor Emmy Kegler. PDF download here. Family Meals ~~ SILENT SUNDAY MORNING ~~ Leader Prep: Provide How to Celebrate instructions below.How to Celebrate: 1. Read the following on Saturday night before bed:Tomorrow is Easter Sunday – the day when Jesus’ followers discovered he was not dead, butContinue reading “At-Home Easter for Families”

Community Cross

This meditative coloring cross is designed for congregations whose members are currently physically distanced from each other. Congregation leaders are invited to print this PDF on cardstock and mail (using self-sticking envelopes – no licking, please!) to members at home. (Suggestion: one cross per household plus one for each kid.) Members are invited to followContinue reading “Community Cross”

“You have heard that it was said…”

A responsive proclamation for Matthew 5:21-37 Leader: What have you heard was said about insults?All: We have heard that it was said,Leader: “If you so much as call your fellow believer an idiot, you will go to Hell.”All: But in Christ we say:We speak to each other with respect.We are honest when we have beenContinue reading ““You have heard that it was said…””