This is part of the worship series
"Growing in Grace"
Series Introduction
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
Week four
The Joy of Growing
Scripture
Colossians 1:1–14
Sermon Notes
The apostle Paul is like a coach who sees a rag-tag team that’s just beginning to play together. The coach knows the team is not as good as it will eventually be, but yet sees great possibilities. When God breathes the Holy Spirit into the church, it grows into something wonderful, “bearing fruit into every good work” like the early church described in Acts 2:42-47. In one sense our problem is that we think too small. We have no idea what we can become once God answers our prayers, “filling us with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
Children’s Message:
Spread the Word
Bring the seed you showed in Week Two, as well as a seed head or a fruit containing seeds. Review with the children what you discussed about plants. Tell them you have another riddle: how many seeds are inside the tiny seed head or fruit you are holding? Let them guess and wonder about this, then let the children begin counting how many seeds have been produced by a plant that grew from one tiny seed. As the children marvel at the numerous seeds, rejoice with them in God’s good design for growing things to spread and multiply. That includes people. That includes Christians. That includes God’s love. God wants it to spread all over the world.
Prayer Guide
This week ask your congregation to focus on church leadership and outreach.
Pray for
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Revised Common Lectionary
Year C: Season after Pentecost—Proper 10 (15)
