Family Stories for Peace UCC | "I'm the Best!"

This week our scripture story from the Gospel of Luke explores humility.  Jesus tries to tell his followers that while society may place us into forms of hierarchy, God sees us all as equally important and loved, no matter how much money we may have or how important society may think we are.  

We're reading a picture book called "I'm the Best!" by Lucy Cousins.  In this story, Dog thinks he is better than his friends because he is better at certain things, but we learn that Dog and his friends ALL have great skills and are each better at different things.  It's good to feel good about ourselves, but we're all important to God and the world!  In God's eyes, we're ALL the best :)

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17). We are talking about the Luke 13:10-17. This week we're reading "I'm the Best!" by Lucy Cousins. This book will be available during worship on Family Worship Sunday and at Kids' Night Out! Please consider purchasing the books from today's video by using the links below:

Lectionary Story Bible I'm the Best This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories

Buffy Discussion Guide | "Nightmares"

 

This is a discussion guide for season 1, episode 10 of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Nightmares." Stay tuned for future uploads! I'll be going through the whole series and the reboot, once available! #btvs #buffy #buffyverse #buffythevampireslayer #sarahmichellegellar #youthgroup #teenseries

Sermon: "Head Down, Spirit Up" | Joliene Wade Gatlin

 

This was the sermon delivered at Peace UCC on August 24, 2025. Offered by Joliene Wade Gatlin, MDIV.. "Head Down, Spirit Up" based on Luke 13:10-17.

Family Stories for Peace UCC | "Be Kind"

 

 

This month, we've been talking about JOY. One of the best ways to spread joy in the world is by being kind and helpful, even when it's not easy.

In our Bible story this week, Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath. The religious leaders at the time got mad at him for helping the woman! We know that no matter what day of the week it is, it always pleases God to do the work of helping and healing, because kindness and doing what's right are more important than whatever rules say we shouldn't!

We further explore this with "Be Kind," a picture book by Pat Zietlow Miller. After Tanisha spills her juice at school, many kids make fun of her and she feels very sad. A little girl thinks about what it is to be kind to her friend and to others and how she can make Tanisha feel better. It's a great story about small acts of kindness and how they weave into the larger world.

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This month, our theme is: JOY. This lesson is for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 16). We are talking about the Luke 13:10-17. This week we're reading "Be Kind" by Pat Zietlow Miller. This book will be available during worship on Family Worship Sunday and at Kids' Night Out! Please consider purchasing the books from today's video by using the link below: Growing in God's Love Be Kind This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories

Buffy Discussion Guide | "The Puppet Show"

 

This is a discussion guide for season 1, episode 9 of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "The Puppet Show." Stay tuned for future uploads! I'll be going through the whole series and the reboot, once available! #btvs #buffy #buffyverse #buffythevampireslayer #sarahmichellegellar #youthgroup #teenseries

Word Made Plain | Peace UCC | August 2025

This was the Word Made Plain at Peace UCC on August 17, 2025. Offered by Joliene Wade Gatlin, MDIV.. Our theme for the month is JOY. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories

Family Stories for Peace UCC | "When God Made You"

This week, our storybook is called "When God Made You" by Matthew Paul Turner.  In conversation with the Book of Jeremiah, we are discussing how God makes us all unique and special.  Jeremiah was chosen to be a prophet when he was just a child.  Sometimes kids are prophets because they can see things differently than adults and think outside of the box.  Whether we are child prophets or not, we are all made of Love and we have our whole lives to figure out how to use our gifts in the world!  

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This month, our theme is: JOY. This lesson is for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 15). We are talking about the Prophet Jeremiah. This week we're reading ""When God Made You" by Matthew Paul Turner. This book will be available during worship on Family Worship Sunday and at Kids' Night Out! Please consider purchasing the books from today's video by using the link below: Children of God Storybook Bible When God Made You This video was made using iMovie and Canva. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories

 

Buffy Discussion Guide: "I Robot... You Jane"

 

This is a discussion guide for season 1, episode 8 of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "I Robot, You Jane." Stay tuned for future uploads! I'll be going through the whole series and the reboot, once available! #btvs #buffy #buffyverse #buffythevampireslayer #sarahmichellegellar #youthgroup #teenseries

Family Stories for Peace UCC | "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?"

 

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This month, our theme is: JOY.

Our readings help show that while prayer and praise are great, God most loves when our faith is active. In today's world, we might say that "Thoughts and Prayers" are not enough to change society. Our picture book helps us explore ways to help make a better community through acts of kindness. By imagining that everyone has an invisible bucket that needs filling, the book helps illustrate how kindness is reciprocal and how giving is a gift. We hope you enjoy this week's online storytelling video!

This lesson is for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 14). We are studying Isaiah 1:1,10-20, using the Lectionary Story Bible by Ralph Milton. This week we're reading "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud. This book will be available during worship on Family Worship Sunday and at Kids' Night Out! Please consider purchasing the books from today's video by using the links below: Lectionary Story Bible Have You Filled a Bucket Today? Music by Viacheslav Starostin and Universfield from Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie and Canva. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories

Buffy Discussion Guide: "Angel"

 

This is a discussion guide for season 1, episode 7 of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Angel." Stay tuned for future uploads! I'll be going through the whole series and the reboot, once available! #btvs #buffy #buffyverse #buffythevampireslayer #sarahmichellegellar #youthgroup #teenseries

Recent News from Israel/Palestine

 

As the war in Gaza continues, much less time is given to news coming out of the region.   In case your preferred news channel isn't giving you as much info as you'd like, or if you don't know where to look, here is a playlist of recent news regarding Israel/Palestine.

Family Stories for Peace UCC | Proper 13

Our CYF Theme for August is: JOY! 

This month we're experimenting with a slightly different focus for our online videos. We're first discussing a Bible story (coinciding with the lectionary generally used in church) and then reading a story relevant to the scripture. 

This week, we're studying Luke 12:13-31 and reading "What is Given from the Heart" by Patricia McKissack. James Otis, a boy whose family has recently experienced tragedy, is challenged by his mother and his church to find something to give to a young girl whose family recently lost their belongings in a fire. James Otis learns that although he doesn't have much money or many things to give away, when he searches his heart, he has much to give. We hope these stories can help you discuss joyful giving with your young ones.

This lesson is for the Eight Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13). We are studying Luke 12:13-31, using the Lectionary Story Bible by Ralph Milton and reading "What is Given from the Heart" by Patricia McKissack.

Please consider purchasing the books from today's video by using the links below: Lectionary Story Bible What is Given from the Heart Music by Viacheslav Starostin and Universfield from Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie and Canva. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories

Buffy Guide: "The Pack"

 

This is a discussion guide for season 1, episode 6 of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "The Pack." Stay tuned for future uploads! I'll be going through the whole series and the reboot, once available! #btvs #buffy #buffyverse #buffythevampireslayer #sarahmichellegellar #youthgroup #teenseries

Family Stories for Peace UCC | Oprah: The Little Speaker

 

Our theme for the month of July is: BE YOURSELF! This week we're sharing a book about Oprah Winfrey called "Oprah: The Little Speaker." It's written by Carole Boston Weatherford, a prolific author of children's books which celebrate and examine African American history and figures. Check out her other work, too! 

Oprah faced many obstacles in her life, but she learned to be true to herself and follow her heart. We can learn from Oprah that success and happiness come not when we try to do what others do, but when we listen to ourselves and follow the path of our soul. Oprah learned to listen to God and her heart, and has found much success and a meaningful life and career by being confident in her own skills and abilities, as well as what brought her joy. Let's learn a bit more about Miss Oprah and how she can be an example!

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This month, our theme is: BE YOURSELF. This week we're reading "Oprah: The Little Speaker" by Carole Boston Weatherford. Please consider purchasing the book from today's video by using the link below: Oprah: The Little Speaker Music by Viacheslav Starostin and Universfield from Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie and Canva. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories

Buffy Guide | "Never Kill a Boy on the First Date

 

This is a discussion guide for season 1, episode 5 of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Never Kill a Boy On the First Date." Stay tuned for future uploads! I'll be going through the whole series and the reboot, once available! #btvs #buffy #buffyverse #buffythevampireslayer #sarahmichellegellar #youthgroup #teenseries