Family Stories for Peace UCC | "A Very Big Problem"

 

April is Earth Month!

As we focus on our planet and how we can be good stewards, we are sharing "A Very Big Problem" by Rabbi Amy-Jill Levine and Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. Both Levine and Sasso create wonderful spiritual children's books, both together and individually.

In this week's story, different animals and elements argue about which things are most important to God. Is it the rain? Is it the sun? In the end, everyone realizes God's love is for everyone and that we are all made to work together!

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for the Second Sunday of Easter Sunday. This week we're reading "A Very Big Problem" by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing today's book using the link below:

A Very Big Problem Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Buffy Guide | "Innocence"

 

This is a discussion guide for season 2, episode 14 of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Innocence." 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 at Peace UCC | Easter Sunday

 

This was the Word Made Plain at Peace UCC on April 5, 2026. Offered by Joliene Wade Gatlin, MDIV.. It's Easter Sunday. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories

Family Stories for Peace UCC | Easter Sunday

 

At Easter, we remember God's amazing power of resurrection. This reminds us that even when things are difficult or we feel defeated, God is with us and wants us to RISE UP! As our story this week illustrates, we can best achieve this with the support of our friends.

This week, we are sharing "Binkle's Time to Fly" by Sharmila Collins. Inspired by her daughter's journey with a rare skin condition, Collins tells a beautiful tale about a butterfly born without wings. With the help of a diverse community, Binkle learns to fly in a unique and beautiful way. Binkle's story teaches us that through community and creativity, we can all soar to new heights.

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for Easter Sunday. This week we're reading "Binkle's Time to Fly" by Sharmilla Collins. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing today's book using the link below: https://www.flyawaybooks.com/book/binkles-time-to-fly Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Family Stories for Peace UCC | Palm Sunday

 

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, when we remember Jesus’ subversive entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus modeled servant leadership and taught that true power resides not in military or physical strength, but in the hearts and minds of the people.

This week, after briefly retelling the Palm Sunday story, we will read "Yours, Mine, Ours: A Celebration of Service and Community" by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus. This book explores service as a way of life and how gathering as a community to do good works benefits us all.

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for Palm Sunday. This week we're reading "Yours, Mine, Ours" by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Sermon | "Can these bones live?"

 

This was the sermon delivered at Peace UCC on March 22, 2026, the Fifth Sunday in Lent. Offered by Joliene Wade Gatlin, MDIV. "Can these bones live?" based on Ezekiel 37:1-14.

Buffy Guide | "Surprise"

 

This is a discussion guide for season 2, episode 13 of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Surprise." 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 | "I Wonder"

 

Many of our Bible stories, along with God and our universe, are deeply mysterious. While there is much in the world we do not fully understand, this provides us with a wonderful opportunity to wonder!  We can approach our stories with curiosity, knowing that not all the questions we have can be answered or answered easily.

As we move toward Easter and the mystery of the resurrection, may we all find ways to engage our curiosity and ask questions that spark creativity.

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for Fourth Sunday in Lent. This week we're reading "I Wonder" by Annaka Harris. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. Some media may be purchased and licensed by Igniter Media. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Prayercast | Prayers and Songs for Lent

 

Today's worship service features music by The Many and Lea Morris (licensed by Convergence Music Project) with additional content licensed through Igniter Media. Some music by Pulsebox on Pixabay. This service was created using iMovie and Canva. All materials are original, creative commons, permission given for use, or purchased through Igniter Media or Convergence Music Project.

Family Stories for Peace UCC | "Picturing God"

 

Finding stillness and quiet during Lent can be challenging when the world feels loud and fractured. This week’s story, "Picturing God" by Ruth Goring, explores various metaphors for God and the ways we can experience a divine presence through mindfulness. When we remember that God is in the water, the food, the air, and all around us, we are reminded that we are never alone in the work we do or the energy we bring to the world.

Using beautiful mosaic artwork, "Picturing God" helps us imagine and encounter God in our everyday lives. May we all find God's presence throughout this season.

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for Third Sunday in Lent. This week we're reading "Picturing God" by Ruth Goring. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing the books from today's video by using the link below: Picturing God Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Word Made Plain at Peace UCC | Second Sunday in Lent

 

This was the Word Made Plain at Peace UCC on March 1, 2026. Offered by Joliene Wade Gatlin, MDIV.. It's the second Sunday in Lent. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories

Prayercast | The First Sunday in Lent

 

Today's worship service features music by Sherri Hansen and Paul Demer (licensed by Convergence Music Project) with additional content licensed through Igniter Media. Some music by Pulsebox on Pixabay. This service was created using iMovie and Canva. All materials are original, creative commons, permission given for use, or purchased through Igniter Media or Convergence Music Project.

Family Stories for Peace UCC | Ash Wednesday

 

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. As we enter this contemplative season, we are sharing the story of Jesus spending 40 days in the desert preparing for his ministry. During this time, we are reflecting on how to listen to God and the universe, as we remember Jesus’ retreat into the wilderness.

Our featured story this week is "Listen" by Holly M. McGhee. This beautiful book illustrates how to engage with the world around us—breathing, tasting, and listening with our hearts to the story of the universe. May this season be a time for all of us to consider how we can become better listeners and citizens of the world.

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for Ash Wednesday and the First Sunday of Lent. This week we're reading "Listen" by Holly M. McGhee. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing the books from today's video by using the link below: Growing in God's Love Story Bible Listen Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids

Word Made Plain at Peace UCC | Transfiguration Sunday

 

This was the Word Made Plain at Peace UCC on February 15, 2026. Offered by Joliene Wade Gatlin, MDIV.. It's Transfiguration Sunday. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories

Family Stories for Peace UCC | The Velveteen Rabbit

 

This February, our theme is LOVE AND ACTION. This Sunday, we celebrate the Transfiguration, a story where Jesus is transformed before his followers. The Transfiguration has always reminded me of the classic story of the Velveteen Rabbit, which explores how a beloved toy becomes real through the power of love.

This week, we are sharing a shortened version of Margery Williams' tale to illustrate how love is transformational. When we experience love for ourselves and others, we are called to live and exist in new ways. Jesus' ministry demonstrates the power of love and how it can change the way we understand and act in the world. May the story of a beloved stuffed rabbit remind us that love is the most real thing in the world.

This is a story for Children and Families at Peace UCC. This lesson is for Transfiguration Sunday. This week we're reading "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams. This book will be available at Kids' Night Out and during Family Worship! Please consider purchasing the books from today's video by using the link below: The Velveteen Rabbit

Music by PulseBox on Pixabay. This video was made using iMovie, Pixabay, and Canva, using creative commons. #childrenstorieswithamoral #kidstorytime #christian #progressivechristian #progressivechristianity #progressivechurch #kidschurchonline #onlinechurch #kidschurch #sundayschoolstory #christianstories #biblestories #biblestoriesforkids