A Surprise Ending!

"Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs." (Matthew 19:14). CSS Publishing is best known for our liturgical and sermon-based books. With A Surprise Ending!, CSS is going back to its roots where it originally got its name.

CSS originally stood for Children's Sermon Service and has published hundreds and hundreds of children's sermons throughout its history. Many were originally written by founder Wesley Runk, and then others upon his retirement. This new volume is a perfect companion for all pastors with any amount of experience. Whether your congregation has never presented a children's sermon during worship, or is well versed in the tradition, the contents of A Surprise Ending! will be sure to delight the children of your congregation (and the adults, too!)

This anthology consists of some of the best children's object-based lessons for Lent and Easter for Cycle B, pulled from CSS' vast archive of children's sermons. Each installment includes a detailed run-through of the lesson and activity. Easily found items are suggested before each message to help make the message clearer to your younger members.

Children's sermons included:

- "Faith and Grace"- Second Sunday in Lent (Pt.2)

- "A Surprise Ending"- Resurrection of the Lord

- "Jesus Chose You"- Sixth Sunday of Easter

Bruce Batchelor-Glader is a United Methodist pastor still active in parish ministry. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Bruce and his wife retired to the Cincinnati area to be near their two adult sons, both professional musicians. Bruce has written book reviews for Emphasis Preaching Journal and has been an online film critic for the United Methodist Church in East Ohio for over 26 years. He loves spending time in worship with children, using object lessons and humor, often accompanied by his puppet pal Buddy.