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Frank Ramirez

Frank Ramirez is a native of Southern California and is the senior pastor of the Union Center Church of the Brethren near Nappanee, Indiana. Frank has served congregations in Los Angeles, California; Elkhart, Indiana; and Everett, Pennsylvania. He and his wife Jennie share three adult children, all married, and three grandchildren. He enjoys writing, reading, exercise, and theater.
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Commentary

Drama

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (OT 3) Cycle C (2022) -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2022
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 24 | OT 29 (2022) -- Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2022
Jeremiah 31:27-34
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2022) -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2022
Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 4 (OT 4) Cycle C (2022) -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2022
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 5 (OT 5) Cycle C (2022) -- Luke 5:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2022
Isaiah 6:1-8, (9-13)
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | OT 31 (2022) -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2022
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 6 (OT 6) Cycle C (2022) -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2022
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2022) -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- All Saints Day - C -- 2022
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18; Psalm 149
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 7 (OT 7) Cycle C (2022) -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2022
Genesis 45:3-11, 15

StoryShare

God Restores Our Joy -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2022
Contents “God Restores Our Joy” by John Sumwalt
Liars Hall of Shame -- Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Contents“Liars Hall of Shame” by John Sumwalt
Hope for Our Gay and Trans Children -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 52, Psalm 15 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2022
Contents “Hope for Our Gay and Trans Children” by John Sumwalt
Good Friday is Cancel Culture -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2022
Contents“Good Friday is Cancel Culture” by John Sumwalt
The World to Come -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, Psalm 67 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Contents “The World to Come” by John Sumwalt
Valley of the Shadow -- Psalm 112, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2022
Contents “Valley of the Shadow” by John Sumwalt
No Sweetness in Pain -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 32:1-7 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2022
Contents “No Sweetness in Pain” by John Sumwalt

Free Access

Sermon illustrations for Day of Pentecost (2022) -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2022
Acts 2:1-21
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 1 (2022) -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Trinity Sunday (2022) -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2022
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2022) -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Isaiah 11:1-10
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 3 (2022) -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Isaiah 35:1-10
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 13 | OT 18 (2022) -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2022
Hosea 11:1-11, Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | OT 27 (2022) -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2022
Lamentations 1:1-6; 3:19-26
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 2 | OT 2 (2022) -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2022
Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), Psalm 138
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (OT 3) Cycle C (2022) -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2022
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Prayer

Sermon

Stories

StoryShare

But Honey... -- Mark 6:14-29, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Psalm 24 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2015
Contents "But Honey..." by C. David Mckirachan
Law And Justice -- John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2015
Contents "Law and Justice" by Frank Ramirez
Canary In A Coal Mine -- Mark 13:1-8, 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2015
Contents "Canary in a Coal Mine" by Frank Ramirez
A Good Man? -- John 18:33-37, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2015
Contents "A Good Man?" by Keith Hewitt
The Righteous Branch -- Luke 21:25-36, Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Psalm 25:1-10 -- Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Contents "The Righteous Branch" by Sandra Herrmann
Who Can Stand? -- Luke 3:1-6, Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 1:68-79 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Contents "Who Can Stand?" by Frank Ramirez
Doing Justice -- Matthew 3:13-17, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 29 -- John Fitzgerald, Frank Ramirez -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2014
Contents"Doing Justice" by John Fitzgerald
Having A Stake In The Harvest -- Matthew 5:21-37, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
Contents"Having a Stake in the Harvest" by Frank Ramirez
Words, Words, Words -- John 3:1-17, Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Psalm 121 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Contents"Words, Words, Words" by Frank Ramirez* * * * * * *
The Cornerstone -- Luke 14:1-14, Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Contents"The Cornerstone" by Sandra Herrmann "The Wall" by Sandra Herrmann
The Outer Limits -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 47 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2014
Contents"The Outer Limits" by C. David McKirachan
A Planet-Sized Wind -- John 20:19-23, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2014
Contents"A Planet-Sized Wind" by Frank Ramirez* * * * * * *
The Inner Struggle -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Psalm 45:10-17 -- John Fitzgerald, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2014
Contents"The Inner Struggle" by John Fitzgerald
Rules Fer Wrasslin' -- Matthew 14:13-21, Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Psalm 17:1-7, 15 -- Frank Ramirez, John Fitzgerald -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
Contents"Rules fer Wrasslin' " by Frank Ramirez
Growing Up Adams -- Matthew 16:13-20, Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Psalm 124 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
Contents"Growing Up Adams" by Frank Ramirez
Within Sight Of The Promised Land -- Matthew 22:34-46, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2014
Contents"Within Sight of the Promised Land" by Frank Ramirez
Spilled Milk -- Matthew 21:33-46, Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Psalm 19 -- Frank Ramirez, John Fitzgerald -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2014
Contents"Spilled Milk" by Frank Ramirez
Keep Your Eyes Open -- Matthew 25:1-13, Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
Contents"Keep Your Eyes Open" by Frank Ramirez* * * * * * *
Thanksgiving Bible -- Luke 17:11-19, Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Psalm 65 -- Frank Ramirez, C. David Mckirachan -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2014
Contents"Thanksgiving Bible" by Frank Ramirez
Make It A Rule -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Psalm 126 -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Contents"Make It a Rule" by Frank Ramirez
Hope For The New Year -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, Psalm 147:12-20 -- Keith Wagner, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
Contents"Hope for the New Year" by Keith Wagner
The Nature Of Grace -- Matthew 20:1-16, Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2014
Contents"The Nature of Grace" by Peter Andrew Smith
You've Got To Be Kidding -- Luke 17:11-19, Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Psalm 66:1-12 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2013
Contents"You've Got to Be Kidding" by C. David McKirachan
To Care Or Not To Care -- Luke 18:1-8, Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Psalm 119:97-104 -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2013
Contents"To Care or Not to Care" by Frank Ramirez
Right Place, Right Time -- John 8:31-36, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, Psalm 46 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Wagner -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Contents"Right Place, Right Time" by Frank Ramirez

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 18/Ordinary Time 23 -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Jeremiah 18:1-11Theme: Pottery Lesson
First Sunday After Christmas -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:41-52Theme: Talk To Me, Not Through Me
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- John 12:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 12:1-8Theme: No Pleasing Some People
Proper 28/Ordinary Time 33 -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 21:5-19Theme: Are You Ready? Are We Ready?
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21Theme: A Promise Is A Promise
Proper 18/Ordinary Time 23 -- Philemon 1:1-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Philemon 1-21Theme: Refresh My Guts In Christ
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:7-14Theme: Turnaround Is Fair Play
Sunday Of The Passion/Palm Sunday -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Isaiah 50:4-9aTheme: Count Well The Cost
Christ The King (Proper 29/Ordinary Time 34) -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- Frank Ramirez -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Jeremiah 23:1-6Theme: Raise Up A Shepherd
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- John 17:20-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 17:20-26Theme: That We May All Be One
Proper 18/Ordinary Time 23 -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 14:25-33Theme: Hiring The Right Architect
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:3-14Theme: The Reading Of The Will
Sunday Of The Passion/Palm Sunday -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Philippians 2:5-11Theme: Empty The Cup
Christ The King (Proper 29/Ordinary Time 34) -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Colossians 1:11-20Theme: Share In The Inheritance
The Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Acts 2:1-21Theme: Clarity!
Proper 19/Ordinary Time 24 -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28Theme: Disaster!
Second Sunday After Christmas -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 1:(1-9) 10-18Theme: True Confession
Sunday Of The Passion/Palm Sunday -- Luke 23:1-49 -- Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 23:1-49 Theme: No. On.
Christ The King (Proper 29/Ordinary Time 34) -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 23:33-43Theme: Anguish And Resolve
The Day Of Pentecost -- Romans 8:14-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Romans 8:14-17Theme: No Fear
The Day Of Pentecost -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 14:8-17 (25-27)Theme: ChooseCall To Worship
Proper 19/Ordinary Time 24 -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: 1 Timothy 1:12-17Theme: Immortal, Invisible
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6Theme: Witness To The Light
Maundy Thursday -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14Theme: Who's That Knockin'?
Reformation Sunday -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Frank Ramirez -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:31-34Theme: The New In The Heart Of The Old
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Easter 4
28 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 5
33 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
35 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
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New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture — the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response — to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

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