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Paul A. Laughlin

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The apparent absence of God -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 11:33-36, Psalm 95, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: At first it appears that the thirsty (and by now weary) Israelites are expressing m
Our futile present vs. God's future presence -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Psalm 24, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: In its original setting, this famous prophecy was directed at a reluctant recipient
The qualities and consequences of the One who comes -- Psalm 72, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: This description of the ideal Davidic king (i.e., the hoped-for Messiah) contains t
The requirements of God -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 37, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Prophesying at the end of the eighth century B.C.
The Church's mission in time and space -- Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:46-53 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: With this beginning to what is, in effect, his Volume Two, Luke epitomizes his Gosp
Being borne on eagle's Wings -- Exodus 19:19, Psalm 114, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: One of the most striking images of God in the Pentateuch appears in this passage: G
A Servant with Spirit -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Matthew 3:13-17 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The identity of the Suffering Servant named in this so-called "First Servant Song"
Other gods -- Exodus 20:1-20, Psalm 19, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The commandments of the so-called "First Table," i.e., those dealing directly with
God's coming salvation -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Psalm 97, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:8-20 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: These verses are drawn from a larger passage that announces the imminent restoratio
God's unbearable majesty -- Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:28-32 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Face imagery permeates this selection.
God's return to reign -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98, John 1:1-14 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Deutero-Isaiah's enthronement announcement - "Your God reigns!" - and vision of Yah
Divine commission and human ordination -- Numbers 27:12-23, Psalm 81, Philippians 3:12-21, Matthew 21:33-43 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: In anticipation of his death, Moses asks God to select a successor for him, lest th
The saints' ultimate reward -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Psalm 34, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- All Saints Day - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The powerful scene here is best appreciated against the backdrop of the reign of Em
The greatness of godliness -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Psalm 135, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The testimonial that concludes the poignantly moving account of Moses' death and se
Felt repentance versus formal regrets -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2 (3-10), Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Psalm 51 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The context for Joel's prophesies is a plague of locusts, which he interprets as a
A God for all -- Ruth 1:1-19a, Psalm 146, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The fact that the heroine of this story is not a Hebrew but a Moabite woman, and th
The power of God's presence -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: This joyous coronation anthem probably celebrated the enthronement rather than the
Easter as God's "Yes" -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118, Matthew 28:1-10 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Easter Day - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The heart of the kerygmatic recapitulation contained in Peter's speech to Gentiles
Grace begets grace -- Ruth 2:1-13, Psalm 128, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: It is not entirely clear whether Ruth set out for or happened onto Boaz' field, sin
Public holiness -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 5:38-48 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The first two verses of this chapter set the theme: holiness.
Small human events in God's great plan -- Ruth 4:7-17, Psalm 127, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The key idea in this selection is that people behaving righteously in small events
Ritual versus righteousness -- Isaiah 58:3-9a, Psalm 112, Matthew 5:13-16 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Trito-Isaiah, writing in the context of the early days of the return of the exiles
End-time expectations -- Amos 5:18-24, Psalm 50, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The warning of Amos is against the presumption of those among his own people who we
God's eternal plan: a Gospel for the world -- Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The axis around which this (probably pseudoPau line) passage turns is the idea of G
The jealousy of God -- Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, Psalm 76, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Writing in the days of the reformer King Josiah and the prophet Jeremiah, Zephaniah
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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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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.
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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?

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“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.”

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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.

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

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For April 28, 2024:
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The Village Shepherd

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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.

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Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
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Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
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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.
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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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