Login / Signup

Russell F. Anderson

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Preaching

SermonStudio

Ash Wednesday begins our Lenten observance -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Adversity one suffers in faithfulness to God -- Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 21:8--21 (C)
The gift of the Holy Spirit -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 7:37-39 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 2:1--21 (C); Acts 2:1--11 (RC, E)
God's grace and favor -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17 -- Russell F. Anderson -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The costs and the awards of following Jesus -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 22:1--14 (C)
The productivity of God's word -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 25:19--34 (C)
Christ our king -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The bodily presence of Christ communicated through bread and wine -- Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, John 6:51-58 -- Russell F. Anderson -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 8:2--3, 14--16
Freedom from oppression -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, Romans 7:15-25a -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 24:34--38, 42--49, 58--67 (C)
The mystery of good and evil -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 28:10--19a (C)
faith and doubt -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 2:14a, 22--32 (C, E, L)
Reformation Day -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 31:31--34
Laying hold of the true treasure -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 29:15--28 (C)
The risen Christ is revealed -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Lord's victory over the powers of sin and death -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-10 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Easter Day - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
God provides for our needs, if we but trust him -- Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 32:22--31 (C)
God is our Shepherd and guide -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 2:42--47 (C); Acts 2:14, 36--41 (RC)
Thanksgiving Day -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
How to overcome a contrary wind -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 37:1--4, 12--28 (C)
Come into me -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 7:55-60 (C)
The transfiguration of Christ was an experience of divine transcendence -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The ever--expanding circle of God's love -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 45:1--15 (C)
Making God known -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E, L)
The lessons for the Festival of the Holy Trinity have to do with the name of God. -- Genesis 1:1-2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Suffering for righteousness' sake -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 3:1--15 (C)
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
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...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)

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.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL