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Christmas 2 -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18, John 1:1-18 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Epiphany 7 -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Pentecost 27 -- Isaiah 52:1-6, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, Luke 19:11-27 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Epiphany 8 -- Isaiah 55:10-13, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Luke 6:39-49 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Christ The King -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, Colossians 1:11-20, John 12:9-19 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
The Transfiguration of Our Lord -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
The Epiphany of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
The Lent and Easter/Pentecost Seasons -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- 1988
This is the season which celebrates the heart of the Christian faith: the life, suffering, death, re
The Baptism of Our Lord -- Isaiah 61:1-4, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Easter 6 -- Acts 15:1-2, 22-29, Acts 14:8-18, Revelation 21:10, 22-27, John 14:23-29 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1985
The LessonsActs 15:1-2, 22-29 (C, RC)
The Pentecost Season -- John R. Brokhoff -- 1985
Pentecost as a Festival
Corpus Christi -- Genesis 14:18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Luke 9:11-17 -- John R. Brokhoff -- 1985
The LessonsGenesis 14:18-20
Proper 6 -- 2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13, Galatians 2:16, 19-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 1985
The Lessons1 Kings 19:1-8
Proper 9 -- 1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21, Isaiah 66:10-14, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 1985
The Lessons1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21 (C)
Proper 11 -- 2 Kings 4:8-17, Genesis 18:1-10, Luke 10:38-42 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 1985
The Lessons2 Kings 4:8-17
Proper 14 -- Genesis 15:1-6, Wisdom 18:6-9, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-19, Luke 12:32-48 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1985
The LessonsJeremiah 18:1-11 (C)
Proper 17 -- Ezekiel 18:1-9, 25-29, Proverbs 25:6-7, Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 1985
The LessonsEzekiel 18:1-9, 25-29 (C)
Advent 3 -- Zephaniah 3:14-18, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:10-18 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 1985
Zephaniah 3:14-20 (C)Zephaniah 3:14-18a (L)Zephaniah 3:14-18 (RC)
Proper 20 -- Hosea 11:1-11, Amos 8:4-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-8, Luke 16:1-13 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 1985
The LessonsHosea 11:1-11
Proper 23 -- Micah 1:2, 2:1-10, Ruth 1:1-19a, 2 Kings 5:14-17, 2 Timothy 2:8-13 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 1985
The LessonsMicah 1:2, 2:1-10 (C)
Proper 26 -- Haggai 2:1-9, Exodus 34:5-9, Wisdom 11:22-12:1, Luke 19:1-10 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 1985
The LessonsHaggai 2:1-9 (C)
Proper 28 -- Malachi 3:19-20, Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1985
The LessonsMalachi 4:1-6 (C)Malachi 4:1-2a (L)
Christmas 1 -- Sirach 24:1-4, 8-12, Colossians 3:12-21, Luke 2:41-52 -- John R. Brokhoff -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 1985
The Lessons1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 (C)
The Epiphany Season -- John R. Brokhoff -- 1985
A History of Epiphany
Epiphany 3 -- Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10, Luke 4:14-21 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 1985
The LessonsNehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 8-10 (C)Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10, (RC)

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The Anatomy Of A Journey -- Genesis 12:1-9 -- Leonard W. Mann -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 1998
Terah, the father of Abraham, gathered up all his family and possessions and set out to go from Chal
Moving At The Speed Of Light: In Corinth Or Cana? -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1998
It is hard to know what more can be said about marriage. Weddings are stressors.
Reducing Life To A Single Word -- John 4:7-11, 16-19 -- Robert A. Stanley -- 1998
"We love because he first loved us." Search where you will in the Bible, you will not find a simpler
The Promise Containing All Promises -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Matthew 1:18-25 -- R. Glen Miles -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
"The Lord himself will give you a sign" is the way Isaiah begins his recitation of the promise conta
The Stealth Disciple -- John 3:1-17 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
In the "Science & Technology," section of a recent issue of Business Week magazine, there was an
This Little Light Of Mine Is Yours And Everybody Else's Too -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- R. Glen Miles -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1998
"Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." When the disciple of
Water, Water, Everywhere -- John 4:5-42 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
Reading the Gospel lesson this week a snatch of poetry I learned somewhere along the way kept runnin
What About Us Grils? -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... wise men from the East came...
Is Anything Too Wonderful For The Lord? -- Genesis 18:1-15 -- Leonard W. Mann -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 1998
Abraham was an old man and his wife Sarah was almost as old as he was.
Moving At The Speed Of Light: Nazareth: Family Ties -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 1998
When I was a child and my mother started thinking out loud about "going home," she meant driving to
Whispered Preaching -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- R. Glen Miles -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1998
I delivered my very first sermon at the age of sixteen.
Blind Driveways -- John 9:1-41 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
King George VI, addressing his subjects at the beginning of a new year, said in his annual message:
Is It Real Or Is It Memorex? -- Matthew 13:24-30 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... When the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well...
Does God Bother About Our Troubles? -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Leonard W. Mann -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 1998
Did you ever find jewels in a wilderness?
Moving At The Speed Of Light: Jerusalem: What Word Would You Say? -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1998
"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing," asserts Paul in First Corinthians.
The Church Of The Servant -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- R. Glen Miles -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1998
Have you ever sighed at the end of a work day and wondered, "Did I accomplish anything today?" Mayb
Upon Those In The Tombs Bestowing Life -- John 11:1-45 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
In the Orthodox Church, Easter worship includes the singing of a hymn that goes:
18-Inch Gap -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
...
Getting A Fix On The Future -- Genesis 22:1-14 -- Leonard W. Mann -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1998
Abraham was an experienced listener. Perhaps once or twice he had listened too well.
Moving At The Speed Of Light: Athens: Unknown Apostles -- 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) -- Frank Luchsinger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1998
How many people are helpful to us in a given stretch of time?
Between Gloom And Glory -- Isaiah 9:1-4 -- R. Glen Miles -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 1998
"There will be no more gloom." That is how our text begins today.
Go Love! -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 1998
The Heroism Of Going On -- 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... After he too had died, they maltreated and tortured the fourth brother...
A Right Use Of Angels -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 -- Leonard W. Mann -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 1998
Abraham and Sarah's son Isaac was old enough to have a wife, but he didn't have one yet, not even on
Moving At The Speed Of Light: On The Mountain -- Peter 1:16-21 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1998
Peter went to the mountain with Jesus.

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Two Services Honoring a Father of the Church: John Calvin and Martin Luther -- Vincent Wayne Leaver -- 1989
Background to John Calvin's Liturgical Emphasis
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
God's incarnate Light -- 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Since the Second Coming of Jesus is a central concern of this very late pseudonymou
A Service of the American Revolution -- Vincent Wayne Leaver -- 1989
Background
The active, ascended Christ -- Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Psalm 31 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Stephen's vision of the ascended Christ in heaven prior to his own martyrdom is cur
Hardening hearts and testing God -- Exodus 17:3-7, Romans 5:1-11, Psalm 95, John 4:5-26 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: It is interesting that the only reference to this incident in the Old Testament (Ps
The English Puritan -- Vincent Wayne Leaver -- 1989
Background
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
Featuring Christmas Carols from the Past -- Vincent Wayne Leaver -- 1989
Background
God's Lamb, God's liberation -- Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 89, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-15 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: When the Synopticists (especially) depicted Jesus as celebrating the Seder meal wit
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
Christ's ministry of light and liberation -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Hebrews 9:11-15, John 12:1-11 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- 1989
Exegetical note: This passage contains the so-called "First Servant Song" of Second Isaiah (vv.
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
God's unlikely candidates -- Exodus 2:11-22, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Moses' troubling lack of hesitation or remorse over his act of murder aside, the re
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
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 majesty and mystery of God -- Exodus 3:1-12, Psalm 103, Romans 8:18-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: God's call to Moses in the presence of the burning bush is a classic theophany, pre
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
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 God of action -- Exodus 3:13-20, Romans 8:26-30, Psalm 105, Matthew 13:44-52 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: God's revelation of the divine name, YHWH (or JHWH or JeHoWaH) to Moses is almost a
God's fat and lean sheep -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 23, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Speaking as God's voice, Ezekiel lambasts the kings ("shepherds") of Israel whose p
Advent, the Season of Expectancy -- Wayne H. Keller -- 1989
The church regulates its church year not by the civil or astronomical calendar, but by the events in
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
Trusting God's promises -- Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 143, Romans 8:31-39, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Despite its centrality in the history of the Jewish people, the story of the Passov
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

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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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