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Epiphany 6 -- Jeremiah 17:5-8, Luke 6:17-26 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 1985
The LessonsJeremiah 17:5-10 (C)Jeremiah 17:5-8 (L, RC)
The Transfiguration of Our Lord -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 1985
The LessonsExodus 34:29-35 (C)
Lent 2 -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 9:28-36 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 1985
The LessonsGenesis 15:1-12, 17-18 (C, RC)
Lent 5 -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:8-14, John 8:1-11, John 12:1-8 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 1985
The LessonsIsaiah 43:16-21
A Knotty Marriage -- R. E. Lybran -- 1985
Objects needed: A six-inch piece of thread and two twenty-four inch pieces of rope with slip-loops o
Making a House Into a Home -- R. E. Lybran -- 1985
Objects needed: A toy house, some furnishings, and the items mentioned below.
A House Or A Home? -- Joshua 24:14-15 -- R. E. Lybran -- 1985
A family moved to a new city where the father's company had transferred him.
When a Member of the Family Dies -- John 11:17-36 -- R. E. Lybran -- 1985
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had been buried four days before.
Divorce-Proofing Your Marriage -- Genesis 2:18-24 -- R. E. Lybran -- 1985
Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to live alone.
One Plus One Equals One -- Matthew 19:1-9 -- R. E. Lybran -- 1985
When Jesus finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the territory of Judea on the o
Discipline Hurts But Helps -- R. E. Lybran -- 1985
Object needed: A Doctor's Syringe
The Household Leader -- Leviticus 6:1-9 -- R. E. Lybran -- 1985
Perhaps you have heard this old story, but I feel it bears repeating on this Father's Day.
Gifts Bring Responsibilities -- Psalm 127:3-5 -- R. E. Lybran -- 1985
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing.
All Are Needed -- R. E. Lybran -- 1985
Objects needed: Dinner plate, fork, knife, spoon
The Advent Season -- John R. Brokhoff -- 1985
The Meaning of Advent
What Children Owe Their Parents -- Matthew 15:1-9 -- R. E. Lybran -- 1985
Then some Pharisees and teachers of the Law came from Jerusalem to Jesus and asked him, "Why is it t
The Easter Season -- John R. Brokhoff -- 1985
The Name of Easter
Easter 3 -- Acts 9:1-20, Acts 5:27-32, 40-41, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 1985
The LessonsActs 9:1-20 (C, L)
Reading the Story -- George M. Bass -- 1984
Every church building is a repository of stories which are lived out by people, told and retold agai
Preaching Within the Liturgy -- George M. Bass -- 1984
During the past two decades, some homileticians were asking a question about the role of preaching i
The Evolution of Sermon Shape -- George M. Bass -- 1984
"The Church of the Cryptic Cross" is one name that I have given to a contemporary building in anothe
The Importance of "A Story Told" -- George M. Bass -- 1984
Churches tell stories of God and his people.
Sermon Illustration in the Story Sermon -- George M. Bass -- 1984
A few years ago I used to drive past an unusual church building at least a couple times a week.
Telling the Sermon -- George M. Bass -- 1984
The Cathedral of St.
Solving the Story Problems -- George M. Bass -- 1984
It has been many years since I first read Thomas Chalmers' famous sermon, "The Expulsive Power of a

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Maalox Moments -- John 14:23-29 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... do not let your hearts be troubled...
The Glory Of Being Human -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a -- Leonard W. Mann -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 1998
The sciences tell us that out of nothingness came an instantaneous burst of power, a power microscop
We Know Exactly How You Feel, Jesus -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Frank Luchsinger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
Oh, Christmas has come and gone, but its scent lingers: spiced cider, evergreen, bayberry candles,
What Does God Want From Us? -- Micah 6:1-8 -- R. Glen Miles -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1998
What does God want from us? The answer is simple, but it is not easy to put into practice.
Where Is God When I Need Him? -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1998
"Truly, this man was God's Son!" (Matthew 27:54 NRSV).
What To Do About The Loss Of Someone Precious -- Psalm 23 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... though I walk through the darkest valley...
Salvaging Our Lives -- Genesis 29:15-28 -- Tempe Fussell, Curtis Fussell -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1998
If you have ever made an in-depth investigation of your family history, a genealogy, then you probab
Just In Time -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 1998
A plane flies through the night.
Getting It Right For All Of The Wrong Reasons -- Isaiah 58:3-9a (9b-12) -- R. Glen Miles -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1998
The young basketball player, who had just been removed from the game, looked at his coach with exasp
The Most Important Thing In Life -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1998
When she was a little girl her parents bought a cottage by the lake.
The Honor Of A Limp -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- Tempe Fussell, Curtis Fussell -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1998
Richard Sears was a young man when his father died, and so he had to go to work to support the famil
Hoofs, Paws, And Christmas Pause -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Frank Luchsinger -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1998
"The grace of God has appeared ... training us ...
When Conviction And Culture Collide -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- R. Glen Miles -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1998
The climax of the entire book of Deuteronomy is found here in the conclusion of Moses' third and fin
The Compassion Of God Feeds Us -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1998
Willy Loman lived in a world of indifference; nobody seemed to care about him and others.
When We See Death -- 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 -- Anthology -- 1998
sermon to college studentsHarold C. Warlick, Jr.
The Waste In Comparison -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Tempe Fussell, Curtis Fussell -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1998
Grandparents are some of the most well-balanced people on the face of the earth. They have to be.
A Time To Hear Hope Calling -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1998
Huckle the Cat and his school teacher Miss Honey the Bear, Bananas Gorilla, Captain Salty, Pig Will
On Turning On The Lights In The Church Building -- Exodus 24:12-18 -- R. Glen Miles -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1998
Whenever I read from the book of Exodus, especially a text which includes a visit by Moses to the mo
Set Your Goal On Jesus -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1998
They said it couldn't be done.
We Remember And Anticipate -- Psalm 23 -- Anthology -- 1998
for a neighbor, friend, and momMichael B. Brown
God Sends Us Ahead -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Tempe Fussell, Curtis Fussell -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1998
This is it. The moment we've all been waiting for.
Love Is Your Disguise -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1998
The pastor of a village church has been given a high honor to judge the costume contest.
Reclaiming The Past, Proclaiming The Future -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- R. Glen Miles -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
What do you do when you need to pick yourself up and move forward into a difficult situation?
Jesus' Love Embraces All -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1998
The United States has historically been called a "melting pot" society where peoples from all lands,
Reservations For God's Children -- Hebrews 11:13-16 -- Anthology -- 1998
for one who loved the LordFrank H. Seilhamer

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Faithful obedience to God's call -- Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33, Romans 3:21-28 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: What is most striking about this account of God's call and Abraham's response is th
Labor Day Weekend -- Roger Prescott, Anthology -- 1988
Comments on the Service
Rally Day -- James Weekley, Anthology -- 1988
Comments on the Service
Cheerful Giving -- Anthology, B. David Hostetter -- 1988
Order of Service"Cheerful Giving"CALL TO WORSHIP
The Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. -- John H. Krahn, Anthology, Michael L. Sherer -- 1988
Comments on the Service, the Order of Worship, and the Children's Message were prepared by Michael L
Week of Prayer For Christian Unity -- Leonard H. Budd, Anthology -- 1988
Comments on the Service
James Weekley, Anthology -- 1988
Comments on the Service
Mother's Day -- B. David Hostetter, Anthology -- 1988
Order of WorshipPRELUDE Songs My Mother Taught Me - Dvorak
The Celebration of Confirmation -- Heth H. Corl, Anthology -- 1988
Comments on the Service
Memorial Day Weekend -- Roger Prescott, Anthology -- 1988
Comments on the Service
Fourth of July Weekend -- Charles Michael Mills, Anthology -- 1988
Comments on the Service
Flower Sharing Sunda -- Leonard H. Budd, Anthology -- 1988
Comments on the Service
New Year's Eve or Day -- Roger Prescott -- 1988
Comments on the Service
LENT 3 -- Psalm 95, Exodus 17:3-7, Romans 5:1-11 -- Norman A. Beck -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1986
Since the texts selected for the next two Sundays (Lent 3 and Lent 4 of Series A) have Common and Ro
Faith and commitment -- Genesis 22:1-18 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:Life is a test of faith day after day.People:
God's mercy for the disobedient -- Romans 11:13-16, 29-32, Matthew 15:21-28 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
An Order for Communion, using a Litany on the Ten Commandments. -- William Luoma -- 1986
Notes for Maundy Thursday Communion
What about Good Friday? -- William Luoma -- 1986
What do you remember that is meaningful to you about Good Friday?
LENT 4 -- Psalm 23, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Norman A. Beck -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1986
Since here, as in the texts selected for Lent 3 in Series A, the Common and the Roman Catholic texts
Partners serving God -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:17-26 -- Heth H. Corl -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:Christian service requires many different kinds of servants.
Easter Sunrise -- William Luoma -- 1986
There is one morning in the year when churches can get away with scheduling worship at a very early
LENT 5 -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11 -- Norman A. Beck -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1986
Probably the most important common factor in these five texts is the concept of restoration to life
The suffering Savior -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11 -- Heth H. Corl -- Sixth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:Lift up your hearts in praise to Jesus, King of our lives!
Accepting our relationship to God -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 5:6-11 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:God has made it clear who we are, and whose we are.
Anxiety eased by Christ's presence -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 11:33-36 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:

Worship Service

Youth Resources

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...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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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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