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You Are My Witness -- Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:44-53 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1996
The inauguration of Nelson Mandela as president of the Republic of South Africa goes down in the ann
When Imagination Replaces Memory -- Isaiah 43:18-25 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1996
One of the fascinating aspects of being human is our ability to create time.
When The Odds Are Against Us -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
I recently had the privilege of introducing Maya Angelou who addressed a luncheon honoring Cecil Wil
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1996
Many scholars view this narrative as one occasioned by the fear of an uncertain future followed by a
No Box Seats In The Kingdom -- Mark 10:35-45 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1996
Historically speaking, the church has usually painted a pretty picture of the twelve original disci
Beware Of Your Piety -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1996
Whatever happened to Lent?
Pain and Promise in the Heart of God -- Hosea 2:14-20 -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1996
One of the amazing claims of the Judaeo-Christian heritage is that God takes on the attributes of hu
When It's Hard To Give Thanks -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1996
Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937) was the first black artist to acquire an international reputation in
All Dressed Up And Somewhere to Go! -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1996
In Tennessee Williams' play Sweet Bird of Youth, the heckler says to Miss Lucy, "I believe that the
Can You See Where We're Going? -- Mark 10:46-52 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1996
A cigar-chomping realtor was driving around a young couple to search for their first dream house.
Easter Jogging -- John 20:1-18 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Easter Day - B -- 1996
He is Risen. "He is Risen, indeed," we respond. We sound the trumpet.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1996
Many scholars view this narrative as one occasioned by the fear of an uncertain future followed by a
Ready Or Not -- He Comes -- Mark 13:33-37 -- John A. Stroman -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
There is a passage in the old Jewish book of Zohar, that goes like this: "Whenever the Jews on earth
A Little Book Of Comfort -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1996
The lectionary text for today is part of a larger unit that has sometimes been called "The Little Bo
What To Say When You Roll Out Of Bed -- Mark 12:28-34 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1996
A few years ago, a radio station ran a contest.
Easter Power -- John 20:19-31 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
Storms that knock out electrical systems make us mindful of how dependent we are upon power.
He Abides In Us -- John 15:1-8 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
John Updike once more revealed his remarkably brilliant powers of description in the novel Brazil.
Have You Heard The Good News? -- Mark 1:1-8 -- John A. Stroman -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
Have you heard the good news?
Light In The Land Of Shadows -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1996
On a trip to Munich, Germany, Samuel Miller had a chance to watch Karl Vallentin, the last of the gr
Commitment Beyond Calculation -- Mark 12:38-44 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
Here she is again: the widow who goes up to the temple treasury to put in her two cents.
Easter Understanding -- Luke 24:35-48 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
Edward Schillebeeckx, an outstanding Roman Catholic New Testament Scholar, some twenty years ago pub
A Voice Crying In The Wilderness -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- John A. Stroman -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
The people wondered who John the Baptist was.
Choose To Be Chosen -- Mark 6:7-13 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1996
What a relief to be chosen! Remember?
Day of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Arthur H. Kolsti -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1996
Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lor
Something To Do While The World Falls Apart -- Mark 13:1-8 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
A number of years ago, leaders in a church decided to track down the congregation's drop-outs.

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GOOD FRIDAY -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- Heth H. Corl -- Good Friday - C -- 1976
First Lesson: Isaiah 52:13--53:12Theme: The Suffering ServantCall to Worship
THURSDAY IN HOLY WEEK -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Heth H. Corl -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 1976
First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:31-34Theme: The new covenant written on our hearts
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Luke 4:1-13 -- Heth H. Corl -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 1976
First Lesson: Deuteronomy 26:1-11Theme: Remembering God's deliverance
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:22-35 -- Heth H. Corl -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 1976
First Lesson: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18Theme: Faith is belief in God's covenant promise
THE RITE AND THEOLOGY OF CONFIRMATION -- Acts 8:14-17 -- William J. Rauch -- 1972
Does the above portion of Scripture describe a sacrament?
Responding To The Lord's Word -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- ...
First Lesson: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
The Vine and the Branches -- John 15:1-8 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
The Faith of a Syrophoenician Woman -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
No Longer Servants, but Friends -- John 15:9-17 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
A GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE OF WORSHIP -- Ralph E. Dessem
THE PRELUDETHE CALL TO WORSHIP
Birth of the World's Savior -- Luke 2:1-20, John 1:1-14 -- Wayne H. Keller -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Introit
Peter's Confession of Christ -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation
Jesus Prays for His Disciples, Then, and Now -- John 17:6-19 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
EASTER SERVICE OF CELEBRATION -- Ralph E. Dessem
(This service is designed to be used in a social hail on Easter morning.
Jesus presented in the temple -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Celebrating The Presence of GodPastoral Invitation
Jesus Announces His Death to the Disciples -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation
The Season Of The Resurrection -- Wayne H. Keller
Liturgical Color: White(Easter to Pentecost)
The Nails of the Cross -- Ralph E. Dessem
During World War II the cathedral at Coventry, England, was largely destroyed by incendiary bombs dr
The Sheep and the Goats -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Celebrating The Presence Of GodPastoral Invitation
Who is For and Who is Against God -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael -- John 1:43-51 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Pastoral Invitation
THE WAY OF THE CROSS LEADS HOME -- Ralph E. Dessem
A minister was on board the Eastern Airlines plane as it was flying into Birmingham, Alabama.
The Season Of The Nativity -- Wayne H. Keller
ChristmasThe Season Of The NativityLiturgical Color: White
Covenants, Illustrated by Marriage -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
The Calling of the First Disciples; the Call to Repent! -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Pastoral Invitation

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...
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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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