TIW Contributors
George Reed
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Chris Keating
Beth Herrinton-Hodge
Ron Love
Robin Lostetter
Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
Ron Love
George Reed
Beth Herrinton-Hodge
In this week’s lectionary gospel text, the Pharisees scheme to trap Jesus with what in journalistic parlance is known as a “gotcha” question -- asking him if it is lawful for religious folk to pay taxes to the emperor. After lashing out at them for “putting me to the test,” Jesus responds with his famous dictum that we should give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s. In this installment of The Immediate Word, team member Dean Feldmeyer points out how this is a timely question to consider with all of the ongoing controversy over how we ought to honor our civic icons and rituals like the flag and the national anthem. Dean notes that the important question is “What belongs to God?” -- and as we debate the proper distinctions between church and state, he wonders if we too easily try to make artificial separations between what belongs to God and what belongs to the modern equivalent of the emperor... our country. After all, Dean reminds us, everything belongs to God -- and that context informs Jesus’ response to the Pharisees’ attempt to trap him. Perhaps, therefore, the devotion we often lavish on our national symbols ought to be reserved for our true sovereign -- the Lord almighty.
What is The Immediate Word?
The Immediate Word gives a theological perspective on today's headlines and popular culture for your sermon, childrens sermon, and worship service. The Immediate Word gives a theological perspective on today's headlines and popular culture.
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Recent TIW Installments
Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
New & Featured This Week
The Immediate Word
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
Ron Love
George Reed
Beth Herrinton-Hodge
In this week’s lectionary gospel text, the Pharisees scheme to trap Jesus with what in journalistic parlance is known as a “gotcha” question -- asking him if it is lawful for religious folk to pay taxes to the emperor. After lashing out at them for “putting me to the test,” Jesus responds with his famous dictum that we should give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.
CSSPlus
Arley K. Fadness
“...give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperors and to God the things that are Gods.” (v. 21b)
Good morning boys and girls,
Welcome to worship today. So wonderful to see you. Thanks for joining me for this children's message. How are you? How am I? Fantastic!
I want to show you two things: An offering plate and a picture of Uncle Sam. Why Uncle Sam? Uncle Sam is America, and for this morning, Uncle Sam represents government.
Good morning boys and girls,
Welcome to worship today. So wonderful to see you. Thanks for joining me for this children's message. How are you? How am I? Fantastic!
I want to show you two things: An offering plate and a picture of Uncle Sam. Why Uncle Sam? Uncle Sam is America, and for this morning, Uncle Sam represents government.
StoryShare
Peter Andrew Smith
John Fitzgerald
Contents
"What We Give to God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Praise The Lord!" by John Fitzgerald
What We Give to God
by Peter Andrew Smith
Matthew 22:15-22
Vince flipped the burgers on the barbeque. “So how is married life treating you?”
“Pretty good.” Dave looked back at the house. “Although, I suspect Tina is getting the real scoop from Barb as we sit out here in the cold.”
Vince laughed. “Are you following the advice I gave you in the summer?”
"What We Give to God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Praise The Lord!" by John Fitzgerald
What We Give to God
by Peter Andrew Smith
Matthew 22:15-22
Vince flipped the burgers on the barbeque. “So how is married life treating you?”
“Pretty good.” Dave looked back at the house. “Although, I suspect Tina is getting the real scoop from Barb as we sit out here in the cold.”
Vince laughed. “Are you following the advice I gave you in the summer?”
Emphasis Preaching Journal
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Frank Ramirez
Ron Love
Mark Ellingsen
Bob Ove
Exodus 33:12-23
Augustus Toplady wrote many hymns in his life, but “Rock of Ages” is by far his most famous. There was a time, in the early 1900s, when this hymn was in more English hymnals than any other. Not only is it well known among churchgoers, it is also recognizable in popular culture. A 2006 Broadway musical about rock ’n roll (and a corresponding Hollywood film in 2012) adopted the name Rock of Ages.
Augustus Toplady wrote many hymns in his life, but “Rock of Ages” is by far his most famous. There was a time, in the early 1900s, when this hymn was in more English hymnals than any other. Not only is it well known among churchgoers, it is also recognizable in popular culture. A 2006 Broadway musical about rock ’n roll (and a corresponding Hollywood film in 2012) adopted the name Rock of Ages.
Mark Ellingsen
The lessons for this Sunday share common themes regarding knowing God (how he is correctly known) and also that he receives all the credit due him for what he does for us.
Exodus 33:12-23
Exodus 33:12-23
The Village Shepherd
Janice B. Scott
"Are you coming?" shouted Tim breathlessly.
Ben bit his lip and frowned. "I'm not sure," he muttered.
Tim stared at him in amazement. Ben was considered to be the best football player in the class, and the game without him was unthinkable. "What do you mean?" asked Tim.
Ben bit his lip and frowned. "I'm not sure," he muttered.
Tim stared at him in amazement. Ben was considered to be the best football player in the class, and the game without him was unthinkable. "What do you mean?" asked Tim.
SermonStudio
John E. Sumwalt
C. B. "Cleve" Bishop
They say you can't go home again, but I thought I'd try anyway. I went back to Seattle to visit my stepfather for a couple of weeks, after having been away for over twenty years. We really did have a good visit and enjoyed one another's company immensely.
They say you can't go home again, but I thought I'd try anyway. I went back to Seattle to visit my stepfather for a couple of weeks, after having been away for over twenty years. We really did have a good visit and enjoyed one another's company immensely.
