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Hidden In Unconditional Acceptance -- 1 Corinthians 11:20-29 -- Burton F. Blair -- 1991
Several years ago a friend of mine went into a restaurant in Texas.
Hidden In Our Prayers -- Psalm 139:23-24 -- Burton F. Blair -- 1991
Henri Nouwen, the Catholic theologian, has written a beautiful book on prayer.
Hidden In Change -- Isaiah 43:18-19a -- Burton F. Blair -- 1991
Well over 100 years ago, on April 10th, 1852, beneath the African sun an American died in the city o
Hidden In Second Chances -- John 21:15-17 -- Burton F. Blair -- 1991
Dr.
Hidden In Caring -- Mark 1:40-41 -- Burton F. Blair -- 1991
It was about 1:30 a.m. when the phone rang.
Real Presence -- John 1:1-14 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
It is said that King Charles V, the king of Scotland, many years ago, wondered what life was like fo
Reunion -- 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
When I think about the world we live in, the one descriptive word that leaps forth in my mind is "di
Rejoicing In Christ's Return -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you, for all the joy which we feel for your sake befo
Running No More -- Mark 9:38-50 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
Bob Roberts tells a story which appeared in the newspaper some time back about a mother of eight chi
Remembering -- Luke 22:14-19 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
In Norway, there is a small church called the Church of the Lamb.
Refreshment -- Mark 14:22-26, John 19:28-30 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
Death by crucifixion was such an agonizing way to die.
Realizing Forgiveness -- Matthew 26:27-29 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
How do you normally react when someone offends you in some way?
Relief -- Matthew 11:28-30 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
I'm worried about education in America.
Reconciliation -- 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
When Jackie and I have a serious disagreement about something related to our marriage or family, we
Response to an Invitation -- John 6:48-51 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
I want to begin this morning by reading an important letter to you (Note: Please amend this letter s
Repentance -- 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
A young soldier, who had just been promoted to the rank of sergeant, wanted to impress a private who
Remedial -- Matthew 9:1-12 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
One day three doctors were in a conversation about what they considered to be the biggest contributi
Reformed -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- R. E. Lybrand -- 1987
Martin Luther was reared by very strict Catholic parents.

Worship

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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