Login / Signup

SermonStudio

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2005
First Lesson: 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15) Theme: Have Your Own Way Instead
Do Overs / Blind Man's Bluff / So What's That Like? -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2005
First Lesson: 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 Theme: Do Overs
Theme: The Harder They Fall -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: The Mighty Have Fallen. Are We Next? -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 117) One:
Theme: What's Your Rush? -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: I Will Dance -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: The Forever King -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Revelation 21:1-2, 22)
Theme: A Tangled Web -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Murder Will Out Or The Butler Did Not Do It -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Why Couldn't It Have Been Me? -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship

Drama

SermonStudio

The Sower -- Matthew 13:1-23 -- Robert A. Lehmann -- 1977
A parable of unfruitfulness for a narrator and five solo voices (Solo 3 doubles as Isaiah and Solo 5
The Great Banquet Feast -- Robert A. Lehmann -- 1977
A parable of God's Kingdom for a Narrator, the Master, and four solo voices.
The Good Samaritan -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Robert A. Lehmann -- 1977
A parable of Christian love and concern for a narrator, Jesus, a Lawyer, and four solo voices.
The Unjust Steward -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Robert A. Lehmann -- 1977
A parable of honesty and love for God, for a narrator, a rich man, an accountant, and three solo voi
The Wedding Feast -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Robert A. Lehmann -- 1977
A parable of the Kingdom of heaven for a narrator, a king, and three solo voices (or a narrator and
The Unforgiving Servant -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Robert A. Lehmann -- 1977
A parable of forgiveness for a Narrator, Jesus, and four solo voices who double as Peter, the Lord,
The Prodigal Son or The Merciful Father -- Luke 15:11-32 -- Robert A. Lehmann -- 1977
A parable of mercy and forgiveness for a Narrator, Jesus, the youngest son, the Father, and four sol
The Rich Man and Lazarus -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Robert A. Lehmann -- 1977
A parable of final separation for Jesus and four solo voices.
The Ten Virgins -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Robert A. Lehmann -- 1977
A parable of the Kingdom of heaven for a narrator, Jesus, and four solo voices.
The Talents -- Matthew 25: 14-30 -- Robert A. Lehmann -- 1977
A parable of stewardship for a narrator and four solo voices.

Sermon

SermonStudio

Show Me What's Real -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2007
Have you ever found yourself in a position or place where you would rather not be?
Living On The Edge -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2007
The long journey was finally nearing its conclusion.
Hearts On Fire -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2007
Writer, Anne Lamott, tells of her struggle in getting her teenage son, Sam, to go to church with her
The Victory Is Ours -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Timothy J. Smith -- All Saints Day - A -- 2007
All Saints provides an opportunity to remember and give thanks for all the believers who have lived
Forward March -- Joshua 3:7-17 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2007
It was truly a day of new beginnings as the people prepared to make the long-anticipated entry into
A Question Of Loyalty -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2007
Lookout Mountain is a popular tourist destination located in the northwest corner of Georgia, just s
Reversal And Victory -- Judges 4:1-7 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2007
"When God is going to do something wonderful," author Anne Lamott claims, "God always starts with a
A Vision Of Hope -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2007
Difficult times not only try a person's soul but frequently force a person to step up to a new chall
Not All Of This Is Me -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2007
It was certainly a treat for four-year-old Tara to go shopping with her grandfather one day at the m
Dreaming Joseph -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Even Children Can Be Good Samaritans -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to be good Samaritans.
Silence -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: Learning to use silence.
Easter Is Colorful -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To remind the children that life is beautiful with Jesus and because of Jesus.
Seed Time -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To see death as a time of new life.
The Light Of The World -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To show how our lives need to reflect what we believe.
Let Your Light Shine -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to share.
The Do-It-Yourself Kit -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to use their God-given powers.
The Set Face -- Luke 9:51-56 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
A wise old archer, training two young men to shoot arrows that would hit the target, asked the first
The Misdirected Tears -- Luke 23:26-31 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
All of us cry sometimes. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, his people.
The Rejected Drug -- Matthew 27:32-37 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
A ten-year-old once said, "When you're put here on earth, it's for a reason.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Becoming A Tricky Old Dog -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: It is never too late for us to grow and change.
How Vulgar Can We Be? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: What are the limits of acceptable vulgarity for the Christian?
When Christianity Becomes A Waste Of Time -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Good Christian stewardship demands an efficient use of our time and talents.
When Worlds Collide: Sacred And Secular -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How does our faith relate to the rest of our lives, including the interaction
Imagine That! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Allow some exciting creativity into your faith world.
You Thought It Couldn't Get Any Worse -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How to deal with depression.
Some Things You Don't Want To Know -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Knowledge brings responsibility.
Lions And Cows Dining Together: Seeing Is Believing -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We must have a vision that peace is realistically attainable.
Analysis Of A Saloon -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Do churches and taverns offer the same services, and does our church do a bett
Get Over It! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We have to learn how to really forgive and accept forgiveness.

Stories

SermonStudio

Cuts That Heal -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2001
Sally was excited to see her uncle again.
Growing Up - It's A Scary Thought -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
My parents sacrificed so that my sister and I could go to college.
"Jesus Is Not In A Shed, Mom!" -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
I - along with other parents around the world - have learned so much about faith from the casual com
Bitterness Will Get You Nowhere -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2001
Some people cannot communicate unless they are complaining. It's irritating, isn't it?
Extraordinary Ordinary Things -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Catchy quotes help us envision things that are hard to understand.
Will It Bear Fruit? -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2001
Melinda's heart ached. Her seventeen-year-old daughter had just gotten her nose pierced.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Acceptance
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Accountability
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Alcohol
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Problems "The man who has no problems is out of the game." (Elbert Hubbard)

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

A Christmas Journey: A Christmas Eve Service of Candles and Carols -- Rod Tkach -- 2006
The Missing Jesus
A Christmas Journey: A Christmas Service of Candles and Carols -- Rod Tkach -- 2006
The Christmas Cross
Advent 1 -- Mark 13:24-37 -- William W. Helland -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Mark 13:24-37
Advent 2 -- Mark 1:1-8 -- William W. Helland -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Mark 1:1-8
Advent 3 -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- William W. Helland -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
John 1:6-8, 19-28 Who are you?
Advent 4 -- Luke 1:26-38 -- William W. Helland -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Luke 1:26-38
The Baptism Of Our Lord / Epiphany 1 -- Mark 1:4-11 -- William W. Helland -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:4-11
Christ The King / Proper 29 -- John 18:33-37 -- William W. Helland -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2005
John 18:33-37
Easter 2 -- John 20:19-31 -- William W. Helland -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 20:19-31
Easter 3 -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- William W. Helland -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Luke 24:36b-48

Poems

Pastoral Resources

Children's program

Pageant

Adult study

Youth Resources

Monologues

Church Programs

Meditations

Candlelighting service

Biblical Studies

Humor

Faith Development

Bible Study

Children's Resources

Self Help

Liturgy

Illustration

Spirituality

Biblical Study

Inspirational

Christian Life

Easter

Lent/Easter

Church Growth

Sacrament

Healing

Death

Funeral

Memorial

Observance

Christian

African-American History

Thanksgiving Day

Marriage Ceremony

Wedding Vow

Home Blessing

Church Anniversary

Women's Day

Men's Day

Church Leaders

Mother's Day

Gathering Prayer

Unison Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer

Intercession

Fellowship

Christian Faith

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
30+ – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
26 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 4
27 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
For April 12, 2026:

StoryShare

Keith Wagner
Contents
"Spiritually Speaking" by Keith Wagner
"Living With More Power" by Keith Wagner


Spiritually Speaking
by Keith Wagner
Psalm 16
Alex A. Gondola, Jr.
Keith Hewitt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"When through Fiery Trials" by Alex Gondola
"Tracks" by Keith Hewitt


What's Up This Week

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Thomas had never seen his friends so excited. Peter's eyes were shining, and he could hardly contain his impatience. John was always quieter than Peter, but even he seemed full of barely suppressed eagerness. They were both tugging at Thomas, while at the same time dancing round him.

Thomas reluctantly agreed to go to the cave with them, although he continued to think they were mad. "If there was nothing there last week, how can it have changed now?" he kept asking.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
This psalm is a song of confidence and trust, and the first-century church found in it a prophecy of the Resurrection. Peter, in his Pentecost sermon, quotes verses 8-11 (Acts 2:25-28), applying them to the risen Lord. Thus, its designation as the responsorial psalm for Easter 2.

The psalm falls easily into three divisions: verses 1-4, there is no good apart from God; 5-8, the Lord is my portion and my counselor; and 9-11, there is joy and life with God.
John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 2:14a, 22--32 (C, E)
According to God's plan and David's prophecy, Jesus was raised from the dead. This pericope is a part of Peter's Pentecost sermon. It is a sample of the early church's preaching, as Luke understood it, summarized in the crucifixion, resurrection, and fulfillment of prophecy. Peter emphasizes that what happened to Jesus was according to God's plan. He quotes Psalm 16 as a prophecy by David of the resurrection which was fulfilled. The disciples are witnesses to the fulfillment because of their encounters with the risen Lord.
Tony S. Everett
So, here we are just over one week after Easter Sunday. Vigils are finished. Sunrise services are over. Dishes from the youth breakfast have been washed and put away. Brass and tympani fanfares have concluded. Flowers on the cross have begun to wilt and blow away. Fewer pews are filled.
Richard L. Sheffield
What the disciples of Jesus reported to their fellow disciple Thomas they had seen seemed unbelievable. And Thomas didn't believe it! They said they saw Jesus alive. Well, Thomas saw him alive until late the previous Friday afternoon when Thomas saw him dead. It was now Sunday afternoon -- and to what they said they saw, Thomas' response was, "Seeing is believing," and until I see something different from what I have already seen, I will not believe a word of what you say.
Albert G. Butzer, III
Several years ago the Episcopal Church launched a creative and clever advertising campaign. One of their ads pictured a young man with a frustrated look on his face because someone had put a heavy piece of tape across his mouth. His mouth had been taped shut; he was unable to speak. The caption, which accompanied the picture, said this: "The problem with churches that have all of the answers is that you can't ask questions."
Harry N. Huxhold
The United States of America has earned the reputation of being the most violent culture in the world. That really is an oxymoron. How can one speak of culture as being violent? Yet the problem of violence is so widespread in our nation that Gavin De Becker, an authority on violence, notes that we are a nation with more firearms than adults, and twenty thousand guns enter our commerce every day. His book, The Gift of Fear, is about our fear which furnishes us survival signals to protect us from violence. We should not be shocked that anyone is capable of violence.
Bill Mosley
The great luxury liner was on fire, but no one knew it. Deep in the hold, near the engine room, hundreds of tons of coal were stored. Coal--powered ships used to carry the coal in a watered--down state. But this ship was new, and very big; bigger than any ship ever built, or had ever sailed. So even though the coal was watered for safety, the enormous amount meant that there were dry spots. A fire smoldered undiscovered deep in the coal supply, and when it was discovered, a fire--fighting crew was sent to quench it. They worked for days, even weeks, and couldn't put it out.
B. David Hostetter
CALL TO WORSHIP
Bless our God who has given us counsel.
Come to worship with exulting heart and rejoicing spirit.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
I Danced In The Morning (UM261, PH 302)
Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! (CBH 272)
Jesus, The Very Thought Of Thee (NCH507)
We Live By Faith And Not By Sight (NCH256, PH398)
O Sons And Daughters, Let Us Sing (NCH244, PH116, 117)
Breathe On Me, Breath Of God (CBH356, UM420, PH316)
These Things Did Thomas Count (NCH284)
When In The Night I Meditate (PH165)

Anthems
From the Messiah: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth, G. F. Handel
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (Acts 2:32)
 This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.


Collect
 We lift up our eyes to you Lord, after the despair of the cross. We follow the path from the empty tomb to see you risen and walking among us! We praise your name in victory! Amen.


Prayer Of Confession

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Fresh air is precisely what many people feel they never get in church. Many recall the experiences of former times when the air was stodgy and stuffy. In some communities of faith the air is still a bit stifling, and so when invited to worship, the response is often, "Been there. Done that."

Yet our lessons are full of the freshness of spring, bringing life and vigor to what had been dormant, as though frozen in winter and refusing to thaw.

Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Wayne Brouwer
One of my good friends died last year. He had reached a good age and was mostly ready to go. In fact, he once told me he had more lives than the proverbial cat's nine. On too many occasions, because of cancer and accidents and blood diseases, doctors had written him off. Yet, like the Energizer bunny, he kept going and going and going....

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. This morning we read from the Bible about a special meeting between Jesus, who had been resurrected a week earlier, and his disciples. All of the disciples believed the resurrection except Thomas, who had not been in the room when Jesus met with the disciples a week earlier. Thomas had heard about it but didn't believe. He said that unless he saw for himself the wounds in the hands and side of Jesus, he would not believe.
Good morning, boys and girls. What does this sign mean? (Let them answer.) It is a question mark. When you see it that means someone is asking a question. Sometimes it means that someone doesn't believe what you are saying. That means the person is doubting you. It's a very common thing to have doubts about something. If one of you told me that you don't like to play with toys, I'd say, "I'm not so sure about that. I doubt it. I'll bet you really like to play with toys." If one of you told me that you didn't like candy, I would say, "I'm not so sure about that. I doubt it.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL