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Proper 16 (C, E) -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 (C)
Corpus Christi -- Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15, Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 24:3-8
Proper 17 (C, E) -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Song of Solomon 2:8-13 (C)
The Resurrection Of Our Lord (Easter Day) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Easter Day - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 10:34-43 (C, RC, E)
The Holy Trinity -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 6:1-8 (C)
Proper 18 (C, E) -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 (C)
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS Lesson 1: Acts 4:32-35 (C, RC)
First Sunday After Christmas/Holy Family -- Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 61:10„62:3 (C, E)
Proper 19 (C, E) -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Proverbs 1:20-33 (C)
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 3:12-19 (C); Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 (RC)
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:1-18 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 31:7-14 (C, E)
Proper 20 (C, E) -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Proverbs 31:10-31 (C)
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 4:5-12 (C); Acts 4:8-12 (RC)
Proper 21 (C, E) -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 (C)
Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 8:26-40 (C, E)
Proper 22 (C, E) -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Job 1:1; 2:1-10 (C)
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Proper 23 (C, E) -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Job 23:1-9, 16-17 (C)
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Watching For The Coming Of The Lord -- Mark 13:32-37 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
"But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Fa
Proper 24 (C, E) -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Job 38:1-7 (34-41) (C)
Second Sunday After The Epiphany -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Living For Others -- John 10:11-18 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Proper 25 (C, E) -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Job 42:1-6, 10-17 (C)
Third Sunday After The Epiphany -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 (C, RC)

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Power Of Story -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2003
Elie Wiesel relates this story.
Need A Lift? -- Acts 9:36-43 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Journalist Bob Garfield researched health articles in The Washington Post, USA Today, and The New Yo
Never Limit Others, Ourselves, Or God -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2003
Once upon a time a badly deformed little girl was born to a very wealthy family.
Final Touch! -- Luke 6:20-31 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- All Saints Day - C -- 2003
When Sean O'Malley died in Ireland and was dutifully laid out in his casket for viewing at his wake,
In A Land Of Faithfulness -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Good Friday - C -- 2003
Good Friday is about faithfulness that happens because of forgiveness.
Introduction To The Lord's Prayer -- Matthew 6:7-14 -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2003
Many years ago the famous fable writer, Aesop, wrote, "Familiarity breeds contempt." Mark Twain had
Holy Collision -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2003
Before a dog guide and its teammate meet, an apprentice pup spends twelve months in the home of a 4-
Calling Others In God's Name -- Steven E. Albertin, Charles D. Reeb, Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- 2003
The realization that God calls all people of faith to service and discipleship, and thereby to be a
Fire Falling From Heaven -- Luke 12:49-56 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2003
Jesus spends much of the twelfth chapter of Luke reassuring and encouraging his followers in the fac
Curtain Call -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2003
It was 1974 in the racially-troubled southern city of Birmingham.
Love Without Limits -- Acts 11:1-18 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
The eloquent preacher Tom Long tells the story of a small church-related college that held an annual
Love Means Speaking The Truth -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2003
"When Christ calls a man, he bids that man to come and die." These words were written by Dietrich Bo
Now What? -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2003
The Ascension of Jesus into heaven is one of those strange Bible stories that Cecil B.
Lessons From A Dog Guide -- Robert S. Crilley -- 2003
Introduction
"Our Father Who Art In Heaven" -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2003
One day in India, a boy came upon a Holy Man praying by the banks of the Ganges River.
The Ash Connection -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2003
There is always something we cannot stand about ourselves, something that is unacceptable, something
The Bent-over Woman -- Luke 13:10-17 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2003
As was his custom, Jesus went that Sabbath morning to the synagogue for worship.
A Whole New World -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2003
I knew that it was wrong.
When All Is Said And Done -- Acts 16:9-15 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Life has a way of presenting us with defining moments.
The Lord Hears The Cry Of The Poor -- Amos 8:1-12 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2003
The year 1992 marked the quincentenary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World, an e
Escape From The Island Of Spiritual Sloth -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2003
I was noodling around on the internet not long ago, doing some research on the "Seven Deadly Sins,"
Incarnation With A Wagging Tail -- Romans 10:8b-13 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Once there was a dog guide named Leader Dog Dolley.
"Hallowed Be Thy Name" -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2003
My previous church in West Springfield - like this one - was located next to a graveyard.
Crossing Borders And Breaking Down Boundaries -- Acts 8:14-17 -- Robert S. Crilley -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2003
Luke reports this story in such an understated and matter-of-fact style that one could easily miss t
Divine Dinner Party Decorum -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2003
Luke opens the fourteenth chapter by telling us that Jesus "was going to the house of a leader of th

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Caesar -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In Las Vegas there was an old Christian saint, named Sam, who was approaching his eightieth birthday
Misunderstood -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Three children begged for a pet hamster.
Hope -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present." Those words come from a m
Tradition -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When Bismarck was the Prussian ambassador to the court of Alexander II, in the early 1860's, he look
Alone -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"No man is an island," wrote the seventeenth century Anglican priest, John Donne.
Motive -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
A wealthy man had seven married children. He waited for years, but there was never a grandchild.
Idolatry -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
After Moses and the people of Israel escaped from Egypt, they wandered for many years in the Sinai p
Translate -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
A carpenter worked for a lumber company for forty years.
Ancestors -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Unless some things are carried from the past into the future, there will be no future worth having.
Music -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Next to theology I give to music the highest place and honor.
Inadequate -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Two cows were grazing alongside I-95 in Bucks County when a tank truck of milk, on its way to the di
Unjust Suffering -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"If the Lord is really with us, why has all this happened to us?" asked Gideon in the Old Testament.
Atonement -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Atonement is the word Christians use to sum up what Jesus' death means to them.
Mystery -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
A certain magician worked on a cruise ship between New York City and Bermuda.
Interruption -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Jack lived on an island in the middle of a river.
Untoward -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman, the central character is Willy Loman, a traveling sales
Authority -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"By what authority are you acting like this?" was the question posed to Jesus by the religious leade
Narcissism -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
According to Ovid's version of an old Greek legend, a nymph named Liriope was ravaged by a river-god
Jesus -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"The consciousness of the presence of God has come to millions of men and women through Jesus," wrot
Babies -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In the early 1830's, in France, a schoolmaster wrote these words in his rollbook, after the name of
Ostracize -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In ancient Greece, a method was developed to handle a dangerous or unpopular citizen considered to b
Jesus' Name -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
The miracle and mystery of Christmas is summed up in the name of that baby born in Bethlehem so long
Ballot -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
At election time, we enter the polling booth to choose a candidate, by using a pencil or pulling a l
Park -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Common words have an uncommon history. Take the word park, for example.
Jesus' Popularity -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter. It is the first day of Holy Week.

Thanksgiving Day

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Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Where On Earth Are You? -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: Where are you when we need you, God?
Upon All -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
god or God? -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1999
Theme: god or God?Call To Worship
You Upstart! -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Replacement -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
What Makes You Change? -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1999
Theme: What Makes You Change?Call To WorshipLeader: What changes us?
Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1999
First Lesson: Job 42:1-6, 10-17 Theme: Seeing For Ourselves
Both Ears Tingling -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: We listen for the way God calls to us.
The Prophetic Word -- And The Living Word -- Isaiah 40:1-5, John 1:1-14 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
First Sunday In Advent Isaiah 40:1-5; John 1:1-14
Get Up -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Hope Of A Girl -- And The Hope Of The World -- Isaiah 7:10-14, Luke 1:26-38 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Second Sunday In Advent Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-38
God's Kids Hope -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Secure -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Words In Your Mouth -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Expectant Parents -- And An Unexpected Baby -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Luke 2:1-5 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Third Sunday In Advent Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 2:1-5
Alive, I Say -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Strategy -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
A Show of Hands -- John 20:24-29 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Waiting For God -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Song Of Angels -- And The Son Of God -- Isaiah 9:2-6 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Fourth Sunday In Advent Isaiah 9:2-6; Luke 2:6-14
A Reason -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship Leader: Is it possible that human weaknesses are for a reason?
A Sad Heart -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Refreshing Christians -- 2 Timothy 1:8-18 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
If Only ... -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Simple Shepherds -- And The Lamb Of God -- Isaiah 53:1-7, Luke 2:15-20 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Christmas Eve Isaiah 53:1-7; Luke 2:15-20They Came Together In Bethlehem:

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Thanksgiving
14 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Advent 1
30 – Sermons
90+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For December 7, 2025:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
There was an incident some years ago, when an elderly lady in some village parish in England was so fed up with the sound of the church bells ringing, that she took an axe and hacked her way through the oak door of the church. Once inside, she sliced through the bell ropes, rendering the bells permanently silent. The media loved it. There were articles in all the papers and the culprit appeared on television. The Church was less enthusiastic - and took her to court.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
(See The Epiphany Of Our Lord, Cycle A, and The Epiphany Of Our Lord, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)

This psalm is a prayer for the king, and it asks God to extend divine rule over earth through the anointed one who sits on the throne. Although the inscription says the psalm is about Solomon, that is a scribal addition. More likely, this was a general prayer used for more than one of the Davidic kings, and it shows the common belief that the monarch would be the instrument through which God acted.

Mark Wm. Radecke
In her Pulitzer Prize winning book, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, author Annie Dillard recalls this chilling remembrance:
Paul E. Robinson
There is so much uncertainty in life that most of us look hard and long for as many "sure things" as we can find. A fisherman goes back again and again to that hole that always produces fish and leaves on his line that special lure that always does the trick. The fishing hole and the lure are sure things.
John N. Brittain
If you don't know that Christmas is a couple of weeks away, you must be living underground. And you must have no contact with any children. And you cannot have been to a mall, Wal-Mart, Walgreen's, or any other chain store since three weeks before Halloween. Christmas, probably more than any other day in the contemporary American calendar, is one of those days where impact really stretches the envelope of time not just -- like some great tragedy -- after the fact, but also in anticipation.
Tony S. Everett
One hot summer day, a young pastor decided to change the oil in his automobile for the very first time in his life. He had purchased five quarts of oil, a filter wrench, and a bucket in which to drain the used oil. He carefully and gently drove the car onto the shiny, yellow ramps and eased his way underneath his vehicle.

Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
We've gathered here today on the second Sunday of Advent to continue to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord. This task of preparing for the arrival of the Lord is not as easy as we might think it is. As in other areas of life, we find ourselves having to unlearn some things in order to see what the scriptures teach us about God's act in Jesus. We've let the culture around us snatch away much of the meaning of the birth of the Savior. We have to reclaim that meaning if we really want to be ready for what God is still doing in the miracle of Christmas.
Timothy J. Smith
As we make our way through Advent inching closer to Christmas, our days are consumed with many tasks. Our "to do" list grows each day. At times we are often out of breath and wondering if we will complete everything on our list before Christmas Day. We gather on this Second Sunday in Advent to spiritually prepare for what God has done and continues to do in our lives and in our world. We have been too busy with all our activities and tasks so that we are in danger of missing out on the miracle of Christmas.
Frank Luchsinger
For his sixth grade year his family moved to the new community. They made careful preparations for the husky, freckle-faced redhead to fit in smoothly. They had meetings with teachers and principal, and practiced the route to the very school doors he would enter on the first day. "Right here will be lists of the classes with the teachers' names and students. Come to these doors and find your name on a list and go to that class."
R. Glen Miles
The text we have heard today is pleasant, maybe even reassuring. I wonder, though, how many of us will give it any significance once we leave the sanctuary? Do the words of Isaiah have any real meaning for us, or are they just far away thoughts from a time that no longer has any relevance for us today?
Susan R. Andrews
When our children were small, a nice church lady named Chris made them a child--friendly creche. All the actors in this stable drama are soft and squishy and durable - perfect to touch and rearrange - or toss across the living room in a fit of toddler frenzy. The Joseph character has always been my favorite because he looks a little wild - red yarn spiking out from his head, giving him an odd look of energy. In fact, I have renamed this character John the Baptist and in my mind substituted one of the innocuous shepherds for the more staid and solid Joseph. Why this invention?
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Litany Of Confession
P: Wild animals flourish around us,
C: and prowl within us.
P: Injustice and inequity surround us,
C: and hide within us.
P: Vanity and pride divide us,
C: and fester within us.

A time for silent reflection

P: O God, may your love free us,
C: and may your Spirit live in us. Amen.

Prayer Of The Day

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The world and the church approach the "Mass of Christ" with a different pace, and "atmospheres" that are worlds apart. Out in the "highways and byways" tinsel and "sparkly" are everywhere, in the churches the color of the paraments and stoles is a somber violet, or in some places, blue. Through the stores and on the airwaves carols and pop tunes are up-beat, aimed at getting the spirits festive, and the pocketbooks and wallets are open.
David Kalas
In the United States just now, we're in the period between the election and the inauguration of the president. In our system, by the time they are inaugurated, our leaders are fairly familiar faces. Months of primaries and campaigning, debates and speeches, and conventions and commercials, all contribute to a fairly high degree of familiarity. We may wonder what kind of president someone will be, but we have certainly heard many promises, and we have had plenty of opportunities to get to know the candidate.
(A)
During my growing up years we had no family automobile. My father walked to work and home again. During World War II his routine at the local milk plant was somewhat irregular. As children we tried to guess when he would come. If we were wrong, we didn't worry. He always came.
Wayne Brouwer
Schuyler Rhodes
What difference does my life make for others around me? That question is addressed in three related ways in our texts for today. Isaiah raised the emblem of the Servant of Yahweh as representative for what life is supposed to be, even in the middle of a chaotic and cruel world. Paul mirrors that reflection as he announces the fulfillment of Isaiah's vision in the coming of Jesus and the expansion of its redemptive effects beyond the Jewish community to the Gentile world as well.

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