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C. David Mckirachan

C. David McKirachan is pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury in central New Jersey. He also teaches at Monmouth University. Two of his books, I Happened Upon a Miracle and A Year of Wonder, have been published by Westminster John Knox Press. McKirachan was raised in a pastor's home and he is the brother of a pastor, and he has discovered his name indicates that he has druid roots. Storytelling seems to be a congenital disorder. He lives with his 21-year-old son Ben and his dog Sam.
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May You Have An Interesting Life -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Ephesians 1:3-14 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2021
Contents “May You Have An Interesting Life” by C. David McKirachan
A Backpack of Rocks -- Genesis 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15, Psalm 25:1-10 -- C. David Mckirachan, Keith Hewitt -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Contents“A Backpack of Rocks” by C. David McKirachan
The Scientific Method -- John 20:19-31 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Do not be faithless, but believing.’ That’s pretty rough when all he did was
Love Is Hard -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- C. David Mckirachan, Keith Hewitt -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“Love is Hard” by C. David McKirachan
No Limitations -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2021
Contents“No Limitations” by C. David McKirachan
…But Do Not Sin -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2021
Most of us are passionate in our young days. It is not a reasonable time.
Pasteboard Figures -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2021
When we’re looking for erotic poetry, we rarely look in the Bible.
Women and Children First! -- Mark 9:30-37 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2021
“Women and children first!” We all know the cry in an emergency.
Can You Give Me Directions? -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2021
The other day, I went in search of a long leaf pine.
The Estranged -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Contents “The Estranged” by Keith Hewitt
Where's Christmas? -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8 -- C. David Mckirachan, John Fitzgerald -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Contents"Where’s Christmas?" by C. David McKirachan
Going For The Goal Line -- Mark 1:29-39, Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c -- C. David Mckirachan, Alex A. Gondola, Jr., John E. Sumwalt, Constance Berg -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2012
Contents "She Served Them" by C. David McKirachan
The Visitor -- Mark 1:4-11, Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Psalm 29 -- Craig Kelly, Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
Contents "The Visitor" by Keith Hewitt
Full Body Experience -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Psalm 126 -- C. David Mckirachan, Paul E. Flesner -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Contents "Full Body Experience" by C. David McKirachan
The Visitor -- Matthew 2:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2011
Contents "The Visitor" by Keith Hewitt
The Unexpected Tomorrow -- Mark 1:4-11, Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Psalm 29 -- Peter Andrew Smith, C. David Mckirachan, Constance Berg -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Unexpected Tomorrow" by Peter Andrew Smith
The Jigsaw Puzzle -- Luke 1:26-38, 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:47-55 -- Argile Smith, Craig Kelly, Sandra Herrmann, Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B, The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Jigsaw Puzzle" by Argile Smith
Joelito's Legacy -- Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Sandra Herrmann, Jo Perry-Sumwalt, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2006
Contents What's Up This Week A Story to Live By: "Joelito's Legacy"

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A Backpack of Rocks -- Genesis 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15, Psalm 25:1-10 -- C. David Mckirachan, Keith Hewitt -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Contents“A Backpack of Rocks” by C. David McKirachan
…But Do Not Sin -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2021
Most of us are passionate in our young days. It is not a reasonable time.
The Estranged -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Contents “The Estranged” by Keith Hewitt

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Looking Ahead -- Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65 -- Argile Smith, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2022
Contents What's Up This Week "Looking Ahead" by Argile Smith
Roots -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- C. David Mckirachan, John E. Sumwalt, Sandra Herrmann -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Note: This installment was originally published in 2007. Contents
...remembering Me -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2022
Note: This installment was originally published in 2013.Contents
Love Language That Hurts -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Argile Smith, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2022
Note: This installment was originally published in 2007.Contents
When I Fall In Love -- Luke 8:26-39, 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29 -- C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2022
Contents"When I Fall in Love…" by C. David McKirachan
The Serpent… -- Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:14-21 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Contents “The Serpent…” by Keith Hewitt
A New Commandment -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2021
Contents “A New Commandment” by Keith Hewitt
The Scientific Method -- John 20:19-31 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Do not be faithless, but believing.’ That’s pretty rough when all he did was
The Vine -- Acts 8:26-40, John 15:1-8, Psalm 22:25-31 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“The Vine” by Keith Hewitt
Love Is Hard -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- C. David Mckirachan, Keith Hewitt -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“Love is Hard” by C. David McKirachan
Wounds -- Mark 3:20-35, 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), Genesis 3:8-15 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2021
Contents“Wounds” by Keith Hewitt
No Limitations -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2021
Contents“No Limitations” by C. David McKirachan
The Modest Proposal -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Psalm 89:20-37 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2021
Contents“The Modest Proposal” by Keith Hewitt
…But Do Not Sin -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2021
Most of us are passionate in our young days. It is not a reasonable time.
Pasteboard Figures -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2021
When we’re looking for erotic poetry, we rarely look in the Bible.
May You Have An Interesting Life -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Ephesians 1:3-14 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2021
Contents “May You Have An Interesting Life” by C. David McKirachan
Women and Children First! -- Mark 9:30-37 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2021
“Women and children first!” We all know the cry in an emergency.
Prom Night -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2021
Contents “Prom Night” by Keith Hewitt
Can You Give Me Directions? -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2021
The other day, I went in search of a long leaf pine.
A Work of the Soul -- Isaiah 40:21-31, Mark 1:29-39 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2021
Contents“A Work of the Soul” by Keith Hewitt
A Backpack of Rocks -- Genesis 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15, Psalm 25:1-10 -- C. David Mckirachan, Keith Hewitt -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Contents“A Backpack of Rocks” by C. David McKirachan

Free Access

A Backpack of Rocks -- Genesis 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15, Psalm 25:1-10 -- C. David Mckirachan, Keith Hewitt -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Contents“A Backpack of Rocks” by C. David McKirachan
A New Commandment -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2021
Contents “A New Commandment” by Keith Hewitt
The Vine -- Acts 8:26-40, John 15:1-8, Psalm 22:25-31 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“The Vine” by Keith Hewitt
Wounds -- Mark 3:20-35, 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), Genesis 3:8-15 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2021
Contents“Wounds” by Keith Hewitt
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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For October 26, 2025:

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I am a scoreboard watcher. I follow a lot more games than I actually watch, but since technology makes it easy to check scores on a moment’s whim, I watch a lot of scoreboards of teams and games that I am at least mildly interested in. And as I check those scores, I find myself having immediate reactions: “Great!” “Oh, that's too bad.” “Excellent!” “Nuts.” And in the midst of that sports-fan roller coaster, I must continually remind myself that not all scores are final.
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Joel 2:22-32
Martin Luther sings the praises of God’s love revealed in this lesson. He wrote:

The love of God which lives in man loves sinners, evil persons, fools and weaklings in order to make them righteous, good, wise, and strong. Rather than seeking its own good, the love of God flows forth and bestows good. (Luther’s Works, Vol. 31, p.57)

John Wesley nicely summarizes the Spirit’s role in fighting the lure of our old sinful habits:

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John Jamison
Object: This message is a role-play story. You will need two children to play the roles of the Pharisee and the tax collector. I usually ask two children if they will help me as they are all coming forward for the message, but you may select them however you choose.

* * *

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight.
Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
(vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.

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Call to Worship:

We all dislike people who blow their own trumpets, although sometimes we may be in awe of them. Jesus too deplored such behaviour and was never in awe of those who practised it. In our worship today let us open ourselves to Jesus, allowing him to see what is in our hearts.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we allow other people's behaviour to intimidate us.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we refuse to reach our own fullest potential because we are afraid.

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Every morning when sleep leaves and waking comes there is cause for praising God. Caught up, as we are, in the currents and eddies of our lives, this is easy to forget. This wonderful psalm is a reminder. God's bounty and abundance spill into our lives like waters over a causeway. God's delight in creation explodes in a million different colors. In every moment there is reason to give God praise.
Robert R. Kopp
When I was a little boy growing up in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania's First Presbyterian Church, one of those Christian chalk artists with black light, neon colors, and black felt canvas who made pictures of Jesus look like those Elvis portraits for sale on the side of the road at the beach showed up as entertainment for a Sunday evening potluck dinner.
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Today's sermon begins with this little one-person drama.
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Have you ever felt that you were absolutely at the end of your rope, left without hope? Sometime during the years of 539 B.C. to 331 B.C. that is the way the people of Judah felt. It seems that their land had been ravaged by a plague of locusts which had had catastrophic consequences.

Once a harvest has been destroyed, you cannot repair it. If a building has burned to the ground, you cannot repair it. In those instances you need to start from scratch with a fresh start.

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