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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.
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.
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
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.
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
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 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
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...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
For October 12, 2025:

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Mark Ellingsen
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 29:1,4-7

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
As he entered a village, ten men with a skin disease approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (vv. 12-13)

“I wouldn’t touch that with a ten-foot pole.”

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message is a role-play story. If you have enough children, you could have them play the roles of the ten lepers. However, for the most fun, I suggest planning ahead and recruiting ten adults from your congregation to play the roles.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott

Call to Worship:

Jesus healed ten sick people, but nine of them were only interested in themselves and their own condition. Just one was able to look beyond his own concerns and say thank you. In our worship today let us look beyond ourselves and see God.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we are consumed by ourselves and fail to really care about other people.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we focus so intently on ourselves that we forget to say thank you.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Easter 6, Cycle A for an alternative approach to vv. 8-20.)

Schuyler Rhodes
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (v. 10). "Perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). These two powerful statements reveal for us the inadequacies of the translation process of the English language. These two juxtaposing passages reveal only a tiny fraction of the contradictions and conflicts found within our holy Word. No wonder people have trouble reading and understanding.
Scott Suskovic
"... suffer as I do" (2 Timothy 1:12).

It was in 1965 that the Rolling Stones recorded the song, "I Can't Get No Satisfaction." Even today, over forty years later, we are still saying the same words and feeling the same emptiness of trying and trying, but getting no satisfaction. Commercials promise it with whiter teeth and fresher breath. Wall Street promises it with higher returns. Soap operas promise it with a dynamic love life. Yet those who have conquered each of those summits come up with the same cry, "I can't get no satisfaction." Can you?

Stephen M. Crotts
Have you ever had this experience? You walk into a dark room to do something, flick on the light switch, and nothing happens. I suspect a lot of our Thanksgivings are like that. Thursday late in November rolls around and suddenly it's Thanksgiving! So everybody gives thanks! But quite often the gratitude is just not there. Like the light switch, we reach for it at the appropriate time and it won't work. It's burned out.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
Once there was a wise king who died. His son, who was young and rather brash, came to the throne and after only two months ordered a review all of his father's appointments. He called in the royal secretary, the royal treasurer, and the viceroy for interviews. He found them all to be unworthy and sent them into exile with only the shirts on their backs. Next he decided to interview the local bishop. A courier was sent to the bishop's residence with this message: "You are to report to the palace and answer the following three questions: 1) What direction does God face? 2) What am I worth?

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