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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
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
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

Stories

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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
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
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
Cries for Help -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - A -- 2020
Contents “Cries for Help” by C. David McKirachan
Here Am I -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2020
Contents “Remembering Our Limitations” by C. David McKirachan
What Words to Use -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Contents “What Words to Use?” by C. David McKirachan
You. Yes, You. -- Acts 2:1-21, Numbers 11:24-30 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2020
Contents “You. Yes, You.” by C. David McKirachan
A Fork In the Road -- Matthew 10:24-39, Genesis 21:8-21, Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17, Jeremiah 20:7-13, Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2020
Contents “A Fork In the Road” by C. David McKirachan
Crops of Glory -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Romans 8:1-11, Genesis 25:19-34 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2020
Contents "Crops of Glory" by C. David McKirachan
Who are the Good People? -- Genesis 32:22-31, Isaiah 55:1-5, Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2020
Contents"Who are the Good People?" by C. David McKirachan
Responsibilities! -- Matthew 16:13-20, Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2020
Contents “Responsibilities!” by C. David McKirachan
Our Nice, Neat World View -- Exodus 14:19-31, Matthew 18:21-35 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2020
Contents "Our Nice, Neat World View" by C. David McKirachan
Confronting Injustice -- Matthew 21:33-46, Isaiah 5:1-7 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2020
Contents “Confronting Injustice” by C. David McKirachan
Rules -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18, Psalm 1, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2020
Contents “Rules” by C. David McKirachan
Tangled Up in Stuff -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Psalm 65 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2020
Contents “Tangled Up in Stuff” by C. David McKirachan
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
Rock and Roll -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96 -- C. David Mckirachan -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2020
Contents “Rock and Roll” by C. David McKirachan
The Principle of Paying Attention -- John 1:29-42, Psalm 40:1-11 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2020
Contents “The Principle of Paying Attention” by C. David McKirachan
Comfable? -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Psalm 121 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
Contents “Comfable?” 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
UPCOMING WEEKS
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John Jamison

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. (vv. 14-16)


The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Bethany Peerbolte
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For April 25, 2021:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Easter is a season of new life and that which guides the church into new life. All three texts point in this direction. What congregation or church leader is not in need of new ideas and directions for life in the history or their ministry?
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 4:5-12
I ran across, what sounds to me, like an old legend. It’s a good story, though, and I think it is worth looking at.

Back in the days when the Old West was being settled, a lot of people made their way over the Oregon Trail. When they got to the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, they found a stream that was too wide to cross by just stepping over it. To get across, they "two-stepped" across by using an ugly lump sticking up out of the water in the middle of the stream as a step.

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
David O. Bales
Contents
“Trusting in God” by Peter Andrew Smith
“The Power of a Name” by David O. Bales
“Through A Dark Valley Toward the Table Of An Enemy” by David O. Bales


Trusting in God
by Peter Andrew Smith
1 John 3:16-24

Jane handed Mary a cup of coffee. “Is anyone else around?”

Mary shook her head. “No, Ken and Pastor Mark headed off to their meeting so it’s just the two of us at the church until they get back.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. If you want to know him, listen to his voice today.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we fail to hear your voice.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we wilfully ignore your voice.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we wander far from the fold.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

John 10:11-18

SermonStudio

Donna E. Schaper
What does this shepherd possibly mean? He says he has the power to put his life down and to pick it up again! It is almost like he is saying we can stop breathing whenever we want -- and then begin breathing again. How dare we believe this promise?
Paul W. Kummer
Sometimes it just takes boldness!

"Tell me what my dreams means," bellowed the king. "And I want to know what the dream was, too! It was so terrifying that I can't remember it! Tell me now! If you don't, O wise men of Babylon, I will have all of you killed."

That's the report Daniel heard in his prison cell as henchmen came to fulfill the king's earnest decree. "Wait, there's a God in heaven who reveals mysteries," delays Daniel, and with boldness in God and with confidence that God gives dream meanings, Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar about the future.
Paul E. Robinson
Not long ago I heard about one more study done with rats. This particular study seemed to indicate that the amount of stress experienced by baby rats in their first ten days set their bodies for the rest of their lives as to how the rats would react to stressful situations. As I recall, there are at least two factors at work. First of all, in a stressful situation a chemical is produced that triggers the stress response throughout the body.

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