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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

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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
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
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John Jamison
Object: A sheep or lamb stuffed animal.

Note: For the best experience, when you ask the questions, take the time to draw the children out a bit and help them come up with answers. Make it more of a conversation if you can.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Let’s get started! (Hold the sheep in your lap as you continue.)

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
For May 4, 2025:

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John E. Sumwalt
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice… (vv. 11-12a)

Phillip Hasheider is a retired Wisconsin beef farmer and an award-winning author who was dead for six minutes and came back to tell about it. If you have ever thought about dying and wondered what it would be like, then Hasheider’s Six Minutes in Eternity is a book you will want to read.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
A medical worker is working long, hard, stress filled hours in an urban hospital setting. One day he or she is called into the administrator’s office to be terminated due to angering professionals in the upper echelon. The worker protests that it is, “My word against their word, why am I to be the scapegoat?” The administrator pulls rank! The worker is asked to turn in their badge and do not come into the premises again unless as a patient. The now unemployed medical worker still feels the calling to be a healer. So, they get a job at an alternative/natural health medicine store.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
Martin Luther believed that the story of Paul’s conversion demonstrates that there is no need for special revelation. The reformer commented:

Our Lord God does not purpose some special thing for each individual person, but gives to the whole world — one person like the next — his baptism and gospel. (Complete Sermons, Vol.7, p.271)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
I've recently spent several hours by the lakeside, for I've been in retreat this past week in the little village of Hemingford Grey, in Huntingdonshire. A great delight for me was to walk to the flooded gravel pits, sit on a bench in glorious sunshine, and watch the water birds. For me, that's a wonderful way to become very aware of the presence of God through the beauty of his created world. And sitting like that for several hours, doing nothing but watching and waiting, I can't help but absorb the peace which passes all understanding.

SermonStudio

Constance Berg
When Beth was a teenager, she lived on the streets. She smoked cigarettes and drank beer and her parents had said that she had to choose: her friends or her family. Beth chose her friends and lived from house to house and eventually in homeless shelters. She barely avoided being raped at one point. About six months of shelter-hopping was all she could take, and she found a shelter that sponsored her until she took the GED. They told her she was brilliant: she was just bored and dissatisfied with the status quo. The shelter supervisors suggested she look into community college.
James Evans
(For alternative approaches, see Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle B; and Proper 9/Pentecost 7/Ordinary Time 14, Cycle C.)

The main theme of this psalm is captured profoundly in the movement within a single verse: "Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with morning" (v. 5). Casting life experiences between light and dark is not unique or novel, of course, but the poet's treatment of these themes offers some fertile ground for reflection.

Elizabeth Achtemeier
We have three different accounts of the conversion of Saul in the Gospel according to Luke (9:1-20; 22:6-16; 26:12-18). They differ in a few minor details, but essentially they are the same. In addition, Paul writes of his conversion in Galatians 1:11-16, and in 1 Corinthians 9:1 and 15:8-9, stating that at the time of his conversion on the road to Damascus, he saw the Lord. For Paul, that made him an apostle, equal to the twelve. An apostle, in Paul's thought, was one who had seen the risen Christ and had been sent to announce that good news.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
Once in a far-off land, there was a great king whose dominion extended far and wide. His power and authority were absolute. One day, as events would happen, a young man, a commoner, committed a grave offense against the king. In response, the king and his counselors gathered together to determine what should be done. They decided that since the offense was so grave and had been committed by a commoner against someone so august as the king, the only punishment that would satisfy justice was death.

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