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.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Pentecost
33 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Trinity Sunday
25 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
19 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
19 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 4 | OT 9
27 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
20 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
22 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
20 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
22 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
New & Featured This Week
The Immediate Word
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Elena Delhagen
For June 2, 2024:
- More Than Rainbow Flags by Mary Austin based on Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 2 Corinthians 4:5-12.
- Sermon illustrations by Dean Feldmeyer, Tom Willadsen.
CSSPlus
John Jamison
Object: This message includes a game to play together. Have fun with having the children shout out their answers. It makes the message memorable.
* * *
Hello, everyone! Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) But instead of just telling you the story, I thought it would be more fun if we played a game that told the story. Are you ready to play the game? (Let them respond.)
* * *
Hello, everyone! Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) But instead of just telling you the story, I thought it would be more fun if we played a game that told the story. Are you ready to play the game? (Let them respond.)
StoryShare
Frank Ramirez
Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” (v. 4)
Back in those days dark was dark.
Really dark.
In a moonless sky, the stars would shine brighter than most of us have ever seen, all the more awe-inspiring their majesty, paradoxically emphasizing all the more the darkness that reigned.
Back in those days dark was dark.
Really dark.
In a moonless sky, the stars would shine brighter than most of us have ever seen, all the more awe-inspiring their majesty, paradoxically emphasizing all the more the darkness that reigned.
Emphasis Preaching Journal
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
The call to prophecy came directly to Samuel. We all have a calling from God and living out that call is what life is all about. Billy Graham once made that point:
Our world is obsessed with success. But how does God define success? Success in God’s is faithfulness to his calling.
John Calvin offers reflections on how responding to God’s call makes life easier and meaningful, no matter how routine the job seems to be. The Genevan reformer wrote:
The call to prophecy came directly to Samuel. We all have a calling from God and living out that call is what life is all about. Billy Graham once made that point:
Our world is obsessed with success. But how does God define success? Success in God’s is faithfulness to his calling.
John Calvin offers reflections on how responding to God’s call makes life easier and meaningful, no matter how routine the job seems to be. The Genevan reformer wrote:
From one point of view in his time, Jesus played fast and loose with the law. We, who believe in his deity, might easily explain that he was superior to all human institutions. While that element is present in his teachings, he did not intend his uniqueness to destroy the proper role of law.
SermonStudio
Stephen P. McCutchan
Deuteronomy 5:12-15
Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you.
-- Deuteronomy 5:12
Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you.
-- Deuteronomy 5:12
Schuyler Rhodes
There's something about someone who knows you really well. It is a state of grace that slices across all other interactions. Sit across the table from a spouse of twenty years, a best friend of half a century, a sister or brother who has grown with you through the victories and the defeats. It's an amazing moment to look into the eyes of such a person and know ... that they know.
Michael D. Wuchter
Out of darkness the light shall shine! God's glory shining in the face of Christ. Yet we who have this spiritual gift are like common clay pots.
-- 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (paraphrased)
-- 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (paraphrased)
Charles Curley
It was a time of distrust and disillusionment in the land of Israel. People did not trust those who governed them. Those in positions of leadership were thought to be inept or corrupt, and often both. There was a lack of vision about the future of the people. Because those in leadership seemed helpless, hopeless and corrupt, God looked outside the tents of power to find new leadership with vision.
William G. Carter
A few years ago, I was asked to serve as the worship leader at a regional church conference for teenagers. The enthusiastic recruiter told me about the wonderful experience I could expect from the gathering. "Every summer," she said, "the conference brings together about a hundred or so young people at a camp that has no swimming pool. We gather during the dog days of August. The conference is so much fun, nobody misses the pool!"
