Login / Signup

Cathy Venkatesh

Catherine Venkatesh is an Episcopal priest who has served congregations in Michigan and Massachusetts. Presently taking time to be home with her young daughter, she also volunteers at a local Episcopal retreat center. A graduate of Williams College and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, she has completed additional degrees in Development Economics and Forestry. Prior to entering the ordained ministry, she worked in environmental research and policy. She lives with her family outside Boston and travels regularly to India, where her husband?s extended family resides.
Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Welcoming stress -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2016
In this week’s gospel passage Jesus says, “What stress I am under!” How often do we make this claim,
Looking back, looking forward, resting where we are -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2016
Today’s story of the Transfiguration, heard each year on the Last Sunday of Epiphany, invites deep r
Transformed lives -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
For me, the deepest proof of Jesus’ resurrection comes from the transformed lives of his followers.
Saved by faith -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2016
Our readings this week draw us into the tricky territory of works righteousness and the eternal temp
Who's in? Who's out? -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2016
Today’s readings introduce us to three groups of outcast people: the exiles in Babylon, Paul in pris
Easter in Advent -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally one that emphasizes joy.
Healed for service -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2015
When I was in seminary, I spent a summer working as a chaplain in a Roman Catholic hospital.
New Creations -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
In each of our lessons today, we encounter God’s people starting over and finding their way into
A commandment to love -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
“Love one another” sounds so simple, but can be so hard.
Taking and offering -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2015
When do we have enough?
Wisdom and folly -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2015
Are we to be fools for Christ, or wise as serpents (and innocent as doves)?
Climbing in the light -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Good Friday - B -- 2015
The story of God's love in the Bible focuses on Jesus. But Jesus did not appear in a vacuum.
Recognizing the kingdom of God -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2015
God does not judge by appearances, but by the heart.
Wisdom's gifts, God's embrace -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2015
We are blessed today with inspiring words from the Wisdom tradition in both the Hebrew and Christian
Making sense of suffering -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2015
All of our lessons today address suffering -- of humans and of Jesus in his passion and death.
The end... and the beginning -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2015
Advent is a season of anticipation, but as we near the end of the season of Pentecost our readings a
It's judgment day -- rejoice! -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Messages of God’s judgment can be hard to hear, and feel at odds with the fast-approaching celebrati
Family wounds and God's grace -- Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
In one of my former parishes, the wife of retired pastor led us in a Bible study of the book of Gene
Choosing to love -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
Here we are, the Sunday after the sentimentality and excesses of Valentine's Day.
A holy Lent -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
Imagine life in a northern farming community a couple of centuries ago. It's early March.
Which parade? -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2014
This Palm Sunday afternoon, I will be joining a festive Walk for Affordable Housing organized by a l
Lives transformed -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
What if the resurrection happened and no one told anyone about it?
The power of names -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
"What's in a name?
Getting what we (don't) deserve -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2014
God is not just by our human ways of accounting.
Law and life -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2014
God gives the law to the Israelites as a blessing and guidance for new life after generations of pro
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 10
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 11
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 12
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For July 28, 2024:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: Twelve baskets. Have two of the baskets out to show everyone, but keep ten of the baskets hidden until you need them in the message.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Regardless of who we are and where we live, we will all one day face some form a wilderness. A modern example is “Wendy”, amiddle-aged woman who has had to relocate from the communities she was born, raised, attended school in and worked for many years. Changing circumstance of family employment forced Wendy to relocate to unfamilarcommunities that do not align with her values.  This urban community she currently resides, feels foreign to her in terms of loss of friends, family connections, different businesses. They are quite different values from the small college town she was raised in.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
2 Samuel 11:1-15
About David’s sin and sin in general, John Wesley wrote: “See how all the way to sin is downhill! When men begin, they cannot stop themselves.” (Commentary On the Bible, p.199) We are all as sinful as David, maybe more so. Martin Luther explained why:

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle…. (v. 1)

Most people, even those who don’t like Shakespeare, will recognize some of his most famous lines. Like:

“To be or not to be. That is the question.”

“Friends, Romans, and countrymen, lend me your ears.”

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

“To thine own and be true.”

One line they may especially recognize, even if they don’t know what play it’s from, is “My horse! My horse! My kingdom for a horse!”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus was able to produce enough food to feed all the people, and he was able to calm the storm. In our service today let us receive his nourishment and allow him to calm any storms that we might have.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we reject the food you offer and blame our storms on you.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to trust that you always have our best interests at heart.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Kai M. Mcclinton
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. (vv. 16-17)


My family is very close. We depend on one another and do all that we can for each other. When one is in trouble, we all come running to assist in any way that we can. We learned this kind of love and support from our grandmother, Elsie Burton. She was a hard working woman who loved her family and all people.
Michael D. Wuchter
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.
Sue Anne Steffey Morrow
Above my desk at home is a single pine shelf that holds a row of books, books which through the years have meant a whole world to me. You may have such a collection of such treasures, too, volumes by favorite writers of poetry, prose, narrative, non-fiction. Some of my books are so old that the covers are frayed and the pages yellowing. There is a volume I read for the first time last summer that is crisp and clean. Some have markers to note a beloved section or a poem I'd like to find with dispatch. Some are helpful in a direct manner, some reflective.
Charles And Donna Cammarata
Call To Worship
A general Call To Worship.
Leader:
Call upon the Lord.
People:
God is present in the company of the righteous.
Leader:
God is our refuge,
People:
And our salvation,
Leader:
Our strength,
People:
And our song.
Leader:
Let us rejoice,
People:
And be glad!

Ephesians passage.
Leader:
Come, let us worship God.
People:
Let us kneel before the Father,
Leader:
From whom his whole family,

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL