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Elaine M. Ward

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Children's sermon

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The Unused Spices -- Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Spices are a symbol of love, the love of the women who brought the spices to the tomb of Jesus to po
The Misplaced Christ -- John 20:1-18 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Ty asked his father, "Why do we go to church?" When his father did not reply, Ty asked again, "Why d
The Idle Tale -- Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:1-12 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
The small, furry, green caterpillar ate its way up the stalk of grass.
The Twice-Traveled Road -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace were Alison's favorite friends in church.
The Identifying Scars -- Luke 24:36-43, John 20:24-29 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
"Alan, you are late again!" Alan's father's jaw twitched, which meant he was not pleased.
The Dispelled Doubt -- John 20:19-29 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Once there was a child who lived during a war. His name was Norman.
The Propelling Word -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
"You are under arrest," the policeman said to the old man, caught for stealing a loaf of bread, beca
The Wasted Ointment -- Matthew 26:6-13, Luke 7:36-50 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Our sacred story for today is about a woman who came to Jesus with a jar of very expensive oil and s
The Sustaining Promise -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Long ago King Philip of France issued a decree ordering all Jews under the penalty of death to leave
The Set Face -- Luke 9:51-56 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
A wise old archer, training two young men to shoot arrows that would hit the target, asked the first
The Pointing Table -- Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-28 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
There once was a mean dwarf who pushed and shoved, grabbed, and was always first in line.
The Misdirected Tears -- Luke 23:26-31 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
All of us cry sometimes. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, his people.
The Saving Prayer -- Matthew 26:31-35 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
The head of a seminary, a school for ministers, told of all the teachers there voting to picket, to
The Betraying Kiss -- Matthew 26:47-50, Mark 14:43-50 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
(The following questions are rhetorical questions, not requiring an answer):
The Insulting Bonds -- Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-50 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
After the crowd, with swords and clubs, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus, they bound him in chai
The Warning Dream -- Matthew 27:11-26 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
I have a place where I can be alone.It's cool and bare,And quiet there
The Useless Water -- Matthew 27:11-26 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
All day Sam and Richard played football, sometimes simply fighting over the ball.
The Unwanted Cup -- Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Our sacred story for today tells of Jesus, when he knew he was about to die, going to the Garden to

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The Misplaced Christ -- John 20:1-18 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Ty asked his father, "Why do we go to church?" When his father did not reply, Ty asked again, "Why d
The Torn Curtain -- Matthew 27:45-54, Mark 15:33-39, Luke 23:44-49 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
There is a story that says there was once a very large religious statue in a temple, but one day a m

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
For August 3, 2025:

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John Jamison
Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

Note: The gesture used both hands. Hold both hands in front of you and make the thumbs-up sign with both hands with both thumbs pointing back at your chest. This is the “ME!” gesture. Then simply rotate your hands back so your thumbs are pointing straight up in the air, like two “OK” signs. This is the “US” gesture.

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StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. (vv. 9-10)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11: 1-13
The prophet compares Yahweh to a father who exercises compassion despite his original plan to punish Israel. John Calvin nicely explains these dynamics:
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11:1-11

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
-- Psalm 107:9, 43

Kirk R. Webster
How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
Thomas A. Renquist
This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
John W. Wurster
" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

" 'I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.' (1:4). But they did not know me. Do you?

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