Login / Signup

Frank Ramirez

Frank Ramirez is a native of Southern California and is the senior pastor of the Union Center Church of the Brethren near Nappanee, Indiana. Frank has served congregations in Los Angeles, California; Elkhart, Indiana; and Everett, Pennsylvania. He and his wife Jennie share three adult children, all married, and three grandchildren. He enjoys writing, reading, exercise, and theater.
Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Drama

Illustration

StoryShare

What We Need -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my serva
A Little Peace and Quiet -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2023
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
Sign Here -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax-collection station….
What's In A Name? -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2023
God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I a
Because God is There -- Exodus 24:12-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2023
Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. (v. 15)
Sour Grapes -- Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2023
What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eate
Gave As Good As She Got -- John 4:5-42 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Just then his disciples came.
Impostor Syndrome? -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2023
Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.

Free Access

Sign Here -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax-collection station….
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 5 | OT 10 (2023) -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
Genesis 12:1-9
Sermon Illustrations For Easter Sunday (2023) -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Easter Day - A -- 2023
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Sermon Illustrations For Good Friday (2023) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Good Friday - A -- 2023
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2023) -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Isaiah 64: 1-9
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2023) -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
Isaiah 40:1-11
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 (2023) -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2023
Genesis 28:10-19a
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 (2023) -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2023
Genesis 29:15-28
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 (2023) -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2023
Genesis 29:15-28
A Great Light -- But Who Saw It First? -- Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep dar
Sermon Illustrations For Epiphany 3 (2023) -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023
Isaiah 9:1-4
Sermon Illustrations For Epiphany 4 | OT 4 (2023) -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2023
Micah 6:1-8
Sermon Illustrations For Trinity Sunday (2023) -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2023
Genesis 1:1--2:4
Sermon Illustrations For Transfiguration Sunday (2023) -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2023
Exodus 24:12-18
Because God is There -- Exodus 24:12-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2023
Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. (v. 15)
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 1 (2023) -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 (2023) -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2023
Exodus 33:12-23

Prayer

Sermon

Stories

StoryShare

If This Goes On... -- Luke 19:1-10, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2013
Contents"If This Goes On..." by Keith Hewitt
Knowing No Limits -- Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 12 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
Contents"Knowing No Limits" by Frank Ramirez
The Tree -- Matthew 3:1-12, Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Contents"The Tree" by Keith Hewitt "Think Like a Bee" by Frank Ramirez
If This Goes On... -- Luke 19:1-10, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2013
Contents"If This Goes On..." by Keith Hewitt
A Snowstorm Is Coming! -- Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Keith Wagner, Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Contents"A Snowstorm Is Coming!" by Keith Wagner
Who's That Comin' 'round That Mountain? -- Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 8 -- Frank Ramirez -- New Year's Day - A -- 2013
Contents"Who's that Comin' 'Round that Mountain?" by Frank Ramirez
Stranger In A Familiar Land -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Psalm 29 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2013
Contents"Stranger in a Familiar Land" by Frank Ramirez
Chosen By God -- Luke 4:21-30, Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2013
Contents"Chosen by God" by Peter Andrew Smith
Game Changer -- Luke 13:1-9, Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Psalm 63:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Contents"Game Changer" by Frank Ramirez "The Gift" by Keith Hewitt
Never Finished -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
Contents"World Saver" by Keith Hewitt "Maybe" by Sandra Herrmann
Wrong By A Century -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 47 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2013
Contents"Wrong By a Century" by Frank Ramirez "The Return" by Keith Hewitt
The Cost Of Standing Up For God -- John 17:20-26, Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, Psalm 97 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Contents"The Cost of Standing Up for God" by Frank Ramirez
Witnessing To The Truth -- John 20:19-31, Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, Psalm 118:14-29, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Contents"Witnessing to the Truth" by Peter Andrew Smith
Becoming A Family -- Luke 7:36--8:3, 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Psalm 5:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2013
Contents"Becoming a Family" by Frank Ramirez
Picking Up The Mantle -- Luke 9:51-62, 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2013
Contents"Picking Up the Mantle" by C. David McKirachan
Hunt And Peck For History -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Psalm 30 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
Contents"Hunt and Peck for History" by Frank Ramirez
What's A Mountweazel? -- Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Psalm 85 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
Contents"What's a Mountweazel?" by Frank Ramirez
Preaching Enhancing Drugs -- Luke 12:32-40, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2013
Contents"Preaching Enhancing Drugs" by John Sumwalt
Unchained Poet -- Luke 14:25-33, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Frank Ramirez, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2013
Contents"Unchained Poet" by Frank Ramirez
The Amen Code -- Luke 15:1-10, Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Psalm 14 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2013
Contents"The Amen Code" by Frank Ramirez "Gun Stories" by John Sumwalt
From The Redemption Of A King To A King Of Redemption -- John 18:33-37, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Zan W. Holmes Jr., David O. Bales -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Contents"Render Unto Caesar" by Frank Ramirez
Render Unto Caesar -- Matthew 6:25-33, Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Psalm 126 -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Zan W. Holmes Jr., David O. Bales -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Contents"Render Unto Caesar" by Frank Ramirez
The Mother Lode -- Luke 3:1-6, Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 1:68-79 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Contents"The Mother Lode" by Frank Ramirez
The Valley -- Mark 9:2-9, 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Psalm 50:1-6 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2012
Contents"The Valley" by Keith Hewitt
Just A Kid -- Mark 4:35-41, 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Psalm 9:9-20 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
Contents"Just a Kid" by C. David McKirachan

Worship

SermonStudio

Theme: The Harder They Fall -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Try Dry Bones -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 104:31)
Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2005
First Lesson: Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Theme: And Another Thing, Lord ...
Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2005
First Lesson: 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15) Theme: Have Your Own Way Instead
A Sense Of Past And Future -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- Frank Ramirez -- New Year's Day - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: The Mighty Have Fallen. Are We Next? -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 117) One:
Nevermore Forevermore -- Genesis 9:8-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Call To WorshipStorms are raging all about, And destruction seems too near.
Theme: What's Your Rush? -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Time To Clean Up -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Spell My Name With An "H" -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 22:23-24) One:
Theme: I Will Dance -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Sounds Great, But We're Busy -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 126) One:
Theme: The Forever King -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Revelation 21:1-2, 22)
Theme: A Tangled Web -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Third Sunday of Advent -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
First Lesson: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Theme: Repairing Ancient Ruins
Theme: Who Goes There? -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 139:17-18)
Theme: Murder Will Out Or The Butler Did Not Do It -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: The Lord Needs No House -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: It's For You -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Why Couldn't It Have Been Me? -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Reunion -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- All Saints Day - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Isaiah 25:9)
Theme: Life In A Dead End -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship One: Life is filled with sorrows.All:
Theme: The One Wish -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Proverbs 9:9-10)
Theme: It Is Not For You To Know -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 93)
Theme: Silent Lips, Praying Lips -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (1 Samuel 2:1-2, 8)Call To Worship (1 Samuel 2:1-2, 8)
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
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

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For November 2, 2025:
Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For November 2, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message involves roleplay. You will need a chair for Zach to stand on, unless it is ok for him to stand on a front pew. For the best fun, you will also want to have an adult volunteer play the role of Jesus and walk in when it is time. Whether he is in costume is up to you.

* * *
John Jamison
Object: You will need one or more pictures of people recognized as saints. You may find some pictures by Googling “public domain pictures of saints” and printing images from the results.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 and Psalm 119:137-144
Walter Elwell in the Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook notes of righteousness that it is, “Right standing, specifically before God. Among the Greeks, righteousness was an ethical virtue. Among the Hebrews it was a legal concept; the righteous man was the one who got the verdict of acceptability when tried at the bar of God’s justice.” God is a righteous God, even when is people are not righteous.
Frank Ramirez
One of the features of synagogue worship is the Shema. The Hebrew word is “Hear!” and is the opening for Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” God’s people are commanded to “hear” these words. They come from the Lord. And these three scriptures invite us to hear God and each other, something that is lacking in our society today.
Wayne Brouwer
Fred Craddock tells of a vacation encounter in the Smokey Mountains of eastern Tennessee years ago that moved him deeply. He and his wife took supper one evening in a place called the Black Bear Inn. One side of the building was all glass, open to a magnificent mountain view. Glad to be alone, the Craddocks were a bit annoyed when an elderly man ambled over and struck up a nosey conversation: “Are you on vacation?” “Where are you from?” “What do you do?”
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 and Psalm 149

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight. Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live. (vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.
Frank Ramirez
Call them the good old days. Call it the Golden Age. It’s not unusual for people to look back in their youth, or to the youth of their country, as somehow more perfect, honorable, or simpler. C.S. Lewis was always skeptical about claims that chocolate was better in one’s youth. It wasn’t better. Our taste buds were stronger and more receptive.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The Roman Catholic Church's canonisation of Edith Stein some years ago, fuelled considerable controversy. Edith Stein was born and bred into a Jewish family, becoming a Roman Catholic Christian at the age of 31. She was also a leading German intellectual in the early thirties, during the run-up to World War 2, although she gave up that career in order to become a Carmelite nun. But she didn't deny her Jewish roots, for in 1933 she petitioned the Pope, Pious XI to write an encyclical in defence of the Jews.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus didn't reject anyone, even those who were liars and cheats. By a simple act of friendship Jesus turned Zaccheus' life around. In our worship today let us consider friendship and all that it means.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, there are some people I don't like.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I reject.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I keep out of my circle of friends.
Lord, have mercy.


Reading:

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
The world offers many blessings, but none of these things will save us: only the blessing of God in Jesus Christ can do that.

Old Testament Lesson
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Daniel's Apocalyptic Dream
Perry H. Biddle, Jr.
Comments on the Lessons
John W. Clarke
This chapter of Luke brings us ever closer to the end of Jesus' public ministry. Jesus enters Jericho, just fifteen miles or so from the holy city of Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus transforms the life of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. This is one of the few stories that is peculiar to Luke and is a wonderful human-interest story. The fact that Zacchaeus is willing to climb a tree to see Jesus is a clear indication that he really wanted to see and meet the carpenter from Nazareth. His eagerness to see Jesus is rewarded in a very special way.
Scott A. Bryte
Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
Mark Ellingson
This is a story written for people who had been or were about to be persecuted, if not enslaved. (The book of Daniel was probably written in the mid-second century B.C. during a period of Seleucid [Syrian] domination in Palestine.) It tells them and us how their ancestors had once faced a similar slavery under the oppression of the Babylonians centuries earlier. The implication was that if these ancestors could endure and overcome such bondage, so could they and so can we.
Gary L. Carver
Ulysses S. Grant fought many significant battles as commander of the Union forces in the War Between the States. He also served as President of the United States where he probably engaged in as many battles as he did while he was a general. Toward the end of his life he fought his toughest battle -- with cancer and death.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL