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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.
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Commentary

Drama

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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
Into Thin Air -- Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:44-53 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2023
According to Acts 1:9, as the disciples watched, Jesus “…was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of
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….
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)
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
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.

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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
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 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
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)

Prayer

Sermon

Stories

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Who Can Stand? -- Luke 3:1-6, Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 1:68-79 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Contents "Who Can Stand?" by Frank Ramirez
Doing Justice -- Matthew 3:13-17, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 29 -- John Fitzgerald, Frank Ramirez -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2014
Contents"Doing Justice" by John Fitzgerald
Having A Stake In The Harvest -- Matthew 5:21-37, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
Contents"Having a Stake in the Harvest" by Frank Ramirez
Words, Words, Words -- John 3:1-17, Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Psalm 121 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Contents"Words, Words, Words" by Frank Ramirez* * * * * * *
The Cornerstone -- Luke 14:1-14, Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Contents"The Cornerstone" by Sandra Herrmann "The Wall" by Sandra Herrmann
The Outer Limits -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 47 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2014
Contents"The Outer Limits" by C. David McKirachan
A Planet-Sized Wind -- John 20:19-23, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2014
Contents"A Planet-Sized Wind" by Frank Ramirez* * * * * * *
The Inner Struggle -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Psalm 45:10-17 -- John Fitzgerald, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2014
Contents"The Inner Struggle" by John Fitzgerald
Rules Fer Wrasslin' -- Matthew 14:13-21, Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Psalm 17:1-7, 15 -- Frank Ramirez, John Fitzgerald -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
Contents"Rules fer Wrasslin' " by Frank Ramirez
Growing Up Adams -- Matthew 16:13-20, Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Psalm 124 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
Contents"Growing Up Adams" by Frank Ramirez
Within Sight Of The Promised Land -- Matthew 22:34-46, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2014
Contents"Within Sight of the Promised Land" by Frank Ramirez
Spilled Milk -- Matthew 21:33-46, Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Psalm 19 -- Frank Ramirez, John Fitzgerald -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2014
Contents"Spilled Milk" by Frank Ramirez
Keep Your Eyes Open -- Matthew 25:1-13, Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
Contents"Keep Your Eyes Open" by Frank Ramirez* * * * * * *
Thanksgiving Bible -- Luke 17:11-19, Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Psalm 65 -- Frank Ramirez, C. David Mckirachan -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2014
Contents"Thanksgiving Bible" by Frank Ramirez
Make It A Rule -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Psalm 126 -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Contents"Make It a Rule" by Frank Ramirez
Hope For The New Year -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, Psalm 147:12-20 -- Keith Wagner, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
Contents"Hope for the New Year" by Keith Wagner
The Nature Of Grace -- Matthew 20:1-16, Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2014
Contents"The Nature of Grace" by Peter Andrew Smith
You've Got To Be Kidding -- Luke 17:11-19, Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Psalm 66:1-12 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2013
Contents"You've Got to Be Kidding" by C. David McKirachan
To Care Or Not To Care -- Luke 18:1-8, Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Psalm 119:97-104 -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2013
Contents"To Care or Not to Care" by Frank Ramirez
Right Place, Right Time -- John 8:31-36, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, Psalm 46 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Wagner -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Contents"Right Place, Right Time" 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
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

Worship

SermonStudio

A Hymn For Anointing -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
To the tune Hyfrydol ("Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus")
Theme: A New Name, The Right Name -- Hosea 2:14-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Scriptures And Prayers -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
As brothers and sisters, we come together to pray for our Christian brother/sister during a time of
Theme: Wisdom. Real. -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 125:1-5) One:
Theme: Believe It Or Not! -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25) One:
Sermons -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
Lights, Camera, ActionLuke 8:40-56 and James 5:13-16
Theme: Embarrassed Enough To Finally Listen? -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 19:1-2, 7-9, 14) One:
Theme: "No's" That Mean "Yes"! -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 19:1-4) One:
Meditations -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
Eureka! (Read Isaiah 9:2-7 and James 5:13-16.)
Theme: With One Hand Tied Behind Her Back -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship Rejoice and be glad in God!Collect
Theme: Snake Eyes -- Numbers 21:4-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 107:17-22) One:
Discussion Questions On Anointing For Study Groups -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
1.
Theme: For Such A Time As This -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Stop The Presses! New Story! -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Additional Questions Regarding The Laying On Of Hands And Public Prayer -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
1.
Theme: Who Knew? -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Lots Of Luck -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 1:1-2) One:
Experiential Exercises -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
1.
Theme: I Think You Said You Wanted An Answer -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 104:24-34) One:
Theme: You Explain It -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 118:1-2, 8-9, 14, 18) One:
Children's Activity -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
Olive oil is at the heart of the anointing service, and that oil comes, of course, from olives and o
Theme: Repent In Or From Dust And Ashes? -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 34:1-3, 6) One:
Theme: Pass Around Passover -- Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Do Overs / Blind Man's Bluff / So What's That Like? -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2005
First Lesson: 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 Theme: Do Overs
Theme: Hit Me With Your Best Shot -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 118:19-20) One:
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
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 July 6, 2025:
  • Who Is My Neighbor? by Tom Willadsen based on 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20; Psalm 30.

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John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity for the children.

Note: You will need an older volunteer to help with this activity. One option would be to find a teenager with some physical ability. If a teen is not available, an adult could be used instead. For simplicity here, I will refer to my older volunteer as “TOM”. You will also need to select three of your younger children to serve as volunteers in the story.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
2 Kings 5:1-14
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30
Naaman seeks healing. He travels hoping healing will come to him when he visits the king of Israel. Yet, healing does not come in that way. Rather healing comes through Elishah. Healing comes from believing and being cleansed in the River Jordan. Healing comes through Naaman’s faithfulness and through God’s grace. Psalm 30 also reminds us to seek healing; to seek God and God will heal and restore us. Do we believe that? Do we believe that God can bring healing?

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ (vv. 10-11)

When I visit your church for the first time, consider the possibility that I might be looking for a church home. I am a good-looking old guy, but I have gray hair and I dress down in the summer, so don’t be put off by my cargo shorts and tank top. Talk to me!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Damien and Ora grinned at each other in excitement. The time had come - at last! They'd been with the Leader for months and months, waiting for this moment. Not that it had felt much like training. They'd simply lived with the Leader, listening to his stories, hearing about the Kingdom, learning to get along really well with all the other people at Mission Headquarters. Now all seventy of them were ready, the spaceship had docked, and the Mission was about to begin. Ora was glad she'd been paired up with Damien again.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Stan Purdum
Carlos Wilton
(See Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle B, and Easter 3, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

Anyone who has ever had the experience of losing a friend because of some conflict or dispute, and then has had the friendship restored because of love and forgiveness, has a unique insight into the meaning of this psalm. Although the poem begins and ends with praise, there is in the middle of the poem a brief moment of confession and contrition that puts the praise portions of the psalm in an entirely different light.

April Yamasaki
A word of encouragement came from an unlikely source the other day in a television interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The former football player, wrestler, and now actor was asked about a low time in his life when he was very discouraged about his career and future.

"How did you make your way back from that?" he was asked.

The Rock replied, "You have to put yourself out there. You have to get out there and fail, and learn from your failures."

Larry D. Powell
In the summer of 1983, I participated in a ministerial exchange program sponsored by my denomination. My assignment was to a circuit of churches on the Isle of Man, a tiny island located in the Irish Sea. The months preceding the exchange included considerable correspondence with the minister on the island with whom I would exchange pastoral duties for six weeks.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
A wealthy businessman decided to take a walk and eat his lunch at the same time. He strolled by a park. There he purchased a hot dog and a soft drink. As he walked through the park two different "street people" approached him one by one. Each asked, "Can you help me? I am hungry." Each time the businessman looked straight ahead and kept walking. After finishing his lunch, he stopped and bought a chocolate eclair for dessert. As he was about to take the first bite, he was forced to jump out of the way as a young boy raced by on his skateboard. The eclair went flying and landed on the ground.

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