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George L. Murphy

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Home For The Holidays? -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published November 27, 2005)
The Comfort Zone -- Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, George L. Murphy, Chris Ewing, Carlos Wilton, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 4, 2005)
Marketing The Messiah -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126 -- Chris Ewing, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 11, 2005)
You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Ephesians 3:1-12, John 1:1-18 -- Carter Shelley, George L. Murphy, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton, Larry Hard -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2003
(Originally published for January 5, 2003)
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Carter Shelley, Charles Cammarata -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for December 29, 2002)
Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Hero Time -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Athletes and sports in general are always hot topics in American culture -- and even more so during
Religion And Politics -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Who Gets The Gold? -- Luke 14:7-14, Jeremiah 2:4-13, Proverbs 25:6-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
For two weeks we've seen some almost incredible physical feats, a lot of spectacle (wonderfully prep
Life's Farthest Limits -- Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Exiles In Our Own Land? -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
How Many Chickens Does It Take To Show That God Loves You? -- Joel 2:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Things: Evolved Things? -- Colossians 1:11-20, Matthew 13:44-52 -- George L. Murphy
November 21 is Christ the King Sunday, the end of the church year, and the lectionary readings
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
The Original Super Bowl? -- Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Exodus 24:12-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Our Lead Story -- Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Easter Day - A
March 27, 2005Easter Sunday| Cycle A
New Life - From The Laboratory Or The Font? -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- George L. Murphy -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Missing Earth Day -- John 14:1-14, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
A Sword Will Pierce Your Own Soul Also -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dear fellow preachers,
Star Wars And God's Peace -- Matthew 28:16-20, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A
George Lucas' "Star Wars" movies have had a huge impact on our culture, and our parishioners are awa
Who Needs Forgiveness? -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy
It's the time of year when thousands of grads have to think about what to do next.
A Sermon Idea From The Immediate Word On The Rescue Of Elizabeth Smart -- George L. Murphy
A Sermon Idea from The Immediate Word on the Rescue of Elizabeth Smart
Good Works And Evil -- George L. Murphy
Special Edition for the July 7th Terrorist Attacks on London

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Home For The Holidays? -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published November 27, 2005)
The Comfort Zone -- Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, George L. Murphy, Chris Ewing, Carlos Wilton, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 4, 2005)
Marketing The Messiah -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126 -- Chris Ewing, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 11, 2005)
You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Ephesians 3:1-12, John 1:1-18 -- Carter Shelley, George L. Murphy, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton, Larry Hard -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2003
(Originally published for January 5, 2003)
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Carter Shelley, Charles Cammarata -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for December 29, 2002)
Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Hero Time -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Athletes and sports in general are always hot topics in American culture -- and even more so during
Religion And Politics -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Who Gets The Gold? -- Luke 14:7-14, Jeremiah 2:4-13, Proverbs 25:6-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
For two weeks we've seen some almost incredible physical feats, a lot of spectacle (wonderfully prep
Life's Farthest Limits -- Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Exiles In Our Own Land? -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
How Many Chickens Does It Take To Show That God Loves You? -- Joel 2:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Things: Evolved Things? -- Colossians 1:11-20, Matthew 13:44-52 -- George L. Murphy
November 21 is Christ the King Sunday, the end of the church year, and the lectionary readings
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
The Original Super Bowl? -- Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Exodus 24:12-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Our Lead Story -- Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Easter Day - A
March 27, 2005Easter Sunday| Cycle A
New Life - From The Laboratory Or The Font? -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- George L. Murphy -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Missing Earth Day -- John 14:1-14, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
A Sword Will Pierce Your Own Soul Also -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dear fellow preachers,
Star Wars And God's Peace -- Matthew 28:16-20, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A
George Lucas' "Star Wars" movies have had a huge impact on our culture, and our parishioners are awa
Who Needs Forgiveness? -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy
It's the time of year when thousands of grads have to think about what to do next.
A Sermon Idea From The Immediate Word On The Rescue Of Elizabeth Smart -- George L. Murphy
A Sermon Idea from The Immediate Word on the Rescue of Elizabeth Smart
Good Works And Evil -- George L. Murphy
Special Edition for the July 7th Terrorist Attacks on London

Preaching

The Immediate Word

Home For The Holidays? -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published November 27, 2005)
The Comfort Zone -- Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, George L. Murphy, Chris Ewing, Carlos Wilton, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 4, 2005)
Marketing The Messiah -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126 -- Chris Ewing, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 11, 2005)
You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Ephesians 3:1-12, John 1:1-18 -- Carter Shelley, George L. Murphy, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton, Larry Hard -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2003
(Originally published for January 5, 2003)
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Carter Shelley, Charles Cammarata -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for December 29, 2002)
Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)

SermonStudio

Improving The Species -- Genesis 6:1-4 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
Improving The Species Genesis 6:1-4
Signs And The Sign -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
Signs And The Sign Exodus 14:19-Ê31
The Promised Land -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
The Promised Land Deuteronomy 34:1-12
The Great Physician -- Isaiah 52:13--53:5 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
It's the first day for the new doctor at a rundown hospital, an institution that always has a lot of
Hope In Heaven -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
Eighty years out from earth, the ship crept between the stars.
"I'll Be Back!" -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
Nightfall at Lod airport, 25 miles northeast of Jerusalem.
Time Travel -- Mark 1:12-15 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
The Spirit hurled Jesus into the desert.
The Aliens Are Puzzled -- John 10:11-16 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
The aliens didn't come to conquer the earth. They came just to survive.
Burying The Seeds -- John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
She sat on the ground and watched the grass grow. The long green stalks were not good to eat.
The Bread Of Heaven -- Acts 1:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
"This could be kind of embarrassing!" she thought as she looked at the computer screen and read the
I Am Christ's Body -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
I Am Christ's Body 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
The Signal -- Ephesians 3:7-12 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
The Signal Ephesians 3:7-12
Superhero: Sort Of A Sequel -- Hebrews 12:1-2 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
Superhero: Sort Of A Sequel Hebrews 12:1-2
Real Faith And Fictional Worlds -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
(An edited version of this essay was published as "Religion in Science Fiction" in Forum Letter 27.5
The Matrix And The Gospel -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
(This is a modified version of an essay that was originally published as part of The Immediate Wo
Exiles -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
Our story takes place on a small green-blue planet, partly covered with clouds, which circles near t
Story Sermons -- George L. Murphy, Lavonne Althouse, Russell Willis -- 1996
These two science fiction story sermons are intended to
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD -- Psalms 96, 97, 98 -- George L. Murphy, Lavonne Althouse, Russell Willis -- 1996
The Psalms for all three Christmas services celebrate the
Free Texts -- Exodus 31:1-11 -- George L. Murphy, Lavonne Althouse, Russell Willis -- 1996
The phrase "spiritual gifts" usually suggests qualities or

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Home For The Holidays? -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published November 27, 2005)
The Comfort Zone -- Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, George L. Murphy, Chris Ewing, Carlos Wilton, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 4, 2005)
Marketing The Messiah -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126 -- Chris Ewing, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 11, 2005)
You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Ephesians 3:1-12, John 1:1-18 -- Carter Shelley, George L. Murphy, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton, Larry Hard -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2003
(Originally published for January 5, 2003)
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Carter Shelley, Charles Cammarata -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for December 29, 2002)
Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)
Take Up Whose Cross? -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Can You Handle The Truth? -- Mark 10:17-31, Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Waiting For The Birth Of A Jewish Baby -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Child Is This? -- Matthew 2:13-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Over The Top And Over A Cliff -- Luke 4:21-30, Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Are You Tempted To Be Offended? -- Luke 4:1-13 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday in Lent - C
Jesus is getting plenty of media coverage these days.
The Empire Of Martha And The Kingdom Of God -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Like the music of J. S.
Breaking Into The Tomb -- John 20:19-31 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
This has been a week of troubling news out of Iraq, and many people in the pews will be feeling the

SermonStudio

Faith's Curious Dynamic -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- All Saints Day - A -- 2004
You know that old saying, "Be careful what you wish for, because it might come true"?
Do You Get It? -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2004
"Is that really necessary?" It's a question that we may ask when something unpleasant or disturbing
Do Politics And Religion Mix? -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2004
It was a trap. The Pharisees set it.
Influence! -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2004
If you think a mosquito is small and has little influence, try sleeping in a hot room at night with
What If The End Is Near? -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2004
Someone handed me a note at the door of the church building a few Sundays ago.
God, The Venture Capitalist? -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2004
Epistemology is the study of knowledge. How does one know anything?
Reformation Sunday -- John 8:31-36 -- George L. Murphy -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2004
The key idea in this passage in the Fourth Gospel is truth.
Supper's Ready! -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2004
Let's pretend!
How To Love God -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2004
In the rock opera Jesus Christ: Superstar, Mary Magdalene sings, "I don't know how to love hi
Once More With Feeling! -- Luke 17:11-19 -- George L. Murphy -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2004
It's that holiday season again. Friends and loved ones are making plans for a visit.

Free Access

Do Politics And Religion Mix? -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2004
Originally published in 2004.

Worship

The Immediate Word

Home For The Holidays? -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published November 27, 2005)
The Comfort Zone -- Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, George L. Murphy, Chris Ewing, Carlos Wilton, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 4, 2005)
Marketing The Messiah -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126 -- Chris Ewing, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 11, 2005)
You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Ephesians 3:1-12, John 1:1-18 -- Carter Shelley, George L. Murphy, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton, Larry Hard -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2003
(Originally published for January 5, 2003)
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Carter Shelley, Charles Cammarata -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for December 29, 2002)
Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Hero Time -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Athletes and sports in general are always hot topics in American culture -- and even more so during
Religion And Politics -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Who Gets The Gold? -- Luke 14:7-14, Jeremiah 2:4-13, Proverbs 25:6-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
For two weeks we've seen some almost incredible physical feats, a lot of spectacle (wonderfully prep
Life's Farthest Limits -- Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Exiles In Our Own Land? -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
How Many Chickens Does It Take To Show That God Loves You? -- Joel 2:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Things: Evolved Things? -- Colossians 1:11-20, Matthew 13:44-52 -- George L. Murphy
November 21 is Christ the King Sunday, the end of the church year, and the lectionary readings
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
The Original Super Bowl? -- Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Exodus 24:12-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Our Lead Story -- Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Easter Day - A
March 27, 2005Easter Sunday| Cycle A
New Life - From The Laboratory Or The Font? -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- George L. Murphy -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Missing Earth Day -- John 14:1-14, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
A Sword Will Pierce Your Own Soul Also -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dear fellow preachers,
Star Wars And God's Peace -- Matthew 28:16-20, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A
George Lucas' "Star Wars" movies have had a huge impact on our culture, and our parishioners are awa
Who Needs Forgiveness? -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy
It's the time of year when thousands of grads have to think about what to do next.
A Sermon Idea From The Immediate Word On The Rescue Of Elizabeth Smart -- George L. Murphy
A Sermon Idea from The Immediate Word on the Rescue of Elizabeth Smart
Good Works And Evil -- George L. Murphy
Special Edition for the July 7th Terrorist Attacks on London
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Easter 4
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33 – Sermons
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Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
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5 – Pastor's Devotions
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New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture — the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response — to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

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

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

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