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George L. Murphy

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Universal Salvation, Universal Scandal, Or What? -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
If He Comes Back ... -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
The Gospel Reloaded -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
Signs? -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
Judge Deborah -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Trees Are Christmas Trees -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- George L. Murphy, Larry Hard, Wesley T. Runk -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
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
Trinity As Community -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
On Trinity Sunday we remind ourselves of the foundation and core of our faith: the oneness of God ex
A Christian Nation, Or A Nation With Some Christians? -- John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9, John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9, Psalm 67 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Nothing Hid From Its Heat -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
It's the nature of the news business that gripping human interest stories and immediate crises domin
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- George L. Murphy
Dear Immediate Word subscribers,
Back To Chaos? -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 14 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
This coming weekend is the third anniversary of one of the most traumatic events in the history of t

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Universal Salvation, Universal Scandal, Or What? -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
If He Comes Back ... -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
The Gospel Reloaded -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
Signs? -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
Judge Deborah -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Trees Are Christmas Trees -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- George L. Murphy, Larry Hard, Wesley T. Runk -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
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
Trinity As Community -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
On Trinity Sunday we remind ourselves of the foundation and core of our faith: the oneness of God ex
A Christian Nation, Or A Nation With Some Christians? -- John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9, John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9, Psalm 67 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Nothing Hid From Its Heat -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
It's the nature of the news business that gripping human interest stories and immediate crises domin
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- George L. Murphy
Dear Immediate Word subscribers,
Back To Chaos? -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 14 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
This coming weekend is the third anniversary of one of the most traumatic events in the history of t

Preaching

SermonStudio

1 ADVENT -- Mark 13:24-37 -- George L. Murphy, Lavonne Althouse, Russell Willis -- 1996
The apocalyptic imagery of such texts contrasts sharply with
1 ADVENT -- Luke 21:25-36 -- George L. Murphy, Lavonne Althouse, Russell Willis -- 1996
Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, published in 1962, was for its

The Immediate Word

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
Universal Salvation, Universal Scandal, Or What? -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
If He Comes Back ... -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
The Gospel Reloaded -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
Signs? -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Judge Deborah -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Trees Are Christmas Trees -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- George L. Murphy, Larry Hard, Wesley T. Runk -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
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,

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Trinity As Community -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
On Trinity Sunday we remind ourselves of the foundation and core of our faith: the oneness of God ex
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,
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,
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
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,
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,
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,
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
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
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.
Universal Salvation, Universal Scandal, Or What? -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Good Works And Evil -- George L. Murphy
Special Edition for the July 7th Terrorist Attacks on London
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
If He Comes Back ... -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
The Gospel Reloaded -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,

Worship

The Immediate Word

Universal Salvation, Universal Scandal, Or What? -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
If He Comes Back ... -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
The Gospel Reloaded -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
Signs? -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
Judge Deborah -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Trees Are Christmas Trees -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- George L. Murphy, Larry Hard, Wesley T. Runk -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
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
Trinity As Community -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
On Trinity Sunday we remind ourselves of the foundation and core of our faith: the oneness of God ex
A Christian Nation, Or A Nation With Some Christians? -- John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9, John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9, Psalm 67 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Nothing Hid From Its Heat -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
It's the nature of the news business that gripping human interest stories and immediate crises domin
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- George L. Murphy
Dear Immediate Word subscribers,
Back To Chaos? -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 14 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
This coming weekend is the third anniversary of one of the most traumatic events in the history of t
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
and more...
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

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For August 10, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A treasure chest containing photos of some of your family members and friends, and a small, worn-out bag or purse. The treasure chest could be as simple as a small, metal lockbox, or you could have some fun with a larger box that actually looks like a treasure chest.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! But before I tell you the story, I have something that I want to show you. (Show the treasure chest.)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Personal rant here — since childhood I’ve been annoyed that the winners of the 100-meter dash at the Olympics are hailed as the world’s fastest humans. To me it’s been obvious that the greatest, and fastest, athletes are the women and men who endure the trials and tribulations throughout the 26.2-mile marathons, and who then somehow find it within themselves to sprint to the finish line.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 and Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return… (Luke 12:35-36)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus calls us to be ready for him, for we shall encounter him at unexpected times and in unexpected ways. In our worship today, let us prepare to meet with Jesus.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we don't bother to make ourselves ready for you.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes it doesn't occur to us that we might meet with you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we miss you because we haven't expected you.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me; to those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God.
-- Psalm 50:23

Clayton A. Lord Jr.
I want to talk about heroes today. We all have them. Our heroes are men and women that we look up to. Our heroes are those individuals that inspire us and help us to strive to be our very best.

There is a cute story about a Texan who was trying to impress on a Bostonian, the valor of the heroes of the Alamo. After finishing his story about Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and countless others, he says "I'll bet you never had anyone so brave around Boston."

"Did you ever hear of Paul Revere?" asked the Bostonian.

Thomas A. Renquist
Jesus tells us, "Don't be afraid," but it seems to me there is a lot to be afraid of. "Sell your possessions," he says, "give alms ... risk ... be dressed for action ... have your lamps lit ... be prepared ... be alert." Sounds very ominous, quite scary to me.

Christopher Reeves, the actor, knows what it is to be afraid. On Memorial Day weekend, 1995, in a tragic fall from his horse, he was instantly paralyzed from the neck down and fighting for his every breath.
John W. Wurster
"Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom. Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah" (1:10; cf. Genesis 19).

Sodom. Gomorrah. Remember? Places of wickedness, of violence, of perversity. Do you know any place like that? Places where sexuality is twisted and relationships are corrupted and social order is breaking down? Places where people seek to gratify personal desires at the expense of others, where individual pursuits take precedence over common well-being, where anything goes as long as it feels good?

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