George Reed

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George Reed, OSL has served as a minister in the United Methodist church for over thirty years. He holds degrees from Wright State University and United Theological Seminary, both located in Dayton, Ohio. He has also taken graduate studies at the Institute of Formative Spirituality at Duquesne University. After serving various UMC churches in Ohio, Reed is now serving as the Intentional Interim Senior Pastor at Ada Congregational Church/United Church of Christ in Ada, Michigan. He is a contributor to the Sermons on the Gospel Readings series and is the author of three-volume (Cycles A, B, and C) series Lectionary Worship Aids, Series IX. Reed and his wife have three grown children.

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Needful Things -- Genesis 25:19-34, Psalm 119:105-112, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Isaiah 55:10-13 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2023

For July 16, 2023:

The Kingdom of Heaven is Hot -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 119:129-136, 1 Kings 3:5-12 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta, Elena Delhagen -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2023

For July 30, 2023:

Obedient to Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023

For January 1, 2023:

Nevertheless, She Persisted. -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28, Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Psalm 133 -- Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Katy Stenta, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2023

For August 20, 2023:

Immersed in Righteousness -- Matthew 3:13-17, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 29 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2023

For January 8, 2023:

The Authentic Me -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28, Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2023

For September 3, 2023:

What Are You Really, Really Looking For? -- Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2023

For January 15, 2023:

You Want Too Much, Jesus -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35, Genesis 50:15-21, Psalm 114, Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta, Elena Delhagen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2023

For September 17, 2023:

At Home in Capernaum -- Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023

For January 22, 2023:

Mission: Control -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46, Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Katy Stenta, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2023

For October 8, 2023:

We Are the Holders of Hands -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22, Psalm 9 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2023

For October 22, 2023:

Beyond the Rule -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2023

For January 29, 2023:

Jesus Gives the Job Description -- Matthew 5:1-12, Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12, Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta, Elena Delhagen -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A, All Saints Day - A -- 2023

For November 1/5, 2023:

Jesus' Feedback Sandwich -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), Psalm 112:1-9 (10), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2023

For February 5, 2023:

Mea Culpa -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023

For December 10, 2023:

Team Everybody -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Matthew 5:21-37, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8 -- Mary Austin, Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2023

For February 12, 2023:

God Makes Room For Us -- Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Psalm 2, Psalm 99 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2023

For February 19, 2023:

Lead Us Not into Relevance -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023

For February 26, 2023:

Who Do You Trust? -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17, Matthew 17:1-9, Psalm 121 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023

For March 5, 2023:

Tapping Into Unlimited (Living) Water -- John 4:5-42, Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Elena Delhagen -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023

For March 12, 2023:

Who Can See? -- John 9:1-41, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23 -- Mary Austin, Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Elena Delhagen, Katy Stenta -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023

For March 19, 2023:

Brave Thomas? -- John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, Psalm 130 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Elena Delhagen -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023

For March 26, 2023:

A Tale of Two Kings -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16, Matthew 27:11-54, Matthew 21:1-11 -- Elena Delhagen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2023

For April 2, 2023:

Resurrection Tears -- John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-10, Colossians 3:1-4, Acts 10:34-43, Jeremiah 31:1-6, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Easter Day - A -- 2023

For April 9, 2023:

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All Means All -- Psalm 96, Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Luke 1:26-38 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B, The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2023

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The Antidote to Fear -- John 20:19-31, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 16 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023

For April 16, 2023:

Walking with Hope In Your Heart -- Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Elena Delhagen -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023

For April 23, 2023:

Will the Good Shepherd be Stopping By Soon? -- John 10:1-10, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Psalm 23 -- Mary Austin, Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Elena Delhagen, Katy Stenta, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023

For April 30, 2023:

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Jesus Hits Pause -- Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Elena Delhagen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023

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The Spirit of Mothering -- John 14:15-21, Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Psalm 66:8-20 -- Elena Delhagen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023

For May 14, 2023:

Jesus' Thoughts and Prayers -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023

For May 21, 2023:

An Alternative Language -- John 20:19-23, John 7:37-39, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Numbers 11:24-30, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2023

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People of Welcome -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 -- Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Katy Stenta, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023

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The Immediate Word

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11

30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...

Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12

29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...

Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13

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

I Will Never Leave You Or Forsake You

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed

For August 31, 2025:

I Will Never Leave You Or Forsake You by Nazish Naseem based on Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16.
Second Thoughts: The Folly of Status by Dean Feldmeyer based on Luke 14:1, 7-14.
Sermon illustrations by Tom Willadsen, Chris Keating, and Mary Austin.
Worship resources by George Reed.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Reflex Hammers for the Soul

David Kalas

When one of our children was young, she pretended to throw something at me from close range, and then she cheerfully declared, “Ha! Made you flinch!” I remember from my own elementary years that that was always regarded as something of an achievement — to make someone blink or to make someone flinch. In reality, of course, it is little more than a test of one’s reflexes. It’s my reflex to blink or to brace when I think something is coming at me, and the reflex is a good one.

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 (2025)

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez

Jeremiah 2:4-13
Regarding verses 6-7 of the lesson John Calvin observes:

… there is nothing more common than for the ungodly when they are proved guilty, to have recourse to this subterfuge, that they acted with good intention, when they gave themselves up to their own superstitions. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.IX/1, p.78)

StoryShare

Laurinda Talked to Strangers

John E. Sumwalt

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (v. 2)

CSSPlus

Being First!

John Jamison

Object: This is a role play activity for the children. You will want a container of some kind of treat to give to all of the children.

Note: This is a fairly brief message as presented, but that may help keep an emphasis on the simplicity of the message if you stress it.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started.

The Village Shepherd

Maximus Hart

Janice B. Scott

Call to Worship:
Jesus knew the importance of humility and used a banquet to teach people about it. As we feast on him today, let us make sure we come to him with unassuming spirits.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we are unaware of our own arrogance.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we spot other people's haughtiness but fail to recognise it in ourselves.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we are so humble that we become victims of inverted pride.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Proper 17 / Pentecost 12 / Ordinary Time 22

Stephen P. McCutchan

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
-- Hebrews 13:1-2

Proper 17 / Pentecost 12 / Ordinary Time 22

James Evans

The writer of Psalm 81 employs a most interesting mixed metaphor. It is not mixed, however, because the psalmist was careless and neglected his subject matter. On the contrary, it is because of an important insight into human nature that the psalmist has us "eating with our ears."

Verse 10 rehearses what was, and is, the most basic confession of faith for followers of the Lord. God speaks and says, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth and I will fill it."

Only The Lonely

Ron Lavin

There are three words I hope you will take home from church today. The words are "Only The Lonely." As you think about these words, the assurances of God's Word will comfort and strengthen you. But I'm getting ahead of my story. Before we get to these three words, we need to look at the full text of Luke 14:1, 7-14. That involves looking at three other words: humility, hospitality, and hope.

Humility

Finding Fault With God

Chrysanne Timm

It is never a pleasant prospect to deal with someone who has a complaint with you. As a new pastor, and a very young one at that, one of the things I struggled with most was the experience of conflict with members. I remember as if it were yesterday a significant misunderstanding that developed between the congregation's "matriarch" and me very early in my time there. I prayed about the difficulty we were having, and I knew that I needed to go to her home and ask for the opportunity to talk things out.

Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

H. Burnham Kirkland

Words Of Assurance
In this be confident: that the grace of God is active enough to forgive, and the love of God is powerful enough to transform.

Pastoral Prayer

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Thomas WilladsenNazish NaseemChristopher KeatingDean FeldmeyerMary AustinKaty StentaGeorge Reed

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This Week’s Scriptures

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez