Katy Stenta

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Katy Stenta is the solo revitalization pastor at the bigger on the inside New Covenant Presbyterian church located in Albany, NY, since 2010. She is also the co-founder/leader of TrailPraisers an Inclusive New Worshipping Community. She writes narrative lectionary and other liturgical prayers at www.katyandtheword.com and is a pursuing a Doctorate in Ministry in Creative Writing at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Katy loves reading as much fantasy as possible and playing with her three children Franklin (11), Westley (9) and Ashburn (7) who she often takes to the public library where her husband Anthony works. Katy, a Xiennial, is excited about the new greater church that is emerging and loves helping people hearths call of God.

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

The Ingathering -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Psalm 147:12-20, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B, Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2021

For January 3, 2021:

Do Not Make Room for the Devil -- 2 Samuel 19:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51, Psalm 130 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Quantisha Mason-Doll, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2021

For August 8, 2021:

Chaos Into Order -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11, Psalm 29 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2021

For January 10, 2021:

There’s Bad News and There’s Good News -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2021

For January 17, 2021:

Wisdom with Humility -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58, Psalm 111 -- Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2021

For August 15, 2021:

And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021

For January 24, 2021:

Heading For The Exits -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69, Psalm 84 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2021

For August 22, 2021:

Heartwork -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Katy Stenta, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2021

For August 29, 2021:

Non-Prophet Culture -- Mark 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111 -- Christopher Keating, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2021

For January 31, 2021:

Controlling the Narrative -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38, Psalm 19 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2021

For September 12, 2021:

Dwelling in the Mystery -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9, Psalm 50:1-6 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2021

For February 14, 2021:

Suffer The Powerless -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37, Psalm 1 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Chris Keating, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2021

For September 19, 2021:

Searching for a Sign -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15, Psalm 25:1-10 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021

For February 21, 2021:

The Price of Admission -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50, Psalm 124 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2021

For September 26, 2021:

Called to the Cross -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021

For February 28, 2021:

The Kingdom of God Goes to School -- Mark 10:2-16, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Psalm 26, Psalm 8, Genesis 2:18-24 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2021

For October 3, 2021:

Flipping Tables Sunday -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Exodus 20:1-17, John 2:13-22, Psalm 19 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021

For March 7, 2021:

Not Suffering Alone -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45, Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c, Isaiah 53:4-12, Psalm 91:9-16 -- Mary Austin, Katy Stenta, Christopher Keating, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2021

For October 17, 2021:

Why Did It Have To Be Snakes? -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 -- Christopher Keating, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021

For March 14, 2021:

Are We There, Yet? -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34, Psalm 146 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2021

For October 31, 2021:

No Quick Fix -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16, Mark 11:1-11, Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2021

For March 28, 2021:

Not One Stone -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Daniel 12:1-3, Psalm 16 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Quantisha Mason-Doll, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2021

For November 14, 2021:

Time Lapse Easter -- Acts 10:34-43, Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18, Mark 16:1-8, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Easter Day - B -- 2021

For April 4, 2021:

The Good News: End of the World as We Know It -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36, Psalm 25:1-10 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2021

For November 28, 2021:

Skeptical Thomas -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31, Psalm 133 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021

For April 11, 2021:

Illustration

The Immediate Word

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Two-Coat Theory -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18, Isaiah 12:2-6 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2021

For December 12, 2021:

Peace Be With You -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48, Psalm 4 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021

For April 18, 2021:

Living Beyond Lyrics and Speeches -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18, Psalm 23 -- Christopher Keating, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021

For April 25, 2021:

Redirect Our Longing? -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55), Luke 1:46b-55, Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Psalm 80:1-7 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2021

For December 19, 2021:

One Nation Under God? -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17, Psalm 98 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021

For May 9, 2021:

Liturgy

Preaching

The Immediate Word

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The Immediate Word

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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

David Kalas

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John Jamison

Janice B. Scott

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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