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Peter Andrew Smith

Peter Andrew Smith is an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada currently serving St. James United Church in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. He is the author of All Things are Ready (CSS) a book of lectionary based communion prayers and a number of stories and articles, which can be found listed at www.peterandrewsmith.com.
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Creating Unity -- John 17:20-26 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Patrick rubbed his forehead and scrolled back on his laptop screen.
The Open Way -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2025
Kenny walked past the open church doors and paused at the corner to look back the unusual sight.
Promises and Reality -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2025
Ted looked out over the field behind his grandparent’s house and sighed.
Be Not Afraid -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2025
Henry peeked through the curtain and saw the crowd of people waiting. “Wow!”
Giving Alms -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2025
Jonathan picked up the phone on the second ring. “Hello?”
The Old, Old Story -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Paul reread the parable again and sighed. Why had he agreed to lead the Bible study this week?
God's Will -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Good Friday - C -- 2025
I’m sorry but I have some bad news. John heard the words of the doctor again as he sat in t
When Jesus Speaks -- John 10:22-30 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
“Hello, Peter. Come on in to the office,” Pastor Carl held open the door for him.
A Different Way of Looking -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2024
“My parents raised me in the church.” Charlene leaned against the desk in their residence room.
Dancing Lessons -- Mark 6:14-29, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2024
“Is everything alright?” Gran asked Lily.
You are the Man -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2024
John was angry. He sliced open the box with the cans in it and threw the box cutter onto the floor.
The Christian Way -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2024
“It’s just wrong,” Martha whispered. “He needs to take off his hat in church.”
Being For the Gospel -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2024
Lou leaned on his shovel. “I’m honestly not sure.”
Hearing Jesus' Call -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2024
“God hates me,” Tim announced to the empty room.
Facing Today -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2024
“I wish I knew when all of this would be over,” Ben said.
Preparing the Way -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2024
Jean sat by the hospital bed watching her brother sleep.
Growing with Christ -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2024
John peeked around the corner.
The Invitation -- John 1:43-51 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2024
Tim walked up the stairs of the church and paused. He hadn’t been to church in so many years.
Facing Temptation -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Jack swung at the ball and missed again.
Seeing Jesus -- John 12:20-33 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Kirk shouted as he ran through the doors of the school after his friend. “Hey, Johnny!”
Back and Forward -- John 20:1-18 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Easter Day - B -- 2024
“Dad?” Susan flipped on a light in the living room.
Abiding in Jesus -- John 15:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2024
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree.
Out of the Church -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2024
“I’m not sure why we’re doing this,” Ollie muttered to himself as he took his place on the bandstand

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Giving Alms -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2025
Jonathan picked up the phone on the second ring. “Hello?”
God's Will -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Good Friday - C -- 2025
I’m sorry but I have some bad news. John heard the words of the doctor again as he sat in t

Stories

StoryShare

Giving Alms -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2025
Jonathan picked up the phone on the second ring. “Hello?”
The Old, Old Story -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Paul reread the parable again and sighed. Why had he agreed to lead the Bible study this week?
God's Will -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Good Friday - C -- 2025
I’m sorry but I have some bad news. John heard the words of the doctor again as he sat in t
When Jesus Speaks -- John 10:22-30 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
“Hello, Peter. Come on in to the office,” Pastor Carl held open the door for him.
Creating Unity -- John 17:20-26 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Patrick rubbed his forehead and scrolled back on his laptop screen.
The Open Way -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2025
Kenny walked past the open church doors and paused at the corner to look back the unusual sight.
Promises and Reality -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2025
Ted looked out over the field behind his grandparent’s house and sighed.
Be Not Afraid -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2025
Henry peeked through the curtain and saw the crowd of people waiting. “Wow!”
The Invitation -- John 1:43-51 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2024
Tim walked up the stairs of the church and paused. He hadn’t been to church in so many years.
Facing Temptation -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Jack swung at the ball and missed again.
Seeing Jesus -- John 12:20-33 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Kirk shouted as he ran through the doors of the school after his friend. “Hey, Johnny!”
Back and Forward -- John 20:1-18 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Easter Day - B -- 2024
“Dad?” Susan flipped on a light in the living room.
Abiding in Jesus -- John 15:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2024
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree.
Out of the Church -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2024
“I’m not sure why we’re doing this,” Ollie muttered to himself as he took his place on the bandstand
A Different Way of Looking -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2024
“My parents raised me in the church.” Charlene leaned against the desk in their residence room.
Dancing Lessons -- Mark 6:14-29, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2024
“Is everything alright?” Gran asked Lily.
You are the Man -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2024
John was angry. He sliced open the box with the cans in it and threw the box cutter onto the floor.
The Christian Way -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2024
“It’s just wrong,” Martha whispered. “He needs to take off his hat in church.”
Being For the Gospel -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2024
Lou leaned on his shovel. “I’m honestly not sure.”
Hearing Jesus' Call -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2024
“God hates me,” Tim announced to the empty room.
Facing Today -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2024
“I wish I knew when all of this would be over,” Ben said.
Preparing the Way -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2024
Jean sat by the hospital bed watching her brother sleep.
Growing with Christ -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2024
John peeked around the corner.

Free Access

Giving Alms -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2025
Jonathan picked up the phone on the second ring. “Hello?”
God's Will -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Good Friday - C -- 2025
I’m sorry but I have some bad news. John heard the words of the doctor again as he sat in t

Worship

SermonStudio

Life Of Jesus (1) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Life Of Jesus (2) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Advent -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer is a general prayer for Advent focusing on light and the presence of God with us.
Life Of Jesus (3) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Christmas Eve (1) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
Since the Christmas readings are the same for all lectionary years, these communion prayers may b
Prayers After Communion -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
We thank you, gracious God, that you have refreshed us at your table.
Christmas Eve (2) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Christmas Eve (3) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer makes specific use of the familiar Christmas Eve lesson from Luke 2:1-20 with the con
Epiphany -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer is specifically written for Epiphany (January 6) as it makes specific reference to th
Baptism Of Jesus (A) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The next three prayers all focus in on the baptism of Jesus.
Baptism Of Jesus (B) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Baptism Of Jesus (C) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Transfiguration (1) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
These prayers all focus in on the Transfiguration texts but can also be used during the season of
Transfiguration (2) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Lent -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The references in this prayer to the covenant makes it especially applicable to Lectionary Cycle
Maundy Thursday -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer is applicable for Maundy Thursday as it recounts the Exodus and ties it into the Last
Easter Sunday (A) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
These three communion prayers are written around the Easter stories for the gospels highlighted i
Easter Sunday (B) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer makes reference to the stories highlighted in the Old Testament and gospel through th
Easter Sunday (C) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Pentecost -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you. And also with you.Lift up your hearts.
Worldwide Communion -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Thanksgiving Sunday -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer focuses on food and God's gifts to us so while appropriate for Thanksgiving, this mig
Christ The King (A) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
These prayers are specifically written for the last Sunday of the church year.
Christ The King (B) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Christ The King (C) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it out as a role-play. I will show the role-play version, but you can ignore the acting pieces and just tell the story if you prefer.

Note: For the role-play version, you will need to select two girls and one boy to play the roles. You might also have a broom and a dust rag if you want to.

* * *

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

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For July 20, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”

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John E. Sumwalt
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (v. 24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middle of an admiring crowd of friends. Mary had always been a dancer, from the time she could walk. Privately, Martha thought she'd always been something of a show-off and ought to go on the stage, for Mary loved an audience.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jeanne Jones
Several years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin, I was an honorary nanny for our pastor's son, Jonathan. I took care of him from the time he was able to walk until our pastor moved, when Jonathan was about five. We had wonderful times together. One time, when I was at their house, and we had been doing some spiritual direction together, Pastor Michael asked me if I knew the name of my guardian angel.
James Evans
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against the godly" or "plotting destruction" all day long. The image we have in our minds about who "bad" people are, and how they conduct themselves, make such accusations completely plausible. We are less inclined to believe such things about leaders, especially respected leaders among us. We have difficulty believing someone with wealth and power would deliberately plot to do someone else harm.
Arley K. Fadness
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan. Luke positions the good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God."
Kirk R. Webster
In the early 1990s, Wesley Nunley of Dallas completed a project he had dreamed of for decades. "I tell you, this could be a big thing," he explained. Wes then walked out to a concrete octagon in the middle of his backyard. With a beaming smile, arms raised up in excitement, the energetic retiree said, "This welcomes the UFO to land, which has never been done before."
John W. Wurster
It was the best of times. A time of prosperity and confidence, a time of relative peace, a time when most everything looked pretty good, a time when most everyone felt pretty good. It was a time maybe not unlike our own time.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
Our God is both wise and caring: afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.

Pastoral Prayer
God, we bow before you this morning, knowing that you hear every prayer. We know that in all of Creation, you are the source of life. You are the one who set the light swirling between the galaxies. The breath of your Spirit pulses through all life. You have even become flesh among us. We praise you, Lord, that in all your wonder, you have not forgotten us.

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