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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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Make a Way Through the Desert -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2017
Contents "Make a Way Through the Desert" by Frank Ramirez
Listening For God -- John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Larry Winebrenner -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2012
Contents"Listening for God" by Peter Andrew Smith
The Path To Healing -- Mark 1:40-45, 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Psalm 30 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Lamar Massingill -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2012
Contents"The Path to Healing" by Peter Andrew Smith
The Way To God -- Matthew 5:13-20, Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Psalm 112:1-9 (10) -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2011
Contents"The Way to God" by Peter Andrew Smith
On The Lookout -- Mark 1:1-8, Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Keith Hewitt, Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Contents"On the Lookout" by Keith Hewitt
The Unexpected Tomorrow -- Mark 1:4-11, Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Psalm 29 -- Peter Andrew Smith, C. David Mckirachan, Constance Berg -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Unexpected Tomorrow" by Peter Andrew Smith
The Days After Christmas -- Luke 2:22-40, Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Psalm 148 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Craig Kelly, Keith Hewitt, Bryan Meadows -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week

Stories

StoryShare

Walking Through Fire -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Acts 8:14-17, Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Wagner -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2019
Contents “Walking Through Fire” by Peter Andrew Smith
The Days Will Come -- Isaiah 65:17-25, Luke 21:5-19 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2019
Contents “The Days Will Come” by Peter Andrew Smith
The Days Will Come -- Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2019
Contents “The Days Will Come” by Peter Andrew Smith
Yet to Come -- John 2:1-11, Psalm 36:5-10 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2019
Contents “Yet to Come” by Peter Andrew Smith
An Unexpected Hour -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
Contents “An Unexpected Hour” by Peter Andrew Smith
Shining with Jesus -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a), Exodus 34:29-35 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2019
Contents “Shining with Jesus” by C. David McKirachan
Something Worthy -- Luke 13:1-9, Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Wagner -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2019
Contents “Something Worthy” by Peter Andrew Smith
Filled with Passion -- Luke 22:14--23:56, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2019
Contents “Filled with Passion” by Peter Andrew Smith
Witness to These Things -- John 20:19-31, Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Wagner -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
Contents "Witness to These Things" by Peter Andrew Smith
Crossing Barriers -- John 13:31-35, Acts 11:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
Contents "Crossing Barriers" by Frank Ramirez
When the Spririt Moves -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Wagner -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2019
Contents “When the Spririt Moves” by Peter Andrew Smith
Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus -- Luke 9:51-62, 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2019
Contents“Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus” by Peter Andrew Smith
Is that a Knock at the Door? -- Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Keith Wagner, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2019
Contents “Is that a Knock at the Door?” by Keith Wagner
A Cloud of Witnesses -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2019
Contents “A Cloud of Witnesses” by Peter Andrew Smith
In Our Hearts -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 14 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Wagner -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2019
Contents “In Our Hearts” by Peter Andrew Smith
A Complaint Not A Lament -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2019
Contents “A Complaint Not A Lament” by Frank Ramirez
Written On Our Hearts -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2019
Contents “Written On Our Hearts” by Peter Andrew Smith
Let There Be Light! -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- Keith Wagner, Peter Andrew Smith -- All Saints Day - C -- 2019
Contents “Let There Be Light!” by Keith Wanger
Seeing the Future -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Psalm 96 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2018
Contents “Seeing the Future” by Peter Andrew Smith
New Beginnings -- Mark 1:4-11, Psalm 29 -- Keith Wagner, Peter Andrew Smith -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2018
Contents "New Beginnings" by Peter Andrew Smith
Building in Love -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2018
Contents "Building in Love" by Peter Andrew Smith

Free Access

Walking Through Fire -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Acts 8:14-17, Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Wagner -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2019
Contents “Walking Through Fire” by Peter Andrew Smith
Yet to Come -- John 2:1-11, Psalm 36:5-10 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2019
Contents “Yet to Come” by Peter Andrew Smith
Is that a Knock at the Door? -- Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Keith Wagner, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2019
Contents “Is that a Knock at the Door?” by Keith Wagner
A Complaint Not A Lament -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2019
Contents “A Complaint Not A Lament” by Frank Ramirez

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
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Advent 2
29 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
31 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 3
27 – Sermons
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
29 – Sermons
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas Eve/Day
29 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
36 – Children's Sermons / Resources
31 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Bethany Peerbolte
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Ron Love
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For December 8, 2019:
  • Repentance That Matters by Tom Willadsen — John reminds the people that it is not who they are but what they do, the fruits of their repentance that matters. “You’ve got to walk the walk,” John insists.
  • Second Thoughts: Letting the Sucker Do Its Work by Bethany Peerbolte — The line of Jesse is not dead. It has just enough energy to send up one more change for survival.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Ron Love
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 11:1-10
Of the Advent readings, this is one of my favorites. The prophet proclaims that one from the root of Jesse will come and the Spirit of the Lord will be upon him. Righteousness will come into the world. People, nations, even animals that war with one another will be at peace. All will be blessed, from the smallest child to the oldest adult. Mercy and justice will reign. That is the hope, the promise.
David Kalas
Broadly speaking, we human beings turn to two solutions to try to make things better. Whether it is an organization, a family, a church, or a nation, there is always room for improvement, always some yearning for things to be even better than they are. And we generally seek those improvements by trying to find either the right system or the right person.

Revolutions are usually about trying to find the right system. Elections are about trying to find the right person. And human beings seem to have an endless reservoir of optimism when it comes to new systems and new leaders.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Contents
"Less Than A Peaceable Kingdom" by David O. Bales
"Prayer For Righteous Government" by David O. Bales


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Less Than A Peaceable Kingdom
by David O. Bales
Isaiah 11:1-10

CSSPlus

Bethany Peerbolte
Matthew introduces John the Baptist, the person who God has sent to prepare the people for Jesus. John’s teaching is the first sign that the Messiah is coming, everyone should be listening closely. John’s fashion choices make it hard for some people, though. His dirty camel hair toga and general unkempt appearance is not what we expect a great teacher to look like. This is a warning to us all that God’s voice may not always come from the people from whom we expect.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Roddy was plunged into gloom. It was that time of year again - the time of the annual nativity play. Roddy hated it. For a start, he had only once been chosen to actually feature in the play. That was the year he had to wear his dressing gown with a stupid tea towel on his head, and say one line: "Look! Let us follow that shining star!" Only he'd pointed to the star and forgotten the words. The audience had started to laugh, and the teacher said afterwards that "the whole feel of the play had been lost." Roddy was never invited to be in the play again.

SermonStudio

Don M. Aycock
A man who lives in Hollywood tells this to friends who come to visit: "When you are in Hollywood, don't miss Hollywood." He reminds his guests that his town is much more than a movie set. They won't see stars giving autographs or movie crews with cameras whirring.

In a similar way the scriptures seem to say to us, "At Christmas, don't miss Christmas." It is easy to miss, isn't it? We can get so busy that the season passes over us like a plane at night, heard but not really seen. And what, during this season, do we need not to miss?

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