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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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StoryShare

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

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
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
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.

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.
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
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
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.

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...
Easter 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 4
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
For May 25, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A mat, like an exercise mat, or a blanket.

Note: You can do this all by yourself, but if you want to have more fun, help your children role-play the story. Select one child to be the sick man, and a few children to be the crowd. I usually play the role of Jesus so I can easily guide things. As you tell the story, have the sick man try to crawl, and have a group of children be the crowd blocking him, and then after Jesus helps him, have the man stand up, roll the mat up under his arm, and walk away smiling. Have fun with it!

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
(This particular installment of StoryShare is adapted from a review of “Seven Psalms” that I wrote for Messenger, our denominational magazine.)

During the night, Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (v. 9)

It all began with a dream.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
The church is a work in progress — and we are expected to be a critical part of that church’s work. In the absence of synagogue worship, Lydia and her fellow believers meet anyway at the riverside. Their faithfulness leads to Paul’s dream which helps create something where there was nothing. The passage from Revelation creates a target for us to aim for, and to work for, even as we wait for its perfect fulfillment.
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Acts 16:9-15
John Calvin claimed that this is a text to stir up our commitments to reach out to those in need, especially in this time of intolerance towards immigrants and the poor. A 2024 Gallup poll indicates that 56% of Americans favor mass deportation. And in the most recent poll on the subject of the poor, (a 2002 NPR/Kaiser poll), 52% of Americans found the poor not to have a proper work ethic. It is unlikely we have outgrown that prejudice. In response, the reformer of Geneva wrote:

SermonStudio

Wayne Brouwer
During World War II, many members of the Lutheran church in Germany lost their faith because Hitler seduced them into ways of living that kept them from practicing their faith. But there was one man whom Hitler could not compromise. His name was Martin Niemöller. During World War I, Niemöller had been a great hero in the German military but when the Second World War came, he refused to bow to the authorities. He was marching to a different drumbeat. And march he did.
Forrest E. Chaffee
After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Stephen P. McCutchan
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us....
-- Psalm 67:1

Steven E. Albertin
(Sing the first verse and chorus of "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic.")

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.

Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
1

Charles D. Reeb
Life has a way of presenting us with defining moments. I remember facing a defining moment in my ministry. I went to see a man in the hospital who was dying. He was not active in the church I pastored, but I knew who he was. When I entered his hospital room, his whole family was standing in a semi-circle around his bed. They greeted me, and then the man told his family that he wanted a moment alone with me. So they left us alone.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said to the paralysed man, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." In our worship today let us explore all that paralyses us, then let us respond to Jesus' command to stand up and walk.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes I'm so afraid of ridicule that I keep my head down.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I'm so afraid of doing the wrong thing that I do nothing at all.
Christ, have mercy.

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