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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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Illustration

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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.
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.
Blessed Are You -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2023
Teresa stood reading the new sign outside of the church.
Fruits of Repentance -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
“I think that was probably the best dinner we’ve ever had with your parents.” Stephen finished wipin

StoryShare

The Arrival of the Light -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2023
Tom sat on the porch looking out over the snow covering the front yard.
Blessed Are You -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2023
Teresa stood reading the new sign outside of the church.
Giving Anonymously -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2023
“The charter group out of Florida isn’t available to take us either.” Joanne hung up the phone.
In The Presence Of My Enemies -- Psalm 23 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
John took a deep breath and walked into the diner.
The Suffering Servant -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Good Friday - A -- 2023
Jenna frowned as she looked at the textbook in front of her.
The Gatekeeper -- John 10:1-10 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Carl pulled his car into a parking space and sighed.
Being One -- John 17:1-11 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
David frowned as he reread the passage of scripture. He read it slowly and carefully.
The Plentiful Harvest -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2023
Paul watched the people streaming through the door of the church hall for the community meal.
The Good Sower -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2023
Wendy looked at the garden she had prepared near the front door and imagined how much space all of t
Taking the Step of Faith -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2023
Joe took a deep breath of the sea air as he walked down the ramp onto the dock.
That Simple, That Difficult -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2023
Kay checked her phone and then put it on the desk in front of her.
Rules for Life -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2023
Teddy thought for a moment and then shook his head. “I appreciate you asking but no thanks.”
Blessed Are You -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- All Saints Day - A -- 2023
John sat in the park bench and watched the people going into church.
The King's Love -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2023
Jason shifted his shopping bags to the other hand.
Fruits of Repentance -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
“I think that was probably the best dinner we’ve ever had with your parents.” Stephen finished wipin
Preparing for the Future -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2023
John stared out the window at the softly falling snow.
A Difficult Message -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2022
Abbie walked through the door, threw her coat on the chair and crashed onto the couch.
First Things First -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2022
Rob put the marker down and looked at the whiteboard. “I think we need a children’s ministry.”
We Remain -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2022
“I want to hold a picnic on the last day we’re having Sunday School before summer begins,” Janice an
The Faith of Persistence -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2022
“This isn’t what I was told I’d get this week.” The woman standing in front of the food bank counter

Stories

Free Access

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.
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.
Fruits of Repentance -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
“I think that was probably the best dinner we’ve ever had with your parents.” Stephen finished wipin
Blessed Are You -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2023
Teresa stood reading the new sign outside of the church.

StoryShare

Being One -- John 17:1-11 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
David frowned as he reread the passage of scripture. He read it slowly and carefully.
The Plentiful Harvest -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2023
Paul watched the people streaming through the door of the church hall for the community meal.
The Good Sower -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2023
Wendy looked at the garden she had prepared near the front door and imagined how much space all of t
Taking the Step of Faith -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2023
Joe took a deep breath of the sea air as he walked down the ramp onto the dock.
That Simple, That Difficult -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2023
Kay checked her phone and then put it on the desk in front of her.
Rules for Life -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2023
Teddy thought for a moment and then shook his head. “I appreciate you asking but no thanks.”
Blessed Are You -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- All Saints Day - A -- 2023
John sat in the park bench and watched the people going into church.
The King's Love -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2023
Jason shifted his shopping bags to the other hand.
Fruits of Repentance -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
“I think that was probably the best dinner we’ve ever had with your parents.” Stephen finished wipin
Preparing for the Future -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2023
John stared out the window at the softly falling snow.
The Arrival of the Light -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2023
Tom sat on the porch looking out over the snow covering the front yard.
Blessed Are You -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2023
Teresa stood reading the new sign outside of the church.
Giving Anonymously -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2023
“The charter group out of Florida isn’t available to take us either.” Joanne hung up the phone.
In The Presence Of My Enemies -- Psalm 23 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
John took a deep breath and walked into the diner.
The Suffering Servant -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Good Friday - A -- 2023
Jenna frowned as she looked at the textbook in front of her.
The Gatekeeper -- John 10:1-10 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Carl pulled his car into a parking space and sighed.
Looking in the Right Place -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2022
Will stood in line at the cafeteria oblivious to the smells and noise and activity of the other stud
Exploring the Mystery -- John 16:12-15 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2022
Tim flopped down on the couch in the youth group room.
How Hard is It? -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2022
John sat in the front seat of his car and looked at the door of the apartment building.
Another Side of Prayer -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2022
Luke moved to one side of the walking trail without looking up.

Worship

SermonStudio

Confirmation (1) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Confirmation (2) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer could also be used for a church anniversary.
Reaffirmation Of Faith -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Stewardship -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Times Of Difficulty -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
While written for congregational use, this prayer is also easily used for communion with shut-ins
Celebration Of Women's Groups -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Summer -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Autumn -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Winter -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you.Lift up your hearts.
Spring -- 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: This is a role play activity.

Note: You will need to select six children to play roles in this activity. If you have a smaller group, you might ask some older youth or even adults to play the parts of the two attackers and the man being attacked. I will give suggestions for how they can play their roles, but feel free to help your children make the story as fun and memorable as you can. I have used boys and girls in the various roles, but you can change those however you want to change them.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For July 13, 2025:
  • Samaritans Among Us by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Samaritans were despised and dismissed by the original audience who first heard Jesus tell this parable. Who are the Samaritans in our lives and how does this parable apply today?
  • Second Thoughts: The Helpers by Katy Stenta based on Amos 7:7-17.

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
I say, “You are gods,
    children of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals
    and fall like any prince….”
(vv. 6-7)

There have been any number of brother-sister acts that achieved a measure of fame. Take the Carpenters, famed for their singing, musicianship, and songwriting skills. Also worthy of mention are John and Joan Cusack who have acted together in over sixteen films.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
An ancient legend tells of a remote mountain village where people used to send their senior citizens out into the woods to die. The villagers had an eye to the future; they felt that those beyond a certain age would only slow down progress or use up valuable resources to no economically profitable end. Those who reached a certain age weren’t “put out to pasture” or “put out of their misery”; they were simply put out of other people’s way.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Amos 7:7-17 and Psalm 82
The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is more than 2,700 feet high—over half a mile tall. It has 160 floors and is twice as tall as the Empire State Building in New York City. It is home to the world’s fastest elevator which reaches speeds of forty miles an hour. The Burj Khalifa also hosts the world’s highest outdoor observation deck (on the 124th floor) and the world’s highest swimming pool (on the 76th floor).

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Mabel hummed a familiar hymn tune as she made her way to church. She always enjoyed her Sunday morning walk. It was one of the few times she felt safe to walk alone through the inner city, for she knew nobody would be up at 7.45 in the morning. Today was a particularly beautiful morning, with blue sky, warm sunshine, and the song of a few intrepid blackbirds who still inhabited the city.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Often, a distinction is made between the pastoral or priestly work of the church and the prophetic work. Pastoral care has to do with the care of souls, the offering of comfort in times of loss. The priestly character of pastoral work seeks to mediate the presence of God to those who are hurting.

Schuyler Rhodes
Trusting is never easy. Even in the best of relationships, people step into trust slowly. There is wariness -- questioning -- worry. What happens if trust is betrayed? What if this doesn't work? Sometimes it's like a dance. We step in and out of trust, moving to the rhythms of fear. For many, the routine is achingly familiar. Indeed, it's not easy to trust.
John Jamison
It was back in the days when the railroad was the most common mode of transportation. There were automobiles, and some airplanes, but the steam locomotive was the way most folks traveled and the way that most of the goods were distributed around the country. After dinner, people sat in the drawing room and listened to the radio programs, fading in and out from some faraway location, over the magical broadcasting signal.
Robert Leslie Holmes
Not many tourists to Washington, D.C., look for the Federal Bureau of Standards offices. It's the Capitol and the White House, the Supreme Court Building or the Smithsonian most of us want to see when we go there. Yet, at the Bureau of Standards offices something very important is stored, something that impacts your life and mine every single day. Have you ever bought the materials for a new project? When you did, most likely you purchased so many inches or feet or yards. Or, you stopped to buy gasoline for your car and purchased it at a certain price per gallon.
David O. Bales
I have the two best jobs in the world. I teach social studies at Leon Griffith Junior High School (a fairly small junior high) and I am Sunday School Superintendent at Calvary Presbyterian Church (an enormous church school). Each job is my vocation. I tell people that at school they'll find my room where the halls cross. At church they can look but probably won't find me. I'll be in someone's classroom. At each job I practice what I most deeply believe: it's how you see the world that determines how you respond to it. I'll give you an example, actually, two examples.
Erskine White
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
(Stuart K. Hine)

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