Login / Signup

Richard A. Jensen

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Children's sermon

Illustration

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 22 -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
These verses of instruction to the disciples close a discourse of Jesus that began in 15:1.
Advent 4 -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The narrative possibilities of today's text are almost endless.
Baptism Of The Lord; Epiphany 1 -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This story of Jesus' baptism has manifold narrative connections in Luke's Gospel.
Advent 3 -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's text presents us with the preaching of John the Baptist.
Epiphany 3 -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
With this week's text we come to the absolute center of Luke's concerns.
Lent 4 -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
We come now to the story in Luke in which the heart of the Christian faith is explicated in story fo
Epiphany 4 -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The text assigned for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany overlaps the text appointed for the Third
Proper 11 -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The few verses in this week's Gospel text have been the subject of much interpretation.
Epiphany 5 -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The first four chapters of Luke prepare the way for all that is to come.
Proper 25 -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
"Two men went up into the temple to pray...." These are very familiar words.
Epiphany 6 -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
A considerable portion of Luke's narrative is omitted as we move from the Fifth Sunday after the Epi
Epiphany 7 -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's text is a continuation of the Sermon on the Plain.
Proper 26 -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
"This story is a Lukan masterpiece, a wonder story of the first order.
Epiphany 8 -- Luke 6:39-49 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
We note first of all that this week's text is doubly appointed for the Lukan year.
Proper 27 -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
Today's text comes to us rather radically ripped from its Lukan context.
Lent 1 -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
In the early years of the Christian Church a dominant theme of the Lenten season was the conflict be
Proper 28 -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
With this week's text we come to material that is focused on the future.
Lent 2 -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's assigned text comes from the heart of Luke's Travel Narrative: 9:51„19:27.
Proper 29 -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's appointed text from Luke is a fitting text for what is often called "Christ the King" Su
Lent 3 -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's text, with its appropriate Lenten theme of repen-tance, is assigned for the Lenten seaso
Transfiguration -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The assigned Gospel text for this week is one of only two texts (see Proper 8; Luke 9:51-62)
The Nativity Of Our Lord -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The story of the Nativity of our Lord is narratively connected to much of the biblical story.
Christmas 1 -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This is the only story that Luke tells from Jesus' childhood.
Palm/Passion Sunday -- Luke 19:28-40, Luke 23:1-49 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
"After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jeru-salem" (Luke 19:28).
Proper 4 -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
Luke 7:1 marks a transition in the flow of material in this Gospel.

Sermon

Stories

SermonStudio

Exchanging A Smile -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 1994
He smiled when we would have expected him to cry. He smiled when we expected him to hate.
A Baby Wrapped In Diapers -- John 1:1-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1994
HBO hit the jackpot! The ratings they achieved for their special on Michael Jackson were awesome.
A Promise On The Way To Fulfillment -- Luke 19:28-40 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Passion Sunday - C -- 1994
It had been the night of his life. He would never forget it as long as he lived.
To You Is Born -- Luke 2:1-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1994
It was to be her first starring role.
When The Light From Heaven Does Not Flash -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Richard A. Jensen -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
Dawn Hetland didn't move a muscle. The worship service was over. The choir had filed out.
You Are God -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1994
Out On A Limb, Shirley MacLaine's spiritual odyssey, was first published in 1983.
Paths Of Desperation -- John 5:1-9 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
Where do you go when you feel hopeless? Dick learned something about that when he was 13.
Let Us Make A Name For Ourselves -- Genesis 11:1-9 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1994
"When you're No. 1 in the world...
Glenda Finds An Advent Prayer -- Psalm 25:1-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
It had been a tough week for Glenda Kruse.
A Hostage Repents -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
Terry Anderson is probably the best known of the American hostages kept in Lebanon.
Choices -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 1994
She was elected to high office some time ago. Let's call her Beverly Washington.
Disarming Evil -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1994
People Of The Lie: The Hope For Healing Human Evil is one of Dr. M.
Life In The Light Of Eternity -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1993
Emilio Lopez received a surprise phone call from his bishop
The Lady In Blue -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1993
She had been a charter member of Trinity Church when it was
For Pete's Sake -- John 6:56-69 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1993
"My name is Peter and I'm an alcoholic." That's how you always
With Sighs Too Deep -- Romans 8:22-27 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1993
Over at last. That's the only thought she could think about just now. Over at last.

Free Access

Choices -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 1994
She was elected to high office some time ago. Let's call her Beverly Washington.

StoryShare

God's Dinner Bell -- Luke 13:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, David E. Leininger, Richard A. Jensen -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "God's Dinner Bell" by Rick McCracken-Bennett
Pass It On -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- David O. Bales, Susan K. Hedahl, Richard A. Jensen, Charles Cammarata -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Based on Revised Common Lectionary texts:
Backdraft -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Frank R. Fisher, Sil Galvan, Richard A. Jensen, Timothy F. Merrill, John E. Sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - B
Contents What's Up This Week
As Clear As The Milky Way -- Luke 13:31-35, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27 -- Scott Dalgarno, Argile Smith, Richard A. Jensen -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "As Clear As The Milky Way" by Scott Delgarno
Solomon's Prayer -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20, 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Psalm 84 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Jo Perry-Sumwalt, Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Contents What's Up This Week

Worship

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)

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL