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Rick McCracken-Bennett

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Forgive Us -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2009
I'm ashamed to say that too often I behave like the guy laying in bed with his family refusing to ge
Stuff! -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2009
It's everywhere you look.
Don't Be Afraid -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2009
"Don't be afraid." How many times have we heard those words in our lifetime?
What If The Disciples Had Email And One Of The Disciples Was A Woman? -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2009
From: Priscilla@galilee.net
But I Really Like The Best Seat In The House! -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2009
Years ago I was a director of alcohol and drug programs in a neighboring county.
Where Would You Go To Meet Jesus? -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2009
I remember reading in a church development book some time ago of the experiences of a church planter
How Do You Know The Good Guys From The Bad Guys? -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2009
I'm going to dispense with the niceties and cut to the chase.
When The Going Gets Tough ... The Tough Start Praying! -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2009
Ever since the sign went up on our property that our church was coming I've gotten phone calls from
The Great Divide -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2009
I have to admit, this is not the Jesus I'm comfortable with.
The Great Divide -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2009
Some of us are old enough to remember the old Cat Stevens' tune, "Father And Son." That song, as you
Finish What You Start -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2009
I remember as I was growing up, before gas became more precious than gold, that our family would go

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Stuff! -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2009
It's everywhere you look.
The Great Divide -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2009
Some of us are old enough to remember the old Cat Stevens' tune, "Father And Son." That song, as you

Stories

StoryShare

Where Have All The Good Samaritans Gone? -- Luke 10:25-37, Colossians 1:1-14, Amos 7:7-17, Psalm 82 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2022
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Follow The Star -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Psalm 29 -- David E. Leininger, David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Rick McCracken-Bennett, Frank R. Fisher -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2022
Note: This installment was originally published in 2007.Contents
Free Stories/illustrations For Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 -- Luke 16:25 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
The Rich Man's Table By Rick McCracken-Bennett Luke 16:19-31
The Boy Who Always Told The Truth -- Luke 13:10-17, Hebrews 12:18-29, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, John S. Smylie -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Contentment -- 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- David E. Leininger, Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Contentment" by David Leininger
Signs, Signs, Signs! -- Luke 19:1-10, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, David E. Leininger -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2007
Contents What's Up This Week
Lessons Of A Farmer -- Matthew 11:2-11, James 5:7-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, Sandra Herrmann -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Contents What's Up This Week
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
Why? -- Luke 22:14--23:56, Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16 -- C. David Mckirachan, Rick McCracken-Bennett, John E. Sumwalt, Fanny Lee Seville, Scott Dalgarno, David E. Leininger -- Passion Sunday - C
Passion/Palm SundayIsaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11
Rejoice In The Lord -- Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4:4-7, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, Frank R. Fisher, Christina Seibel, Timothy F. Merrill -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
The Wisest Person I've Ever Known -- John 6:51-58, 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, Psalm 111 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, C. David Mckirachan, Susan K. Hedahl -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Contents What's Up This Week A Story to Live By: "Carpe Kairos"
Talking To God -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31, Psalm 26 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
One Day In Paradise -- John 18:33-37, Revelation 1:4b-8, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Frank R. Fisher, David O. Bales, C. David Mckirachan, Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
A Thanksgiving Reflection -- Matthew 6:25-33, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Joel 2:21-27, Psalm 126 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, C. David Mckirachan, David O. Bales, Frank R. Fisher -- Thanksgiving Day - B
NOTE: This installment covers both Thanksgiving Day and Christ The King Sunday.
Here Am I; Send Me! -- Luke 5:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), Psalm 138 -- Stan Purdum, Rick McCracken-Bennett -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Here Am I; Send Me!" by Stan Purdum
The Lamb -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- John E. Sumwalt, Rick McCracken-Bennett, C. David Mckirachan, Fanny Lee Seville, Scott Dalgarno, David E. Leininger -- Maundy Thursday - C
Passion/Palm SundayIsaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11
Betrayal In The Third Grade -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22:1-15 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, John E. Sumwalt, C. David Mckirachan, Fanny Lee Seville, Scott Dalgarno, David E. Leininger -- Good Friday - C
Passion/Palm SundayIsaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11
Everything Old Is New Again -- John 13:31-35, Revelation 21:1-6a, Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 148 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, Timothy F. Merrill, David E. Leininger -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
E-Mails To Home: What If Paul Had An E-Mail Account? -- Luke 7:11-17, Galatians 1:11-24, 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24), Psalm 146 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, John S. Smylie -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Follow The Star -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- David E. Leininger, David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Rick McCracken-Bennett, Frank R. Fisher -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Follow The Star" by David Leininger
E-Mails To Home: What If Paul Had An E-Mail Account? -- Luke 7:11-17, Galatians 1:11-24, 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24), Psalm 146 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, John S. Smylie -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
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

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For September 21, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Well, it’s autumn, and by now the seeds we planted in the spring either took root and produced or else the weather, pests, rabbits, or our own laziness conspired to make this year’s garden less than a success. But at one point we had to get started and actually plant seeds for the future.

Jeremiah is looking back from the perspective of our spiritual well-being and laments than our spiritual harvest has all been for naught. He wonders if it is now too late for a recovery. Is there no healing, no balm in Gilead, to apply to our wounds?
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 and Psalm 79:1-9
In the spring as farmers and gardeners prepare to plant we are looking at a summer of possibilities. Hard work, to be sure, but also potential. What will happen? What will this season be like? At summer’s end there will be no more questions. We’ll know. Maybe it was a great season, and we have canned or frozen many vegetables. Maybe the farmers have brought in a bumper crop and they got a good price besides.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message will be based on a game you will play. See the note below.

NOTE: Ask three or more adults to come up and play the role of Simon for your group. Tell them to all speak at once, asking the children to do different things. The goal is to create a nice bit of confusion for the children to experience.

* * *

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

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hey!” Annie waved at the woman standing next to the open doorway. “Can you come here?”

The woman made her way past the other nursing home residents and stood next to Annie’s wheelchair.

“What can I do for you?”

“You look familiar.” Annie squinted at her. “Do I know your name?”

“I’m Brenda.” The woman pointed at her name tag. “I work in the kitchen and sometimes help serve the meals when they are ready.”

“That’s right. I think we’ve met before.” Annie tapped her lips with her finger. “You have the nice smile.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” In our worship today let us remember the little things in our lives and ask God to help us to be utterly faithful in them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we pretend that little sins don't matter.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we imagine that you don't notice little sins.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
This poignant prayer of lament and community grief gives expression to what it feels like to suffer as a person of faith. If we believe we are truly part of God's community, then the destruction of that community -- as was the case with Israel in 587 B.C. -- becomes a time for doubt, anger, and confusion. Furthermore, if we believe we are individual members of that community, our personal suffering also creates an opportunity for a crisis of faith: "Why didn't God protect me?" Of course, it does not take a national catastrophe to raise those sorts of questions.
Kirk R. Webster
If feedback is the breakfast of champions, perhaps we would do well to examine some of our prayer habits. If you have ever heard someone use The Just Really Prayer, you know exactly what problem we are talking about.

That prayer goes something like this, "Lord, we just really thank you for this day. We come before you and just really pray for mercy. We offer ourselves to you and just really ask that your will be done in our lives. Amen." I'm thankful this particular Just Really prayer was mercifully short, unlike the next example, The Good Guilt-Based Prayer.
John W. Wurster
Another season has come and gone. Promises that were made have not been fulfilled. Good intentions haven't yielded any tangible results. Dreams have not come true. High hopes have proven to be only wishful thinking. Nothing has really changed; nothing has really improved. The time keeps moving along, but we seem stuck in the same ruts. Old routines remain, prejudices persist, dullness and anxiety continue to be constant companions. Lingering in the air is that nagging sense that things aren't quite right, not as they could be, not as they should be.
R. Robert Cueni
In the scripture lesson for today Jesus tells a perplexing parable about a thoroughly dishonest employee who was praised for his dishonesty. In this story Jesus not only seems comfortable suggesting that it is acceptable to compromise with moral failings, but our Lord appears to commend his disciples to "go and do likewise." For centuries, preachers, commentators, and scholars have struggled to make sense of this outrageous tale.

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