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Sandra Herrmann

Sandra Herrmann is pastor of Memorial United Methodist Church in Greenfield, Wisconsin. In 1980, she was in the first class ordained by Bishop Marjorie Matthews (the first female United Methodist bishop). Herrmann is the author of Ambassadors of Hope (CSS); her articles and sermons have also appeared in Emphasis and The Circuit Rider, and her poetry has been published in Alive Now and So's Your Old Lady. She has trained lay speakers and led workshops and Bible studies throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana. Sandra's favorite pastime is reading with her two dogs piled on her.
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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The implications of the resurrection -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Easter Day - C -- 2016
Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians contains the kernel that blossomed into the heart of Christia
A community of joy -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2016
The feast of the Ascension is the ideal time for us to discuss the role of the Church in the world t
The power of God made real -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24), Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2016
Does our modern faith leave room for miracles?
Keeping the holy in our lives -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2016
From Amos, we learn that the problems of our society are nothing new in the vast scope of humankind’
The trickster God -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2016
The religions of the world are divided into types: monotheistic, pantheistic, and panentheistic; mys
The power of money -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2016
The course we are charting today takes us from our self-centered, worrisome lives to the expansive l
Preparing our hearts for God -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Sandra Herrmann -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
Happy New Year! No, I don’t have the date wrong.
Choosing our path -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
When I started reading the passages for this week, I could not help but remember the Robert Frost
Life eternal transforms us -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Easter Day - B -- 2015
Our scriptures today remind us that Easter is more than a welcoming of spring, and that our Easter m
A community of joy -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2015
What does it take to be God's person? -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2015
Whether we are high-born or low, rich or poor, male or female, working for ourselves or others -- hu
Struggling with God's invitation -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2015
God created us for God’s own reasons -- to walk with God, to tend the earth, to care for one another
The work of faith -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2015
Two beloved stories are paired for our lection this Sunday.
What righteousness means -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2015
In our day, “righteousness” is often mistakenly interpreted as “self-righteousness.” This i
The 'big questions' -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2015
Every child asks her mother “Where did I come from?” Every teenager asks “Who am I?” Every man and w
A voice crying in the wilderness -- Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
We begin Advent at a time in our own history in which we are living in fear.
Facing trouble in God's care -- Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2014
Genesis 21:8-21
The love of God poured out -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
The Old Testament lesson and the gospel for the Third Sunday in Lent tie closely together in that th
The life of trust and courage -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Acts 17:22-31
God at our side -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2014
Genesis 28:10-19a
Endings and transitions -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2014
As we approach the end of the year and the days get shorter and darker, many people have a difficult
Our responsibility to the world -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
The passages for the feast of Christ the King sum up the responsibilities of the people of God to ou
Theme -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Christ for the Gentiles -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2014
Many years ago I was visiting with a parishioner; I don't remember how the conversation got to this
Judgment -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
This week's lessons are all about judgment: the judgment of God, our judgments of others, our judgme

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Incarnation -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
Contents"Regrets" by Keith Hewitt "Incarnation" by C. David McKirachan
Back From The Dead -- John 20:1-18, Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Contents"Regrets" by Keith Hewitt "Incarnation" by C. David McKirachan
Standing Up To The General -- Mark 9:30-37, Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Psalm 1 -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Contents"Standing Up to the General" by Frank Ramirez
From The Redemption Of A King To A King Of Redemption -- John 18:33-37, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Zan W. Holmes Jr., David O. Bales -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Contents"Render Unto Caesar" by Frank Ramirez
Render Unto Caesar -- Matthew 6:25-33, Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Psalm 126 -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Zan W. Holmes Jr., David O. Bales -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Contents"Render Unto Caesar" by Frank Ramirez
God Bless Our Gracious Leader -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Psalm 96 -- Sandra Herrmann, C. David Mckirachan -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2012
Contents"God Bless Our Gracious Leader" by Sandra Herrmann
Lost -- John 8:31-36, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, Psalm 46 -- Keith Hewitt, Larry Winebrenner, Peter Andrew Smith, Constance Berg, Sandra Herrmann -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
Contents "New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann "Lost" by Keith Hewitt
Lost -- Matthew 23:1-12, Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 -- Keith Hewitt, Larry Winebrenner, Peter Andrew Smith, Constance Berg, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A, All Saints Day - A -- 2011
Contents "New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann "Lost" by Keith Hewitt
I'll Be The One In Black -- Luke 2:22-40, Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Psalm 148 -- C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann, David O. Bales -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
Contents"I'll Be the One in Black" by C. David McKirachan
I'll Be The One In Black -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 8 -- C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann, David O. Bales -- New Year's Day - A -- 2011
Contents"I'll Be the One in Black" by C. David McKirachan
Child Sacrifice -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 15 -- Sandra Herrmann, John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2011
Contents "Child Sacrifice" by Sandra Herrmann (Micah 6:1-8)
Silver Creek -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Psalm 51:1-17 -- Keith Hewitt, Larry Winebrenner, Sandra Herrmann -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
Contents"Silver Creek" by Keith Hewitt
The Christian Liar -- John 9:1-41, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23 -- Sandra Herrmann, C. David Mckirachan -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Contents"The Christian Liar" by Sandra Herrmann
You Are Witnesses -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 47 -- Keith Hewitt, Larry Winebrenner, Sandra Herrmann -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2011
Contents "Ascension" by Keith Hewitt
All Earthly Fathers -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- David O. Bales, Sandra Herrmann, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
Contents"All Earthly Fathers" by David O. Bales
Gilly, A Diligent Leader -- Matthew 16:13-20, Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Psalm 124 -- John E. Sumwalt, Sandra Herrmann, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
Contents"Gilly, a Diligent Leader" by John Sumwalt
Gentlemen's Game -- Matthew 21:33-46, Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- C. David Mckirachan, Larry Winebrenner, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
Contents"Gentlemen's Game" by C. David McKirachan
The Crazy Woman With The Perfume -- John 12:1-8, Philippians 3:4b-14, Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126 -- Sandra Herrmann, Keith Hewitt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2010
Based on Revised Common Lectionary texts: Isaiah 43:16-21
I'd Like To Thank… -- John 14:8-17 (25-27), Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- C. David Mckirachan, John E. Sumwalt, Sandra Herrmann -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2010
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "I'd like to thank…" by C. David McKirachan
The Parable And The Prophet -- Luke 12:49-56, Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2010
Contents"The Parable and the Prophet" by Sandra Herrmann
Balm In Gilead -- Luke 16:1-13, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Psalm 79:1-9 -- John E. Sumwalt, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2010
Contents"Balm in Gilead" by John Sumwalt
The Worst Days -- Luke 19:1-10, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
Contents"The Worst Days" by Peter Andrew Smith
The Scribe -- Mark 12:28-34, Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Psalm 146 -- Larry Winebrenner, David O. Bales, Frank Ramirez, Lamar Massingill, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Scribe" by Larry Winebrenner
The Scribe -- John 11:32-44, Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 24 -- Larry Winebrenner, David O. Bales, Frank Ramirez, Lamar Massingill, Sandra Herrmann -- All Saints Day - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Scribe" by Larry Winebrenner
The Darkness -- John 3:14-21, Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 -- Keith Hewitt, Larry Winebrenner, Sandra Herrmann -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Darkness" by Keith Hewitt
UPCOMING WEEKS
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New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture -the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response – to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

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

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

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