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Stephen M. Crotts

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Bible Study

SermonStudio

Nowhere Man? -- Psalm 1 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners,
What Sort Of World Is This? -- Psalm 2 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? -- Psalm 2:1
How To Be Happy In An Unhappy World -- Psalm 8 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
What is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou dost care for him?
Directions Included! -- Psalm 19 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. -- Psalm 19:7a
Intensive Care -- Part One -- Psalm 23:1-3 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures.
Intensive Care -- Part Two -- Psalm 23:4-6 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with m
At Peace In A Fearful World -- Psalm 27 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Am I That Forgiven? -- Psalm 32 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
I acknowledged my sin to thee, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgr
Blowing Away The Clouds Of Depression -- Psalm 42 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
The Good Now Days! -- Psalm 46, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. -- Psalm 46:1
No More Stingy Hosannas -- Psalm 107 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
O give thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever!
Forward, Retreat! -- Psalm 120 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
In my distress, I cry to the Lord, that he may answer me: "Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, f
How To Heal With Humor -- Psalm 126 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
The Mattress Gospel -- Psalm 127 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for h
Getting Away From It All To Get Back To It All -- Psalms 120-134 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2008
Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord! -- Psalm 134:2

Monologues

SermonStudio

William Bradford Speaks! -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2003
Willa Cather wrote, "The history of every country begins in the heart of a man or woman." And in a v
Christopher Columbus Speaks! -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2003
Five hundred years ago a man dreamed of reaching the east by sailing west.
Martin Luther Speaks! -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2003
On July 6, 1415, Prague preacher John Huss was led to the stake to be burned as a heretic.
Saint Patrick Speaks! -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2003
At one time nearly 100 years ago the nation of Ireland suffered a severe potato blight.
Saint Nicholas Speaks! -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2003
(Saint Nicholas, in his vestments, proceeds in to the beautiful taped fanfare of a Christmas song.
Paul Speaks! -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2003
His name is Saul, Hebrew meaning "loaned." He was named after an earlier Saul, the first king of Isr
Tenth Leper Speaks! -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2003
(Levi ben Judah walks into the nave in a three-piece suit, wearing a fedora and carrying a leather b

Sermon

SermonStudio

A Sense of Place -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2011
Novelist William Faulkner only knew about 100 square miles of rural Mississippi but he made it fasci
The Dangers of Being Religious -- John 8:31-36 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2011
Jeff Foxworthy has made a career of telling redneck jokes.
How to Love God -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2011
In the rock opera Jesus Christ: Superstar, Mary Magdalene sings a song, "I Don't Know How to
Preview of Coming Attractions: The Second Coming -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2011
One summer my wife and I took a vacation week and went to a South Carolina beach just to relax.
Pontius Pilate on Trial -- John 18:33-37 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2011
Have you ever seen a warning sign at an old railroad crossing? "Stop! Look! Listen!" it reads.
Easter Now! -- John 11:32-44 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- All Saints Day - B -- 2011
In the cartoon Winnie the Pooh, someone asks Pooh Bear, "What's your favorite season?" "I like them
Love Actually -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2011
A young man visiting a very small town in Virginia struck up a conversation with an older gentleman
The One that Got Away -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2011
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good
Teach Your Dollars to Make More Sense! -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2011
And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury.
The End of Worry -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2011
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall dri
From Legalism To Obedience -- Matthew 5:17-20 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them b
Do The Old Rules Still Apply? -- Exodus 20:24, 7-8 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Of Logs And Specks ... -- Matthew 7:1-6 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.
Anger: The Misunderstood Emotion -- Matthew 5:21-26 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
You have heard that it was said to the men of old, "You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall b
Praying Through -- Matthew 7:7-11 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Adultery: Saying No And Knowing Why! -- Matthew 5:27 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery."-- Matthew 5:27
The Most Famous Thing Jesus Ever Said! -- Matthew 7:12 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
So, in everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this sums up the law an
Lust: The Fire Inside -- Matthew 5:27-30 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery wit
Door Number One Or Door Number Two? -- Matthew 7:13-14 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
Enter by the narrow gate.
Divorce: The Deadlock Of Wedlock -- Matthew 5:31-32 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
It was also said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce." But I s
The Heart Of The Matter -- Matthew 7:15-23 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
A Woman's Place -- Matthew 5:27 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
... everyone who looks at a woman....-- Matthew 5:27
The Measure Of Success -- Matthew 7:24-29 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built h
Don't Waste Your Breath! -- Matthew 5:33-37 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
Again you have heard that it was said to the men of old, "You shall not swear falsely, but shall
You Guys Are Really Gonna Be Different! -- Matthew 5:38-42 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, D
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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