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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

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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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Easter 4
28 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 5
33 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
35 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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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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