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Thom M. Shuman

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Baptism: A Matter Of Life And Death -- Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 10:34-43, Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2008
Sometimes faith is only welcome in certain circles, and even if it is welcome, it may only be allowe
A Little Child Shall Lead Them -- Matthew 2:1-12, Ephesians 3:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Paul Bresnahan, Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2008
One of the wonders of creation is the coexistence of opposites.
What Are You Looking For? -- John 1:29-42, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2008
The political process is heating up as America works to choose its next president.
Who Will You Follow? -- Matthew 4:12-23, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Paul Bresnahan, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2008
Every four years, the people of the United States are called upon to make their voices heard and cho
The View From The Mountaintop -- Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2008
We have all had what we call "mountaintop" experiences in our lives -- times when we feel we have ov
You Will Be Like God -- Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Humanity as a whole has shown a tendency for desiring power, whether it is power to conquer a nation
A Super Lent? -- John 3:1-17, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Many Christians see Lent as a time of lowliness, a time when we cast our eyes downward, recognizing
As Common As A Samaritan Woman With Five Husbands -- John 4:5-42, Romans 5:1-11, Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Sometimes the most amazing things in life are right in front of your face.
Same Old, Same Old -- Matthew 11:2-11, James 5:7-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Thom M. Shuman, Paul Bresnahan -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
So often in life, we are temped to "delegate" or "pass the buck." We don't want to do something, so
The Good Fight -- Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65 -- Carlos Wilton, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2007
We find so few people who are able to declare that they have fought the good fight for the sake of t
An Unlikely Place -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
In any drama, the right setting for a scene can be key.
A Lucky Marriage -- Luke 10:25-37, Colossians 1:1-14, Amos 7:7-17, Psalm 82 -- Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2007
This past Saturday -- 7/7/07 -- was an especially busy day for those in the wedding
Economically, Politically, Or Faithfully? -- Luke 14:1, 7-14, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Jeremiah 2:4-13, Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Scott Suskovic -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2007
This Sunday falls on Labor Day weekend, which seems to be as much an unofficial "last fling" of summ
Burning Bridges And Plows -- 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2007
This week many of the people in your pews may have their minds on the upcoming July 4th holiday.
How's Your Iq? -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2007
According to Robert Fulghum's best-seller, everything we need to know we learned in kindergarten.
Jesus: The One Thing -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2007
For many in your congregation, the big story this week is certain to be the release this Saturday of
Sin: A Public And Private Affair! -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 1:2-10, Psalm 85 -- Paul Bresnahan, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2007
As recent headlines about scandalous conduct have reminded us, sin is a constant in human endeavors.
The Cookie Tree -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
As the calendar turns to August, stores are featuring back-to-school sales -- which means that child
Enduring Purses -- Luke 12:32-40, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- Paul Bresnahan, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
As you are no doubt aware if you read the business pages, there has been a bit of an ongoing soap op
Signs Of The Times -- Luke 12:49-56, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
In the Gospel lesson for this Sunday (Luke 12:49-56), Jesus chides the disciples for focusing on imm
A Far-Out Teacher -- Luke 13:10-17, Hebrews 12:18-29, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2007
With summer winding down and back-to-school planning on the minds of the young people and teachers i
The Only Way To Make A Saint: Start With A Sinner -- Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1:1-21, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Paul Bresnahan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2007
In this week's Old Testament passage (Jeremiah 18:1-11), the prophet Jeremiah offers a rich visual i
No One Left Behind -- Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, Psalm 14 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2007
There have been several recent news stories about people being lost, toward whom costly rescue effor
The Sure Thing -- Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Carlos Wilton, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2007
Understanding this difficult parable requires our people to follow along with Jesus as he turns a so
Any Lazaruses On Your Front Porch? -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
This week's Immediate Word uses Luke 16:19-31 to tell how easy it is for most of us to think

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Baptism: A Matter Of Life And Death -- Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 10:34-43, Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2008
Sometimes faith is only welcome in certain circles, and even if it is welcome, it may only be allowe
A Little Child Shall Lead Them -- Matthew 2:1-12, Ephesians 3:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Paul Bresnahan, Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2008
One of the wonders of creation is the coexistence of opposites.
What Are You Looking For? -- John 1:29-42, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2008
The political process is heating up as America works to choose its next president.
Who Will You Follow? -- Matthew 4:12-23, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Paul Bresnahan, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2008
Every four years, the people of the United States are called upon to make their voices heard and cho
The View From The Mountaintop -- Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2008
We have all had what we call "mountaintop" experiences in our lives -- times when we feel we have ov
You Will Be Like God -- Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Humanity as a whole has shown a tendency for desiring power, whether it is power to conquer a nation
A Super Lent? -- John 3:1-17, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Many Christians see Lent as a time of lowliness, a time when we cast our eyes downward, recognizing
As Common As A Samaritan Woman With Five Husbands -- John 4:5-42, Romans 5:1-11, Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Sometimes the most amazing things in life are right in front of your face.
Same Old, Same Old -- Matthew 11:2-11, James 5:7-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Thom M. Shuman, Paul Bresnahan -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
So often in life, we are temped to "delegate" or "pass the buck." We don't want to do something, so
The Good Fight -- Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65 -- Carlos Wilton, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2007
We find so few people who are able to declare that they have fought the good fight for the sake of t
An Unlikely Place -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
In any drama, the right setting for a scene can be key.
A Lucky Marriage -- Luke 10:25-37, Colossians 1:1-14, Amos 7:7-17, Psalm 82 -- Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2007
This past Saturday -- 7/7/07 -- was an especially busy day for those in the wedding
Economically, Politically, Or Faithfully? -- Luke 14:1, 7-14, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Jeremiah 2:4-13, Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Scott Suskovic -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2007
This Sunday falls on Labor Day weekend, which seems to be as much an unofficial "last fling" of summ
Burning Bridges And Plows -- 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2007
This week many of the people in your pews may have their minds on the upcoming July 4th holiday.
How's Your Iq? -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2007
According to Robert Fulghum's best-seller, everything we need to know we learned in kindergarten.
Jesus: The One Thing -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2007
For many in your congregation, the big story this week is certain to be the release this Saturday of
Sin: A Public And Private Affair! -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 1:2-10, Psalm 85 -- Paul Bresnahan, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2007
As recent headlines about scandalous conduct have reminded us, sin is a constant in human endeavors.
The Cookie Tree -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
As the calendar turns to August, stores are featuring back-to-school sales -- which means that child
Enduring Purses -- Luke 12:32-40, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- Paul Bresnahan, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
As you are no doubt aware if you read the business pages, there has been a bit of an ongoing soap op
Signs Of The Times -- Luke 12:49-56, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
In the Gospel lesson for this Sunday (Luke 12:49-56), Jesus chides the disciples for focusing on imm
A Far-Out Teacher -- Luke 13:10-17, Hebrews 12:18-29, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2007
With summer winding down and back-to-school planning on the minds of the young people and teachers i
The Only Way To Make A Saint: Start With A Sinner -- Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1:1-21, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Paul Bresnahan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2007
In this week's Old Testament passage (Jeremiah 18:1-11), the prophet Jeremiah offers a rich visual i
No One Left Behind -- Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, Psalm 14 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2007
There have been several recent news stories about people being lost, toward whom costly rescue effor
The Sure Thing -- Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Carlos Wilton, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2007
Understanding this difficult parable requires our people to follow along with Jesus as he turns a so
Any Lazaruses On Your Front Porch? -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
This week's Immediate Word uses Luke 16:19-31 to tell how easy it is for most of us to think

Preaching

The Immediate Word

Baptism: A Matter Of Life And Death -- Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 10:34-43, Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2008
Sometimes faith is only welcome in certain circles, and even if it is welcome, it may only be allowe
A Little Child Shall Lead Them -- Matthew 2:1-12, Ephesians 3:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Paul Bresnahan, Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2008
One of the wonders of creation is the coexistence of opposites.
What Are You Looking For? -- John 1:29-42, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2008
The political process is heating up as America works to choose its next president.
Who Will You Follow? -- Matthew 4:12-23, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Paul Bresnahan, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2008
Every four years, the people of the United States are called upon to make their voices heard and cho
The View From The Mountaintop -- Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2008
We have all had what we call "mountaintop" experiences in our lives -- times when we feel we have ov
You Will Be Like God -- Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Humanity as a whole has shown a tendency for desiring power, whether it is power to conquer a nation
A Super Lent? -- John 3:1-17, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Many Christians see Lent as a time of lowliness, a time when we cast our eyes downward, recognizing
As Common As A Samaritan Woman With Five Husbands -- John 4:5-42, Romans 5:1-11, Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Sometimes the most amazing things in life are right in front of your face.
Same Old, Same Old -- Matthew 11:2-11, James 5:7-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Thom M. Shuman, Paul Bresnahan -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
So often in life, we are temped to "delegate" or "pass the buck." We don't want to do something, so
The Good Fight -- Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65 -- Carlos Wilton, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2007
We find so few people who are able to declare that they have fought the good fight for the sake of t
An Unlikely Place -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
In any drama, the right setting for a scene can be key.
A Lucky Marriage -- Luke 10:25-37, Colossians 1:1-14, Amos 7:7-17, Psalm 82 -- Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2007
This past Saturday -- 7/7/07 -- was an especially busy day for those in the wedding
Economically, Politically, Or Faithfully? -- Luke 14:1, 7-14, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Jeremiah 2:4-13, Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Scott Suskovic -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2007
This Sunday falls on Labor Day weekend, which seems to be as much an unofficial "last fling" of summ
Burning Bridges And Plows -- 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2007
This week many of the people in your pews may have their minds on the upcoming July 4th holiday.
How's Your Iq? -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2007
According to Robert Fulghum's best-seller, everything we need to know we learned in kindergarten.
Jesus: The One Thing -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2007
For many in your congregation, the big story this week is certain to be the release this Saturday of
Sin: A Public And Private Affair! -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 1:2-10, Psalm 85 -- Paul Bresnahan, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2007
As recent headlines about scandalous conduct have reminded us, sin is a constant in human endeavors.
The Cookie Tree -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
As the calendar turns to August, stores are featuring back-to-school sales -- which means that child
Enduring Purses -- Luke 12:32-40, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- Paul Bresnahan, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
As you are no doubt aware if you read the business pages, there has been a bit of an ongoing soap op
Signs Of The Times -- Luke 12:49-56, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
In the Gospel lesson for this Sunday (Luke 12:49-56), Jesus chides the disciples for focusing on imm
A Far-Out Teacher -- Luke 13:10-17, Hebrews 12:18-29, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2007
With summer winding down and back-to-school planning on the minds of the young people and teachers i
The Only Way To Make A Saint: Start With A Sinner -- Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1:1-21, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Paul Bresnahan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2007
In this week's Old Testament passage (Jeremiah 18:1-11), the prophet Jeremiah offers a rich visual i
No One Left Behind -- Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, Psalm 14 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2007
There have been several recent news stories about people being lost, toward whom costly rescue effor
The Sure Thing -- Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Carlos Wilton, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2007
Understanding this difficult parable requires our people to follow along with Jesus as he turns a so
Any Lazaruses On Your Front Porch? -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
This week's Immediate Word uses Luke 16:19-31 to tell how easy it is for most of us to think

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Baptism: A Matter Of Life And Death -- Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 10:34-43, Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2008
Sometimes faith is only welcome in certain circles, and even if it is welcome, it may only be allowe
A Little Child Shall Lead Them -- Matthew 2:1-12, Ephesians 3:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Paul Bresnahan, Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2008
One of the wonders of creation is the coexistence of opposites.
What Are You Looking For? -- John 1:29-42, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2008
The political process is heating up as America works to choose its next president.
Who Will You Follow? -- Matthew 4:12-23, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Paul Bresnahan, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2008
Every four years, the people of the United States are called upon to make their voices heard and cho
The View From The Mountaintop -- Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2008
We have all had what we call "mountaintop" experiences in our lives -- times when we feel we have ov
You Will Be Like God -- Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Humanity as a whole has shown a tendency for desiring power, whether it is power to conquer a nation
A Super Lent? -- John 3:1-17, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Many Christians see Lent as a time of lowliness, a time when we cast our eyes downward, recognizing
As Common As A Samaritan Woman With Five Husbands -- John 4:5-42, Romans 5:1-11, Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Sometimes the most amazing things in life are right in front of your face.
Same Old, Same Old -- Matthew 11:2-11, James 5:7-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Thom M. Shuman, Paul Bresnahan -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
So often in life, we are temped to "delegate" or "pass the buck." We don't want to do something, so
The Good Fight -- Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65 -- Carlos Wilton, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2007
We find so few people who are able to declare that they have fought the good fight for the sake of t
An Unlikely Place -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
In any drama, the right setting for a scene can be key.
A Lucky Marriage -- Luke 10:25-37, Colossians 1:1-14, Amos 7:7-17, Psalm 82 -- Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2007
This past Saturday -- 7/7/07 -- was an especially busy day for those in the wedding
Economically, Politically, Or Faithfully? -- Luke 14:1, 7-14, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Jeremiah 2:4-13, Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Scott Suskovic -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2007
This Sunday falls on Labor Day weekend, which seems to be as much an unofficial "last fling" of summ
Burning Bridges And Plows -- 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2007
This week many of the people in your pews may have their minds on the upcoming July 4th holiday.
How's Your Iq? -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2007
According to Robert Fulghum's best-seller, everything we need to know we learned in kindergarten.
Jesus: The One Thing -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2007
For many in your congregation, the big story this week is certain to be the release this Saturday of
Sin: A Public And Private Affair! -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 1:2-10, Psalm 85 -- Paul Bresnahan, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2007
As recent headlines about scandalous conduct have reminded us, sin is a constant in human endeavors.
The Cookie Tree -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
As the calendar turns to August, stores are featuring back-to-school sales -- which means that child
Enduring Purses -- Luke 12:32-40, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- Paul Bresnahan, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
As you are no doubt aware if you read the business pages, there has been a bit of an ongoing soap op
Signs Of The Times -- Luke 12:49-56, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
In the Gospel lesson for this Sunday (Luke 12:49-56), Jesus chides the disciples for focusing on imm
A Far-Out Teacher -- Luke 13:10-17, Hebrews 12:18-29, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2007
With summer winding down and back-to-school planning on the minds of the young people and teachers i
The Only Way To Make A Saint: Start With A Sinner -- Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1:1-21, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Paul Bresnahan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2007
In this week's Old Testament passage (Jeremiah 18:1-11), the prophet Jeremiah offers a rich visual i
No One Left Behind -- Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, Psalm 14 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2007
There have been several recent news stories about people being lost, toward whom costly rescue effor
The Sure Thing -- Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Carlos Wilton, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2007
Understanding this difficult parable requires our people to follow along with Jesus as he turns a so
Any Lazaruses On Your Front Porch? -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
This week's Immediate Word uses Luke 16:19-31 to tell how easy it is for most of us to think

Worship

The Immediate Word

Baptism: A Matter Of Life And Death -- Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 10:34-43, Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2008
Sometimes faith is only welcome in certain circles, and even if it is welcome, it may only be allowe
A Little Child Shall Lead Them -- Matthew 2:1-12, Ephesians 3:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Paul Bresnahan, Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2008
One of the wonders of creation is the coexistence of opposites.
What Are You Looking For? -- John 1:29-42, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2008
The political process is heating up as America works to choose its next president.
Who Will You Follow? -- Matthew 4:12-23, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Paul Bresnahan, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2008
Every four years, the people of the United States are called upon to make their voices heard and cho
The View From The Mountaintop -- Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2008
We have all had what we call "mountaintop" experiences in our lives -- times when we feel we have ov
You Will Be Like God -- Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Humanity as a whole has shown a tendency for desiring power, whether it is power to conquer a nation
A Super Lent? -- John 3:1-17, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Many Christians see Lent as a time of lowliness, a time when we cast our eyes downward, recognizing
As Common As A Samaritan Woman With Five Husbands -- John 4:5-42, Romans 5:1-11, Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95 -- Scott Suskovic, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Sometimes the most amazing things in life are right in front of your face.
The Cookie Tree -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
As the calendar turns to August, stores are featuring back-to-school sales -- which means that child
Enduring Purses -- Luke 12:32-40, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- Paul Bresnahan, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
As you are no doubt aware if you read the business pages, there has been a bit of an ongoing soap op
Signs Of The Times -- Luke 12:49-56, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
In the Gospel lesson for this Sunday (Luke 12:49-56), Jesus chides the disciples for focusing on imm
A Far-Out Teacher -- Luke 13:10-17, Hebrews 12:18-29, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2007
With summer winding down and back-to-school planning on the minds of the young people and teachers i
The Only Way To Make A Saint: Start With A Sinner -- Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1:1-21, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Paul Bresnahan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2007
In this week's Old Testament passage (Jeremiah 18:1-11), the prophet Jeremiah offers a rich visual i
No One Left Behind -- Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, Psalm 14 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2007
There have been several recent news stories about people being lost, toward whom costly rescue effor
The Sure Thing -- Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Carlos Wilton, Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2007
Understanding this difficult parable requires our people to follow along with Jesus as he turns a so
Any Lazaruses On Your Front Porch? -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
This week's Immediate Word uses Luke 16:19-31 to tell how easy it is for most of us to think
A Lament For The City -- Luke 17:5-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Lamentations 1:1-6, Psalm 137 -- Paul Bresnahan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2007
This week's Immediate Word concerns Jeremiah and his laments over Jerusalem (Lamentations 1:1
All Of Life's A Stage -- Luke 18:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Jeremiah 31:27-34, Psalm 119:97-104 -- Thom M. Shuman, Barbara Jurgensen -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2007
How do you guide someone down a road you have never walked yourself?
The Illusion Of Human Power -- Luke 19:1-10, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 65 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2007
The mystery of the randomness of nature... we have seen so much devastating weather lately.
Hey, Charlie Brown! -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2007
Barbara Jurgensen is writing on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 this week: eternal comfort.
The Good Fight -- Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65 -- Carlos Wilton, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2007
We find so few people who are able to declare that they have fought the good fight for the sake of t
As Others See Us -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 98 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2007
It's easy to throw stones at distant targets.
A Lucky Marriage -- Luke 10:25-37, Colossians 1:1-14, Amos 7:7-17, Psalm 82 -- Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2007
This past Saturday -- 7/7/07 -- was an especially busy day for those in the wedding
Border Crossing -- Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43, Jeremiah 23:1-6, Luke 1:68-79 -- Carlos Wilton, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2007
Carlos Wilton writes on the Colossians 1:13 text, "He has rescued us from the power of darkness and
Economically, Politically, Or Faithfully? -- Luke 14:1, 7-14, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Jeremiah 2:4-13, Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Scott Suskovic -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2007
This Sunday falls on Labor Day weekend, which seems to be as much an unofficial "last fling" of summ
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For November 30, 2025:
  • Time Change by Chris Keating. The First Sunday of Advent invites God’s people to tell time differently. While the secular Christmas machine keeps rolling, the church is called to a time of waiting and remaining alert.
  • Second Thoughts: What Time Is It? by Tom Willadsen based on Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
According to Martin Luther our thanksgiving is brought about only by justification by grace:

But bringing of tithes denotes that we are wholly given to the service of the neighbor through love…  This, however, does not happen unless, being first justified by faith. (Luther’s Works, Vol.9, p.255)

The Reformer also wants us to be happy, what with all the generous gifts we have been given.  He wrote:
Wayne Brouwer
A schoolteacher asked her students to make a list of the things for which they were thankful. Right at the top of Chad’s list was the word “glasses.” Some children resent having to wear glasses, but evidently not Chad! She asked him about it. Why was he thankful that he wore glasses?

“Well,” he said, “my glasses keep the boys from hitting me and the girls from kissing me.”

The philosopher Eric Hoffer says, “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings!” That’s true, isn’t it?
William H. Shepherd
Christianity is, among other things, an intellectual quest. The curriculum to know God truly. The lesson plans interact creatively with other aspects of faith: worship is vain if not grounded in truth, while service is misguided if based on faulty premises. While faith certainly cannot be reduced to knowledge, it cannot be divorced from it, either.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (v. 6)

We just received word about the passing of our friend, Rosmarie Trapp. We had lost touch with her in recent years, so I was shocked when I stumbled onto her obituary in The New York Times from May 18, 2022.
David E. Leininger
John Jamison
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Reason for the Season" by David Leininger
"Time's Up" by John Jamison


What's Up This Week

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John Jamison
Object: The activity for this message is the Be Thank You! game.

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The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Rosemary was 33 years old. She'd been married to James for four years and they had two children, Sam who was two and the baby, Elizabeth, who was just three weeks old. Apart from the baby blues and extreme fatigue, both of which got her down a bit when James was at work, Rosemary was happy. They had recently moved to the London suburbs and James commuted each day by train.

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
This brief psalm is among the most familiar in the psalter, but that is primarily because its verses have been excerpted in so many hymns and liturgical texts. There is something to be gained from looking at Psalm 100 in its entirety, and trying to recover its ancient liturgical context.

James Evans
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (v. 6). What better way could there be for us to begin the Advent season than by focusing our prayers on peace? The word, shalom, translated "peace," means much more than the mere absence of conflict. And of course, it is not only Jerusalem that is in need of peace; the whole world needs the shalom that the psalmist dreams about. So perhaps we should expand the breadth of this prayer, and deepen it with our awareness of the various meanings of the Hebrew idea of peace.

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 2:1--5 (C, RC, E)
Tony S. Everett
A popular skit at church camps involves about a dozen folks lined up side-by-side, looking anxious and frustrated facing the audience. Each person rests a left elbow on the right shoulder of their neighbor. Then, from left to right, each member asks, "Is it time yet?" When the question arrives at the end of the line, the last person looks at his/her wristwatch and responds, "No." This reply is passed, one-by-one each with bored sighs, back to the first questioner. After a few moments, the same question is passed down the line (left elbows remaining on the right shoulders).
Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
Just a few days before writing this message, I conducted a memorial service for a 60-year-old man who was the picture of health until three months before his death. He was active, vibrant, only recently retired, and looking forward to years of good life with his wife and family and friends. Nonetheless, pancreatic cancer had done its work, and quickly, and he was gone. It was the general consensus that it was too soon for his life to end; he was too young to die.
John W. Clarke
In this the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus begins to withdraw to the east side of the Sea of Galilee. He has fed the 5,000, and he has walked on water. The press of the crowds had become all consuming and he needs some solitude to prepare himself for what lay ahead. Considering that the crowds that followed him more than likely knew of the feeding of the 5,000, and some may even have heard of the miraculous walking on water, it is difficult to explain why in these verses, they would doubt anything he had to say -- but they do.
Robert R. Kopp
My favorite eighth grader just confessed his aspiration for becoming President of the United States.

When I foolishly asked the inspiration of his lofty goal, he replied, "Bill Clinton." Then my hormone-raging adolescent proceeded to list perceived presidential perks that have nothing to do with God or country.

My prayer list has been altered.

And my attitude about prayer in public schools has changed too.

I used to be against prayer in public schools.
John E. Berger
Thanksgiving, according to one newspaper columnist, has kept its original meaning better than any other holiday. That original meaning, he wrote, was family reunions around large dinner tables.

In contrast, Christmas has changed into Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Easter has come to emphasize new spring clothes and the Easter bunny. Even our national holidays -- Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day -- have become cook-outs and summer travel get-aways.
Mark Ellingson
Thanksgiving: How do we say thanks authentically and not lapse into the platitudes so often associated with this holiday? There are several dangers associated with the holiday. Ever since it was instituted as a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln, and even before when various state governors instituted it in their states, Thanksgiving has not been a strictly Christian holiday. There has been a lot of nationalism and self-congratulations associated with this day. What is the distinctively Christian way to give thanks to God for all the good things that we have?

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