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Timothy J. Smith

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Sermon

The Village Shepherd

Grow Up! -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2010
The best way to jump-start your spiritual life, according to a recent survey, is to serve others in

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Divided We Fall -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2010
The power of a vision can transform people. We just celebrated Martin Luther King Day. Dr.
Lift High the Cross -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2010
There might be times in our lives when we are confused and unsure about what direction to go next.
Discerning in Love -- 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2010
Many people have come to rely on Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to travel from one place to anothe
Grow Up! -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2010
The best way to jump-start your spiritual life, according to a recent survey, is to serve others in
Building a Solid Foundation -- 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2010
The long-awaited dream would soon become a reality. Ground was broken for the family's new home.
Praise and Blame -- 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2010
"Where there is no vision, the people perish," the writer of the Old Testament book of Proverbs decl
Everyone Is Invited -- Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31) -- Timothy J. Smith -- 2010
Every summer Kaitlin joins her youth group on mission trips.
Credible Witnesses -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2010
Each one of us can remember those special transforming moments in our lives.
Clone of The Gift that Matters! -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Timothy J. Smith -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
As we gather on the Sunday after Christmas we do so with a sigh of relief.
Wake Up Call -- Romans 13:11-14 -- Timothy J. Smith -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Advent always seems out of place with everything else that is going on around us.
Unity and Hope -- Romans 15:4-13 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
As we make our way through Advent inching closer to Christmas, our days are consumed with many tasks
Waiting for Christmas -- James 5:7-10 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Excitement is building on this the third Sunday of Advent knowing that Christmas will soon be here.
The Total Gift -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
It is easy to get so caught up in the sentimentality and nostalgia of Christmas that we neglect the
The Best Gift of All -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Timothy J. Smith -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2010
There is a special feeling from being in church on Christmas Eve.
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2010
Praise God for all the wonderful things God has done in our lives and in our world!
The Light Has Come -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2010
As the Magi scanned the heavens they noticed a star brighter than all the others in the night sky.
The Gift that Matters! -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Timothy J. Smith -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
As we gather on the Sunday after Christmas we do so with a sigh of relief.
Spirit-Direct -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Timothy J. Smith -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2010
"Growing up," Valerie recalled, "I was involved in many of my church's activities for children." Rec
The Church Is the Place -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2010
The internet has changed the way people relate to each other.
A Change Of Mind -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2007
While it has been suggested that idle hands are the playthings of the devil -- the same may be true
Show Me What's Real -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2007
Have you ever found yourself in a position or place where you would rather not be?
Living On The Edge -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2007
The long journey was finally nearing its conclusion.
Hearts On Fire -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2007
Writer, Anne Lamott, tells of her struggle in getting her teenage son, Sam, to go to church with her
The Victory Is Ours -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Timothy J. Smith -- All Saints Day - A -- 2007
All Saints provides an opportunity to remember and give thanks for all the believers who have lived

Stories

StoryShare

We Are, None Of Us, Our Own -- Matthew 22:15-22, Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Psalm 99 -- Scott Dalgarno, Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week
As For Me And My House -- Matthew 25:1-13, Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Psalm 78:1-7 -- Craig Kelly, Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "As for Me and My House" by Craig Kelly

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Aunt Betty's Advice -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1998
On a warm August afternoon a large extended family gathered for a family reunion.
Roller Coaster Ride -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1998
Rob was like any other teenager; he enjoyed doing the usual things that teenagers do.
Danielle's Laughter -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Timothy J. Smith -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
Five-year-old Danielle, along with her younger sister and brother, arrived in time for Sunday School
Carla's Persistence -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1998
Carla was a fighter. That much was evident from several telephone conversations.
The Exit Ramp -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
He stood there at the exit ramp, an imposing figure.
Rally Day -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1998
Plans for Rally Day were discussed at the Sunday School teachers meeting.
Jane's Encounter -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
Even though Jane's children were all grown and had families of their own, she still enjoyed attendin
Janice And The Bulldozer -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1998
The picture in the evening newspaper would certainly catch anyone's attention: three women sitting o
Mary's Christmas Letter -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
Mary was a loving, thoughtful woman who took the time to write personal notes with her Christmas car
The Defining Mark -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1998
Rollin and Tom were colleagues at a small Christian college.
Forest's Mark -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1998
Forest never said much when he came to church.
Amber's Stand -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1998
Amber was thrilled when she made the girl's varsity basketball team in her junior year of high schoo
Jack's Surprise -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Timothy J. Smith -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1998
Jack was one of those people that when you first met him you immediately liked him.
Two Brothers -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1998
Bobby and his brother Gordie were waiting to be picked up to attend Vacation Bible School at their n
Take Me Out To The Ball Game! -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1998
Whenever visiting the community park he could not help but notice ten-year-old Tony and his younger
Missed Out -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1998
Have you ever missed an opportunity that you were later sorry you neglected to act on?
Home Movies -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
One evening, for some unknown reason, Kay found herself alone in her basement watching old home movi
Not At My Church! -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1998
For years George had been complaining that the attendance was down at the church he had attended all
Harry's Legacy -- John 20:19-31 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Harry was a quiet, gentle, kind-hearted man who daily demonstrated his concern for people.
The Word From God -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1998
The initial impression persons have when meeting Kurt for the first time is of his positive outlook
Life From Death -- Rick's Discovery -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Rick asked the pastor if he could say a few words to the congregation on Sunday.
Broken Promises -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1998
Frank was fortunate.
The Joy Of Bible Study -- Acts 2:42-47 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Patty longed to study and gain a better understanding of the Bible.
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Advent 2
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29 – Commentary / Exegesis
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Advent 4
28 – Sermons
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
For December 6, 2020:
  • Hype Man for Disruption by Mary Austin — John the Baptist kicks off Mark’s gospel as the hype man for Jesus, drawing the crowds out to the Jordan River, and proclaiming that something new is coming.
  • Second Thoughts: We Need A Little Comfort by Chris Keating — Isaiah declares the promised tenderness of a God who has heard the cries of suffering and whose comfort is beyond measure.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Back in the 80’s, when I pastored a multiracial church in Chicago, there was one African American family with Cajun roots who had the tradition of preparing a huge pot of filé gumbo every Christmas Eve. Gumbo includes just about everything imaginable, and all the flavors slosh around to create something even greater than all the great stuff that goes into it.
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Ron Love
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 40:1-11
Wilfred Brimley died on August 1, 2020, at the age of 85. The actor was gruff and burly, yet very lovable. His best-known movie role was in Cocoon. Others may remember him for his Quaker Oats commercials with his famous tagline, “It’s the right thing to do.” He was also in the movies The Natural, The China Syndrome, and played Shannen Doherty’s grandfather on NBC’s Our House. Once when he was asked how he prepares for a role, Brimley replied, “I get up in the morning and I get dressed.”

StoryShare

Keith Hewitt
C. David Mckirachan
Contents
“The Estranged” by Keith Hewitt
“The Greatest Story Ever Told” by C. David McKirachan


The Estranged
by Keith Hewitt
Isaiah 40:1-11

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Note: This sermon is the second in a series you can continue through Advent. This is a great opportunity to have some fun with the children as you lead up to Christmas. The series is designed to end on Christmas Eve, but you can end it on the 4th Sunday of Advent if you do not have a children’s cermon on Christmas Eve. The most important part of this series is that the more fun you have with it, the more fun everyone else will have too!

Objects: You will need three objects:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Sam was the envy of all his friends. His dad was a farmer, so he drove a tractor. On rare occasions Sam was allowed to sit in the tractor cab and even help drive.

Sam's dad was entering a ploughing competition, so he was spending quite a lot of time in the tractor practising ploughing in straight lines.

SermonStudio

Wesley T. Runk
(Appropriate for Advent)

Elizabeth Achtemeier
To understand this rich passage, the preacher must first understand its setting. Historically, this is the message addressed to the Judean exiles in Babylonia, between 550 and 538 B.C., and it takes the place of the call of the prophet known as Second Isaiah, who is himself among the exiles. That prophet's preaching is found in Isaiah 40-55.
Robert J. Elder
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.
-- Mark 1:1a

The four gospels each have very different ways of introducing the story about Jesus. Matthew begins his gospel with a long genealogy, tracing Jesus' lineage -- "son of David, son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1-16) from the time of Abraham through fourteen generations, through the line of Mary's husband, Joseph, all the way to Jesus.

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