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William G. Carter

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A Blessing Behind Locked Doors -- John 20:19-23 -- William G. Carter -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1996
Every Sunday morning, the people of a church in the Pacific Northwest say, "Peace be with you." They
Can Christians Dance? -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1996
A few years ago, I was asked to serve as the worship leader at a regional church conference for teen
Looking A Little Bit Crazy -- Mark 3:20-35 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1996
A photocopied sign was posted inside a church office.
How To Plant An English Garden -- Mark 4:26-34 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1996
A service club gathers for lunch each week in a nearby hotel.
Shouting At A Storm -- Mark 4:35-41 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1996
The story of Jesus calming the storm has always been a favorite story of the church.
Time Taken, Life Restored -- Mark 5:21-43 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1996
The woman had been sick for a very long time. So long, in fact, she didn't know what to do.
Anybody Listening? -- Mark 6:1-13 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1996
His name was George, and he sat in the back row of the sanctuary on the preacher's right.
Between The Parentheses -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- William G. Carter -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1996
Whenever a preacher announces a sermon text from the book of Revelation, a lot of people grow nervou
When All Is Said And Done -- Mark 13:24-32 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
The Jehovah's Witnesses have changed their minds.
Invitation To Community -- Mark 10:2-16 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1996
We have a problem today. Here we are, gathered at worship as the household of God.
Love And Money -- Mark 10:17-31 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1996
A seminary professor named Stanley Hauerwas has a novel idea about how churches should receive new m
No Box Seats In The Kingdom -- Mark 10:35-45 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1996
Historically speaking, the church has usually painted a pretty picture of the twelve original disci
Can You See Where We're Going? -- Mark 10:46-52 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1996
A cigar-chomping realtor was driving around a young couple to search for their first dream house.
What To Say When You Roll Out Of Bed -- Mark 12:28-34 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1996
A few years ago, a radio station ran a contest.
Commitment Beyond Calculation -- Mark 12:38-44 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
Here she is again: the widow who goes up to the temple treasury to put in her two cents.
Something To Do While The World Falls Apart -- Mark 13:1-8 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
A number of years ago, leaders in a church decided to track down the congregation's drop-outs.
Liberating Truth -- John 8:31-36 -- William G. Carter -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1996
During the 1960s, Sherwood Schwartz wrote and produced a number of hit television shows.
Tears At The Tomb -- John 11:32-44 -- William G. Carter -- All Saints Day - B -- 1996
By all appearances, the junior high youth group at First Church was going well.

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Can Christians Dance? -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1996
A few years ago, I was asked to serve as the worship leader at a regional church conference for teen
No Box Seats In The Kingdom -- Mark 10:35-45 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1996
Historically speaking, the church has usually painted a pretty picture of the twelve original discip
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“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.” (vv. 26-27)

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A focus on the Holy Spirit in the lesson is nicely explained in a sermon by Martin Luther. He proclaims that “the Holy Spirit, the real teacher, comes and gives power to the word so that it takes hold” (Weimar Ausgabe, Vol.17 II, p.460 [translation mine]).  Elsewhere he adds:
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The Billy Graham Test
by John Sumwalt
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And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (v. 26)

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On this, the birthday of the Christian Church, let us welcome God's Holy Spirit into our hearts and into the heart of our Church.

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Holy Spirit, sometimes our hearts are cold or luke-warm.
Lord, have mercy.

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Over at last. That's the only thought she could think about just now. Over at last. The funeral finished. The committal service completed. She was home now and weary; bone weary. Her husband, Carl, was safely tucked into the grave. How had she ever endured the year of his agony?
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What a way to start a church! It's certainly not the typical format for new church development. Where is the planning committee, the fund-raising, the arm twisting, the real estate deal acquiring the land, the faithful few who volunteer from other churches to give the whole thing its initial push? Not everyone has the personality to start a church from scratch, but Paul did. "I planted, Apollos watered," says Paul (1 Corinthians 3:6). Some preachers are just good at planting churches and getting them started.

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