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Children's Activity

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Be prepared -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. What does it mean to be prepared for something?
A seat in heaven -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Good morning, boys and girls. I want to ask you a very special question.
Pray for guidance -- Hebrews 5:5-10 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning, boys and girls. What am I doing when I do this?
No boxes! -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
How many of you are the oldest in your family? (Let them answer.) How many are the youngest?
A wonderful present! -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Today we begin the Advent season.
Our Redeemer -- Titus 2:11-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Many of you have seen coupons before. Chances are your parents use them. But how do coupons work?

Children's Story

Communicating God's Love

Devotional

Drama

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

For 2,000 years there have... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - B -- 2009
For 2,000 years there have been inquiries concerning proof of the resurrection, and questions are st
Why do people visit cemeteries... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 2009
Why do people visit cemeteries? What is it they expect to find?
Last November, evangelist Billy Graham... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 2009
Last November, evangelist Billy Graham celebrated his ninetieth birthday. Dr.
The pastor regularly takes his... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 2009
The pastor regularly takes his confirmation class to the funeral home for a tour.
Today's reading in Acts sounds... -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Today's reading in Acts sounds like a wonderful dream, and at the same time it sounds like what was
The senior high youth group... -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
The senior high youth group was at its beach retreat.
In ancient times extended families... -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
In ancient times extended families shared what few earthly goods they owned in order to survive.
In 1862, Julia Ward Howe... -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
In 1862, Julia Ward Howe wrote the words of the beloved "Battle Hymn Of The Republic." She wrote the
Theresa Logan is a comedian... -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Theresa Logan is a comedian who travels and performs all across the United States.
Jason was spending his first... -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Jason was spending his first night outside of the city.

Intercession

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SermonStudio

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.
Double Image -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- William G. Carter -- All Saints Day - B -- 1996
"You know why I want to join the church?" The speaker was a father in his thirties, holding an infan
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.
It Is Blessed To Receive -- Matthew 6:25-33, Luke 17:11-19 -- William G. Carter -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1996
In the small town of Mapleville, the ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve service was poorly attended.

Stories

The Political Pulpit

Worship

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Alyssa Spradlin
For November 1, 2026:
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Alyssa Spradlin
For November 1, 2026:

CSSPlus

Wesley T. Runk
The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Good morning boys and girls. Does anyone here remember someone saying, “I am the greatest?” I remember hearing it many times by a prize fighter named Ali. Does anyone here remember Muhammed Ali? He used to say a lot of things and he was a very good boxer. He told everyone that he saw that he was “the greatest of all time.” Wow! Not many people say those kind of things about themselves.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
What is a saint?

According to the Roman Catholic church, a saint is a holy person who has been elevated by God to heaven, there to pray for those of us who need their help. There is a three-step process: the request by those who knew the person in life, and who attest to their holiness; a witness by at least two people that they asked the candidate to pray for them and their prayer was granted in a miraculous way; and an investigation by the Vatican into all this evidence. The declaration is made by the pope.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the people how they could be blessed by God and experience God's kingdom. In our worship today let us explore the Sermon on the Mount.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I'm full of pride instead of being poor in spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm overbearing and pushy, instead of being meek.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm not exactly pure in heart.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

John S. Smylie
Keith Hewitt
Bryan Meadows
Frank Ramirez
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Fifth Gospel" by John Smylie
"The Burden" by Keith Hewitt
"Up Stream" by Bryan Meadows
"A Magical Little Poem" by Frank Ramirez


What's Up This Week
John S. Smylie
Keith Hewitt
Bryan Meadows
Frank Ramirez
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Fifth Gospel" by John Smylie
"The Burden" by Keith Hewitt
"Up Stream" by Bryan Meadows
"A Magical Little Poem" by Frank Ramirez


What's Up This Week
Keith Hewitt
Larry Winebrenner
Peter Andrew Smith
Constance Berg
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann
"Lost" by Keith Hewitt
"Three Paths for the End of October" by Larry Winebrenner
"Ahmad's Final Lesson" by Larry Winebrenner
"Freedom to Live" by Peter Andrew Smith
"The Fullness of Life" by Constance Berg


* * * * * * * *


New Leadership
by Sandra Herrmann
Joshua 3:7-17
Keith Hewitt
Larry Winebrenner
Peter Andrew Smith
Constance Berg
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann
"Lost" by Keith Hewitt
"Three Paths for the End of October" by Larry Winebrenner
"Ahmad's Final Lesson" by Larry Winebrenner
"Freedom to Live" by Peter Andrew Smith
"The Fullness of Life" by Constance Berg


* * * * * * * *


New Leadership
by Sandra Herrmann
Joshua 3:7-17

SermonStudio

Mary S. Lautensleger
"Surprise! You're adopted!" If you were to hear those words from a trusted relative, surprise would be an understatement, I'm sure. Total shock would probably be more descriptive terminology for your emotional state as you examined the official court record and your original birth certificate. "Adopted" does describe each of us though, because we have been adopted by God into God's family. How do we know? The Bible tells us so.
James L. Killen, Jr.
When we put together the collection of things that we can believe, we need to ask a question about the person in the middle of the inquiry. What can we believe about ourselves? We don't often ask that question but it is a very important one. Some people are oppressed by low self-esteem. Others are led astray by exaggerated images of themselves. It is important to get a realistic understanding of who we are -- and of who we can be. The Bible has something to say on the subject that may surprise you. Are you ready? Hold on to your hat. The Bible says you were created and called to be saints.
Argile Smith
At an office meeting, Ben got the official news that he would become the manager of one of the most influential departments in the company. His colleagues admired him because of his tireless work, and they respected him as a dependable person in whom they could place their trust. They were glad when they found out that he had gotten the promotion. In order to celebrate the news with him, they bought him a gift. Well, it was actually more like a gag-gift, the kind that he would place on his shelf and chuckle over every time he saw it.
Joseph M. Freeman
Maybe both the best and the worst of us in humanity are far better preachers than we are doers and deliverers of what we preach and teach. And maybe maturity has everything to do with our genuine willingness to bring a greater congruity between our esteemed words and those actions compatible with, not contradictory of, those words. Jesus, fully divine and fully human, loved and valued not just the right deeds, but also the right motives and attitudes.
Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier
Commotion At The Communion Rail

Tommy didn't budge.

When everyone else got up to leave the communion rail, he stayed kneeling. His folded hands were perched on the rail, and his little head was bowed so far down that his forehead was squinched against his thumb knuckles. His eyes were closed hopefully, as if he were waiting for a big present.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
As the movie Contact opens, the audience sees a precocious girl named Eleanor learning how to use a ham radio. Nicknamed "Sparks" by her father, she has reached a man in Florida, and is excited that her radio lets her speak with someone so far away. In a later scene she asks her father wistfully if she can call her deceased mother on the radio. He responds sadly that no antenna is big enough.
George L. Murphy
You know that old saying, "Be careful what you wish for, because it might come true"? We see examples of that again and again in life. During the war in Iraq, Hampton Sides, a journalist who had been slated to be "embedded" with one of our frontline Marine battalions, gave an interview on NRP (National Public Radio). At almost the last possible moment, Sides decided not to go with the Marines, but instead to report from Central Command in Qatar.
Richard C. Brand
It seems fair to say that the saints of the Lord have always shown us what it is to be worthy of God. It is why we remember them and rejoice for them. They have shown us what a life worthy of God might look like. To talk about the saints, we may talk about Kagawa in Japan, about Mother Teresa, about Bishop Tutu and Nelson Mandela, about D. T. Niles in India, and about Saint Patrick in Ireland. To know the stories of Dorothy Day in New York City and Oscar Romero in Latin America is to have examples of what it means to lead lives worthy of the God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
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