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Children's Activity

Gospel Grams 1

Children's Activity Bulletin: John 10:11-18 -- John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Children's Activity Bulletin: John 15:1-8 -- John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Children's Activity Bulletin: John 15:9-17 -- John 15:9-17 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Children's Activity Bulletin: John 17:11-19 -- John 17:11-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Children's Activity Bulletin: John 3:1-17 -- John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Children's Activity Bulletin: Mark 3:20-35 -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B
Children's Activity Bulletin: Mark 4:26-34 -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
Children's Activity Bulletin: Mark 4:35-41 -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
Children's Activity Bulletin: Mark 5:21-43 -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Children's Activity Bulletin: Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Eating humble pie -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2003
My family lives in a typical, middle-class suburb just outside the nation's capital.
A wake for Death itself -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44, Psalm 146 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2003
My friend has the oddest idea: He wants to have his wake before he dies.
"Of signs and of things signified" -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2003
Not too long ago I attended a preaching conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
It's a mystery! -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 29 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2003
One of the most delightful movies I have seen in awhile was Shakespeare in Love, which won the Oscar
King of the alternate universe -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2003
One of the staples of science fiction is the notion of the "alternate universe," usually depicted as
Heroes -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2003
One Sunday morning after church school, a teacher came into my office.
Follow the directions -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45, Psalm 30 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2003
Over the course of my lifetime, I have occasionally been caught up in the recurrent genealogy fads t
Baptism's stage -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- David A. Davis -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2003
Perhaps by now Kierkegaard's metaphor of the theater of worship has been overworked.
Dust in the wind -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2003
Sometimes a song gets so deep inside your head that it can never be uprooted.
The earthiness of Resurrection touch -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2003
The reaction that first Sunday after Easter was worth remembering.

Children's bulletin

Children's Liturgy and Story

Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Christmas Greetings -- Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2017
In the lectionary gospel text for the fourth Sunday of Advent, the angel Gabriel brings dumbfounding
Who Are These Old People Grabbing My Baby? -- Isaiah 62:10--62:3, Isaiah 60:1-6, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B, Epiphany of the Lord - B, New Year's Day - B -- 2017
The lectionary gospel text for the first Sunday after Christmas tells the story of Jesus being prese

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When will it be time? -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Wesley T. Runk -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2017
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but on

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Love As Jesus -- John 15:9-17 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
The Point: As a child of God, Jesus gives us one commandment - to love as he loves.
Pray Daily -- John 17:6-19 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
The Point:  Jesus models a life of prayer for us to follow.
One God in Three -- John 3:1-17 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2015
The Point: One God revealed in three ways.
Forgiveness builds God's Kingdom -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2015
The Point:  Jesus gives us a forgiveness that builds God's Kingdom.
God's Kingdom Grows in Little Acts of Faith -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2015
Object: An acorn (or a small seed of a tree that the children know)
Fear Turns to Faith in Jesus -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2015
The Point: In the midst of storms let your fear become faith in Jesus.
Put Your Faith Into Action -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2015
The Point: Real faith will be put into action.

Children's Story

Communicating God's Love

Devotional

Drama

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for the Fifth Sunday after Easter (2018) -- John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21, Acts 8:26-40 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2018
Acts 8:26-40
Sermon Illustrations for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (2018) -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2018
Acts 10:44-48
Sermon Illustrations for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (2018) -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2018
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Sermon Illustrations for Pentecost (2018) -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2018
Acts 2:1-21
Sermon Illustrations for Trinity Sunday (2018) -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Ron Love -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2018
Psalm 29
Illustrations for Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 (2018) -- Mark 2:23--3:6, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2018
1 Samuel 3:1-10
Illustrations for Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 (2018) -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20, 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35 -- Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2018
1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15) and Psalm 138
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 6 | OT 11, Cycle B (2018) -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34, Psalm 20 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2018
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 and Psalm 20
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 7 | OT 12, Cycle B (2018) -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2018
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | OT 13 (2018) -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2018
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 and Psalm 130

Intercession

Poems

Political Pulpit

Prayer

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 19/Pentecost 17/Ordinary Time 24 -- Psalm 19 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2006
Psalm 19 celebrates two different media through which God is revealed: nature and the law.
Proper 8 / Pentecost 6 / Ordinary Time 13 -- Psalm 130 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2006
(See Lent 5, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)
Proper 9 / Pentecost 7 / Ordinary Time 14 -- Psalm 48 -- James Evans -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2006
Psalm 48 is a song of praise celebrating the presence of God.
Proper 10 / Pentecost 8 / Ordinary Time 15 -- Psalm 24 -- James Evans -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2006
Psalm 24 celebrates the orderly reign of God over creation.
Proper 11/Pentecost 9/Ordinary Time 16 -- Psalm 89:20-37 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2006
(See Advent 4, Cycle B, for vv. 1-4, 19-26.)
Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17 -- Psalm 14 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2006
(See Proper 19/Pentecost 17/Ordinary Time 24, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)
Proper 13 / Pentecost 11 / Ordinary Time 18 -- Psalm 51:1-12 -- James Evans -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2006
(See Ash Wednesday, Cycle A, and Lent 5, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)
Proper 4 / Pentecost 2 / Ordinary Time 9 -- Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2006
(See Epiphany 2/Ordinary Time 2, Cycle B. For an alternative approach to vv.
Proper 5 / Pentecost 2 / Ordinary Time 10 -- Psalm 138 -- James Evans -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2006
Attempting to use mere language to discuss and describe the workings of God is not an easy task.
Proper 6 / Pentecost 4 / Ordinary Time 11 -- Psalm 20 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2006
Among the greatest political speeches ever written is Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

Sermon

SermonStudio

Testifying to the Light -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Edmund Morris, in the first volume of his brilliant trilogy, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt,
Believing the Impossible -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
There are a lot of good things to say about being a parent or a grandparent and one of the joys is t
Distinguishing Between Disaster and Blessing -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
There is an old Taoist story about a wise man who lived on the northern frontier of China.
Being Aware of What Is Happening -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
Every evening about sunset at a popular hotel on the island of Maui, a young Hawaiian walks to the e
Expecting Surprises on Judgment Day -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Richard A. Hasler -- New Year's Day - B -- 2011
A number of years ago when I lived in upstate New York I belonged to a Rotary Club.
Seeking the Bethlehem Star -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2011
The Moravians, a small but influential Christian denomination, have a distinctive symbol known throu
Baptizing in the Spirit -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
In Alex Haley's pioneer study, Roots, there is a poignant scene when Kunta Kinta, a slave, dr
Seeing Is Believing -- John 1:43-51 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2011
Eugene Peterson tells about his boyhood days growing up in the "Big Sky" country of Montana.
Proclaiming the Good News -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2011
In Washington Irving's Sketch Book he tells of a whimsical character by the name of Rip Van W
Recognizing the Voice of Authority -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2011
This story may be apocryphal, but I heard of a professor who was not only popular on campus but also

Stories

StoryShare

God's Spirit Changes Us -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Lamar Massingill, C. David Mckirachan, Frank R. Fisher -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2009
Contents What's Up This Week
Do You Believe The Sky Is Blue? -- Mark 4:26-34, 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Psalm 20 -- Keith Hewitt, Peter Andrew Smith, Larry Winebrenner -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2009
Contents What's Up This Week
One Frightened Puppy -- Mark 4:35-41, 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Psalm 9:9-20 -- Sandra Herrmann, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2009
Contents What's Up This Week "One Frightened Puppy" by Sandra Herrmann
God's Ledger -- Mark 5:21-43, 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Psalm 130 -- Craig Kelly, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2009
Contents What's Up This Week "God's Ledger" by Craig Kelly
The Third Heaven -- Mark 6:1-13, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Psalm 48 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2009
Contents What's Up This Week "The Third Heaven" by David O. Bales
The Mountain -- Mark 6:14-29, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Psalm 24 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2009
Contents What's Up This Week "The Mountain" by Keith Hewitt
Housing Crisis -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Psalm 89:20-37 -- John S. Smylie, Larry Winebrenner, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2009
Contents What's Up This Week "Housing Crisis" by John Smylie
The Lad's Miracle Of Sharing -- John 6:1-21, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, Psalm 14 -- Lamar Massingill, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2009
Contents What's Up This Week
No Substitutes -- John 6:24-35, 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Argile Smith, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2009
Contents What's Up This Week "No Substitutes" by Argile Smith
The Final Robert -- John 6:35, 41-51, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, Psalm 130 -- David O. Bales, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2009
Contents What's Up This Week "The Final Robert" by David O. Bales

The Political Pulpit

Worship

SermonStudio

Theme: I Had No Idea -- Luke 24:36b-48, 1 John 3:1-7, Acts 3:12-19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Acts 3:12-13) One:
Theme: What Good Is That? -- Acts 4:5-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Acts 4:7 and 12) One:
Theme: Try And Stop Us -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: That'll Show Us -- Acts 10:44-48 -- Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 98:1)
Theme: Who Goes There? -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 139:17-18)
Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
First Lesson: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Theme: I Knew This Would Happen!
Theme: One Lord, False Profits -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 111:10)
Theme: View From A Height -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Isaiah 40:31)
Theme: If Only -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Get In The Game -- Isaiah 43:18-25 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 8:1, 3-4, 9) One:

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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