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The only cure -- Hebrews 5:5-10 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Good morning! I brought three little containers with me this
Taming your tongue -- James 3:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. (Form two talking mouths with
Count your blessings -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Good morning, boys and girls. For many of you today is the
Now! -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
Good morning! I have (three) clocks here and they all say
Follow me! -- John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Good morning! In the Gospel reading today, we heard Jesus
Gathering together -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. It is good to see all of you here this morning.
He is here! -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Jesus said that he is the "living bread." He told those
Garbage in, garbage out -- James 5:13-20 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you like taking out the garbage or trash?
On not being an obstacle -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have ever heard of the word "obstacle"?
We're rich! -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Good morning! How many of you are rich? How many of you have
Be prepared -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. What does it mean to be prepared
Untie these shoes! -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you can tie your
Listening to Jesus -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Good morning! Did you have any trouble getting here this morning?
Producing good fruit -- John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning! I brought this branch along to show you today.
God is our partner -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. (Hold up the one roller skate
'I promise ...' -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B
Sometimes I buy things with a little card. How many of you have seen one of these?
Seeing Jesus -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Good morning! Once some men came to the friends of Jesus and
Who am I? -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you like to play guessing
True light on the way -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have taken your
Peace! Be still! -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
Today I would like for us to think of this toy boat as being
Things change -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Good morning! What's your favorite kind of car? If you could
Watching for the real thing -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Good morning, boys and girls.
The shield of faith -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Here at church we talk a lot about FAITH. But what,
Who is on the Lord's side? -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Good morning, boys and girls.
Sleeping through the storm -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have ever been in a boat?

Children's Story

Communicating God's Love

Devotional

Drama

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Not all of us farm or tend gardens anymore... -- John 15:1-8 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Not all of us farm or tend gardens anymore, so for some, this illustration may not be quite as illum
If I say "dandelion," what do you think of?... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
If I say "dandelion," what do you think of? (an ugly weed)
Jonathan Edwards once wrote... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Jonathan Edwards once wrote: "There must be light in the understanding as well as fervency of heart,
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
There is a ministry in many congregations today that uses prayer shawls to comfort those who are sic
Peter proclaims in his sermon that Jesus is the "cornerstone"... -- Acts 4:5-12 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Peter proclaims in his sermon that Jesus is the "cornerstone" on which the church is built.
After David had consolidated his kingdom... -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
After David had consolidated his kingdom he decided it was time that he built a house for God.
NULL -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Howard Stern wrote an editorial in which he expressed his admiration for the professionalism of Matt
One of the early Congregational church covenants in England reads as follows... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-15, 9-10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
"So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them at
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 6 (2012) -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2012
2 Kings 5:1-14
NULL -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Consider the shape of the cross; it visually summarizes for us the two great commandments.
The American colonies entering the War... -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Ron Love -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
The American colonies entering the War for Independence from Britain knew it lacked the men needed f
NULL -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
When I hear the word "servant" I think of Alice the maid in The Brady Bunch or the butlers Je
New Testament Scholar N.T. Wright tells... -- John 15:1-8 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
New Testament Scholar N.T. Wright tells of learning to prune roses.
Statistics released by the Corporation for Economic Development... -- James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Statistics released by the Corporation for Economic Development reveal the number of poor families h
Anyone who has dedicated his or her life to... -- Hebrews 5:5-10 -- Ron Love -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Anyone who has dedicated his or her life to the service of the Lord is a priest who has emulated the
NULL -- James 5:13-20 -- Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
The Los Angeles Police Department experimented with a new technology that has become so effective in
Debra Farrington calls our attention to a children's book... -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Debra Farrington calls our attention to a children's book written by Kenneth Grahame titled Wind
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 (2012) -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
1 Kings 8 (1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43
NULL -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
The image of a rock is often used in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy, Psalms, Isaiah) to speak of God
When you think big about a task bigger than yourself... -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
When you think big about a task bigger than yourself, like Paul felt about his ministry, then it get
NULL -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Ron Love -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Al-jen Poo, 38, is the daughter of pro-democracy immigrants from Chiang Kai-shek's Taiwan.
Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2012) -- Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
Note: Because of a scheduling error, we are highlighting these illustrations from 2012.
Frank Graeff, the Methodist minister who wrote the hymn... -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2012
Frank Graeff, the Methodist minister who wrote the hymn, "Does Jesus Care?" normally was an upbeat p
NULL -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
In the popular reality TV show The Apprentice, candidates vie for the privilege to be selecte
Sermon Illustrations for the Fifth Sunday of Easter (2012) -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Acts 8:26-40

Intercession

Poems

Political Pulpit

Prayer

Preaching

SermonStudio

Lent 5 -- Psalm 51:10-17 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
The Holy Trinity -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1993
Isaiah's experience in the temple occurred in 742 B.C., the
Third Sunday In Lent -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
The 10 commandments are unconditional demands of God. They are
Lent 6 (Passion) -- Psalm 31:9-16 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1993
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief,
Proper 23 -- Psalm 90:1-12 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1993
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
The Nativity Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- John R. Brokhoff -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1993
A child is born whose name is wonderful and whose government
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
The people of Israel are fed up with the hardships of
Maundy Thursday -- Psalm 116:12-19 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1993
What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?
Proper 24 -- Psalm 35:17-28 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1993
How long, O Lord, will you look on?
First Sunday After Christmas / Holy Family -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- John R. Brokhoff -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1993
This passage, written by Third Isaiah around 530 B.C. deals
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Jeremish 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
Jeremiah addresses these words to the Jews in Babylon. Through
Monday Of Holy Week -- Psalm 36:5-10 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- 1993
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
Proper 25 -- Psalm 126 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1993
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Proper 26 -- Psalm 119:33-48 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1993
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end.
Advent 1 -- Psalm 80:1-7 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1993
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:1-18 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1993
Yahweh promises to rebuild the nation of Israel. God's word is
Sunday Of The Passion (Palm Sunday) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1993
This pericope constitutes the third of the four servant songs
New Year's -- Psalm 67 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- 1993
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
Proper 27 -- Psalm 146 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1993
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
Advent 2 -- Psalm 85:8-13 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1993
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people,
Epiphany 4 -- Psalm 111 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1993
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
The Day Of Pentecost -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 or Acts 2:1-21 -- John R. Brokhoff -- 1993
Ezekiel is a prophet to the exiles in Babylon. This Lesson
Palm Sunday -- Psalm 118:19-29 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1993
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
Pentecost -- Psalm 104:24-34 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1993
O Lord, how manifold are your works!In wisdom you have made them all;
Proper 28 -- Psalm 145:8-13 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1993
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Sermon

SermonStudio

All That Goes Down Must Go Up -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- John T. Ball -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2005
We are now almost fifty days after Easter, days that were filled with the immediate presence of the
Letting Go And New Beginnings -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2005
It had been an exhausting climb up the mountain.
No Substitute -- John 2:13-22 -- David T. Ball -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Jesus in the temple -- oh, didn't he show those money-changers who were desecrating the temple groun
Modeling A Necessary Future -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2005
It was the custom in my friend's church for many years to have a week of family camp in the summer.
Taking The Long View -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
So much seems to press upon us in our daily living that "taking the long view" may not only be remot
Selling Sin In A Celebrative Age -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- John T. Ball -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2005
Dialing the number of a large, well-known metropolitan church, the caller asked, "What time is your
Water And Spirit -- John 3:1-17 -- George Reed -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2005
The story of Nicodemus coming to Jesus by night is familiar to most folks who have spent any time at
It's About God -- John 3:14-21 -- David T. Ball -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
I don't know how many foreign films you've seen -- subtitled in English, so that you hear the foreig
Let God Do The Rest -- Ephesians 3:14-21 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2005
Once there was a boy who loved to look at the birds of the air, the flowers of the field, and the cl
Ashes For Remembering -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ron Lavin -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2005
Ashes For Remembering
Taking A Necessary Step -- Acts 19:1-7 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2005
The closeness between John the Baptist and Jesus can hardly be overemphasized.
Discipleship: The Beauty And The Cross -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2005
Once upon a time a bowl was born.
Seeing And Not Being Seen -- John 12:20-33 -- David T. Ball -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Toward the end of the last presidential campaign, I heard an amusing report on one of the cable news
Finding Unity Through Christ -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2005
Nature is filled with examples of how the world functions better when things come together and act a
Day One: A New Beginning -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2005
Day One: A New Beginning
Grace To You, And Peace -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2005
The weeklong pastor's training event was about halfway through its course and the pastor coordinatin
Accepting The Lord Once Again -- John 1:1-18 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- 2005
He came softly, unobserved and yet, strange to say, everyone knew him.
Momentous Moment -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- David T. Ball -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2005
When visiting another church one time, a thought occurred to me as I waited in my pew for communion
Jesus Is The Recipe For Eternal Life -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2005
Scientists tell us that if you take six molecules of carbon dioxide and combine it with twelve molec
Having The Last Word -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2005
The Wizard of Id comic strip characterizes a feisty little fellow as the despotic ruler of th
On Having A Good Church Fight -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- John T. Ball -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Today's scripture from 1 John is one of the treasures of all the New Testament.
A Promise Fulfilled: A Gift Given -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
During the last years of the Roman Empire, in the city of Myra, the regional bishop died.
The Quiet Day Of Pentecost -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2005
Pentecost is a celebration of the church's beginning.
Make The Most Of God's Gifts -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2005
John Harding had it all; his credentials were impeccable. He had a wonderful family.
Does Easter Make A Difference? -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Ron Lavin -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
A bully in a small town resented the man everyone looked up to as the wisest man in town.

Stories

SermonStudio

A Tire Of A Different Dimension -- Psalm 26 -- John E. Sumwalt, Kay Boone Stewart -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wave
Convincing Proof -- Acts 1:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Margaret Nyland-brown -- Ascension of the Lord - B
I was born in 1970. My brother, Randy, was five years older than I. He died on February 28, 1982.
My Beloved -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- John E. Sumwalt, Judie M. Jacobson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
Beth and David are a young couple in my congregation who have a wonderful relationship and a tremend
Ronny's Gift -- Psalm 51:1-17 -- John E. Sumwalt, Rebecca Henderleiter -- Ash Wednesday - B
In recovery circles, many tight-knit relationships are formed.
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha -- Mark 7:24-37 -- John E. Sumwalt, Allan Mccauley, As Told To Rebecca Henderleiter -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And immedia
What Is God Saying? -- Luke 1:26-38 -- John E. Sumwalt, Susan D. Jamison -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
In May of 1996, I attended an event at Kirkridge, located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
Easter In September -- Psalm 19 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
The call came from the doctor that Dad had only a short time to live.
Our Family In Heaven -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- John E. Sumwalt, Jeff Veenhuis -- All Saints Day - B
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals.
What Dreams Have Come -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
After my father died, in September of 1998, I had several vivid dreams that felt very much like his
Cameron's Story -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Todd Chrisler, John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
I met Todd and Dawn at wedding reception in the fall of 1999.
A Heavenly Voice -- Psalm 84 -- John E. Sumwalt, Rosmarie Trapp -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
When I was growing up, in our large family which performed all over Europe and the U.S., I was the r
To Bind Up The Broken Hearted -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Roy H. Nelson -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good ne
That Which Comes From Heaven -- John 6:24-35 -- John E. Sumwalt, Janet Angel -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to
A Safe Place To Tell Visions -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- John E. Sumwalt, John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Late on Maundy Thursday evening, in the year 2000, as I lay in bed, meditating on the format of this
Do Not Let The Sun Go Down On Your Anger -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- John E. Sumwalt, Marjorie K. Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger ...
Blessed At The Core -- John 13:1-17, 31-35a -- John E. Sumwalt, Manda R. Stack -- Maundy Thursday - B
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.
A Plea For Help -- Psalm 31:9-16 -- John E. Sumwalt, Christal Bindrich
My mother died of breast cancer in 1976.

StoryShare

Of Lilacs And Pews -- John 15:9-17, 1 John 5:1-6, Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98 -- C. David Mckirachan, James E. Sargent, John E. Sumwalt -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Contents What's Up This Week A Story to Live By: "A Life for a Life"
Wait There -- Luke 24:44-53, Ephesians 1:15-23, Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47 -- David O. Bales, Constance Berg, Terry Cain, Charles Cammarata -- Ascension of the Lord - B
Ascension Sunday Acts 1:1-11 Psalm 47 or Psalm 93 Ephesians 1:15-23
Backdraft -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Frank R. Fisher, Sil Galvan, Richard A. Jensen, Timothy F. Merrill, John E. Sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - B
Contents What's Up This Week
Hearing Things -- John 3:1-17, Romans 8:12-17, Isaiah 6:1-8, Psalm 29 -- Stan Purdum, C. David Mckirachan, Henry Scholberg, Rolf Morck -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Contents What's Up This Week
Living The Kingdom -- Mark 4:26-34, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, Psalm 20 -- Frank R. Fisher, Gregory L. Tolle, John E. Sumwalt, Paul Lintern -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
Contents What's Up This Week
Passing Over To The Other Side -- Mark 4:35-41, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, Psalm 9:9-20 -- C. David Mckirachan, Cynthia E. Cowen, Constance Berg -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
Contents What's Up This Week A Story to Live By: "Miracle"
Mid-Cemetery -- Mark 5:21-43, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, Psalm 130 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Betty Lynn Schwab -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Contents What's Up This Week
A Gift Named Dyslexia -- Mark 6:1-13, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, Psalm 48 -- Constance Berg, Steven E. Burt, Jo Perry-Sumwalt -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
Contents What's Up This Week

The Political Pulpit

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 18 -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who would stand true for the Lord gather now for worship!
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- James R. Wilson -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Proper 19 -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: The wisdom of the Lord belongs to those who will seek God's will!
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- James R. Wilson -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, all who would bear witness to the risen Christ!
Proper 20 -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1996
First Lesson: Proverbs 31:10-31
Epiphany -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let all of God's people give praise and worship the Lord!
Proper 21 -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who would proclaim God's word gather now for worship!
Second Sunday After Epiphany -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Praise be to the Lord who calls us to serve the living Christ!
Proper 22 -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who would praise the Lord gather now for worship!
Third Sunday After Epiphany -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let the redeemed of the Lord gather this day for worship!
Proper 23 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Proper 24 -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Proper 25 -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who trust in the Lord gather this day for worship!
Proper 26 -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Sixth Sunday After Epiphany -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let all of God's people give praise and worship the Lord!
Proper 27 -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who have been redeemed by the Lord come now for worship!
Seventh Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let our hearts be joined together this day in praise and worship!
Proper 28 -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who have been blessed by the Lord gather now for worship!
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany -- Hosea 2:14-20, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, Mark 2:13-22 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let all of God's people give praise and worship the Lord!
Proper 4 -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23--3:6 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Fourth Of July -- Genesis 12:1-8; John 8:31-36 -- James R. Wilson -- 1996
Call To Worship
Proper 5 -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), Mark 3:20-35 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
First Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- James R. Wilson -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let all who have known God's mercy gather now for worship!
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
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27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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John Jamison
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it out as a role-play. I will show the role-play version, but you can ignore the acting pieces and just tell the story if you prefer.

Note: For the role-play version, you will need to select two girls and one boy to play the roles. You might also have a broom and a dust rag if you want to.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started.

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For July 20, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (v. 24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middle of an admiring crowd of friends. Mary had always been a dancer, from the time she could walk. Privately, Martha thought she'd always been something of a show-off and ought to go on the stage, for Mary loved an audience.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jeanne Jones
Several years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin, I was an honorary nanny for our pastor's son, Jonathan. I took care of him from the time he was able to walk until our pastor moved, when Jonathan was about five. We had wonderful times together. One time, when I was at their house, and we had been doing some spiritual direction together, Pastor Michael asked me if I knew the name of my guardian angel.
James Evans
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against the godly" or "plotting destruction" all day long. The image we have in our minds about who "bad" people are, and how they conduct themselves, make such accusations completely plausible. We are less inclined to believe such things about leaders, especially respected leaders among us. We have difficulty believing someone with wealth and power would deliberately plot to do someone else harm.
Arley K. Fadness
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan. Luke positions the good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God."
Kirk R. Webster
In the early 1990s, Wesley Nunley of Dallas completed a project he had dreamed of for decades. "I tell you, this could be a big thing," he explained. Wes then walked out to a concrete octagon in the middle of his backyard. With a beaming smile, arms raised up in excitement, the energetic retiree said, "This welcomes the UFO to land, which has never been done before."
John W. Wurster
It was the best of times. A time of prosperity and confidence, a time of relative peace, a time when most everything looked pretty good, a time when most everyone felt pretty good. It was a time maybe not unlike our own time.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
Our God is both wise and caring: afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.

Pastoral Prayer
God, we bow before you this morning, knowing that you hear every prayer. We know that in all of Creation, you are the source of life. You are the one who set the light swirling between the galaxies. The breath of your Spirit pulses through all life. You have even become flesh among us. We praise you, Lord, that in all your wonder, you have not forgotten us.

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