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God's biggest job -- John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." (v.
The throne and the cross -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Passion Sunday - B
Good morning, boys and girls. I want you to see something.
How will he look? -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you want to see Jesus?
Who is he? -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Good morning! I find that people always want to judge people before getting to know them.
Let go of anger -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger ...
Open hands and open hearts -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Isn't today a wonderful day?
Have you anything here to eat? -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning, boys and girls.
The right tool -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B
I brought my tool chest this morning to show how the tools are used for different things.
The bread of life -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
I am the bread of life. (v. 48)
Muddy shoes -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - B
Greetings, boys and girls. This is a very special day in our church year.
Showing God's love -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Today I want to talk about the kind of love that God gives to you.
All brothers and sisters -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. What do you think of my new piece of clothing?
Just a tent home -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B
Good morning! How many of you have ever gone camping? Let's see your hands.
Are you wise? -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise. (v. 15)
Clean and unclean hearts -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are reading from the book of James in our Bible.
People fishers -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
One day Jesus was walking along the seashore of the Sea of
The Good Shepherd -- John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning, boys and girls.
We deceive ourselves -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
I want to show you something here. (Show them the optical illusion.) Which line is longer?
A special meal -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. (v. 56)
Speak the truth -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Good morning! I want to ask you a question this morning.
Pray as Jesus did -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Passion Sunday - B
Good morning! How often do you pray? Do you pray before
Seeing better -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to test our eyesight.
Which crown? -- Passion Sunday - B
The ruler asked Jesus if he was a king. Pilate thought of a king like many of us think of kings.
You are protected -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (v.
Telling the truth -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning! I'm going to ask you a question and I want you

Children's Story

Communicating God's Love

Devotional

Drama

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (2011) -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2011
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Rob Bell, in his controversial book Love Wins... -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Rob Bell, in his controversial book Love Wins, comments:
In the early days of World War II... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ron Love -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2011
In the early days of World War II, Ruth Handler and her husband Elliott designed plastic picture fra
Political correctness... -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Craig Kelly -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2011
When it comes to modern-day society, political correctness is the word of the day.
Paul Revere was employed by the Boston Committee... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Paul Revere was employed by the Boston Committee on Correspondence and the Massachusetts Committee o
Jeret Peterson was a gifted freestyle skier... -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2011
Jeret Peterson was a gifted freestyle skier who seemed to defy the law of gravity, especially with h
Forty days more... -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2011
"...Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" (Jonah 3:4).
After a woman had been driving all night through... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
After a woman had been driving all night through the desert, she was famished, parched, and exhauste
In The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevski tells... -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2011
In The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevski tells the terrifying parable of the "Grand Inquisition.
The altar has inspiring symbolic meaning... -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2011
In the Catholic church the altar has inspiring symbolic meaning.
Multiple Illustrations for Advent 3 -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Life is full of tests... -- Mark 9:9-15 -- Craig Kelly -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2011
Life is full of tests, whether it's that chemistry final in high school, that driving test to get yo
Lloyd Ogilvie, Pastor of the Hollywood Presbyterian Church... -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2011
"...Jesus said to them, 'Follow me and I will make you fish for people.' And immediately they left t
When I was a child, one of my favorite Disney movie... -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
When I was a child, one of my favorite Disney movies was The Sword in the Stone.
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 1 (2011) -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 9:9-15 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2011
Genesis 9:8-17
Matthew Henry wrote -- Christ will have followers... -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Craig Kelly -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2011
In his commentary on this passage, Matthew Henry wrote "Christ will have followers.
Jesus used the opening words of this passage... -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Jesus used the opening words of this passage as his "mission statement" when he spoke in his hometow
I remember when my wife and I bought our first house... -- Genesis 9:8-17 -- Craig Kelly -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2011
I remember when my wife and I bought our first house almost seven years ago.
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 4 (2011) -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2011
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Sometimes it seems like 'Rejoice always' is the... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Sometimes it seems like "Rejoice always" is the toughest command in the New Testament.
The Pilgrims, even before they landed at Cape Cod... -- Genesis 9:8-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2011
The Pilgrims, even before they landed at Cape Cod in the winter of 1620 while still at sea, formed t
Two popular reality TV shows... -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2011
Two popular reality TV shows deal with pawnshops.
Unique. Controversial. That is the label often... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Ron Love -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Unique. Controversial.
Sermon Illustrations for Ash Wednesday (2011) -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2011
Isaiah 58:1-12
Fred Craddock tells the story about a missionary family... -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2011
Fred Craddock tells the story about a missionary family who served in China.

Intercession

Poems

Political Pulpit

Prayer

Preaching

SermonStudio

Two Healings The Daughter Of Jairus and The Hemorrhaging Woman -- Mark 5:21-43, Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8:40-56 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
1. Text
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 14, Pentecost 12, Ordinary Time 19 -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Seasonal Theme
The Deaf-Mute -- Mark 7:31-37 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
1. Text
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 13, Pentecost 11, Ordinary Time 18 -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Seasonal Theme
The Healing Of Bartimaeus -- Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
1. Text
Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 12, Pentecost 10, Ordinary Time 17 -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 11, Pentecost 9, Ordinary Time 16 -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Seasonal Theme
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 10, Pentecost 8, Ordinary Time 15 -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
An Introduction To Ephesians
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Seasonal Theme
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Seasonal Theme
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Seasonal Theme
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Fourth Sunday In LentRevised CommonNumbers 21:4-9Ephesians 2:1-10
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:1-18 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Second Sunday After ChristmasRevised CommonJeremiah 31:7-14
Christ The King -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Seasonal Theme
Third Sunday In Lent -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Seasonal Theme
The Nativity Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Seasonal Theme
Corpus Christi -- Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Theme For The DayThe real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and its meaning for us.
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Seasonal Theme
Trinity Sunday -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Theme For The DayGod as our parent, our Savior, and spiritual presence with us now.
The Baptism Of Our Lord -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
The Baptism Of Our LordFirst Sunday After The Epiphany
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Ash Wednesday - B
Seasonal Theme

Sermon

SermonStudio

Paying Attention To The Modern Light -- John 3:14-21 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
We were all asked to bring our church's Bibles to the annual meeting of the Association as part of t
Failure Is Not Final -- Hosea 2:14-20 -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1999
We are offered wonderful news from the Bible on this eighth Sunday of Epiphany.
Pass It On -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- John A. Stroman -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
James Stewart tells the story of two men who had been business partners for over twenty years who me
Expanding The Boundaries -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- John A. Stroman -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1999
The Book of Ruth is a family story. It is an old story, possibly over three thousand years old.
The Troubled Heart Of Jesus -- John 12:20-33 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Jesus is beginning in this text, at this point of his ministry, to tell us he is not kidding about t
Working With Jesus At Bethany -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1999
An arrogant young woman wired home from her new job, "Made supervisor, feather in my cap." A few wee
No Shortcut To Glory -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- William L. Self -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1999
At the beginning of every new fall term, Dr.
Hear The Good News! -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- John A. Stroman -- Easter Day - B -- 1999
Throughout the world today great masses of Christians will gather for worship.
God Remembers -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- John A. Stroman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1999
On these opening pages of 1 Samuel we are introduced to a family drama.
Celebrating The Absence Of The Presence -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- John A. Stroman -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1999
We find it easy to celebrate Jesus' coming at Christmas, but Ascension Day goes by mostly unnoticed.
Have I Got News For You! -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- William L. Self -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1999
My favorite Christmas story is about the young boy who was given a very important role in the church
To Be Continued -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Paul W. Kummer -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1999
Here is a remarkable story from World War II.
Thankful Living -- Joel 2:21-27 -- John A. Stroman -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1999
Joel informs the people of Judah that God has willed that humankind should have abundant life.
Beginning The Journey To Calvary -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- John A. Stroman -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1999
For centuries Christians have gathered on Ash Wednesday to begin the Lenten journey to Calvary.
Praying With Bloody Knuckles -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- William L. Self -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1999
My wife was conducting a prayer workshop recently and a member of the group told her this true story
Forsaking All Others -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Paul W. Kummer -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1999
Can you see the young boys running through the city of Jerusalem yelling, "Blow the trumpets!" and
Watching And Waiting For The Kingdom -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
The future is big business these days.
Doing The Right Thing -- Acts 1-11 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1999
A well-known businessman in this community was recently asked to do something for the United Method
When God Steps Out Of Shadows -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- William L. Self -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1999
Our daughter-in-law designs stage sets for the German theatre.
Till Death Do Us -- Unite -- Isaiah 25:6-9 or Acts 10:34-43 -- Paul W. Kummer -- Easter Day - B -- 1999
Pastor: Christ is risen!People: He is risen, indeed!
How To Prepare For Christmas -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
To tell you the truth, it doesn't look much like Christmas at all.
Repentance: A New Relationship -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1999
There's a story about a convention of psychiatrists who had gathered in a large auditorium near Gran
Only The Beginning ... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Gary L. Carver -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1999
It had not happened before, it has not happened since, and in that uncommon experience God was uniqu
Open Grave, Open Hearts -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Paul W. Kummer -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
As the Cadillac owner walked to his car, he saw a boy about ten years old staring intently through t
A God Who Comes To Us -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
It all happened in the Gulf of Mexico.

Stories

The Political Pulpit

Worship

SermonStudio

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand; Jesus Walks on Water. Do you see the connection? -- John 6:1-21 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
AdorationPastoral Invitation
The Week Following Easter -- Wayne H. Keller
Bright Monday
Jesus Teaches With Parable -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus, the Bread of Life and the Disciples Expectations and Demands -- John 6:24-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
AdorationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Is Jesus our King? -- John 18:33-37, Mark 11:1-11 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
Jesus Calms the Storm -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus Continues the Bread of Life Theme -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
AdorationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Resurrection -- John 20:1-18, Mark 16:1-8 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Easter Day - B
A Return To Good Friday, Which At The Time, Appeared Bad
A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
AdorationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
People Argue Among Themselves -- John 6:51-58 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Note
Jesus Appears to the Disciples, and Makes a Special Appearance to Thomas -- John 20:19-31 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation
Jesus, a Prophet Without Honor Among His Own Friends -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
AdorationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus Teaches the Essence of His Being the True Bread and Cup -- John 6:56-69 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus Appears to the Disciples, Who in the Beginning, Did Not Believe it -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation
No Need to Worry -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Thanksgiving Day - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
Jesus Deals with Cleanliness and Uncleanliness -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus, the Good Shepherd Versus the Hired Hands Who Abandon the Sheep -- John 10:11-18 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation
The Transfiguration of Jesus -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
We Begin On The MountainChoral Introit
The Faith of a Syrophoenician Woman -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
The Vine and the Branches -- John 15:1-8 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus about Birth and Second Birth -- John 3:1-17 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
No Longer Servants, but Friends -- John 15:9-17 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Birth of the World's Savior -- Luke 2:1-20, John 1:1-14 -- Wayne H. Keller -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Introit
Jesus Prays for His Disciples, Then, and Now -- John 17:6-19 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus presented in the temple -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Celebrating The Presence of GodPastoral Invitation
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

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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