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Children's Activity

Commentary

Children's bulletin

Children's Liturgy and Story

Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

The Hiddenness Of God And God's Human Witnesses -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, Mark 9:38-50 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
A Sword Will Pierce Your Own Soul Also -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dear fellow preachers,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Christian Perspectives On War -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Carter Shelley -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Can You Handle The Truth? -- Mark 10:17-31, Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher:
The Prophet's Prescription -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers
When Jesus Says "no" -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Who Needs Forgiveness? -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Why Is It Called The "world" Series? -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 126 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Sometimes God Is There -- So Quickly! -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Carter Shelley -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Dear fellow preachers,
In Giving, We Receive -- 1 Kings 17:8-16, Mark 12:38-44 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
My Big Fat Greek Religion -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- Carlos Wilton -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Take Up Whose Cross? -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Is It Good To Be King? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, John 18:33-37 -- Carter Shelley -- Thanksgiving Day - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Reverence At Ballgames -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Is It Good To Be King? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, John 18:33-37 -- Carter Shelley -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Lights Over Baghdad -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- Carlos Wilton -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Universal Salvation, Universal Scandal, Or What? -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,

CSSPlus

A healthy church -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors an
Echoing God's love -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Good morning, boys and girls.
Do you believe? -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to do something special.
Christ is risen -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Easter was wonderful, wasn't it?
Simon says ... -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Today we read where the apostle Paul says that we should be "imitators of God." What is an "imitat
Our Good Shepherd too! -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Good morning! I don't know how much you know about sheep.

Children's Story

Communicating God's Love

Devotional

Drama

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Author Herbert Tarr tells the story of a boy... -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2011
Author Herbert Tarr tells the story of a boy by the name of David whose parents died when he was ver
When parents leave their children home alone... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Brian Hohmeier -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
When parents leave their children home alone for the evening for the first time, this can be a subst
When Helmut Thielicke, the great German Lutheran pastor and theologian... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
When Helmut Thielicke, the great German Lutheran pastor and theologian, indicated that he proposed t
John Wesley had firmly established his societies... -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
John Wesley had firmly established his societies of believers who became known as Methodists for the
It's an old cliche... -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Craig Kelly -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2011
It's an old cliche that the only certainties in life are death and taxes.
What is the connection... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
What is the connection between Mark's depiction of the last day and the life, death, and resurrectio
William Shatner for years avoided any convention... -- Acts 19:1-7 -- Ron Love -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
William Shatner for years avoided any convention that was related to the television series Star T
I have been privileged to be the uncle of an adopt... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Craig Kelly -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
I have been privileged to be the uncle of an adopted nephew.
The movie Sarah's Key... -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Ron Love -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2011
The movie Sarah's Key is based on the novel of the same title.
In the past, common entertainment included... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
In the past, common entertainment included playing cards.
Walker Percy as a young college student... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
Walker Percy as a young college student emulated the spirit of John when he said, "The one who is mo
Dorothy Day, the social activist who later became... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
Dorothy Day, the social activist who later became a devout Roman Catholic and continued to reach out
Whenever I read this passage... -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Craig Kelly -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2011
Whenever I read this passage, I always think of the phrase "true colors." The term refers to the ide
Multiple Illustrations for Advent 2 -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Isaiah 40:1-11
Growing up in a musical family... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Craig Kelly -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
Growing up in a musical family, I've had the opportunity to get something of an insider's view into
Before they were to wed, Kat von D got a tattoo... -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Ron Love -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
Before they were to wed, Kat von D got a tattoo of her betrothed Jesse James, underneath her left ar
In one of my favorite Charlie Brown cartoons... -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2011
In one of my favorite Charlie Brown cartoons Charlie is listening to Lucy, who confesses, "Sometimes
What's the most comforting thing you've been told... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
What's the most comforting thing you've been told when you feel like life is beating down on you, wh
Almost 75% of Americans are now considered overweight... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Craig Kelly -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2011
According to Forbes, it is now estimated that almost 75% of Americans are now considered overweight
Francis of Assisi grew up in a wealthy Italian family... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2011
Francis of Assisi grew up in a wealthy Italian family.
Prominent on the upper left arm of Angelina Jolie... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Prominent on the upper left arm of Angelina Jolie was the name of her husband, Billy Bob Thornton.
In the year 1520 Martin Luther... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2011
In the year 1520 Martin Luther, the German reformer, wrote his small treatise titled The Freedom
How many times have we faced a situation where someone died suddenly... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Craig Kelly -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2011
How many times have we faced a situation where someone died suddenly?
'Are we there yet? Are we there yet?' -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Craig Kelly -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
"Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" is an often-heard line on long trips.
Cadel Evans of Australia... -- John 1:43-51 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2011
Cadel Evans of Australia never lost his vision; he never lost his hope; he never lost his perseveran

Intercession

Poems

Political Pulpit

Prayer

Preaching

The Immediate Word

Speaking Of Peace -- Mark 6:14-29, Ephesians 1:3-14, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Psalm 24 -- Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
It's not news that many places in the world are torn apart by war -- nevertheless, recent headlines
From Quid Pro Quo To Heck No! -- Israel Strikes Back -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, Ephesians 2:11-22, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
It's often said that "anything is possible if you truly put your mind to it," but the offbeat experi
Scandal, Betrayal, Hope, Thanksgiving -- Mark 13:1-8, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
This week Stephen McCutchan will write about how the church gets through hard times by sticking toge
The Nurse Who Wouldn't Give Up -- Ephesians 4:1-3, John 6:24-35, 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
The grisly video images of dead children being removed from the rubble in Cana are only the latest r
Living With Anger -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Psalm 130 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
The furor surrounding Mel Gibson and his outburst toward a police officer has been a major item in t
When The Darkness Deepens -- John 6:51-58, Ephesians 5:15-20, Psalm 111 -- Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
The shocking news of the thwarting of a major plot to blow up several trans-Atlantic flights -- and
A Long-Distance Marriage -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20, 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Psalm 84 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Despite a brief firefight this past weekend, it seems that the United Nations-brokered ceasefire in
Every Perfect Gift -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Paul Bresnahan, Scott Suskovic, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
The recent arrest of a suspect in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case has reignited a media frenzy -- on
Faithing Our Fears -- Mark 7:24-37, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Psalm 125 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Fear -- and our varying responses to it -- will likely be one of the enduring legacies from Hurrican

SermonStudio

Proper 20, Pentecost 18, Ordinary Time 25 -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Seasonal Theme
The Healing Of Simon Peter's Mother-In-Law -- Mark 1:29-31, Matthew 8:14-15 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
1. Text
Proper 19, Pentecost 17, Ordinary Time 24 -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Seasonal Theme
Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Seasonal ThemeJesus grows up and it begins to dawn on some who and what he is.
The Leper Healed -- Mark 1:40-45, Matthew 8:1-4 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
1. Text
Proper 18, Pentecost 16, Ordinary Time 23 -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Seasonal Theme
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Seasonal ThemeJesus grows up and it begins to dawn on some who and what he is.
Healing The Paralyzed Man -- Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:1-8 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
1. Text
Proper 17, Pentecost 15, Ordinary Time 22 -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
Seasonal Theme
Third Sunday After The Epiphany -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Seasonal ThemeJesus grows up and it begins to dawn on some who and what he is.
The Withered Hand -- Mark 2:23--3:6, Matthew 12:9-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B
1. Text
Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Seasonal Theme
Second Sunday After The Epiphany -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Seasonal ThemeJesus grows up and it begins to dawn on some who and what he is.
Stilling The Storm -- Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
1. Text
Proper 15, Pentecost 13, Ordinary Time 20 -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Seasonal Theme
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
Seasonal Theme

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Cross Reminds Us Who Jesus Is -- Who We Are -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- John A. Stroman -- Good Friday - B -- 1999
The writer of Hebrews has been building up to this moment.
What's So Great About Jesus? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- John A. Stroman -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1999
Today is the festival of Christ the King.
The Man With Two Umbrellas -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 1999
The late Dr. J.
Sanctified In The Truth -- John 17:6-19 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
When Jesus prays for his disciples, he asks that they be sanctified in the truth.
Beyond Personal Preferences -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1999
In one of his early books (The Trouble with Parents, Zonder-van, 1978), Tim Stafford told of a youth
Life -- And Then Some -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- John A. Stroman -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
The words of the text express clearly the central theme of 1 John.
Taking The Good With The Bad -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- John A. Stroman -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1999
Once upon a time in the land of Uz there was a man whose name was Job.
Defining Moments -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1999
Throughout the Bible God caused defining moments in order to prepare leadership to begin new chapter
Junk Food And Holy Tables Or The Cup Of Good Friday -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Good Friday - B -- 1999
Bread and wine go with communion the way turkey goes with Thanksgiving. They belong to each other.
Promiscuous Preaching -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1999
When I was in high school we had a "spiritual awakening" at our school.
A Victorious Faith -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- John A. Stroman -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
The theme of the text is: anyone who believes Jesus is the Christ is born of God and by this faith o
Making Our Feelings Known -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- John A. Stroman -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1999
In our text Job makes his lament to God loud and clear, "Today also my complaint is bitter." The wo
Famous Last Words -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1999
"Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible." -- Lord Kelvin, President, Royal Society, 1895
The Baptism Of Jesus -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Donna E. Schaper -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
When it comes to the Christian sacraments, Baptism or Eucharist, or those beyond these two central o
Love's Expectations -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- John A. Stroman -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Our text expresses the heart of the Gospel: God's love for the world is revealed in the life of Jesu
Out Of The Whirlwind -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- John A. Stroman -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1999
God answers Job out of the whirlwind.
What It Takes To Be A Winner -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1999
This text for the fifth Sunday of Epiphany is probably the most sublime passage of Scripture in the
Letting Death Go -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Some gardeners can grow everything and others cannot.
Making Love Visible -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- John A. Stroman -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
How do you like being addressed as "little children"?
Confession -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- John A. Stroman -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1999
Job got what he wanted. He got a chance to present his case before God and to hear God's response.
Seven Habits Of Highly Effective Christians -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- William L. Self -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1999
Naaman was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.
Turning The Tables -- John 2:13-22 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
A man feared his wife was going deaf. He tried an experiment.
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
Heaven And Hope -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- John A. Stroman -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
The theme of 1 John all along has been the love of God.
The Tale Of Three Women -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- John A. Stroman -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1999
Ruth, what a remarkable book.

Stories

The Political Pulpit

Worship

SermonStudio

Be Alert/Be Prepared -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday of Advent - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Invitation
Lent -- Wayne H. Keller
LentThe Season Of RenewalLiturgical Color: Purple
The Rich Young Man, His and the Disciples' Surprise -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
Preparing the Way -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Invitation
Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Maundy Thursday - B
Consider a silent communion with the worshipers focused on the Cross and communion table still cover
A Matter of Power -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
Witnessing and Previewing -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Invitation
The Triumphal Entry -- Mark 11:1-11; 14:1-15:47; or 15:1-39 (40-47) -- Wayne H. Keller -- Passion Sunday - B
We Offer Ourselves In The Spirit Of The Living ChristNote:
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
Announcing, to Mary, the birth of Jesus -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Invitation
Receiving the Holy Spirit, Who is the Present Tense of Christ in the World -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Day of Pentecost - B
Consider this:
The Greatest Commandment -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
The Season Of Expectancy -- Wayne H. Keller
AdventLiturgical Color: Purple/Blue
More Signs of the End of the Age -- Mark 13:24-31 -- Wayne H. Keller
Celebrating God's Presence and Power
The Contrast Between Those Who Parade Their Faith, And Those Who Refuse To Call Attention to Themselves -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
The Death and Raising of Lazarus -- John 11:32-44, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Wayne H. Keller -- All Saints Day - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
Mark 1:40-45; 2:1-12; 2:18-22, Mark 2:1-12, Mark 2:18-22 -- Wayne H. Keller
Proper OneEpiscopal: Mark 1:40-45Proper Two
Signs of the End of the Age and the Horror of That Day -- Mark 13:1-8, 14-23 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
Jesus Appears to the Disciples -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Ascension of the Lord - B
An Invitation To Ascension SundayPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
John the Baptist Beheaded -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
AdorationInvitation to the Celebration (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Ash Wednesday -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Ash Wednesday - B
After everyone leaves the sanctuary on Fat Tuesday, and before anyone enters the sanctuary on Ash We
Jesus Feeds the 5,000 Men, Plus Women and Children -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
AdorationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus and Beelzebub -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and ministers)
The Wise Men's Visit -- Matthew 2:1-12, Mark 1:4-11 -- Wayne H. Keller -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
The Ekklesia Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Baptism of Our Lord
29 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
40 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 2 | OT 2
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 3 | OT 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Nazish Naseem
For February 1, 2026:
  • What the Lord Requires by Dean Feldmeyer. The world’s requirements are often complex and difficult. God’s requirements are simple and easy. Kinda.
  • Second Thoughts: Resisting The Storms of Winter by Chris Keating. Jesus does not offer a cheery optimism to those enduring the cold blasts of injustice. More than an insulating blanket of hope, the Beatitudes create communities of resistance.

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 E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
Stories to Live By: "You Fool"/ "Us Who Are Being Saved"
Shining Moments: "A Comforting Dream" by Harold Klug
Good Stories: "Mercy, Mercy" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "The Souper Bowl of Caring" by Jo Perry-Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt

Sandra Herrmann
John Jamison
Contents
"Child Sacrifice" by Sandra Herrmann (Micah 6:1-8)
"Ka-Chang" by John B. Jamison (Matthew 5:1-12)


* * * * * * * *


Child Sacrifice
Sandra Herrmann
Micah 6:1-8

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles....
-- 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Micah 6:1--8 (C, E, L)
John N. Brittain
The other day I stumbled onto a Discovery Channel show about underwater archaeology (not basket weaving). The archaeologist described the process of identifying the probable location of an underwater wreck site, the grueling work involved in beginning the process, and the same kind of methodical work that characterizes all scientific archaeology. But then her eyes twinkled as she described the joy of uncovering the first artifact, or recognizing a significant discovery. And that of course is what it is all about, the final product of discovery.
Tony S. Everett
Late one night, Pastor Bill was driving home after spending the past 23 hours in the hospital with his wife, celebrating the birth of their son. It had been a glorious day. His wife was peacefully resting. His extended family was ecstatic. His son was healthy. Surely God was in heaven and all was right with the world.

Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
When I'm teaching a class, and want to get a discussion going, I often begin with something that's called a sentence stem. I start a sentence and let the participants complete it. This morning, if I were to ask you to complete this sentence, what would you say? "Happy are those who...." What would you use to complete the thought?
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: Demands On God
Message: All these demands don't make sense, God. Lauds, KDM
R. Glen Miles
What does God want from us? The answer is simple, but it is not easy to put into practice. What God wants is you. What God wants is me. God wants our whole selves. The prophet Micah makes it fairly clear that ultimately God does not care too much about religion and the things that come with it. Religion isn't a bad enterprise. It is okay as a way of reminding us about what God wants, but in the long run being good at religion is not what God desires. What God requires is us. It is simple to understand but not necessarily the thing we would offer to God first.
John B. Jamison
It was a strange sound. Some said it was a kind of "clanging" sound, while others said it was more of a "ka-ching," or more accurately, a "ka-chang!" It sounded like the result of metal hitting metal, which is exactly what it was.

In the valley off to the west from the hillside is a steep cliff rising up the face of Mount Arbel. The face of the cliff is covered with hundreds of caves, with no good way to get to them without climbing straight up the cliff. That's why the Zealots liked them. They were safe.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Prayer Of Dedication/Gathering
P: Our Lord Jesus calls each of us to a life of justice, kindness, and humility. We pray that in this hour before us our defenses would fall and your love would be set free within us.
Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit, your mercy knows no end.
C: Amen.

Intercessory Prayers

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
We have a prejudice in favor of things complex. Not that we necessarily desire complexity, but somehow we trust it more. We figure that complexity is the prevailing reality in our world, and so we feel obliged to be in touch with it. We would love to hear that this thing or that is really quite simple, but doctors, politicians, futurists, ethicists, economists -- and even some preachers -- keep discouraging us. It's actually quite complicated, we are told, and there is no simple answer.
People tend to say in times of personal or community disaster, "God works in mysterious ways." The point they are making is that when we can't figure out any logical answer to a situation, it must be the work of God. It is one way of making sense out of an inexplicable event.
Schuyler Rhodes
In 1993 brothers Tom and David Gardner began a financial information service they named The Motley Fool. Dressed in their trademark court jester hats, the motley fools can be seen and heard offering their advice and warnings concerning the stock market on a variety of talk shows and financial news channels.

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have spent time around babies? (let them answer) Babies are so cute when they are happy but hard to please when they are upset. Babies can't talk, can they? (let them answer) So when they don't get what they want they cry. When they are hungry they cry. When they are sleepy they cry. When a stranger tries to hold them they cry. How do we know if babies are sick, hungry, or tired? (let them answer) Most of the time a baby's mom can figure out what's wrong even when we can't.
Teachers or Parents: Have the children sit on the floor and pretend that they are on a mountaintop and learning at Jesus' feet. Ask: "How is this classroom different from classrooms you have seen?" "How is it like them?" Read various portions of the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7) that they might understand (such as Matthew 7:7-11 -- prayer; 7:12 -- the Golden Rule; 7:15 -- being true). Be careful -- many parts of the Sermon on the Mount are difficult for children to understand and may lead to great misunderstanding and perhaps fear.

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