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The Immediate Word

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Speaking Our Truth -- Acts 17: 22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Chris Ewing -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A
"(The Apostle Peter's) current successor," declared the newly minted Benedict XVI in his first papal
One Nation Under God? Democracy And Faith In 2004 -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
With the 4th of July taking place on a Sunday this year, it would be hard for any minister to conduc
The Message On A Postcard -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
December 5, 2004Second Sunday in Advent / Cycle A
The Message On A Postcard -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
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
Military Might And National Idols -- Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Spirit Or Spirit? -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Day of Pentecost - A
Every year Pentecost rolls around and church-school teachers rack their brains to figure out how to
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
A Calendar, A Dream, A Child, And A Donkey -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
December 26, 2004First Sunday after Christmas / Cycle A
Prepare Or Beware! -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
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,
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
God Plays No Favorites -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Here at The Immediate Word, we think that no preacher should go long without saying something
What Child Is This? -- Matthew 2:13-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
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,
A Word From The Wounded Healer To Contemporary Christians Seeking Physical And Spiritual Health -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Sacrifice And Service -- Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
As modern preachers choke over the choice Abraham faced and the God who asked it of him, a not dissi
Hosea: The Movie! -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Introduction and Background
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
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,
Living With Fear -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Constructing Community -- Genesis 29:15-28, Psalm 128, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
The shock of betrayal that Jacob experienced the morning after his wedding resonates all too easily

Illustration

The Immediate Word

What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
God Plays No Favorites -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Here at The Immediate Word, we think that no preacher should go long without saying something
What Child Is This? -- Matthew 2:13-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
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,
A Word From The Wounded Healer To Contemporary Christians Seeking Physical And Spiritual Health -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Sacrifice And Service -- Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
As modern preachers choke over the choice Abraham faced and the God who asked it of him, a not dissi
Hosea: The Movie! -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Introduction and Background
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
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,
Living With Fear -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Constructing Community -- Genesis 29:15-28, Psalm 128, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
The shock of betrayal that Jacob experienced the morning after his wedding resonates all too easily
It's Not The Economy, Stupid -- Luke 12:13-21, Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Roger Lovette -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Introducing the Texts
The Original Super Bowl? -- Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Exodus 24:12-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Named, Claimed, And Unashamed -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Dear Fellow Pastor,
A Sermon Idea From The Immediate Word On The Rescue Of Elizabeth Smart -- George L. Murphy
A Sermon Idea from The Immediate Word on the Rescue of Elizabeth Smart
Judge Deborah -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
What, Then, Did You Go Out To See? -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Chris Ewing -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
When President Bush came to Canada last week, he was met by John the Baptist.
Hero Time -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Athletes and sports in general are always hot topics in American culture -- and even more so during
Fully, Only Human -- Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32 -- Chris Ewing -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Striving to win and to test limits, athletes have been in the news lately for risking the use of ill
Sin And Punishment Versus Grace And Hope -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
January 18, 2004
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,
Thanksgiving Opportunities -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 100 -- Carter Shelley -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,

Liturgy

Preaching

The Immediate Word

The Message On A Postcard -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
December 5, 2004Second Sunday in Advent / Cycle A
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,
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
The Message On A Postcard -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Military Might And National Idols -- Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Spirit Or Spirit? -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Day of Pentecost - A
Every year Pentecost rolls around and church-school teachers rack their brains to figure out how to
A Calendar, A Dream, A Child, And A Donkey -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
December 26, 2004First Sunday after Christmas / Cycle A
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
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Prepare Or Beware! -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
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,
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,
Hosea: The Movie! -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Introduction and Background
What Child Is This? -- Matthew 2:13-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
A Word From The Wounded Healer To Contemporary Christians Seeking Physical And Spiritual Health -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Sacrifice And Service -- Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
As modern preachers choke over the choice Abraham faced and the God who asked it of him, a not dissi
God Plays No Favorites -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Here at The Immediate Word, we think that no preacher should go long without saying something
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,
It's Not The Economy, Stupid -- Luke 12:13-21, Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Roger Lovette -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Introducing the Texts
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Living With Fear -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Constructing Community -- Genesis 29:15-28, Psalm 128, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
The shock of betrayal that Jacob experienced the morning after his wedding resonates all too easily

Sermon

The Immediate Word

The Message On A Postcard -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
December 5, 2004Second Sunday in Advent / Cycle A
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
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,
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
Spirit Or Spirit? -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Day of Pentecost - A
Every year Pentecost rolls around and church-school teachers rack their brains to figure out how to
The Message On A Postcard -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
A Calendar, A Dream, A Child, And A Donkey -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
December 26, 2004First Sunday after Christmas / Cycle A
Military Might And National Idols -- Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
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
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
Prepare Or Beware! -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
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,
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,
Hosea: The Movie! -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Introduction and Background
Sacrifice And Service -- Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
As modern preachers choke over the choice Abraham faced and the God who asked it of him, a not dissi
What Child Is This? -- Matthew 2:13-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
God Plays No Favorites -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Here at The Immediate Word, we think that no preacher should go long without saying something
A Word From The Wounded Healer To Contemporary Christians Seeking Physical And Spiritual Health -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
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,
It's Not The Economy, Stupid -- Luke 12:13-21, Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Roger Lovette -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Introducing the Texts
Constructing Community -- Genesis 29:15-28, Psalm 128, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
The shock of betrayal that Jacob experienced the morning after his wedding resonates all too easily
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,

Worship

The Immediate Word

The Message On A Postcard -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
December 5, 2004Second Sunday in Advent / Cycle A
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
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,
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
Spirit Or Spirit? -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Day of Pentecost - A
Every year Pentecost rolls around and church-school teachers rack their brains to figure out how to
The Message On A Postcard -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
A Calendar, A Dream, A Child, And A Donkey -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
December 26, 2004First Sunday after Christmas / Cycle A
Military Might And National Idols -- Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
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
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
Prepare Or Beware! -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
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,
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,
Hosea: The Movie! -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Introduction and Background
Sacrifice And Service -- Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
As modern preachers choke over the choice Abraham faced and the God who asked it of him, a not dissi
What Child Is This? -- Matthew 2:13-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
God Plays No Favorites -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Here at The Immediate Word, we think that no preacher should go long without saying something
A Word From The Wounded Healer To Contemporary Christians Seeking Physical And Spiritual Health -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
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,
It's Not The Economy, Stupid -- Luke 12:13-21, Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Roger Lovette -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Introducing the Texts
Constructing Community -- Genesis 29:15-28, Psalm 128, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
The shock of betrayal that Jacob experienced the morning after his wedding resonates all too easily
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
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

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
For January 11, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
At Jesus' baptism God said, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Let us so order our lives that God may say about us, "This is my beloved child in whom I am well pleased."

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when I fail to please you,
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm sure I have pleased you, but have got it wrong,
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, when I neither know nor care whether I have pleased you,
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

Argile Smith
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Welcoming Mr. Forsythe" by Argile Smith
"The Question about the Dove" by Merle Franke


What's Up This Week

SermonStudio

Constance Berg
"Jan wasn't baptized by the spirit, she was baptized by spit," went the joke. Jan had heard it all before: the taunting and teasing from her aunts and uncles. Sure, they hadn't been there at her birth, but they loved to tell the story. They were telling Jan's friends about that fateful day when Jan was born - and baptized.


Elizabeth Achtemeier
The lectionary often begins a reading at the end of one poem and includes the beginning of another. Such is the case here. Isaiah 42:1-4 forms the climactic last stanza of the long poem concerning the trial with the nations that begins in 41:1. Isaiah 42:5-9 is the opening stanza of the poem that encompasses 42:5-17. Thus, we will initially deal with 42:1-4 and then 42:5-9.

Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 42:1--9 (C, E); Isaiah 42:1--4, 6--7 (RC); Isaiah 42:1--7 (L)
Tony S. Everett
Jenny was employed as an emergency room nurse in a busy urban hospital. Often she worked many hours past the end of her shift, providing care to trauma victims and their families. Jenny was also a loving wife and mother, and an excellent cook. On the evening before starting her hectic work week, Jenny would prepare a huge pot of soup, a casserole, or stew; plentiful enough for her family to pop into the microwave or simmer on the stove in case she had to work overtime.

Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
Bil Keane, the creator of the Family Circus cartoon, said he was drawing a cartoon one day when his little boy came in and asked, "Daddy, how do you know what to draw?" Keane replied, "God tells me." Then the boy asked, "Then why do you keep erasing parts of it?"1
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: Being Inclusive
Message: Are you sure, God, that you show no partiality? Lauds, KDM

The haughty part of us would prefer that God be partial, that is, partial to you and to me. We want to reap the benefits of having been singled out. On the other hand, our decent side wants God to show no partiality. We do yield a little, however. It is fine for God to be impartial as long as we do not need to move over and lose our place.
William B. Kincaid, III
There are two very different ways to think about baptism. The first approach recognizes the time of baptism as a saving moment in which the person being baptized accepts the love and forgiveness of God. The person then considers herself "saved." She may grow in the faith through the years, but nothing which she will experience after her baptism will be as important as her baptism. She always will be able to recall her baptism as the time when her life changed.
R. Glen Miles
I delivered my very first sermon at the age of sixteen. It was presented to a congregation of my peers, a group of high school students. The service, specifically designed for teens, was held on a Wednesday night. There were about 125 people in attendance. I was scared to death at first, but once the sermon got started I felt okay and sort of got on a roll. My text was 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter, as some refer to it. The audience that night was very responsive to the sermon. I do not know why they liked it.
Someone is trying to get through to you. Someone with an important message for you is trying to get in touch with you. It would be greatly to your advantage to make contact with the one who is trying to get through to you.
Thom M. Shuman
Call To Worship
One: When the floods and storms of the world threaten
to overwhelm us,
All: God's peace flows through us,
to calm our troubled lives.
One: When the thunder of the culture's claims on us
deafens us to hope,
All: God whispers to us
and soothes our souls.
One: When the wilderness begs us to come out and play,
All: God takes us by the hand
and we dance into the garden of grace.

Prayer Of The Day
Your voice whispers
over the waters of life,
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
A Service Of Renewal

Gathering (may also be used for Gathering on Epiphany 3)
A: Light shining in the darkness,
C: light never ending.
A: Through the mountains, beneath the sea,
C: light never ending.
A: In the stillness of our hearts,
C: light never ending.
A: In the water and the word,
C: light never ending. Amen.

Hymn Of Praise
Baptized In Water or Praise And Thanksgiving Be To God Our Maker

Prayer Of The Day

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Good morning, boys and girls. What am I wearing this morning? (Let them answer.) I'm wearing part of a uniform of the (name the team). Have any of you gone to a game where the (name the team) has played? (Let them answer.) I think one of the most exciting parts of a game is right before it starts. That's when all the players are introduced. Someone announces the player's name and number. That player then runs out on the court of playing field. Everyone cheers. Do you like that part of the game? (Let them answer.) Some people call that pre-game "hype." That's a funny term, isn't it?
Good morning! Let me show you this certificate. (Show the
baptism certificate.) Does anyone know what this is? (Let them
answer.) Yes, this is a baptism certificate. It shows the date
and place where a person is baptized. In addition to this
certificate, we also keep a record here at the church of all
baptisms so that if a certificate is lost we can issue a new one.
What do all of you think about baptism? Is it important? (Let
them answer.)

Let me tell you something about baptism. Before Jesus
Good morning! How many of you have played Monopoly? (Let
them answer.) In the game of Monopoly, sometimes you wind up in
jail. You can get out of jail by paying a fine or, if you have
one of these cards (show the card), you can get out free by
turning in the card.

Now, in the game of life, the real world where we all live,
we are also sometimes in jail. Most of us never have to go to a
real jail, but we are all in a kind of jail called "sin." The
Bible tells us that when we sin we become prisoners of sin, and

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