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The Immediate Word

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

What Did He Say? -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 15 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2020
For February 2, 2020:
But That’s Not Fair -- Exodus 16:2-15, Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2020
For September 20, 2020:
Phoning In Our Faith? -- Matthew 5:13-20, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), Psalm 112:1-9 (10) -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2020
For February 9, 2020:
Not-So-Happy Campers -- Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-13, Exodus 17:1-7, Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32, Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16, Psalm 25:1-9 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2020
For September 27, 2020:
Everything Grows From Common Ground -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Matthew 5:21-37, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2020
For February 16, 2020:
The Influence Of Her Religion -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46, Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2020
For October 4, 2020:
Mountains, Top and Bottom -- Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Psalm 2, Psalm 99 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2020
For February 23, 2020:
Don’t Give Up On the Whole for a Few Bad Apples -- Matthew 22:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Exodus 32:1-14, Isaiah 25:1-9 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2020
For October 11, 2020:
Right, Wrong, Whatever -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 1, 2020:
Give to God the Things That are God's -- Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 9, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2020
For October 18, 2020:
Masking Our Fears -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17, Matthew 17:1-9, Psalm 121 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 8, 2020:
Ignored at the Well -- John 4:5-42, Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 15, 2020:
Being the Light: Special Coronavirus Edition -- John 9:1-41, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 22, 2020:
Turn Our Minds -- John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, Psalm 130 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen, Kentina Washington-Leapheart -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 29, 2020:
Sacrifice or Inconvenience? / Lonely in the Midst of People -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16, Matthew 27:11-54, Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Kentina Washington-Leapheart -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2020
For April 5, 2020:
Easter Dawned -- John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-10, Acts 10:34-43, Jeremiah 31:1-6, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Easter Day - A -- 2020
For April 12, 2020:
Breathe the Breath of God -- John 20:19-31, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 16 -- Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For April 19, 2020:
Worship Opens Our Eyes -- Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For April 26, 2020:
He Restores My Soul! -- John 10:1-10, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 3, 2020:
Stoning the Scapegoat -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 10, 2020:
Religious in Every Way, or Not -- John 14:15-21, Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Psalm 66:8-20 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 17, 2020:
Should I Stay or Should I Go? -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 24, 2020:
We Are The 120 -- John 7:37-39, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, John 20:19-23, Numbers 11:24-30 -- Ron Love, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2020
For May 31, 2020:
People of a Certain Age -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14, Psalm 65 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2019
For October 27, 2019:
I Feel Your Pain -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2019
For November 3, 2019:

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Being the Light: Special Coronavirus Edition -- John 9:1-41, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 22, 2020:
Hope and the Politics of Doom -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, Psalm 78:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2020
For November 8, 2020:
Turn Our Minds -- John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, Psalm 130 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen, Kentina Washington-Leapheart -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 29, 2020:
Sacrifice or Inconvenience? / Lonely in the Midst of People -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16, Matthew 27:11-54, Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Kentina Washington-Leapheart -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2020
For April 5, 2020:
Easter Dawned -- John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-10, Acts 10:34-43, Jeremiah 31:1-6, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Easter Day - A -- 2020
For April 12, 2020:
Breathe the Breath of God -- John 20:19-31, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 16 -- Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For April 19, 2020:
Worship Opens Our Eyes -- Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For April 26, 2020:
He Restores My Soul! -- John 10:1-10, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 3, 2020:
Stoning the Scapegoat -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 10, 2020:
Religious in Every Way, or Not -- John 14:15-21, Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Psalm 66:8-20 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 17, 2020:
Should I Stay or Should I Go? -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 24, 2020:
We Are The 120 -- John 7:37-39, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, John 20:19-23, Numbers 11:24-30 -- Ron Love, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2020
For May 31, 2020:
Trinity of Love, Grace, and Fellowship -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20, Psalm 8 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2020
For June 7, 2020:
Laughter’s Healing Art -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23), Romans 5:1-8, Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7), Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2020
For June 14, 2020:
Creating a Sense of Injury -- Matthew 10:24-39, Romans 6:1b-11, Genesis 21:8-21, Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2020
For June 21, 2020:
The Kids and the Geezers Shall Graze Together -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 12 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2019
For November 17, 2019:
Shepherds Of Malfeasance -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 1:68-79, Psalm 46 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2019
For November 24, 2019:
Tell Everyone! / Setting the Table: from Passover to Passion -- Luke 22:14--23:56, Luke 19:28-40, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2019
For April 14, 2019:
Swords Into Highchairs, Spears Into Serving Platters -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
For December 1, 2019:
Why Are You Weeping? -- Luke 24:1-12, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Easter Day - C -- 2019
For April 21, 2019:
Repentance That Matters -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
For December 8, 2019:
Finding Resurrection Among Smoldering Ruins -- John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4b-8, Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 118:14-29, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
For April 28, 2019:
Small Action = Massive Transformation -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:5-10, Luke 1:46b-55 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
For December 15, 2019:
Going to Extremes -- John 21:1-19, Revelation 5:11-14, Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Psalm 30 -- Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
For May 5, 2019:
Soft Power and The Making Of Friends -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2019
For December 22, 2019:

Liturgy

Preaching

The Immediate Word

Phoning In Our Faith? -- Matthew 5:13-20, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), Psalm 112:1-9 (10) -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2020
For February 9, 2020:
Everything Grows From Common Ground -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Matthew 5:21-37, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2020
For February 16, 2020:
Not-So-Happy Campers -- Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-13, Exodus 17:1-7, Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32, Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16, Psalm 25:1-9 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2020
For September 27, 2020:
Mountains, Top and Bottom -- Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Psalm 2, Psalm 99 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2020
For February 23, 2020:
The Influence Of Her Religion -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46, Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2020
For October 4, 2020:
Right, Wrong, Whatever -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 1, 2020:
Don’t Give Up On the Whole for a Few Bad Apples -- Matthew 22:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Exodus 32:1-14, Isaiah 25:1-9 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2020
For October 11, 2020:
Masking Our Fears -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17, Matthew 17:1-9, Psalm 121 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 8, 2020:
Give to God the Things That are God's -- Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 9, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2020
For October 18, 2020:
Ignored at the Well -- John 4:5-42, Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 15, 2020:
The Law of the Lord and the Law of the Land -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17, Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18, Psalm 1 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2020
For October 25, 2020:
Being the Light: Special Coronavirus Edition -- John 9:1-41, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 22, 2020:
Turn Our Minds -- John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, Psalm 130 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen, Kentina Washington-Leapheart -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 29, 2020:
Sacrifice or Inconvenience? / Lonely in the Midst of People -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16, Matthew 27:11-54, Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Kentina Washington-Leapheart -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2020
For April 5, 2020:
Easter Dawned -- John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-10, Acts 10:34-43, Jeremiah 31:1-6, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Easter Day - A -- 2020
For April 12, 2020:
Breathe the Breath of God -- John 20:19-31, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 16 -- Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For April 19, 2020:
Worship Opens Our Eyes -- Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For April 26, 2020:
He Restores My Soul! -- John 10:1-10, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 3, 2020:
Stoning the Scapegoat -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 10, 2020:
Religious in Every Way, or Not -- John 14:15-21, Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Psalm 66:8-20 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 17, 2020:
Should I Stay or Should I Go? -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 24, 2020:
We Are The 120 -- John 7:37-39, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, John 20:19-23, Numbers 11:24-30 -- Ron Love, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2020
For May 31, 2020:
Trinity of Love, Grace, and Fellowship -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20, Psalm 8 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2020
For June 7, 2020:
I Feel Your Pain -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2019
For November 3, 2019:
Engaging (or Testing) God -- Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2019
For November 10, 2019:

Sermon

The Immediate Word

What Did He Say? -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 15 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2020
For February 2, 2020:
Phoning In Our Faith? -- Matthew 5:13-20, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), Psalm 112:1-9 (10) -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2020
For February 9, 2020:
But That’s Not Fair -- Exodus 16:2-15, Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2020
For September 20, 2020:
Everything Grows From Common Ground -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Matthew 5:21-37, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2020
For February 16, 2020:
Not-So-Happy Campers -- Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-13, Exodus 17:1-7, Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32, Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16, Psalm 25:1-9 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2020
For September 27, 2020:
Mountains, Top and Bottom -- Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Psalm 2, Psalm 99 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2020
For February 23, 2020:
The Influence Of Her Religion -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46, Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2020
For October 4, 2020:
Right, Wrong, Whatever -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 1, 2020:
Don’t Give Up On the Whole for a Few Bad Apples -- Matthew 22:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Exodus 32:1-14, Isaiah 25:1-9 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2020
For October 11, 2020:
Masking Our Fears -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17, Matthew 17:1-9, Psalm 121 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 8, 2020:
Give to God the Things That are God's -- Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 9, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2020
For October 18, 2020:
Ignored at the Well -- John 4:5-42, Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 15, 2020:
Being the Light: Special Coronavirus Edition -- John 9:1-41, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 22, 2020:
Turn Our Minds -- John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, Psalm 130 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen, Kentina Washington-Leapheart -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 29, 2020:
Sacrifice or Inconvenience? / Lonely in the Midst of People -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16, Matthew 27:11-54, Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Kentina Washington-Leapheart -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2020
For April 5, 2020:
Easter Dawned -- John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-10, Acts 10:34-43, Jeremiah 31:1-6, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Easter Day - A -- 2020
For April 12, 2020:
Breathe the Breath of God -- John 20:19-31, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 16 -- Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For April 19, 2020:
Worship Opens Our Eyes -- Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For April 26, 2020:
He Restores My Soul! -- John 10:1-10, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 3, 2020:
Stoning the Scapegoat -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 10, 2020:
Religious in Every Way, or Not -- John 14:15-21, Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Psalm 66:8-20 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 17, 2020:
Should I Stay or Should I Go? -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 24, 2020:
We Are The 120 -- John 7:37-39, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, John 20:19-23, Numbers 11:24-30 -- Ron Love, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2020
For May 31, 2020:
People of a Certain Age -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14, Psalm 65 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2019
For October 27, 2019:
I Feel Your Pain -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2019
For November 3, 2019:

Worship

The Immediate Word

What Did He Say? -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 15 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2020
For February 2, 2020:
Phoning In Our Faith? -- Matthew 5:13-20, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), Psalm 112:1-9 (10) -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2020
For February 9, 2020:
But That’s Not Fair -- Exodus 16:2-15, Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2020
For September 20, 2020:
Everything Grows From Common Ground -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Matthew 5:21-37, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2020
For February 16, 2020:
Not-So-Happy Campers -- Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-13, Exodus 17:1-7, Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32, Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16, Psalm 25:1-9 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2020
For September 27, 2020:
Mountains, Top and Bottom -- Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Psalm 2, Psalm 99 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2020
For February 23, 2020:
The Influence Of Her Religion -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46, Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2020
For October 4, 2020:
Right, Wrong, Whatever -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 1, 2020:
Don’t Give Up On the Whole for a Few Bad Apples -- Matthew 22:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Exodus 32:1-14, Isaiah 25:1-9 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2020
For October 11, 2020:
Masking Our Fears -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17, Matthew 17:1-9, Psalm 121 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 8, 2020:
Give to God the Things That are God's -- Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 9, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2020
For October 18, 2020:
Ignored at the Well -- John 4:5-42, Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 15, 2020:
Being the Light: Special Coronavirus Edition -- John 9:1-41, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 22, 2020:
Turn Our Minds -- John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, Psalm 130 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen, Kentina Washington-Leapheart -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
For March 29, 2020:
Sacrifice or Inconvenience? / Lonely in the Midst of People -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16, Matthew 27:11-54, Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Kentina Washington-Leapheart -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2020
For April 5, 2020:
Easter Dawned -- John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-10, Acts 10:34-43, Jeremiah 31:1-6, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Easter Day - A -- 2020
For April 12, 2020:
Breathe the Breath of God -- John 20:19-31, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 16 -- Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For April 19, 2020:
Worship Opens Our Eyes -- Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For April 26, 2020:
He Restores My Soul! -- John 10:1-10, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 3, 2020:
Stoning the Scapegoat -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 10, 2020:
Religious in Every Way, or Not -- John 14:15-21, Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Psalm 66:8-20 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 17, 2020:
Should I Stay or Should I Go? -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 24, 2020:
We Are The 120 -- John 7:37-39, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, John 20:19-23, Numbers 11:24-30 -- Ron Love, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2020
For May 31, 2020:
People of a Certain Age -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14, Psalm 65 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2019
For October 27, 2019:
I Feel Your Pain -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2019
For November 3, 2019:
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
24 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – 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
Nazish Naseem
For December 21, 2025:

SermonStudio

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson
Pastor: Advent God: We praise and thank you for the word of promise spoken long ago by your prophet Isaiah; as he bore the good news of the birth of Immanuel–so may we be bearers of the good news that Immanuel comes to be with us. God of love:

Cong: Hear our prayer.
Richard A. Jensen
Our Matthew text for this week comes from the first chapter of Matthew. Matthew's telling of the Jesus' story is certainly unique. Matthew tells of the early years of our Savior stressing that his name is Jesus and Emmanuel; that wise sages from the East attend his birth; that Joseph and Mary escape to Egypt because of Herod's wrath. No other Gospel includes these realities.
John N. Brittain
I am so old that I can actually remember when there was a difference between the number of "shopping days" until Christmas and the number of calendar days. They always ran a little box with that magical number on the front page of the Cleveland Press, itself now a faded memory. (For those of you under a certain age, this was because in the day most stores were not open for business on Sunday. Can you believe it?) I am, however, not too old to recall worries that the central message of Christmas was being overshadowed by commercialism and consumerism.
Stephen M. Crotts
Some years ago I was in a London theater watching a Harold Pinter play. The drama was not very good really. I was getting bored. Then right in the middle of the play the theater manager walked on stage, excused himself, and made an announcement. The actors stared. The audience looked shocked. Me? I thought it was all part of the play. Such interruptions are rare in a theater. But nonetheless, the stage manager felt that it was necessary this time. His announcement was nothing trivial like, "Some owner has left his car lights on." Nor was it a terrifying message like, "Fire! Fire!
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (UM211, PH9, LBW34, CBH172, NCH116)
The God Of Abraham Praise (UM116, PH488, NCH24)
O Hear Our Cry, O Lord (PH206)
Hail To The Lord's Anointed (UM203)
Blessed Be The God Of Israel (UM209)
Emmanuel, Emmanuel (UM204)
People Look East (PH12, UM202)
Savior Of The Nations, Come (LBW28, CBH178, PH14, UM214)
The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy (CBH202)
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (PH1, 2,UM196, NCH122)

Anthem

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Just before the first Christmas, an angel appeared to Joseph to tell him that Jesus would also be called "Emmanuel", meaning "God With Us." Let us listen to the guidance of the angels today as we prepare to receive God With Us once again.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, fill me with the awe of Christmas.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, fill me with the mystery of Christmas.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, fill me with Emmanuel -- God with us.
Lord, have mercy.

StoryShare

Argile Smith
C. David Mckirachan
Scott Dalgarno
Stan Purdum
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Samantha" by Argile Smith
"I'm Pregnant" by C. David McKirachan
"You'd Better Watch out..." by C. David McKirachan
"Terribly Vulnerable to Joy" by Scott Dalgarno
"The Great Christmas-Tree Battle" by Stan Purdum


What's Up This Week
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"The Cell" by Keith Hewitt
"Angels Among Us" by Constance Berg
"The Perfect Imperfect Pageant" by Gregory L. Tolle


* * * * * * * * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

If you are an "Advent purist," one who refuses to preach Advent sermons that lapse into the Christmas season, this day -- December 24 -- presents a challenge! Fortunately, the texts for the day give you the freedom to "stand on the edge" between the two seasons. The lessons from Isaiah and Matthew are so full of the promise of the One who is to come that you cannot help but shout, "It's all about Jesus!" We like to move along linear time lines, from event to event. In the Advent season that has meant a steady mounting of theme upon theme as we prepare for the glorious message of Christmas.
Over the years, I grow more cynical about Christmas and just about everything that goes along with it. I have not become a scrooge, although the advancing years have made me more careful with my pennies. It is not that I cannot be moved by the lights, the music, and the fellowship of the holidays. I have not become an insensitive, unfeeling clod. My problem is that the language and the images and the music seem to have fallen short in expressing what must have been the feelings of the real human beings going through the events recounted in this story.

David Kalas
Schuyler Rhodes
The apostle Paul begins his letter to the Romans by identifying himself as one who was "set apart for the gospel of God." The underlying Greek word, which we traditionally translate "gospel," is euaggelion.

The "eu" prefix is familiar to us. We know it from English words like euphemism, eulogy, and euphoria. In biblical Greek, as in our contemporary usage of the prefix, "eu" means "good."

CSSPlus

What an exciting day this is! Today is the day before Christmas and tonight is Christmas Eve! People have different ways of doing things. Some people open their presents on Christmas Eve. How many of you do that? (Let them answer.) Others open their presents on Christmas Day. Which of you will open your presents tomorrow? (Let them answer.) Some open gifts on other days. Would any of you like to share another time when you open presents? (Give them the opportunity to answer.)

Why do you suppose we open gifts at this time of the year? (Let them answer.)
Teachers and Parents: It is good for children to learn to
respect the name of Jesus because of all that he has done and
continues to do for all of us. If they realize what the name
means, who the man was, and what he did for all of us, they will
be much less likely to abuse the name or use it in casual ways
that cause offense.

* Read Philippians 2:10 and explain that we will play a game
based on this text, which tells us that every knee should bend at
the name of Jesus. Count the children who will play, and put
Good morning! In the Gospel reading we heard that an angel
appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him that he was to name
the baby who would be born to Mary "Jesus." (Show them the card
with Jesus written on it.) Now why do you think the angel told
him to use that name? Why didn't he want the baby to be named
Fred or Harry or Bob? (Let them answer.)

It has to do with the meaning of the name "Jesus." Does
anybody know what the name means? (Let them answer.) The name

Special Occasion

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