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The Immediate Word

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Maternal Love: Human And Divine -- John 13:31-35, Revelation 21:1-6, Acts 11:1-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
We pause in the midst of ongoing war and war crimes to think this Sunday of maternal love.
What Kindness Teaches -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13-18 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
Trinity As Community -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
On Trinity Sunday we remind ourselves of the foundation and core of our faith: the oneness of God ex
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,
Striving -- Genesis 32:22-31, Isaiah 55:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
News of the nomination of Judge John Roberts for a seat on the Supreme Court has filled the news thi
Clouded Vision -- Acts 1:1-11, Acts 16:16-34 -- David E. Leininger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
There is an ancient apocryphal story about Jesus' arrival at the Pearly Gates following the As
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Motivates You? -- Matthew 14:22-33, Romans 10:5-15, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
Lance Armstrong's record-setting seventh win of the Tour de France sparked this installment of Th
The Journey From "i" To "thou" -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Roger Lovette -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Introducing the Texts
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
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:
When Jesus Says "no" -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
Null -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
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:
Resisting The Cure -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Chris Ewing -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
As the medical community anxiously scans the horizon for signs of the promised flu pandemic, attenti
You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Second Sunday after Christmas - 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,
The Contender -- Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Passion Sunday - A
Violence has fragmented our world again this week. It seems almost pandemic.
New Life - From The Laboratory Or The Font? -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- George L. Murphy -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
The Mother -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Carter Shelley -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Pastor,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Is It Good To Be King? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, John 18:33-37 -- Carter Shelley -- Thanksgiving Day - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,

Illustration

The Immediate Word

The Journey From "i" To "thou" -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Roger Lovette -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Introducing the Texts
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
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:
When Jesus Says "no" -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
Null -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
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:
Resisting The Cure -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Chris Ewing -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
As the medical community anxiously scans the horizon for signs of the promised flu pandemic, attenti
You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Second Sunday after Christmas - 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,
The Contender -- Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Passion Sunday - A
Violence has fragmented our world again this week. It seems almost pandemic.
New Life - From The Laboratory Or The Font? -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- George L. Murphy -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
The Mother -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Carter Shelley -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Pastor,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Is It Good To Be King? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, John 18:33-37 -- Carter Shelley -- Thanksgiving Day - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
A Good-Enough Marriage -- Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Psalm 80:1-7 -- Carlos Wilton -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
December 19, 2004Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle A
Prayer For Public Consumption? -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Carter Shelley -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Born Anew To A Living Hope -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31, Psalm 16 -- Chris Ewing -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
It is a paradoxical world where a life that appears empty of meaning and possibility can spark eithe
Chris Ewing
Chris Ewing has served both French- and English-speaking congregations of the Presbyterian an
Answering The Call -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Acts 8:14-17, Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
In the time of year when daylight is the least, the brightest gift came to us, our Lord, Jesus Chris
A Quality of Leadership -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- James Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
The question of the relationship of leadership and ethics can be contentious and disruptive in the c
Is God Listening? -- John 17:6-19 -- Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman -- Ascension of the Lord - B
A major story making headlines recently has been the revelation that the NSA, the federal agency in
One Sin At A Time -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
When we hear of atrocities and other deplorable acts in our world, it is easy to imagine that we are
Was It Only A Dream? -- John 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10 -- Thom M. Shuman, Barbara Jurgensen -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
"For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest..." (Isaiah 62:1).

Liturgy

Preaching

The Immediate Word

What Kindness Teaches -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13-18 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
Trinity As Community -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
On Trinity Sunday we remind ourselves of the foundation and core of our faith: the oneness of God ex
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,
Striving -- Genesis 32:22-31, Isaiah 55:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
News of the nomination of Judge John Roberts for a seat on the Supreme Court has filled the news thi
Clouded Vision -- Acts 1:1-11, Acts 16:16-34 -- David E. Leininger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
There is an ancient apocryphal story about Jesus' arrival at the Pearly Gates following the As
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Motivates You? -- Matthew 14:22-33, Romans 10:5-15, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
Lance Armstrong's record-setting seventh win of the Tour de France sparked this installment of Th
The Journey From "i" To "thou" -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Roger Lovette -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Introducing the Texts
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
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:
When Jesus Says "no" -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
Null -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
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:
Resisting The Cure -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Chris Ewing -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
As the medical community anxiously scans the horizon for signs of the promised flu pandemic, attenti
You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Second Sunday after Christmas - 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,
The Contender -- Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Passion Sunday - A
Violence has fragmented our world again this week. It seems almost pandemic.
New Life - From The Laboratory Or The Font? -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- George L. Murphy -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
The Mother -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Carter Shelley -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Pastor,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
A Good-Enough Marriage -- Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Psalm 80:1-7 -- Carlos Wilton -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
December 19, 2004Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle A
Prayer For Public Consumption? -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Carter Shelley -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Maternal Love: Human And Divine -- John 13:31-35, Revelation 21:1-6, Acts 11:1-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
We pause in the midst of ongoing war and war crimes to think this Sunday of maternal love.
What Kindness Teaches -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13-18 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
Trinity As Community -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
On Trinity Sunday we remind ourselves of the foundation and core of our faith: the oneness of God ex
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,
Striving -- Genesis 32:22-31, Isaiah 55:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
News of the nomination of Judge John Roberts for a seat on the Supreme Court has filled the news thi
Clouded Vision -- Acts 1:1-11, Acts 16:16-34 -- David E. Leininger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
There is an ancient apocryphal story about Jesus' arrival at the Pearly Gates following the As
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Motivates You? -- Matthew 14:22-33, Romans 10:5-15, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
Lance Armstrong's record-setting seventh win of the Tour de France sparked this installment of Th
The Journey From "i" To "thou" -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Roger Lovette -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Introducing the Texts
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
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:
When Jesus Says "no" -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
Null -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
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:
Resisting The Cure -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Chris Ewing -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
As the medical community anxiously scans the horizon for signs of the promised flu pandemic, attenti
You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Second Sunday after Christmas - 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,
The Contender -- Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Passion Sunday - A
Violence has fragmented our world again this week. It seems almost pandemic.
New Life - From The Laboratory Or The Font? -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- George L. Murphy -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
The Mother -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Carter Shelley -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Pastor,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
A Good-Enough Marriage -- Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Psalm 80:1-7 -- Carlos Wilton -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
December 19, 2004Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle A

Worship

The Immediate Word

Maternal Love: Human And Divine -- John 13:31-35, Revelation 21:1-6, Acts 11:1-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
We pause in the midst of ongoing war and war crimes to think this Sunday of maternal love.
What Kindness Teaches -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13-18 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
Striving -- Genesis 32:22-31, Isaiah 55:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
News of the nomination of Judge John Roberts for a seat on the Supreme Court has filled the news thi
Trinity As Community -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
On Trinity Sunday we remind ourselves of the foundation and core of our faith: the oneness of God ex
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,
What Motivates You? -- Matthew 14:22-33, Romans 10:5-15, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
Lance Armstrong's record-setting seventh win of the Tour de France sparked this installment of Th
Clouded Vision -- Acts 1:1-11, Acts 16:16-34 -- David E. Leininger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C
There is an ancient apocryphal story about Jesus' arrival at the Pearly Gates following the As
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
The Journey From "i" To "thou" -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Roger Lovette -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
Introducing the Texts
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
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:
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
When Jesus Says "no" -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Resisting The Cure -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Chris Ewing -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
As the medical community anxiously scans the horizon for signs of the promised flu pandemic, attenti
Null -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
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:
The Contender -- Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Passion Sunday - A
Violence has fragmented our world again this week. It seems almost pandemic.
You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Second Sunday after Christmas - 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,
New Life - From The Laboratory Or The Font? -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- George L. Murphy -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
The Mother -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Carter Shelley -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Pastor,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
A Good-Enough Marriage -- Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Psalm 80:1-7 -- Carlos Wilton -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
December 19, 2004Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle A
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For September 21, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Well, it’s autumn, and by now the seeds we planted in the spring either took root and produced or else the weather, pests, rabbits, or our own laziness conspired to make this year’s garden less than a success. But at one point we had to get started and actually plant seeds for the future.

Jeremiah is looking back from the perspective of our spiritual well-being and laments than our spiritual harvest has all been for naught. He wonders if it is now too late for a recovery. Is there no healing, no balm in Gilead, to apply to our wounds?
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 and Psalm 79:1-9
In the spring as farmers and gardeners prepare to plant we are looking at a summer of possibilities. Hard work, to be sure, but also potential. What will happen? What will this season be like? At summer’s end there will be no more questions. We’ll know. Maybe it was a great season, and we have canned or frozen many vegetables. Maybe the farmers have brought in a bumper crop and they got a good price besides.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message will be based on a game you will play. See the note below.

NOTE: Ask three or more adults to come up and play the role of Simon for your group. Tell them to all speak at once, asking the children to do different things. The goal is to create a nice bit of confusion for the children to experience.

* * *

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

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hey!” Annie waved at the woman standing next to the open doorway. “Can you come here?”

The woman made her way past the other nursing home residents and stood next to Annie’s wheelchair.

“What can I do for you?”

“You look familiar.” Annie squinted at her. “Do I know your name?”

“I’m Brenda.” The woman pointed at her name tag. “I work in the kitchen and sometimes help serve the meals when they are ready.”

“That’s right. I think we’ve met before.” Annie tapped her lips with her finger. “You have the nice smile.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” In our worship today let us remember the little things in our lives and ask God to help us to be utterly faithful in them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we pretend that little sins don't matter.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we imagine that you don't notice little sins.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
This poignant prayer of lament and community grief gives expression to what it feels like to suffer as a person of faith. If we believe we are truly part of God's community, then the destruction of that community -- as was the case with Israel in 587 B.C. -- becomes a time for doubt, anger, and confusion. Furthermore, if we believe we are individual members of that community, our personal suffering also creates an opportunity for a crisis of faith: "Why didn't God protect me?" Of course, it does not take a national catastrophe to raise those sorts of questions.
Kirk R. Webster
If feedback is the breakfast of champions, perhaps we would do well to examine some of our prayer habits. If you have ever heard someone use The Just Really Prayer, you know exactly what problem we are talking about.

That prayer goes something like this, "Lord, we just really thank you for this day. We come before you and just really pray for mercy. We offer ourselves to you and just really ask that your will be done in our lives. Amen." I'm thankful this particular Just Really prayer was mercifully short, unlike the next example, The Good Guilt-Based Prayer.
John W. Wurster
Another season has come and gone. Promises that were made have not been fulfilled. Good intentions haven't yielded any tangible results. Dreams have not come true. High hopes have proven to be only wishful thinking. Nothing has really changed; nothing has really improved. The time keeps moving along, but we seem stuck in the same ruts. Old routines remain, prejudices persist, dullness and anxiety continue to be constant companions. Lingering in the air is that nagging sense that things aren't quite right, not as they could be, not as they should be.
R. Robert Cueni
In the scripture lesson for today Jesus tells a perplexing parable about a thoroughly dishonest employee who was praised for his dishonesty. In this story Jesus not only seems comfortable suggesting that it is acceptable to compromise with moral failings, but our Lord appears to commend his disciples to "go and do likewise." For centuries, preachers, commentators, and scholars have struggled to make sense of this outrageous tale.

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