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Children's sermon

Is Anyone Listening? -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43, Luke 1:68-79, Psalm 46 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2022

For November 20, 2022:

Is Paul Crazy? -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15, Psalm 8 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2022

For June 12, 2022:

Abandon Your Calendars -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022

For November 27, 2022:

Who Gets to Go Home? -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20, 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21, Psalm 16 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2022

For June 26 2022:

Let Us Go Forth and Not Be Offended -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:5-10, Luke 1:46b-55 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022

For December 11, 2022:

Red, White, and Blurry -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, Psalm 30, Isaiah 66:10-14, Psalm 66:1-9 -- Christopher Keating, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2022

For July 3, 2022:

Missile Gap -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022

For December 18, 2022:

Why Pass By? -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37, Psalm 82, Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Psalm 25:1-10 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2022

For July 10, 2022:

No Room? No Way! -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Psalm 96, Psalm 98, John 1:1-14 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2022

For December 25, 2022:

Hospitality -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42, Psalm 52 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2022

For July 17, 2022:

Brood of Vipers -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Psalm 29 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Tom Willadsen -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2022

For January 9, 2022:

When The Wine Runs Out -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11, Psalm 138 -- Christopher Keating, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2022

For January 16, 2021:

Coach Comes Calling -- Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2022

For January 23, 2022:

Bait and Switch -- Luke 4:21-30, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2022

For January 30, 2022:

Negotiating the Power of Life -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 29 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2021

For May 30, 2021:

Walking the Line -- Mark 3:20-35, 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), Genesis 3:8-15, Psalm 138, Psalm 130 -- Christopher Keating, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2021

For June 6, 2021:

The Image of God -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34, Psalm 20 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Chris Keating, George Reed -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2021

For June 13, 2021:

Underdog? -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2021

For June 20, 2021:

Waiting for the Lord -- and People -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 130, Psalm 30, Lamentations 3:22-33 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2021

For June 27, 2021:

Playing Chess with Death -- Mark 6:14-29, Ephesians 1:3-14, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Psalm 24 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2021

For July 11, 2021:

Mending Walls -- Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, Psalm 89:20-37, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2021

For July 18, 2021:

The Love of Power vs. The Power of Love -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21, Psalm 14 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2021

For July 25, 2021:

Message or Miracle? -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Chris Keating, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2021

For August 1, 2021:

Do Not Make Room for the Devil -- 2 Samuel 19:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51, Psalm 130 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Quantisha Mason-Doll, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2021

For August 8, 2021:

Wisdom with Humility -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58, Psalm 111 -- Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2021

For August 15, 2021:

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You Want Me to Do What? -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11, Psalm 138 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2022

For February 6, 2022:

To Judge Is Human, To Forgive Divine -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38, Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2022

For February 20, 2022:

Mountaintop Metamorphosis -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a), Psalm 99 -- Christopher Keating, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2022

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Heading For The Exits -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69, Psalm 84 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2021

For August 22, 2021:

The Ingathering -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Psalm 147:12-20, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B, Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2021

For January 3, 2021:

Heartwork -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Katy Stenta, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2021

For August 29, 2021:

Chaos Into Order -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11, Psalm 29 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2021

For January 10, 2021:

Hearing Our Siblings' Cries -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37, Psalm 125, Genesis 2:15 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2021

For September 5, 2021:

There’s Bad News and There’s Good News -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2021

For January 17, 2021:

Controlling the Narrative -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38, Psalm 19 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2021

For September 12, 2021:

And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021

For January 24, 2021:

Suffer The Powerless -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37, Psalm 1 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Chris Keating, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2021

For September 19, 2021:

Non-Prophet Culture -- Mark 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111 -- Christopher Keating, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2021

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Liturgy

Preaching

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Faith is a Verb -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23, Genesis 15:1-6, Psalm 33:12-22 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2022

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18

30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...

Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19

29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...

Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20

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

A Better World Together

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating

For October 26, 2025:

A Better World Together by Katy Stenta based on Joel 2:23-32.
Second Thoughts: How Can God Love “Those People”? by Mary Austin based on Luke 18:9-14.
Sermon illustrations by Dean Feldmeyer, Tom Willadsen, Nazish Naseem.
Worship resources by George Reed.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Not All Scores Are Final

David Kalas

I am a scoreboard watcher. I follow a lot more games than I actually watch, but since technology makes it easy to check scores on a moment’s whim, I watch a lot of scoreboards of teams and games that I am at least mildly interested in. And as I check those scores, I find myself having immediate reactions: “Great!” “Oh, that's too bad.” “Excellent!” “Nuts.” And in the midst of that sports-fan roller coaster, I must continually remind myself that not all scores are final.

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2025)

Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez

Joel 2:22-32
Martin Luther sings the praises of God’s love revealed in this lesson. He wrote:

The love of God which lives in man loves sinners, evil persons, fools and weaklings in order to make them righteous, good, wise, and strong. Rather than seeking its own good, the love of God flows forth and bestows good. (Luther’s Works, Vol. 31, p.57)

John Wesley nicely summarizes the Spirit’s role in fighting the lure of our old sinful habits:

CSSPlus

Opposites!

John Jamison

Object: This message is a role-play story. You will need two children to play the roles of the Pharisee and the tax collector. I usually ask two children if they will help me as they are all coming forward for the message, but you may select them however you choose.

* * *

StoryShare

Failure Can Lead to Spiritual Growth

John E. Sumwalt

Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight.
Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live. (vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.

The Village Shepherd

Praxis Is Apple Green

Janice B. Scott

Call to Worship:

We all dislike people who blow their own trumpets, although sometimes we may be in awe of them. Jesus too deplored such behaviour and was never in awe of those who practised it. In our worship today let us open ourselves to Jesus, allowing him to see what is in our hearts.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we allow other people's behaviour to intimidate us.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we refuse to reach our own fullest potential because we are afraid.

SermonStudio

Psalm 65

Schuyler Rhodes

Every morning when sleep leaves and waking comes there is cause for praising God. Caught up, as we are, in the currents and eddies of our lives, this is easy to forget. This wonderful psalm is a reminder. God's bounty and abundance spill into our lives like waters over a causeway. God's delight in creation explodes in a million different colors. In every moment there is reason to give God praise.

Facing Death Without Blinking

Robert R. Kopp

When I was a little boy growing up in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania's First Presbyterian Church, one of those Christian chalk artists with black light, neon colors, and black felt canvas who made pictures of Jesus look like those Elvis portraits for sale on the side of the road at the beach showed up as entertainment for a Sunday evening potluck dinner.

Good Guys And Bad Guys

John E. Berger

Today's sermon begins with this little one-person drama.

A Fresh Start!

Mark Ellingson

Have you ever felt that you were absolutely at the end of your rope, left without hope? Sometime during the years of 539 B.C. to 331 B.C. that is the way the people of Judah felt. It seems that their land had been ravaged by a plague of locusts which had had catastrophic consequences.

Once a harvest has been destroyed, you cannot repair it. If a building has burned to the ground, you cannot repair it. In those instances you need to start from scratch with a fresh start.

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Katy StentaMary AustinDean FeldmeyerTom WilladsenNazish NaseemGeorge ReedChristopher Keating

David Kalas

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This Week’s Scriptures

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating

Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez