Login / Signup

First Sunday of Advent - A

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Children's Activity

Commentary

Children's bulletin

Children's Liturgy and Story

Children's sermon

CSSPlus

Eagerly awaiting -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you like popcorn?
Waking up and getting started -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.
Keeping secrets -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Fa

The Immediate Word

Is Peace Possible? -- Isaiah 2:2-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122 -- Carter Shelley -- First Sunday of Advent - A
November 28, 2004Advent 1 / Cycle A Dear Fellow Preachers,

Children's Story

Devotional

Drama

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Back on November 19, 2002... -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Back on November 19, 2002, the New York Times ran an article under the ominous headline: "Ast
Thirteen years ago, a concert... -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Thirteen years ago, a concert musician, Barry Faldner, and Chip Altholz, a manager and promoter for
Katie collected information about families... -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Katie collected information about families in the school district who were struggling financially.
At a recent neighborhood watch... -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
At a recent neighborhood watch meeting, the police presented several important ideas on how to secur
The late Fred Rogers was... -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
The late Fred Rogers was a beloved children's television personality and also a minister.
I have a new hobby... -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
I have a new hobby of making leather belts. I put an announcement in the church bulletin
Alison and her mother always... -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Alison and her mother always seemed to be at odds, never quite getting along, not
When one looks at the... -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
When one looks at the St. Elias mountain range, which borders Alaska, northern British
The choir director and pastor... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
The choir director and pastor were feuding. The pastor announced his sermon,
Put on the Lord Jesus... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
"Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."
Although the passage does not... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Although the passage does not speak specifically of grace and mercy, it certainly does in
Back on November 19, 2002... -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Back on November 19, 2002, the New York Times ran an article under the
Thirteen years ago, a concert... -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Thirteen years ago, a concert musician, Barry Faldner, and Chip Altholz, a manager and
Katie collected information about families... -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Katie collected information about families in the school district who were struggling
At a recent neighborhood watch... -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
At a recent neighborhood watch meeting, the police presented several important ideas on
Illustrations for December 2, 2007 from Emphasis -- Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Preaching The PsalmPsalm 122
The late Fred Rogers was... -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
The late Fred Rogers was a beloved children's television personality and also a minister.
I have a new hobby... -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
I have a new hobby of making leather belts.
Alison and her mother always... -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Alison and her mother always seemed to be at odds, never quite getting along, not agreeing on much o
When one looks at the... -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
When one looks at the St.
The choir director and pastor... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
The choir director and pastor were feuding.
Nathan was afraid. The complication... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
Nathan was afraid.
In an April 1968 issue... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A
In an April 1968 issue of Aerospace Medicine, a NASA researcher on a space activity suit publ

The Immediate Word

Which Armor Will We Wear? -- Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 -- Paul Bresnahan, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
In Romans, Paul admonishes us to "lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Ro
Is Peace Possible? -- Isaiah 2:2-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122 -- Carter Shelley -- First Sunday of Advent - A
November 28, 2004Advent 1 / Cycle A Dear Fellow Preachers,

Poems

Preaching

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Promise of Peace -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- Thomas E. Ridenhour, Sr. -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
The Irish seem constantly at war, seeking to kill each other for religious goals.

The Immediate Word

Is Peace Possible? -- Isaiah 2:2-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122 -- Carter Shelley -- First Sunday of Advent - A
November 28, 2004Advent 1 / Cycle A Dear Fellow Preachers,

The Village Shepherd

Light In Our Darkness -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Rosemary was 33 years old.
Is It Getting Up Time Yet? -- Romans 13:11-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Are you a night person or a day person?
How Does God Come To Us? -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday of Advent - A
Those words about the flood in today's gospel reading, are particularly poignant in light of thi

Stories

Worship

SermonStudio

Peace in God's Kingdom -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14 -- Heth H. Corl -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
ADVENT 1 -- Psalm 122 -- Norman A. Beck -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
Among the four texts chosen for this occasion in Series A of the lectionary we are using, perhaps Ps

The Immediate Word

Is Peace Possible? -- Isaiah 2:2-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122 -- Carter Shelley -- First Sunday of Advent - A
November 28, 2004Advent 1 / Cycle A Dear Fellow Preachers,
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.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL