Login / Signup

Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - 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

Children's Story

Devotional

Drama

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

A Hebrew man encountered a... -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1996
A Hebrew man encountered a friend of his as he was on his way to temple.
Contrast this church member with... -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1996
Contrast this church member with the power of Paul's affirmation: William Willimon told of his pasto
A little girl had become... -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1996
A little girl had become very ill and doctors said she would die unless she had an immediate transfu
Jean was worried about her... -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1996
Jean was worried about her friend Sarah. On the surface, Sarah seemed to have it all.
This is a true story... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1996
This is a true story about a family that had a fire break out in their home.
After you've eaten a TV... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1996
After you've eaten a TV dinner, what do you have left?
Well, then, why are so... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1996
"Well, then, why are so many people hungry?" A common question from people who question God's existe
Some congregations wonder why they... -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1996
Some congregations wonder why they do not grow.
In my youth, I could... -- 2 Kings 5:1-15ab -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
In my youth, I could often be found at a tent meeting or a revival.
Whenever I read in the... -- Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Whenever I read in the book of Ecclesiastes, I am first struck by the apparently negative attitude K
A Franciscan monk was describing... -- 2 Kings 5:1-15ab -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
A Franciscan monk was describing to an inquirer the merits of the various Catholic orders.
The word vanity is used... -- Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
The word vanity is used thirty-one times in Ecclesiastes.
A young student asked an... -- 2 Kings 5:1-15ab -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
A young student asked an aging monk for advice on how to live a pure and holy life.
The Great Gatsby is... -- Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
The Great Gatsby is a novel depicting people obsessed by their desire to possess.
From The Rockbr... -- Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:18-26 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
From "The Rock"The Eagle soars in the summit of Heaven,
Newsweek ran an article... -- Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Newsweek ran an article few weeks ago that speaks to us about the courage to be.
No one cares to be... -- Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:18-26 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
No one cares to be a good servant these days it seems.
Perhaps we could learn something... -- Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Perhaps we could learn something about keeping our minds fixed and focused from a great golfe
There is no more difficult... -- Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:18-26 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
There is no more difficult assurance than that something we have toiled to create will survive our l
Anecdote's and reminiscences about Napoleon... -- Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Anecdote's and reminiscences about Napoleon Bonaparte's character and manners are numerous.
Hear the parable of two... -- Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:18-26 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Hear the parable of two persons who saw the vanity of all existence.
The ancient search for happiness... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
The ancient search for happiness is an endeavor which continues in our day, in our lives.
Twice bornbr... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Twice bornTwice assuredTwice deadTwice risen
Following her husband's death, the... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Following her husband's death, the older sister had decisions to make.

The Immediate Word

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

Intercession

Preaching

Sermon

Stories

Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
Easter 4
28 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 5
33 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
30 – Worship Resources
35 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)

New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture -the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response – to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

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

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL