Login / Signup

Second Sunday after Christmas - B

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

Children's Activity

CSSPlus

Famous Jesus -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Materials Poster board Glue Scissors Magazines Crayons
Seeing God -- John 1:1-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Materials Small dowel rods or craft sticks
The source of our knowledge -- John 1:10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Teachers or Parents: Jesus came into the world to save us
All those blessings -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Teachers: Paul launches this week's lesson with the statement

Gospel Grams 2

Children's Activity Bulletin: John 1:1-18 -- John 1:1-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B

Gospel Grams 1

Children's Activity Bulletin: John 1:1-18 -- John 1:1-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The Light Shines For All -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2021
Everyone wants to be in on the secret, and once we know a secret, we want to be the only ones who kn
Entering the mystery -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Cathy Venkatesh -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
It's a full ten days after Christmas; most of our world has moved on through New Year's celebrations
The glory of grace -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2003
How do you measure glory?
Celebrate the new year! -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1994
About the author R.

Children's bulletin

Gospel Grams 2

Children's Activity Bulletin: John 1:1-18 -- John 1:1-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B

Gospel Grams 1

Children's Activity Bulletin: John 1:1-18 -- John 1:1-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B

Children's sermon

CSSPlus

Words! -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2021
Objects: Notecards with phrases written on them, big enough for everyone to see.
Jesus Came to Save -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
The Point: The law reveals that we need a Savior.
The little hat -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Who do you think is the smartest person here this morning?
Famous Jesus -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you know anyone famous?
Chosen -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are beginning another new year.
Seeing God -- John 1:1-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Good morning! Did any of you see God this morning when you came into church?
We're his! -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Good morning! I brought this book to show you today. This is
The source of our knowledge -- John 1:10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Good morning! Have any of you ever met _______________?
Count your blessings -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Good morning, boys and girls. For many of you today is the
True light on the way -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have taken your

The Immediate Word

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:
The Emperor's Clothes -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2015
Many congregations will observe this coming Sunday as Epiphany Sunday -- so this installment of
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,

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

Michael's Snow -- John 1:10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
When Michael woke on New Year's Day, he gasped.

Devotional

SermonStudio

Christmas 2 -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Psalm 147:12-20 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Christmas 2 -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- William W. Helland -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2005
John 1:(1-9) 10-18

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 2 (2021) -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2021
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 2 (2015) -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
Jeremiah 31:7-14
How many times has that... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
How many times has that been sung by the Israelites?
The prophet Jeremiah tells... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
The prophet Jeremiah tells the people of Israel that their mourning will be turned to gladness and g
When a little girl's letter... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
When a little girl's letter to Legos went viral asking why the company did not have a line of toys f
Predestination: This is nothing... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
Predestination: This is nothing more than saying that God's love is a little like that of a Father l
John tells us that Jesus... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
John tells us that Jesus is the word who became flesh. He is God incarnate.
The word was Jesus... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
The word was Jesus. He was with God in the beginning and he was God. There is only one God.
Jeremiah 31:7-14 br... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Ephesians 1:3-14, Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2009
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Henri J. M. Nouwen, examining... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
Henri J. M.
The scripture speaks of God... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
The scripture speaks of God returning a remnant of his people to the land of Israel.
In preparation for graduation, the... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
In preparation for graduation, the pastor who would deliver the baccalaureate message requested a me
After the US-lead invasion... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
After the US-lead invasion of Iraq, thousands of doctors fled that country due to killings and kidna
In Stephen Harrigan's novel, The... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
In Stephen Harrigan's novel, The Gates of the Alamo, the character Edmund remembers his mothe
Paul proclaims a time of... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
Paul proclaims a time of thanksgiving for the gift of Jesus Christ.
Do not save me from... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
"Do not save me from death; save me from life!" the character Lilia cries to Joshua in Cecil DeMille
We are who we are... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
We are who we are, not because of our own doing, but by the grace of God.
What would a Christmas pageant... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
What would a Christmas pageant based on the gospel of John look like?
There's a story about a... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
There's a story about a kindergarten teacher who asked a boy what he was drawing.
An outdoor billboard, near a... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
An outdoor billboard, near a busy interstate highway, has the message, "Jesus is Real" in large lett
Rachel worked hard to establish... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
Rachel worked hard to establish a new support group.
(L, C)br... -- Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1982
(L, C)

The Immediate Word

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:
The Emperor's Clothes -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2015
Many congregations will observe this coming Sunday as Epiphany Sunday -- so this installment of

StoryShare

May You Have An Interesting Life -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Ephesians 1:3-14 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2021
Contents “May You Have An Interesting Life” by C. David McKirachan

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

God Of Forever... -- John 1:10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

Poems

SermonStudio

Christmas 2 -- John 1:1-18 -- Andrew Daughters -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1990
In the beginning,Before the beginning,Within all beginning,
Christmas 2 -- John 1:1-18 -- Andrew Daughters -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1990
In the beginning,Before the beginning,Within all beginning,
Christmas 2 -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Andrew Daughters -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1990
Through the night it shone afar,shone the strange and brilliant star.

Prayer

SermonStudio

Jesus is the incarnate Word -- John 1:1-18 -- Dennis Koch -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: The Word is God in his pre-Jesus existence and his coming

Preaching

The Immediate Word

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:
The Emperor's Clothes -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2015
Many congregations will observe this coming Sunday as Epiphany Sunday -- so this installment of
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,

SermonStudio

Christmas 2 -- Psalm 147:12-20 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2006
This psalm was likely written for the people of Jerusalem after their return from exile (see vv.
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:1-18 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 31:7-14 (C, E)
Christmas 2 -- Psalm 147:12-20 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1993
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:1-18 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1993
Yahweh promises to rebuild the nation of Israel. God's word is
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:1-18 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Second Sunday After ChristmasRevised CommonJeremiah 31:7-14

Sermon

The Immediate Word

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:
The Emperor's Clothes -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2015
Many congregations will observe this coming Sunday as Epiphany Sunday -- so this installment of
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,

SermonStudio

God Is The Hound Of Heaven -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
Students of American history have always been fascinated by the life and career of the sixteenth pre
It's God's Will? -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Scott Suskovic -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
...
Just Say The Word -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Robert J. Elder -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
Up until the modern era, with the advent of two-way radios, when generals needed to communicate with
Time To Come Home -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2005
Time To Come Home
Deep Calling To Deep -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2005
Wow, our text is not only challenging, it is a momentous portion of scripture that keeps spreading a
Our Hope For Years To Come -- John 1:1-18 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2002
On January 1, 2001, our world marked the beginning of a new millennium in human history.
A Song, A Dance, A Savior -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Curtis Lewis -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2002
Simon Wiesenthal in his book, The Sunflower, relates a discussion that took place at the Mauthausen
A New Look For The New Year -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Frederick R. Harm -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2002
Just a few days ago we greeted loved ones and friends with a cheery, "Happy New Year." And we sincer
When God Steps Out Of Shadows -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- William L. Self -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1999
Our daughter-in-law designs stage sets for the German theatre.
Words, Words, Words -- And The Word -- John 1:1-18 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1999
One of my favorite cartoons appeared in The New Yorker magazine.
Finding The Right Superlatives -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1999
When Bob Zuppke was football coach at the University of Illinois, the team thrived under his enthusi
A Little Book Of Comfort -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1996
The lectionary text for today is part of a larger unit that has sometimes been called "The Little Bo
God Is Down To Earth -- John 1:1-18 -- John A. Stroman -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1996
William Barclay is convinced that John wrote the fourth gospel for the sake of this fourteenth
A Little Book of Comfort -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1996
The lectionary text for today is part of a larger unit that has sometimes been called "The Little Bo
Getting Ready: Past, Present And Future -- John 1:1-18 -- Glenn Schoonover -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1993
Jesus was born 2,000 years ago and is yet to be born in the
You Can Go Home Again! -- Jeremiah 3:7-14 -- Frederick C. Edwards -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1993
In 1939, just as the world was teetering on the brink of a

The Village Shepherd

A New Year's Resolution? -- John 1:10-18 -- Janice B. Scott -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
So it's all over bar the shouting and we've survived!

Stories

StoryShare

May You Have An Interesting Life -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Ephesians 1:3-14 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2021
Contents “May You Have An Interesting Life” by C. David McKirachan
Hope For The New Year -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, Psalm 147:12-20 -- Keith Wagner, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2014
Contents"Hope for the New Year" by Keith Wagner
Sons From Far Away, Daughters In Nurses' Arms -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, Psalm 147:12-20 -- David O. Bales, Frank Ramirez, Timothy F. Merrill -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Consolation -- Jeremiah 31:9a, John 1:14 -- John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
ContentsSharing Visions, "Consolation" by Lori Hetzel

SermonStudio

Merry Xmas -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- David E. Leininger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
This is a glorious time of year.
Liar, Lunatic, Or Lord -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2005
Liar, Lunatic, Or Lord
God's Precious Gift -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1999
Paul and Rosa had tried and tried to have a baby.

Worship

The Immediate Word

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:
The Emperor's Clothes -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Mary Austin, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2015
Many congregations will observe this coming Sunday as Epiphany Sunday -- so this installment of
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,

SermonStudio

Come, Let Us Praise The Lord -- Psalm 147:13-21 -- Clyde W. Wentzell -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
1. Come, let us praise the Lord, In songs, with one accord,
Theme: News From Far As Far Away -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 147:16-18, 15) One: Praise the Lord!
Second Sunday After Christmas -- John 1:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2002
Unison Call To Worship (John 1:1-14)
The Lord Gathers All His People -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
Firstborn -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:1-18 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James R. Wilson -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Israel's Return Home -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use in ordinary sequence with scripture reading.
John's version of the Christmas story - The Word -- John 1:1-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationSuggestion:
The Sheep and the Goats -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Celebrating The Presence Of GodPastoral Invitation
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

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For November 2, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message involves roleplay. You will need a chair for Zach to stand on, unless it is ok for him to stand on a front pew. For the best fun, you will also want to have an adult volunteer play the role of Jesus and walk in when it is time. Whether he is in costume is up to you.

* * *
John Jamison
Object: You will need one or more pictures of people recognized as saints. You may find some pictures by Googling “public domain pictures of saints” and printing images from the results.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 and Psalm 119:137-144
Walter Elwell in the Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook notes of righteousness that it is, “Right standing, specifically before God. Among the Greeks, righteousness was an ethical virtue. Among the Hebrews it was a legal concept; the righteous man was the one who got the verdict of acceptability when tried at the bar of God’s justice.” God is a righteous God, even when is people are not righteous.
Frank Ramirez
One of the features of Synagogue worship is the Shema. The Hebrew word is “Hear!” and is the opening for Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” God’s people are commanded to “hear” these words. They come from the Lord. And these three scriptures invite us to hear God and each other, something that is lacking in our society today.
Wayne Brouwer
Fred Craddock tells of a vacation encounter in the Smokey Mountains of eastern Tennessee years ago that moved him deeply. He and his wife took supper one evening in a place called the Black Bear Inn. One side of the building was all glass, open to a magnificent mountain view. Glad to be alone, the Craddocks were a bit annoyed when an elderly man ambled over and struck up a nosey conversation: “Are you on vacation?” “Where are you from?” “What do you do?”
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 and Psalm 149

StoryShare

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.
Frank Ramirez
Call them the good old days. Call it the Golden Age. It’s not unusual for people to look back in their youth, or to the youth of their country, as somehow more perfect, honorable, or simpler. C.S. Lewis was always skeptical about claims that chocolate was better in one’s youth. It wasn’t better. Our taste buds were stronger and more receptive.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The Roman Catholic Church's canonisation of Edith Stein some years ago, fuelled considerable controversy. Edith Stein was born and bred into a Jewish family, becoming a Roman Catholic Christian at the age of 31. She was also a leading German intellectual in the early thirties, during the run-up to World War 2, although she gave up that career in order to become a Carmelite nun. But she didn't deny her Jewish roots, for in 1933 she petitioned the Pope, Pious XI to write an encyclical in defence of the Jews.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus didn't reject anyone, even those who were liars and cheats. By a simple act of friendship Jesus turned Zaccheus' life around. In our worship today let us consider friendship and all that it means.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, there are some people I don't like.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I reject.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I keep out of my circle of friends.
Lord, have mercy.


Reading:

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
The world offers many blessings, but none of these things will save us: only the blessing of God in Jesus Christ can do that.

Old Testament Lesson
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Daniel's Apocalyptic Dream
Perry H. Biddle, Jr.
Comments on the Lessons
John W. Clarke
This chapter of Luke brings us ever closer to the end of Jesus' public ministry. Jesus enters Jericho, just fifteen miles or so from the holy city of Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus transforms the life of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. This is one of the few stories that is peculiar to Luke and is a wonderful human-interest story. The fact that Zacchaeus is willing to climb a tree to see Jesus is a clear indication that he really wanted to see and meet the carpenter from Nazareth. His eagerness to see Jesus is rewarded in a very special way.
Scott A. Bryte
Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
Mark Ellingson
This is a story written for people who had been or were about to be persecuted, if not enslaved. (The book of Daniel was probably written in the mid-second century B.C. during a period of Seleucid [Syrian] domination in Palestine.) It tells them and us how their ancestors had once faced a similar slavery under the oppression of the Babylonians centuries earlier. The implication was that if these ancestors could endure and overcome such bondage, so could they and so can we.
Gary L. Carver
Ulysses S. Grant fought many significant battles as commander of the Union forces in the War Between the States. He also served as President of the United States where he probably engaged in as many battles as he did while he was a general. Toward the end of his life he fought his toughest battle -- with cancer and death.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
There is an apocryphal story told that after completing his masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, the famous Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci went to a nearby tavern to celebrate the event with his friends. While in conversation and sipping a little of the local wine, Leonardo noticed that many in the tavern were making sport of an ugly fool who made his living going from tavern to tavern, entertaining patrons for a spare coin or a crust of bread. This man truly was an ugly person; he seemed to be more of a troll than a man. His small beady eyes were not centered in his oversized head.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL