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Matthew 10:40-42

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

After These Things -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Nazish Naseem, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2026
For June 28, 2026:
People of Welcome -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 -- Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Katy Stenta, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
For July 2, 2023: P
An Awful Sacrifice -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
For July 5, 2020: S
Faith In The Face Of Loss -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Genesis 22:1-14 -- Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2017
In this week’s lectionary text from Genesis, Abraham faces the most extreme test many of us could po
How Far Would You Go? -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Genesis 22:1-14 -- Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
A big theme in the lectionary passages for Proper 8 is the question of how far we are willing to
Sacrificing Our Children -- Genesis 22:1-14, Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Psalm 13 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Roger Lovette, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
The lectionary passage from the Hebrew scriptures this week provides us with a compelling story but

CSSPlus

Try -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- John Jamison -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
Object: Three plastic or paper cups like those you get when you buy a soda.
Welcome! -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2017
Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me... (v. 40a)
Caring for Others and Jesus -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
The Point: To care for others is to care for Jesus
Welcome -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Leah Thompson -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. (v.

Children's Activity

CSSPlus

Welcome -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
You, Jesus, and God -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me" (v. 40).
Rewards -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Teachers or Parents: Children know what rewards are all
Welcome! -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Teachers or Parents: The ministry of welcome is often overlooked or assumed.
Welcoming God -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Materials: Welcome sign example Colored paper Cardboard Glue
Rewarding experience -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Parents and Teachers: This morning's lesson is about rewards.

Illustration

The Immediate Word

After These Things -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Nazish Naseem, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2026
For June 28, 2026:
People of Welcome -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 -- Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Katy Stenta, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
For July 2, 2023: P
An Awful Sacrifice -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
For July 5, 2020: S

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations For Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 (2023) -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
Genesis 22:1-14
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 (2020) -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, M Adryael Tong -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
Genesis 22:1-14
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 (2017) -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2017
Genesis 22:1-14
Social commentator... -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
Social commentator Alain de Botton has noted that our anxiety about status is a function of not find
John Wesley, the... -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Ron Love -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, in a sermon titled "Upon Our Lord's Sermon On The Mount, Disc

StoryShare

How to Treat Strangers -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 
Welcoming -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
Contents “Welcoming” by Peter Andrew Smith

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Community Faith Questions -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- David Coffin -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
The 2018 movieThe Command narrated the disaster of the flagship Russian nuclear Submarine “
Transforming Grace -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
Fred Craddock tells of a vacation encounter in the Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee years ago th
Serving What God? -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- David Coffin -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2017
How does one preach in the middle of the summer and vacation time, when God is possibly the last thi
The nature of faith -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- David Coffin -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
A single mother and her child are living with her parents.
Defined by choices -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
Robert Maynard once told how he became a writer.
The grand national preach-off -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
Nowadays it is hard for any television viewer to avoid the reality show genre where "real people" a
The sacrifice Isaac offered -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2002
Without question the story of "The Sacrifice of Isaac" is one of the most horrific in the whole Bibl
Successful or faithful? -- Jeremiah 28:5-9, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1999
Many church folks feel the congregation and its pastor are not doing a good job if church membership
Broken chains -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1996
The readings for today are not a neat match for each other.
Pick me! Pick me! -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- David Kalas -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
The children gather on the playground for a game: perhaps kickball, or basketball, or touch football

Worship

The Immediate Word

After These Things -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Nazish Naseem, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2026
For June 28, 2026:
People of Welcome -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 -- Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Katy Stenta, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
For July 2, 2023: P
An Awful Sacrifice -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
For July 5, 2020: S
Faith In The Face Of Loss -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Genesis 22:1-14 -- Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2017
In this week’s lectionary text from Genesis, Abraham faces the most extreme test many of us could po
How Far Would You Go? -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Genesis 22:1-14 -- Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
A big theme in the lectionary passages for Proper 8 is the question of how far we are willing to
Sacrificing Our Children -- Genesis 22:1-14, Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Psalm 13 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Roger Lovette, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
The lectionary passage from the Hebrew scriptures this week provides us with a compelling story but
Bringing Your Dreams On The Altar -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
Everyone has a dream. That dream is, for them, the key to a better life.

SermonStudio

Proper 8/Pentecost 6/Ordinary Time 13 -- Matthew 10:40-42, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Romans 6:12-23 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2007
Greeting Of Peace P: From every land and nation, every city and home,
Proper 8 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: With joy and celebration,
Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2004
First Lesson: Genesis 22:1-14 Theme: Letting Go Call To Worship

Sermon

The Immediate Word

After These Things -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Nazish Naseem, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2026
For June 28, 2026:
People of Welcome -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 -- Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Katy Stenta, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
For July 2, 2023: P
An Awful Sacrifice -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
For July 5, 2020: S
Faith In The Face Of Loss -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Genesis 22:1-14 -- Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2017
In this week’s lectionary text from Genesis, Abraham faces the most extreme test many of us could po
How Far Would You Go? -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Genesis 22:1-14 -- Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
A big theme in the lectionary passages for Proper 8 is the question of how far we are willing to
Sacrificing Our Children -- Genesis 22:1-14, Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Psalm 13 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Roger Lovette, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
The lectionary passage from the Hebrew scriptures this week provides us with a compelling story but
Bringing Your Dreams On The Altar -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
Everyone has a dream. That dream is, for them, the key to a better life.

SermonStudio

If Your Sense Of Purpose Ever Becomes A Burden, Remember Your Value -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2007
Do you ever wish you counted for something, that you had value?
In Our Pastor's Success, So Is Our Own! -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2004
Did you hear about the farm boy who always wondered what would happen if he twisted the tail on the
The Prophet's Reward -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
Children are sometimes the best teachers one can imagine having.

Preaching

The Immediate Word

After These Things -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Nazish Naseem, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2026
For June 28, 2026:
People of Welcome -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18 -- Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Katy Stenta, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
For July 2, 2023: P
An Awful Sacrifice -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13, Jeremiah 28:5-9 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
For July 5, 2020: S
Faith In The Face Of Loss -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Genesis 22:1-14 -- Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2017
In this week’s lectionary text from Genesis, Abraham faces the most extreme test many of us could po
How Far Would You Go? -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Genesis 22:1-14 -- Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
A big theme in the lectionary passages for Proper 8 is the question of how far we are willing to
Sacrificing Our Children -- Genesis 22:1-14, Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Psalm 13 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Roger Lovette, George Reed -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
The lectionary passage from the Hebrew scriptures this week provides us with a compelling story but
Bringing Your Dreams On The Altar -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
Everyone has a dream. That dream is, for them, the key to a better life.

SermonStudio

Proper 8 / Pentecost 6 / Ordinary Time 13 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2010
Theme For The Day God's grace is a precious gift.
Proper 8 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 22:1--14 (C)
Proper 8, Pentecost 6, Ordinary Time 13 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.

Stories

StoryShare

How to Treat Strangers -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 
Welcoming -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
Contents “Welcoming” by Peter Andrew Smith
To Any Of These Little Ones -- Matthew 10:40-42, Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Psalm 13 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2014
Contents "To Any of These Little Ones" by Sandra Herrmann
Standardized Testing -- Matthew 10:40-42, Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Psalm 13 -- C. David Mckirachan, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
Contents "Standardized Testing" by C. David McKirachan
The Borrowed Book -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13 -- Argile Smith, Craig Kelly -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "The Borrowed Book" by Argile Smith
Who Is In Favor Of Child Sacrifice? -- Matthew 10:40-42, Romans 6:12-23, Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13 -- John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Contents What's Up This Week

SermonStudio

A Cup Of Coffee -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2004
Tom Kadel
King Thrushbeard -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2004
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. (v.
Growing Up - It's A Scary Thought -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
My parents sacrificed so that my sister and I could go to college.
God's Direction -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1998
If it's true that our family of origin defines who we are from the moment of our birth, then Marvin

Devotional

SermonStudio

Proper 8 / Pentecost 6 / OT 13 -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2007
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.

Children's Liturgy and Story

The Village Shepherd

Boris In The Forest -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
Call to Worship:

Free Access

Boris In The Forest -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
Call to Worship:

Children's Story

The Village Shepherd

Junior Gangland -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Frank was against the plan from start.

Intercession

The Village Shepherd

Accepting And Welcoming God... -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For October 11, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Amanda Squirrel hummed as she put the finishing touches to the icing on the huge cake she had made earlier that day. "Will this do?" she asked her friend Hetty Hedgehog.

"Do?" gasped Hetty. "Why, it's the best and biggest cake I've ever seen!"

Amanda had been planning this party for months. All the invitations had been sent out weeks ago, and Amanda and Hetty had been hard at it for several days, preparing the food and sweeping and cleaning and decorating the animal hall.

StoryShare

Alex A. Gondola, Jr.
Craig Kelly
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"A Lot of Bull" by Alex Gondola
"Rejoice in the Lord Always" by Alex Gondola
"Second Chances" by Craig Kelly
"American Idol" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
Keith Hewitt
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"American Idols" by Keith Heweitt
"Invitation to Peace" by Frank Ramirez


* * * * * * * *


American Idols
by Keith Hewitt
Exodus 32:1-14

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
Psalm 106 is recitation of the sins of Israel, an enumeration of the ways in which the nation failed to trust their well-being to the Lord. In verse 6, the psalmist confesses that his own generation has been as sinful as their ancestors, but the catalog of sins that follows sticks to those of the forebears.
William E. Keeney
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come.
John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Exodus 32:1-14 (C)
The Israelites worship a golden bull. Thinking Moses had deserted them as well as Yahweh, the people persuaded Aaron to make a golden bull out of their jewelry for worship. It is a return to an Egyptian god, Amon-Re, represented by a bull. Yahweh was so angry at their desertion of him, that he threatened to destroy them. Upon Moses' intercession, their plight was avoided.

Lesson 1: Isaiah 25:6-10 (RC); Isaiah 25:1-9 (E)
 On Mount Zion, God will make a feast for all peoples on the last day.
Argile Smith
When we get nervous about the unknown, we can make mountains out of mole hills. But we aren't by ourselves. Loads of people down through history have made the same mistake.
Joseph M. Freeman
Jesus' use of parables is his way of communicating a striking truth with significant love. In my own journey as a Christian person, the most amazing quality of God which has been so instructive to me is that He approaches us with equal doses of love and truth. How different He is than us. When I see someone in error and that error has personally hurt me, I go for that person's jugular, to deliver the truth, but little or no love accompanies it. Hence, the person becomes defensive and flatly refuses the truth which could correct the error.
George S. Johnson
This morning I want to talk to you about becoming a Christian - the invitation of Jesus to come and follow him. It is not my intention to judge who is or is not a Christian, or criticize anyone's experience of salvation, or to suggest that you are not already a member of God's family. My intention is rather to allow this text to speak clearly to us about Jesus' invitation. My purpose is to give voice to Jesus' call to discipleship.

I approach this text from Matthew with a few assumptions, a few underlying givens. Let me share with you what they are.
Richard C. Brand
"I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord." We have no idea what in the world these two women were quarreling about. Perhaps if we had had Entertainment Weekly or the National Enquirer or MSNBC or the investigative potential of the Internet we would have more information about the nature of the split. But we have no idea what had set these two women against each other.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Prayer Of Confession And Absolution
P: We hold back your goodness from one another.
We hold back, pretending it is our own.
C: Break open the tombs of pride and fear that we build,
so that in giving what is yours,
we might find what we truly need.

Silence for reflection and self-examination

P: The Lord is your shepherd: you shall never be in want.
Such goodness and mercy will seek you,
and they will find you;
so that in the banquet of love, you will forever be filled.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart (UM160, 16l, NCH55, 71, PH145, 146, LBW553)
Where Cross The Crowded Ways Of Life (UM427, CBH405, NCH543, PH408)
Sweet Hour Of Prayer (CBH11, UM496, NCH505)
Rejoice, The Lord Is King! (CBH288, UM716, NCH303, PH155)
What A Friend We Have In Jesus (NCH506, CBH573, UM526, PH403)
I Would Be True (NCH492)
Lead On, O King Eternal (LBW495, NCH573, PH447, 448, UM580)
We Come As Guests Invited (PH517)

Anthems

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
As I was driving home from the office the other day, I was waiting at a traffic light downtown, when I saw one of my parishioners cross the street in front of me. It's still my first year in my present appointment, and it occurred to me that I had never seen him outside of church. He is in church quite faithfully, but I had never seen him outside of that context. The sight of him in more casual clothes ... chewing gum ... and coming out of a store reminded me of a ridiculously simple fact: He has a life outside of that pew where I am accustomed to seeing him each Sunday morning.
Wayne Brouwer
His shrunken frame and age-diminished voice were almost lost at the front of our large church auditorium. He had been a medical intern at a small hospital in Arnhem when Hitler's war machine rolled through the Netherlands and set up a puppet Nazi government. Radios were destroyed to prevent BBC "propaganda" from demoralizing folks who needed nothing other than German "truth."

CSSPlus

Have you ever seen a movie or a television show that was scary? (Let them answer.) I have! Sometimes a show will get so scary that my heart starts pounding and it seems so real. When an action scene gets too real, what are some things people can do to remind themselves that this is only a show and not real? (Let them answer.)
Cynthia E. Cowen
The Point: Jesus asks us to join God's family and how we respond is important.

The Lesson: Welcome, boys and girls. Thank you for coming forward to share this teaching moment with me.
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