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Children's sermon

SermonStudio

God Is Our Headlight -- John 14:5 -- 2006
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going.
Nothing Separates Us From Jesus' Love -- Romans 8:35 -- 2006
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
New Life -- Mark 4:31-32 -- 2006
It is like a mustard seed, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth,
The Light Of Our World -- Matthew 8:12 -- 2006
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world.
Inside The Gate -- John 10:9 -- 2006
I am the gate.
The Bible Can Be A Map -- John 14:6 -- 2006
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.
Are You A Carrot, An Egg, Or Coffee Grounds? -- 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 -- 2006
Listen, I will tell you a mystery!
We Are Waiting -- Psalm 130:5-6 -- 2006
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord, more than
Our Season -- Ecclesiastes 3:1 -- 2006
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
Don't Let The Clock Run Your Life -- Luke 12:25 -- 2006
And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?

Preaching

SermonStudio

A Place Has Been Prepared -- 2006
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
For Those Of Uncertain Faith/Expansive Promise Of God -- Isaiah 43:6-13 -- 2006
I will say to the north, "Give them up!" and to the south, "Do not hold them back." Bring my sons
The Resurrection! -- John 20:1-18 -- 2006
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and
For One Who Longed To Know God -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- 2006
"The time is coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israe
Pronounced Innocent And Made Whole -- Romans 5:6-11 -- 2006
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
God's Faithfulness/Doing Battle With Grief -- Lamentations 3:1-24 -- 2006
I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
Even Suffering Leads To Good -- Romans 8:15-28 -- 2006
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spiri
For Children/Joy -- Zechariah 8:3-5 -- 2006
This is what the Lord says, "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem.
True Prosperity/Abundant Life -- Psalm 1 -- 2006
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners
Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love -- Romans 8:31-39 -- 2006
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Eternal Pleasure/Heaven -- Psalm 16:5-11 -- 2006
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
Foolishness Of The Resurrection/Limits Of Rationality -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- 2006
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being s
Warrior God/Battle Against Evil -- Psalm 21 -- 2006
O Lord, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give!
Salvation Message -- 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 -- 2006
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Messianic Psalm/From Pain To Victory -- Psalm 22:1-11, 14-24, 26-31 -- 2006
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
In The Fullness Of Time -- Ephesians 1:5-10 -- 2006
He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure
Good Shepherd/Death Disarmed/Heavenly Festival -- Psalm 23 -- 2006
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
Christlike Humility/Obedient Unto Death -- Philippians 2:5-8 -- 2006
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not
Simple Faith -- Psalm 27 -- 2006
The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear?
The Reconciliation That Leads To Peace -- Colossians 1:15-20 -- 2006
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Need For God/Remembering God's Work -- Psalm 42 -- 2006
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
Rescued From The Wrath To Come -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- 2006
Paul, Silas and Timothy,
The Power Of Remembrance -- Psalm 77 -- 2006
I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.
Fighting The Good Fight -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8 -- 2006
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.
Miracles -- Psalm 78:12-16 -- 2006
He did miracles in the sight of their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Good Fight -- 2 Timothy 4:6b-8 -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful middle-aged manThe Good Fight
A Farmer's Dependence On God -- Matthew 6:19-34 -- Charles Cammarata, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a man whose wife died before him
Flock With A Future -- Psalm 23 -- Richard F. Bansemer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For recognizing the Lord as our shepherdFlock With A Future
The Backside Of The Mountain -- Matthew 13:24-30, John 14:1-7 -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a young person who died following a prolonged battle with cancer
Questions -- Psalm 13 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a young woman following a brief illnessQuestions
Can We Give Thanks? -- 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 -- Carl B. Rife, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a six-year-old boy who was ill from birth
Death, Our Teacher -- Psalm 90 -- Allen Puffenberger, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a beloved parishionerDeath, Our Teacher
God Can Change The Past -- Luke 24:1-9, Isaiah 42:1-4, Revelation 7:13-17, Psalm 22:1-8, 14-31 -- Joe Barone, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For recognizing that God can turn the past around
Frayed Ends And Torn Seams -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a man killed by a hit-and-run driver
It Is Well -- Matthew 11:28 -- R. Blaine Detrick, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an eleven-year-old boy who drownedIt Is Well
As A Child -- Isaiah 40 -- Charles Cammarata, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a great church memberAs A Child
True Wisdom -- John 20:1-18, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Proverbs 2:1-8, Psalm 111 -- Joe Barone, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For recognizing true wisdomTrue Wisdom
What Was Broken Is Healed -- 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr., Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a young woman killed by a drunk driver
Swallowed Up In Victory -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 -- Charles L. Koester, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a seventeen-year-old boy killed by a drunk driver
All Things Are Possible -- Mark 10:23-27 -- Gary W. Fehring, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a rich manAll Things Are Possible
The Room Named Heaven -- John 14:2-3 -- W. George Easson, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an adult with Down's syndromeThe Room Named Heaven
God Suffers With Us -- Romans 14:8b -- Michael L. Sherer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For the untimely death of someone youngGod Suffers With Us
Rest For A Weary Soul -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For one who suffered a difficult lifeRest For A Weary Soul
A Lifetime Of One Day -- Romans 8:38-39 -- Victor A. Myers, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a day-old, premature infant girlA Lifetime Of One Day
Going Home -- John 14:1-14 -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an elderly, faithful manGoing Home
When The Boat Keeps Rocking -- Psalm 46 -- Robert A. Noblett, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a congregation experiencing several deaths in a brief period
Hidden Treasure -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For someone who lived in fearHidden Treasure
Come To Me -- Matthew 11:28, 2 Corinthians 12:9 -- Dr. Frank Efird, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a fourteen-year-old cancer victim, shortly before her confirmation
The Dancing Farmer -- 2 Samuel 6:14 -- Gary W. Fehring, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a ninety-year-old who had led a full life
Death Saddens Us -- John 3:16, Psalm 90 -- Mark Ellingsen, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an elderly shut-inDeath Saddens Us

Worship

SermonStudio

Responsive Reading -- Psalm 102:11-13, 18-20 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Reader: My days are like an evening shadow; Response: I wither away like grass.
Responsive Reading -- Psalm 90:1-9, 12-14 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Leader: Grass turns brown and withers from heat and lack of water, but it springs forth again when n
Responsive Reading -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Reader: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God,
Responsive Reading -- Matthew 18:3-5, 10 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Leader: Jesus loved the little children. Jesus loves us. He willingly gave his life for us.
Remembering The Deceased -- 2006
There are many ways for us to remember the deceased at the funeral home, the church, and during the
The Graveside Committal -- 2006
Graveside committal services are kept very short in my tradition.
Music For The Service -- 2006
Music has tremendous power to touch human hearts and minds, and therefore, it is a very useful tool
Hymns -- 2006
Singing is healing.
Other Music For Congregational Singing -- 2006
There are also many contemporary pieces of music that are appropriate for congregational singing at
Choral Music -- 2006
If you are lucky enough to be able to arrange for a choir to sing here are some suggestions for anth
Soloist Music -- 2006
This music can be found at religious supply stores and online.
Helpful Websites -- 2006
Here are a few websites I found that have helpful resources for funerals.
Call To Worship -- Matthew 11:28-30 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Leader: And Jesus said, "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I wi
Call To Worship -- Isaiah 40:1-8 -- 2006
At a time when Israel, God's people, had been through trauma and horror, God sent Isaiah the prophet
Call To Worship -- Isaiah 40:12-15 -- 2006
(The next few verses of that same chapter are also an excellent way to begin a service.
Call To Worship -- Isaiah 40:28-31 -- 2006
(Continuing in that same chapter, verses 28 through 31 are also excellent as a call to worship.)
Call To Worship -- Psalm 23 -- 2006
(I don't know that you can find better words to open a funeral service than those of the Psalm 23.
Call To Worship -- Romans 8:35-39 -- 2006
What can separate us from the love of Christ?
Call To Worship -- Luke 23:43 -- 2006
Leader: We come here today with breaking hearts;
Call To Worship -- Lamentations 3:23 -- 2006
Leader: We loved him,People: And now he is gone.
Call To Worship -- John 11 -- 2006
"I am the resurrection and the life," said Jesus to his friend, Martha, whose brother had died.
Call To Worship -- Matthew 11 -- 2006
Our Lord Jesus Christ said, "Come to me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you res
Call To Worship -- Philippians 1:18b-23 -- 2006
In his letter to the Philippian church, the Apostle Paul writes about his experience of being in pri
Call To Worship -- Romans 8 -- 2006
Leader: We know that in everything God works for good of those who love him,
Call To Worship -- 2006
A story to open a worship service
UPCOMING WEEKS
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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...
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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.

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