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Worship

SermonStudio

Deafness/Hearing -- Mark 7:31-37, Isaiah 35:4-7a -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipLet us open our eyes -
Depth Of Devotion -- Mark 7:1-9, 14-15, 21-23 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe are not here for show.
Dwelling Place -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14, 17 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to Worship
Easter -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe come to share and to shout good news.
Father -- Ephesians 6:1-4 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipThere is a vastness and wonder to God that we can in no way describe.
Forgiveness -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipO God, we enter your gates with thanksgiving;
Freedom -- James 1:25 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe praise the God who made us -
Friend -- John 15:9-17 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to Worship
Garments -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe come to be clothed as children of God.
Giving/Greed -- Mark 12:41-44, Matthew 27:3-10 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe worship the one God, Creator and Sustainer of all:

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

Last Piece Of The Puzzle -- Mark 13:24-37, Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2006
Advent is the time of waiting, of wishing, and of wanting an intervention.
Mother Teresa And The Messianic Life -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
"On that day," promised wild Isaiah, "on that day when things are finally set right, the wolf sha
John The Baptist And Jewel Cave -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Prepare ye the
Combat Fatigue And Christmas -- James 5:7-9 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Be patient, my brothers, until the Lord comes.
Mary, The Mother Of Jesus -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
Thin Places -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Joseph also went [to] Bethlehem to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was ex
Living And Dying -- 2 Chronicles 24:17-22 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the
Light And Darkness -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
And the light pierced the darkness of it all, of it all -- the Epiphany of our Lord.
Epiphany Hiking -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Matthew 3:13-17 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2006
And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were op
Dream And Reality -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
How can one best understand Dr. King? What was it that formed and empowered him?

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Jesus Helps Us See Better -- Hebrews 12:18-24 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a pair of eyeglasses
A Time For Giving -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
(Appropriate for Christmas)
Sunday's Special Breakfast -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some orange juice, toast, and cereal
A Bolt, A Nut, And A Washer -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Wesley T. Runk
Good morning, boys and girls.
Suffering ... A Good Teacher -- Hebrews 5:7-9 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a speeding ticket
God Sees Right Through -- Hebrews 4:9-16 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a big piece of clear plastic used to cover many or all of the children
We Are The Church -- Hebrews 3:1-6 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some bricks, wood, a miniature tent
Jesus Was A Pioneer -- Hebrews 2:9-11 (12-18) -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: an antique that would be representative of the pioneer period of our country, such a
Friends And Favors -- Philemon 8-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: none
Special -- Philemon 7-17 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some ordinary coins and some collector's coins

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

We Are Witnesses -- Luke 24:44 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
As we examined the Great Commissions in Matthew and Mark, we noted how each version matches the styl
That Is How I Send You -- John 20:21-23 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
In my third year at seminary, as I was doing my morning devotions and Bible reading, I came to John
The Greater Miracle -- Mark 2:1-12 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
When we read the stories from the early part of Jesus' ministry, we begin to understand why his life
You Make The Call -- Mark 5:1-20 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
The old-timers probably knew the story of the demoniac in detail. Let's call him Caliphys.
Recognizing True Authority -- Matthew 8:5-13 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Like the account of the paralytic and his four friends, here is another miracle where the faith of a
Why Couldn't We Cast It Out? -- Mark 9:14-29 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Jesus, along with Peter, James, and John, are away on a trip up the mountain.
What To Do On Sunday -- Matthew 12:9-14 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there
A Bright Question -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
What kind of lights were used on Noah's Ark?
A $10,000 Reward! -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Some years ago in Los Angeles, California, a Brinks armored truck used to transport money dropped a
The Eastern Gate -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
I will meet you in the morning,Just inside the Eastern Gate;

Stories

SermonStudio

Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Everyone else may desert you, but not your mom!
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
We need to be patient with our mothers in the same way that God is patient with us.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A good mother is sunshine in a house.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A mother's praise has outstanding effects upon children.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A mother's prayers will help diminish a child's cares.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Create good memories for your children along with good habits.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"In everything set them an example by doing what is good." (Titus 2:7 NIV)
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A mother should never make differences between her children, but love them all.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"God the Spirit, Guide and Guardian, Wind-sped flame and hovering Dove, Breath of life and voice of
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
God's Spirit wants to empower you for service -- Today!

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Christian Faith

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Lent 5
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Palm/Passion Sunday
30+ – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
30+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Maundy Thursday
15+ – Sermons
70+ – Illustrations / Stories
20+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
15+ – Worship Resources
10 – Commentary / Exegesis
and more...
Good Friday
16+ – Sermons
70+ – Illustrations / Stories
20+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
15+ – Worship Resources
10 – Commentary / Exegesis
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
George Reed
For March 29, 2026:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
The work of salvation is embodied in the crucifixion and death of Jesus. That, all Christians are agreed upon. But how does that work? Jesus is obedient to God, undergoing torture and a horrible death, naked and in public view. Unless someone will come forward and claim the body after the crucifixion is over, it will be disposed of like garbage, literally: it will be thrown in the garbage pit outside of Jerusalem and slaked with lime to hold down the smell of the decaying flesh and hurry the process of tissue breakdown.
Perhaps we lose the punch of the imagery of "servant" in the Bible when we in our day view on cable television a movie like Remains of the Day. Watching the ever meticulous and loyal Anthony Hopkins prepare a table for dinner in a British palatial estate enables us to see what the ideal servant should do, how he should dress and act and talk, and how he should close his ears to whatever conversation takes place between host and guest.
R. Craig Maccreary
I suspect that most preachers will not be looking for ways to dive headlong into lifting up the passion as the centerpiece of their homiletical offering for this Sunday. No doubt there are good reasons to avoid wandering off the usual beaten path of the Palm Sunday parade: the palms, on order for a year, beckon to be taken home and folded into family Bibles as bookmarks; the children wait to have the promise fulfilled that they will be able to act up a bit in the parade of palms with a passion that is not usually permitted; and the choir has practiced for months.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
When Jesus died, the centurion who crucified him said, "Truly this man was God's Son!" Let us worship God's Son in all our activities today.


Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, forgive us when we fail to recognise you in other people.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, forgive us when we let ourselves down.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, forgive us for all those occasions when we crucify you afresh.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

Bryan Meadows
David O. Bales
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Upwards Motion" by Bryan Meadows
"Is It Truth?" by David Bales


What's Up This Week
Judy Sepsey
David O. Bales


Contents
"In the Arms of Love" by Judy Sepsey
"Mother of Judas" by David O. Bales


* * * * * * * *


Introducing Judy Sepsey

SermonStudio

David O. Bales
The novel The Ugly American is based upon facts of how Americans related to people in Southeast Asia. The insensitivity and arrogance of American government officials was generally depressing. One chapter of the novel, however, is particularly inspiring. An American woman, Emma Atkins, has come with her engineer husband to the fictional nation of Sarkhan. Emma is a curious, good-hearted person and she soon notices that in their small village all the older people are permanently bent over.
Lee Griess
Different churches celebrate Palm Sunday in different ways. At one church in Chicago, there is a tradition for worshipers to gather outside the church. Palm branches are distributed, and when the time comes, another group of worshipers emerge from the front doors playing instruments and together they march around the block, singing the songs of Palm Sunday. One year as the procession made its way around the block of the church building, a young man living in an apartment across the street, threw open the window and in his pajamas shouted, "What's all this noise?
Mark Ellingsen
God simply does not seem to do the sort of things we would expect our God to do. He does not always give us what we want. Most of us do not have everything we had hoped and dreamed for in life. He does not always answer our prayers. After all, we have all lost loved ones.
Robert J. Elder
Preachers often wonder what to do with Palm Sunday. Frequently the day is given to a celebration of Jesus' triumphal procession into Jerusalem.

Sometimes, though, worship provides a different offering, given the alternate title of Passion Sunday, leaving behind the pomp and celebration of Palm Sunday for a hard look at the events of the coming week, the last supper, the betrayal, the crucifixion, the burial in the tomb. It is because we know about the passion that is coming that preachers always wonder what to do with the happy celebration of Palm Sunday.
Albert G. Butzer, III
One of the harsh realities of the life of faith is feeling abandoned by God. Sooner or later most of us will experience what college chaplain Will Willimon once called "vacant places of the heart when God seems far away, remote."1 We often hear people say, "I come to church to celebrate the presence of God in my life," which is true for many people much of the time. But if we listen carefully we will hear others say:

I come to church to try to find what's missing in my life.
I come hoping that Someone will shed some light on my darkness.
Bill Mosley
Things are hardly ever the way they appear and certainly not on Calvary's hill. The Passion story from Luke makes the turning tables graphically clear. The king is crucified. The court of law is not legal. Justice is not done. Even the Roman governor can find no crime in this man. The evidence is compromised. Everything points the other way. So why does Jesus have to die?
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Theme: Like Flint

Call To Worship

He, who could tenderly sustain the weary with a word, was about to be clobbered. He knew it. He did not run. He faced it. He turned his own other cheek.

Collect

We stand together with you, O Parent of Jesus, through the unholy events of this holy week. We stand with you as you wait with your own face set like flint as you hear him cry out to you on the cross.

Prayer Of Confession
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
At The Name Of Jesus (PH148, UM168, CBH342)
All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name (PH142, 143, CBH106, NCH304)
He Is Lord (UM177)
Blessed Be The Tie That Binds (CBH421)
Go To Dark Gethsemane (PH97, CBH240)        
He Never Said A Mumblin' Word (PH85)
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (UM27, PH89, NCH213)
Mantos y Palmas/Filled With Excitement (UM279, NCH214)
All Glory, Laud, And Honor (PH90, NCH216)

Anthems
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna, Kenyon, Agape, handbells

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. Everyone here this morning has taken an elevator ride before, right? (Let them answer.) Have you ever gotten on an elevator that was going down, (point down) and you wanted to go up, (point up) so you went down (point down) to go up (point up)? That's what we are going to do this morning. Only our elevator is an imaginary one.
Good morning! Today I brought a sign with me. Can someone tell me what it says? (Have one of the older children read it.) Now why do you think I brought this with me this morning? (Let them answer.) I brought this with me because it is very similar to the sign they put on Jesus' cross. (Here you can recap the Passion Sunday reading.)
Good morning! I brought two pictures to show you today. Here is a picture of Jesus having a dinner with his friends (show the picture), and here is one of Jesus suffering on the cross (show the picture). Now, if you were Jesus, which of these two things would you rather be doing? (Let them answer.) Yes, of course. If any of us were given that choice, we would rather be doing anything other than suffering on a cross. In fact, I doubt that there is anything that would convince one of us to allow ourselves to be crucified, but that's exactly what Jesus did.
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