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SermonStudio

The Song of the People of God -- George M. Bass -- 1984
The Church of San Clemente, located about 300 yards from the Coliseum in Rome, is a graphic symbol o
Weddings -- Jerald J. Daffe -- 1977
The union of a man and a woman in the bonds of matrimony is the most sacred special occasion in whic
Funerals -- Jerald J. Daffe -- 1977
The value placed on a human life varies between cultures, but one consistent factor is the fear and
Dedications and Installations -- Jerald J. Daffe -- 1977
In considering dedication and installation services, there are several misconceptions that need to b
Baptismal Services -- Jerald J. Daffe -- 1977
The Christian rite (sacrament, in some denominations) of baptism was not a completely new and unrela
Communion -- Jerald J. Daffe -- 1977
From its inception to the present, Communion has been a vital part of the worship and practice of th
Proper 27, Pentecost 25, Ordinary Time 32 -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Seasonal Theme
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Seasonal Theme
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 26, Pentecost 24, Ordinary Time 31 -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
Seasonal Theme
Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 25, Pentecost 23, Ordinary Time 30 -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
Seasonal Theme
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 24, Pentecost 22, Ordinary Time 29 -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Seasonal Theme
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 23, Pentecost 21, Ordinary Time 28 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Seasonal Theme
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 22, Pentecost 20, Ordinary Time 27 -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Seasonal Theme
Christ The King -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 21, Pentecost 19, Ordinary Time 26 -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Seasonal Theme
Corpus Christi -- Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Theme For The DayThe real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and its meaning for us.
Proper 20, Pentecost 18, Ordinary Time 25 -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Seasonal Theme
The Baptism Of Our Lord -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
The Baptism Of Our LordFirst Sunday After The Epiphany
Proper 19, Pentecost 17, Ordinary Time 24 -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Seasonal Theme
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Ash Wednesday - B
Seasonal Theme

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SermonStudio

The Stealth Disciple -- John 3:1-17 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
In the "Science & Technology," section of a recent issue of Business Week magazine, there was an
You May Have To Die First -- John 1:29-42 -- William B. Kincaid, III -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1998
"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead.
The Anatomy Of A Journey -- Genesis 12:1-9 -- Leonard W. Mann -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 1998
Terah, the father of Abraham, gathered up all his family and possessions and set out to go from Chal
What About Us Grils? -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... wise men from the East came...
Reducing Life To A Single Word -- John 4:7-11, 16-19 -- Robert A. Stanley -- 1998
"We love because he first loved us." Search where you will in the Bible, you will not find a simpler
The Promise Containing All Promises -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Matthew 1:18-25 -- R. Glen Miles -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
"The Lord himself will give you a sign" is the way Isaiah begins his recitation of the promise conta
The Second Naivete: Babies, Angels, Shepherds, And God -- Philippians 2:8 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 1998
You would have liked him as did thousands, perhaps millions.
Moving At The Speed Of Light: In Corinth Or Cana? -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1998
It is hard to know what more can be said about marriage. Weddings are stressors.
Water, Water, Everywhere -- John 4:5-42 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
Reading the Gospel lesson this week a snatch of poetry I learned somewhere along the way kept runnin
Is Anything Too Wonderful For The Lord? -- Genesis 18:1-15 -- Leonard W. Mann -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 1998
Abraham was an old man and his wife Sarah was almost as old as he was.
Is It Real Or Is It Memorex? -- Matthew 13:24-30 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... When the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well...
This Little Light Of Mine Is Yours And Everybody Else's Too -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- R. Glen Miles -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1998
"Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." When the disciple of
Moving At The Speed Of Light: Nazareth: Family Ties -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 1998
When I was a child and my mother started thinking out loud about "going home," she meant driving to
Blind Driveways -- John 9:1-41 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
King George VI, addressing his subjects at the beginning of a new year, said in his annual message:
Does God Bother About Our Troubles? -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Leonard W. Mann -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 1998
Did you ever find jewels in a wilderness?
18-Inch Gap -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
...
Whispered Preaching -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- R. Glen Miles -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1998
I delivered my very first sermon at the age of sixteen.
Moving At The Speed Of Light: Jerusalem: What Word Would You Say? -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1998
"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing," asserts Paul in First Corinthians.
Upon Those In The Tombs Bestowing Life -- John 11:1-45 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
In the Orthodox Church, Easter worship includes the singing of a hymn that goes:
Getting A Fix On The Future -- Genesis 22:1-14 -- Leonard W. Mann -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1998
Abraham was an experienced listener. Perhaps once or twice he had listened too well.
The Heroism Of Going On -- 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... After he too had died, they maltreated and tortured the fourth brother...
The Church Of The Servant -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- R. Glen Miles -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1998
Have you ever sighed at the end of a work day and wondered, "Did I accomplish anything today?" Mayb
Moving At The Speed Of Light: Athens: Unknown Apostles -- 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) -- Frank Luchsinger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1998
How many people are helpful to us in a given stretch of time?
Go Love! -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 1998
A Right Use Of Angels -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 -- Leonard W. Mann -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 1998
Abraham and Sarah's son Isaac was old enough to have a wife, but he didn't have one yet, not even on

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SermonStudio

The joy of salvation -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:8-20, Isaiah 52:7-10 -- Heth H. Corl -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1986
First Lesson: Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12 Theme: The joy of salvation
Passion Sunday -- Psalm 31:9-16, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11 -- Norman A. Beck -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1986
The texts selected for the observance of Lent 6 as Passion Sunday each year obviously emphasize the
Peace in God's Kingdom -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14 -- Heth H. Corl -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
Christ's unique superiority -- Hebrews 1:1-12, John 1:1-14 -- Heth H. Corl -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
Jesus' grace and Adam's sin -- Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 10:24-33 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
God's call to be holy -- Exodus 19:1-9 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:All creation belongs to God, and all people.People:
LENT 6 -- Psalm 118:19-29, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 21:1-11 -- Norman A. Beck -- 1986
As we become increasingly aware of the oppressive political situation in which the Jesus of history
Unto us a child is born -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14 -- Heth H. Corl -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:Rejoice! For God's light has come to dispel our darkness!
MAUNDY THURSDAY -- Psalm 89:20-21, 24, 26, Exodus 12:1-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-15 -- Norman A. Beck -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 1986
What an interesting selection of texts we have for Maundy Thursday in Series A!
We are sinners by our own choice -- Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17, 25-3:7, Romans 5:12-19 -- Heth H. Corl -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
ADVENT 1 -- Psalm 122 -- Norman A. Beck -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
Among the four texts chosen for this occasion in Series A of the lectionary we are using, perhaps Ps
Struggling with past sin -- Genesis 32:22-32 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
The glory, majesty, and power of God -- Exodus 19:16-24, Romans 13:1-10 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
PROPER 10 -- Psalm 69:6-15, Exodus 2:11-22, Isaiah 55:10-11 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1986
These seven texts are dominated by the theme of the good news of God's deliverance of those who are
ADVENT 2 -- Psalm 72:1-8 -- Norman A. Beck -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
This psalm is a prayer to God in behalf of an Israelite king and even more in behalf of the people o
Fellowship of believers -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Heth H. Corl -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
PROPER 11 -- Psalm 103:1-13, Exodus 3:1-12, Exodus 3:1-12, Romans 8:18-25 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1986
An important connecting link between most of these texts is the emphasis on the qualities or attribu
ADVENT 3 -- Psalm 146:5-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Norman A. Beck -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
This psalm sharply contrasts the inadequacy of all human rulers with the total adequacy of the Lord
Christ's resurrection is for all people -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4 -- Heth H. Corl -- Easter Day - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
Divine providence -- Exodus 1:6-14, 22-2:10 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
Rules for the redeemed -- Exodus 20:1-20 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
PROPER 12 -- Psalm 105:1-11, Exodus 3:13-20, Romans 8:26-30, Matthew 13:44-52 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1986
"Wisdom from God" is the major unifying motif in all of these texts except the Common selections Psa
The righteousness God requires -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Heth H. Corl -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
ADVENT 4 -- Psalm 24, Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Norman A. Beck -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
Many of us will recall use of this psalm in opening worship services for Sunday School or call to wo
PROPER 13 -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 8:31-39, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1986
The proclamation of God's free, abundant, loving grace is the dominant theme of all of these texts.

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
New Year's Eve/Day
13 – Sermons
40+ – Illustrations / Stories
16 – Children's Sermons / Resources
6 – Worship Resources
6 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas 2
20 – Sermons
60+ – Illustrations / Stories
12 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
12 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany of the Lord
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 4-6, 2026:
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 4-6, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
I was only just full-grown when we set out on the journey, but I was strong and eager for adventure. And by the time we returned to our own land after many years, I was older and wiser than my age might have you believe.

Don't get me wrong. I was happy in my home, living in the paddock with my brothers and sisters and the rest of the herd, for we were well looked after. We always had food and water, and the camel master almost never beat us, even when occasionally we'd spit at him, just for fun.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Frank Ramirez
Timothy F. Merrill
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Sons from Far Away, Daughters in Nurses' Arms" by David O. Bales
"Tenting Among Us" by Frank Ramirez
"God's Resolutions" by Timothy F. Merrill


What's Up This Week
C. David Mckirachan
Larry Winebrenner
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"A Time for Everything" by Larry Winebrenner
"A Word of Hope" by Larry Winebrenner
"You Were Adopted" by C. David McKirachan
"Behold the Man" by Keith Hewitt


* * * * * * * *


A Time for Everything
Larry Winebrenner
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Henry didn't like Jack.

Oh, he loved him like a brother. He would die for his friend. But oh, the arrogance. He always thought he was right. And he would always use authority, authority of some kind, to support his claims.

SermonStudio

Mark Wm. Radecke
This season, the boundaries of darkness are pushed back. A light shines in the darkness and the darkness is powerless to extinguish it.

Darkness has always been a potent metaphor for those things in life that oppress and enthrall us, frighten and intimidate us, cause us worry and anxiety and leech the joy from our lives.

We know darkness in our physical lives when illness is close at hand, when we lack the basic necessities of life -- food, shelter and clothing.
Paul E. Robinson
Early in January in northern Canada the sun peeks above the horizon for the first time after six weeks of hiding. An important dawn for Canada. Imagine how the lives of people in the northern latitudes would be different if they got used to the darkness and never even expected that a dawn would ever lighten their horizon again.
John N. Brittain
We lived in Florida for a while in the 1980s and it was then that we learned about Tarpon Springs. Not a large city, it has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any place in the US. This dates back to the 1880s, when Greek immigrants moving into the area were hired as sponge divers, a trade they had plied back in the old country. Today Tarpon Springs' main claim to fame is the Greek Orthodox Church's Epiphany celebration, which is held every January 6, with the blessing of the waters and the boats.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
Early January always feels like a fresh start. The Christmas whirlwind has settled down. We still have a fighting chance to keep our resolutions for the new year. Cartoons always depict the New Year as a baby, full of possibilities and innocence. We hope that with a new year we can leave the baggage behind us, stretching toward a brighter future.

Stephen M. Crotts
Many things are written with all of the excitement of some fresh truth recently received. Other things are written from anger. And there is much these days in any pastorate to make one mad. Still other messages are delivered from depression. I'm convinced that the majority of preachers I know are over the edge into burnout. And what of this particular study? Where am I coming from? Today, I'm writing from a broken heart, a heart shattered by a fallen comrade.
William B. Kincaid, III
Did you notice that bad things did not stop happening through the holidays? And is any warning necessary that bad things will happen in every season of this year? Surely there is better news than that, but we ought to be honest about the bad news. Not even the holidays generate enough good will to stop people from blowing up airplanes and destroying people's reputations and abusing children and selling drugs to teenagers and gunning down their neighbors.
Robert A. Beringer
"So, what's new?" he asked. It happens all the time. You meet someone on the street you have not seen for awhile. "What's new?" "Oh, nothing much, really.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

When to accommodate and when not to accommodate? That's the question we face today. Most likely, the minds and hearts of our congregations will be focused on the new year. They will have just celebrated the advent not only of a new year but in this case a new millennium. With all the hype about the year 2000, our attention will doubtless be engrossed in the calendar. On the other hand, today is also an important liturgical celebration of the naming of Jesus. It provides us opportunity to acknowledge the importance of that name which has become sacred in our tradition.
Mark J. Molldrem
Schuyler Rhodes
These are the longest hours of darkness. Although the winter solstice is passed, the darkness lingers for many more weeks. The season becomes a symbol for the longing of the human spirit to "see the light." It becomes difficult to catch sight of the light, however, when so many shadows lurk at every turn of a corner we make. We claim to be an enlightened people; yet settle for clap-trap on television and spend countless hours absorbing it like a sponge under a dripping faucet. We call athletes heroes for nothing more than being good at what they do.
Cathy Venkatesh
In many countries, January 6 is a public holiday with parades, parties, and festivities celebrating the visit of the wise men. For some Christian churches, the main celebration of Christ's incarnation occurs on this day. But in the United States, Monday, January 6, 2014, is nothing special in the public sphere. For most of us, this day marks the beginning of our first full week back at work or school after the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

CSSPlus

Teachers: Most youngsters (and many adults) have a misconception of the wise men. The Bible does not state that the wise men visited Jesus at the manger. Even so, our tradition of gift giving at Christmas may relate to the wise men's gifts. The church celebrates the arrival of the wise men's visit to Jesus 12 days after Christmas. This event is called "Epiphany."

Take a moment to explain to your students the significance of Epiphany, the wise men, and Jesus. The lesson from Matthew states three gifts that the wise men gave Jesus: gold, frankincense and
Today we are going to be like the wise men from the East who looked for baby Jesus. They were told the wonderful story about a promised Messiah who would save the world. He was the "king of the Jews" and would be king of all people. They traveled a great distance. They wanted to see the baby. They had to see the baby! So they left and ended up in Jerusalem. There they asked about the promised king.

The man who was king became very jealous. Even though they were looking for a spiritual king -- a king of our hearts, minds,
Teachers or Parents: Have an Epiphany pageant to close off the Christmas season and the twelve days of Christmas with the children of your church. Have people stationed in various parts of the home or church building where you might go to ask the question, "Are you the Messiah?" They will, of course, say, "No." The first group might add, "Look for the star." Involve as many children as possible. Let them ask the question. Let them get into the role of wise men from the East. Help them relive the story and see that Jesus is more than king of the Jews or king of

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