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Proper 28, Pentecost 26, Ordinary Time 33 -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
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SermonStudio

Gluttony: Living By Bread And The Word Of God -- 1 Timothy 4:4-10 -- R. Curtis Fussell -- 1997
Every day at about 10:30 in the morning and then about 3:30 in the afternoon, I need a little snack
The Mathematics of Marriage -- William Mckee Aber -- 1997
(Written for the wedding of two college students.
Let It Shine! -- John 1:1-14 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
The Gospel of John makes one of the most powerful observations in all scripture: "In the beginning
Love In Action -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
One of the enduring images of both the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures is that of the goo
Leeches Or Lovers -- Leslie F. Brandt -- 1997
We can make grandiose statements about our willingness to forgive or to tolerate the atrocities of o
The Need to Believe that Life Is Meaningful and Has Purpose -- Luke 18:18-30 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
Paradoxes Of The Christian Faith -- Matthew 10:34-39 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
There is something strange and paradoxical about the faith of Christians, and many people struggle t
Love And Friendship -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
A boy was asked about his family, when he enrolled for church school.
The Victory Of Faith -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Planes drop out of the sky, killing all passengers.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue -- Kenneth H. Sauer -- 1997
(A general wedding homily built around the traditions)
The Need for a Sense of Community and Deeper Relationships -- John 15:13-17 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
Take Off The Grave Clothes! -- John 11:38-44 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
Today our lesson paints a poignant picture of one of the most famous of Jesus' acts: raising Lazarus
Life In His Name -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
In 1922, a marvelous treasure was unearthed in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.
Marriage As Crisis -- Leslie F. Brandt -- 1997
The time of marriage is a time of crisis.
The Need to Be Appreciated and Respected -- Mark 1:10-11 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
The African Foundations Of Christianity -- Exodus 4:1-7 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
In surveying the vast and rich history of African--American people, we must go beyond the shores of
Friday -- The Good One -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
A youngster in Sunday School asked the pastor, "If Jesus died on Friday, why do we call it good?"
We Belong To Each Other -- Kenneth H. Sauer -- 1997
This is a great day for John and Susan, for their families, for friends.
The Need to Be Listened to and Heard -- Luke 8:8b -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
African--American Spirituality: The African's Gift To America -- Exodus 3:1-10 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
As we commence celebrations of Black History this month, I want to say what a wonderful thing that w
Adoption Into God's Family -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Any parent who has adopted a child knows the joy of bringing a new member into the family.
Let God Be The Go-Between -- Paul L. Winemiller Jr. -- 1997
Text: Mark 10:7-9: For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined t
The Need to Feel that One Is Growing in Faith -- John 8:31-36 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
Joy Songs, Trumpet Blasts, And Hallelujah Shouts! -- Joshua 6:1-21 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
The Israelites have come to the end of a long, long journey.
The Gospel Of Our Calling -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
A friend related to me how, when he was a youngster, he spent a lot of time on the other side of the

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EASTER DAY -- John 20:1-18, Colossians 3:1-4, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:14-24 -- Norman A. Beck -- Easter Day - A -- 1986
More than on any other day during the Church Year, our Easter Day message must be subjective and it
PROPER 27 -- Psalm 50:7-15, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1986
Since the Lutheran Lectionary texts for Pentecost 24, with the single substitution of Amos 5:18-24 f
Always under God's care -- Exodus 2:11-22 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
EPIPHANY 2 -- Psalm 40:1-1, Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-34 -- Norman A. Beck -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1986
There is an interesting tension in these four texts between whether the salvation that God provides
The resurrection of the dead -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
Proper 3 | Ordinary Time 8 -- Matthew 6:24-34, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Isaiah 49:8-16a -- Norman A. Beck -- 1986
For this occasion, we have one text (Isaiah 49:13-18) that is primarily assurance or "gospel," one t
God is with his people -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7 -- Heth H. Corl -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
EPIPHANY 4 -- Psalm 37:1-11, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Norman A. Beck -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1986
With selections from Psalms 1, 37, and 146 as the leadoff texts and the Beatitudes of Matthew 5 as t
PROPER 4 -- Psalm 33:12-22, Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 3:21-28, Matthew 7:21-29 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 1986
Perhaps the best unifying theme in these six texts is the gracious goodness of God.
God's revelation, a call to service -- Exodus 3:1-12, Romans 8:18-25 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
EPIPHANY 5 -- Psalm 112:4-9, Isaiah 58:3-9a, Matthew 5:13-16 -- Norman A. Beck -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1986
Within three of the four texts appointed for next Sunday, the central, unifying theme is "the righte
God's wrath on man's sin -- Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipLeader:
PROPER 5 -- Psalm 13, Genesis 22:1-8, Matthew 9:9-13 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 1986
All six of the texts selected for this occasion place emphasis on the importance of close personal r
Eternal reward of the faithful -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3 -- Heth H. Corl -- All Saints Day - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:Blessed are those who are faithful to Christ in this life!
EPIPHANY 6 -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, Matthew 5:17-26 -- Norman A. Beck -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1986
Within the texts selected for next Sunday, Psalm 119 and Deuteronomy 30:15-20 depict the significant
PROPER 6 -- Psalm 46, Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 5:6-11, Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 1986
The texts selected for this occasion include the basic elements of worship of God and of the life an
God, the Deliverer -- Exodus 3:13-20, Romans 8:26-30 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
EPIPHANY -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-14, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Norman A. Beck -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1986
We have a responsibility in our ministry to observe and to preserve the festival of the Epiphany in
God is a shepherd to his people -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 -- Heth H. Corl -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
PROPER 7 -- Psalm 91:1-10, Genesis 28:10-17, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 10:24-33 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 1986
Through the words of these texts God calls us to be inspired individuals in the time and place where
The ascension of Jesus -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Heth H. Corl -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
GOOD FRIDAY -- Psalm 22:1-18, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- Norman A. Beck -- Good Friday - A -- 1986
It is not likely that the followers of Jesus had much direct information about what the Roman milita
PROPER 8 -- Psalm 17:1-7, 15, Genesis 32:22-32, Matthew 10:34-42 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1986
We are called in these texts to lives of commitment to God and to service as People of God, serving
Celebrate God's redemptive acts in history -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 8:31-39 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
Holy Name of Jesus -- Psalm 67, Numbers 6:22-27, Philippians 2:9-13, Luke 2:15-21 -- Norman A. Beck -- 1986
For some people there is great joy in the selection of the name for their child.

Worship Service

Youth Resources

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:
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.

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