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Worship

SermonStudio

The Holy Trinity -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2001
Theme: Creation First Lesson: Genesis 1:1--2:4a Theme: Creation
The Holy Trinity -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2001
Theme: Live In Peace Call To Worship
The Holy Trinity -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2001
Theme: Christ With Us Always Call To Worship
The Holy Trinity -- Psalm 8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 4 -- Genesis 6:11-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
Theme: Faith Call To Worship
Proper 4 -- Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
Theme: We Live By Faith Call To Worship
Proper 4 -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
Theme: A Firm Foundation Call To Worship
Proper 4 -- Psalm 46 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 5 -- Genesis 12:1-9 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2001
Theme: Called To Be A Blessing Call To Worship
Proper 5 -- Romans 4:13-25 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2001
Theme: God's Promises Fulfilled Through Faith Call To Worship

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

God Is Amazing -- John 1:43-51 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2005
It goes without saying, but we constantly need to be reminded that we live in an amazing world, yet
Transformation To The Light -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
Once upon a time, a diamond was born.
Speaking With Prophetic Authority -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2005
"Free at last, free at last -- thank God Almighty, we are free at last." These words were spoken by
Sharing The Message Of Christ -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2005
They called her "Sister" and to many thousands who jammed the Angelus Temple in Los Angeles on a reg
The Compassion Of Christ -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2005
Once upon a time, there was a city which was adorned by a beautiful statue.
Jesus Destroys The Power Of Sin -- Mark 2:1-12 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2005
A story is told about how Leonardo da Vinci created one of his great masterpieces, Last Supper
Accepting The Unconventional In Life -- Mark 2:13-22 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2005
Once upon a time there was a great teacher, a guru, who had many followers.
Where Are You From? -- John 18:1--19:42 -- David T. Ball -- Good Friday - B -- 2005
Whenever we travel, we come into contact with new people.
A Clock Or A Compass? -- Mark 1:9-15 -- David T. Ball -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Do you all have your compasses with you? What? You don't have compasses?
Unacceptable -- Mark 8:31-38 -- David T. Ball -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Going off to college can be an unsettling experience for Christian students.

Children's sermon

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 11 -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 12 -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 13 -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 14 -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 15 -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Luke 12:49-56 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 16 -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 17 -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 18 -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 19 -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and his teaching ministry.
Proper 20 -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2003
Seasonal Theme Jesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.

Stories

SermonStudio

Saints -- 1999
In September of 1997 the world lost one of its living saints.
Savior -- 1999
At all the professional football games, behind the goalpost is a fan holding a banner which says, "J
Science -- 1999
On HBO April 23, 1987, Creator: scientist Walter said, "When science does finally get the big
Seeing -- 1999
Two hunters were road hunting in a pickup for deer in South Dakota.
Servanthood -- 1999
A special on 60 Minutes, October 18, 1987, was about Sister Emmanuel who lives in the garbage
Service -- 1999
At Bishop's Cafeteria there is a light on each table.
Sign -- 1999
David Brenner on the Johnny Carson show told about signs he never quite understood:
Sin -- 1999
I was following a car down Harding Road today and read on it a bumper sticker: "To know me is to lov
Singing -- 1999
Our message as congregations is often garbled.
Spirit -- 1999
In The San Francisco Chronicle: "Pepper Spray Stuns Oakland Congregation." A sixty-year-old w

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 5
28 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
22 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
21 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

SermonStudio

Schuyler Rhodes
This story about Stephen is a hard one to preach about these days. Lately, the idea of martyrdom has fallen under a bit of a cloud, don't you think? What do you think of when you hear about martyrs? In my experience, a martyr is either reduced to a psychological complex foisted off on someone who does too much for others, or it's a poor child with a dynamite vest ready to doom himself or herself and plenty of others for the sake of the cause, and the cash benefits paid to the family, after the fact. There's no question about it. The stock on martyrdom is way, way down these days.
David E. Leininger
"Christ is our cornerstone!" That motto was chosen over a century ago for the congregation I now serve. It was October 29, 1895, at 2:30 in the afternoon, that the grandparents and great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, the forebears of today's congregation, gathered outside in Pennsylvania's autumn chill to see the laying of the cornerstone of the church building that has been in use ever since.
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
Jesus Christ is the cornerstone.

First Lesson
Acts 7:55-60
The Stoning Of Stephen
Derl G. Keefer
C. Neil Strait
WORSHIP HELPS

CALL TO WORSHIP
God is ready to swoop down and rescue us from the burdens we carry and to lift the heart aches! Our God has known us since birth through old age and gray hair and He will sustain us today!

OFFERING THOUGHT
The secret of money is enjoying the opportunity of giving it away for the glory of God.

BENEDICTION
May the God who transforms disappointments to joy do that for you this week. Amen.



SERMON BRIEFS

Holiness, The Trademark Of A Holy Person
Lee Griess
The great American humorist, Will Rogers, had the reputation that he could make anyone laugh. President Calvin Coolidge, on the other hand, had the reputation that he never laughed. Want to know what happened the time those two met? Rogers was invited to visit the White House and as was the custom, the president's assistant brought Rogers into the Oval Office. As was the custom as he entered, the assistant said, "President Coolidge, this is Will Rogers. Mr. Rogers, this is President Coolidge." To which Rogers leaned forward and said, "I'm sorry.
Richard L. Sheffield
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1 NRSV).

Since everything that follows for the rest of the passage I just read from John is commentary on that, we need to hear that clearly, before we hear anything else.

This is the closest English can get to the Greek of John's Gospel: "Let not be troubled of you the heart; Believe in God, also in me believe."1

And here are the translations of others who have listened and interpreted these words for you and me:
Robert J. Elder
In the earliest experience of the church, the apostles soon discovered that their teaching and preaching duties were taking an incredible amount of energy. As the community of believers grew in numbers, and they continued in their commitment to hold all things in common, it became obvious that some details of the life of the community would need more attention than the twelve apostles themselves could give. It was decided to appoint deacons to serve the needs of the church, particularly the needs of the poor and widows who could no longer care for themselves. Seven were appointed.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Confession And Forgiveness
P: We gather for worship in the name of the one who is
the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: The journey before us is one of letting go and taking hold.
As he prepares a place for us,
let us name the sin that clings to us, that we may find release.

Silence for reflection and self-examination

P: Unbelief, hatred, revenge,
C: Lord, do not hold our sins against us.
P: Gossip, despair, deceit,
C: Lord, do not hold our sins against us.
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (Psalm 31:15-16)

One: My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.

All: Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.


Collect
 Strengthen us, Lord, in the time of testing and trial, calling to mind the example of the martyrs who died for our faith. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Thomas Willadsen
For May 3, 2026:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
It is hard for us, living after the resurrection, to understand how Jesus, who was clearly a mortal man, could come to be worshipped as though he were God. Since we believe that Jesus did rise from the dead, we tend to endow his ministry with a divine glow. How could the authorities not see that Jesus was, indeed, the son of God? How did they explain away his miracles? How did they ignore how the average people felt about him?
David Kalas
What do you do between Act 2 and Act 3 of a performance? That depends upon who you are.

If you are like me, then you have attended a great many more shows, plays, and performances than you have participated in. And, as members of the audience, the time between acts is an intermission -- an opportunity to stretch your legs, to use the restroom, to enjoy some refreshments.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In our worship today, let us explore these words and find out how to reach God through Jesus.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, show me the right way to God.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, lead me into the truth about God.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, give me the eternal life which you have promised.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

Keith Hewitt
Scott Dalgarno
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Encounter in the Darkness" by Keith Hewitt
"Please Don't Forget Me" by Scott Dalgarno
"An Unwanted Gift" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
Peter Andrew Smith
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"Words of Power" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Refuge" by Keith Hewitt


* * * * * * * *


Words of Power
by Peter Andrew Smith
Acts 7:55-60

The principal looked at the boy holding the cloth up to his nose. His hair was dishevelled, his lip swollen, and his clothes bore the stains of the muddy playground. The nurse examined him but his bleeding nostrils seemed his greatest injury.

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. (Show the rubbing of the cornerstone.) Does anyone know what I'm holding? (Let them answer.) This is a rubbing of the cornerstone of our church building. (Read to them what the cornerstone says. Tell them where the cornerstone is located.) I hope that when church is over this morning you can go out and look at and touch the real cornerstone. Cornerstones are very important. Does anyone know the purpose of a cornerstone? (Let them answer.) It's important because it is at the very foundation of our building. The church building is built on top of it.
Good morning, boys and girls. (Have your road map opened as you talk. Examine the map as you greet the children.) If I wanted to take a trip to (name a familiar city in your area) but I wasn't certain how to get there, what could I use to help me? (Let them answer.) A road map! I just happen to have one here. I'm looking for my direction right now. (Point out the way to your destination.) When you go on vacation do your parents sometimes give you road maps to follow? (Let them answer.) A road map is very important when you are going places that you've never been before.

Special Occasion

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