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Worship

SermonStudio

Welcome Bread -- Genesis 18:1-16 -- Rolf Svanoe -- 2008
When I was a college junior, a music group I played in took a trip to Europe.
Unleavened Bread -- Exodus 12:1-11 -- Rolf Svanoe -- 2008
The other day, I picked up my daughter at high school and took her out for lunch.
Daily Bread -- Exodus 16:1-21, Luke 11:1-4 -- Rolf Svanoe -- 2008
A few years ago, a young American man was lost in the Australian desert.
More Than Bread -- Deuteronomy 8:1-18 -- Rolf Svanoe -- 2008
Some of my earliest memories from childhood are of times when our family gathered to eat.
Abundant Bread -- Mark 6:30-44 -- Rolf Svanoe -- 2008
It was almost 35 years ago, but I can still see his face, staring into mine, pleading with me.
Body Bread -- 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 -- Rolf Svanoe -- 2008
A few years ago, I participated in a World Hunger Meal.
Betrayer's Bread -- Mark 14:12-22 -- Rolf Svanoe -- 2008
Good Friday is a story of betrayal. But who, exactly, betrayed Jesus that day?
The Bread Of Life -- Isaiah 25:6-8, John 6:25-35 -- Rolf Svanoe -- 2008
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Jesus said, "I am the bread of life ...
The Path Of Maturity -- Ephesians 4:1-16, 1 Corinthians 12:31--13:13, Psalm 90 -- William Grimbol -- 2008
Ash Wednesday Introduction The Path Of Maturity
Day Of Nothing -- So Why Are We Here? -- Matthew 27:57-66 -- Mary Hoover, Amy Jo Jones -- 2008
Opening Music Welcome And Announcements Call To Worship

Drama

SermonStudio

Journey To The Heart Of Christmas -- Lois Anne Delong, Barbara Anne Antonucci -- 2006
Characters (in order of appearance) Narrator Miriam Hamid David
No Small Parts -- Lois Anne Delong, Barbara Anne Antonucci -- 2006
Characters (in order of appearance) First Child (Lead Angel)
The Greatest News Of All -- Lois Anne Delong, Barbara Anne Antonucci -- 2006
Characters (in order of appearance) Narrator Bureau Chief
Christmas: Before And After -- Lois Anne Delong, Barbara Anne Antonucci -- 2006
Characters (in order of appearance) Narrator Elizabeth Mary
"Unto Us A Child Is Born... Next, On Omar" -- Lois Anne Delong, Barbara Anne Antonucci -- 2006
Characters (in order of appearance) Jacob Omar Looseandfree
The Word Made Flesh -- Lois Anne Delong, Barbara Anne Antonucci -- 2006
Characters (in order of appearance) Father (Aaron) Benjamin Esther
Miracles? No Problem! -- Lois Anne Delong, Barbara Anne Antonucci -- 2006
Characters (in order of appearance) Elizabeth Mary Gabriel
Home By Another Way -- Lois Anne Delong, Barbara Anne Antonucci -- 2006
Characters (in order of appearance) Narrator Wise Man 1 Wise Man 2
Where Is Your Lamb? -- Doris Wells Miller -- 2006
I am the good shepherd.
Who Is Your King? -- Doris Wells Miller -- 2006
Characters Emperor Guard Advisor Narrator Drummer

Sermon

SermonStudio

Love Actually -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2011
A young man visiting a very small town in Virginia struck up a conversation with an older gentleman
The Shepherd of Love -- John 10:11-18 -- John W. Clarke -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2011
As we continue our Easter journey, we are presented with an image that has stood the test of time.
Are We Withering on the Vine? -- John 15:1-8 -- John W. Clarke -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2011
Jesus made pronouncement statements in John's gospel.
Living a Joyful Life -- John 15:9-17 -- John W. Clarke -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2011
Throughout this Easter season we have talked about the importance of staying connected to Jesus even
Reflections of a Healthy Church -- Luke 24:44-53 -- John W. Clarke -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2011
Ascension Day is a good time for the Christian community to assess where it has been and where it is
A Time Between Time -- John 17:6-19 -- John W. Clarke -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2011
Today is the last in the season of Eastertide.
The One that Got Away -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2011
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good
A Sense of Place -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2011
Novelist William Faulkner only knew about 100 square miles of rural Mississippi but he made it fasci
Teach Your Dollars to Make More Sense! -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2011
And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury.
Pontius Pilate on Trial -- John 18:33-37 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2011
Have you ever seen a warning sign at an old railroad crossing? "Stop! Look! Listen!" it reads.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

A Direct Line To Jesus -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Pastor: Peter, I saw you looking in the phone book. What are you doing, anyway?
The Bloofer Box -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Pastor: Good morning, Peter. I'm glad you're here.
Respect For Older People -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Peter: Why do I have to say, "Ma'am"? Why should I respect older people?
Don't Wait Until The Season Is Ove -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Pastor: Wasn't that a great football game at the high school yesterday, Peter?
The Sunday School Offering -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Pastor: Peter, Sunday school has started. How come you're not in class?
Where's The Berries? -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Pastor: Peter, your mom tells me you don't want to go to Sunday school any more.
Free Air -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
(Pastor does some deep breathing exercises)
Lox vs. Pork Chops -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Pastor: Hello, Peter. What are you up to?
God's Gifts -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Pastor: Hi, Peter. You look happy today.
Will Roast Pig Bring Us Luck? -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Pastor: Good morning, boys and girls. Good morning, Peter!

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Psalm 46 -- Psalm 46 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"Be still and know that I am God."
Psalm 46 -- Psalm 46 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
There is a growing and dangerous form of Christian faith spreading around the land.
Psalm 45:10-17 -- Psalm 45:10-17 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Here is a woman who is given over to a new "Lord." The advice is clear, even curt.
Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Leaders of all stripes have always had sycophants in abundance to sustain their delusion of power.
Psalms 42 and 43 -- Psalm 42, Psalm 43 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Thirst is a powerful thing.
Psalm 41 -- Psalm 41 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Most of us love the church.
Psalm 40:1-11 -- Psalm 40:1-11 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
There is an unwritten law in lines at the local supermarket.
Psalm 36:5-10 -- Psalm 36:5-10 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
There is nothing quite so wonderful as someone you can trust.
Psalm 34:1-10, 22 -- Psalm 34:1-10, 22 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (v. 1).
Psalm 34:1-8 (9-22) -- Psalm 34:1-8 (9-22) -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
The most fervent of prayers we can offer up to God is the living out of our lives in faithfulness.

Stories

SermonStudio

The Language Of The Heart -- Psalm 98 -- David E. Leininger -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2008
"Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things ...
A Winsome Witness -- Acts 8:26-40 -- David E. Leininger -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2008
He was an Ethiopian bigwig.
My Shepherd -- Psalm 23 -- David E. Leininger -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2008
There is a 2,000-year-old story that may or may not be apocryphal.
The Family Album -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- David E. Leininger -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2008
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
Laugh, Thomas, Laugh! -- John 20:19-31 -- David E. Leininger -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2008
The first Sunday after Easter is Holy Humor Sunday, as it is celebrated in many places.
A "No Surprises" Easter -- John 20:1-18 -- David E. Leininger -- Easter Day - B -- 2008
Why do so many millions gather for worship on Easter morning?
Sunday's Comin' -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- David E. Leininger -- Good Friday - B -- 2008
"Hope springs eternal in the human breast." "Where there's life, there's hope." You might have heard
Waiting And Remembering -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- David E. Leininger -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2008
This was a special night.
Fickle Folks -- Mark 11:1-11 -- David E. Leininger -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2008
Have you ever been called fickle? If you have, you probably did not like it.
Hope -- John 12:20-33 -- David E. Leininger -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
Word had begun to spread about Jesus.

Prayer

SermonStudio

Pentecost / Church -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
Eternal God, as accustomed as we are to all kinds of people demonstrating on our streets, we find ou
Pentecost / Church -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
God, our Redeemer, how refreshing it is to come again to this place of worship.
Pentecost / Church -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
How good it is, our Savior and Creator, to assemble here this morning.
Memorial Day / Independence Day -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
Now, O God, we thank you for the end of war. What a gruesome spectacle it was.
Memorial Day / Independence Day -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
Today, our Creator, we remember those who have served our country as members of the armed forces.
Memorial Day / Independence Day -- Galatians 5:1 -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
What a powerful idea, Eternal God, lurks within the word independence.
Memorial Day / Independence Day -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
Our Heavenly Redeemer, as a country we remember and glorify our past battles and wars.
Memorial Day / Independence Day -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
We know what we want to pray for, O God, but we're not sure it will do any good.
Memorial Day / Independence Day -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
Sometimes, O Sovereign God, when we look at the meagerness of our gifts and abilities, we wonder wha
Thanksgiving Day -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
Lord, the world around us is brimful of good things -- indeed the harvest has been plentiful.

Devotional

SermonStudio

The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2009
... and they knelt down and paid him homage.... -- Matthew 2:11
Advent 2 -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths strai
Advent 4 -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Ch
Advent 4 -- Psalm 80:1-7 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. -- Psalm 80:3
Advent 4 -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
And he shall be the one of peace. -- Micah 5:5a
Advent 3 -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. -- Luke 3:16
Advent 3 -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Advent 3 -- Isaiah 12:2-6 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. -- Isaiah 12:3
Advent 3 -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
... The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst.... -- Zephaniah 3:15
The Ascension of Our Lord -- Psalm 47 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2009
He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

Poems

Pastoral Resources

Children's program

Pageant

Adult study

Youth Resources

Monologues

Church Programs

Meditations

Candlelighting service

Biblical Studies

Humor

SermonStudio

Fishing -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
Mark Twain once said, "Do not tell fish stories where the
Flattery -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
An office boy noticed two women at lunch with his boss. Later
Flood -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
A man who had survived the Johnstown Flood, and ever since
Fool And Fooled -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
Henry Ward Beecher was a controversial preacher and received
Football -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
One university football coach has announced he is going to try
Forgiveness -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
Two sisters kept up a feud in Scotland for 30 years. Alice
Funerals -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
A Texas preacher was asked to conduct the funeral for a known
God -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
A little boy one day wrote a letter to God. In it he said,
Grandparents -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
Someone has observed, "Grandchildren are those remarkable
Half-Truths -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
In his autobiography, the late Senator Claude Pepper recalled

Faith Development

Bible Study

Children's Resources

Self Help

Liturgy

Illustration

Spirituality

Biblical Study

Inspirational

SermonStudio

You can't take it with you -- 1 Timothy 6:7 -- Ellis Dillard Thompson -- 1998
Expression: You can't take it with you
You will have to give account for every idle word you speak -- Matthew 12:36 -- Ellis Dillard Thompson -- 1998
Expression: You will have to give account for every idle word you speak
Your labor is not in vain -- 1 Corinthians 15:58 -- Ellis Dillard Thompson -- 1998
Expression: Your labor is not in vain Location: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Christian Life

Easter

Lent/Easter

Church Growth

Sacrament

Healing

Death

Funeral

Memorial

Observance

Christian

African-American History

Thanksgiving Day

Marriage Ceremony

Wedding Vow

Home Blessing

Church Anniversary

Women's Day

Men's Day

Church Leaders

Mother's Day

Gathering Prayer

Unison Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer

Intercession

Fellowship

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.

Special Occasion

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