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Worship

SermonStudio

The Grace of Gratitude -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
The Prophetic Word -- And The Living Word -- Isaiah 40:1-5, John 1:1-14 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
First Sunday In Advent Isaiah 40:1-5; John 1:1-14
The Hope Of A Girl -- And The Hope Of The World -- Isaiah 7:10-14, Luke 1:26-38 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Second Sunday In Advent Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-38
The Expectant Parents -- And An Unexpected Baby -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Luke 2:1-5 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Third Sunday In Advent Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 2:1-5
The Song Of Angels -- And The Son Of God -- Isaiah 9:2-6 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Fourth Sunday In Advent Isaiah 9:2-6; Luke 2:6-14
The Simple Shepherds -- And The Lamb Of God -- Isaiah 53:1-7, Luke 2:15-20 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Christmas Eve Isaiah 53:1-7; Luke 2:15-20
The Three Kings -- And The King Of Kings -- Isaiah 9:7, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
First Sunday After Christmas Isaiah 9:7; Matthew 2:1-12
Releasing Joy -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: Let us rejoice in this day that God has made.
God Who Gave -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: It is Christmas.People: The Holy Child has come.
Getting It Straight -- Acts 19:1-7 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Divine Opportunity -- Luke 3:7-18 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Opportunity comes with so many different faces that we often don't recognize it.
Songs Of The Season -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
No season of the year sings as well as Christmas.
Final Touch! -- Luke 6:20-31 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- All Saints Day - C -- 2003
When Sean O'Malley died in Ireland and was dutifully laid out in his casket for viewing at his wake,
Now What? -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2003
The Ascension of Jesus into heaven is one of those strange Bible stories that Cecil B.
Escape From The Island Of Spiritual Sloth -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2003
I was noodling around on the internet not long ago, doing some research on the "Seven Deadly Sins,"
Epiphany: Glory Beyond Our Expecting -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2003
In 1986 a relatively unknown basketball team from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock defeated
The Crowd That Watched God Die -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2003
Have you ever noticed how people are attracted to the scene of tragedy?
Resurrection And Remembrance -- Luke 24:1-12 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Easter Day - C -- 2003
Down through the centuries there have been various and sundry attempts to try to discredit the resur
Bearing The Scars -- John 20:19-31 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
I remember taking my first real high school date to see the movie Jaws -- that summer blockbuster fr
The Gotcha God -- John 21:1-19 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
There is the embarrassment of getting publicly caught.

Children's sermon

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Third Sunday In Lent -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:1-9 (C)
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS Lesson 1: Isaiah 43:16-21 (C, RC, E)
Sunday Of The Passion (Palm Sunday) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Maundy Thursday / Holy Thursday -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Good Friday - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS Lesson 1: Isaiah 52:13--53:12 (C, RC, E)
The Resurrection Of Our Lord (Easter Day) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Easter Day - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS Lesson 1: Acts 5:27-32 (C)
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 9:1-16 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS Lesson 1: Acts 9:36-43 (C)

Stories

SermonStudio

THE FALL OF A SPARROW -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, a small sparrow soared from the top of a telephone pole and glided across the roa
TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
THERE ARE THOSE who would say that the 1930s and 1940s were not good years in which to live, much le
A MILLION-DOLLAR STATUS SYMBOL -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
IT SITS THERE like a sleeping giant; a multi-million dollar structure of brick, steel, and glass, co
THE CLERK WHO ROARED -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
I WAS STANDING in a department store checkout line recently where I witnessed an amazing transformat
THE LONELY WOMAN -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
SHE SAT on the long porch of the nursing home, her small, thin body buried under heavy woolen garmen
Affirm -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Jesus once told a story about a woman who kept nagging a greedy and unjust judge until his resistanc
Bridge Builders -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In A.D. 1191, Pope Clement III approved a new guild.
Cabbage Patch Kids -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Cabbage Patch Kids are dolls invented by Xavier Roberts.
Caesar -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In Las Vegas there was an old Christian saint, named Sam, who was approaching his eightieth birthday
Alone -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"No man is an island," wrote the seventeenth century Anglican priest, John Donne.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
30+ – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
26 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 4
27 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Nazish Naseem
For April 26, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
During World War II, a number of British regiments from this part of East Anglia were sent to the Far East. Many young men were taken prisoner by the Japanese, and were incarcerated in Japanese prisoner of war camps.

Their treatment in these camps was brutal, and many lost their lives. Those who survived until the end of the War emerged emaciated, beaten, traumatised and often cowed.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Larry Winebrenner
Contents
"These Christians and Their Money" by David O. Bales
"Shepherds and Thieves" by Larry Winebrenner
"The Cry and the Answer" by Larry Winebrenner


* * * * * * * *


These Christians and Their Money
by David O. Bales
Acts 2:42-47
C. David Mckirachan
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"Tea and Crumpets Committee" by C. David McKirachan
"Too Good to Be True" by Keith Hewitt


* * * * * * *


Tea and Crumpets Committee
by C. David McKirachan
Acts 2:42-47

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
(See Lent 4, Cycle A, and Easter 4, Cycles B and C, for alternative approaches.)

It is one of the best-known and best-loved passages of the Bible. Generations have memorized it, in Sunday school or at the knee of parents or grandparents. It is one of the first Bible passages we learn, and -- as common as it is at funerals -- it is among the last words said over us when we die. Psalm 23 has been a source of strength and comfort for many.
William E. Keeney
"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 2:42--47 (C); Acts 2:14, 36--41 (RC)
(Look at Lesson 1 for Easter 3)

Lesson 1: Acts 6:1--9; 7:2a, 51--60 (E, L)
Tony S. Everett
The week before classes began, Harold, a high school history teacher, fell off a step ladder and injured his back. For the next three months he was forced to wear a plaster cast around the entire upper part of his body. The cast fit so well underneath his shirt and sport coat that it was not at all noticeable.
David O. Bales
Last summer my wife and I enjoyed visiting our friends Dick and Mary in Montana. They have about 45 quarter horses and they were thrilled to show us the herd and take us along one evening to feed them. That evening we also helped get a three-month-old filly into the barn in order to medicate a cut on her face. The filly was a little skittish, but we got her into the barn and into a large stall and then Dick tried to get a halter on her head to hold her still in order to clean and medicate the cut.
Robert J. Elder
Now here is what I often think of as a passage of scripture with high potential for use as a brick--bat. At least it is often employed that way by folks who think the way the church moves ahead is by making people feel guilty and bad about things that are not their fault. Sometimes preachers read this and find it almost too tempting to stand before their congregations and extol the glories of the church in the New Testament version of the "good old days," so that everyone pretty much feels extra lousy that the good old days appear to be long--gone enough as to be well nigh unrecoverable.
Albert G. Butzer, III
I know a woman who says that her husband has a listening problem. Incidentally, this is not autobiographical. To be sure, he does have a hearing problem and wears hearing aids to compensate, but his real problem - at least according to his wife - is not a hearing problem but a listening problem. She says to him, "I'm going to the store, so would you please turn the oven to 350 degrees at 5:30 and put in the casserole." "Sure," he replies, "no problem." But when she comes home, the dinner is still cold. By the way, did I remember to tell you that this is not autobiographical!
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
Once upon a time, a great and loving king ruled over a vast territory. There was something very strange about this kingdom, however. Everything was the same. The people ate the same food, drank the same drink, wore the same clothes, and lived in the same type of homes. The people even did all the same work. There was another oddity about this place. Everything was gray - the food, the drink, the clothes, the houses; there were no other colors.
Wayne H. Keller
A Celebration Of Resurrection

Invitation to the Easter Celebration
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Prayer Of The Day
P: Gracious Father, you sent your Son so that we might have life and have it abundantly. May we seek such goodness in our lives and desire it for others, so that gathered as one flock, all people would find their rest in our great shepherd, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
C: Amen.

Intercessory Prayers
Begin each new petition with:
Shepherd of our hearts ...
Shepherd of our communities ...
Shepherd of our nations ...
Shepherd of our churches ...

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
There are two themes that run through the passages for today. On the one hand there is the "Call of the Wild" (like Jack London's 1903 novel), in which we are commanded to follow our Shepherd Jesus through what might be trackless wastes and difficult places in responding to the great challenge of faith. On the other hand, there is the "Call of the Safe" (like Larry Crabb's great book on small groups, The Safest Place on Earth [Word, 1999]), which places us in the middle of a community of care and grace.
R. Craig Maccreary
People have all sorts of travel styles. I am constantly amazed at those who can just pick up and go on their journeys with minimal amounts of preparation and packing. For me, even the simplest of journeys requires hours of preparation. When recent security concerns required the average traveler to show up at the airport hours before their planned flight I remained largely unaffected. I had been doing that for years. You never know when a mix up might land you at the wrong place or the wrong time. It is best to allow time just in case.

CSSPlus

Good morning! Do you like stories? (get responses) Jesus told stories like this a lot. Sometimes when he wanted to teach people about things that were complicated, he would tell them a story about something they already knew about. Talking about something familiar to them helped them understand something unfamiliar.
When he has brought out all of his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. (v. 4)

Good morning, boys and girls. Jesus thought of himself as a shepherd. Do you know what a shepherd does? (let them answer) That's right, a shepherd watches and protects sheep. Jesus must have known a lot about shepherds because he taught us that sheep trust the shepherd with their lives. When a shepherd speaks, the sheep listen. The sheep know the shepherd's voice and follow him to safety.

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