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Worship

SermonStudio

Responsive Reading -- Isaiah 53:3-5 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Leader: He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity;
Responsive Reading -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, 11 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Leader: For everything there is a season,
Responsive Reading -- John 6:51-58 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Leader: God, the Father, sent his Son to die for our sins and give us an eternal home in heaven.
Responsive Reading -- Isaiah 61:1-2 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Reader: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me;
Responsive Reading -- Psalm 102:11-13, 18-20 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Reader: My days are like an evening shadow;
Responsive Reading -- Psalm 90:1-9, 12-14 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Leader: Grass turns brown and withers from heat and lack of water, but it springs forth again when n
Responsive Reading -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Reader: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God,
Responsive Reading -- Matthew 18:3-5, 10 -- Gail Gaymer Martin, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
Leader: Jesus loved the little children. Jesus loves us. He willingly gave his life for us.
Remembering The Deceased -- 2006
There are many ways for us to remember the deceased at the funeral home, the church, and during the
The Graveside Committal -- 2006
Graveside committal services are kept very short in my tradition.

Drama

SermonStudio

Holy Spirit, Where Are You? -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
A three-part series for teens, identifying the power and work of the Holy Spirit in individual li
Dad, Does God Play Football? -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
Victory in one's Christian life often comes down to priorities, priorities that the world parades
Grand Finale -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
Setting: Hall outside school auditorium moments before graduation
Graduation Is Not For Angels -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
One of the most important events in the life of a church is the graduation from high school or co
This Is Athletics -- Check Your Christianity At The Door -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
Decisions for Christ are sincere at the moment, but too often actions befitting such a decision
All Choices Have Consequences -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
Teenage drinking often brings with it painful, irreversible consequences.
That Heavenly Call -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
This four-part drama may be presented as a unit or as individual scenes.
The Heralding Of Advent -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
Includes Christmas morning and an additional Sunday, if desired, to round out a longer Christmas
Is Christ In The Manger? -- Isaiah 61 -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
Scenes I - IV are placed in various areas of the sanctuary.
Christmas Letters -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
Appropriate for both Christmas and Advent.

Sermon

SermonStudio

A New Point Of View -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
In 2000, Mel Gibson appeared in the comedy, What Women Want.
Running The Race -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
Every week in our country millions of people go to stadiums and arenas to participate in the thrills
A Bloody Cheer! -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2009
Today is a strange and peculiar day.
Meal Of Death -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2009
There it is. No one can enter this sanctuary without noticing it.
A Bloody Sacrifice -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Good Friday - C -- 2009
It is a sad commentary on the state of our world that we are far too familiar with those who have sh
But...! -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Easter Day - C -- 2009
I think anyone who has tried to teach a class or make a presentation to a group has experienced some
Cracking The Code -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
Have you ever seen one of those prison break movies? They all seem to follow a formula.
The iPod Vs. The Larynx -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
The book of Revelation is a vision that occurs on the Lord's day.
The Blood Of The Lamb And The Voice Of The Shepherd -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
Who is Jesus? How are we to understand him?
Heaven On Earth -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
Many years ago when I was going to prep school in Milwaukee, the students loved to walk past a nearb

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

My Cup Overflows -- John 10:22-30 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: To demonstrate how God lavishes upon us his goodness and grace.
You Have To Work At It -- John 21:1-19 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: The effort involved in loving God and one another.
I Doubt It! -- John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: Thomas' transition from doubt to faith concerning the resurrection of Jesus.
I Can't Believe It -- John 20:1-18 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: Things are not always as they seem.
How Much? -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: The extent of God's love for us expressed in the actions of Christ.
God's Training Wheels and Laying On Hands -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Acts 8:14-17 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: To teach that baptism is a foundational event in the life of a Christian.
The Golden Rule -- Luke 6:20-31 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: Treating others the way we want to be treated.
How Should We Live? -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: To convey John the Baptist's understanding of compassion.
What Can God Do? -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: God can do some awesome things.
The Shortest Distance Between Two Points -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: We should allow God direct access to our lives. Key verse: 5b.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 21/Pentecost 19/Ordinary Time 26 -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day God's investment advice is to be generous in giving to others.
Proper 22 / Pentecost 17 / Ordinary Time 27 -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day
Proper 23/Pentecost 21/Ordinary Time 28 -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day God wants us to bloom where we're planted.
Proper 24/Pentecost 22/Ordinary Time 29 -- Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day Jesus teaches us to be persistent in prayer.
Proper 25/Pentecost 23/Ordinary Time 30 -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day
Proper 26/Pentecost 24/Ordinary Time 31 -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day
Proper 27/Pentecost 25/Ordinary Time 32 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day
Proper 28/Pentecost 26/Ordinary Time 33 -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day God promises to make all things new.
All Saints -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- Carlos Wilton -- All Saints Day - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day
Christ The King -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- Carlos Wilton -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day

Stories

SermonStudio

Gram -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
William Bell
Together Again -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- John E. Sumwalt -- All Saints Day - A -- 2004
Barbara Frank
Kristina's Angel -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2004
Theresa Hammerquist
Your Dad Likes You -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- John E. Sumwalt -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2004
Kathleen A. "Kit" Slawski
An Overpowering Light -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2004
Karen Steineke
Easter Stories -- Acts 10:34-43 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Easter Day - A -- 2004
Ralph Milton
Hoo -- John 20:19-31 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
Claire Clyburn
Stranger In The Choir -- Luke 24:13-35 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
Martha Hartman
Holy Hands -- Psalm 23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
David Michael Smith
A Rock Of Refuge -- Psalm 31 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
Jody E. Felton

Prayer

SermonStudio

Desert and devils, diversions and dangers in the Christian calling -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Dennis Koch -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: Of particular interest in Mark's very succinct version of
A discipleship of crosses, not of conquests -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Dennis Koch -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: In this account of Jesus' response to Peter's confession of
Old Temple, New Body -- John 2:13-22 -- Dennis Koch -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: John's version of the cleansing of the temple is distinctive
Lovers of darkness, lovers of light -- John 3:14-21 -- Dennis Koch -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: The challenge here is to set a most familiar and beloved New
The fruit of life from the seed of death -- John 12:20-33 -- Dennis Koch -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: This passage, in which John signals the "beginning of the end"
A New Covenant -- John 13:1-15 -- Dennis Koch -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: The disciples meet with Jesus in the Upper Room. There he
The thrill of victory in the agony of defeat -- Mark 14:1Ä15:47 -- Dennis Koch -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: Mark's version of the Passion contained here (15:20-39),
The promise of the Son, the pedagogy of the Spirit -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Dennis Koch -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: This portion of Jesus' "paraclete sayings" in John's Gospel
Let the end come! -- Dennis Koch -- 1993
Gospel Note: When the universe falls apart, Christ will soon return to
A mission modeled on the Master's message and ministry -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: The commissioning of the Twelve underscores the continuity

Devotional

SermonStudio

Proper 6 / Pentecost 4 / OT 11 -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2007
Is anything too wonderful for the Lord?... -- Genesis 18:14
Proper 6 / Pentecost 4 / OT 11 -- Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2007
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
Proper 6 / Pentecost 4 / OT 11 -- Romans 5:1-8 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2007
But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
Proper 6 / Pentecost 4 / OT 11 -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2007
... You received without payment, give without payment. -- Matthew 10:8
Proper 7 / Pentecost 5 / OT 11 -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2007
... And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept.
Proper 7 / Pentecost 5 / OT 11 -- Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2007
Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. -- Psalm 86:1
Proper 7 / Pentecost 5 / OT 11 -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2007
Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? -- Romans 6:1b
Proper 7 / Pentecost 5 / OT 11 -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2007
...
Proper 8 / Pentecost 6 / OT 13 -- Genesis 22:1-14 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2007
Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son.
Proper 8 / Pentecost 6 / OT 13 -- Psalm 13 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2007
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?... -- Psalm 13:1

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Christian Faith

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Pentecost
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Trinity Sunday
28 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 5 (OT 10, Pent 2)
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

William G. Carter
An unusual piece of mail arrived at the office the other day. Inside the envelope was a colorful brochure, a response card, and a prepaid business reply envelope. A computer-generated cover letter was addressed to First Presbyterian Church.
Stan Purdum
Pentecost is considered the birth date of the church universal. There was also planted that day, in the preaching of the apostle Peter, an important seed -- the fruit of which was almost lost at one point in the church's history. That seed was in this statement by Peter: "Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21).
Steven E. Albertin
They had been waiting so long for this. It was an interminable fifty days since Jesus had risen from the dead. It had been ten long days since Jesus had ascended into heaven from that mountain outside of Jerusalem and that angel had told them to go back to Jerusalem and wait. They had to wait again for what must have seemed like an eternity to finally receive what they had been waiting for -- the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Mark Ellingsen
It's Pentecost Sunday, a day when we celebrate the birth of the Church and the giving of the Holy Spirit, as our lesson from Acts (2:1-21) reports. But the Bible makes it clear that it was not just on that first Pentecost that the Holy Spirit was given. It happened to some in Old Testament times (Judges 6:34; 1 Samuel 11:6; 16:13). However, the Spirit was also given during Jesus' own life on earth. Here's the story.
Larry M. Goodpaster
One of the several things we all have in common is the sheer enjoyment of receiving gifts. While we may not always say so, our feelings are at least slightly wounded if our birthday is forgotten. Christmas is not memorable if, because of economic conditions, or because we were extravagant with gifts for others, our gifts are fewer in number. I've also observed that as many of us add years to our lives, the gifts we do receive are more predictable and much more practical.
Schuyler Rhodes
Today is Pentecost. Today we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the people of God. Today we celebrate the birthday of the Church of Jesus Christ, recalling our ancestors in the faith who received the power of God's Holy Spirit and began a journey which we continue in this moment as we take on the struggle to become a faithful people in today's world. Today we celebrate the arrival of the Advocate, the Spirit who accompanies and partners with us in life and faith.
Gary L. Carver
To be asked to speak or pray in public sent shivers of terror down his spine. He had a small part in his high school play. He froze. When it came time for him to deliver his lines, he could not say a word. He never completely recovered from that humiliation and embarrassment. But if you needed a nurse during a painful or sleepless long night, he was your man. With dozens of people for dozens of years often late into the night, he administered the "sacrament of the coffee pot" as he listened and counseled with a wisdom from a source other than his own.
James L. Killen, Jr.
The story of the Day of Pentecost tells of a pivotal event in the history of God's work in the world. It tells of the emerging of a very important aspect of the Christian faith and of the birth of the church.
Stephen M. Crotts
Have you ever noticed how we preachers often promote the early church as if it were the ideal? "Why, they did a miracle a day in the early church." "When they had a prayer meeting, everyone came!" " They spoke in Greek then!" (As if it were some sort of superior language!) On and on we can go browbeating ourselves by comparison.

Yet, when one really studies the Bible, he discovers that early believers weren't perfect either. Moses had his temper. Noah got drunk. David fell into adultery. Peter couldn't keep his vows and Paul and Barnabas split up over a disagreement.
Thom M. Shuman
Call To Worship
One: The day of Pentecost is upon us.
All: Those who have been touched by tongues of fire
can speak as though in native languages.
One: In worship together, let us share with each other.
All: Let us share our bread, our wine, and our prayers.
One: We come to the Lord's table.
All: It is spread before us.

Prayer Of The Day
One: Spirit of the Living God,
visit us again on this day of Pentecost,
All: come, Holy Spirit.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Holy Spirit, Truth Divine (CBH508, PH321)
Fire Of God, Undying Flame (NCH64)
Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow (NCH271, CBH31, UM38, PH131)
Filled With The Spirit's Power (NCH266, CBH289, UM537)
Like The Murmur Of A Dove's Song (CBH29, UM544, PH314)
O Spirit Of The Living God (CBH361, UM539)
Spirit Of The Living God (PH322)
Many And Great, O God (NCH3, UM148, PH271)
I Sing The Mighty Power Of God (CBH46, UM152, PH288)

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
For May 24, 2026:

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'receive the Holy Spirit.' (v. 22)

Good morning, boys and girls. I am so happy to see you this morning. You know why I'm happy? I am happy because you are here at worship ? and I am really happy to tell you about something amazing! Are you ready to hear about it?  (children answer)

There are some things in life that are invisible. But they are very real. For example, here in my hands I am holding some air. (cup hands like holding air) (shows air to children)
Cynthia E. Cowen
The Point: Jesus comes to us even when we are afraid and gives us the power to live as his followers.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus promised his friends that great power would be available to them when he had finally disappeared from this earth. That power came on the Day of Pentecost. In our worship today let us explore what sort of power this was and whether it is still available to us.


Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I have difficulty connecting with things that happened 2,000 years ago.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I assume that all your power was in the past, belonging to a by-gone age.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Happy Birthday"
Shining Moments: "Wrapped in Pentecost" by Kate Jones
Sermon Starter: "Do You Have Charisma?" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "What the World Needs Now..." by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
C. David Mckirachan
David O. Bales
Contents
"Rauch" by C. David McKirachan
"Claustrophobia" by David O. Bales


* * * * * * * *


Ruach
by C. David McKirachan
Acts 2:1-21

Emphasis Preaching Journal

We've all seen them -- women and men, girls and boys, wrestling with huge sails attached to a small board, seeking to stand and balance and catch both the wind and the waves just right -- windsurfers. It is one of the hardest sports to learn and succeed at, but to those who have made it an art, it is one of the most rewarding experiences of freedom. One stands between heaven and earth, supported by nothing more than the fluid surface of a lake or ocean, and powered by the breath of this world's atmosphere. To catch the right breeze is a craft not easily learned.

Special Occasion

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