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SermonStudio

Is The Bible A Bank? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Is the Bible a bank at your house?
Do You Need It? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Sign in a Vermont country store:"If we haven't got it, you don't need it!"
Fifth Sunday of Easter -- Acts 7:55-60 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
I got in a religious dispute one time with a relative over particular truths in the Christian gospel
First Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- John R. Brokhoff -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONS
Waiting For Jesus -- Matthew 24 and 25 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Matthew 25 begins with Jesus telling a story about a bridegroom being delayed as he was on his way t
Colorful Pottery And Adversity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
God permits adversity, just like an earthly father may permit his child to fall and get hurt, in beg
The Inspired Holy Bible -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
1.It is not the concepts of just one man or group.
An Ecumenical Leg -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
There's a wonderful story about a doctor who had among his patients an elderly Roman Catholic lady w
The Hereafter -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
An elderly lady confided in her pastor that lately she was bothered by the "hereafter."
Proper 27 -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Joshua 24:1--3a, 14--25 (C)
Is This True Americanism? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Among the various things that have happened in the elapsed time since September 11, 2001, there has
W(h)ite Out -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Every author knows the value of this modern substance which can be used when we have typed the wrong
Sixth Sunday of Easter -- Acts 17:22-31 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
There is a strange belief abroad in our land at the present time, the belief that we cannot know God
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONS
The Secret Of The Kingdom -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Reading the Gospels, it would seem that telling parables was Jesus' favorite teaching method.
Conscience -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
In the hallway of Eastern College, St.
The International Garden Of Peace -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
In almost the exact center of North America, on the border of Canada and the United States, at the j
An Endless Line Of Splendor -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Vachel Lindsay wrote:An endless line of splendor
The Meaning Of Amen -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
During a children's sermon, Rev.
Proper 28 -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Judges 4:1--7 (C)
It's A Serendipity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Taken from the old Arabian fable, "The Princes of Serendip," we get the word "serendipity."Haven't y
Who Is The Architect? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The day after a fire had destroyed a wing of the British House of Commons, many letters poured into
Ascension of Our Lord -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2004
The book of the Acts of the Apostles is the second volume of Luke's great account of God's act of sa
Third Sunday In Lent -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 17:1--7 (C, E); Exodus 17:3--7 (RC)
Things Of True Value -- Matthew 13:44-46 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Treasure. Just the word alone is enough to spark daydreams and fantasies.

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Hard Task Of Truth-telling -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2006
Carrie's1 high school guidance counselor noticed she had been acting out a bit in school recently.
When Christ Is King ... -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
Many people don't like the theological language of Christ as king.
Living And Dying -- 2 Chronicles 24:17-22 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the
Wounded In Our Relationships -- Isaiah 52:13--53:3, James 4:1-10 -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
Sermon NotesCausesHarmful relationships
An Appetizer -- John 11:1-44 -- Carl W. Mangold, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful 69-year-old woman following a second heart attack
Doing Battle With Death -- Romans 8:14-39 -- Laurence A. Wagley, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For the death of an infantDoing Battle With Death
What's In A Name? -- Isaiah 43:1-7 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
"What's in a name? A rose by any other name smells as sweet."Or does it?
The End Of Time -- Luke 21:5-19 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2006
No reading of Luke is complete without coming to realize that Luke is concerned that the world under
Fish And Sheep -- John 21:1-19 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Don't you find this passage filled to overflowing with delightful descriptions?
Have We Been "Slicked"? -- Jeremiah 2:4-13 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2006
In many small towns across America the annual Volunteer Fireman's Fair is the social event of the ye
Scandal Of The Cross -- John 12:20-23, 1 Corinthians 1:18-24 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
In the gospel reading in John, the author portrays the anticipation and struggle within the person o
Think On These Things -- Philippians 4:4-9 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2006
In the letter to the people at Philippi, Paul wanted us to think on things that are beautiful, pure,
Light And Darkness -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
And the light pierced the darkness of it all, of it all -- the Epiphany of our Lord.
Wounded In Our Actions -- Isaiah 53:4-9, John 19:16-18 -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
Sermon NotesCausesAccidentsAutomobile
A Mighty Fortress -- 1 Corinthians 13 -- Thomas N. Rogers, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a 51-year-old man who was born in GreeceA Mighty Fortress
First Five Sundays In Lent -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
The topic of discussion for the morning was the church year.
The Good Fight -- 2 Timothy 4:6b-8 -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful middle-aged manThe Good Fight
God's Wonderful Plans -- 1 Corinthians 2:9 -- Frank L. Starkey, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a 21-year-old veteran killed in a motorcycle accident
Called By A New Name -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
Two or three generations ago, the only women who did not take their husbands' names after marrying w
The Freedom To Interpret -- John 8:31-36 -- John W. Clarke -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2006
Reformation Sunday is one of those unique times in the church year when we take a moment to remember
So, Are You The Messiah? -- John 10:22-30 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
History shows that people are invariably looking for Messiahs or Christs.
God's Eminent Domain -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2006
What would you do if you opened your mailbox one day to find a letter from the city or county announ
Faithful, Not Successful -- Matthew 9:9-13, Ephesians 2:4-10 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Today is a day in the church year that is set aside to remember and commemorate the early church apo
Ashes And Bugs -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
Ah, spring! The days are getting longer, and hopefully warmer.
Epiphany Hiking -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Matthew 3:13-17 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2006
And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were op

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Ethics -- 1999
There is an unwritten code of the Bataks of Sumatra that dictates right and wrong behavior.
Preaching -- 1999
A woman who had dated a divorced United Methodist minister several times shot the 36-year-old pastor
Boundaries -- 1999
Merrill Lynch's ad on television: "We believe your world should know no boundaries." -- 1987
Judge -- 1999
The conductor of a community orchestra was upset because of poor attendance of musicians at the rehe
A Second Chance -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Constance Berg -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1999
Mark is a chaplain in a nursing home.
Unprepared -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
I just have to recognize the fact, Leon, that I am not prepared for any great fame or acclaim.
Good Friday -- 1999
Retired Bishop Ronald Diggs of Liberia was arrested and told to stand trial on Good Friday.
Adoption -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Why did we do it, Leon? There is no easy answer. Maybe it was not the thing to do.
Blooming -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Constance Berg -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
"You know how three weeks ago I asked you to speak about your trip to Mexico?
Seeing -- 1999
Two hunters were road hunting in a pickup for deer in South Dakota.
Evangelism -- 1999
I was at First Methodist Church in Des Moines for a meeting.
Precious -- 1999
During Nikita Khrushchev's visit to the U.S. he bought material for a new suit.
Brother And Sisterhood -- 1999
During the Gulf War Peter Jennings told of an Iraqi family in Texas who named their first son Saddam
Leadership -- 1999
Eric Gritch told of an Italian military captain leading a charge of soldiers.
For Or Against? -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1999
Shelley looked around and took a seat in the front row.
How About Humor? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
When the Japanese were bombing Pearl Harbor, the story is told that when American soldiers were runn
Gospel -- 1999
The Cathedral of Mexico City has a wire suspended from the ceiling to the floor with a plumb line we
Using Our Children -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Jim* was elected president of his class and was on the honor roll both semesters.
Mother Shepherd -- John 10:11-18 -- Constance Berg -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Liliana called me to her room at three that afternoon.
Servanthood -- 1999
A special on 60 Minutes, October 18, 1987, was about Sister Emmanuel who lives in the garbage
Example -- 1999
I saw a man today pushing his four-year-old son across the street at Forest and Harding against the
Prejudice -- 1999
A pastor told of having old church records of a Norwegian congregation which listed membership as: "
Burden -- 1999
On an Ozark flight from Des Moines to Saint Louis in March, the plane had to be de-iced before we co
Life After Death -- 1999
At the airport, there was a limo driver holding up a sign: "Katz." Others recognized family right aw
May God Go With You -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1999
Things weren't going very well. Angelica's husband's paycheck wasn't due for another week.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

The Work Goes On -- True Happiness -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Call To Worship
Proper 21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Mark 10:35-45)
Do You Have All The Answers? -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Praise the Lord, my soul! O Lord, my God, how great you are!
Sixth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 30)
Speak Up For Freedom -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: How shall we serve our God who has blessed us in so many ways?
First Sunday After The Epiphany -- Frank Ramirez -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipOne: Lord, your light is shining to the nations.
Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2002
First Lesson: Job 1:1; 2:1-10Theme: Testing Our FaithCall To Worship
Second Sunday After The Epiphany -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 139)All: O LORD, you have searched me and known me.
Wisdom Calls -- Mark 8:27-38, James 3:1-12, Proverbs 1:20-33 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: The law of the Lord is perfect; it gives new strength.
Third Sunday After The Epiphany -- Psalm 65 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 65)One: Praise is due to you, O God.
True Happiness -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people,
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 4)
The Lord Made Us All -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Serve the Lord with a right spirit.
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipWomen: We know love by this, that Jesus laid down his life for us.
A Time For Singing -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let us thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipRight: The spirit told Philip to join the chariot of the Ethiopian.
Pray That All The Peoples Of Earth May Know God -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: With my whole being I sing for joy to the living God.
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeft: Is there a place where we can come to laugh?
Seek Wisdom -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: The way to become wise is to honor the Lord;
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Acts 1:6-11)
Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2002
First Lesson: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33
Fourth Sunday Of Advent -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Advent WreathWe hear your words, "Do not be afraid. I am with you."
Accepting Responsibility For Our Failures -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Create in me a pure heart, O God,
Easter Sunday -- Psalm 118:14-24 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (Psalm 118:14-24)
When Our Leaders Fail Us -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Be still, so God may speak to you in the silence of your heart.

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
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John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity.

Note: You will need to select six children to play roles in this activity. If you have a smaller group, you might ask some older youth or even adults to play the parts of the two attackers and the man being attacked. I will give suggestions for how they can play their roles, but feel free to help your children make the story as fun and memorable as you can. I have used boys and girls in the various roles, but you can change those however you want to change them.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For July 13, 2025:
  • Samaritans Among Us by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Samaritans were despised and dismissed by the original audience who first heard Jesus tell this parable. Who are the Samaritans in our lives and how does this parable apply today?
  • Second Thoughts: The Helpers by Katy Stenta based on Amos 7:7-17.

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
I say, “You are gods,
    children of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals
    and fall like any prince….”
(vv. 6-7)

There have been any number of brother-sister acts that achieved a measure of fame. Take the Carpenters, famed for their singing, musicianship, and songwriting skills. Also worthy of mention are John and Joan Cusack who have acted together in over sixteen films.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
An ancient legend tells of a remote mountain village where people used to send their senior citizens out into the woods to die. The villagers had an eye to the future; they felt that those beyond a certain age would only slow down progress or use up valuable resources to no economically profitable end. Those who reached a certain age weren’t “put out to pasture” or “put out of their misery”; they were simply put out of other people’s way.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Amos 7:7-17 and Psalm 82
The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is more than 2,700 feet high—over half a mile tall. It has 160 floors and is twice as tall as the Empire State Building in New York City. It is home to the world’s fastest elevator which reaches speeds of forty miles an hour. The Burj Khalifa also hosts the world’s highest outdoor observation deck (on the 124th floor) and the world’s highest swimming pool (on the 76th floor).

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Mabel hummed a familiar hymn tune as she made her way to church. She always enjoyed her Sunday morning walk. It was one of the few times she felt safe to walk alone through the inner city, for she knew nobody would be up at 7.45 in the morning. Today was a particularly beautiful morning, with blue sky, warm sunshine, and the song of a few intrepid blackbirds who still inhabited the city.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Often, a distinction is made between the pastoral or priestly work of the church and the prophetic work. Pastoral care has to do with the care of souls, the offering of comfort in times of loss. The priestly character of pastoral work seeks to mediate the presence of God to those who are hurting.

Schuyler Rhodes
Trusting is never easy. Even in the best of relationships, people step into trust slowly. There is wariness -- questioning -- worry. What happens if trust is betrayed? What if this doesn't work? Sometimes it's like a dance. We step in and out of trust, moving to the rhythms of fear. For many, the routine is achingly familiar. Indeed, it's not easy to trust.
John Jamison
It was back in the days when the railroad was the most common mode of transportation. There were automobiles, and some airplanes, but the steam locomotive was the way most folks traveled and the way that most of the goods were distributed around the country. After dinner, people sat in the drawing room and listened to the radio programs, fading in and out from some faraway location, over the magical broadcasting signal.
Robert Leslie Holmes
Not many tourists to Washington, D.C., look for the Federal Bureau of Standards offices. It's the Capitol and the White House, the Supreme Court Building or the Smithsonian most of us want to see when we go there. Yet, at the Bureau of Standards offices something very important is stored, something that impacts your life and mine every single day. Have you ever bought the materials for a new project? When you did, most likely you purchased so many inches or feet or yards. Or, you stopped to buy gasoline for your car and purchased it at a certain price per gallon.
David O. Bales
I have the two best jobs in the world. I teach social studies at Leon Griffith Junior High School (a fairly small junior high) and I am Sunday School Superintendent at Calvary Presbyterian Church (an enormous church school). Each job is my vocation. I tell people that at school they'll find my room where the halls cross. At church they can look but probably won't find me. I'll be in someone's classroom. At each job I practice what I most deeply believe: it's how you see the world that determines how you respond to it. I'll give you an example, actually, two examples.
Erskine White
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
(Stuart K. Hine)

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