Login / Signup

SermonStudio

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Adult study

African-American History

Bible Study

Biblical Studies

Biblical Study

Candlelighting service

Children's program

Children's Resources

Children's sermon

Christian

Christian Faith

Christian Life

Church Anniversary

Church Growth

Church Leaders

Church Programs

Death

Devotional

Drama

Easter

Faith Development

Fellowship

Funeral

Gathering Prayer

Healing

Home Blessing

Humor

Illustration

Inspirational

Intercession

Lent/Easter

Liturgy

Marriage Ceremony

Meditations

Memorial

Men's Day

Monologues

Mother's Day

Observance

Pageant

Pastoral Resources

Poems

Prayer

Preaching

SermonStudio

Contrasts In Character -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Notice the sociological study of two families:I. The Jonathan Edwards family:
The Love Of Christ -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A Roman Catholic saint once said, the love of Christ is:
The Politicians' Prayer -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Two politicians were arguing about something when the first one said: "I'll bet you $5 that you can'
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)
Trinity Sunday -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2004
This priestly account of God's creation of the world has been called the most theological chapter in
Jesus' First Miracle -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A converted alcoholic was asked if he believed the Bible story of how Jesus changed water into wine.
Who Made God? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Children often ask profound questions over which we all stumble.
An Investment In Eternity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Herbert Hoover was a poor boy working his way through Stanford University in California.
Reformation Sunday -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 31:31--34 The promise of a new covenant.
Good Guys And Bad Guys -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Gary Larson, creator of the comic strip Far Side, produced a strip in which we see God in his
Cry, The Beloved Country -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Alan Paton's book, Cry, The Beloved Country, suggests a valid answer to racism.
The Mayo Clinic -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The world famous Mayo Clinic had a religious origin. In 1883, Dr. William W.
The Preacher's Parrot -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A lady bought a parrot from a retired sailor. It had one bad habit: it used swear words sometimes.
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 16:1--13 (C, E); 1 Samuel 16:1, 6--7, 10--13 (RC)
Proper 7 -- Genesis 21:8-21, Jeremiah 20:7-13 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2004
God has a way of humbling our pride.
Keokuk's Answer -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
At Keokuk, Iowa, we walked out on a high earthen dam, bolstered by concrete.
Who Really Pays The Tax? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
One excuse for the sale of alcoholic beverages is that those who produce the drinks pay taxes.
Beginning Again -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The poet Louise Tarkington once wrote:I wish there were some wonderful place
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 24:12--18 (C); Exodus 24:12 (13--14) 15--18 (E)
Risk And Reward -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Every few years, we hear sermons during the stewardship season based on the parable of the talents.
Education And The Ends -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Education in life deals with ends:
The Miracle Of Ice -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A Mrs.
The Smart Old Indian Chief -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Some curious tourists stopped along an Arizona road where they saw an old Indian chief sitting in fr
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONS
Proper 8 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Jeremiah 28:5-9 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2004
We must not water down this text.

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Can We Give Thanks? -- 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 -- Carl B. Rife, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a six-year-old boy who was ill from birth
Home At Last -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
One of the more colorful eras of our country's past is the old Wild West.
What Price Must We Pay? -- Luke 6:20-31 -- John W. Clarke -- All Saints Day - C -- 2006
Today's Gospel Lesson mirrors the Sermon on the Mount that is found in Matthew 5-7.
Tales Of The Spiritually Stupid -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 18-22 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2006
"Stupid is as stupid does." So says the now-famous quote from the movie, Forrest Gump.
Angels And Aliens -- Luke 10:17-20, Revelation 12:7-12 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Like some giant, mystical flock of snow geese stopping momentarily in their fall flight to the south
Recognizing His Disciples -- John 13:31-35 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Recognition of people, places, and things is a fundamental prerequisite of successful living.
What's In A Name? -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
What's in a name? Does a name matter?
Maundy Thursday -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
As a child the first time I heard the word "maundy" I associated it with being seedy.
Questions -- Psalm 13 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a young woman following a brief illnessQuestions
Dream And Reality -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
How can one best understand Dr. King? What was it that formed and empowered him?
The Colors of Christmas: Six Sermons and Object Lessons for Advent and Christmas -- H. Michael Nehls -- 2006
Advent 1 Children's Message Green
It Is Well -- Matthew 11:28 -- R. Blaine Detrick, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an eleven-year-old boy who drownedIt Is Well
Risky Business -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- 2006
Su Xueling (pronounced ZOO-ling) is a different breed of entrepreneur, delivering instant noodles on
Father, Forgive Them! -- Luke 23:33-43 -- John W. Clarke -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
Each of the gospel accounts of the crucifixion has its own peculiarity.
Listening For The "Ching-ching" -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2006
When television producer, Dick Wolf, introduced a new "cop show" in the early 1990s, he could hardly
Radically Unfair -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
In a Walker Percy novel, a white physician is arrested for illegally selling drugs to truck drivers
Keeping His Word -- John 14:23-29 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Keeping our word has a long and positive history in our nation.
Abraham Believed God -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
If you've traveled with small children in a car, you've probably heard this conversation more than o
Palm Sunday -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
Several times in the book of Revelation there is a break in the action here on earth while we are tr
Frayed Ends And Torn Seams -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a man killed by a hit-and-run driver
The Colors of Christmas: Six Sermons and Object Lessons for Advent and Christmas -- H. Michael Nehls -- 2006
Advent 2 Children's Message Purple or Violet
The Colors of Christmas: Six Sermons and Object Lessons for Advent and Christmas -- H. Michael Nehls -- 2006
Advent 3 Children's Message Red
Swallowed Up In Victory -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 -- Charles L. Koester, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a seventeen-year-old boy killed by a drunk driver
Who Will Go? -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2006
Ken had not realized there was a shoplifter in the supermarket.
A Breadbasket Full Of Goodies -- John 6:25-35 -- John W. Clarke -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2006
In this the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus begins to withdraw to the east side of the Sea of

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

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
Service -- 1999
At Bishop's Cafeteria there is a light on each table.
See The Little Light Shine -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Constance Berg -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
She was so patient.
Some Guideline Questions -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Unbridled, unrestrained, blind ethnocentrism frightens me, Leon.
Grace -- 1999
Because Dwaine Pittman was ill on the day we seven were examined before the confirmation, the questi
An Impossible Wish -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Leon, how I would like to spare my children and loved ones much of the unnecessary pain and folly we
Faith And Action -- 1999
At a PLTS chapel service Christine Sinnott talked of an eagle stirring up its nest.
Prison -- 1999
I purchased three goldfish for our fountain.
Trust In God -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1999
Jancy counted her money.
Call -- 1999
A young man working as church van driver, Larry Kennedy, locked himself out on the roof of Park Plac
Life In Christ -- 1999
Sometimes when there is a typhoon in the Phillippines some trees survive and are still standing, eve
Sign -- 1999
David Brenner on the Johnny Carson show told about signs he never quite understood:
A Life For A Life -- John 15:9-17 -- Constance Berg -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Who would lay down his life for a friend?
Sabbath Made For Man -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
A conscientious young couple is trying to provide janitorial services for their church, and they are
Greed -- 1999
At Drake University, Allen Boesak of South Africa said, "I'm here because some of us believe there i
A Gratifying Moment -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
"What is your brother doing these days?" "Oh, he's a successful accountant out West." "How did your
Faith And Life -- 1999
Dr.
Promise -- 1999
The radio and television ads in Des Moines for Reichardt's clothing store have owner Bill say: "No s
One Pastor's Story -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1999
Craig Barnes has learned what it is to be a servant. And he knows what it is like to serve.
Caring -- 1999
On a recent airline trip I saw the Columbus control tower hold up the takeoff of our 727 stretch for
Lifestyle -- 1999
Alan Alda, in an interview about making movies, said that those now aged thirteen to 21 want three t
Sin -- 1999
I was following a car down Harding Road today and read on it a bumper sticker: "To know me is to lov
Gift From God -- John 17:6-19 -- Constance Berg -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Brian could feel the heat of anger rising in his neck.
Frustrated Spiritual Hunger -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
While I know that it was an erroneous impression, when I used to travel on the old highways through

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Second Sunday Of Easter -- 1 John 1:1 - 2:2 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Unison Confession Of Faith (1 John 1:1 - 2:2)
Dancing For The Lord -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: The world and all that is in it belongs to the Lord.
First Sunday Of Advent -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Advent WreathWe come with open minds.
Christmas Eve / Day -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2001
Theme: The Birth Of JesusCall To Worship
Sunday Of The Passion (Sixth Sunday In Lent/Palm Sunday) -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Matthew 27:11-54 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2001
Theme: Dark GethsemaneCall To Worship
Proper 12 -- Romans 8:26-39 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Theme: More Than ConquerorsCall To Worship
According To Thy Will -- Luke 1:26-38 (and other scriptures) -- Janet Burton -- 2001
Vignettes On Mary Of Nazareth
The High Priest -- Beth Huener -- 2001
Life On The Edge Of FaithThe High PriestThe Opening Speech
Day Of Thanksgiving -- Psalm 65 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Third Sunday After Epiphany -- Psalm 27 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- John 14:15-21 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Theme: The Promise Of The Holy SpiritCall To Worship
Proper 20 -- Exodus 16:2-15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2001
Theme: Our Daily BreadCall To Worship
Reformation Day -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Welcome and AnnouncementsPreludeCall to Worship
Christmas Eve / Day -- Psalm 96 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Sunday Of The Passion (Sixth Sunday In Lent/Palm Sunday) -- Psalm 31:1-16 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 12 -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Theme: What Is The Kingdom Of God Like?Call To Worship
A Secret Search For Truth -- John 3 -- Janet Burton -- 2001
Nicodemus Reports To Joseph
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany -- Psalm 37:1-11 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 4 -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
Theme: A Firm FoundationCall To Worship
A Maid -- Beth Huener -- 2001
Life On The Edge Of FaithA MaidThe Opening Speech
Proper 25 -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2001
Theme: LeadershipCall To Worship
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany -- Micah 6:1-8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2001
Theme: Genuine PietyCall To Worship
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Psalm 66:8-20 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 20 -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2001
Theme: Living The Fruitful LifeCall To Worship
All Saints' Day -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
All Saints' DayService Of Worship

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For July 6, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity for the children.

Note: You will need an older volunteer to help with this activity. One option would be to find a teenager with some physical ability. If a teen is not available, an adult could be used instead. For simplicity here, I will refer to my older volunteer as “TOM”. You will also need to select three of your younger children to serve as volunteers in the story.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
2 Kings 5:1-14
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30
Naaman seeks healing. He travels hoping healing will come to him when he visits the king of Israel. Yet, healing does not come in that way. Rather healing comes through Elishah. Healing comes from believing and being cleansed in the River Jordan. Healing comes through Naaman’s faithfulness and through God’s grace. Psalm 30 also reminds us to seek healing; to seek God and God will heal and restore us. Do we believe that? Do we believe that God can bring healing?

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ (vv. 10-11)

When I visit your church for the first time, consider the possibility that I might be looking for a church home. I am a good-looking old guy, but I have gray hair and I dress down in the summer, so don’t be put off by my cargo shorts and tank top. Talk to me!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Damien and Ora grinned at each other in excitement. The time had come - at last! They'd been with the Leader for months and months, waiting for this moment. Not that it had felt much like training. They'd simply lived with the Leader, listening to his stories, hearing about the Kingdom, learning to get along really well with all the other people at Mission Headquarters. Now all seventy of them were ready, the spaceship had docked, and the Mission was about to begin. Ora was glad she'd been paired up with Damien again.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Stan Purdum
Carlos Wilton
(See Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle B, and Easter 3, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

Anyone who has ever had the experience of losing a friend because of some conflict or dispute, and then has had the friendship restored because of love and forgiveness, has a unique insight into the meaning of this psalm. Although the poem begins and ends with praise, there is in the middle of the poem a brief moment of confession and contrition that puts the praise portions of the psalm in an entirely different light.

April Yamasaki
A word of encouragement came from an unlikely source the other day in a television interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The former football player, wrestler, and now actor was asked about a low time in his life when he was very discouraged about his career and future.

"How did you make your way back from that?" he was asked.

The Rock replied, "You have to put yourself out there. You have to get out there and fail, and learn from your failures."

Larry D. Powell
In the summer of 1983, I participated in a ministerial exchange program sponsored by my denomination. My assignment was to a circuit of churches on the Isle of Man, a tiny island located in the Irish Sea. The months preceding the exchange included considerable correspondence with the minister on the island with whom I would exchange pastoral duties for six weeks.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
A wealthy businessman decided to take a walk and eat his lunch at the same time. He strolled by a park. There he purchased a hot dog and a soft drink. As he walked through the park two different "street people" approached him one by one. Each asked, "Can you help me? I am hungry." Each time the businessman looked straight ahead and kept walking. After finishing his lunch, he stopped and bought a chocolate eclair for dessert. As he was about to take the first bite, he was forced to jump out of the way as a young boy raced by on his skateboard. The eclair went flying and landed on the ground.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL