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Worship

SermonStudio

Maundy Thursday -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Theme: Priceless
Maundy Thursday -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Theme: Why Is This Night So Different?
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Isaiah 52:13--53:12 Theme: Vindication. Trust Me.
Good Friday -- Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 Theme: Approach ...
Good Friday -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 18:1--19:42 Theme: You Are Here
The Resurrection Of Our Lord/Easter Day -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Acts 10:34-43 Theme: Thank Heavens I Don't Get No Respect!
The Resurrection Of Our Lord/Easter Day -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 Theme: More To Be Pitied Than Envied
The Resurrection Of Our Lord/Easter Day -- John 20:1-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 20:1-18 Theme: Ha!
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Acts 5:27-32 Theme: We Are Witnesses Of God's Love
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Revelation 1:4-8 Theme: Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up!

Drama

SermonStudio

My Brother's Keeper -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1998
Theme
The King Forgives Sometimes -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1998
ThemeForgive others as God through Jesus has forgiven you.Summary
The Inmate -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Robert F. Crowley -- 1998
Theme
Payday -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 1998
ThemeGod's generosity to all.Summary
Knock, Knock! -- Matthew 21:28-32 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1998
Theme
The Wicked Pie Bakers -- Matthew 21:33-43 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1998
Theme
Many Are Called -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1998
ThemeHow does God feel about those who reject His Son?Summary
God And The State -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1998
ThemeHow do Christians ethically relate to their government?Summary
David The Giant Killer -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1998
ThemeKing David, the ancestor of the Messiah, Jesus, trusted God. Can we?
In His Debt -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 1998
ThemeWhat is the motive behind our gifts to God?Summary

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Church's DNA -- Acts 4:32-35 -- David H. Webb -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Once upon a time, a dear woman struggled to muster enough strength to face the trials that came her
At The Heart -- Acts 3:12-19 -- David H. Webb -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
We have a new library in town.
Confident Faith -- Acts 4:5-12 -- David H. Webb -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
It is hard to find a more bold expression of the Easter faith than what we hear from Peter today in
Jesus Brings New Life -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
The end of World War II and the onset of the Cold War, which saw the super powers of the United Stat
Jesus Will Lead Us Home -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
The voyage of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his 28 men aboard the Endurance bound for Antarctica,
Jesus Rescues Us -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Oskar Schindler, immortalized in Steven Spielberg's 1993 prize-winning film, Schindler's List
The Faithfulness Of God -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Mrs.
The Christmas Message Of Hope -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2008
The wife of a poor merchant died, leaving him with five children, ranging from age six to fifteen.
God Makes All Things New -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2008
It was just a small, white envelope that stuck out among the branches of our Christmas tree.
God Is The Hound Of Heaven -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
Students of American history have always been fascinated by the life and career of the sixteenth pre

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Big Sin, Little Sin -- Luke 6:37-42 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
I need a helper this morning. (Choose a youngster to assist you.) Let's see how tall you are.
Stain Remover -- 1 John 1:9 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Do you know what this is? (Children respond. Offer help if needed.) It's stain remover.
Trouble -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Can you read this word? (Children read from the game.) Trouble.
Too Close To The Edge -- Proverbs 4:14-15 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
I have a story for you today.
Pieces And Parts -- 1 Corinthians 12:14-21 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
(Display pictures one at a time, or if you have enough children, have four of them stand in front an
Change -- Isaiah 43:19 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Do you notice anything different this morning? Has anything been changed?
Serendipity! -- Matthew 6:33 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
There are some words in the English language that are just plain fun to say and hear.
Expectations -- Romans 15:7 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
How many of you love to go to school? Raise your hands. Suppose you loved to go school.
Gifts For Mom -- Proverbs 31:28 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Today is a special day for us. Who knows what today is?
Thanks, Dad -- Exodus 20:12 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
There are many special days in a year and today is one of those days. Who knows what today is?

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

The Resurrection Of Our Lord/Easter Day -- Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Carlos Wilton -- Easter Day - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Resurrection Of Our Lord/Easter Day, Cycle
Easter 2 -- Psalm 133 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2006
This little gem of a psalm celebrates the joy of unity among comrades in the faith.
Easter 3 -- Psalm 4 -- Carlos Wilton -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2006
This psalm is familiar to those whose liturgical traditions include an evening, or Evensong, service
Easter 4 -- Psalm 23 -- Stan Purdum -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2006
(See Lent 4, Cycle A, and Easter 4, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)
Easter 5 -- Psalm 22:25-31 -- Stan Purdum -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2006
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses
Lent 4 -- Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 -- Stan Purdum -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
(For an alternative approach to vv.
Lent 5 -- Psalm 51:1-12 -- Stan Purdum -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
(See Ash Wednesday, Cycle A, and Proper 13/Pentecost 11/Ordinary Time 18, Cycle B, for alternativ
Lent 5 -- Psalm 119:9-16 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
The reason for this alternate lectionary selection, culled from the longest of the psalms, is undoub
Palm Sunday/Sunday Of The Passion -- Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Carlos Wilton -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Liturgy Of The Palms, Cycle A; see also The Re
Palm Sunday/Sunday Of The Passion -- Psalm 31:9-16 -- Stan Purdum -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Liturgy Of The Passion, Cycles A and C, for al

Stories

SermonStudio

Silent Night, Holy Night -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Gregory L. Tolle -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2004
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of a great j
The Re-gifting Dilemma -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
I confess.
Cheerleading At Christmas -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Cheerleading is big -- especially in Texas and Oklahoma.
The Holy Land Experience -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
No one in their right mind would want to visit the Holy Land now.
Bethlehem Hope -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Bethlehem in December, 1995, was a far cry from Bethlehem of 4 B.C., or even the Bethlehem of 2003.
No Saints Here! -- Luke 6:20-31 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- All Saints Day - C -- 2003
The area around Brighton, Colorado, some twenty miles northwest of Denver, has until recently been a
Microsoft *#!@&* -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2003
I don't want to use profane language in these pages, so I am going to resort to euphemism.
Deafening Decibels -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2003
My neighbor across the street stopped by one day to tell me he had petitioned the city council for a
A New Idea -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2003
The Utne Reader (named after its founder) is not at all like the Reader's Digest.
Christ The President Sunday -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2003
We have arrived at the last Sunday of the church year.

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

The LORD Is My Shepherd -- Psalm 23 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want ...
The Earth Is The LORD's -- Psalm 24 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it,
To You, O LORD, I Lift Up My Soul -- Psalm 25 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach my your paths.
Vindicate Me, O LORD -- Psalm 26 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity,
The LORD Is My Light And And My Salvation -- Psalm 27 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:
To You, O LORD, I Call -- Psalm 28 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Do not drag me away with the wicked ... they do not regard the works of the LORD,
Ascribe To The LORD, O Heavenly Beings -- Psalm 29 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength ... worship the LORD in holy splendor ...
I Will Extol You, O LORD -- Psalm 30 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
O LORD, my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me ...
In You, O LORD, I Seek Refuge -- Psalm 31 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
... in your righteousness deliver me ...
Happy Are Those Whose Transgression Is Forgiven -- Psalm 32 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Poems

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Liturgy

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Easter

Lent/Easter

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Death

Funeral

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Christian

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Thanksgiving Day

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Wedding Vow

Home Blessing

Church Anniversary

Women's Day

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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...
Easter 5
28 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
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

Schuyler Rhodes
This story about Stephen is a hard one to preach about these days. Lately, the idea of martyrdom has fallen under a bit of a cloud, don't you think? What do you think of when you hear about martyrs? In my experience, a martyr is either reduced to a psychological complex foisted off on someone who does too much for others, or it's a poor child with a dynamite vest ready to doom himself or herself and plenty of others for the sake of the cause, and the cash benefits paid to the family, after the fact. There's no question about it. The stock on martyrdom is way, way down these days.
David E. Leininger
"Christ is our cornerstone!" That motto was chosen over a century ago for the congregation I now serve. It was October 29, 1895, at 2:30 in the afternoon, that the grandparents and great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, the forebears of today's congregation, gathered outside in Pennsylvania's autumn chill to see the laying of the cornerstone of the church building that has been in use ever since.
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
Jesus Christ is the cornerstone.

First Lesson
Acts 7:55-60
The Stoning Of Stephen
Derl G. Keefer
C. Neil Strait
WORSHIP HELPS

CALL TO WORSHIP
God is ready to swoop down and rescue us from the burdens we carry and to lift the heart aches! Our God has known us since birth through old age and gray hair and He will sustain us today!

OFFERING THOUGHT
The secret of money is enjoying the opportunity of giving it away for the glory of God.

BENEDICTION
May the God who transforms disappointments to joy do that for you this week. Amen.



SERMON BRIEFS

Holiness, The Trademark Of A Holy Person
Lee Griess
The great American humorist, Will Rogers, had the reputation that he could make anyone laugh. President Calvin Coolidge, on the other hand, had the reputation that he never laughed. Want to know what happened the time those two met? Rogers was invited to visit the White House and as was the custom, the president's assistant brought Rogers into the Oval Office. As was the custom as he entered, the assistant said, "President Coolidge, this is Will Rogers. Mr. Rogers, this is President Coolidge." To which Rogers leaned forward and said, "I'm sorry.
Richard L. Sheffield
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1 NRSV).

Since everything that follows for the rest of the passage I just read from John is commentary on that, we need to hear that clearly, before we hear anything else.

This is the closest English can get to the Greek of John's Gospel: "Let not be troubled of you the heart; Believe in God, also in me believe."1

And here are the translations of others who have listened and interpreted these words for you and me:
Robert J. Elder
In the earliest experience of the church, the apostles soon discovered that their teaching and preaching duties were taking an incredible amount of energy. As the community of believers grew in numbers, and they continued in their commitment to hold all things in common, it became obvious that some details of the life of the community would need more attention than the twelve apostles themselves could give. It was decided to appoint deacons to serve the needs of the church, particularly the needs of the poor and widows who could no longer care for themselves. Seven were appointed.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Confession And Forgiveness
P: We gather for worship in the name of the one who is
the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: The journey before us is one of letting go and taking hold.
As he prepares a place for us,
let us name the sin that clings to us, that we may find release.

Silence for reflection and self-examination

P: Unbelief, hatred, revenge,
C: Lord, do not hold our sins against us.
P: Gossip, despair, deceit,
C: Lord, do not hold our sins against us.
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (Psalm 31:15-16)

One: My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.

All: Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.


Collect
 Strengthen us, Lord, in the time of testing and trial, calling to mind the example of the martyrs who died for our faith. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Thomas Willadsen
For May 3, 2026:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
It is hard for us, living after the resurrection, to understand how Jesus, who was clearly a mortal man, could come to be worshipped as though he were God. Since we believe that Jesus did rise from the dead, we tend to endow his ministry with a divine glow. How could the authorities not see that Jesus was, indeed, the son of God? How did they explain away his miracles? How did they ignore how the average people felt about him?
David Kalas
What do you do between Act 2 and Act 3 of a performance? That depends upon who you are.

If you are like me, then you have attended a great many more shows, plays, and performances than you have participated in. And, as members of the audience, the time between acts is an intermission -- an opportunity to stretch your legs, to use the restroom, to enjoy some refreshments.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In our worship today, let us explore these words and find out how to reach God through Jesus.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, show me the right way to God.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, lead me into the truth about God.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, give me the eternal life which you have promised.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

Keith Hewitt
Scott Dalgarno
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Encounter in the Darkness" by Keith Hewitt
"Please Don't Forget Me" by Scott Dalgarno
"An Unwanted Gift" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
Peter Andrew Smith
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"Words of Power" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Refuge" by Keith Hewitt


* * * * * * * *


Words of Power
by Peter Andrew Smith
Acts 7:55-60

The principal looked at the boy holding the cloth up to his nose. His hair was dishevelled, his lip swollen, and his clothes bore the stains of the muddy playground. The nurse examined him but his bleeding nostrils seemed his greatest injury.

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. (Show the rubbing of the cornerstone.) Does anyone know what I'm holding? (Let them answer.) This is a rubbing of the cornerstone of our church building. (Read to them what the cornerstone says. Tell them where the cornerstone is located.) I hope that when church is over this morning you can go out and look at and touch the real cornerstone. Cornerstones are very important. Does anyone know the purpose of a cornerstone? (Let them answer.) It's important because it is at the very foundation of our building. The church building is built on top of it.
Good morning, boys and girls. (Have your road map opened as you talk. Examine the map as you greet the children.) If I wanted to take a trip to (name a familiar city in your area) but I wasn't certain how to get there, what could I use to help me? (Let them answer.) A road map! I just happen to have one here. I'm looking for my direction right now. (Point out the way to your destination.) When you go on vacation do your parents sometimes give you road maps to follow? (Let them answer.) A road map is very important when you are going places that you've never been before.

Special Occasion

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