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Worship

SermonStudio

Theme: Give Me Back What The Bugs Stole -- Frank Ramirez -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: When God Began To Create ... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Frank Ramirez -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Rule Like God -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Frank Ramirez -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 118:24)
Theme: Standing Stones -- Exodus 24:3-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 116:12-13) One:
Theme: Yours, Mine, And Ours -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: I Had No Idea -- Luke 24:36b-48, 1 John 3:1-7, Acts 3:12-19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Acts 3:12-13) One:
Theme: What Good Is That? -- Acts 4:5-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Acts 4:7 and 12) One:
Theme: Try And Stop Us -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: That'll Show Us -- Acts 10:44-48 -- Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 98:1)
Theme: Who Goes There? -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 139:17-18)

Drama

SermonStudio

Searching -- John 6:51-58, John 6:56-69 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersNarrator: male or female, any age
The Deeds -- James 1:17-27 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersMinister: male or female any age over college
The Applicants -- James 2:1-10 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersSecretary: male or female over college age
The Grocery Store -- James 3:1-12, Mark 9:30-37 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
(The lights come up on a woman, sitting on the couch talking on the telephone)
The Pray-er -- James 5:13-20 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersMildred: an elderly lady who is handicapped
The Hotel And Restaurant -- Hebrews 1:1-4, Hebrews 4:12-16 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersPeter: the maitre d' hotel, middle-aged or older
The Mission -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersAgent 1: male or female, any ageAgent 2: male or female, any age
Are You Calling Me? -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
(The lights come up on a solitary figure, with no set or props.
The Adoption Agency -- Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersAgency Director: male or female older than college age
Three Words -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
(The monologue can be done simply as a stand-alone, or use your imagination to create a set where so

Sermon

SermonStudio

I Wonder As I Wander -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
An angel appeared to some shepherds, Saint Luke reports.
Little Lord Jesus -- Luke 1:46b-55, Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
"Take me to your leader" -- it's the famous cliché of bad science-fiction movies.
The Glory Of Flesh And Blood -- Luke 2:1-20, John 1:1-14 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
A few springs ago, I installed a small pond in the side yard of our home.
No More Senseless Journeys -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
Because Jesus was Mary's firstborn, there were four words that she and Joseph did not have to hear a
In Dulci Jubilo -- Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11, Luke 1:46b-55, Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
Year after year, we are drawn to this night.
Word Made Flesh -- John 1:1-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
Two observations about language: In the academic world, this is what we might call "the season of ve
Son Of God, Love's Pure Light -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Isaiah 60:1-6, Luke 2:1-20, John 1:1-14 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
The ship's captain stood at the helm on a night that boasted neither moon nor stars, but only impene
A Bow In The Clouds, A Babe In A Manger -- Isaiah 11:1-9, Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
The place to start is with a family on a boat.
Light In Darkness, Speech From Silence -- Isaiah 9:2-7, John 1:1-14 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
This season, the boundaries of darkness are pushed back.
Ironies, Contrasts, Paradoxes, And Reversals -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
Saint Luke's narrative of the Christmas story has been read and heard and cherished this season in m

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Using Your Imagination -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to use their imagination for good.
The Wind Sock -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To show that we need God's love and wisdom to give our lives proper direction.
A Bucket Of Water -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to actively seek the things of our faith.
Learning From A Flower -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To show why we should be thankful to God.
A Disappearing Act -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: It is not necessary to see God; but we can still experience God.
Hidden Treasure -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: True life with God is like a great treasure.
The Shortest Distance -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to stick with a task until it is finished.
Pieces Of Paper -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: Understanding values.
Fine And False Speech -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to tell the truth.
The Rich And The Poor -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage the children to be friendly to new children in the church.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 27/Pentecost 25/Ordinary Time 32 -- Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2006
Psalm 145 is known not so much in its entirety, but piecemeal, by those who are familiar with Christ
Proper 27/Pentecost 25/Ordinary Time 32 -- Psalm 98 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see also Christmas Day, Cycle A and B, and Easter
Proper 28 / Ordinary Time 33 / Pentecost 23 -- Isaiah 12 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2006
(For an alternative approach to vv. 2-6, see Advent 3, Cycle C.)
Christ The King/Proper 29 -- Luke 1:68-79 -- James Evans -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
(See Advent 2, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)
Thanksgiving Day -- Psalm 100 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2006
This brief psalm is among the most familiar in the psalter, but that is primarily because its verses
Plays Well With Others: B+ -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: If nothing else, the Christian should be congenial, amicable, and much better
Let Me Tell You What You Believe -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: So many Christians are ignorant concerning the beliefs and doctrines of their
No Yellow Flags! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Christians should be concerned about avoiding making mistakes.
God Always Wins At Hide And Seek -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We can't get away from God.
Should Acolytes Wear Sneakers? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How formal or informal should we allow our worship services to become?

Stories

SermonStudio

A Random Act Of Kindness -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Constance Berg -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2001
In his book A Time to Fish and A Time to Dry Nets (1996: Lakewood Publishing Co.), author Alv
Baptism By Spit -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Constance Berg -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2001
"Jan wasn't baptized by the spirit, she was baptized by spit," went the joke.
Fred's Team -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Constance Berg -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2001
Every day newspapers, magazines, and radio stations report how "bad" things are getting.
Doing Something - For God -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Constance Berg -- Easter Day - A -- 2001
"Honey, I want to do something for God. What should I do?"
Doubt - A Difficult Thing To Overcome -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Doubt, especially self--doubt, is difficult to overcome. Sometimes it is impossible.
Unrecognized Faith -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Constance Berg -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Pastor Jim and his wife Ida were shaking hands with people as they came to church.
The Importance Of Sheep -- John 10:1-10 -- Constance Berg -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
In Palestine, the shepherd figure was a familiar one: shepherds were part of the scenery, part of th
What Good Can Come Of This? -- John 14:1-14 -- Constance Berg -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Their hearts were troubled. They couldn't believe it.
The Advocate -- John 14:15-21 -- Constance Berg -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
A new baby boy: Jonathan Richard.
The Sewage Pit -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Constance Berg -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
I was at a Michael Card concert many years ago, enjoying the message and the music of this fine musi

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

Lent 1 -- Psalm 32 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
... and in whose spirit there is no deceit. -- Psalm 32:2
Lent 1 -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even for those whose sins were not like the tran
Lent 1 -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Lent 2 -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
I will make of you a great nation ...
Lent 2 -- Psalm 121 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
Lent 2 -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
... "Abraham believed in God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
Lent 2 -- John 3:1-17 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
What is born of the flesh is flesh, what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Lent 3 -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
... "Is the Lord among us or not?" -- Exodus 17:7
Lent 3 -- Psalm 95 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah.... -- Psalm 95:8
Lent 3 -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

Poems

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Easter

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Thanksgiving Day

Marriage Ceremony

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...
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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