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SermonStudio

Union With God And God's People -- John 15:1-8 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower.
Proper 26 (C, E) -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Ruth 1:1-18 (C)
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (C, RC, E)
Breaking Down The Barriers To Jesus -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1999
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life.
Proper 27 (C, E) -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 (C)
Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 40:21-31 (C)
Sharing With Others In Imitation Of Christ -- John 6:51-58 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1999
Jesus said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven.
Proper 28 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 (C)
Sixth Sunday After The Epiphany -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 2 Kings 5:1-14 (C); 2 Kings 5:1-15 (E)
Jesus: The Victor Over Evil -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1999
The crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat.
Proper 4 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 3:1-20 (C)
Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Awaiting The Kingdom Of God -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1999
He also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep
Proper 5 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 8:4-20 (11:14-15) (C)
Eighth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Hosea 2:14-20, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, Mark 2:13-22 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1999
Lesson 1: Hosea 2:14-20 (C); Hosea 2:16-17, 21-22 (RC); Hosea 2:14-23 (E)
Healing A Demoniac -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Harold H. Lentz -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1999
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.
Proper 6 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 15:34„16:13 (C)
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 60:1-6 (C, RC); Isaiah 60:1-6, 9 (E)
Healing Peter's Mother-In-Law -- Mark 1:29-31 -- Harold H. Lentz -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1999
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Proper 7 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49 (C)
Good Friday -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Good Friday - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 52:13„53:12 (C, RC, E)
Healing A Leper -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Harold H. Lentz -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1999
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean.
Proper 8 (C, E) -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 (C)
First Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 9:8-17 (C, E); Genesis 9:8-15 (RC)
Healing A Paralytic -- Mark 2:1-12 -- Harold H. Lentz -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1999
When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Divine Dinner Party Decorum -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2003
Luke opens the fourteenth chapter by telling us that Jesus "was going to the house of a leader of th
What Does A Christian Look Like? -- Galatians 5:1, 13-23 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2003
One of my favorite stories about Abraham Lincoln emerges from the Lincoln-Douglas Debates.
Epiphany: Glory Beyond Our Expecting -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2003
In 1986 a relatively unknown basketball team from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock defeated
More Beyond -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Centuries ago, Portugal adopted a national motto.
High-tension Wire -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
A two-lane state highway bisects the little town of Hemingford in western Nebraska.
"Thy Kingdom Come" -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2003
Many of us are familiar with Stephen Covey's 1989 bestseller, The Seven Habits of Highly Effectiv
The Power Of A Song -- Gary L. Carver -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2003
Paul Duke tells the story of a white man who during the racial turmoil of the 1960s visited the area
Know Yourself And Know God -- Hosea 11:1-11 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Is the life you lead one for which you want to be remembered?
Warning To The Clueless Enthusiasts -- Luke 14:25-33 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2003
Jesus said, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brother
Choosing Your Future -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2003
It was many years ago now, right after I had first started in the ministry that Sharlon and I travel
The Crowd That Watched God Die -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2003
Have you ever noticed how people are attracted to the scene of tragedy?
Love For Herbert And Dorothy -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2003
The miracle that Jesus performed at the wedding at Cana in today's Gospel is recalled in the prayer
Moment By Moment -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
The Christmas-Easter-only people do have a point.
"Thy Will Be Done" -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2003
All of us are familiar with word association.
In Fact -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Easter Day - C -- 2003
On first reading of Paul's message to the Corinthians, two parts stand out: The first is a phrase, "
Conversion To The Lord -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
"I'd sell my soul to play for the Washington Senators." Joe Hardy, the protagonist in the popular Br
Jesus Encounters The Religion Police -- Luke 15:1-10 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2003
Back before the ways of the Taliban became common knowledge, there was a fascinating little article
Targets And U-turns -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2003
His father had once served as the pastor of the largest Baptist Church east of the Mississippi River
Resurrection And Remembrance -- Luke 24:1-12 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Easter Day - C -- 2003
Down through the centuries there have been various and sundry attempts to try to discredit the resur
The Good News And The Bad News -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2003
Have you ever had someone come up to you with a message and then introduces it by saying, "I've got
Salvation's From And For -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Despite the zest to adapt when things go amiss with the human body or the mind, a self-alienation an
"Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread" -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2003
Today marks the mid--point of a journey.
Alpha Dog -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Today we begin the first of six Sundays of revelation, that is, The Revelation to John.1 Many shy aw
Maximizing Your Potential -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2003
Once upon a time two beautiful flowers lived side-by-side in a magnificent garden.
Jesus' Most Perplexing Parable -- Luke 16:1-13 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2003
In the scripture lesson for today Jesus tells a perplexing parable about a thoroughly dishonest empl

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Jesus' Popularity -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter. It is the first day of Holy Week.
Catharsis -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
The scientific study of human anatomy is a very recent development.
Branded -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Once upon a time, two brothers were convicted of stealing sheep.
Patience -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Where is God's home?" asked the church school teacher of the children seated in front of her.
Jesus' Resurrection -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Imagine how early man must have stared in wonder at an egg. It looked like a stone.
Christopher -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In a kingdom long ago and fan away, near the middle of the third century, there was a giant of a man
Breath -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Closer is He than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet," wrote Alfred Lord Tennyson about God.
Pause -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When Leonardo da Vinci was painting the scene of Jesus' last supper, on a dining room wall in a cert
Labor Day -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In 1882, a member of the Executive Council of The American Federation of Labor proposed one day in t
Consequences -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Of course, God will forgive me; that's his business!" Those flippant words were written by the nine
Pillars of Hercules -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Pillars of Hercules was the name ancient Greeks gave to two rocks on either side of the Strait of Gi
Crazy -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
A little boy was confined to his house one rainy Sunday afternoon.
Poor -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," said Jesus.
Cross -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Jesus transformed the cross from a revolting sight to a beloved symbol.
Possibilities -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"You are a promise, you are a possibility," sang the children in our Vacation Church School last sum
Death and Resurrection -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
A little boy went to a doctor for a throat checkup and noticed a religious medal hanging from the do
Prepare -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Long ago and far away there lived a court jester named Giacomo.
Defeat -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"In love's service, only the wounded can serve," wrote Thornton Wilder in a three-minute play inspir
Problem -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"I'm the head of my house," announced one recently-married husband to another.
Disappointment -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Yes," said the old man, "I've had some terrible disappointments, but none stands out over the years
Procrastinate -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When I was a boy, I met Connie Mack at old Shibe Park.
Esprit de corps -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When Frank first went to college, the campus was unfamiliar to him.
Pure -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When the English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson was in old age, he asked his son, who was to be the exec
Esteem -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Born to lose" were the words tattooed on the back of the young man's hand. Dr.
Rainbow -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When people have been brought through the seriousness of a great illness and then reflect on their l

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

The Simple Shepherds -- And The Lamb Of God -- Isaiah 53:1-7, Luke 2:15-20 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Christmas Eve Isaiah 53:1-7; Luke 2:15-20They Came Together In Bethlehem:
Calling Your Name? -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship Leader: Who is calling your name?
When Life Breaks Your Heart -- 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
The Blotter -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Three Kings -- And The King Of Kings -- Isaiah 9:7, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
First Sunday After Christmas Isaiah 9:7; Matthew 2:1-12
Listen To Their Voice -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15) -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Shadow You Cast -- Acts 5:12-16 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Prayer Is for Real! -- Matthew 6:5-13 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
A Door Of Hope -- Hosea 2:14-20, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, Mark 2:13-22 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
On The Heart -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Amazing Grace -- Joshua 2:1-15 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Sonrise -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Lion's Paw -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship Leader: Who is your Goliath?
What's the Use of Worrying? -- Matthew 6:25-34 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
By A Perversion Of Justice -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, John 18:1-19:42 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Good Friday - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: He was wounded for our transgressions.
Lion Friendship -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship Leader: By what qualities do we measure a friendship as strong as lions?
The Gospel of the Second Chance -- Acts 15:36-41 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Never Again -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: When all seems hopeless, there God is.
Kin -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Prayer 32 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Demanding But Understanding One:
Jesus Prays for his Disciples -- John 17:1-11 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
A Celebration Of ResurrectionInvitation to the Easter Celebration
Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Genesis 25:19-34Theme: Isaac and RebekahCall To Worship
First Sunday In Advent -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Isaiah 2:1-5Theme: With JoyCall To Worship
Prayer 33 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear God Of Gods:
Visit of the Magi to Jesus -- Matthew 2:1-12 (3:13-17) -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1998
Adoration And PraiseInvitation to the Celebration

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
New Year's Eve/Day
13 – Sermons
40+ – Illustrations / Stories
16 – Children's Sermons / Resources
6 – Worship Resources
6 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas 2
20 – Sermons
60+ – Illustrations / Stories
12 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
12 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany of the Lord
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 4-6, 2026:
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 4-6, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
I was only just full-grown when we set out on the journey, but I was strong and eager for adventure. And by the time we returned to our own land after many years, I was older and wiser than my age might have you believe.

Don't get me wrong. I was happy in my home, living in the paddock with my brothers and sisters and the rest of the herd, for we were well looked after. We always had food and water, and the camel master almost never beat us, even when occasionally we'd spit at him, just for fun.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Frank Ramirez
Timothy F. Merrill
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Sons from Far Away, Daughters in Nurses' Arms" by David O. Bales
"Tenting Among Us" by Frank Ramirez
"God's Resolutions" by Timothy F. Merrill


What's Up This Week
C. David Mckirachan
Larry Winebrenner
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"A Time for Everything" by Larry Winebrenner
"A Word of Hope" by Larry Winebrenner
"You Were Adopted" by C. David McKirachan
"Behold the Man" by Keith Hewitt


* * * * * * * *


A Time for Everything
Larry Winebrenner
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Henry didn't like Jack.

Oh, he loved him like a brother. He would die for his friend. But oh, the arrogance. He always thought he was right. And he would always use authority, authority of some kind, to support his claims.

SermonStudio

Mark Wm. Radecke
This season, the boundaries of darkness are pushed back. A light shines in the darkness and the darkness is powerless to extinguish it.

Darkness has always been a potent metaphor for those things in life that oppress and enthrall us, frighten and intimidate us, cause us worry and anxiety and leech the joy from our lives.

We know darkness in our physical lives when illness is close at hand, when we lack the basic necessities of life -- food, shelter and clothing.
Paul E. Robinson
Early in January in northern Canada the sun peeks above the horizon for the first time after six weeks of hiding. An important dawn for Canada. Imagine how the lives of people in the northern latitudes would be different if they got used to the darkness and never even expected that a dawn would ever lighten their horizon again.
John N. Brittain
We lived in Florida for a while in the 1980s and it was then that we learned about Tarpon Springs. Not a large city, it has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any place in the US. This dates back to the 1880s, when Greek immigrants moving into the area were hired as sponge divers, a trade they had plied back in the old country. Today Tarpon Springs' main claim to fame is the Greek Orthodox Church's Epiphany celebration, which is held every January 6, with the blessing of the waters and the boats.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
Early January always feels like a fresh start. The Christmas whirlwind has settled down. We still have a fighting chance to keep our resolutions for the new year. Cartoons always depict the New Year as a baby, full of possibilities and innocence. We hope that with a new year we can leave the baggage behind us, stretching toward a brighter future.

Stephen M. Crotts
Many things are written with all of the excitement of some fresh truth recently received. Other things are written from anger. And there is much these days in any pastorate to make one mad. Still other messages are delivered from depression. I'm convinced that the majority of preachers I know are over the edge into burnout. And what of this particular study? Where am I coming from? Today, I'm writing from a broken heart, a heart shattered by a fallen comrade.
William B. Kincaid, III
Did you notice that bad things did not stop happening through the holidays? And is any warning necessary that bad things will happen in every season of this year? Surely there is better news than that, but we ought to be honest about the bad news. Not even the holidays generate enough good will to stop people from blowing up airplanes and destroying people's reputations and abusing children and selling drugs to teenagers and gunning down their neighbors.
Robert A. Beringer
"So, what's new?" he asked. It happens all the time. You meet someone on the street you have not seen for awhile. "What's new?" "Oh, nothing much, really.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

When to accommodate and when not to accommodate? That's the question we face today. Most likely, the minds and hearts of our congregations will be focused on the new year. They will have just celebrated the advent not only of a new year but in this case a new millennium. With all the hype about the year 2000, our attention will doubtless be engrossed in the calendar. On the other hand, today is also an important liturgical celebration of the naming of Jesus. It provides us opportunity to acknowledge the importance of that name which has become sacred in our tradition.
Mark J. Molldrem
Schuyler Rhodes
These are the longest hours of darkness. Although the winter solstice is passed, the darkness lingers for many more weeks. The season becomes a symbol for the longing of the human spirit to "see the light." It becomes difficult to catch sight of the light, however, when so many shadows lurk at every turn of a corner we make. We claim to be an enlightened people; yet settle for clap-trap on television and spend countless hours absorbing it like a sponge under a dripping faucet. We call athletes heroes for nothing more than being good at what they do.
Cathy Venkatesh
In many countries, January 6 is a public holiday with parades, parties, and festivities celebrating the visit of the wise men. For some Christian churches, the main celebration of Christ's incarnation occurs on this day. But in the United States, Monday, January 6, 2014, is nothing special in the public sphere. For most of us, this day marks the beginning of our first full week back at work or school after the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

CSSPlus

Teachers: Most youngsters (and many adults) have a misconception of the wise men. The Bible does not state that the wise men visited Jesus at the manger. Even so, our tradition of gift giving at Christmas may relate to the wise men's gifts. The church celebrates the arrival of the wise men's visit to Jesus 12 days after Christmas. This event is called "Epiphany."

Take a moment to explain to your students the significance of Epiphany, the wise men, and Jesus. The lesson from Matthew states three gifts that the wise men gave Jesus: gold, frankincense and
Today we are going to be like the wise men from the East who looked for baby Jesus. They were told the wonderful story about a promised Messiah who would save the world. He was the "king of the Jews" and would be king of all people. They traveled a great distance. They wanted to see the baby. They had to see the baby! So they left and ended up in Jerusalem. There they asked about the promised king.

The man who was king became very jealous. Even though they were looking for a spiritual king -- a king of our hearts, minds,
Teachers or Parents: Have an Epiphany pageant to close off the Christmas season and the twelve days of Christmas with the children of your church. Have people stationed in various parts of the home or church building where you might go to ask the question, "Are you the Messiah?" They will, of course, say, "No." The first group might add, "Look for the star." Involve as many children as possible. Let them ask the question. Let them get into the role of wise men from the East. Help them relive the story and see that Jesus is more than king of the Jews or king of

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