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Palm Sunday -- Mark 11:1-11 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1996
"When they were approaching Jerusalem." These words open the Palm Sunday text.
Local History As Gospel Parable -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 1996
In my 35 years of preaching I never found a sermon series in which the congregation and community ha
The difficulty of entering the kingdom of heaven when material things have a hold on you. -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The difficulty of entering the kingdom of heaven when material things have a hol
The Baptism of Jesus and Baptism of the Spirit. -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- Russell F. Anderson -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The baptism of Jesus and baptism of the Spirit.
The Epiphany Season -- Russell F. Anderson -- 1996
Epiphany Through The Centuries
The Parable Of The Sower -- Mark 4:1-20 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
We have indicated a number of times that the Parable of the Sower plays a crucial role in the overal
Our human pride gets in the way of our worshiping and serving the Lord -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Our human pride gets in the way of our worshiping and serving the Lord.
Healing and eternal life through the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Good Friday - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Healing and eternal life through the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, God's
Passion Sunday -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
The Sunday of the Passion confronts us with a different kind of challenge.
God in Christ is ever available to hear and heed our cries for mercy. -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: God in Christ is ever available to hear and heed our cries for mercy.
God's good news -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- Russell F. Anderson -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: God's good news.
Proper 10; Pentecost 9 -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
Today's text centers in two men: John the Baptist and King Herod.
Getting back to the basics -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Getting back to the basics, to love God with one's entire being and to love the
Christ calls us to take up our cross and follow him -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The road to God's kingdom is the way of obedience, suffering and death, th
A call to spiritual renewal and cleansing -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: A call to spiritual renewal and cleansing.
Proper 11; Pentecost 10 -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
In her outline of Mark's Gospel, Mary Ann Tolbert presents Mark 6:35„8:21 as a unit of material.
Security -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Security.
We are saved by grace through faith -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: We are saved by grace through faith.
Proper 17; Pentecost 16 -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
With Mark 7 we come to some repetition of basic Markan themes.
Knowing the signs of the Lord's return -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Knowing the signs of the Lord's return.
The heart of Jesus was broken in death so that he might create within us a new heart. -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The heart of Jesus was broken in death so that he might create within us a new h
Proper 18; Pentecost 17 -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
Both of the Markan stories appointed for this week take place in the land of the Gentiles.
The Church is renewed -- Romans 3:19-28, Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 8:31-36 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The Church is renewed as it opens itself to the transforming power of the gospel
The Lenten Season -- Russell F. Anderson -- 1996
Historical Development
Proper 20; Pentecost 19 -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
The lectionary moves directly from the story on the Mount of Transfiguration (9:1-8) to Jesus' secon

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The Christmas Prophet -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Isaiah. It's a strong name. A good Hebrew name.
Today Shalt Thou Be With Me In Paradise -- Luke 23:42-43 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2001
Paradise is hard to come by these days. But then again, paradise has always been hard to come by.
Buried, But Alive -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2001
Baptism is a solemn, sincere, often serene, significant service of Christian worship.
The Office Of The King Was Not Vacant -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13a -- Robert J. Elder -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Not all the water in the rough rude seaCan wash the balm from an anointed king.
The Critic's Choice -- Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 2001
"I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites ..."
When It Hurts To Forgive -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Douglas B. Bailey -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2001
How could Joseph possibly forgive his brothers after all they did to him?
The Power Of A Dream -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Linda Schiphorst Mccoy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Do you dream? Do you remember your dreams?
The Nails -- Carl B. Rife, Harold D. Shaffer -- 2001
During these Sundays in Lent, we have been looking at the symbols of the cross.
What Is Priceless? -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Introduction
Still Small Voice -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Ask any child at Christmas!
Father, Into Thy Hands I Commend My Spirit -- Luke 23:46 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2001
Perhaps no scene is more indelibly impressed in the consciousness of western civilization than that
Free: For What? -- Romans 6:12-23 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina sits on property that was once a large southern plantation.
Life In The Old Bones Yet -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Robert J. Elder -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Several years ago a psychologist conducted a survey in which he asked 3,000 people the question, "Wh
Asking -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 2001
"Come after me and I will make you fishers of men."
Nothing Left But A Baby In A Basket -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- Douglas B. Bailey -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2001
Every head of a family would like to do everything possible to make life better for the next generat
Show And Tell -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Linda Schiphorst Mccoy -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2001
An article in U.S.
Mary Magdalene -- Carl B. Rife, Harold D. Shaffer -- 2001
Unloved and unlovable.
How Much Is Enough? -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2001
Is there anything better to eat than fresh homemade bread? I don't think so.
One-Way Theology -- Exodus 20:3 -- Robert R. Kopp -- 2001
God knows we don't do much theology these days.
What Good Music Can Do For You -- Isaiah 35:1-10 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
It is a scientific fact that when the music of Mozart is played in a henhouse, chickens lay more egg
It Is Finished -- John 19:30 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2001
In the time of Jesus, Rome was a great power, but it was a brutal power.
Too Err Is Human -- Romans 7:15-25a -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
Craig Christina in his excellent sermon, "Between Two Worlds," reminds us of Robert Lewis Stevenson'
For And Against -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Robert J. Elder -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2001
Slaving After Freedom -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Robert J. Elder -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2001
Preachers often wonder what to do with Palm Sunday.
It's Not Fair -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 2001
If I were to catalog the most frequent expressions mouthed by hospital patients, at the top or near

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He Has Come Back To Life! -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation (By the Worship Leader)
Grace -- George A. Nye -- 1994
There's a popular slang phrase that begs another to ease up
Cables -- George A. Nye -- 1994
In Washington State, the old timers remember the Starbuck
What Is That In Your Hand? -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation:
Commitment -- George A. Nye -- 1994
"Make me feel good, Lord," is the prayer of some who seek an
Trees -- George A. Nye -- 1994
A scourge of the emerging generations is their state of
Like A New Batch Of Dough -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Meditation Music Appropriate To Observance Of The EucharistWords Of Preparation:
"They" -- George A. Nye -- 1994
"They" is an ugly word. It robs us of our most precious gift -
Hospital Gowns -- George A. Nye -- 1994
One of the worst things about being a patient in the hospital
What Can I Do With Who I Am? -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation Matthew 16:13-17 (TEV)
Building Arks -- George A. Nye -- 1994
Build your ark while the ground is dry; for when the floods
Hope -- George A. Nye -- 1994
For some of us, there comes a time when we lose hope. The
What Did You Say? -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation from Psalm 15
Joint Responsibility -- George A. Nye -- 1994
One of the saddest of human experiences is divorce and often,
Valuables -- George A. Nye -- 1994
Things possess the qualities of fun, value, or interest that
Expect Great Things To Happen! -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation:
Elevators -- George A. Nye -- 1994
The "3-Ds" that terrify us the most are disease,
Goofs -- George A. Nye -- 1994
I remember in the 1950s, seeing Jackie Gleason run off stage
With Christ As Partner -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation:
The Visitor -- George A. Nye -- 1994
In yarns about visitors from outer space, alien life from the
Self-limitations -- George A. Nye -- 1994
"It's my life!" "This is my body!" We're very possessive of
George A. Nye -- 1994
With Praise And CelebrationNumber 4Pastor: Immortal God!
If We Are Dreamers -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationThe Call To Worship:
Natural Expressions -- George A. Nye -- 1994
Jesus tells us the parable of The Good Samaritan, in which a
Journeys -- George A. Nye -- 1994
There's a big risk in granting freedom to others. It becomes a

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it out as a role-play. I will show the role-play version, but you can ignore the acting pieces and just tell the story if you prefer.

Note: For the role-play version, you will need to select two girls and one boy to play the roles. You might also have a broom and a dust rag if you want to.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started.

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
For July 20, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (v. 24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middle of an admiring crowd of friends. Mary had always been a dancer, from the time she could walk. Privately, Martha thought she'd always been something of a show-off and ought to go on the stage, for Mary loved an audience.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jeanne Jones
Several years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin, I was an honorary nanny for our pastor's son, Jonathan. I took care of him from the time he was able to walk until our pastor moved, when Jonathan was about five. We had wonderful times together. One time, when I was at their house, and we had been doing some spiritual direction together, Pastor Michael asked me if I knew the name of my guardian angel.
James Evans
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against the godly" or "plotting destruction" all day long. The image we have in our minds about who "bad" people are, and how they conduct themselves, make such accusations completely plausible. We are less inclined to believe such things about leaders, especially respected leaders among us. We have difficulty believing someone with wealth and power would deliberately plot to do someone else harm.
Arley K. Fadness
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan. Luke positions the good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God."
Kirk R. Webster
In the early 1990s, Wesley Nunley of Dallas completed a project he had dreamed of for decades. "I tell you, this could be a big thing," he explained. Wes then walked out to a concrete octagon in the middle of his backyard. With a beaming smile, arms raised up in excitement, the energetic retiree said, "This welcomes the UFO to land, which has never been done before."
John W. Wurster
It was the best of times. A time of prosperity and confidence, a time of relative peace, a time when most everything looked pretty good, a time when most everyone felt pretty good. It was a time maybe not unlike our own time.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
Our God is both wise and caring: afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.

Pastoral Prayer
God, we bow before you this morning, knowing that you hear every prayer. We know that in all of Creation, you are the source of life. You are the one who set the light swirling between the galaxies. The breath of your Spirit pulses through all life. You have even become flesh among us. We praise you, Lord, that in all your wonder, you have not forgotten us.

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