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

Epiphany 4 -- Psalm 111 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1993
Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
Proper 18 -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1993
It is obvious that this pericope was chosen because of its
Kissing: The Holy Kind -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: It wouldn't hurt to have a sermon concerning how we should show affection in the
Does Christianity Take The Fun Out Of Life? -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: The title says it all: Does Christianity ask us to give up pleasures and good tim
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1993
Here is a picture of the apostolic church. In this passage we
First Sunday After Christmas / Holy Family -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- John R. Brokhoff -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1993
This passage, written by Third Isaiah around 530 B.C. deals
What Does God Require? -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: God does expect certain responses and behavior from us. What are these?
Jonah And The Fish That Got Away -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: The intent is to show the great love and forgiveness of God and our own humanness
Proper 26 -- Psalm 119:33-48 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1993
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end.
Three's A Crowd! -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: There are great opportunities for significant personal witness with just one or t
Road Kill: Reducing People To So Many Rabbits -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: Traffic deaths on our highways and streets are obscenely excessive and can be red
Epiphany 5 -- Psalm 147:1-11 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1993
Praise the Lord!How good it is to sing praises to our God;
Advent 1 -- Psalm 80:1-7 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1993
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!
Proper 19 -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1993
Lesson 1: Proverbs 1:20-33 Israel is warned against rejection of wisdom.
Proper 20 -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1993
In this epilogue in Proverbs, a godly woman is described. It
Drug Deal At The Cross -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: Perhaps something as prevalent as drug problems in our society should not go unno
Back When Snakes Had Legs And We Were Ignorant -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: A sermon to straighten out some inconsistencies and misleading thoughts perceived
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1993
The people of Jerusalem assembled at the temple were astounded
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:1-18 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1993
Yahweh promises to rebuild the nation of Israel. God's word is
Americanized Religion -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: To show how our country's values, good and bad, have influenced our Christian chu
Why Is Christianity Polarized? -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: Christianity's many denominations and sects seem to fall into two very general ca
Proper 27 -- Psalm 146 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1993
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
It's Not What You Got -- It's What You Do With It -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: Stewardship is using wisely what we have.
Is There A Lightning Bolt With Your Name On It? -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: We must understand and eliminate the superstitions that control our lives in unhe
Epiphany 6 -- Psalm 32 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1993
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Don't Forget The Child! -- Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:46b-55 -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2001
Most of us are familiar with the blockbuster movies, Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost In
The Bus Driver -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2001
The Call Is Out!
The Fruit Of One's Doings -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2000
A biography of Humphrey Bogart by Sperber and Lax portrays the star of the golden era of Hollywood a
Boldly Faithful -- 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Robert R. Kopp -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2000
The Dead Poets Society is one of my favorite movies.
Why Earthly Powers Need No Longer Enslave -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 -- Mark Ellingson -- All Saints Day - C -- 2000
This is a story written for people who had been or were about to be persecuted, if not enslaved.
The Conclusion: Amen -- Isaiah 25:1-9, Revelation 3:14-22 -- James A. Lucas -- 2000
The Lord's Prayer -- The Conclusion
The ABC Gospel -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Robert Leslie Holmes -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2000
Someone has called it ABC spirituality, meaning, "Anything But Christianity." In the search for reli
What Are Spiritual Gifts For? -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2000
A most important discovery has been made about trees.
The First Article: God's Fatherly, Divine Goodness And Mercy -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Matthew 5:43-48 -- James A. Lucas -- 2000
The Apostles' Creed -- The First Article
The Attitude Of Gratitude -- Philippians 4:10-13 -- Don M. Aycock -- 2000
A group of tourists watched a grizzly bear catching salmon from a stream in one of our national park
Accepting And Rejecting Jesus -- John 6:67 -- Don M. Aycock -- 2000
One of the strangest aspects of faith is that people can go away from faith as well as come to it.
The Fruit Of Forgiveness -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2000
One of the outstanding personages of the modern era was Howard Hughes. Mr.
What's In It For Us? -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15 -- Robert R. Kopp -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2000
Everybody has a list of personal pet peeves. Here's mine:
"Friend, Why Are You Here?" -- Isaiah 53:1-6, Matthew 26:47-50 -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2000
In the sixth century A.D., Saint Columba sailed from Ireland to the Isle of Iona on the West Coast o
When The Sermon Turns Sour -- Luke 4:21-30 -- William G. Carter -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2000
I want to let you in on an industry secret. Ready?
Peeking Over The Fence -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Henry F. Woodruff -- Good Friday - C -- 2000
It wasn't quite a race, although there was a noisy, clamoring crowd, a definite course, and an endin
Salvation Includes Social Justice -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- Mark Ellingson -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C, Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2000
On this last Sunday of the Church Year (we call it Christ the King Sunday) our attention is directed
Holy Baptism: Washed In God's Name -- Exodus 30:17-21, Matthew 28:16-20 -- James A. Lucas -- 2000
The Sacrament Of Holy Baptism -- The Nature Of Baptism
Once Before A Time! -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Robert Leslie Holmes -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2000
During a serious shortage of currency in Great Britain, thousands of people were starving and many w
Respect -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2000
Roland and Elizabeth were unusual guests at the complimentary "high tea" being held late in the afte
The First Article: My Duty To Thank And Praise -- 1 Chronicles 23:28-31, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- James A. Lucas -- 2000
The Apostles' Creed -- The First Article
God's Wake--up Call -- Romans 13:11-14 -- Don M. Aycock -- 2000
Everyone who has done much traveling knows what a wake--up call is.
Riches Are More Than Money -- Mark 12:41-44 -- Don M. Aycock -- 2000
Someone has suggested that the way you can tell something about another person is by examining the s
The Fruit Of The Word -- Isaiah 55:10-13 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2000
Andrew Goldfinger, a physicist working with the Space Department at the applied physics laboratory a
What's Expected From Us? -- 2 Timothy 3:14 -- 4:5 -- Robert R. Kopp -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2000
Daniel -- my youngest until June -- has been eyeing a football in my study.

Spirituality

Stories

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

The Earth Is The Lord's -- Psalm 24:1-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use as an anthem.3 readers -- older man, 2 younger women
Number 103 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Year's EndPastor: We're running out of year.
The New Heaven And The New Earth -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- All Saints Day - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use as an anthem.
Sacrifice in the Christian Life -- Richard J. Hull Ii -- 1993
Atonement is the Christian word for what the Hebrew Scriptures
John Christian Frederick Heyer First American Lutheran Missionary -- Thomas A. Renquist -- 1993
Reader 1: The year is 1869.
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Psalm 62:5-12 -- B. David Hostetter -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPLet your heart wait silently before God; our hope of salvation is
Number 89 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Father's Day
Number 78 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Palm Sunday
Number 7 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: If you won the magazine's $10 million sweepstakes, how would you use the money?
True greatness -- servanthood not status -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1993
Gospel Note:
Number 37 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them
Number 4 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: Sometimes the answer is in the process.People: What does that mean?
Jesus The Healer -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use in ordinary sequence with the scripture reading.
Number 104 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Year's EndPastor: Crossing points.People: Crossing points?
Jesus Is Taken Up To Heaven -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use in ordinary sequence with the scripture reading.
SANDALS -- John 1:26-27 -- Richard J. Hull Ii -- 1993
Preparation: Each week during the Lenten season we are asking
Cyril And Methodius Missionaries To The Slavs -- Thomas A. Renquist -- 1993
Reader 1: Today we honor two brothers, Cyril and Methodius, saints from the ninth century who were m
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28, Psalm 111 -- B. David Hostetter -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPHappy is the person who takes delight in the word of the Lord and
Number 9 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: Where might God come to you and call your name?
Number 79 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Easter SundayPastor: Who concocted the story?
Number 71 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: After nearly three years of ministry, Jesus asked His disciples an important question: "Who
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- B. David Hostetter -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPWait expectantly for our Lord Jesus Christ to reveal himself. He
Number 38 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and
Number 40 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: Consider God's witnesses and leaders in the Bible, each with his own calling, each with her
Jesus Feeds The Five Thousand and Jesus Walks On Water -- John 6:1-21 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use in ordinary sequence with the scripture reading.

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
24 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
Merry Christmas! The midwinter festival has come, and it calls for parties, feasting and drinking and dancing and the exchange of gifts. Like all people in the northern hemisphere, we need light in the dark days of winter. The only problem with all of this is that the pressure to be joyful can send us spiraling in the exact opposite of mind sets.
Christmas shops are not just for Christmas anymore. These stores that specialize in everything yuletide-ish do business year round and can be found everywhere. I have seen them in an outlet mall near Washington, D.C., nestled in a small village in the mountains of North Carolina and adorning the white sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is born! A bright light has come into our world, so let us thank and praise God for his gift to us of Jesus, the Messiah.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, make us worthy to worship at your crib.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, may we remember you in today's excitement.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, be born in our hearts today.

Lord, have mercy

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
A Story to Live By: "
Christmas Stories: "Christmas Presence" by Janice Hammerquist
"Silver In His Soul"
"www.ChristmasHouse" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: Great Prayer of Thanksgiving for Christmas Eve by Thom M. Shuman


What's Up on Christmas Eve

Lamar Massingill
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"Taking His Joy unto Ourselves" by Lamar Massingill
"God Acted that We Might Act" by Lamar Massingill
"The Hopes and Fears of All the Years" by John Sumwalt
"God with Us" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


Taking His Joy unto Ourselves
Lamar Massingill
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Christmas would be incomplete without recognizing Incarnate Love's first fruit, which is joy. Johann Sebastian Bach recognized it when he, as an act of worship, composed "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."

SermonStudio

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7 (C, RC); Isaiah 9:2--4, 6--7 (E)
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night: This night with its carols, its candlelight, its communion, and the combined fragrance of pine, poinsettia and perfume. (Is that Passion or Poison you're wearing? Or maybe it's Polo!) The gentle poetry of Luke's story draws us, too.

Why is it that we are so drawn to this night, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
It's not an easy life, I'll tell you that. I work my small farm during the day, but that doesn't bring in enough money. I have a family to support, taxes to pay -- oy, don't get me started on taxes -- so I need more than my farm brings in. I do the only other thing I know how to do. I hire myself out for the night shift watching other people's sheep. Tending sheep would not be my first choice, you understand. First, I have to stay awake all night. Then, there's counting the sheep to make sure one or two haven't wandered off. Thieves are always a problem.
Timothy J. Smith
There is a special feeling from being in church on Christmas Eve. For many of us it feels like coming home for Christmas. We come to hear the familiar story of Mary and Joseph making their way to the little town of Bethlehem. We hear once again of Baby Jesus born in stable. Soon after an unexpected encounter with angels, the shepherds head to the manger to see Jesus for themselves. Children have creatively acted out this story for generations complete with the wise men offering their gifts. Living Nativities complete with live animals are portrayed in church parking lots in many communities.
Frank Luchsinger
"The grace of God has appeared ... training us ... to await our blessed hope" (Titus 2:11-13), and oh, how we have waited! The air is filled with anticipation, the Holy Night has come. We each wait for different things: the lighting of candles, the singing of carols, loved ones returning home, feasting, and forgetting ferment, for the Prince of Peace is coming. We wait for delight in the eyes of someone we love as he or she opens that special gift. We wait in awe in the hope that one star's strong light lingers still and will lead us home to him who redeems us.
John B. Jamison
He stood on the steps and waved. He nodded to those cheering to him from below, and took a deep breath as if to soak up their praise.
Susan R. Andrews
At the risk of putting you to sleep, I'd like to ask each one of you to close your eyes. Right now, for just a minute. Please close your eyes. And now imagine with me. Imagine that you are holding a newborn baby. Imagine how this baby feels - skin touching skin, curves touching curves - harmonious heartbeats as life surges between you. Imagine the smell - the earthy sweetness of breath and body perfuming the air. Imagine the sound - the silent melody of sighing, stretching, settling. Right now, for just a minute, let your imagination go. Feel the baby. Smell the baby. Hear the baby.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering
P: Born into this world,
C: born into our lives,
P: God made flesh.
C: O Emmanuel, we praise you now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Of Praise
O Come, All Ye Faithful or Jesus, What A Wonderful Child

Gospel Procession
Have the children (dressed as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds) process and then read the gospel from the center of the congregation.

Intercessory Prayers
After each petition:
L: O God of love,
C: be born in us today.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Sing A New Song To The Lord (PH216)
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (UM220, PH22, NCH126)
Born In The Night (PH30, NCH152)
Once In Royal David's City (PH49, UM250, NCH145)
The First Nowell (PH56, UM245, CBH199, NCH139)
On This Day Earth Shall Ring (UM248, PH46, CBH192)
What Child Is This? (UM219, PH53, CBH215, NCH148)
Silent Night (PH60, UM229, CBH193, PH134)
The Friendly Beasts (UM227, NCH138)
That Boy--Child Of Mary (PH55, UM241)
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light -

All: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shone.

Women: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

Men: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders -

CSSPlus

Merry Christmas, boys and girls. (Show one of your signs). Do any of you know what this sign means? (Let them answer.) That's right, it means (provide answer). (Show another sign and ask what it means. Let them answer.) Very good. Signs are very important aren't they? They give us direction. They tell us what to do and what not to do. The Bible gives many signs also.

You all know the story about the shepherds on Christmas Eve. The shepherds were in the field watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared to them. The Bible says that the shepherds
Leah Thompson
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all… (v. 11)

Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) Who can tell me what today is? (allow answers) That's right -- it's finally here! Today is Christmas [Eve]! We have spent the whole season of Advent preparing for right now. The long preparation is finally over. Christmas is here!

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL