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Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 20 -- Exodus 16:2-15, Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2004
HymnsEat This Bread (CBH471, UM628)
Proper 21 -- Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2004
HymnsAt The Name Of Jesus (UM168, CBH342, PH148)
Proper 22 -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2004
HymnsCantemos al Senor (O Sing To The Lord) (UM149, CBH55, NCH39, PH472)
Proper 23 -- Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2004
HymnsRejoice, Ye Pure In Heart (UM160, 16l, NCH55, 71, PH145, 146, LBW553)
Proper 24 -- Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 9, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2004
HymnsIn The Rifted Rock I'm Resting (CBH526)
Proper 25 -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2004
HymnsO God, Our Help In Ages Past (CBH328, NCH25, UM117, LBW320, PH210)
Proper 26 -- Joshua 3:7-17, Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2004
HymnsAsk Me What Great Things I Know (NCH49, UM163, CBH337)
Proper 27 -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, Psalm 78:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2004
HymnsHark! The Herald Angels Sing (NCH144, CBH201, UM240, PH31, 32)
Proper 28 -- Judges 4:1-7, Psalm 123, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2004
HymnsAwake My Soul, Stretch Every Nerve (NCH491, CBH609)
Proper 4 -- Genesis 6:19-22; 7:24; 8:14-19, Psalm 46, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31), Matthew 7:21-29 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2004
HymnsMy Hope Is Built On Nothing Less (UM368, PH379, NCH403, CBH343)

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

A House Even Better Than "Buurma-Built" -- Romans 8:28, 31, 36, 37-39 -- Wayne Brouwer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an elderly, faithful man
A Life In Rhyme -- Romans 8:1-4, 26-27 -- Wayne Brouwer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful woman A Life In Rhyme
Service, Not Flash -- John 14:1-6, 2 Timothy 2:8-13, Job 19:23-27 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For one whose life was centered in Christ Service, Not Flash
God's Little Warrior -- Mark 10:13-16 -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an eight-year-old who died of leukemia
See You At The Party -- Romans 8:31ff, Psalm 23 -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a young man killed in a car accident
Doing Battle With Death -- Romans 8:14-39 -- Laurence A. Wagley, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For the death of an infant Doing Battle With Death
God's Wonderful Plans -- 1 Corinthians 2:9 -- Frank L. Starkey, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a 21-year-old veteran killed in a motorcycle accident
Can We Give Thanks? -- 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 -- Carl B. Rife, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a six-year-old boy who was ill from birth
It Is Well -- Matthew 11:28 -- R. Blaine Detrick, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an eleven-year-old boy who drowned It Is Well
Swallowed Up In Victory -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 -- Charles L. Koester, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a seventeen-year-old boy killed by a drunk driver

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Railroad Crossing -- Revelation 21:6a -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a railroad crossing sign
He Cares For Our Hurts -- Revelation 7:9-1 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a box of tissues
A Brand New World -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a used piece of furniture like a chair; some paint, sandpaper, some fresh wood, and h
Counting Sand -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a handful of sand and a piece of paper
What About Heaven? -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some cutouts from construction paper of clouds, angels, harps, and a throne
I Am The Beginning And The End -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a stepladder
Important Keys -- Revelation 1:9-19 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a large keyring with two keys
Never Divided -- Jude 19 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a piece of fence
Good Guys And Bad Guys -- Jude 4 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a bandana to tie around your neck and face
Imitating The Good -- 3 John 11 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: two drums and two drum sticks

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Risk And Reward -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Every few years, we hear sermons during the stewardship season based on the parable of the talents.
Equally Saved -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
To understand this parable, it is necessary to review the passage before this parable.
There's No Place Like Home -- Luke 15:11-32 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Home. Home is where the heart is. Home conjures up lots of images for us, doesn't it?
Do You See The King? -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Just to get perspective, Matthew records about fifteen parables in his Gospel.
Your Money Or Your Life -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
As with other parables of Jesus, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is best understood in its w
What Will Become Of This Child? -- Luke 1:67-80 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Four hundred years is a long time to wait, don't you think?
Excuses, Excuses -- Luke 14:15-24 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Perhaps before attending this banquet, Jesus should have read his Emily Post.
Howdy, Neighbor! -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Ever notice how those who come wishing to test Jesus get tested themselves?
Consistently Persistent -- Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-8 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Jesus set an example of prayer that the disciples wanted to imitate and understand.
Count The Cost -- Luke 14:25-32 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
We see half-finished projects all the time.

Stories

SermonStudio

Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world." (William Wallace)
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
In this cold and lifeless world no one has so deep and strong a love except that which is found in a
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"A man never sees all that his mother has been to him until it's too late to let her know that he se
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"If you would reform the world from its errors and vices, begin by enlisting the mothers." (C.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
There is no sweeter name than -- Mother.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"No language can express the power and beauty and heroism and majesty of a mother's love.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"A mother's love is indeed the golden link that binds youth to age; and he is still a child, however
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A mother's love is the steadfast devotion to her children.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Mothers put the music in our hearts.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
There is no stare like a mother's stare.

Prayer

Devotional

Poems

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Children's program

Pageant

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Monologues

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Candlelighting service

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Humor

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Self Help

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Easter

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Death

Funeral

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Christian

African-American History

Thanksgiving Day

Marriage Ceremony

Wedding Vow

Home Blessing

Church Anniversary

Women's Day

Men's Day

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.
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