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Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 7 -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2003
Theme: What Are You Doing Here?Call To Worship
Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2003
Proper 8/Ordinary Time 13 Sunday between June 26 and July 2 inclusive
Proper 9 -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2003
Theme: By Faith We Are HealedCall To Worship
Reformation Sunday -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2003
Theme: The New CovenantCall To Worship
Day Of Thanksgiving -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2003
Theme: Gratitude For All The Lord Has GivenCall To Worship
Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2003
First Lesson: Exodus 34:29-35 Theme: Moses Speaks With The Lord
Holy Trinity -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2003
Theme: In Praise Of WisdomCall To Worship
Christmas Eve/Day -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
Theme: The Kingdom ComesCall To WorshipLeader: A Child is born to us!
First Sunday After Christmas/The Holy Family -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
Theme: The Boy SamuelCall To WorshipLeader: Praise the Lord, all peoples.
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2003
Theme: The Lord Has Saved His PeopleCall To Worship

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

Wedding Day -- John 2:1-11 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
It had been a standard practice, in years past, that the most popular month for weddings was June.
Prophet Or Profit? -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
I shall never forget the night that Mae June came to church.
The Bible: Head And Heart -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
"With Jesus in your heart, you just can't hate anybody." That is our destination, but sometimes the
Leaving Before The Invitation -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2006
John and Mary have been married for about twenty years.
Woe To The Blessed -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2006
One of my all-time favorite television programs was M*A*S*H.
Taking The First Step -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2006
Create in your minds, if you will, a scene where the people are gathering at a small church for wors
Building A Victorious Life -- Luke 6:39-49 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2006
J.
Back To The Future -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Gary L. Carver -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
The experience in the ninth chapter of Luke is called "The Transfiguration Experience of our Lord Je
The Hard Sell -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
Our blessed Lord presses the issue. Do you or do you not want to be my disciple?
Testing Time -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
To live the Christian life is to be tested.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Healing The Lame Man -- Acts 4:1-23 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a glass of water, a flat surface, and a sponge to mop it up
Bringing People To God -- Acts 3:1-16 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a digital camera and things that go together: letters, numbers, salt and pepper shake
Happy Birthday, Church! -- Acts 2:1-13 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a big electric fan, with the sound increased by use of a microphone (if a fan is not
A Man With A Hard Name To Remember -- Acts 1:12-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: symbol of Jude
A Second Choice -- Acts 1:21-26 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: symbol of Matthias
The Day Jesus Cooked -- John 21:1-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some charcoal and a loaf of bread
Are You Who You Say You Are? -- John 20:19-31 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a driver's license, Social Security card, or an identification bracelet
An Empty Box -- John 20:1-2, 11-18 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a new, empty crayon box
The Spear -- John 19:31-35 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a spear
Christ The King -- John 18:33-37 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a crown and a map of the world or a globe

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Cooties -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The college professor in an astronomy class liked to use objects we all know to illustrate his lesso
The Seed Store -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man once dreamed he had entered a different kind of store.
The Story Of Ben Hur -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Two friends met at the Union Train Terminal in Indianapolis, Indiana, years ago.
The Vale Of Paradise -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Mrs.
There's A Man On The Cross -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
When the Chicago Temple United Methodist Church was built, they placed on top of it one of the highe
They Cooked The Books -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The new expression of what has been happening in some of the top business corporations of America we
Those Two Cents -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
It was during the 1950s and the young couple came to their pastor for premarital counseling.
Three Philosophies Of Life In The Story Of The Good Samaritan -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
1.What's yours is mine; I'll take it! -- the thief
True Brotherhood -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A young black man was carrying two suitcases on a wintry day in New York City.
True Brotherhood 2 -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
It is interesting to know that the New Testament of the Bible has taught the equality of all humanki

Stories

SermonStudio

The Holy Spirit, Our Guide -- John 14:23-29 -- Constance Berg -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
With God, all things are possible.
Singing Praises To God -- John 17:20-26 -- Constance Berg -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
A group of twenty men meet in a home in Pakistan.
One Tiny Light -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2000
It's a strange phenomenon that scientists are surely able to explain.
The Wedding In Tuxtla -- John 2:1-11 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2000
Rebeca Ruiz had met Carlos Marin at a church convention.
The Scroll Of Wisdom -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2000
David led us the two blocks from our church to his place of worship: a synagogue.
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not ... -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2000
Wow! First they love Jesus just from what he has to say.
Good Enough To Be With You? -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2000
They had been pen pals of a sort for only ten months but their letters came more and more frequently
Strength From Adversity -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2000
When Beth was a student nurse during World War II, she was chubby.
Expect Nothing In Return -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2000
Regina Jennings worked as a custodian at West Virginia University College of Law for fifteen years.
Martha's Incredible (In)Sight -- Luke 6:39-49 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2000
My dear friend, Martha, is blind. She wasn't always blind.

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Thanksgiving Day

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Unison Prayer

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Christian Faith

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
30+ – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
26 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 4
27 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
For April 12, 2026:

StoryShare

Keith Wagner
Contents
"Spiritually Speaking" by Keith Wagner
"Living With More Power" by Keith Wagner


Spiritually Speaking
by Keith Wagner
Psalm 16
Alex A. Gondola, Jr.
Keith Hewitt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"When through Fiery Trials" by Alex Gondola
"Tracks" by Keith Hewitt


What's Up This Week

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Thomas had never seen his friends so excited. Peter's eyes were shining, and he could hardly contain his impatience. John was always quieter than Peter, but even he seemed full of barely suppressed eagerness. They were both tugging at Thomas, while at the same time dancing round him.

Thomas reluctantly agreed to go to the cave with them, although he continued to think they were mad. "If there was nothing there last week, how can it have changed now?" he kept asking.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
This psalm is a song of confidence and trust, and the first-century church found in it a prophecy of the Resurrection. Peter, in his Pentecost sermon, quotes verses 8-11 (Acts 2:25-28), applying them to the risen Lord. Thus, its designation as the responsorial psalm for Easter 2.

The psalm falls easily into three divisions: verses 1-4, there is no good apart from God; 5-8, the Lord is my portion and my counselor; and 9-11, there is joy and life with God.
John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 2:14a, 22--32 (C, E)
According to God's plan and David's prophecy, Jesus was raised from the dead. This pericope is a part of Peter's Pentecost sermon. It is a sample of the early church's preaching, as Luke understood it, summarized in the crucifixion, resurrection, and fulfillment of prophecy. Peter emphasizes that what happened to Jesus was according to God's plan. He quotes Psalm 16 as a prophecy by David of the resurrection which was fulfilled. The disciples are witnesses to the fulfillment because of their encounters with the risen Lord.
Tony S. Everett
So, here we are just over one week after Easter Sunday. Vigils are finished. Sunrise services are over. Dishes from the youth breakfast have been washed and put away. Brass and tympani fanfares have concluded. Flowers on the cross have begun to wilt and blow away. Fewer pews are filled.
Richard L. Sheffield
What the disciples of Jesus reported to their fellow disciple Thomas they had seen seemed unbelievable. And Thomas didn't believe it! They said they saw Jesus alive. Well, Thomas saw him alive until late the previous Friday afternoon when Thomas saw him dead. It was now Sunday afternoon -- and to what they said they saw, Thomas' response was, "Seeing is believing," and until I see something different from what I have already seen, I will not believe a word of what you say.
Albert G. Butzer, III
Several years ago the Episcopal Church launched a creative and clever advertising campaign. One of their ads pictured a young man with a frustrated look on his face because someone had put a heavy piece of tape across his mouth. His mouth had been taped shut; he was unable to speak. The caption, which accompanied the picture, said this: "The problem with churches that have all of the answers is that you can't ask questions."
Harry N. Huxhold
The United States of America has earned the reputation of being the most violent culture in the world. That really is an oxymoron. How can one speak of culture as being violent? Yet the problem of violence is so widespread in our nation that Gavin De Becker, an authority on violence, notes that we are a nation with more firearms than adults, and twenty thousand guns enter our commerce every day. His book, The Gift of Fear, is about our fear which furnishes us survival signals to protect us from violence. We should not be shocked that anyone is capable of violence.
Bill Mosley
The great luxury liner was on fire, but no one knew it. Deep in the hold, near the engine room, hundreds of tons of coal were stored. Coal--powered ships used to carry the coal in a watered--down state. But this ship was new, and very big; bigger than any ship ever built, or had ever sailed. So even though the coal was watered for safety, the enormous amount meant that there were dry spots. A fire smoldered undiscovered deep in the coal supply, and when it was discovered, a fire--fighting crew was sent to quench it. They worked for days, even weeks, and couldn't put it out.
B. David Hostetter
CALL TO WORSHIP
Bless our God who has given us counsel.
Come to worship with exulting heart and rejoicing spirit.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
I Danced In The Morning (UM261, PH 302)
Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! (CBH 272)
Jesus, The Very Thought Of Thee (NCH507)
We Live By Faith And Not By Sight (NCH256, PH398)
O Sons And Daughters, Let Us Sing (NCH244, PH116, 117)
Breathe On Me, Breath Of God (CBH356, UM420, PH316)
These Things Did Thomas Count (NCH284)
When In The Night I Meditate (PH165)

Anthems
From the Messiah: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth, G. F. Handel
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (Acts 2:32)
This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.


Collect
We lift up our eyes to you Lord, after the despair of the cross. We follow the path from the empty tomb to see you risen and walking among us! We praise your name in victory! Amen.


Prayer Of Confession

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Fresh air is precisely what many people feel they never get in church. Many recall the experiences of former times when the air was stodgy and stuffy. In some communities of faith the air is still a bit stifling, and so when invited to worship, the response is often, "Been there. Done that."

Yet our lessons are full of the freshness of spring, bringing life and vigor to what had been dormant, as though frozen in winter and refusing to thaw.

Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Wayne Brouwer
One of my good friends died last year. He had reached a good age and was mostly ready to go. In fact, he once told me he had more lives than the proverbial cat's nine. On too many occasions, because of cancer and accidents and blood diseases, doctors had written him off. Yet, like the Energizer bunny, he kept going and going and going....

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. This morning we read from the Bible about a special meeting between Jesus, who had been resurrected a week earlier, and his disciples. All of the disciples believed the resurrection except Thomas, who had not been in the room when Jesus met with the disciples a week earlier. Thomas had heard about it but didn't believe. He said that unless he saw for himself the wounds in the hands and side of Jesus, he would not believe.
Good morning, boys and girls. What does this sign mean? (Let them answer.) It is a question mark. When you see it that means someone is asking a question. Sometimes it means that someone doesn't believe what you are saying. That means the person is doubting you. It's a very common thing to have doubts about something. If one of you told me that you don't like to play with toys, I'd say, "I'm not so sure about that. I doubt it. I'll bet you really like to play with toys." If one of you told me that you didn't like candy, I would say, "I'm not so sure about that. I doubt it.
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