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Worship

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With Christ As Partner -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation:
If We Are Dreamers -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationThe Call To Worship:
The Beauty Of Holiness -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationA Call To Worship: (May be said or sung)
Installation Of Pastor -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1994
Receiving A New LeaderWe Prepare For Worship(Name of Presider)
PROPER 21 -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50, Psalm 124 -- B. David Hostetter -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPPraise the name of the Lord, you servants of the Lord, who stand
PROPER 22 -- Job 1:1, 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16, Psalm 26 -- B. David Hostetter -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIP (responsively)Sing aloud a song of thanksgiving,
PROPER 23 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31, Psalm 22:1-15 -- B. David Hostetter -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPBe satisfied with God's love when morning breaks and sing for joy
Number 1 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: People were changed when they came into the presence of Jesus.
Number 24 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: "I waited."People: "I waited patiently."
Number 42 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: Have you ever looked for something, and searched and searched, but you couldn't find it anyw

Drama

Sermon

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Free? Indeed! The Continuing Reformation Of The Church -- John 8:31-36 -- Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2001
Julia, The Church Years
A Precious, Flickering Light -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2001
Lucille's Grief
What Is Priceless? -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Introduction
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.
Are You A Risk Taker? -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2001
Introduction
Do You Have Enough Faith? -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2001
Introduction
Who Is Jesus To You? -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2001
Introduction
What Is The Good Life? -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2001
Introduction
Is Big Brother Watching You? -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2001
Introduction
Must I Forgive? -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2001
Introduction

Children's sermon

Worship Service

Preaching

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The productivity of God's word -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 25:19--34 (C)
The mystery of good and evil -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 28:10--19a (C)
Laying hold of the true treasure -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 29:15--28 (C)
God provides for our needs, if we but trust him -- Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 32:22--31 (C)
How to overcome a contrary wind -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 37:1--4, 12--28 (C)
The ever--expanding circle of God's love -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 45:1--15 (C)
Deliverance from bondage -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 1:8-2:10 (C)
Suffering for righteousness' sake -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 3:1--15 (C)
A word of warning -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 12:1-14 (C)
Forgiveness -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 14:19--31 (C)

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 5
28 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
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

Richard E. Gribble, CSC
When Charlie Atlas was a teenager his parents purchased for him a dresser mirror that he placed in his bedroom. Before this, whenever Charlie needed to use a mirror, he went to the bathroom, but there he was only able to see his head and possibly his shoulders. When he got dressed up he used his parents' full-length mirror in their bedroom. Charlie was happy with his new mirror; he spent many hours in front of it.
Elizabeth Achtemeier
There is a strange belief abroad in our land at the present time, the belief that we cannot know God. Such a belief rises partly from a feeling of awe before the divine -- the feeling that God is so unfathomable, so other, so beyond our feeble understanding that we cannot possibly experience who he truly is in all of his fullness and perfection. And perhaps that is the reason that the Athenians have erected that idol "to an unknown God" that Paul encounters when he visits their city. They know that there is a god beyond them, but they cannot define him or name him.
Stan Purdum
(See Proper 23/Pentecost 21/Ordinary Time 28, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-12.)

Psalm 66 is a song of communal thanksgiving, probably composed to celebrate some national deliverance. Because of the personal language of verses 13-20, there is some speculation that this psalm was originally two hymns, but as it stands, it contains a combination of corporate and personal prayers, both appropriate in worship.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E, L)
Schuyler Rhodes
Are you one of those people who always has a backup plan? Do you make your commitments and focus your energies on one thing, but have an alternative in mind just in case things don't work out with the first one? You might call it "Plan B" or something else, but basically you're hedging your bets and covering yourself in case the situation goes south.
Mark Ellingsen
Jesus was still in the middle of his farewell discourse to his disciples. He was trying to comfort the despair that they were feeling when they had first heard the news (during the last supper) that Jesus would be leaving them (John 13:21, 33; 14:1). He had comforted them with the good news that he was on the way to God the Father, that in associating with Jesus, the disciples had been in fellowship with the Father (John 14:6-11). Whoever believed in him, Jesus said, would be able to do the works that he had done, even greater works (John 14:12).
Albert G. Butzer, III
Here are two statements about the world. Tell me if both of them ring true for you. The first of them is this: "The world is a beautiful place." And the second statement is this: "The world is a terrible and dangerous place." Both statements are true - don't you agree? - and yet, ironically, they seem to say the exact opposite thing. How much easier it would be to affirm one statement or the other, but not both.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
The name Robert Stroud is not one commonly heard in ordinary conversation, but this man's contribution to humanity will live on in the minds of many under a different title, "The Birdman of Alcatraz." By nature, Robert Stroud was not a congenial man. As a youth he was always getting into fights, disagreements, and various altercations. When he was only nineteen he killed a man in a barroom brawl, was convicted of second--degree murder, and was sentenced to the Federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, since the crime was committed on Federal land.
Richard W. Ferris
In a large stone cathedral in Europe there was a grand, magnificent pipe organ. On a particular Saturday afternoon, the sexton was making one final check of the choir and organ loft high in the balcony at the back of the church. As he was making his inspection, he was startled to hear footsteps echoing up the stone stairway behind him. He thought the doors were all locked and that no one else was in the church. He turned to see a man in slightly tattered traveling clothes coming toward him.
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Acts 17:22-31
Theme: To A Known God

Call To Worship
Leader: God is a known God who continually gives us evidence of presence.
People: God is a knowable God who extends to us the hand of hope.
All: Come, let us worship God. Amen.

Collect
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Our Cities Cry To You, O God (PH437)
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (PH376, UM384, LBW315, NCH43)
Holy Spirit, Truth Divine (PH321, UM465)
There's A Sweet, Sweet Spirit (PH398, UM334)
Thy Holy Wings, O Savior (UM502)
Come Down, O Love Divine (LBW508, NCH289, PH313)
O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee (OBW492, NCH502, PH357)
My Song Is Love Unknown (LBW94, NCH222, PH76)

Anthems
Praise The Lord, Service Music, Hal Hopson, CGA, Unison 2--part

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 10, 2026:

StoryShare

John Fitzgerald
Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the classic Little House on the Prairie series neared an end to her
life. At this juncture she penned an essay about hope in face of the constant current of change. Here is an excerpt from that writing: 
Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Always Be Ready" by Frank Ramirez
"Looking for God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"A Gentle Profession" by Peter Andrew Smith


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
The lessons for the Sixth Sunday of Easter direct us to sermons on the great things God’s love does, appreciating in two cases this love’s cosmic character (especially leading to a stress on justification by grace). This is an appropriate theme with the festival of the Ascension in view, which celebrates Christ’s almighty power and cosmic vindication. 

Acts 17:22-31
William H. Shepherd
Schuyler Rhodes
In Garret Kreizer's novel, God of Beer (2002), the high school social studies teacher tells the class about Gandhi's assertion that if God ever came to India, he'd have to come as bread, in order to get the attention of the starving peasants. The teacher then asks the class what form God would have to take in order to get the attention of their high school. "Beer," says one student. "Yeah," another chimes in, "it's the only thing to do around here."

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

CSSPlus

Hi there, boys and girls! How many of you have rules that you have to follow at home? (show of hands) What are some of the rules you have? (let them tell you) What about at school? Do you have rules there? What are they? (let them tell you)

Why should we even have rules? (see what they think) I think we have rules because it makes it easier for us to be together. If we are all kind to each other, we will all be happier. If there are rules, then maybe people will fight less.

Special Occasion

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