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Worship

SermonStudio

The Resurrection Of Our Lord -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Easter Day - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: This is the day
Easter 2 -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Easter 3 -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: Where shattered hearts are made whole,
Easter 4 -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: This is God's church: the gate to discernment.
Easter 5 -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: We are God's household,
Easter 6 -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: We have come to seek God
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: We gather in this holy place, some empty, some filled,
Easter 7 -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: The hour has come to worship our God,
The Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 7:37-39 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: The day of Pentecost is upon us.
The Holy Trinity -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: God, who created all things and named them "good,"

Drama

SermonStudio

John, the Beloved Disciple -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2002
Narrator: John, sometimes described as Jesus' beloved disciple, never attained the prominence of Pet
Judas -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2002
Defender: As children we had little trouble understanding Judas.
Barabbas and Simon of Cyrene -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2002
Presenter: Two men were thrust into the trial and death of Jesus. They had no warning.
Mary Magdalene -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2002
Narrator: The biblical record of Mary Magdalene is sparse.
Thomas -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2002
Presenter: If it had been left up to Matthew, Mark, and Luke we wouldn't be talking about Thomas tod
Caiaphas -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2002
Narrator: If one person was more responsible for Jesus' death than any other, it would have to be Ca
Pilate -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2002
Narrator: Pontius Pilate was a black-and-white-sighted man living in a world of many colors and shad
Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimethea -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2002
Narrator: Two of the lesser players in the account of Jesus' death are Nicodemus and Joseph of Arime
Mary, Mother of Jesus -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2002
Narrator: Mary and her devout parents may have once lived in Jerusalem, but while Mary was quite you
Blessed -- Doris Wells Miller -- 2002
Synopsis And Stage Directions For Blessed

Sermon

SermonStudio

Garden Gone Bad -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Chrysanne Timm -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2009
This summer I decided to take up some simple vegetable gardening. I knew it would happen someday.
When God Calls -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Chrysanne Timm -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2009
Today, and for the next several weeks, the Revised Common Lectionary devotes attention to one of the
Finding Fault With God -- Jeremiah 2:4-13 -- Chrysanne Timm -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2009
It is never a pleasant prospect to deal with someone who has a complaint with you.
In The Potter's Hands -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Chrysanne Timm -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2009
I am not a potter, and I do not play one on television!
From Life To Death To ... -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 -- Chrysanne Timm -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2009
How many of you remember the movie Duck and Cover?
When There's Nothing Left To Do But Mourn -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 -- Chrysanne Timm -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2009
When a person is diagnosed with a serious disorder, one that threatens their very existence, life as
Sold! -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Chrysanne Timm -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2009
As we conclude several weeks of readings in the book of the prophet Jeremiah and next week look at t
The ABC's Of Grief -- Lamentations 1:1-6 -- Chrysanne Timm -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2009
Grief is one of the universal experiences of humankind.
Making Ourselves At Home -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- R. Kevin Mohr -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2009
In a scene from the romantic comedy, While You Were Sleeping, "Ox" Callaghan is waxing eloque
Not Another Rerun! -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- R. Kevin Mohr -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2009
Not another rerun!

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

A Hearing Problem -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: To teach the children the importance of listening.
Big Changes -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: As we grow in life and as we grow with God, we will always have to deal with
Little Big Man -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: How to be big in God's eyes.Props: Measuring tape.
Stick-to-it-tiveness -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: Practice won't make you perfect, but persistence will surely get you closer t
Building Blocks -- 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 -- Tim Carpenter, Brett Blair -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: To demonstrate the Bible's gift of instruction.
Oh, Lord, It's Hard To Be Humble -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: To teach humility before God in prayer.Props: None.
A Little Forgiveness Goes A Long Way -- Luke 17:3-10 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: We do not need a lot of faith to exercise forgiveness.
Thankful For The Little Things -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: Appreciation for the little things.
Take Care Of Your Wagon -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: If you take care of your toys today you will be entrusted with greater things
Richie Rich -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: We must show concern and care for others.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Once Before There Was A Time -- James Ayers -- 2007
preaching the doctrine of predestination as a story
If Only You Had Been Here -- James Ayers -- 2007
preaching the doctrine of death and eternal life as a story
I Am Sending You -- James Ayers -- 2007
preaching the doctrine of resurrection and mission as a story
Once Upon A Christmas -- James Ayers -- 2007
preaching the doctrine of incarnation as a story
Salt And Light -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2007
Sometimes I think preachers would do best by getting out of Jesus' way.
Why Sheep? -- John 10:1-10 (Luke 16:19-31) -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Why sheep?
Fairy Tale Or God's Word? -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2007
When we ordain elders and deacons and ministers in the Presbyterian church we ask a number of questi
Listen To Yourself -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2007
Sometimes the best way to start reading your Bible is with the footnotes.
Explanations Or Truth? -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2007
So, what's that all about?
Storytelling -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2007
Jesus loved to tell stories. Much of his teaching was in the form of stories we call parables.

Stories

SermonStudio

Foolish Is As Foolish Does -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Foolish Is As Foolish Does
The Salvation Sedan -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
The Salvation Sedan
The End -- John 12:20-33 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
The End
Sunday Dinner -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2005
Sunday Dinner
Humbled For Love -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2005
Humbled For Love
Risky Spirituality -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2005
Risky Spirituality
Diamonds In The Rough -- 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2005
Diamonds In The Rough
Mothers, Brothers, And Sisters Of God -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2005
Mothers, Brothers, And Sisters Of God
What's Your Standard? -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2005
What's Your Standard?
Miracle -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2005
Miracle

Prayer

SermonStudio

The pitfalls of prideful piety -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The pitfalls of prideful pietyGospel Note:
Grace that begets grace -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme: Grace that begets grace Gospel Note:
God of the living, Guarantor of life -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme: God of the living, Guarantor of life Gospel Note:
Testimony and triumph amid tribulations and trials -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:Testimony and triumph amid tribulations and trials
The power of faith -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The power of faithGospel Note:
The redemptive presence and restorative power of God -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The redemptive presence and restorative power of God
Love as the result of forgiveness -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:Love as the result of forgivenessGospel Note:
The cross is a consequence of Christian confession -- Luke 9:18-24 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The cross is a consequence of Christian confession
The demands of discipleship -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The demands of discipleshipGospel Note:
The urgency of the Christian message -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The urgency of the Christian message

Devotional

SermonStudio

Easter 2 -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held
Easter 2 -- Psalm 16 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Easter 2 -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
...
Easter 2 -- John 20:19-31 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are r
Easter 3 -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were a
Easter 3 -- Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and a
Easter 3 -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mut
Easter 3 -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
Easter 4 -- Acts 2:42-47 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions an
Easter 4 -- Psalm 23 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup

Poems

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Thanksgiving Day

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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.

Special Occasion

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