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Worship

SermonStudio

Fourth Sunday In Lent -- Joshua 5:9-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Joshua 5:9-12 Theme: Today I Have Taken Away Your Shame
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Theme: Ambassadors Of Hope
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Theme: Treating Sinners Like Old Friends
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Isaiah 43:16-21 Theme: No Reruns Here
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Philippians 3:4b-14 Theme: I Want To Know Christ
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- John 12:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 12:1-8 Theme: No Pleasing Some People
Sunday Of The Passion/Palm Sunday -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Isaiah 50:4-9a Theme: Count Well The Cost
Sunday Of The Passion/Palm Sunday -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Philippians 2:5-11 Theme: Empty The Cup
Sunday Of The Passion/Palm Sunday -- Luke 23:1-49 -- Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 23:1-49 Theme: No. On.
Maundy Thursday -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 Theme: Who's That Knockin'?

Drama

SermonStudio

The Lord, The Holy Spirit -- Acts 2:1-11 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1998
Theme: The baptism of the Holy Spirit for service.Summary:
AIDS -- Matthew 5:21-24, 27-30, 33-37 -- Robert F. Crowley -- 1998
ThemeBelievers stumble too. How does a believer handle that?Summary
The Sower And The Seed And So What -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1998
Theme
Showdown -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1998
Theme
Before The Wedding -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-49 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1998
Theme
Feeding The 4999 -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1998
Theme
Water Logged -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1998
ThemeIf we just trust Jesus He will take care of our needs.Summary
Demonized -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1998
ThemeJesus has total control over the powers of darkness.Summary
Who Is God? -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1998
Theme
The One Chosen -- Matthew 16:21-27 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1998
Theme

Sermon

SermonStudio

Our Journey Begins Again -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- David H. Webb -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2009
Once upon a time, tragedy struck a small church family where an eighteen-year-old boy took his own l
Relentless Grace -- Genesis 9:8-17 -- David H. Webb -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2009
The story of old Noah and his ark has been told to children and adults for centuries.
An Incredible Blessing -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- David H. Webb -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2009
When I was in the second grade, I won a Bible storybook by selling magazines.
A Precious Gift -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- David H. Webb -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2009
Some time ago, National Geographic printed a feature article on the Appalachian Trail.
Lift High The Cross -- Numbers 21:4-9 -- David H. Webb -- 2009
In our story today, the children of Israel are simply tired and worn out.
Planted In Our Hearts -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- David H. Webb -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2009
Once upon a time, at a pastor and teacher's conference the group leader asked everyone present to id
Salvation Is Coming -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- David H. Webb -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2009
There is something about this day that stirs us to the very depths of our being.
Slaves Set Free -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- David H. Webb -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2009
It is believed that the Passover was first celebrated on the very night that Israel was set free fro
God's Incredible Gift -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- David H. Webb -- Good Friday - B -- 2009
The servant song in our Old Testament lesson from Isaiah has been the traditional Old Testament read
The Difference Easter Makes -- Acts 10:34-43 -- David H. Webb -- Easter Day - B -- 2009
Once upon a time, a few years ago, a little boy came up to his pastor during Holy Week and said, "Sa

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Believing What God Says -- Genesis 6:22 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Have you ever heard someone say, "You can't believe everything you read," or "You can't believe ever
A Light In The Darkness -- Matthew 5:14-16 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Have you ever been someplace that is dark? I mean really dark.
What Hat Do You Wear? -- Proverbs 20:11 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Look what I have this morning: all kinds of hats. What kind of job uses this hat?
A Missing Piece -- 1 Corinthians 12:14 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Do you like puzzles? I have a puzzle for us to work together this morning.
How Much Protection Do You Have? -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Do you know what this stuff is? (Children respond.) It's sunscreen.
Do It To Them, Do It To Me -- Matthew 25:40, 45 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
(Before the service, enlist an adult seated near the front to help you.) This is Mr.
All Tangled Up -- James 4:7 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
I need a helper this morning. (Choose one youngster to assist.
Doing What You Were Meant To Do -- Jeremiah 29:11 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
I'm not much of an artist, but I'm going to draw you a picture this morning.
A Fresh Start -- Romans 3:23-24 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
If you were trying to draw a picture and messed up, you would want to start over, wouldn't you?
Being Ready -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
A few years ago, my sister and I went to the beach for the weekend.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 6 / Pentecost 4 / Ordinary Time 11 -- Psalm 20 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2006
Among the greatest political speeches ever written is Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
Proper 7/Pentecost 5/Ordinary Time 12 -- Psalm 9:9-20 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2006
Psalm 9 was probably once joined with Psalm 10, for the letters of the Hebrew alphabet appear in ord
Proper 7/Pentecost 5/Ordinary Time 12 -- Psalm 133 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2006
This little gem of a psalm celebrates the joy of unity among comrades in the faith.
Easter 6 -- Psalm 98 -- Stan Purdum -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2006
(See Christmas Day, Cycles A and B, for alternative approaches.)
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Psalm 47 -- Stan Purdum -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2006
Both Psalms 47 and 93 (the alternative psalm for this day) are enthronement psalms, praise hymns cel
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Psalm 93 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Ascension Of Our Lord, Cycle A, for an alt
Easter 7 -- Psalm 1 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2006
Psalm 1 has long been considered as a possible prologue to the rest of the psalter.
The Day Of Pentecost -- Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- James Evans -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Day Of Pentecost, Cycle A, for an alternat
The Holy Trinity -- Psalm 29 -- Stan Purdum -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary for The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Tim
Good Friday -- Psalm 22 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Good Friday - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Good Friday, Cycle A; Lent 2, Cycle B; and Pro

Stories

SermonStudio

Fruit Punch, A Poppy Seed Muffin, And A Bar -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2004
And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with
From Suffering To Hope -- Romans 5:1-8 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2004
And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance
How Insignificant? -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2004
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
King Thrushbeard -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2004
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. (v.
Rest For The Weary -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2004
"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Thanksgiving -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2004
For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs
How Big Is He? -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2004
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voic
Come, Thou Almighty King -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2004
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with
Identifying With Suffering -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham.
Welcome To The Family -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2004
He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

How Long, O LORD? -- Psalm 13 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
Fools Say .... There Is No God -- Psalm 14 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God."
O Lord, Who May Abide In Your Tent? -- Psalm 15 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right
Protect Me, O God -- Psalm 16 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
I keep the LORD always before me;
Hear A Just Cause, O LORD -- Psalm 17 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge
I Love You, O LORD -- Psalm 18 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help ...
The Heavens Are Telling The Glory Of God -- Psalm 19 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
The LORD Answers You In The Day Of Trouble -- Psalm 20 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Now I know that the LORD will help his anointed;
In Your Strength The King Rejoices -- Psalm 21 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
You have given him his heart's desire ...
My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? -- Psalm 22 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? ...

Poems

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Thanksgiving Day

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Women's Day

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Unison Prayer

Thanksgiving 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.

Special Occasion

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