Login / Signup

SermonStudio

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Worship

SermonStudio

Maundy Thursday -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Theme: Priceless
Maundy Thursday -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Theme: Why Is This Night So Different?
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Isaiah 52:13--53:12 Theme: Vindication. Trust Me.
Good Friday -- Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 Theme: Approach ...
Good Friday -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 18:1--19:42 Theme: You Are Here
The Resurrection Of Our Lord/Easter Day -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Acts 10:34-43 Theme: Thank Heavens I Don't Get No Respect!
The Resurrection Of Our Lord/Easter Day -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 Theme: More To Be Pitied Than Envied
The Resurrection Of Our Lord/Easter Day -- John 20:1-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 20:1-18 Theme: Ha!
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Acts 5:27-32 Theme: We Are Witnesses Of God's Love
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Revelation 1:4-8 Theme: Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up!

Drama

SermonStudio

My Brother's Keeper -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1998
Theme
The King Forgives Sometimes -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1998
ThemeForgive others as God through Jesus has forgiven you.Summary
The Inmate -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Robert F. Crowley -- 1998
Theme
Payday -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 1998
ThemeGod's generosity to all.Summary
Knock, Knock! -- Matthew 21:28-32 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1998
Theme
The Wicked Pie Bakers -- Matthew 21:33-43 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1998
Theme
Many Are Called -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1998
ThemeHow does God feel about those who reject His Son?Summary
God And The State -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1998
ThemeHow do Christians ethically relate to their government?Summary
David The Giant Killer -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1998
ThemeKing David, the ancestor of the Messiah, Jesus, trusted God. Can we?
In His Debt -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 1998
ThemeWhat is the motive behind our gifts to God?Summary

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Church's DNA -- Acts 4:32-35 -- David H. Webb -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Once upon a time, a dear woman struggled to muster enough strength to face the trials that came her
At The Heart -- Acts 3:12-19 -- David H. Webb -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
We have a new library in town.
Confident Faith -- Acts 4:5-12 -- David H. Webb -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
It is hard to find a more bold expression of the Easter faith than what we hear from Peter today in
Jesus Brings New Life -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
The end of World War II and the onset of the Cold War, which saw the super powers of the United Stat
Jesus Will Lead Us Home -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
The voyage of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his 28 men aboard the Endurance bound for Antarctica,
Jesus Rescues Us -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Oskar Schindler, immortalized in Steven Spielberg's 1993 prize-winning film, Schindler's List
The Faithfulness Of God -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Mrs.
The Christmas Message Of Hope -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2008
The wife of a poor merchant died, leaving him with five children, ranging from age six to fifteen.
God Makes All Things New -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2008
It was just a small, white envelope that stuck out among the branches of our Christmas tree.
God Is The Hound Of Heaven -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
Students of American history have always been fascinated by the life and career of the sixteenth pre

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Big Sin, Little Sin -- Luke 6:37-42 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
I need a helper this morning. (Choose a youngster to assist you.) Let's see how tall you are.
Stain Remover -- 1 John 1:9 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Do you know what this is? (Children respond. Offer help if needed.) It's stain remover.
Trouble -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Can you read this word? (Children read from the game.) Trouble.
Too Close To The Edge -- Proverbs 4:14-15 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
I have a story for you today.
Pieces And Parts -- 1 Corinthians 12:14-21 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
(Display pictures one at a time, or if you have enough children, have four of them stand in front an
Change -- Isaiah 43:19 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Do you notice anything different this morning? Has anything been changed?
Serendipity! -- Matthew 6:33 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
There are some words in the English language that are just plain fun to say and hear.
Expectations -- Romans 15:7 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
How many of you love to go to school? Raise your hands. Suppose you loved to go school.
Gifts For Mom -- Proverbs 31:28 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Today is a special day for us. Who knows what today is?
Thanks, Dad -- Exodus 20:12 -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
There are many special days in a year and today is one of those days. Who knows what today is?

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

The Resurrection Of Our Lord/Easter Day -- Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Carlos Wilton -- Easter Day - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Resurrection Of Our Lord/Easter Day, Cycle
Easter 2 -- Psalm 133 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2006
This little gem of a psalm celebrates the joy of unity among comrades in the faith.
Easter 3 -- Psalm 4 -- Carlos Wilton -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2006
This psalm is familiar to those whose liturgical traditions include an evening, or Evensong, service
Easter 4 -- Psalm 23 -- Stan Purdum -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2006
(See Lent 4, Cycle A, and Easter 4, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)
Easter 5 -- Psalm 22:25-31 -- Stan Purdum -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2006
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses
Lent 4 -- Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 -- Stan Purdum -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
(For an alternative approach to vv.
Lent 5 -- Psalm 51:1-12 -- Stan Purdum -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
(See Ash Wednesday, Cycle A, and Proper 13/Pentecost 11/Ordinary Time 18, Cycle B, for alternativ
Lent 5 -- Psalm 119:9-16 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
The reason for this alternate lectionary selection, culled from the longest of the psalms, is undoub
Palm Sunday/Sunday Of The Passion -- Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Carlos Wilton -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Liturgy Of The Palms, Cycle A; see also The Re
Palm Sunday/Sunday Of The Passion -- Psalm 31:9-16 -- Stan Purdum -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Liturgy Of The Passion, Cycles A and C, for al

Stories

SermonStudio

Silent Night, Holy Night -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Gregory L. Tolle -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2004
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of a great j
The Re-gifting Dilemma -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
I confess.
Cheerleading At Christmas -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Cheerleading is big -- especially in Texas and Oklahoma.
The Holy Land Experience -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
No one in their right mind would want to visit the Holy Land now.
Bethlehem Hope -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Bethlehem in December, 1995, was a far cry from Bethlehem of 4 B.C., or even the Bethlehem of 2003.
No Saints Here! -- Luke 6:20-31 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- All Saints Day - C -- 2003
The area around Brighton, Colorado, some twenty miles northwest of Denver, has until recently been a
Microsoft *#!@&* -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2003
I don't want to use profane language in these pages, so I am going to resort to euphemism.
Deafening Decibels -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2003
My neighbor across the street stopped by one day to tell me he had petitioned the city council for a
A New Idea -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2003
The Utne Reader (named after its founder) is not at all like the Reader's Digest.
Christ The President Sunday -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2003
We have arrived at the last Sunday of the church year.

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

The LORD Is My Shepherd -- Psalm 23 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want ...
The Earth Is The LORD's -- Psalm 24 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it,
To You, O LORD, I Lift Up My Soul -- Psalm 25 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach my your paths.
Vindicate Me, O LORD -- Psalm 26 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity,
The LORD Is My Light And And My Salvation -- Psalm 27 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after:
To You, O LORD, I Call -- Psalm 28 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Do not drag me away with the wicked ... they do not regard the works of the LORD,
Ascribe To The LORD, O Heavenly Beings -- Psalm 29 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength ... worship the LORD in holy splendor ...
I Will Extol You, O LORD -- Psalm 30 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
O LORD, my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me ...
In You, O LORD, I Seek Refuge -- Psalm 31 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
... in your righteousness deliver me ...
Happy Are Those Whose Transgression Is Forgiven -- Psalm 32 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Poems

Pastoral Resources

Children's program

Pageant

Adult study

Youth Resources

Monologues

Church Programs

Meditations

Candlelighting service

Biblical Studies

Humor

Faith Development

Bible Study

Children's Resources

Self Help

Liturgy

Illustration

Spirituality

Biblical Study

Inspirational

Christian Life

Easter

Lent/Easter

Church Growth

Sacrament

Healing

Death

Funeral

Memorial

Observance

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...
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.
Wildcard SSL