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Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 9/Ordinary Time 14 -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: 2 Kings 5:1-14 Theme: Too Simple For You?
Proper 9/Ordinary Time 14 -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 Theme: Carry This, Will Ya?
Proper 9/Ordinary Time 14 -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 Theme: You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Proper 10/Ordinary Time 15 -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Amos 7:7-17 Theme: Got A Life Call To Worship
Proper 10/Ordinary Time 15 -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Colossians 1:1-14 Theme: Victory Parade
Proper 10/Ordinary Time 15 -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 10:25-37 Theme: Question And Answer
Proper 11/Ordinary Time 16 -- Amos 8:1-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Amos 8:1-12 Theme: Bad Pun, Bad News
Proper 11/Ordinary Time 16 -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Colossians 1:15-28 Theme: Second Verse, Same As The First
Proper 11/Ordinary Time 16 -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 10:38-42 Theme: Not You Two, Again!
Proper 12/Ordinary Time 17 -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Hosea 1:2-10 Theme: Children Of The Living God

Drama

SermonStudio

Homesick: Monologues of an Ancient Hebrew -- 1 Kings 8:22-30 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Pentecost Communion Meditation: Monologue of a Saint -- Acts 2:36-47 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Number One Mother -- Genesis 2:20-25 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
It's Hell, I Say: Herod Speaks -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Poolside Blessing: Monologue of a Paralytic -- John 5:2-16 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
I Am Zacchaeus -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Reuben: I'm not a Sandwich -- Genesis 37:19-34 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Boaz: I Am Blessed! -- Ruth 3:1-5 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Josiah Speaks: An Ancient King Brings Greetings -- 2 Chronicles 34:8-14, 29-33 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Jesus Is Alive and Well -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
Jesus is alive and well. I know, for I saw Jesus face to face.

Sermon

SermonStudio

Wise Leadership -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2008
Solomon asks for the right thing: He asks for wisdom.
Dedicating Temples -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2008
So much is happening in chapter 8 of 1 Kings that we almost want to get dressed up for an amazing ce
Joy Is For Leaping -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2008
This ode to spring and to love is almost always used at Passover.
The Place Beyond Punishment -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2008
You can tell a lot about a family by finding out what happens if a child spills something.
Having A Good Name -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2008
Proverbs is right: Having a good name is a terribly important thing.
Finding The Good Woman In Us All -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2008
A good woman is a superwoman, or so it appears to me as I read the list of things she can do.
The Place Beyond Revenge -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2008
A custom is begun!
Job Is For Real -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2008
We find Job on the edge of town, his money gone, his children dead, picking at his innumerable sores
Oh, That I Knew Where I Might Find Him -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- Robert A. Hausman -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2008
Then Job answered, "Today also is my complaint bitter." With those words, we go from the patience of
An Answer Out Of The Whirlwind -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Robert A. Hausman -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2008
What does it mean to be great? That is the question our texts raise today.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Troubles Into Opportunities -- Matthew 13:45, 46 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. (Display a string of pearls.
Labor Day -- Proverbs 14:23 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. This is Labor Day Weekend in America.
Back To School -- Proverbs 22:6 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. Raise hands, all of you who can't wait to get back to school!
The Name Jesus -- Job: 1:21, Matthew 1:21 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you know how you got your name?
The Drawing Power Of Christ -- John 12:32 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have ever experimented with a magnet?
Jonah's Disobedience And Restoration -- Jonah 1:17 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have ever seen a whale?
Worldwide Christian Fellowship -- Proverbs 14:34, Matthew 28:19 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls.
Sacrificial Giving -- Mark 12:43 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. What does it mean to be poor?
Giving Thanks -- Genesis 8:22 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls.
Opening Your Heart To Jesus -- Revelation 3:20 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. Does anyone know what this object is?

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Fear/Salvation -- Exodus 14:5-14 -- 2006
When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their
God's Provision -- Exodus 16:2-4 -- 2006
In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
Atonement/Forgiveness/Scapegoat -- Leviticus 16:9-10, 15-16, 20-22 -- 2006
Aaron shall bring the goat ... to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering.
For A Christian Parent -- Deuteronomy 6:4-9 -- 2006
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Land Of Milk And Honey/Heaven -- Deuteronomy 26:5-11 -- 2006
Then you shall declare before the Lord your God: "My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went
Seeking And Finding Understanding -- Proverbs 2:1-8 -- 2006
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom an
Seasons Of Life/The Beauty Of A Simple Life/A Heart For Eternity -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 -- 2006
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born a
God With Us Through Flood And Fire -- Isaiah 43:1-3 -- 2006
But now, this is what the Lord says -- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
For Those Of Uncertain Faith/Expansive Promise Of God -- Isaiah 43:6-13 -- 2006
I will say to the north, "Give them up!" and to the south, "Do not hold them back." Bring my sons
For One Who Longed To Know God -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- 2006
"The time is coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israe

Stories

SermonStudio

Croppies -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2003
My wife enjoys Mel Gibson's talent. Sort of like I enjoy Jamie Lee Curtis' talent.
Deus Absconditus -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2003
Sometimes, you just don't know where God is, or if you do, what he's up to.
Unfinished Buildings -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
Travel to Bangkok, Thailand, and you'll fall in love with this beautiful city of the Orient.
Preparing For The Comet -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
Ever tried your hand at writing a novel?
The FIDO Effect -- 1 Kings 18:20-39 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2003
In the fall of 1940, the Battle of Britain was coming to a close.
The Check Is In The Mail -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2003
In November of 1998, I received a call from the billing department of a major electronics store.
Chateau Naboth -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2003
Bob and Patty Brower had a dream.
The Adoption Paradox -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2003
Our oldest daughter is adopted.
Fruit Is Boring -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2003
"... Against such things there is no law." Well, perhaps there ought to be.
Bagging It -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2003
Bones Mackay thinks he has a cool job.

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

Truly God Is Good To The Upright -- Psalm 73 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,
O God, Why Do You Cast Us Off Forever? -- Psalm 74 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
O God, why do you cast us off forever? Remember your congregation,
We Give Thanks To You, O God -- Psalm 75 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
"At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity.
In Judah God Is Known, His Name Is Great In Israel -- Psalm 76 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.
I Cry Aloud To God ... That He May Hear Me -- Psalm 77 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord ...
Give Ear, O My People, To My Teaching -- Psalm 78 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,
O God, The Nations Have Come Into Your Inheritance -- Psalm 79 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
O God, the nations have come into your inheritance,
Give Ear, O Shepherd Of Israel -- Psalm 80 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Stir up your might and come to save us! ... look down from heaven, and see;
Sing Aloud To God, Our Strength -- Psalm 81 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob ...
God Has Taken His Place In The Divine Council -- Psalm 82 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
God has taken his place in the divine council;

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 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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