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Worship

SermonStudio

Come, Ye Thankful People -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Readings For Thanksgiving
Celebrate The Trinity -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Readings For Trinity Sunday
In Search Of Love -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Hymn Service Of Words On Love For Valentine's Day Or Family Day
The Way To The Manger -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Choral Readings For Christmas Eve
Time To Clean Up -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Sounds Great, But We're Busy -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 126) One:
Third Sunday of Advent -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
First Lesson: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Theme: Repairing Ancient Ruins
Theme: The Lord Needs No House -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Reunion -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- All Saints Day - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Isaiah 25:9)
Theme: It Is Not For You To Know -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 93)

Drama

SermonStudio

Journey To Rome & Paul's Last Days -- Marion Fairman -- 1993
Woman: So Paul, it was Festus and Agrippa who sent you off on your fourth journey.
The Prodigal Son -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 1993
So he returned home to his father.
The Great Feast -- Luke 14:24 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 1993
The Devil's Advocate:
The Ten Virgins -- Matthew 25:10-13 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 1993
The Devil's Advocate:
The Unprofitable Servant -- Matthew 25:19, 21, 26 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 1993
The Devil's Advocate:
The Parable Of The Sower (Soil) -- Mark 4:3, 5, 7, 8 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 1993
The Devil's Advocate:Mr. Sower -- the soil is now ready.
The Wicked Husbandmen -- Mark 12:6-7, 9 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 1993
The Devil's Advocate:
Waiting -- John 16:4b-15, Acts 2:1-21 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersChurch Secretary: either sex and any age older than college
The Committee -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersJanet Jason: female, older than college age
Cooking With Carol -- John 6:24-35, John 6:35, 41-51 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersAnnouncer: either sex, very friendly, warms up the audience for Carol

Sermon

SermonStudio

Interceding For Us Now -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Patrick J. Rooney -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2008
Heads bowed, hands clasped, the words are spoken softly and gently.
Admitting The Real Truth -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Patrick J. Rooney -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2008
It does seem a bit unfair, putting me in the same category as Hitler, Stalin, or some of our more re
Wiping Away The Tears -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Patrick J. Rooney -- All Saints Day - B -- 2008
It is one line. A few words cast upon a sea of words.
The Eternal Sanctuary -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Patrick J. Rooney -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2008
It happens week after week, sometimes day after day.
Hope On The Day Of Judgment -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Patrick J. Rooney -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2008
Standing in the parlor at church that day was not unlike the many other occasions when I had attende
The Perfect Sacrifice -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Patrick J. Rooney -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2008
They came day after day in a steady stream, entering the temple with a mixture of excitement and ant
Long Live The King -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Patrick J. Rooney -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2008
I was just a little shy of my fifth birthday, so all the images are not completely clear.
The Great Thanksgiving -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Patrick J. Rooney -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2008
It is not only Thanksgiving Day, but a day of thanksgiving.
Christmas Construction -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- David E. Leininger -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Ancient Babylon is the setting for our text.
Do You Hear What I Hear? -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- David E. Leininger -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Years ago, a wise teacher of preachers advised us to prepare our sermons with the Bible in one hand

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Learning From Riddles -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: Learning to take care of ourselves.
The Sawhorse -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To show that even simple things can be used to serve God.
Wave The Flags -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To think about what it means to say, "One nation under God."
The Cover -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To stress the importance of Bible reading.
The Need For Balance -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To stress the need for a balanced life and for personal responsibility for it.
Listening To The Whistle -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To show the need to put into practice what we learn.
What Shall We Be? -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To stress the importance of what a child learns in the early years.
Patience In Learning -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To remind children that patience is an essential part of life.
How God Is Heard Today -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To help children understand one way whereby God speaks to people today.
The Spoiled Child -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To focus on one way that we learn from God.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 19/Pentecost 17/Ordinary Time 24 -- Psalm 14 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2006
(See Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)
Proper 18/Pentecost 16/Ordinary Time 23 -- Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2006
(See Epiphany 2/Ordinary Time 2, Cycle B, and Proper 4/Pentecost 2/Ordinary Time 9, Cycle B; see
Proper 17/Pentecost 15/Ordinary Time 22 -- Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2006
The writer of Psalm 81 employs a most interesting mixed metaphor.
Proper 22 / Pentecost 20 / Ordinary Time 27 -- Lamentations 3:19-26 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2006
The little-known book of Lamentations was likely composed in the ashes of Jerusalem, following the B
Proper 22/Pentecost 20/Ordinary Time 27 -- Psalm 137 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2006
This psalm's opening verses are among the most recognizable for understanding the experience of a wo
Proper 23/Pentecost 21/Ordinary Time 28 -- Psalm 66:1-12 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2006
(See Easter 6, Cycle A for an alternative approach to vv. 8-20.)
Proper 24/Pentecost 22/Ordinary Time 29 -- Psalm 119:97-104 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2006
Psalm 119 is well-known as the longest chapter in the Bible.
Proper 25 / Ordinary Time 30 / Pentecost 20 -- Psalm 65 -- James Evans -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2006
(See Thanksgiving Day, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)
Proper 26/Pentecost 24/Ordinary Time 31 -- Psalm 119:137-144 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2006
The psalmist exuberantly expresses his sense of joy and love for God's Law.
All Saints -- Psalm 149 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- All Saints Day - C -- 2006
(See Proper 18/Pentecost 16/Ordinary Time 23, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)

Stories

SermonStudio

From Chaos To Harmony -- Genesis 1:1-2:4a -- Constance Berg -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2001
The children - aged nine through thirteen - were milling around waiting for the old school bell that
So Unnecessary! -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Constance Berg -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Some things are beyond understanding - especially when a loss of life is preventable.
Grace Upon Grace -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2001
Laura Fischer is growing up to be a lovely young lady. She is an example of grace and perseverance.
The Reason For The Season -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Constance Berg -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2001
Aunt Carla is adamant about her celebration of Christmas. It can only be one way.
Candlelight At Advent -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Constance Berg -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
The church year is dictated not by a fiscal or chronological calendar, but a religious calendar that
The Viking Bachelor -- Romans 15:4-13 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
In 1948 there lived a group of bachelors in the small Minnesota town of Viking.
A Great Prophet And A Great Dad -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Constance Berg -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
John the Baptist was the real thing, a great prophet.
Angels Among Us -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Constance Berg -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Books and magazines are filled with people's encounters with "angels": people who give selflessly, p
The Fullness Of Life -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Constance Berg -- All Saints Day - A -- 2001
Some in our generation grew up hearing about World War II.
A Prayer And A Blessing -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Constance Berg -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2001
Pastor Wallace was loved by many, many people.

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

Epiphany 8 / OT 8 -- Matthew 6:24-34 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2007
So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.
Epiphany 9 / OT 9 -- Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- 2007
You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on yo
Epiphany 9 / OT 9 -- Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- 2007
You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me.
Epiphany 9 / OT 9 -- Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31) -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- 2007
For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are n
Epiphany 9 / OT 9 -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- 2007
Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 24:12-18 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seven
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Psalm 2 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? -- Psalm 2:1
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased. -- 2 Peter 1:17
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, o
Lent 1 -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
"Did God say, 'You shall not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "W

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.
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