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Proper 27 -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1990
The end of the Pentecost cycle/season is rapidly approaching; the calendar - church and secular - te
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:12-19, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- George M. Bass -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1990
The title of this day - Ash Wednesday (the rite when ashes are placed on the foreheads of penitents
Proper 13 -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1990
Christians live between the time of the Lord's resurrection and his anticipated return to the earth.
Proper 23 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1990
It is critical, at this juncture of the church year, to remember that the lectionary and the church
Fourth Sunday of Easter -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- George M. Bass -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1990
This is Good Shepherd Sunday, which occurs, as earlier commentary has pointed out, one week later in
Sixth Sunday of Easter -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George M. Bass -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1990
No matter what name is given to this Sunday, it remains the Sunday before the Ascension of the Lord.
Proper 15 -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1990
Since every Sunday of the church year is a "Little Easter," and since John 6 is being read as the Go
Christmas -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:8-20 -- George M. Bass -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1990
Note: A detailed study, with sermon suggestions, is available for the first Christmas service in Cyc
Proper 26 -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1990
The very numbering of the Sundays reminds every pastor that the end of the Pentecost cycle/season is
Proper 14 -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1990
The theological clue contained in this part of the church year continues to be kerygmatic, informing
Christ the King -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- George M. Bass -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1990
In the homiletical studies for the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A, it was pointed out th
Proper 24 -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1990
With the church year nearing the end of its annual cycle - and with Advent (with its eschatological
Proper 22 -- Mark 10:2-16, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Job 1:1, 2:1-10 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1990
The early Christian Church could sustain its cry of "Christ is risen!
Corpus Christi -- Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15, Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 -- George M. Bass -- 1990
Corpus Christi is a festival that few, if any, Protestants celebrate.
Proper 28 -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Mark 13:1-8 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1990
Eschatology - the "last things" - is the order of the day on this next to the last Sunday of Penteco
Third Sunday of Easter -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- George M. Bass -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1990
It was suggested in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A, that the Third Sunday of Easter
Easter Vigil -- Mark 10:39b -- George M. Bass -- Easter Day - B -- 1990
(Note: Details about the Easter Vigil are included in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Cycle A.
Proper 25 -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1990
In the older liturgies and lectionaries, three themes - sinfulness, godliness, and loving service -
Third Sunday after the Epiphany -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- George M. Bass -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1990
Those who look at the lectionaries for the remainder of Epiphany will notice that the semi-continuou
Proper 10 -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1990
The weekly rhythm of the church year should be clearly perceived by the preacher by this time of the
Third Sunday in Lent -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- George M. Bass -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1990
In the ancient liturgy, this Sunday was known as Oculi - "Eyes" or "Vision" Sunday - from the fourte
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- George M. Bass -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1990
The Epiphany/Manifestation theme - "this is the Promised One, the very Son of God" - continues to be
Third Sunday of Advent -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- George M. Bass -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1990
"New Age" Sunday might be one name that could be given to this Third Sunday of Advent.
Proper 7 -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1990
Since it is now over three months since the church celebrated Easter, the memories of the joy and gl
The Transfiguration of Our Lord -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- George M. Bass -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1990
Prior to the adoption of the new lectionary and somewhat revised church year, the Lutheran Church fo

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Symbols Of Hope And Reality -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- John A. Stroman -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1999
We are about to embark on Holy Week.
How Good News Spreads! -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1999
In 1971 I made a trip to Russia.
Calmly Plotting The Resurrection -- John 20:1-18 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Easter Day - B -- 1999
We have come to the end of a spiritual journey, one which we were faithful enough to take.
The Friend Of Sinners -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- John A. Stroman -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1999
Jesus' critics complained that "this fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them" (Luke 15:2).
Lessons From A Picnic -- Luke 9:11-17 -- Glenn E. Ludwig -- 1999
There are certain biblical stories that are so well known that most of us could tell them from memor
Godly Sexual Passion For An X-Rated World! -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1999
The Hebrew word for love, awhab or awrag, means "to pant, to long for, to breathe heavily after." P
Through Many Doors, He Comes -- John 20:19-31 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Jesus came to earth. Jesus left earth.
The Right Person For The Job -- Hebrews 5:5-10 -- John A. Stroman -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Consideration is being given today to the teaching sermon.
The Promise Of A Presence -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Glenn E. Ludwig -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1999
Thomas G.
All Mine To Give! -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1999
Do you ever get tired of giving?
The Waiting Place -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- William L. Self -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
While we were keeping our eighteen-month-old grandson for the weekend so his parents could catch up
What's For Breakfast? -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
The testimony of Easter is that Jesus joins us again, on earth, after his resurrection from the dead
ChristianOptimism -- 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1999
While waiting at an airport, years ago, I saw a couple in their thirties bring an older woman
Amazing Grace -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- John A. Stroman -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Keith Miller, a well-known author and Episcopal churchman, arrived in Bloomington, Illinois, for a s
Must I Love That Neighbor? -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Glenn E. Ludwig -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 1999
Someone once said: "What goes around comes around." And there is enough anecdotal and historical evi
The Channel Between The Buoys -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1999
"Let's go boating!"
Getting In Tune Again -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- William L. Self -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
A radio station in Missouri had an interesting experience.
The Culture Of Disbelief -- John 10:11-18 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
What does this shepherd possibly mean?
Anti-Venom Serum -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1999
Years ago, when we lived in Alberta, Sunday nights were very special for us.
The Scandal Of The Cross -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- John A. Stroman -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
The preaching of the cross in the first century world was repulsive and odious.
Changing A Paradigm -- Or Two -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Glenn E. Ludwig -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 1999
Paradigm is certainly a word that has received much usage these days, especially in management circl
Queen Of Hearts! -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1999
Sociologists have defined her. Psychologists have analyzed her. Pollsters have surveyed her.
The Challenge Of Starting All Over Again -- Romans 5:17 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 1999
If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who r
Will The Real Messiah Please Stand Up? -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- William L. Self -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
In the early days of television a popular game show, To Tell the Truth, held the attention of the Am
Vining And Branching -- John 15:1-8 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Parents know exactly what Jesus means about vining and branching.

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Proper 24 -- Psalm 119:137-144 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 1991
You are righteous, O Lord,and your judgments are right.
Ash Wednesday -- Psalm 51:1-12 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 1991
Have mercy on me, O God,according to your steadfast love;
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
34.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
48. We express our thanks for this cup Father.
Service -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Robert A. Allen -- 1991
All: The kingdom of heaven is like,Dark Solo: like a landowner
Proper 25 -- Psalm 3 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 1991
O Lord, how many are my foes!Many are rising against me;many are saying to me,
Baptism Of Jesus -- Psalm 29 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 1991
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
35.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
130. We gather here every week. Not because of habit, but because of need.
Proper 26 -- Psalm 65:1-8 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 1991
Praise is due to you,O God, in Zion;and to you who shall vows be performed,
Christmas 1 -- Psalm 111 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 1991
Praise the Lord!I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
36. God of creation, we come to you for living bread.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
35.
Proper 27 -- Psalm 9:11-20 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1991
Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion.Declare his deeds among the peoples.
Christmas 2 -- Psalm 147:12-20 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 1991
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!Praise your God, O Zion!
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
1.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
36. God of creation, we come to you for living bread.
Proper 28 -- Psalm 82 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1991
God has taken his place in the divine council;
Christmas Day -- Psalm 98 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1991
O sing to the Lord a new song,for he has done marvelous things.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
40. My family will let me go half a mile and then smile and tell me I have missed a turn.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
1.
Proper 29 -- Psalm 95 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 1991
O come, let us sing to the Lord,let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Christmas Eve Day -- Psalm 96 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1991
O sing to the Lord a new song;sing to the Lord, all the earth.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
41. None of us can be alone, what God has created us to be.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
40. My family will let me go half a mile and then smile and tell me I have missed a turn.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
New Year's Eve/Day
13 – Sermons
40+ – Illustrations / Stories
16 – Children's Sermons / Resources
6 – Worship Resources
6 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas 2
20 – Sermons
60+ – Illustrations / Stories
12 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
12 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany of the Lord
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 4-6, 2026:
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 4-6, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
I was only just full-grown when we set out on the journey, but I was strong and eager for adventure. And by the time we returned to our own land after many years, I was older and wiser than my age might have you believe.

Don't get me wrong. I was happy in my home, living in the paddock with my brothers and sisters and the rest of the herd, for we were well looked after. We always had food and water, and the camel master almost never beat us, even when occasionally we'd spit at him, just for fun.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Frank Ramirez
Timothy F. Merrill
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Sons from Far Away, Daughters in Nurses' Arms" by David O. Bales
"Tenting Among Us" by Frank Ramirez
"God's Resolutions" by Timothy F. Merrill


What's Up This Week
C. David Mckirachan
Larry Winebrenner
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"A Time for Everything" by Larry Winebrenner
"A Word of Hope" by Larry Winebrenner
"You Were Adopted" by C. David McKirachan
"Behold the Man" by Keith Hewitt


* * * * * * * *


A Time for Everything
Larry Winebrenner
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Henry didn't like Jack.

Oh, he loved him like a brother. He would die for his friend. But oh, the arrogance. He always thought he was right. And he would always use authority, authority of some kind, to support his claims.

SermonStudio

Mark Wm. Radecke
This season, the boundaries of darkness are pushed back. A light shines in the darkness and the darkness is powerless to extinguish it.

Darkness has always been a potent metaphor for those things in life that oppress and enthrall us, frighten and intimidate us, cause us worry and anxiety and leech the joy from our lives.

We know darkness in our physical lives when illness is close at hand, when we lack the basic necessities of life -- food, shelter and clothing.
Paul E. Robinson
Early in January in northern Canada the sun peeks above the horizon for the first time after six weeks of hiding. An important dawn for Canada. Imagine how the lives of people in the northern latitudes would be different if they got used to the darkness and never even expected that a dawn would ever lighten their horizon again.
John N. Brittain
We lived in Florida for a while in the 1980s and it was then that we learned about Tarpon Springs. Not a large city, it has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any place in the US. This dates back to the 1880s, when Greek immigrants moving into the area were hired as sponge divers, a trade they had plied back in the old country. Today Tarpon Springs' main claim to fame is the Greek Orthodox Church's Epiphany celebration, which is held every January 6, with the blessing of the waters and the boats.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
Early January always feels like a fresh start. The Christmas whirlwind has settled down. We still have a fighting chance to keep our resolutions for the new year. Cartoons always depict the New Year as a baby, full of possibilities and innocence. We hope that with a new year we can leave the baggage behind us, stretching toward a brighter future.

Stephen M. Crotts
Many things are written with all of the excitement of some fresh truth recently received. Other things are written from anger. And there is much these days in any pastorate to make one mad. Still other messages are delivered from depression. I'm convinced that the majority of preachers I know are over the edge into burnout. And what of this particular study? Where am I coming from? Today, I'm writing from a broken heart, a heart shattered by a fallen comrade.
William B. Kincaid, III
Did you notice that bad things did not stop happening through the holidays? And is any warning necessary that bad things will happen in every season of this year? Surely there is better news than that, but we ought to be honest about the bad news. Not even the holidays generate enough good will to stop people from blowing up airplanes and destroying people's reputations and abusing children and selling drugs to teenagers and gunning down their neighbors.
Robert A. Beringer
"So, what's new?" he asked. It happens all the time. You meet someone on the street you have not seen for awhile. "What's new?" "Oh, nothing much, really.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

When to accommodate and when not to accommodate? That's the question we face today. Most likely, the minds and hearts of our congregations will be focused on the new year. They will have just celebrated the advent not only of a new year but in this case a new millennium. With all the hype about the year 2000, our attention will doubtless be engrossed in the calendar. On the other hand, today is also an important liturgical celebration of the naming of Jesus. It provides us opportunity to acknowledge the importance of that name which has become sacred in our tradition.
Mark J. Molldrem
Schuyler Rhodes
These are the longest hours of darkness. Although the winter solstice is passed, the darkness lingers for many more weeks. The season becomes a symbol for the longing of the human spirit to "see the light." It becomes difficult to catch sight of the light, however, when so many shadows lurk at every turn of a corner we make. We claim to be an enlightened people; yet settle for clap-trap on television and spend countless hours absorbing it like a sponge under a dripping faucet. We call athletes heroes for nothing more than being good at what they do.
Cathy Venkatesh
In many countries, January 6 is a public holiday with parades, parties, and festivities celebrating the visit of the wise men. For some Christian churches, the main celebration of Christ's incarnation occurs on this day. But in the United States, Monday, January 6, 2014, is nothing special in the public sphere. For most of us, this day marks the beginning of our first full week back at work or school after the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

CSSPlus

Teachers: Most youngsters (and many adults) have a misconception of the wise men. The Bible does not state that the wise men visited Jesus at the manger. Even so, our tradition of gift giving at Christmas may relate to the wise men's gifts. The church celebrates the arrival of the wise men's visit to Jesus 12 days after Christmas. This event is called "Epiphany."

Take a moment to explain to your students the significance of Epiphany, the wise men, and Jesus. The lesson from Matthew states three gifts that the wise men gave Jesus: gold, frankincense and
Today we are going to be like the wise men from the East who looked for baby Jesus. They were told the wonderful story about a promised Messiah who would save the world. He was the "king of the Jews" and would be king of all people. They traveled a great distance. They wanted to see the baby. They had to see the baby! So they left and ended up in Jerusalem. There they asked about the promised king.

The man who was king became very jealous. Even though they were looking for a spiritual king -- a king of our hearts, minds,
Teachers or Parents: Have an Epiphany pageant to close off the Christmas season and the twelve days of Christmas with the children of your church. Have people stationed in various parts of the home or church building where you might go to ask the question, "Are you the Messiah?" They will, of course, say, "No." The first group might add, "Look for the star." Involve as many children as possible. Let them ask the question. Let them get into the role of wise men from the East. Help them relive the story and see that Jesus is more than king of the Jews or king of

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