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Proper 28, Pentecost 26, Ordinary Time 33 -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
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The Mathematics of Marriage -- William Mckee Aber -- 1997
(Written for the wedding of two college students.
Let It Shine! -- John 1:1-14 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
The Gospel of John makes one of the most powerful observations in all scripture: "In the beginning
Gluttony: Living By Bread And The Word Of God -- 1 Timothy 4:4-10 -- R. Curtis Fussell -- 1997
Every day at about 10:30 in the morning and then about 3:30 in the afternoon, I need a little snack
Love In Action -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
One of the enduring images of both the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures is that of the goo
Leeches Or Lovers -- Leslie F. Brandt -- 1997
We can make grandiose statements about our willingness to forgive or to tolerate the atrocities of o
Paradoxes Of The Christian Faith -- Matthew 10:34-39 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
There is something strange and paradoxical about the faith of Christians, and many people struggle t
Love And Friendship -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
A boy was asked about his family, when he enrolled for church school.
The Need to Believe that Life Is Meaningful and Has Purpose -- Luke 18:18-30 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
The Need for a Sense of Community and Deeper Relationships -- John 15:13-17 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue -- Kenneth H. Sauer -- 1997
(A general wedding homily built around the traditions)
Take Off The Grave Clothes! -- John 11:38-44 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
Today our lesson paints a poignant picture of one of the most famous of Jesus' acts: raising Lazarus
The Victory Of Faith -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Planes drop out of the sky, killing all passengers.
The Need to Be Appreciated and Respected -- Mark 1:10-11 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
Marriage As Crisis -- Leslie F. Brandt -- 1997
The time of marriage is a time of crisis.
The African Foundations Of Christianity -- Exodus 4:1-7 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
In surveying the vast and rich history of African--American people, we must go beyond the shores of
Life In His Name -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
In 1922, a marvelous treasure was unearthed in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.
Friday -- The Good One -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
A youngster in Sunday School asked the pastor, "If Jesus died on Friday, why do we call it good?"
The Need to Be Listened to and Heard -- Luke 8:8b -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
We Belong To Each Other -- Kenneth H. Sauer -- 1997
This is a great day for John and Susan, for their families, for friends.
African--American Spirituality: The African's Gift To America -- Exodus 3:1-10 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
As we commence celebrations of Black History this month, I want to say what a wonderful thing that w
Adoption Into God's Family -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Any parent who has adopted a child knows the joy of bringing a new member into the family.
The Need to Feel that One Is Growing in Faith -- John 8:31-36 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
Let God Be The Go-Between -- Paul L. Winemiller Jr. -- 1997
Text: Mark 10:7-9: For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined t
Joy Songs, Trumpet Blasts, And Hallelujah Shouts! -- Joshua 6:1-21 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
The Israelites have come to the end of a long, long journey.
The Gospel Of Our Calling -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
A friend related to me how, when he was a youngster, he spent a lot of time on the other side of the

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EASTER DAY -- John 20:1-18, Colossians 3:1-4, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:14-24 -- Norman A. Beck -- Easter Day - A -- 1986
More than on any other day during the Church Year, our Easter Day message must be subjective and it
Always under God's care -- Exodus 2:11-22 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
EPIPHANY 2 -- Psalm 40:1-1, Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-34 -- Norman A. Beck -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1986
There is an interesting tension in these four texts between whether the salvation that God provides
PROPER 27 -- Psalm 50:7-15, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1986
Since the Lutheran Lectionary texts for Pentecost 24, with the single substitution of Amos 5:18-24 f
EPIPHANY 4 -- Psalm 37:1-11, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Norman A. Beck -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1986
With selections from Psalms 1, 37, and 146 as the leadoff texts and the Beatitudes of Matthew 5 as t
God is with his people -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7 -- Heth H. Corl -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
The resurrection of the dead -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
Proper 3 | Ordinary Time 8 -- Matthew 6:24-34, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Isaiah 49:8-16a -- Norman A. Beck -- 1986
For this occasion, we have one text (Isaiah 49:13-18) that is primarily assurance or "gospel," one t
God's revelation, a call to service -- Exodus 3:1-12, Romans 8:18-25 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
EPIPHANY 5 -- Psalm 112:4-9, Isaiah 58:3-9a, Matthew 5:13-16 -- Norman A. Beck -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1986
Within three of the four texts appointed for next Sunday, the central, unifying theme is "the righte
PROPER 4 -- Psalm 33:12-22, Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 3:21-28, Matthew 7:21-29 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 1986
Perhaps the best unifying theme in these six texts is the gracious goodness of God.
EPIPHANY 6 -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, Matthew 5:17-26 -- Norman A. Beck -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1986
Within the texts selected for next Sunday, Psalm 119 and Deuteronomy 30:15-20 depict the significant
Eternal reward of the faithful -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3 -- Heth H. Corl -- All Saints Day - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:Blessed are those who are faithful to Christ in this life!
God's wrath on man's sin -- Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipLeader:
PROPER 5 -- Psalm 13, Genesis 22:1-8, Matthew 9:9-13 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 1986
All six of the texts selected for this occasion place emphasis on the importance of close personal r
God, the Deliverer -- Exodus 3:13-20, Romans 8:26-30 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
EPIPHANY -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-14, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Norman A. Beck -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1986
We have a responsibility in our ministry to observe and to preserve the festival of the Epiphany in
PROPER 6 -- Psalm 46, Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 5:6-11, Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 1986
The texts selected for this occasion include the basic elements of worship of God and of the life an
GOOD FRIDAY -- Psalm 22:1-18, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- Norman A. Beck -- Good Friday - A -- 1986
It is not likely that the followers of Jesus had much direct information about what the Roman milita
The ascension of Jesus -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Heth H. Corl -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
God is a shepherd to his people -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 -- Heth H. Corl -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
PROPER 7 -- Psalm 91:1-10, Genesis 28:10-17, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 10:24-33 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 1986
Through the words of these texts God calls us to be inspired individuals in the time and place where
Celebrate God's redemptive acts in history -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 8:31-39 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
Holy Name of Jesus -- Psalm 67, Numbers 6:22-27, Philippians 2:9-13, Luke 2:15-21 -- Norman A. Beck -- 1986
For some people there is great joy in the selection of the name for their child.
PROPER 8 -- Psalm 17:1-7, 15, Genesis 32:22-32, Matthew 10:34-42 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1986
We are called in these texts to lives of commitment to God and to service as People of God, serving

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
24 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
Merry Christmas! The midwinter festival has come, and it calls for parties, feasting and drinking and dancing and the exchange of gifts. Like all people in the northern hemisphere, we need light in the dark days of winter. The only problem with all of this is that the pressure to be joyful can send us spiraling in the exact opposite of mind sets.
Christmas shops are not just for Christmas anymore. These stores that specialize in everything yuletide-ish do business year round and can be found everywhere. I have seen them in an outlet mall near Washington, D.C., nestled in a small village in the mountains of North Carolina and adorning the white sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is born! A bright light has come into our world, so let us thank and praise God for his gift to us of Jesus, the Messiah.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, make us worthy to worship at your crib.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, may we remember you in today's excitement.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, be born in our hearts today.

Lord, have mercy

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
A Story to Live By: "
Christmas Stories: "Christmas Presence" by Janice Hammerquist
"Silver In His Soul"
"www.ChristmasHouse" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: Great Prayer of Thanksgiving for Christmas Eve by Thom M. Shuman


What's Up on Christmas Eve

Lamar Massingill
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"Taking His Joy unto Ourselves" by Lamar Massingill
"God Acted that We Might Act" by Lamar Massingill
"The Hopes and Fears of All the Years" by John Sumwalt
"God with Us" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


Taking His Joy unto Ourselves
Lamar Massingill
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Christmas would be incomplete without recognizing Incarnate Love's first fruit, which is joy. Johann Sebastian Bach recognized it when he, as an act of worship, composed "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."

SermonStudio

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7 (C, RC); Isaiah 9:2--4, 6--7 (E)
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night: This night with its carols, its candlelight, its communion, and the combined fragrance of pine, poinsettia and perfume. (Is that Passion or Poison you're wearing? Or maybe it's Polo!) The gentle poetry of Luke's story draws us, too.

Why is it that we are so drawn to this night, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
It's not an easy life, I'll tell you that. I work my small farm during the day, but that doesn't bring in enough money. I have a family to support, taxes to pay -- oy, don't get me started on taxes -- so I need more than my farm brings in. I do the only other thing I know how to do. I hire myself out for the night shift watching other people's sheep. Tending sheep would not be my first choice, you understand. First, I have to stay awake all night. Then, there's counting the sheep to make sure one or two haven't wandered off. Thieves are always a problem.
Timothy J. Smith
There is a special feeling from being in church on Christmas Eve. For many of us it feels like coming home for Christmas. We come to hear the familiar story of Mary and Joseph making their way to the little town of Bethlehem. We hear once again of Baby Jesus born in stable. Soon after an unexpected encounter with angels, the shepherds head to the manger to see Jesus for themselves. Children have creatively acted out this story for generations complete with the wise men offering their gifts. Living Nativities complete with live animals are portrayed in church parking lots in many communities.
Frank Luchsinger
"The grace of God has appeared ... training us ... to await our blessed hope" (Titus 2:11-13), and oh, how we have waited! The air is filled with anticipation, the Holy Night has come. We each wait for different things: the lighting of candles, the singing of carols, loved ones returning home, feasting, and forgetting ferment, for the Prince of Peace is coming. We wait for delight in the eyes of someone we love as he or she opens that special gift. We wait in awe in the hope that one star's strong light lingers still and will lead us home to him who redeems us.
John B. Jamison
He stood on the steps and waved. He nodded to those cheering to him from below, and took a deep breath as if to soak up their praise.
Susan R. Andrews
At the risk of putting you to sleep, I'd like to ask each one of you to close your eyes. Right now, for just a minute. Please close your eyes. And now imagine with me. Imagine that you are holding a newborn baby. Imagine how this baby feels - skin touching skin, curves touching curves - harmonious heartbeats as life surges between you. Imagine the smell - the earthy sweetness of breath and body perfuming the air. Imagine the sound - the silent melody of sighing, stretching, settling. Right now, for just a minute, let your imagination go. Feel the baby. Smell the baby. Hear the baby.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering
P: Born into this world,
C: born into our lives,
P: God made flesh.
C: O Emmanuel, we praise you now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Of Praise
O Come, All Ye Faithful or Jesus, What A Wonderful Child

Gospel Procession
Have the children (dressed as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds) process and then read the gospel from the center of the congregation.

Intercessory Prayers
After each petition:
L: O God of love,
C: be born in us today.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Sing A New Song To The Lord (PH216)
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (UM220, PH22, NCH126)
Born In The Night (PH30, NCH152)
Once In Royal David's City (PH49, UM250, NCH145)
The First Nowell (PH56, UM245, CBH199, NCH139)
On This Day Earth Shall Ring (UM248, PH46, CBH192)
What Child Is This? (UM219, PH53, CBH215, NCH148)
Silent Night (PH60, UM229, CBH193, PH134)
The Friendly Beasts (UM227, NCH138)
That Boy--Child Of Mary (PH55, UM241)
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light -

All: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shone.

Women: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

Men: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders -

CSSPlus

Merry Christmas, boys and girls. (Show one of your signs). Do any of you know what this sign means? (Let them answer.) That's right, it means (provide answer). (Show another sign and ask what it means. Let them answer.) Very good. Signs are very important aren't they? They give us direction. They tell us what to do and what not to do. The Bible gives many signs also.

You all know the story about the shepherds on Christmas Eve. The shepherds were in the field watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared to them. The Bible says that the shepherds
Leah Thompson
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all… (v. 11)

Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) Who can tell me what today is? (allow answers) That's right -- it's finally here! Today is Christmas [Eve]! We have spent the whole season of Advent preparing for right now. The long preparation is finally over. Christmas is here!

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