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Love, Honor, Forgive -- Leslie F. Brandt -- 1997
If you had been married forty years ago, you might have subscribed to the vows to "love, honor, and
God ïs People Are The Little People -- Exodus 3:9-20 -- Erskine White -- 1997
How many of you have older brothers and sisters?
Anger: Eleven Ways To Blow Up, Seven Ways To Cool Off -- Romans 12:14-21 -- R. Curtis Fussell -- 1997
What is your AQ?
Service For The Fiftieth Anniversary -- Michael B. Goldner, Wesley T. Runk -- 1997
Order Of ServiceOrgan Prelude Music "Sinfonia" - J.S. Bach
The Day God Changed His Mind -- Jonah 3 -- Erskine White -- 1997
Repentance is high drama which is first played out in the arena of the human heart and then in the a
Sloth: What Happens When Indifference Meets Enthusiasm? -- Revelation 3:15-16, Matthew 25:14-30 -- R. Curtis Fussell -- 1997
A speaker at a revival, Edd Matney, spoke about commitment and motivation.
The Glory Of Our Weakness -- Exodus 3:9-20, Romans 8:26-30 -- Erskine White -- 1997
A Baptist minister and a Catholic priest were playing golf one day, and the minister noticed that be
Lust: To Discipline The Eye And The Heart -- Matthew 5:27-30, John 4:5-26 -- R. Curtis Fussell -- 1997
Jesus and his disciples were in a foreign land, the land of Samaria.
Late For Easter -- John 20:19-31 -- Erskine White -- 1997
There have been a number of occasions in my life where I have had the opportunity to make a complete
The Strength To See It Through -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Mark 11:1-10 -- Erskine White -- 1997
Things are not always as they seem, and this may be more true on Palm Sunday than any other day of t
Ghost Stories -- Luke 24:36-49 -- Erskine White -- 1997
How many of you have ever seen a ghost? (Let them answer.) Have you ever seen ghosts in the movies?
Black Preaching: A Four-Cornered Universe -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
The four elements of black preaching might also be called the four corners of the art.
Jealous Of The Good -- Matthew 27:15-26 -- Erskine White -- 1997
When the Romans ruled Israel at the time of Jesus, they had an interesting custom about this time of
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
Even Jesus Was Scared -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Erskine White -- 1997
Last week we talked about Jonah, and I asked if you, like him, have ever had to do something you rea
Advent's "Invisible" Man -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
The idea of-the invisibility in our culture is no new thing. The great H.G.
Hang Time: A Good Friday Sermon -- Matthew 27:45-55 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
Lent is a season for recalling the suffering and triumph of our Lord, Savior and Liberator, Jesus Ch
The Power Of Love -- John 5:2-9 -- Erskine White -- 1997
How many of you think your mother could lift up a car?
Contemporary Wedding Service -- Leslie F. Brandt -- 1997
Processional: "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"
Black Preaching: A Four--Cornered Universe -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
The four elements of black preaching might also be called the four corners of the art.
From Victim To Victor -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Erskine White -- 1997
If you have brothers and sisters at home, you know that while life is always busy, life is not alway
Marital Horticulture -- John M. Braaten -- 1997
____________ and ____________ we have gathered together this afternoon just for you.
Hang Time: A Good Friday Sermon -- Matthew 27:45-55 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
Lent is a season for recalling the suffering and triumph of our Lord, Savior and Liberator, Jesus Ch
Fatal Subtraction -- Acts 4:32-5:11 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
Today I want to revisit a sermon preached some years ago titled "Fatal Subtraction." Based on the Ac
From Guest To Member -- Gary C. Bratz -- 1997
Text: Luke 19:5-6: When Jesus came to the place he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus,

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GOOD FRIDAY -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- Heth H. Corl -- Good Friday - C -- 1976
First Lesson: Isaiah 52:13--53:12Theme: The Suffering ServantCall to Worship
THURSDAY IN HOLY WEEK -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Heth H. Corl -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 1976
First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:31-34Theme: The new covenant written on our hearts
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Luke 4:1-13 -- Heth H. Corl -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 1976
First Lesson: Deuteronomy 26:1-11Theme: Remembering God's deliverance
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:22-35 -- Heth H. Corl -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 1976
First Lesson: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18Theme: Faith is belief in God's covenant promise
THE RITE AND THEOLOGY OF CONFIRMATION -- Acts 8:14-17 -- William J. Rauch -- 1972
Does the above portion of Scripture describe a sacrament?
Responding To The Lord's Word -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- ...
First Lesson: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
The Faith of a Syrophoenician Woman -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
The Vine and the Branches -- John 15:1-8 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Peter's Confession of Christ -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation
No Longer Servants, but Friends -- John 15:9-17 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
A GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE OF WORSHIP -- Ralph E. Dessem
THE PRELUDETHE CALL TO WORSHIP
Birth of the World's Savior -- Luke 2:1-20, John 1:1-14 -- Wayne H. Keller -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Introit
Jesus Announces His Death to the Disciples -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation
Jesus Prays for His Disciples, Then, and Now -- John 17:6-19 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
EASTER SERVICE OF CELEBRATION -- Ralph E. Dessem
(This service is designed to be used in a social hail on Easter morning.
Jesus presented in the temple -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Celebrating The Presence of GodPastoral Invitation
Who is For and Who is Against God -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
The Season Of The Resurrection -- Wayne H. Keller
Liturgical Color: White(Easter to Pentecost)
The Nails of the Cross -- Ralph E. Dessem
During World War II the cathedral at Coventry, England, was largely destroyed by incendiary bombs dr
The Sheep and the Goats -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Celebrating The Presence Of GodPastoral Invitation
Covenants, Illustrated by Marriage -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael -- John 1:43-51 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Pastoral Invitation
THE WAY OF THE CROSS LEADS HOME -- Ralph E. Dessem
A minister was on board the Eastern Airlines plane as it was flying into Birmingham, Alabama.
The Season Of The Nativity -- Wayne H. Keller
ChristmasThe Season Of The NativityLiturgical Color: White
The Rich Young Man, His and the Disciples' Surprise -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power

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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