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Our Dilemma And Delight -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1996
For the past five Sundays the lectionary has assigned gospels from John.
At The Right Place At The Right Time -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1996
Sherry was struggling with some personal issues in her life.
The Sponge And Wine -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1996
Our age has been called a drug culture.
The Final Questions -- John 6:56-69 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1996
We are all being taught by God.
When Life Seems Out Of Control -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9,15, 31-33 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1996
During the week he was always dressed in a dark suit, a white shirt, and an expensive tie.
A Taste Of Life -- Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 -- William G. Carter -- 1996
The workshop was winding up.
Himself The Real Presence -- John 6:51-58 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1996
Accustomed as we are to hearing the words, "This is my body" in the consecration of the sacrament an
Leaving A Legacy -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1996
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for 18-year-old David Neuer when he met Pope Pius XII in the
Learning to Live Without Jesus -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- William G. Carter -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1996
Everywhere you looked, you saw people in tie-dyed t-shirts.
Flesh For Our Life -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1996
Once again our Lord tells us, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven." "Bread of life" --
A Homecoming To Remember -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1996
In the heart of our nation's capital, in sight of the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, is the Holoca
When Something Is About To Happen -- Mark 13:32-37 -- Thomas G. Long -- 1996
"I'll tell you what keeps me coming to this church." The man who spoke was punching the air with his
Water Won't Quench The Fire -- John 7:37-39 -- William G. Carter -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1996
An unusual piece of mail arrived at the office the other day.
Evergreen Wreath and Faded Leaf -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
The occasion was a joyous one as the young bride and groom settled into their seats at the head tabl
Bread In Our Baskets -- John 6:24-35 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1996
After the Lord's miraculous multiplying of the two fish and the loaves of bread, the crowd had seen
Silly Love Songs -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1996
"I can see no trace of the passions which make for deeper joy," wrote the French writer Stendhal abo
What Do You Mean, "Repent"? -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Thomas G. Long -- 1996
Bright Lights, Big City is Jay McInerney's searingly-witty, emotion-ripping novel of one ma
A Blessing Behind Locked Doors -- John 20:19-23 -- William G. Carter -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1996
Every Sunday morning, the people of a church in the Pacific Northwest say, "Peace be with you." They
Last But Yet First -- Mark 9:30-37 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1996
In order to be last, you must give others a place in front of you.
The Warrior and the Shepherd Are One! -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
A friend conveys the story of his childhood misconception about finding his vocational way in life.
Lasting Impressions -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1996
During his first visit to the United States, Albert Schweitzer found himself at Pennsylvania Station
There's A Man Going Around Taking Names -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Thomas G. Long -- 1996
There is an old black gospel song from the American South, most often sung to the driving beat of a
Can Christians Dance? -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1996
A few years ago, I was asked to serve as the worship leader at a regional church conference for teen
Children Just Forever -- Mark 9:38-50 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1996
You are now, each one of you, and you have always been since you were baptized, one of these "little
The Giver Becomes the Receiver -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
The text for today lifts before us Yahweh's choice of the family of David as the vehicle for God's d

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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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