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Worship

SermonStudio

Christmas 2 -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, Psalm 147:12-20 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2007
Gathering Litany P: O God, who created our world with a single word,
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Matthew 2:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2007
Opening Prayer/Invocation
The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Time 1 -- Matthew 3:13-17, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 29 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
A Service Of Renewal
Epiphany 2/Ordinary Time 2 -- John 1:29-42, Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Psalm 40:1-11 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2007
Gathering Chant
Epiphany 3/Ordinary Time 3 -- Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2007
Litany Of Confession P: Discord, dissention, strife,
Epiphany 4/Ordinary Time 4 -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 15 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2007
Prayer Of Dedication/Gathering
Epiphany 5/Ordinary Time 5 -- Matthew 5:13-20, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Psalm 112:1-9 (10) -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2007
Order For Confession And Forgiveness
Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6 -- Matthew 5:21-37, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2007
Order For Confession And Forgiveness
Epiphany 7/Ordinary Time 7 -- Matthew 5:38-48, Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Psalm 119:33-40 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2007
Order For Confession And Forgiveness
Epiphany 8/Ordinary Time 8 -- Matthew 6:24-34, Isaiah 49:8-16a, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Psalm 131 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2007
Gathering Litany P: Light in the darkness; C: song in the silence;

Drama

SermonStudio

Second Witness-- Caiaphas -- Robert Kleinke -- 2005
State: Ladies and gentlemen of the grand jury, our next witness that we call before you is Jo
Third Witness -- Herod Antipas -- Robert Kleinke -- 2005
State: Ladies and gentlemen of the grand jury, the next witness we call before you is Herod A
Fourth Witness -- Pontius Pilate -- Robert Kleinke -- 2005
State: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the next witness we call before you is Pontius Pilat
Fifth Witness -- Mary Magdalene -- Robert Kleinke -- 2005
State: Ladies and gentlemen of the grand jury, we now call before you Mary Magdalene, one of
Sixth Witness -- Peter (Simon bar Jonah) -- Robert Kleinke -- 2005
State: Ladies and gentlemen of the grand jury, we now call before you the last of our witness
A Travesty Of Justice: In The Shadow Of The Cross -- Kathy Martz -- 2005
Six Lenten MeditationsThe ThornThe RobeThe NailThe Spear
Live From Jerusalem -- John O. Eby -- 2005
A Palm Sunday DramaLive From JerusalemCharacters
Maundy Thursday Testimonies -- David H. Covington -- 2005
God On Trial, Or...? -- John O. Eby -- 2005
CharactersPilateBeelzebubJohannisJesus
Sons Of Thunder -- Carol Secord -- 2005

Sermon

SermonStudio

What Can We Believe about the Christian Life? -- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2010
Paul frequently reminded the Thessalonians of the kind of life that he and his friends lived while t
What Can We Believe about God's Saving Grace? -- Romans 3:19-28 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2010
The grace of God is the theme of some of our favorite hymns.
What Can We Believe about Ourselves? -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- All Saints Day - A -- 2010
When we put together the collection of things that we can believe, we need to ask a question about t
What Can We Believe about the End of Time? -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2010
Today we are going to talk about one of the biggest puzzles in the study of the Bible.
What Can We Believe about Judgment Day? -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2010
Most of the biblical images of the coming day of the Lord suggest a belief that it will be a day of
What Can We Believe about the Reign of Christ? -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2010
The church calendar says that this is the day on which we celebrate the festival of Christ the King.
What Can We Believe about Stuff? -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2010
Today we celebrate the festival of Thanksgiving.
A Wonderful Conversion Story -- Acts 8:26-40 -- David H. Webb -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
In our first lesson today, we hear yet another Easter faith story.
Our Salvation In Being Loved -- Acts 10:44-48 -- David H. Webb -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
All of a sudden, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone, even the Gentiles.
Life's Greatest Tension: Despair vs. Hope -- Acts 1:1-11 -- David H. Webb -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2009
Today is Ascension Sunday.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

The Eensy-Weensy Spider -- Psalm 147:8b -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Together the nursery children and I wondered at the beauty and importance of water as part of God's
Opened Eyes -- Psalm 25:2 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Once upon a time a grandfather gave his granddaughter, about your age, not a pony, nor a puppy, nor
Timothy's Questions -- Psalm 100:3a -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
"Who made it? How does it work? What is it for? Why is it here? Where did it come from?
36 People -- Matthew 22:36-39 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Talk together: 36 is a special number for the Jewish people. Do you know why?
The Christmas Star -- Matthew 2:2 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Once, long ago, a new star was born in the sky. Because it was a new star it was very small.
The Eagle -- Isaiah 40:31 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
A man found an eagle's egg and put it in the nest of a barnyard hen.
The Magic Thread -- Psalm 118:24 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
When it was summer, the boy wanted winter, and in the winter, he dreamed of summer.
Can I Help You? -- 1 John 4:7 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
The young girl, her arms full of books, crossed the park, seeing the old man sitting on a bench.
Good News -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
John the Baptist, preparing the way for Jesus, found himself in prison for telling the truth, and he
When Jesus Was A Little Boy -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Brian was three years old. He liked coming to Sunday school and hearing stories about Jesus.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 -- Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Today we live in a world where all our leaders are "deconstructed." Every frailty of every hero is l
Psalm 89:20-37 -- Psalm 89:20-37 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
What a beautiful thing is rendered here. A covenant made and kept.
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 -- Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
It was Rene Descartes who said, "I think, therefore I am." While not wishing to enter the questionab
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
This psalm represents a real struggle for most people.
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Go ahead. Take a coin from your pocket.
Psalm 95 -- Psalm 95 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
In democratic culture, individualism reigns supreme.
Psalm 96 -- Psalm 96 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"Say to the nations, 'The Lord is king!' "
Psalm 97 -- Psalm 97 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
This is it.
Psalm 97 -- Psalm 97 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Christ is born!
Psalm 97 -- Psalm 97 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Bracketed by the language of praise, this psalm tackles an issue that does not much concern the chur

Stories

SermonStudio

Fertility Facts -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2007
Bible scholars tell us Matthew's gospel was compiled and distributed around 85 AD.
Who Do You Say That I Am? -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2007
Many years ago, in my seminary days, our first course in Systematic Theology dealt with basically th
The Bush Is Still Burning -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2007
The burning bush, or more correctly, the unburning bush.
Remembering 9/11 -- Exodus 12:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2007
"This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festi
The Power To Change The Past -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2007
A fellow went to the hospital to visit his partner who had been taken strangely ill and was near dea
To Die Is Gain -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." So says the apostle Paul. Really?
Salvation -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
...
God Cares About Justice -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2007
God cares about justice! Hardly a startling statement.
Church Fights -- Philippians 4:1-9 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2007
No one in the church today knows what Euodia and Syntyche were fighting about.
One Nation, Under God -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2007
It is conventional wisdom that one must avoid talking about religion or politics if we want to stay

Prayer

SermonStudio

DOING LOVE -- John 4:43-54 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 4:43-54
SAYING "YES" TO HEALING -- John 5:1-18 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 5:1-18
JUDGMENT -- John 5:19-30 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 5:19-30
PRETENDING TO WANT GOD -- John 5:31-47 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 5:31-47
RUNNING TO THE MOUNTAIN -- John 6:1-15 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 6:1-15
STORMS AND CALM -- John 6:16-21 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 6:16-21
LOVE HUNGER -- John 6:22-34 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 6:22-34
ETERNAL BREAD -- John 6:35-40 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 6:35-40
LOVE POWER -- John 6:41-59 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 6:41-59
BEYOND FLESH -- John 6:60-71 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 6:60-71

Devotional

SermonStudio

Proper 27 / Pentecost 25 / Ordinary Time 32 -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2009
In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be?
Proper 28 / Pentecost 26 / Ordinary Time 33 -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2009
For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered o
Proper 28 / Pentecost 26 / Ordinary Time 33 -- Isaiah 12 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2009
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. -- Isaiah 12:3
Proper 28 / Pentecost 26 / Ordinary Time 33 -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2009
For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.
Proper 28 / Pentecost 26 / Ordinary Time 33 -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2009
By your endurance you will gain your souls. -- Luke 21:19
Christ The King / Proper 29 -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2009
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch....
Christ The King / Proper 29 -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2009
And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepa
Christ The King / Proper 29 -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2009
... and in him all things hold together. -- Colossians 1:17b
Christ The King / Proper 29 -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2009
If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself! -- Luke 23:37
Advent 2 -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2009
... because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.

Poems

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Easter

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Thanksgiving Day

Marriage Ceremony

Wedding Vow

Home Blessing

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Women's Day

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Mother's Day

Gathering Prayer

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Thanksgiving Prayer

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Christian Faith

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 5
28 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
22 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
21 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

SermonStudio

Richard E. Gribble, CSC
When Charlie Atlas was a teenager his parents purchased for him a dresser mirror that he placed in his bedroom. Before this, whenever Charlie needed to use a mirror, he went to the bathroom, but there he was only able to see his head and possibly his shoulders. When he got dressed up he used his parents' full-length mirror in their bedroom. Charlie was happy with his new mirror; he spent many hours in front of it.
Elizabeth Achtemeier
There is a strange belief abroad in our land at the present time, the belief that we cannot know God. Such a belief rises partly from a feeling of awe before the divine -- the feeling that God is so unfathomable, so other, so beyond our feeble understanding that we cannot possibly experience who he truly is in all of his fullness and perfection. And perhaps that is the reason that the Athenians have erected that idol "to an unknown God" that Paul encounters when he visits their city. They know that there is a god beyond them, but they cannot define him or name him.
Stan Purdum
(See Proper 23/Pentecost 21/Ordinary Time 28, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-12.)

Psalm 66 is a song of communal thanksgiving, probably composed to celebrate some national deliverance. Because of the personal language of verses 13-20, there is some speculation that this psalm was originally two hymns, but as it stands, it contains a combination of corporate and personal prayers, both appropriate in worship.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E, L)
Schuyler Rhodes
Are you one of those people who always has a backup plan? Do you make your commitments and focus your energies on one thing, but have an alternative in mind just in case things don't work out with the first one? You might call it "Plan B" or something else, but basically you're hedging your bets and covering yourself in case the situation goes south.
Mark Ellingsen
Jesus was still in the middle of his farewell discourse to his disciples. He was trying to comfort the despair that they were feeling when they had first heard the news (during the last supper) that Jesus would be leaving them (John 13:21, 33; 14:1). He had comforted them with the good news that he was on the way to God the Father, that in associating with Jesus, the disciples had been in fellowship with the Father (John 14:6-11). Whoever believed in him, Jesus said, would be able to do the works that he had done, even greater works (John 14:12).
Albert G. Butzer, III
Here are two statements about the world. Tell me if both of them ring true for you. The first of them is this: "The world is a beautiful place." And the second statement is this: "The world is a terrible and dangerous place." Both statements are true - don't you agree? - and yet, ironically, they seem to say the exact opposite thing. How much easier it would be to affirm one statement or the other, but not both.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
The name Robert Stroud is not one commonly heard in ordinary conversation, but this man's contribution to humanity will live on in the minds of many under a different title, "The Birdman of Alcatraz." By nature, Robert Stroud was not a congenial man. As a youth he was always getting into fights, disagreements, and various altercations. When he was only nineteen he killed a man in a barroom brawl, was convicted of second--degree murder, and was sentenced to the Federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, since the crime was committed on Federal land.
Richard W. Ferris
In a large stone cathedral in Europe there was a grand, magnificent pipe organ. On a particular Saturday afternoon, the sexton was making one final check of the choir and organ loft high in the balcony at the back of the church. As he was making his inspection, he was startled to hear footsteps echoing up the stone stairway behind him. He thought the doors were all locked and that no one else was in the church. He turned to see a man in slightly tattered traveling clothes coming toward him.
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Acts 17:22-31
Theme: To A Known God

Call To Worship
Leader: God is a known God who continually gives us evidence of presence.
People: God is a knowable God who extends to us the hand of hope.
All: Come, let us worship God. Amen.

Collect
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Our Cities Cry To You, O God (PH437)
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (PH376, UM384, LBW315, NCH43)
Holy Spirit, Truth Divine (PH321, UM465)
There's A Sweet, Sweet Spirit (PH398, UM334)
Thy Holy Wings, O Savior (UM502)
Come Down, O Love Divine (LBW508, NCH289, PH313)
O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee (OBW492, NCH502, PH357)
My Song Is Love Unknown (LBW94, NCH222, PH76)

Anthems
Praise The Lord, Service Music, Hal Hopson, CGA, Unison 2--part

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 10, 2026:

StoryShare

John Fitzgerald
Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the classic Little House on the Prairie series neared an end to her
life. At this juncture she penned an essay about hope in face of the constant current of change. Here is an excerpt from that writing: 
Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Always Be Ready" by Frank Ramirez
"Looking for God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"A Gentle Profession" by Peter Andrew Smith


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
The lessons for the Sixth Sunday of Easter direct us to sermons on the great things God’s love does, appreciating in two cases this love’s cosmic character (especially leading to a stress on justification by grace). This is an appropriate theme with the festival of the Ascension in view, which celebrates Christ’s almighty power and cosmic vindication. 

Acts 17:22-31
William H. Shepherd
Schuyler Rhodes
In Garret Kreizer's novel, God of Beer (2002), the high school social studies teacher tells the class about Gandhi's assertion that if God ever came to India, he'd have to come as bread, in order to get the attention of the starving peasants. The teacher then asks the class what form God would have to take in order to get the attention of their high school. "Beer," says one student. "Yeah," another chimes in, "it's the only thing to do around here."

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

CSSPlus

Hi there, boys and girls! How many of you have rules that you have to follow at home? (show of hands) What are some of the rules you have? (let them tell you) What about at school? Do you have rules there? What are they? (let them tell you)

Why should we even have rules? (see what they think) I think we have rules because it makes it easier for us to be together. If we are all kind to each other, we will all be happier. If there are rules, then maybe people will fight less.

Special Occasion

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