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Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 20/Pentecost 18/Ordinary Time 25 -- Matthew 20:1-16, Philippians 1:21-30 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
Prayer Of The Day
Proper 21 / Ordinary Time 26 -- Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-13, Psalm 25:1-9 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
Litany Divide the congregation into four voices.
Proper 22/Pentecost 20/Ordinary Time 27 -- Matthew 21:33-46, Isaiah 5:1-7, Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2007
Prayer Of Confession And Absolution P: O holy one of Israel,
Proper 23 / Ordinary Time 28 / Pentecost 18 -- Matthew 22:1-14, Isaiah 25:1-9, Philippians 4:1-9, Psalm 23 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2007
Prayer Of Confession And Absolution
Proper 24/Pentecost 22/Ordinary Time 29 -- Matthew 22:15-22, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2007
Litany Of Confession
Proper 25/Pentecost 23/Ordinary Time 29 -- Matthew 22:34-46, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Psalm 1 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2007
Confession And Forgiveness
Reformation Day -- John 8:31-36, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, Psalm 46 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2007
Choral Music "The House Of The Lord" -- Bradley Ellingboe (Neil A. Kjos Music)
All Saints -- Matthew 5:1-12, Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Psalm 34:1-10, 22 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- All Saints Day - A -- 2007
Gathering
Proper 26 / Ordinary Time 31 / Pentecost 23 -- Matthew 23:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Psalm 43 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2007
Prayer Of The Day
Proper 27/Pentecost 22/Ordinary Time 32 -- Matthew 25:1-13, Amos 5:18-24, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Psalm 70 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2007
Gathering

Drama

SermonStudio

The Rich Man -- Mark 10:17-27 -- Lynn Robert Schlessman -- 2004
CharactersFredBillChorus 1Rich Man
The Great Banquet -- Luke 14:16-24 -- Lynn Robert Schlessman -- 2004
CharactersFredBillSlaveFirst One
Adam And Eve: The First Couple -- Genesis 1-3 -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This play is dual purpose.
Strangers In A Strange Land: The Story Of Daniel And His Friends -- Daniel 1-6 -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This one-act play is designed to be flexible.
The Lord's Servant: The Story Of Mary -- Luke -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This play can be used as a reading to spark discussion or performed with simple props.
Jesus: The Unselfish King -- Luke 22-24 -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This play is designed to be read using no props or scenery, or performed using simple effects.
Noah And The Flood -- Genesis 6:5--9:17 -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This play is designed to be read and discussed with no props or scenery or produced as a simple one-
Jacob And Esau: Trickery In The Genes -- Genesis 25-29 -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This play is designed to be read and discussed with no scenery, or produced easily with a few simple
Joseph And His Brothers -- Genesis 37-47 -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
Although there are several different scenes in this skit, for simplicity's sake it can be performed
How Low Can You Go? The Story Of Job -- Job -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This skit can be used "bare bones" simply as a reading to spark discussion, or performed as a one-ac

Sermon

SermonStudio

Divorce: The Deadlock Of Wedlock -- Matthew 5:31-32 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
It was also said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce." But I s
A Woman's Place -- Matthew 5:27 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
... everyone who looks at a woman.... -- Matthew 5:27
Don't Waste Your Breath! -- Matthew 5:33-37 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
Again you have heard that it was said to the men of old, "You shall not swear falsely, but shall
You Guys Are Really Gonna Be Different! -- Matthew 5:38-42 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, D
How To Treat Your Enemies -- Matthew 5:43-47 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to
Is Pacifism Biblical? -- Matthew 5:39 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
Do not resist one who is evil. -- Matthew 5:39 Love your enemies.
Confessions Of A Healed Perfectionist -- Matthew 5:48 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The Fine Art Of Giving -- Matthew 6:1-4 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no
Prayer: Moving The Hands That Move The World -- Matthew 6:5-13 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the sy
It's Called Forgiveness ... And It's On Your Exam! -- Matthew 6:12, Matthew 6:14 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. -- Matthew 6:12

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

During Lent -- Psalm 116:12-19 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
In the classroom Bernadette prayed that the floor would open so she could fall in it, or if not that
Passion/Palm Sunday -- Matthew 21:1-11 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
As God heard the shouting, God saw Jesus approaching the people, riding on the back of a small donke
Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
One day Jesus' friends came together. They were sad because Jesus was no longer with them.
Jesus At Twelve -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Mary said to Joseph, "I thought Jesus was with you!" Joseph replied, "I thought Jesus was with you."
Jesus And The Children -- Luke 18:15-17 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Pantomime "Jesus And The Children" while it is being read.
The Good Samaritan ... But ... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Jesus told stories because people like, listen to, and remember stories.
The Three Trees -- Psalm 1:3 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Choose four volunteers -- a narrator and three trees to do a readers' theatre of "The Three Trees."
The Two Sons -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Jesus said, "A father had two sons, two boys (Young children sometimes confuse their "suns").
The Donkey -- 1 Corinthians 4:10 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Think of the donkey,The one we call "dumb,"Yet patient, mild and meek,
The Great Commandment -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
In our Bible story for today someone asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Psalm 119:97-104 -- Psalm 119:97-104 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
A devotee of the writings of the apostle Paul might look at such a psalm as this and shake his head
Psalm 119:105-112 -- Psalm 119:105-112 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
A fond memory emerges of a young child attending church camp, walking darkened pathways each night f
Psalm 119:137-144 -- Psalm 119:137-144 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Protestant Christians love to talk about grace.
Psalm 121 -- Psalm 121 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
There is perhaps no better feeling than knowing that someone "has your back." Having someone's back
Psalm 122 -- Psalm 122 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
In this day of turmoil and violence in the Middle East, a call to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem,"
Psalm 123 -- Psalm 123 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
A wise preacher once said that original sin did not involve an apple or a big snake.
Psalm 124 -- Psalm 124 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
The words to this psalm bring to mind the phrase imprinted on a huge monument to Germany's fallen in
Psalm 124 -- Psalm 124 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Everyone needs someone who is on their side. This is not about friendship, though that's important.
Psalm 125 -- Psalm 125 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Trusting in God is the most challenging and basic element of faith.
Psalm 126 -- Psalm 126 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Some dreams feel so real that waking is a moment of profound confusion; a shudder of dislocation.

Stories

SermonStudio

Ambassadors For Christ -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everythi
Is Your Faith Skybala? -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ.
Forgiveness In The Heart -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2006
When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him.
The Fisher King -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2006
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this wo
The Ragman -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, stru
The Defeat Of Death -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Easter Day - C -- 2006
For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a
The Goodness Of Doubt -- John 20:19-31 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
Transformation -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the
Saints In White Satin -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation,
Living In Kansas, Wishing For Oz -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away

Prayer

SermonStudio

THE GOOD NEWS OF FORGIVENESS -- John 20:19-23 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 20:19-23
MESSIAH -- John 20:24-29 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 20:24-29
A THANK YOU FOR JOHN -- John 20:30-31 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 20:30, 31
WHEN OTHERS ARE AROUND -- John 21:1-14 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 21:1-14
ONE ON ONE -- John 21:15-19 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 21:15-19
WE WILL -- John 21:20-25 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 21:20-25
FOR THE FATHER AND US -- John 18:1-14 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 18:1-14
GIFT FROM THE FATHER -- John 12:44-50 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 12:44-50
LOVE AND DIFFICULT TIMES -- John 13:21-35 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 13:21-35
WINNING US BACK -- John 13:36-38 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 13:36-38

Devotional

SermonStudio

The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53, Psalm 47 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2008
Acts 1:1-11
The Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2008
Acts 2:1-21
The Holy Trinity -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 29 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2008
Isaiah 6:1-8
Proper 4 -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23--3:6, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2008
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
Proper 5 -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35, Psalm 138 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2008
1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15)
Proper 6 -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34, Psalm 20 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2008
1 Samuel 15:34--16:13
Proper 7 -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41, Psalm 9:9-20 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2008
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49
Proper 8 -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 130 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2008
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places!
Proper 9 -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13, Psalm 48 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2008
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10
Proper 10 -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29, Psalm 24 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2008
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 David danced before the Lord with all his might.

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Thanksgiving Day

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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

Frank Luchsinger
Huckle the Cat and his school teacher Miss Honey the Bear, Bananas Gorilla, Captain Salty, Pig Will and Pig Won't, Sergeant Murphy the Police Dog, and my favorite, Lowly the Worm; if you know these names then you are familiar with the work of Richard Scarry, author and illustrator of children's books, who passed away in '94 at age 75. Scarry wrote over 250 books, which in thirty languages have sold over 100 million copies. He said, "The greatest compliment I can receive is to be told that some of my books are held together with more Scotch tape than there is paper in the original book.
David E. Leininger
We reflected earlier on Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and its assertion that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and were parents of a daughter. True, there is nothing at all in scripture to back up such a claim, but can you imagine what kind of parent Jesus would have been?
Constance Berg
Pastor Wallace was loved by many, many people. He had come to a rural, agricultural area and stayed for 41 years. He and his wife Bea had four children, three of whom would become pastors themselves. The fourth was a missionary teacher in Madagascar. Pastor Wallace's second and last call was to another rural church he started only thirty miles away. He stayed fifteen years. His reputation was tough but fair; disciplined but compassionate; strong but just.
Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Seasonal Theme
Jesus out of the grave and alive and with us.

Theme For The Day
We are prayed for by Jesus that we might be unified with each other and with our God. A summary of the Season of Easter.

First Lesson
Acts 1:1-11
Return To The Upper Room
Stan Purdum
At first reading, this psalm presents a scattering of themes. Some scholars think it was not a psalm at all, but a listing of headings to a number of liturgical pieces. Most, however, see in Psalm 68 the underlying theme of the victory and reign of God, the Divine Warrior -- the God who was with the people of Israel in the wilderness (v. 7). Psalm 68 calls the kingdoms of the world to acknowledge that God is the warrior king who reigns over all. It presents God as the power and strength of the chosen people.
Carlos Wilton
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary. See The Ascension Of Our Lord, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)

The brief Psalm 93 seems archaic, from the standpoint of our culture. The Lord is enthroned, here, as a cosmic king. The accoutrements of royalty are front and center: the robe of majesty, the girding-on of strength (suggesting a royal broadsword), the throne, the royal decree. Its message, loudly declared from the first verse onward, is simplicity itself: the Lord reigns!
George M. Bass
The church year theological clue
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 1:1--11 (C, RC, E, L)
David O. Bales
In 1936, near the beginning of the Spanish Civil War one horrible center of fighting was the Alcázar fortress near Toledo. In the middle of horrific fighting, however, every day the firing stopped twice in order to allow a blind beggar to tap his way on the street between the firing lines. We can imagine how welcome those few minutes were to the men on both sides. They probably hoped that the blind man walked slower to give them a few more seconds of peace. Then the reprieve ended and the slaughter again engulfed the two armies that were struggling to kill each other.1
Schuyler Rhodes
I love this story. It doesn't matter how many times I hear it, or how it's told, it never fails to grab me in a new and different way. It's really an incredible tale. And by incredible I mean just that. Without credibility! Who could actually buy a story like this? The disciples, cowardly and virtually faithless, abandoned the Master and scattered in the chaos of his arrest and execution.
Lee Griess
It's one of those stories that circulates around the internet. I don't know if it's true or not but it's so interesting that I have to share it with you. It seems that a woman came home to find her husband in the kitchen, shaking frantically with what looked like a wire running from his waist toward the electric outlet in the wall. Intending to jolt him away from the deadly electricity, she grabbed a piece of wood that was leaning by the back door, and gave him a good whack, breaking his arm in two places. It was a shame. He was not being electrocuted at all.
Richard L. Sheffield
I want to take the text seriously this morning. It would be easy not to, because Luke's story of the ascension of Jesus is not easy no matter how you take it. For you and me, twenty centuries later, this story may be very hard to take very seriously.

Our take on the ascension of Jesus might be on the order of liturgy as lift-off: Jesus being lifted up to the Air Force song: "Off we go into the wild blue yonder, climbing high into the sky!"

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 17, 2026:
  • When Jesus Prays by Chris Keating. Jesus’ high priestly prayer is rooted in the authority of God’s love, and not from a posture of authoritarian control. It is a prayer that the disciples might dwell in the abundance of eternal life by abiding in the love and unity Jesus has offered.
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 17, 2026:
  • When Jesus Prays by Chris Keating. Jesus’ high priestly prayer is rooted in the authority of God’s love, and not from a posture of authoritarian control. It is a prayer that the disciples might dwell in the abundance of eternal life by abiding in the love and unity Jesus has offered.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus prayed for us all, that we might be protected and united. In our worship today let us explored what it means to be one just as Jesus and the Father are one.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we are more ready to criticise other Christians than to be united with them.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we get hung up on small details instead of seeing the big picture.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we are too selfish to open up and welcome other people.

StoryShare

Argile Smith
Charles D. Reeb
John S. Smylie
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Wayne's Deployment" by Argile Smith
"In The Event of Power Failure" by Charles D. Reeb
"Where's the Finish Line?" by John Smylie


What's Up This Week
John E. Sumwalt
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"The God of All Grace" by John Sumwalt
"Keeping the Word" by Frank Ramirez


* * * * * * * *


The God of All Grace
by John Sumwalt
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.
-- 1 Peter 5:10

CSSPlus

Cynthia E. Cowen
The Point: Jesus has the authority to give eternal life.

Special Occasion

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