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A Great Partnership -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: salt and pepper shakers
Saved In The Nick Of Time -- Matthew 2:13-18 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some stones, clubs, swords, and knives
Joining The Team -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some baseball team caps - all of them with the same letter team logo
Worship, Work, Rest, And Play -- John 4:5-42 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: To teach how worship fits into our lives. Key verses: 19--24.
Friends And Favors -- Philemon 8-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: none
Better Than A Million--Dollar Policy -- Matthew 9:35-10:7 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a life insurance policy
Eric Eraser -- Luke 9:18-24 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a well--worn rubber eraser
God Became Human -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: To teach the incarnation.
Paul Shipwrecked -- Acts 27:1-28:16 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some broken boards and a torn piece of canvas
Time Is Running Out -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a new bar of soap and a very used bar of soap
Do The Dishes? -- 1 Peter 4:13-19 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: dirty dishes
Homework Is A Duty -- Luke 17:1-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some homework papers
The Armor Of God -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a football uniform with all the equipment
The Ladder And The Sponge -- Matthew 27:45-49 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a picture of a ladder and a sponge
Children All Are We -- John 3:1-17 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: What it means to be born again.
Special -- Philemon 7-17 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some ordinary coins and some collector's coins
The Funnel Of God -- John 16:12-15 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a funnel
Learning To Forgive A Lot -- Luke 7:36-50 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a small bag of potatoes and a twenty--pound bag of potatoes
You're A Teacher -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: To help the children see themselves as teachers of the Gospel.
Paul Meets A Celebrity -- Acts 25:23 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: none
Believing In Jesus -- 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a carpenter's sawhorse
Hermon, The Camel Who Was Humbled -- Matthew 19:24 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: none
Warning! -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a warning device, like a siren or buzzer
Jesus Is The Head And We Are The Body -- Ephesians 5:21-31 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a nail, a golf club, and a match
God's Bankers -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a bank savings book

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SermonStudio

Give Them Christ -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
In a letter from the publicity office of Tennessee Ernie Ford, shortly before he passed to eternal l
The Vale Of Paradise -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Mrs.
Second Sunday after Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2004
Jeremiah 31 is a part of what has been known as the Little Book of Comfort that is made up of chapte
As You Are Going -- Matthew 28:18-20 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Second Springs -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
In the 1930s, I lived in Sugar Grove, Fairfield County, Ohio.
Proper 8 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 22:1--14 (C)
Proper 16 -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Isaiah 51:1-6 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2004
With this text, there now occurs a long gap of time in the biblical history of Israel.
Corpus Christi Roman Catholic -- Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, John 6:51-58 -- John R. Brokhoff -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 8:2--3, 14--16
Second Sunday after Epiphany -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2004
This is the second of the Servant Songs found in the prophecies of Second Isaiah, from the sixth cen
Spirit's Coming -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Jeff Wedge -- 2004
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
Whose Birthday? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
It was gift unwrapping time on Christmas morning, and Grandma asked her little granddaughter if she
Support Your Local Church -- Matthew 17:24-27 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
This chapter will prove that fishing is the sport officially endorsed by Jesus the Son of God.
Old Age -- Browning -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Robert Browning wrote:Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be!
Giving Up, In Lent -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
During Lent, a certain man and his wife decided to give up drinking.
Mother's Driving -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A school teacher was discussing highway safety and advised the children that once they started cross
God Bless America -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A late nineteenth century Jewish immigrant, from western Siberia to the U.S., was the universally we
There's A Man On The Cross -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
When the Chicago Temple United Methodist Church was built, they placed on top of it one of the highe
Wicked Tenants -- Matthew 21:33-43 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2004
1. Text
The Urgency Of Our Mission -- Mark 16:9-20 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
The ending of Mark has posed interesting problems for Bible scholars and students throughout the age
Seed Investments -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Dr.
We Are Witnesses -- Luke 24:44 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
As we examined the Great Commissions in Matthew and Mark, we noted how each version matches the styl
Selah -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Question: In the book of Psalms in the Bible, what does the word Selah mean?
Proper 9 -- Genesis 24:34-38, Romans 7:15-25a -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2004
Proper 9 (C, E)14th Sunday In Ordinary Time (RC)Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Proper 17 -- Exodus 3:1-15, Jeremiah 15:15-21 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2004
Moses, who was raised in the palace of the Pharaoh, has had to flee Egypt, because it has become kno
The Easter Season -- John R. Brokhoff -- 2004
Easter is the old English adaptation of the pagan name, "Eastre," which was the name of a Teutonic g

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Like A Tree Planted -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2006
You have probably never thought seriously about tiptoeing through the treetops, but there is a place
A Lifetime Of One Day -- Romans 8:38-39 -- Victor A. Myers, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a day-old, premature infant girlA Lifetime Of One Day
Triumphing Over Obstacles -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
Rabbi Moshe took a trip to a strange land. He took with him a donkey, a rooster, and a lamp.
Song Sung Blue -- Lamentations 1:1-6 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2006
Some records are made to be broken -- like Olympic speed skating; Cal Ripkin, Jr.'s, most consecutiv
The Radiating Reformation -- John 8:31-36, Romans 3:19-28 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
The assigned lesson reading from Romans for this festival worship includes these comments by Saint P
Call To Oneness -- John 17:20-26 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
When, dear God, shall Christians all be one? It is a first-century inquiry.
Gateway To Grace -- Joshua 5:9-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
When you visit a church camp you're aware that you're separated from civilization.
The Colors of Christmas: Six Sermons and Object Lessons for Advent and Christmas -- H. Michael Nehls -- 2006
Advent 4 Children's Message Blue
Hidden Treasure -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For someone who lived in fearHidden Treasure
The Possible Dream -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2006
Sibling rivalry. It's the pits. It has been around as long as there have been siblings around.
Come To Me -- Matthew 11:28, 2 Corinthians 12:9 -- Dr. Frank Efird, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a fourteen-year-old cancer victim, shortly before her confirmation
Building God's Kingdom: The Christian Challenge -- Romans 10:8b-13 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
On December 26, 2004, the greatest natural disaster experienced in the world in over a century struc
Letters From A Loving Prophet -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2006
Jeremiah was the last of the great prophets to minister to the Hebrew people during the days of thei
Psalm 46 And Reformation Today -- Psalm 46 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Chaos breaking into life, from creation to now -- today's psalmody was Psalm 46.
We Weep For Our Children -- John 8:12, Psalm 13 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a young man at ChristmasWe Weep For Our Children
A New Continuing -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- David R. Cartwright -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
That first Pentecost was a grand and glorious day. It was a new beginning.
Past, Present, Future -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
We have a great history as a nation, but many of us are content with the pious stories we learned as
The Colors of Christmas: Six Sermons and Object Lessons for Advent and Christmas -- H. Michael Nehls -- 2006
Christmas Eve/Day Children's Message White
First Things First -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Gary L. Carver -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
No moment in the life of a parent is more awesome than when a child leaves home for the first time a
The Difference Between Knowing And Doing -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- John Jamison -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2006
It is difficult to be the church. What we have been asked to do here is not easy.
A Lost Soul Returns Home -- Titus 2 -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a man struggling with alcohol and AIDS
Sowing Eternal Seeds -- Isaiah 55:10-13 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2006
Who among us has not been stunned by the splendor of a summer sunset, the sparkling spring waters of
O Come, Little Children -- Luke 18:15-16 -- Walter A. Schmidt, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a newborn infantO Come, Little Children
Standing Tall In The Lord -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
History records the expression, Athanasius contra mundum -- Athanasius against the world.
New Covenant -- New Testament -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2006
Our reading today from the prophet Jeremiah is one in which the Hebrew people, not knowing what else

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
One of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to prick the conscience of ethics and morals of people.
Reformed Thinking -- John 8:31-36 -- Constance Berg -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2001
Tom doesn't like black people.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Obedience
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Christian mothers realize that faith is the belief that we are loved by God.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Alcohol
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Gossip
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
The Holy Spirit was not given to you to make you rich, famous, or spectacular, but to equip you for
"Jesus Is Not In A Shed, Mom!" -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
I - along with other parents around the world - have learned so much about faith from the casual com
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Eternal
A Random Act Of Kindness -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Constance Berg -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2001
In his book A Time to Fish and A Time to Dry Nets (1996: Lakewood Publishing Co.), author Alv
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A beautiful stained-glass window in New York state has the inscription, "To a sainted mother." Let t
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
God's Spirit wants to empower you for service -- Today!
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
The Holy Spirit is the positive presence of Jesus.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Stress And Pain
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Mothers put the music in our hearts.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Creativity
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Love
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Spiritual truth is conveyed with the Holy Spirit's help to anyone willing to listen.
Leprosy -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Constance Berg -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2001
Leprosy is a horrendous skin condition, a mycobacterial disease.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Parenthood
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A mother's righteousness is her beauty in its best light.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Problems "The man who has no problems is out of the game." (Elbert Hubbard)
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Gossip
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"Just as the fluid in the eye keeps the dirt out of the eyes, so the constant cleansing presence of
Bitterness Will Get You Nowhere -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2001
Some people cannot communicate unless they are complaining. It's irritating, isn't it?

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Even Greater -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2004
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 22:34-46Theme: Even Greater
Proper 28 -- Judges 4:1-7, Psalm 123, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2004
HymnsAwake My Soul, Stretch Every Nerve (NCH491, CBH609)
No Fair -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2004
Call To Worship
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), Psalm 112:1-9 (10), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2004
HymnsHail To The Lord's Anointed (LBW87, CBH185, NCH104, UM203)
Will We Let Little Children Lead Us? -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (Isaiah 11:6)
Songs Of The Season/Advent -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55), Micah 5:2-5a -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe come ready to receive what God shall give.
Hospitality -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to Worship
First Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
HymnsSleepers Wake (PH17, UM720, LBW31)
Proper 4 -- Genesis 6:19-22; 7:24; 8:14-19, Psalm 46, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31), Matthew 7:21-29 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2004
HymnsMy Hope Is Built On Nothing Less (UM368, PH379, NCH403, CBH343)
At The Crossroads -- Genesis 28:10-91a, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (from Genesis 28:16-17)
Sixth Sunday After Epiphany -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2004
HymnsLord Jesus, Think On Me (LBW309, PH301, CBH526)
Here Is Your God -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (Isaiah 35:3-4)
Spirit Of Truth -- John 14:8-17 (25-27), Romans 8:14-17 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipCome, Holy Spirit, come!Come with wind and fire!
Living Stones -- 1 Peter 2:4-6, Matthew 16:13-20 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to Worship
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
HymnsLo, How A Rose E'er Blooming (UM216, PH48, CBH211, NCH127)
Proper 5 -- Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2004
HymnsMy Hope Is Built On Nothing Less (UM368, PH379, NCH403, CBH343)
The Deceiver Deceive -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 105:8-11)
Seventh Sunday After Epiphany -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119:33-40, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5:38-48 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2004
HymnsO Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High (LBW88, PH83, NCH209, UM267)
What A Sign! -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 7:11 and 14)
Spiritual Gifts/One Body -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe come here as people of many talents;
Losing Equals Living -- Mark 8:31-35, Proverbs 1:20-33 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe come - to praise God for life.
Third Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
HymnsLo, How A Rose E'er Blooming (UM216, PH48, NCH211, NCH127)
Proper 6 -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7), Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, Romans 5:1-8 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2004
HymnsWe Are Dancing Sarah's Circle (NCH501)
Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 -- Matthew 14:13-21, Romans 9:1-5, Genesis 32:22-31 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2004
First Lesson: Genesis 32:22-31Theme: Out Of Joint
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 49:8-16a, Psalm 131, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2004
HymnsJesus, Priceless Treasure (LBW457, 458, PH365, CBH595, NCH480, UM532)

Worship Service

Youth Resources

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John Jamison
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it out as a role-play. I will show the role-play version, but you can ignore the acting pieces and just tell the story if you prefer.

Note: For the role-play version, you will need to select two girls and one boy to play the roles. You might also have a broom and a dust rag if you want to.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started.

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For July 20, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (v. 24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middle of an admiring crowd of friends. Mary had always been a dancer, from the time she could walk. Privately, Martha thought she'd always been something of a show-off and ought to go on the stage, for Mary loved an audience.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jeanne Jones
Several years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin, I was an honorary nanny for our pastor's son, Jonathan. I took care of him from the time he was able to walk until our pastor moved, when Jonathan was about five. We had wonderful times together. One time, when I was at their house, and we had been doing some spiritual direction together, Pastor Michael asked me if I knew the name of my guardian angel.
James Evans
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against the godly" or "plotting destruction" all day long. The image we have in our minds about who "bad" people are, and how they conduct themselves, make such accusations completely plausible. We are less inclined to believe such things about leaders, especially respected leaders among us. We have difficulty believing someone with wealth and power would deliberately plot to do someone else harm.
Arley K. Fadness
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan. Luke positions the good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God."
Kirk R. Webster
In the early 1990s, Wesley Nunley of Dallas completed a project he had dreamed of for decades. "I tell you, this could be a big thing," he explained. Wes then walked out to a concrete octagon in the middle of his backyard. With a beaming smile, arms raised up in excitement, the energetic retiree said, "This welcomes the UFO to land, which has never been done before."
John W. Wurster
It was the best of times. A time of prosperity and confidence, a time of relative peace, a time when most everything looked pretty good, a time when most everyone felt pretty good. It was a time maybe not unlike our own time.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
Our God is both wise and caring: afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.

Pastoral Prayer
God, we bow before you this morning, knowing that you hear every prayer. We know that in all of Creation, you are the source of life. You are the one who set the light swirling between the galaxies. The breath of your Spirit pulses through all life. You have even become flesh among us. We praise you, Lord, that in all your wonder, you have not forgotten us.

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