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SermonStudio

Things Of True Value -- Matthew 13:44-46 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Treasure. Just the word alone is enough to spark daydreams and fantasies.
It's A Serendipity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Taken from the old Arabian fable, "The Princes of Serendip," we get the word "serendipity."Haven't y
Ascension of Our Lord -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2004
The book of the Acts of the Apostles is the second volume of Luke's great account of God's act of sa
Contrasts In Character -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Notice the sociological study of two families:I. The Jonathan Edwards family:
Reformation Sunday -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 31:31--34 The promise of a new covenant.
Who Made God? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Children often ask profound questions over which we all stumble.
An Investment In Eternity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Herbert Hoover was a poor boy working his way through Stanford University in California.
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 16:1--13 (C, E); 1 Samuel 16:1, 6--7, 10--13 (RC)
The Mayo Clinic -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The world famous Mayo Clinic had a religious origin. In 1883, Dr. William W.
The Preacher's Parrot -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A lady bought a parrot from a retired sailor. It had one bad habit: it used swear words sometimes.
Good Guys And Bad Guys -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Gary Larson, creator of the comic strip Far Side, produced a strip in which we see God in his
Jesus' First Miracle -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A converted alcoholic was asked if he believed the Bible story of how Jesus changed water into wine.
Trinity Sunday -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2004
This priestly account of God's creation of the world has been called the most theological chapter in
Cry, The Beloved Country -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Alan Paton's book, Cry, The Beloved Country, suggests a valid answer to racism.
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 24:12--18 (C); Exodus 24:12 (13--14) 15--18 (E)
Who Really Pays The Tax? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
One excuse for the sale of alcoholic beverages is that those who produce the drinks pay taxes.
Beginning Again -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The poet Louise Tarkington once wrote:I wish there were some wonderful place
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONS
The Miracle Of Ice -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A Mrs.
The Smart Old Indian Chief -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Some curious tourists stopped along an Arizona road where they saw an old Indian chief sitting in fr
Risk And Reward -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Every few years, we hear sermons during the stewardship season based on the parable of the talents.
Keokuk's Answer -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
At Keokuk, Iowa, we walked out on a high earthen dam, bolstered by concrete.
Proper 7 -- Genesis 21:8-21, Jeremiah 20:7-13 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2004
God has a way of humbling our pride.
Education And The Ends -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Education in life deals with ends:
First Sunday after Christmas Day -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- John R. Brokhoff -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 63:7--9 (C); Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (E)

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Can We Give Thanks? -- 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 -- Carl B. Rife, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a six-year-old boy who was ill from birth
Maundy Thursday -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
As a child the first time I heard the word "maundy" I associated it with being seedy.
Angels And Aliens -- Luke 10:17-20, Revelation 12:7-12 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Like some giant, mystical flock of snow geese stopping momentarily in their fall flight to the south
Home At Last -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
One of the more colorful eras of our country's past is the old Wild West.
What Price Must We Pay? -- Luke 6:20-31 -- John W. Clarke -- All Saints Day - C -- 2006
Today's Gospel Lesson mirrors the Sermon on the Mount that is found in Matthew 5-7.
Tales Of The Spiritually Stupid -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 18-22 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2006
"Stupid is as stupid does." So says the now-famous quote from the movie, Forrest Gump.
Dream And Reality -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
How can one best understand Dr. King? What was it that formed and empowered him?
The Colors of Christmas: Six Sermons and Object Lessons for Advent and Christmas -- H. Michael Nehls -- 2006
Advent 1 Children's Message Green
Questions -- Psalm 13 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a young woman following a brief illnessQuestions
Recognizing His Disciples -- John 13:31-35 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Recognition of people, places, and things is a fundamental prerequisite of successful living.
What's In A Name? -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
What's in a name? Does a name matter?
It Is Well -- Matthew 11:28 -- R. Blaine Detrick, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an eleven-year-old boy who drownedIt Is Well
Palm Sunday -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
Several times in the book of Revelation there is a break in the action here on earth while we are tr
Radically Unfair -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
In a Walker Percy novel, a white physician is arrested for illegally selling drugs to truck drivers
Risky Business -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- 2006
Su Xueling (pronounced ZOO-ling) is a different breed of entrepreneur, delivering instant noodles on
Father, Forgive Them! -- Luke 23:33-43 -- John W. Clarke -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
Each of the gospel accounts of the crucifixion has its own peculiarity.
Listening For The "Ching-ching" -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2006
When television producer, Dick Wolf, introduced a new "cop show" in the early 1990s, he could hardly
The Colors of Christmas: Six Sermons and Object Lessons for Advent and Christmas -- H. Michael Nehls -- 2006
Advent 2 Children's Message Purple or Violet
Frayed Ends And Torn Seams -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a man killed by a hit-and-run driver
Keeping His Word -- John 14:23-29 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Keeping our word has a long and positive history in our nation.
Abraham Believed God -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
If you've traveled with small children in a car, you've probably heard this conversation more than o
A Good-bye Topping All Others -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2006
Those bidding good-bye are around us all of our lives.
He Will Abundantly Pardon -- Isaiah 55:1-13 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
Perhaps you have taken a vacation with the intention of seeking out some historical or national monu
Swallowed Up In Victory -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 -- Charles L. Koester, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a seventeen-year-old boy killed by a drunk driver
Five Crosses, Five Candles -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
The simplest visual for the Lenten candles is the one Crescent Avenue used the first time Wounded

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Grace -- 1999
Because Dwaine Pittman was ill on the day we seven were examined before the confirmation, the questi
Service -- 1999
At Bishop's Cafeteria there is a light on each table.
See The Little Light Shine -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Constance Berg -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
She was so patient.
An Impossible Wish -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Leon, how I would like to spare my children and loved ones much of the unnecessary pain and folly we
Faith -- 1999
In southern Egypt the temples are built on the east side of the Nile where the sun comes up.
Burden -- 1999
On an Ozark flight from Des Moines to Saint Louis in March, the plane had to be de-iced before we co
Priorities -- 1999
When the Berkeley Hills fire spread, Carol and I parked our station wagon, ready to leave in a minut
Sabbath Made For Man -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
A conscientious young couple is trying to provide janitorial services for their church, and they are
Life In Christ -- 1999
Sometimes when there is a typhoon in the Phillippines some trees survive and are still standing, eve
Trust In God -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1999
Jancy counted her money.
Greed -- 1999
At Drake University, Allen Boesak of South Africa said, "I'm here because some of us believe there i
Sign -- 1999
David Brenner on the Johnny Carson show told about signs he never quite understood:
A Life For A Life -- John 15:9-17 -- Constance Berg -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Who would lay down his life for a friend?
A Gratifying Moment -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
"What is your brother doing these days?" "Oh, he's a successful accountant out West." "How did your
Faith And Action -- 1999
At a PLTS chapel service Christine Sinnott talked of an eagle stirring up its nest.
Call -- 1999
A young man working as church van driver, Larry Kennedy, locked himself out on the roof of Park Plac
Prison -- 1999
I purchased three goldfish for our fountain.
Frustrated Spiritual Hunger -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
While I know that it was an erroneous impression, when I used to travel on the old highways through
Lifestyle -- 1999
Alan Alda, in an interview about making movies, said that those now aged thirteen to 21 want three t
One Pastor's Story -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1999
Craig Barnes has learned what it is to be a servant. And he knows what it is like to serve.
Guidance -- 1999
On a US Air flight from Johnstown to Pittsburgh on a small commuter plane, I noticed through the ope
Sin -- 1999
I was following a car down Harding Road today and read on it a bumper sticker: "To know me is to lov
Gift From God -- John 17:6-19 -- Constance Berg -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Brian could feel the heat of anger rising in his neck.
Secularization? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
The family Christmas gathering has come and gone --
Faith And Life -- 1999
Dr.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

When Our Leaders Fail Us -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Be still, so God may speak to you in the silence of your heart.
Dancing For The Lord -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: The world and all that is in it belongs to the Lord.
First Sunday Of Advent -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Advent WreathWe come with open minds.
Reformation Day -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Welcome and AnnouncementsPreludeCall to Worship
According To Thy Will -- Luke 1:26-38 (and other scriptures) -- Janet Burton -- 2001
Vignettes On Mary Of Nazareth
The High Priest -- Beth Huener -- 2001
Life On The Edge Of FaithThe High PriestThe Opening Speech
Proper 20 -- Exodus 16:2-15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2001
Theme: Our Daily BreadCall To Worship
Third Sunday After Epiphany -- Psalm 27 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- John 14:15-21 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Theme: The Promise Of The Holy SpiritCall To Worship
Proper 12 -- Romans 8:26-39 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Theme: More Than ConquerorsCall To Worship
Day Of Thanksgiving -- Psalm 65 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Christmas Eve / Day -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2001
Theme: The Birth Of JesusCall To Worship
Sunday Of The Passion (Sixth Sunday In Lent/Palm Sunday) -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Matthew 27:11-54 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2001
Theme: Dark GethsemaneCall To Worship
Proper 4 -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
Theme: A Firm FoundationCall To Worship
Proper 25 -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2001
Theme: LeadershipCall To Worship
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany -- Psalm 37:1-11 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
All Saints' Day -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
All Saints' DayService Of Worship
A Secret Search For Truth -- John 3 -- Janet Burton -- 2001
Nicodemus Reports To Joseph
A Maid -- Beth Huener -- 2001
Life On The Edge Of FaithA MaidThe Opening Speech
Proper 20 -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2001
Theme: Living The Fruitful LifeCall To Worship
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany -- Micah 6:1-8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2001
Theme: Genuine PietyCall To Worship
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Psalm 66:8-20 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 12 -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Theme: What Is The Kingdom Of God Like?Call To Worship
Christmas Eve / Day -- Psalm 96 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Sunday Of The Passion (Sixth Sunday In Lent/Palm Sunday) -- Psalm 31:1-16 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Ascension of the Lord
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Pentecost
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For June 1, 2025:
  • That They All May Be One by Tom Willadsen based on Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26, Psalm 97.
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For June 1, 2025:
  • That They All May Be One by Tom Willadsen based on Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26, Psalm 97.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: Tickets to give the children. You may use the ones I have included, print your own, or just use simple tickets you might buy on a roll.

Note: Be sure to have enough tickets to be able to give one to each child during the message. Also, if you have very young children in the group, I find it best to include them in the first group receiving tickets, as they sometimes don’t really understand why they are left out of the group in the beginning.

* * *
John Jamison
Object: This message includes movements to reinforce the lesson. Based on your group, have them be as active as you dare in joining you with the movements.

* * *

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

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
Our family watched a movie together recently that left us feeling a bit mixed. The movie was great, mind you. Very well done. But the ending left us feeling frustrated, sad. We had expected a happy ending, but what we got was bittersweet, instead. 
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Acts 16:16-34
Mark Ellingsen
Acts 1:1-11
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Acts 1:1-11
The American middle class is still being squeezed. And there are too many Americans forever mired in poverty. A University of California at Davis study found that one-third to one-half of children who are poor for a substantial part of their childhood will be poor as adults. All this leads to despair, which the famed French existentialist Albert Camus defined as accepting your condition in life even when you can’t stand it (The Rebel, p.14).  

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
Patrick rubbed his forehead and scrolled back on his laptop screen. He tried to ignore the other students in the study lounge who were working on projects and papers for their classes. He took a deep breath and started reading again.

“You okay?”

“Huh?” Patrick looked up and noticed Tim from his Monday morning class sitting just down from him. “Yeah, sorry just reading and having a hard time making sense of it.”

“Well, I’m bored of what I’m doing.” Tim closed the text book in front of him. “Mind if I have a look?”
John E. Sumwalt
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[a] toward all the saints, and for this reason  I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers…(vv. 15-16)

Every church has at least one soul who embodies the Christ light like no other. If you cannot imagine who that might be in your congregation, maybe it’s you.

SermonStudio

Bonnie Bates
This reading from the book of Revelation, the vision of John, reminds us that Jesus is the beginning and the end, Jesus is the first and the last, the alpha and the omega. But even more than that, this reading reminds us to come to the Christ, to come to Jesus, to come to the water of life. Jesus poured his very self out to us and invited us to be a part of the work of the faith: a disciple. We are as invited to come with Jesus on a faith journey as Peter, Andrew, James, John, and all the others who followed Jesus were invited. The question is - what will we do with this invitation?
Carlos Wilton
(See Christmas Day, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)

A genre of movies that's become popular in recent years is disaster films. Whether it is invaders from another galaxy, a catastrophic global climate change, or a falling asteroid, Hollywood loves to fill the nation's big screens with images of destruction.

Schuyler Rhodes
"Clap your hands, all you people! Shout to God with loud shouts of joy!" What images of fun and frolic this paints in the imagination. Behind the shouting and the clapping is an old New-Orleans-style jazz band. All around the band are daisy chains of people wrapped arm and arm, caught in the throes of dance and song. It is exuberance and wonder, joy and clarity, all bound up in one powerful package.
Frank Ramirez
One of the most obvious things about the night sky is the moon, especially the full moon. The full moon transforms not only the sky, but the earth, creating a dimmer, second kind of day, casting long shadows, and providing some guidance to those who find themselves outdoors.

Certainly, it is one of the things that children first notice about the sky. They can point to the moon, ask what it is, stare at it in wonder.

And then, a few days later, the child can wonder -- where did it go?
Steven E. Albertin
Today I want you to participate in the proclamation of today's message. Perhaps it will help you to remember the spectacular event and its significance that we are commemorating today.

John N. Brittain
Have you ever noticed that some constellations are named for animals that they don't really resemble? If you have ever been in the Scouts or taken a course in astronomy or just looked up into the sky at night, you know what I am talking about. As an undergraduate astronomy minor at Brown University, many years ago, I would give tours at the Ladd Observatory and on clear nights point out constellations from the outdoor gallery. But people often were not satisfied. For example, the stars in the constellation Ursa Major, The Great Bear, do not look the part.
Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III
The prisoners and the jailers had their world rocked one midnight 2,000 years ago. The report includes the following details:

1:00: Paul and Silas while on their way to a place of prayer see a slave girl who was popular for telling the fortunes of others. She made much money from this enterprise and a fortune for her owners. Each day she would go to the town square and as people passed by she would shout out her readings of their future. Some revered the slave girl for the accuracy of her predictions. Others feared her for the same reason.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus prayed to God asking that Jesus might be within us just as God was within Jesus, so that we may become completely one with God. In our worship today let us meet with the God within us, who is waiting to welcome us.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we act as though you are not within us. Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we refuse to look deep within ourselves and so can't find you. Christ, have mercy.

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