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SermonStudio

Proper 12 -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
We are a whoring nation, are we not?
Proper 6 -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Second Sunday after Epiphany -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2003
For those who like to preach from all three lectionary texts, the stated readings for this Sunday co
Proper 13 -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus and his disciples move toward Jerusalem and the cross.
John W. Wurster -- 2003
Luke 7:1-10Proper 4Pentecost 2Ordinary Time 9Miracle Seven
Proper 13 -- Hosea 11:1-11 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Few passages in the Old Testament are more important than this one, because it sets forth central un
Proper 7 -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 14 -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
In the popular piety that so dominates American religious life, there is the saying that "God hears
Proper 8 -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Third Sunday after Epiphany -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2003
We live in a society in which right and wrong have become largely a matter of personal opinion.
Proper 14 -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
The Baptism Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2003
Seasonal Theme
John W. Wurster -- 2003
Luke 7:11-17Proper 5Pentecost 3Ordinary Time 10
Proper 15 -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2003
This passage is famously known as Isaiah's "Song of the Vineyard." It begins with the prophet singin
Proper 9 -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2003
We modern-day Christians are not called to be prophets in the Old Testament sense of the term.
Proper 15 -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Luke 12:49-56 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Corpus Christi -- Genesis 14:18-20, Luke 9:11-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 2003
Theme For The Day
John W. Wurster -- 2003
Luke 9:28-36Transfiguration Of The LordMiracle Five
Proper 16 -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2003
You and I and all persons in our day are not prophets in the Old Testament sense of the word.
Reformation Sunday -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2003
Theme For The Day
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2003
We use the word "holy" a lot.
Proper 16 -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Christ The King -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2003
Theme For The DayChrist is our king and calls us to a loyal citizenship in his kingdom.

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Thick Darkness -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2005
Eric Marshall and Stuart Hample have made a practice of visiting elementary schools and asking child
Perceiving The Presence Of God -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Three sisters lived in the forest.
Battling The Idols -- Nibs Stroupe -- 2005
In this series on Romans, Stroupe re-examines the nature of the Christian life in the context of Pau
On Being Safe And Sound -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Michael L. Ruffin -- 2005
The season is all about being ready when somebody comes.
Getting It Straight -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2005
What a colorful figure Paul must have been in flesh and blood!
Anywhere But Home -- Mark 6:1-13 -- George Reed -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2005
The Gospel of Mark is filled with action.
April Love -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2005
It's a bit odd that the lectionary committee placed this reading from the Song of Solomon in late su
Showing Up -- John 11:32-44 -- Stan Purdum -- All Saints Day - B -- 2005
No less a commentator on the human condition than Woody Allen has said, "Eighty percent of success i
Breaking Down The Barriers -- Nibs Stroupe -- 2005
Every year during Black History Month, Stroupe gives a series of sermons on the struggle of Afric
Trusting God's Promises -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Luke 1:26-38 -- Michael L. Ruffin -- 2005
Unfortunately, in our culture we have been conditioned to expect people to break their promises.
Being Single-minded -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
The Second Coming of Christ was much in the thoughts of the ancient church.
The Cost Of Being A Prophet -- Mark 6:14-29 -- George Reed -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2005
John the Baptist is one of the heroes of the Christian faith.
The Spiritual Gateway -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2005
Picture this: You are on your way to the airport to catch a flight to a wedding where you are in the
Using Scripture And Other Sources To Understand Jesus -- Luke 24:44-53 -- David T. Ball -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2005
One of most interesting places in our public libraries is the biography section.
To Whom Do We Belong? -- Nibs Stroupe -- 2005
The claim that we belong to God, a God who decisively determines our true identity amidst the compet
Watch! -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Michael L. Ruffin -- 2005
Mark 13 speaks to those who expect too much and to those who expect too little.
Looking Out For Others -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2005
Being able to synthesize in such a way that harmony can be the outcome is among the many things the
Coming Apart So We Don't Come Apart -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- George Reed -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2005
The Gospel Reading from Mark is a clear picture of the Christian life.
Nice Guys Finish First -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2005
One day, a Sunday school teacher asked her class of children about their favorite Bible verses.
Beware: Hypocrites On Premises -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- David T. Ball -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2005
Whenever I happen to be in a conversation with someone about why they don't go to church, it seems l
Listening To The Dreams -- Nibs Stroupe -- 2005
These two sermons constitute the heart of Stroupe's homiletic response to the events of 9/11.
Repent! -- Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Michael L. Ruffin -- 2005
A new beginning is a valuable thing. A fresh start is a great relief.
A Man For All Seasons -- 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2005
The enigma of human relationships and how that relates to the living God is all about us.
The Word Behind The Text -- John 6:1-21 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2005
Entering her office, the Reverend Ashley Baker-Campbell noticed her secretary was paging her: "Sally
Mrs. Proverbs -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2005
It's a question you've probably not thought much about, but were any parts of the Bible written by w

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

A Mother's Thoughts -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Constance Berg -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1999
She held the baby to her chest, looking into his eyes.
Hurt -- 1999
Pastor David Rowe points out: "There is an old African proverb which says it doesn't matter whether
Can't Help It! -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Leon, what drives me down here to my study at five o'clock in the morning?
Encouragement -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Constance Berg -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1999
Words are important. They start wars, create unions, and touch our emotions.
Parenthood -- 1999
Letty Cottin Pogrebia in Growing Up: "Don't be the man you think you should be, be the father
Flawed Humans? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
I'm a far more suggestible individual, Leon, than I would like to admit.
Cross -- 1999
With the neighbor's financial help, we were able to cut down two huge eucalyptus trees which had die
Hymn -- 1999
I was in our car, stopped at a traffic light in Berkeley.
Seeking -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Truth sought and found. Truth elusive. Truth is relative. Truth is an illusion. Truth monopolies.
Dance Of Gratitude -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1999
Anna dances. Ever since she was cured of a childhood disease, she has danced.
Pastor -- 1999
In my childhood my pastor, Christian Wessel, was like a father to me. I adored him.
Questioning -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
A plaque showing a young boy curiously, questioningly bent over examining an object on a beach with
Danger -- 1999
At a very busy intersection today someone had hit the barricades where road work was being done.
Illusion -- 1999
One time Carol Jarrett of Tiffin, Ohio, had a surprise birthday party for her husband, John.
"The Mysterium Tremendum"? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Early on, Leon, selecting sociology as a major area of study presented me with indications that my i
Bartolome de las Casas, Missionary -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1999
Professor Bob Corbett celebrates and laments the work of Bartolomé de las Casas.
Peace -- 1999
At the Augustana-Hochschule (Seminary) in Neuendettelsau, Germany, I was told that the facilities no
A Tragic Species? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Financial advisors caution people about putting all their investments in one source and many individ
Destruction -- 1999
A market sign over a shopping mall all boarded up: "This construction killed us." A new four-lane hi
Impersonation -- 1999
The Ledger-Dispatch of Antioch, California, told a fascinating story of deception and imperso
Alive In Christ -- 1999
Dave Carlson of Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines tells of importing live fish by plane.
Miracles -- John 6:1-21 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1999
Some people have spent countless hours trying to explain how Jesus could possibly have fed 5,000 men
Peacemaker -- 1999
I saw on the news tonight Bishop Tutu dressed in a purple cassock wading into a rioting crowd in Sou
Whistling In The Dark -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
There have been some humorous eye-catching drawings made of boys walking past a cemetery after dark,
Devil -- 1999
I preached in Wozi, Liberia, one night through an interpreter into the Loma language.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 29 (Christ The King) -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2001
Theme: The Good ShepherdCall To Worship
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 49:8-16a -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2001
Theme: God Of Comfort And CompassionCall To Worship
The Holy Trinity -- Psalm 8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
I Am The True Vine -- Gail Gaymer Martin -- 2001
(Family and friends are called to silence for the opening of the prayer service.)
Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2001
Theme: Jesus, The Light Of The WorldCall To Worship
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Psalm 16:5-11 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 24 -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2001
Theme: An Example To OthersCall To Worship
Tenebrae For Modern Times -- Marie A. Asner -- 2001
Welcome The CongregationChoral Introit(Suggestions)
First Sunday Of Advent -- Psalm 25:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Second Sunday In Lent -- Psalm 121 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 16 -- Romans 12:1-8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2001
Theme: Unity In DiversityCall To Worship
Proper 8 -- Psalm 13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 29 (Christ The King) -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2001
Theme: Spirit Of WisdomCall To Worship
What a dramatic God we serve! -- Janet Burton -- 2001
Drama is all about us. Human history is the great drama of God, carried out on a planet-size stage.
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany -- 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2001
Theme: Stewards Of GodCall To Worship
Proper 4 -- Genesis 6:11-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
Theme: FaithCall To Worship
Child Of God, Heir To The Kingdom -- Gail Gaymer Martin -- 2001
(Family and friends are called to silence for the opening of the prayer service.)
Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2001
Theme: Christ For The WorldCall To Worship
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Theme: Call To RepentanceCall To Worship
Proper 24 -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2001
Theme: Give God His DueCall To Worship Leader: We are God's people.
Closing The Distance -- Luke 15:20b -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
When my daughter Emma was two years old, she was observing me getting robed up for Sunday worship.
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: The Peaceful KingdomCall To Worship
Third Sunday In Lent -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Theme: Is God With Us?Call To Worship
Proper 16 -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2001
Theme: On This RockCall To Worship
Proper 9 -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
Theme: Love And MarriageCall To Worship

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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

CSSPlus

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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