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The Resurrection Of Our Lord (Easter Day) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Easter Day - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeThe resurrected Christ becomes a physical presence in the world again.
Day Of Thanksgiving -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2003
Theme For The Day
Proper 17 -- Jeremiah 2:4-13 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2003
This passage forms some of the earliest preaching of Jeremiah after his call in 626 B.C.
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeThe resurrected Christ becomes a physical presence in the world again.
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2003
Seasonal Theme
Proper 18 -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2003
Have you ever seen a potter at work at his wheel?
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeThe resurrected Christ becomes a physical presence in the world again.
Trinity Sunday -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 19 -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2003
"Now it is I who speak in judgment upon them" (v. 12).
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeThe resurrected Christ becomes a physical presence in the world again.
First Sunday After Christmas/Holy Family -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeThe Savior is born into the human world and circumstances.
Preaching Resurrection In John -- William H. Shepherd, Jr. -- 2003
Someone once complained that in the Gospel of John, Jesus walks two feet above the ground.
Proper 20 -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2003
This moving elegy is the passage from which the Negro spiritual, "There is a balm in Gilead," is tak
Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeThe resurrected Christ becomes a physical presence in the world again.
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeThe Savior is born into the human world and circumstances.
Proper 21 -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2003
The time is 588 B.C. in our text.
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, John 14:23-29 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeThe resurrected Christ becomes a physical presence in the world again.
The Sign Of The Fig Tree -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
1. Text
Preaching Resurrection Intertextually -- William H. Shepherd, Jr. -- 2003
In my beginning preaching classes, I have always taught students to deal with one biblical text care
Proper 22 -- Lamentations 1:1-6 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2003
We are uncomfortable with tears and lamenting, aren't we?
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 16:16-34, John 17:20-26 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeThe resurrected Christ becomes a physical presence in the world again.
The Blind Leading The Blind -- Luke 6:39-49 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2003
1. Text
Proper 23 -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2003
The prominent people, the "best" people of Judah, were carried into Babylonian exile in the first de
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2003
Seasonal Theme
The Fruitless Fig Tree -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
1. Text

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

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
Stewards Of Power -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2005
Stewards Of Power
Belonging To The Truth -- John 18:33-37 -- Stan Purdum -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2005
(Note: Although the lectionary reading stops at verse 37, I recommend reading through verse 38a, whi
Denial Ain't A River In Egypt -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Have you ever denied something that, deep down, you know to be true?
Rejoice! -- Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Michael L. Ruffin -- 2005
I keep coming back to it time after time, so it is never going to stop being one of the most signifi
Plea For Discipline -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2005
In a way, Christians are all in the Olympics!
Finding Jesus -- John 6:24-35 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2005
Martin Hanford is the author of several popular children's books featuring "Waldo," a dapper little
The Underlying Mercy -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Stan Purdum -- 2005
The Underlying Mercy
When Faith Is Difficult -- John 20:19-31 -- David T. Ball -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
We've heard in sermons and Bible study groups that the scriptures become meaningful only when the Bi
Apostolic Instruction -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Saint Paul is "on a roll!" He keeps on coming with what he expects of the followers of Christ, as he
Worship! -- Luke 1:26-56 -- Michael L. Ruffin -- 2005
"My soul magnifies the Lord," Mary said, and I think that she meant it.
Gift Of Positive Thinking -- 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2005
For generations the "power of positive thinking" has been touted throughout our land.
Jesus -- The Bread Guy -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2005
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is often the "Bread Guy." Here he is different from the Jesus of Matthe
An Odd Couple -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2005
An Odd Couple
Really Believing In The Resurrection -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- David T. Ball -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Apparently the early New Testament followers had difficulty believing in the resurrection.
What's So Amazing About Grace? -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2005
What's So Amazing About Grace?
Making Disciples -- 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2005
The fruit or lack of it in our ministries is ever before us.
Resisting Jesus -- John 6:51-58 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2005
Sometimes people have difficulty understanding Jesus, or say they do.
Dave, Tell Me About The Cross -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- John T. Ball -- Good Friday - B -- 2005
Dave, having just finished seminary, and before leaving for doctoral studies on the west coast, drov
The Unsuccessful Jesus -- John 6:56-69 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2005
John 6:56-69 is a great passage from John's Gospel.
Being Good ... For Nothing -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2005
If I were to ask you to complete the sentence, "You know it is going to be a bad day when ..." how w
Those Other Sheep -- John 10:11-18 -- David T. Ball -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Sometimes a familiar scriptural text begs for our attention. We may have read this text many times.
Thanksgiving And Thanksliving -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Don't you just love times of thanksgiving?
Listening To Minority Voices -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- John T. Ball -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
The endurance of humanity and even the whole cosmos could depend upon giving a serious listening of

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Peacemaker -- 1999
I saw on the news tonight Bishop Tutu dressed in a purple cassock wading into a rioting crowd in Sou
Advent -- 1999
At a church meal after a funeral a man told me they were expecting a baby any time now, so each nigh
Incarnation -- 1999
"Mama Ganna" (Amanda Gardner), the Bible Woman of Liberia, West Africa, said of the missionary nurse
Aunt Betty's Advice -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1998
On a warm August afternoon a large extended family gathered for a family reunion.
Danielle's Laughter -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Timothy J. Smith -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
Five-year-old Danielle, along with her younger sister and brother, arrived in time for Sunday School
Roller Coaster Ride -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1998
Rob was like any other teenager; he enjoyed doing the usual things that teenagers do.
Ida's Attic -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 1998
What drew people to Ida was her cheerfulness.
The Exit Ramp -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
He stood there at the exit ramp, an imposing figure.
Carla's Persistence -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1998
Carla was a fighter. That much was evident from several telephone conversations.
Kevin's Vision -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1998
Kevin often daydreamed about mountain climbing, not just any mountain, but Mount Washington in upsta
Jane's Encounter -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
Even though Jane's children were all grown and had families of their own, she still enjoyed attendin
Rally Day -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1998
Plans for Rally Day were discussed at the Sunday School teachers meeting.
What No One Told Karen -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 1998
Like countless others of her generation, Karen grew up attending Sunday School and church and then c
Mary's Christmas Letter -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
Mary was a loving, thoughtful woman who took the time to write personal notes with her Christmas car
Janice And The Bulldozer -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1998
The picture in the evening newspaper would certainly catch anyone's attention: three women sitting o
Christmas Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Timothy J. Smith -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
Jeff and Cheryl had a dream. Actually they had the same dream.
Forest's Mark -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1998
Forest never said much when he came to church.
The Defining Mark -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1998
Rollin and Tom were colleagues at a small Christian college.
Vicki's First Christmas -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Timothy J. Smith -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1998
Life was anything but easy for Vicki.
Jack's Surprise -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Timothy J. Smith -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1998
Jack was one of those people that when you first met him you immediately liked him.
Amber's Stand -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1998
Amber was thrilled when she made the girl's varsity basketball team in her junior year of high schoo
Take Me Out To The Ball Game! -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1998
Whenever visiting the community park he could not help but notice ten-year-old Tony and his younger
Ed's Vacation -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 1998
Ed and Darlene were looking forward to their summer vacation.
Home Movies -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
One evening, for some unknown reason, Kay found herself alone in her basement watching old home movi
Two Brothers -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1998
Bobby and his brother Gordie were waiting to be picked up to attend Vacation Bible School at their n

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

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
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Romans 15:4-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: The God Of HopeCall To Worship
Conversation At A Rest Stop -- John 4 -- Janet Burton -- 2001
The Samaritan Woman Tells Her Story
Wednesday Lent 1 -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
Welcome to worship this evening. Tonight, we will hear from Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son.
Ministering To The King -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2001
Theme: Ministering To The KingCall To Worship
Proper 4 -- Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
Theme: We Live By FaithCall To Worship
Proper 24 -- Psalm 99 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany -- Matthew 6:24-34 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2001
Theme: WorryCall To Worship
Third Sunday Of Easter -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Theme: A Call To Holy LivingCall To Worship
Proper 16 -- Psalm 124 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2001
Theme: The Visit Of The Wise MenCall To Worship
Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Psalm 72:1-17 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Third Sunday In Lent -- John 4:5-42 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Theme: Jesus, Savior Of The WorldCall To Worship
Proper 9 -- Romans 7:15-25a -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
Theme: Inner ConflictCall To Worship
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: Prepare The Way Of The LordCall To Worship
Doubts From A Dungeon -- Matthew 11 and 14 -- Janet Burton -- 2001
John The Baptist Struggles To Believe
Wednesday Lent 2 -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
Welcome to worship this evening. Tonight, we will hear again from Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son.
Proper 29 (Christ The King) -- Psalm 100 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Luke 24:13-35 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Theme: Christ Walks With YouCall To Worship
Proper 17 -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2001
Theme: God Is CallingCall To Worship
Baptism Of Our Lord (Epiphany 1) -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2001
Theme: A Light To The NationsCall To Worship
Third Sunday In Lent -- Psalm 95 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 9 -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
Theme: Bring Your Burdens To The LordCall To Worship
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Psalm 24 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Love Sometimes Wears A Towel -- Matthew 20 and John 13 -- Janet Burton -- 2001
A Foot Washing Settles The Dust

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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