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SermonStudio

The First Sunday After Christmas -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme
Proper 12, Pentecost 10, Ordinary Time 17 -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- 2001
There are many other texts in the Old Testament that call for the repentance appropriate to Ash Wedn
First Sunday after Christmas -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2001
This text continues with the passage that we read from Isaiah 61 on the Third Sunday in Advent.
Third Sunday In Lent -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme We head toward the passion and cross of Christ.
Proper 13 -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2001
Our eye--witness account of the reign of King David over all of Israel continues.
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 - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme
Proper 13, Pentecost 11, Ordinary Time 18 -- Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.
Baptism of Our Lord -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2001
Unfortunately, this text from Genesis has often been connected with baptism, and therefore the lecti
Christmas Eve Day -- Isaiah 9:1-7 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2001
If we look at the context of the passage, the words that immediately precede and follow it announce
First Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme We head toward the passion and cross of Christ.
Proper 14 -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2001
"It's a long story." That familiar saying could be applied to our text for the morning, because the
Proper 14, Ordinary Time 19 -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.
Christ the King -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2001
This is the Sunday of Christ the King, the last Sunday in the church year, before we enter the Adven
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 12:1-4a, John 3:1-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme We head toward the passion and cross of Christ.
Proper 15 -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2001
Between the notice of David's death in 1 Kings 2:10 and the succession of his son Solomon to the thr
Proper 15, Pentecost 13, Ordinary Time 20 -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.
Easter Day -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Easter Day - B -- 2001
There are many people here this morning who do not normally come to Sunday services.
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 - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme We must now head toward the passion and cross of Christ.
Proper 16 -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2001
When we dealt with the story of David, we learned that he was not permitted to build a temple to hou
Proper 16, Pentecost 14, Ordinary Time 21 -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.
Second Sunday of Easter -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2001
This text for the Sunday after Easter really shakes us up, doesn't it?
Eighth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 49:8-16a, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme
Proper 17 -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2001
By this text we begin expositions of some of the Writings of the Old Testament, with which we will d
Proper 17, Pentecost 15, Ordinary Time 22 -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme The teaching and ministry of Jesus the Christ.

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

A Name Not Taken In Vain -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- William G. Carter -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2004
In the middle of March, 1961, a minister named Duffy splashed water on my head in the middle of a Su
Sharing The Bread -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2004
Call To Worship: Come, let us break bread together as we worship God.
In The Darkness Of Oppression, There Is The Light Of Salvation -- Luke 2:1-5 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 2004
I was staying at a hotel in a small town, near a large city.
Breaking Down Walls -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- 2004
Through Christ, God has solved the problem of conflict between races.
The Rest Of The Story -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Susan R. Andrews -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
Just five days later, the needles are falling, the poinsettias are drooping, and the cookies are sta
Strong Medicine -- Judges 4:1-7 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2004
We get only a sip from the book of Judges.
Honor -- E. Dale Click -- 2004
The Fourth Commandment: "Honor your father and your mother."
Struggles, Death, And Christ -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Jeff Wedge -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2004
Many people cling very tightly to life.
Sharing The Pain Of Others -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2004
"Rags, rags!
Salvation - Worldly, Corporate, And Dynamic -- Isaiah 9:1-4 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2004
All religions offer salvation.
Taking You Up With Him -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Richard W. Ferris -- Easter Day - A -- 2004
"If I go down, I'm taking you down with me." We've all heard that line.
The Incarnation: What And Why? -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
We have just remembered again the beautiful story of the birth of Jesus.
Take The Bread -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2004
Call To Worship:
In The Darkness Of Fear, There Is The Light Of Joy -- Luke 2:6-11 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 2004
One cold Sunday afternoon in December, the congregation of a little Baptist church went over to the
Landsberg -- John 12:27-33 -- 2004
On Memorial Day we remember the sacrificial service of people who have fought and died in our countr
Demonstrating The Divine -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Susan R. Andrews -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2004
For almost fifty years I have lived comfortably within the church.
The Subject Is Salvation -- Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2004
A pastor was talking one day with some men whom he knew were not actively involved in any religion.
Chastity And Fairness -- E. Dale Click -- 2004
The Sixth Commandment: "You shall not commit adultery."
Complete Joy -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Jeff Wedge -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2004
There was once a man who decided he was dead.
Pentecost! Slow ... And Sure! -- John 20:19-23 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2004
Have you ever noticed how we preachers often promote the early church as if it were the ideal?
A Time To Quit Asking Questions -- Micah 6:1-8 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2004
We Christians should be very careful about putting a limit on serious questions concerning human and
Living Hope -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- Richard W. Ferris -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
A middle--aged man was on a Caribbean cruise enjoying his first real vacation in years.
With A Song In Your Heart -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2004
What kind of a song does your heart sing as you go through your days?
Enough For All -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2004
(Place a sheaf of wheat and a small bunch of purple grapes in a basket on the altar to represent
In The Darkness Of Suspicion, There Is The Light Of Devotion -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 2004
It was a few days after Christmas.

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

''God's Gonna Trouble The Water'' -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 (15-19) -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 1994
"What difference is a little water going to make anyway?" Ken Taufler thundered at his friend Jim Ka
The Faithful Harlot -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1994
What's a bad girl like you doing in a list like this?
The Case Of A Grocery Store Fix -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
It happened just about every time she went shopping for groceries.
The Glory And The Pain -- Richard A. Jensen -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 1994
His given name was Leslie Leonard but everyone just called him "Pete." Pete was the son of very devo
A Bent Over Woman -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 1994
The woman with the battered face.
The Wretched Of The Earth -- Luke 1:47-55 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 1994
"Look down and see the beggars at your feet. Look down and show some mercy if you can.
Shy Alice -- John 16:12-15 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 1994
Alice Hawks was one of the most important members of Christ's Church in Dallas.
The Uninvited -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 1994
"I was the guy that never got chosen by either side." The speaker of these words was a man by the na
True Repentance -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 1994
"Today we're going to talk about Lent," Tanya announced at the beginning of the adult class she had
A Baby Wrapped In Diapers -- John 1:1-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1994
HBO hit the jackpot! The ratings they achieved for their special on Michael Jackson were awesome.
Bearing The Cross -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 1994
At long last, Laura McDermott had fulfilled her lifelong dream.
Jesus Must Be A Real Person! -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Richard A. Jensen -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 1994
A missionary worked some years ago among a very primitive group of people in Papua New Guinea.
To You Is Born -- Luke 2:1-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1994
It was to be her first starring role.
The Joy Of God -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 1994
Dr. Yoshiro Ishida is an international church leader in the Lutheran Church.
Jesus, Remember Me -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 1994
Sheila Stone had had the respect of everyone in her community.
Final Payment -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 1994
The story of Mary Gordon's book, Final Payments begins with a funeral.
Hear No Evil ... -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 1994
Remains Of The Day is a powerful movie starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.
A Shroud Unto Life -- Luke 24:1-12 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Easter Day - C -- 1994
Who will ever forget those first pictures?
''This Is My Body'' -- John 20:19-31 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
Tommy Russo tried and tried to go to church with his wife.
When The Light From Heaven Does Not Flash -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Richard A. Jensen -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
Dawn Hetland didn't move a muscle. The worship service was over. The choir had filed out.
From All Nations, Tribes, Peoples, Languages -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
Mina lived in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
No More Tears -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
Can you imagine a four-year-old boy falling to his death from the 53rd floor of a New York City apar
Paths Of Desperation -- John 5:1-9 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
Where do you go when you feel hopeless? Dick learned something about that when he was 13.
God's Evangelism Plans -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
The fall of Haile Selassie in 1974 did not bring the kind of peace that the Ethiopians had hoped mig
The Holy Spirit Doesn't Have A Copy Machine -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 1994
The wind of the Spirit blew through St.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 14, Pentecost 12, Ordinary Time 19 -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: GreenGospel: Luke 12:32-40
Easter 3 -- John 21:1-19 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: WhiteGospel: John 21:1-19
Proper 28 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2000
Call To Worship
Abundant Rain -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2000
First Lesson: Joel 2:23-32Theme: Abundant Rain
Proper 9, Pentecost 7, Ordinary Time 14 -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: GreenGospel: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Underpinning -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Standing On The Shore -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2000
Call to Worship
Proper 15, Pentecost 13, Ordinary Time 20 -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: GreenGospel: Luke 12:49-56
Easter 4 -- John 10:22-30 -- Wayne H. Keller -- 2000
Liturgical Color: WhiteGospel: John 10:22-30
Christmas -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2000
Call To Worship
Released From The Bear's Paw -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2000
Second Lesson: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18Theme: Released From The Bear's Paw
Thanksgiving Eve/Day -- Thessalonians 5:12-22, Psalm 95 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: White/RedEpistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
Day of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2000
First Lesson: (Acts 2:1-21 or) Genesis 11:1-9 Theme: Jibberish
Crumbs From The Cross -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2000
Call to Worship
The Advent-ure Of Love -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Proper 16, Pentecost 14, Ordinary Time 21 -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: GreenGospel: Luke 13:10-17
Easter 5 -- John 13:31-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: WhiteGospel: John 13:31-35
Preparations For The Lord's Supper -- Frank Ramirez -- 2000
Some time before the Lord's Supper the group assigned to organize the event should meet to delegate
Haughty Or Humble? -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2000
Gospel: Luke 18:9-14Theme: Haughty Or Humble?
The Transfiguration Of The Lord -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Wayne H. Keller -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: WhiteGospel: Luke 9:28-36 (37-43)
I Am No Prophet -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
The Season Of Sacred Stories -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2000
Call to Worship
The Advent-ure Of Hope -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Proper 17, Pentecost 15, Ordinary Time 22 -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: GreenGospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14
Easter 6 -- John 14:23-29 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: WhiteGospel: John 14:23-29

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.

Special Occasion

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