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SermonStudio

Proper 14 -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 (C)
Capernaum's Favorite Centurion -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 2000
The loving concern of a Gentile centurion's ill servant,
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 9:36-43 (C)
Proper 15 -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 5:1-7 (C)
A Congregational President And His Sick Daughter -- Matthew 9:18-26 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 2000
Death flutes wailed a morbid tune for Jairus' daughter;
Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 11:1-18 (C)
Proper 16 -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 1:4-10 (C)
Compassion At Nain's East Gate -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 2000
At Nain's east gate a widow grieves her only son;
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, John 14:23-29 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 16:9-15 (C)
Proper 17 -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 2:4-13 (C)
A Boat For Rough Seas -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 2000
When rough seas and wild storms rage about us,
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 1:1-11 (C, RC, E)
Proper 18 -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 18:1-11 (C)
First Sunday In Advent -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 33:14-16 (C, RC)
One Out Of Ten Isn't All That Bad -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 2000
The fulfilled life of discipleship is constant gratitude,
Proper 19 -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 (C)
Second Sunday In Advent -- Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Malachi 3:1-4 (C)
Navigating Home To Jesus -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
Theme
Proper 20 -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 (C)
Third Sunday In Advent -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Leading By Example -- Luke 6:39-49 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2000
He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Proper 21 -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 (C)
Fourth Sunday In Advent -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Seek Reconciliation: God's Judgment Is Near -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had m
Proper 22 -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Lamentations 1:1-6 (C)

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Christian Citizenship In A Pluralistic Society -- Psalm 33 -- 2004
"Happy [blessed] is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 33:12).
An Incredible Encounter -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2004
Jacob sends presents to brother Esau in the hope of finding favor with him.
How To Love God -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2004
In the rock opera Jesus Christ: Superstar, Mary Magdalene sings, "I don't know how to love hi
In The Event Of Power Failure -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2003
A friend of mine once shared a story about his first visit to Niagara Falls.
Changed And Charged -- 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2003
Fred Craddock tells the story of a young lady standing before a mirror and she doesn't like what she
Living A Transformed Life -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2003
Reformation Sunday provides the opportunity to recall the great events of the sixteenth century that
God Communicates In Humanly Understandable Terms -- Luke 2:41-52 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
One Christmas morning, a young widow was doing her best to make Christmas happy for her two little b
Music From Another Room -- J. Ellsworth Kalas -- 2003
Introduction
Come Clean -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2003
There is an old story about a mother of eight who walked into her house after visiting with a neighb
Life As Prelude -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2003
John Claypool reminds us that the ancient art of map-making or cartography dates back over 4,500 yea
Thanks Be To God -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2003
Once upon a time there was a woodcutter who spent the majority of every day in the woods.
Christmas And The New Family -- John 1:1-18 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2003
When Wilbur and Orville Wright completed their historic flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on Dec
Losing That Loving Feeling -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2003
The thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians is not only the most memorable passage that the Apostle
The Invitation -- Isaiah 55:1-9 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
I don't know about you, but I love receiving invitations.
Who's Afraid Of The Holy Ghost? -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2003
Ellen Ann is a pretty little six-year-old who has grown up in a lovely home that is next door to a t
Don't Forget Your Nametag! -- Isaiah 43:1-7 -- Steven E. Albertin -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2003
I'm glad to see that so many of you are wearing your nametags this morning.
Praying For People -- 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2003
Ulysses S.
Going To The Mountaintop -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2003
Have you ever been to the mountains?
Just You Wait! -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- Robert S. Crilley -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Some of you may be excited to learn that this morning's scripture lesson contains a benediction.
Sharing What We Have Been Shown -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2003
This passage is not exactly gossip, although it comes pretty close.
A Happy Ending -- Joshua 5:9-12 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
A. A.
A Show Of Hands -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2003
How does one describe love for another person?
The Signs Of Summer -- Luke 21:25-36 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas -- 2003
The season of Advent is upon us, and with it is a spirit of heaviness.
God Has The Last Word! -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Easter Day - C -- 2003
It is amazing how sounds will stir the mind and heart.
Left Behind? -- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
I want to talk about the confusing, messy, often heartbreaking process we call life.

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Death of a Blacksnake -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
I WAS DRIVING along a rural road recently when the car in front of me swerved off the shoulder and c
THE STRANGER -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
IT WAS a warm summer evening in the mid-fifties.
Obscenity Is ... -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
WHAT IS OBSCENITY?
SEX IS NOT A FOUR-LETTER WORD -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
I WAS WALKING down the street one day when I bumped into a minister-friend whose attention had been
INTERVIEW WITH A BAPTOMETHOCATH -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
(A reporter is at a convention of "one-way" religionists called Baptomethocaths.
THE FALL OF A SPARROW -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, a small sparrow soared from the top of a telephone pole and glided across the roa
TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
THERE ARE THOSE who would say that the 1930s and 1940s were not good years in which to live, much le
A MILLION-DOLLAR STATUS SYMBOL -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
IT SITS THERE like a sleeping giant; a multi-million dollar structure of brick, steel, and glass, co
THE CLERK WHO ROARED -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
I WAS STANDING in a department store checkout line recently where I witnessed an amazing transformat
THE LONELY WOMAN -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1990
SHE SAT on the long porch of the nursing home, her small, thin body buried under heavy woolen garmen
Gamble -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
At a funeral of an Atlantic City gambler, the pastor asserted, "Spike is not dead; he only sleeps."
Shadow -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In the lands of the East, a person's shadow has greater significance than in our scientifically orie
Letting Go (II) -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
A man was making a trip on the rapids of the Colorado River, where the water rushes quickly over the
Adam -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Adam and Eve had an ideal marriage.
God's Quality -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Aurelius Augustinus was converted to Christianity in A.D.
Shalom -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Shalom is a beautiful and melodic Hebrew word which comes from the root "slm" signifying wholeness,
Liberator -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In the early days of Israel's history, a divine messenger visited the wife of a man named Manoah.
Ecumenical -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In 1892 Sir Wilfred Grenfell, a British medical missionary, was sent to Labrador, a large peninsula
Good -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"In the beginning of time God created everything, step by step.
Star Trek -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" is the third motion picture to grow out of the television seri
Life after Death -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Life after death is a matter I think about at the beginning of November, because on, November 1, the
Kingdom of God -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When Leslie Weatherhead, the late English pastor, lived in India as a young man, he had a sturdy gar
Goodness and Mercy -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years." Those wor
Stars and Sorrows -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"The Lord ... heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Limelight -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Sir Humphry Davy, a British chemist, isolated calcium oxide in 1808.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Draw Near to God -- James 4:1-10 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Dance! -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Cedar Or Goat's Hair -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
When You Feel Inadequate -- John 6:1-13 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Angels Inspire Our Worship -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1999
Leader's HelpsWorship Leader
The Three Crosses of Calvary -- Luke 23:32-43 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Planting People -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Wiping Away The Tears -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- All Saints Day - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Spiritual Cataracts -- Matthew 6:19-24 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Angels In The Outfield -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1999
Leader's HelpsAngels In The Outfield Worship Leader
We Too Can Be Resurrected! -- John 20:11-18 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Contradiction -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Restore The Kingdom? -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
When You Need a Life-Changing Moment -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
A Christmas Worship Service -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1999
A Christmas CelebrationA Christmas Worship Service
On Hoisting a Sail -- Acts 2:1-13 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1999
First Lesson: 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a Theme: Confront Call To Worship
Sound The Alarm -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Handling Life's Detours -- Acts 16:6-10 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
One Nation Under God -- Mark 12:13-17 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Instead Of You -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
An Understanding Mind -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Good For You -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: Creation is light.
The Prayer That Can Change Your Life -- Philippians 4:10-23 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
The Grace of Gratitude -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Baptism of Our Lord
29 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
40 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 2 | OT 2
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 3 | OT 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For February 15, 2026:

CSSPlus

Bethany Peerbolte
The disciples see Jesus transfigured with Moses and Elijah, and then Jesus tells them to tell no one. I don’t think I would have been up for the task of keeping that secret. I know this because the first time I played The Green Wall a friend told me the secret and I had the hardest time not telling everyone else the answer.
Good morning, boys and girls. Kermit the Frog came along with me this morning. How many of you watch Kermit on public television? (Let them answer.) I've watched a bit of Kermit myself. One of the things he does that I like the best is when he pre tends that he is a television newscaster. When he does this he always reports events as an eyewitness. How many of you like his eyewitness TV reports? (Wait for a show of hands.) Can anyone tell me what it means to be an eyewitness? (Let someone answer.) It means that someone actually saw an event take place. That
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME

Materials:
Blue construction paper
White cotton balls
Glue
Alphabet pasta

Directions:

1. Give each of the children a piece of blue construction paper.

2. Tell the children to use the cotton balls to make clouds and glue them onto the paper.

3. Have the children use the pasta letters to spell, "Listen to him," by gluing the letters on the blue construction paper under the cotton ball clouds.
And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. (v. 2)

Good morning, boys and girls. Today is the Transfiguration of our Lord and it is one of the special days of the church year. Today we talk about Jesus changing in several ways while three of his disciples -- Peter, James, and John -- watched. How did he change? The Bible says that the face of Jesus became as bright as the sun and his clothes became gleaming white. There were other things that happened that the disciples remembered and

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Transfiguration is a celebration of God’s glory and how that glory is revealed in Christ when he was transfigured. The festival was observed as early as the sixth century in Eastern Christianity, but did not become a festival in the Catholic Church and its Protestant heirs until just 70 years prior to the Reformation. Sermons in line with this festival will aim to focus the flock on coming to appreciate a bigger, more majestic picture of God and Christ than what they brought to church. Assurance will be provided that this majestic God overcomes all evil.
William H. Shepherd
It was the most boring sermon I ever heard, until it became the most interesting.

At first, I did not understand what had come over my student. Up to this point in the class, I thought she had been getting it. She laughed when I quoted Kierkegaard, "Boredom is the root of all evils." She nodded her head when I said that the dullest presentation would not be redeemed by the soundest content. Her critiques of the other students' sermons were right on target.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
When Jesus was transfigured up on the mountain, God said, "This is my son whom I love, listen to him." In our worship today, let us listen to Jesus.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I find it difficult to hear your voice.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I hear so many voices that I don't know which voice is yours.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I turn away from your voice because I don't want to hear it.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Seeing Clearly"
Shining Moments: "Charlie Is Glowing" by Deb Alexander
"The Horse Whisperer" by William Lee Rand
Scrap Pile: "Picture This" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt

Argile Smith
Keith Hewitt
Peter Andrew Smith
David O. Bales
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Glenda's Surprise" by Argile Smith
"It Was Just My Imagination" by Keith Hewitt
"The Terrible Dark Day" by Peter Andrew Smith
"In Secret" by David Bales


What's Up This Week

SermonStudio

Mark Wm. Radecke
You go into the movie theatre, find a seat that's suitable, clamber over some poor innocent slumbering in the aisle seat, taking pains not to step on toes or lose your balance. You find a place for your coat, sit down, and get ready to watch the movie. The house lights dim; the speakers crackle as the dust and scratches on the soundtrack are translated into static, and an image appears on the screen. It is not the film you came to see. It is the preview of coming attractions, a brief glimpse of the highlights of a film opening soon.
John N. Brittain
Leslie D. Weatherhead, the great British preacher who served many years at City Temple on Holborn Viaduct in London, told the story of the elderly gentlemen who sat on the benches near the church trading stories. As one might expect, in addition to the good old days, a popular topic of conversation was their aches, pains, and ailments. "I have heard that such-and-such a clinic has a very effective regimen of treatment for this," one fellow would say. "Well, I understand that Dr. So-and-So is very efficacious in dealing with this particular ailment," another would counter.
Stephen M. Crotts
Grandma was well into her eighties when she saw her first basketball game. It was a high school contest in which two of her great-grandsons played. She watched the action with great interest. Afterwards everyone piled into the van to get some ice cream, and a grandson inquired, "Grandmama, what did you think of the game?" "I sure liked it fine," she chirped. And then a little hesitantly she added, "But I think the kids would have had more fun if somebody had made the fellow with the whistle leave the players alone!"
R. Glen Miles
Whenever I read from the book of Exodus, especially a text which includes a visit by Moses to the mountaintop to be in the presence of God, I get an image in my mind of Charlton Heston in the movie version of The Ten Commandments. I'll bet you have that problem too, don't you? It doesn't matter if you were born a decade or two since that movie was first released. It gets a lot of play on television, especially during "holy seasons" of the year like Easter.
Joe E. Pennel, Jr
Remember that fog we had last November? I had to venture into it early that Sunday morning. I left home about 6:00 a.m., long before most people even thought about getting up. The fog was dense. My automobile headlights would not cut it. Visibility was reduced to about ten feet. I turned on my dimmer lights and hoped that on-coming traffic would do the same. As I drove, I felt like my car was pushing through a tunnel of smoke.
John T. Ball
There is an old story about a Sunday school teacher who asked a young girl in her class why her little brother wasn't coming to Sunday school any longer. The girl replied, "Well, to tell the truth, he just can't stand Jesus!" Her brother had more of Jesus than he wanted.
Thom M. Shuman
Call To Worship
One: We gather as the faithful of God,
we come to listen to what God has to say to us.
All: God has invited us to this place;
may our faces reflect our hopes and our hearts.
One: We gather as the faithful of God,
people of the new covenant of hope and promise.
All: We boldly enter into the presence of God,
hoping to be transformed into new people.
One: We gather as the faithful of God,
our fears melting away in the heart of God.
All: We come to share in the freedom of the Spirit,
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering Litany
Divide the congregation into two parts (left and right would be easiest here) with the choir or assisting minister as a third voice besides the pastor (marked "L" in this litany).

L: Looking for the Light.
I: Looking for the Light.
II: Looking for the Light.
P: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
L: Looking for the Light.
I: Looking for the Light.
II: Looking for the Light.
P: Do not be afraid.

Intercessory Prayers

Special Occasion

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