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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 23 -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 (C)
First Sunday After Christmas / Holy Family -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 (C)
Reconciled To Self, Others, And God -- Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.
Proper 24 -- Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 31:27-34 (C)
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 31:7-14 (C, E)
The Challenge Of Compassion -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2000
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.
Proper 25 -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Joel 2:23-32 (C)
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Confidence And Persistence In Prayer -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2000
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lor
Proper 26 -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Habakkak 1:1-4; 2:1-4 (C)
The Baptism Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 43:1-7 (C)
Becoming Rich In The Eyes Of The Lord -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2000
Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me
Proper 27 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Haggai 1:15b--2:9 (C)
Second Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 62:1-5 (C, RC, E)
Expect The Unexpected -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2000
Jesus said, "Do not be afraid little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the ki
Proper 28 -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 65:17-25 (C)
Third Sunday After The Epiphany -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Renewing Our Relationship With Jesus -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2000
Theme
All Saints -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- All Saints Day - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 (C)
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Generosity Of Humility -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2000
One occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sab
The Day Of Thanksgiving -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Consequences Of Discipleship -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2000
Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, "Whoever comes to me and d

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Dying To Live -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
In his book The Mustard Seed Conspiracy, Tom Sine shares the story of his parents' friends and their
The Hinge Of History -- Luke 3:1-6 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Henry Ford said that history is bunk; but history has gotten its revenge on the pioneer auto maker.
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.
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.
The Son Also Rises -- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2003
When it comes to the resurrection, one of the things that all of the Gospel writers agree upon is th
Burden Or Blessing? -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
There is an ancient Chinese parable that goes like this:
A Dirty Christmas -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Steven E. Albertin -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
Under every Christmas tree in the midst of the brightly wrapped packages, the choo-choo train windin
Jesus' Lesson On Prayer -- Luke 11:1-13 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
Jesus was praying. His followers sat near and watched.
Can You Hear It? -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Charles D. Reeb -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2003
There is a monastery in Europe which was built in a most difficult location.
The Divine Opportunity -- Luke 3:7-18 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Opportunity comes with so many different faces that we often don't recognize it.
Rowers And Rockers -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
One of the most difficult jobs in any church is the staff person, usually a secretary, who is assign
The Life You've Always Wanted -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
The other day I came across some interesting epitaphs.
Revised And Amended By The Author Of Life -- 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2003
The celebrated theologian and novelist Frederick Buechner once remarked that preaching is like doing
God's Peace Is On Patrol -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
On the Sunday afternoon following Thanksgiving, when I was in seventh grade, it began to snow.
The Making Of A Holy Family -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- Steven E. Albertin -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
How many times have your heard people say at this time of the year, "Christmas is about family.
It's God's Grace, Not American Ingenuity -- Luke 12:13-21 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Imagine an enormous open field in the midst of rolling hills.
Conversion To Christ -- Steven E. Albertin, Charles D. Reeb, Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- 2003
Contemporary life provides almost endless opportunities and possibilities that allow us to maximize
Songs Of The Season -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
No season of the year sings as well as Christmas.
Too Peeved To Pray -- Galatians 1:1-12 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2003
Paul did not pray! I know that it is difficult to believe, but Paul did not pray.
A Vexing Vision -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Charles D. Reeb -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Have you have heard the expression, "Something got lost in the translation?" On the Internet there a
A Labor Not In Vain -- 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2003
According to the book of Acts, when Saul set out toward Damascus with his satchel of arrest warrants
The Ultimate Sacrifice -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Back during the first week of November, when the stores were busy trying to persuade us suddenly to
Never Just Words -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2003
"Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words can never harm me."
The Transforming Power Of A Changed Perspective -- Luke 12:32-40 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
As we wander through the middle of this twelfth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, we notice that Jesus
Never Limit Others, Ourselves, Or God -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2003
Once upon a time a badly deformed little girl was born to a very wealthy family.

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Growing Pains -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Growing pains is a term that refers to pains in the limbs or joints during childhood and youth.
Parable -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Truth embodied in a tale shall enter in at lowly doors," wrote Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
Stars and Stables -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In 1899, a boy named Jeno was born in Budapest, Hungary.
Lost -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"I come here to find myself.
Grudge -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Anemia was the girl's problem.
Stone Soup -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Do you know how to make stone soup?
Stars -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In a small monastery there was a little monk who was extremely shy.
Luck -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Many years ago, begins an old Chinese story, there was a man who had a horse and one son.
Hard-Boiled -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In the early days of the American frontier, women used lye soap and often washed their family's clot
Thanksgiving Letters -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
During the Depression of the 1930's, Dr. William L.
Mansion -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In A.D.
Healthy Religion -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"It is worth-while to look at the types of character that Jesus admires.
The Existence of God -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Robinson Crusoe is an imaginary story about a sailor, who was marooned on a desert island.
Means and Ends -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
America's crucial problem is too many Americans are rich in things and poor in soul.
Hero -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Robert Redford's movie about baseball, "The Natural," confirms the words of educator Jacques Barzun:
Affirm -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Jesus once told a story about a woman who kept nagging a greedy and unjust judge until his resistanc
Through -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Keep my lad safe, O Lord. Hide him under Thy wings.
Tired -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In the entrance hall of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore is a remarkable statue of Jesus of Nazar
Medicine -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Many believers think that to have recourse to science in treating illness is to reject faith," wrot
Heroes -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Researchers for the World Almanac and Book of Facts asked 2,000 American eighth-grade students to na
Bridge Builders -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In A.D. 1191, Pope Clement III approved a new guild.
Tomato -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Before 1830, tomatoes were known as love apples.
Meek -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When the Great Fire of London destroyed the original St.
Holy Week -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Holy Week is the last week of Lent, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Saturday.
Cabbage Patch Kids -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Cabbage Patch Kids are dolls invented by Xavier Roberts.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Touchable -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Practice Random Acts of Kindness -- Ephesians 4:25-32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
No God Like God -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Covenant -- Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15, Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- 1999
Call To Worship
Afraid and Overwhelmed -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1999
First Lesson: Song of Solomon 2:8-13Theme: Spring FeverCall To Worship
God Raised Him -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Mark 16:1-8 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Easter Day - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: God is in charge. God raised Jesus. This is Easter.
Roads to Happiness -- John 14:1-6 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
All God's Children -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Partners -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: Partners in concern,People: Partners in planning,
Standing on the Promises -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Storm Shelter -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Call Her Happy -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Releasing Joy -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: Let us rejoice in this day that God has made.
So, Anyway -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Turning Inkblots into Angels -- Romans 8:28-39 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Speaking Up -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
God Who Gave -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: It is Christmas.People: The Holy Child has come.
By The Name Of Jesus -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Healing Power of Love -- John 15:12-17 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Counting On God -- Job 1:1, 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Getting It Straight -- Acts 19:1-7 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Tell Me -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Staying Alive as Long as You Live -- Romans 12:3-18 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Where On Earth Are You? -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: Where are you when we need you, God?

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
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
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For November 2, 2025:
Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For November 2, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message involves roleplay. You will need a chair for Zach to stand on, unless it is ok for him to stand on a front pew. For the best fun, you will also want to have an adult volunteer play the role of Jesus and walk in when it is time. Whether he is in costume is up to you.

* * *
John Jamison
Object: You will need one or more pictures of people recognized as saints. You may find some pictures by Googling “public domain pictures of saints” and printing images from the results.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 and Psalm 119:137-144
Walter Elwell in the Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook notes of righteousness that it is, “Right standing, specifically before God. Among the Greeks, righteousness was an ethical virtue. Among the Hebrews it was a legal concept; the righteous man was the one who got the verdict of acceptability when tried at the bar of God’s justice.” God is a righteous God, even when is people are not righteous.
Frank Ramirez
One of the features of synagogue worship is the Shema. The Hebrew word is “Hear!” and is the opening for Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” God’s people are commanded to “hear” these words. They come from the Lord. And these three scriptures invite us to hear God and each other, something that is lacking in our society today.
Wayne Brouwer
Fred Craddock tells of a vacation encounter in the Smokey Mountains of eastern Tennessee years ago that moved him deeply. He and his wife took supper one evening in a place called the Black Bear Inn. One side of the building was all glass, open to a magnificent mountain view. Glad to be alone, the Craddocks were a bit annoyed when an elderly man ambled over and struck up a nosey conversation: “Are you on vacation?” “Where are you from?” “What do you do?”
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 and Psalm 149

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight. Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live. (vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.
Frank Ramirez
Call them the good old days. Call it the Golden Age. It’s not unusual for people to look back in their youth, or to the youth of their country, as somehow more perfect, honorable, or simpler. C.S. Lewis was always skeptical about claims that chocolate was better in one’s youth. It wasn’t better. Our taste buds were stronger and more receptive.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The Roman Catholic Church's canonisation of Edith Stein some years ago, fuelled considerable controversy. Edith Stein was born and bred into a Jewish family, becoming a Roman Catholic Christian at the age of 31. She was also a leading German intellectual in the early thirties, during the run-up to World War 2, although she gave up that career in order to become a Carmelite nun. But she didn't deny her Jewish roots, for in 1933 she petitioned the Pope, Pious XI to write an encyclical in defence of the Jews.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus didn't reject anyone, even those who were liars and cheats. By a simple act of friendship Jesus turned Zaccheus' life around. In our worship today let us consider friendship and all that it means.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, there are some people I don't like.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I reject.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I keep out of my circle of friends.
Lord, have mercy.


Reading:

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
The world offers many blessings, but none of these things will save us: only the blessing of God in Jesus Christ can do that.

Old Testament Lesson
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Daniel's Apocalyptic Dream
Perry H. Biddle, Jr.
Comments on the Lessons
John W. Clarke
This chapter of Luke brings us ever closer to the end of Jesus' public ministry. Jesus enters Jericho, just fifteen miles or so from the holy city of Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus transforms the life of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. This is one of the few stories that is peculiar to Luke and is a wonderful human-interest story. The fact that Zacchaeus is willing to climb a tree to see Jesus is a clear indication that he really wanted to see and meet the carpenter from Nazareth. His eagerness to see Jesus is rewarded in a very special way.
Scott A. Bryte
Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
Mark Ellingson
This is a story written for people who had been or were about to be persecuted, if not enslaved. (The book of Daniel was probably written in the mid-second century B.C. during a period of Seleucid [Syrian] domination in Palestine.) It tells them and us how their ancestors had once faced a similar slavery under the oppression of the Babylonians centuries earlier. The implication was that if these ancestors could endure and overcome such bondage, so could they and so can we.
Gary L. Carver
Ulysses S. Grant fought many significant battles as commander of the Union forces in the War Between the States. He also served as President of the United States where he probably engaged in as many battles as he did while he was a general. Toward the end of his life he fought his toughest battle -- with cancer and death.

Special Occasion

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