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Worship

SermonStudio

Theme: The One Wish -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Proverbs 9:9-10)
Theme: What I Want -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 34:18-19)
Theme: It Don't Get No Better -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 45:6-7)
Theme: Wisdom. Real. -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 125:1-5) One:
Theme: Embarrassed Enough To Finally Listen? -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 19:1-2, 7-9, 14) One:
Theme: With One Hand Tied Behind Her Back -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship Rejoice and be glad in God! Collect
Theme: For Such A Time As This -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Who Knew? -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2005
First Lesson: Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Theme: And Another Thing, Lord ...
Theme: I Think You Said You Wanted An Answer -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 104:24-34) One:

Drama

SermonStudio

John, the Baptizer -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"Prepare ye the way of the Lord."
Levi, the Publican -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"All went to be taxed."
Nathan, the Shepherd -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"Unto you is born this day ... a Savior."
Jacob, the Innkeeper -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"There was no room ... in the inn."
Balthasar, the King -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"We have seen his star in the east ..."
Joseph, the Carpenter -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"Call his name Jesus ..."
Looking the Part -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
Marguerite Detrick
Caiaphas -- Exodus 40:12-16, Matthew 26:57-68 -- Scott A. Bryte
Good evening.
The Centurion -- 2 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 27:45-54 -- Scott A. Bryte
Good evening.
John -- Job 19:23-25, Acts 8:14-17, John 21:20-25 -- Scott A. Bryte
Good evening.

Sermon

SermonStudio

Healing Tears -- John 11:1-45 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
When we came up out of the tomb of Lazarus, the other half of our touring group, who were waiting th
While It Was Still Dark -- John 20:1-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
March 7, 1961, was by all appearances an ordinary day.
The Best Send Off Ever -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
In the summer of 2004, I had the joy of traveling with Rosmarie Trapp on a five-day, whirlwind story
Pentecost Diaries -- Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
The last time I spoke to Ken was on the phone a few weeks before he died.
How To Stretch A Meal -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
My mother's people, the Longs of Longfield House, County Tipperary, came from Ireland to southwest W
Storm Walker -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2007
The call came on a Sunday after church just as we were sitting down to lunch.
Foreign Territory -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
I grew up "poor" -- or so I thought.
Are You Ready For Christmas? -- Isaiah 40:3-4, Luke 2:1-7 -- William Powell Tuck -- 2007
As we approach Christmas, the question will be heard on many lips: "Are you ready for Christmas?" A
Christmas Is For The Young -- Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 2:1-14 -- William Powell Tuck -- 2007
Christmas is usually associated in our memory as a time of great joy.
The Sounds Of Christmas -- Isaiah 53:1-6, Luke 2:8-14 -- William Powell Tuck -- 2007
Listen! Listen! Listen and you can hear the sounds of Christmas everywhere.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

The Torn Curtain -- Matthew 27:45-54, Mark 15:33-39, Luke 23:44-49 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
There is a story that says there was once a very large religious statue in a temple, but one day a m
The Unused Spices -- Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Spices are a symbol of love, the love of the women who brought the spices to the tomb of Jesus to po
The Misplaced Christ -- John 20:1-18 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Ty asked his father, "Why do we go to church?" When his father did not reply, Ty asked again, "Why d
The Idle Tale -- Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:1-12 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
The small, furry, green caterpillar ate its way up the stalk of grass.
The Twice-Traveled Road -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace were Alison's favorite friends in church.
The Identifying Scars -- Luke 24:36-43, John 20:24-29 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
"Alan, you are late again!" Alan's father's jaw twitched, which meant he was not pleased.
The Dispelled Doubt -- John 20:19-29 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Once there was a child who lived during a war. His name was Norman.
The Propelling Word -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
"You are under arrest," the policeman said to the old man, caught for stealing a loaf of bread, beca
The Wasted Ointment -- Matthew 26:6-13, Luke 7:36-50 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Our sacred story for today is about a woman who came to Jesus with a jar of very expensive oil and s
The Sustaining Promise -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Long ago King Philip of France issued a decree ordering all Jews under the penalty of death to leave

Preaching

SermonStudio

Three Little Pigs -- Jesus' Version -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Sometimes we have to preach the obvious such as: we need a strong faith founda
Can Pagan Objects Be Sanitized? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Are there certain objects or ideas that are off limits to Christians because t
A Just-In-Case Arrangement With God -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: It may not be possible to have a playing-it-safe kind of approach to religion.
Rainbow-colored Coats And Green-eyed Monsters -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: I think one of the "seven deadly sins" is jealousy, which may be a temptation
A Buddhist, A Mormon, And An Atheist Were Out In A Boat Fishing -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Dialogue with other faiths and denominations leading to better understanding a
A Blueprint For Dying -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: A Christian should prepare for death and find ways of serving even after death
Developing Extra-Ray Vision -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: A Christian should become continually more sensitive to his or her total envir
Paul Said The Darnedest Things -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We cannot ignore some of the strange things Paul said, and we should discuss w
Does The Sneaky Side Of Us Enjoy Violence? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How unhealthy is the obsession we have with violence and what can the Christia
When Religion Turns Into A Circus -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Why does religion sometimes become bizarre, weird, or ridiculous, and what do

Worship Service

Stories

SermonStudio

Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Progress Slow progress is always better than no progress at all.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Association
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Age
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Assurance
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Attitude
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Beauty
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Becoming
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Bible
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Blessing
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Caution

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

Easter 4 -- John 10:11-18 -- William W. Helland -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 10:11-18
Easter 5 -- John 15:1-8 -- William W. Helland -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 15:1-8
Easter 6 -- John 15:9-17 -- William W. Helland -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 15:9-17
Easter 7 -- John 17:6-19 -- William W. Helland -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 17:6-19
The Resurrection Of Our Lord / Easter Day -- John 20:1-18 -- William W. Helland -- Easter Day - B -- 2005
John 20:1-18
Epiphany 2 -- John 1:43-51 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2005
John 1:43-51
Epiphany 3 -- Mark 1:14-20 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:14-20
Epiphany 4 -- Mark 1:21-28 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:21-28
Epiphany 5 -- Mark 1:29-39 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:29-39
Epiphany 6 -- Mark 1:40-45 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:40-45

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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For August 23, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One day, James Butler missed his stop. It was very unusual, for James Butler was a person of habit who always kept strictly to the same timetable. So much so, that the milkman, the postman and the paperboy all set their time by him. "There he goes," they'd mutter as they watched him stride towards the station, "we must be on time today."

StoryShare

David O. Bales
John E. Sumwalt
Craig Kelly
Contents
What's Up This Week
"It was a Long Time Ago" by David O. Bales
"The Snare is Broken" by John Sumwalt
"A Rose and a Scarf" by Craig Kelly


What's Up This Week
John E. Sumwalt
Sandra Herrmann
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"Gilly, a Diligent Leader" by John Sumwalt
"A Conspiracy of Women" by Sandra Herrmann
"Showing Our Belief" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


Gilly, a Diligent Leader
by John Sumwalt
Romans 12:1-8

We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"Growing Up Adams" by Frank Ramirez
"More Than That" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * *


Growing Up Adams
by Frank Ramirez
Romans 12:1-8

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and perfect.
-- Romans 12:2

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
(See Proper 21/Pentecost 19/Ordinary Time 26, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)

"Kids," as old-time television host, Art Linkletter, used to observe, "say the darndest things." That's what one mother found out, when her son turned to her one morning at the breakfast table and asked, "Mom, is it true that God's not only up in heaven, but also here with us on earth?"

"Why, yes," replied his mom.

"Then, is it also true that God is right here in this town?"

"It certainly is," replied Mom (beginning to get his drift).
Mariann Edgar Budde
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Exodus 1:8-2:10 (C)
Larry Lange
The year I knew Jack, one of the cattle he had raised was awarded the title "State Champion Steer." The big brown-eyed animal, nonchalantly chewing straw, unaware of his celebrity status, was adorned with a blue ribbon, purchased by the highest bidder, slaughtered, sliced up into steaks and roasts, and ground up into burgers.
Wayne Brouwer
Appearances can be deceiving. John Wayne, for instance, acted the part of a genuine cowboy in dozens of motion pictures and fired make-believe rifles and revolvers hundreds of times. Even his last starring role in The Shootist had him portray an aging western gunslinger. Yet, here is what Wayne had to say about his skills with a firearm: "I couldn't hit a wall with a six-gun, but I can twirl one. It looks good!"
William J. Carl, III
It is said that Winston Churchill never liked talking to subordinates. He always wanted to go to the top because he figured that was the only way he could get any action. So, as the story goes, when Churchill went to heaven, he met St. Peter at the gate and said, "Who are you?" When Peter said, "I'm St. Peter," Churchill said, "To hell with you, get God!"
Marilyn Saure Breckenridge
Introduction

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
I should confess that I do not begin with a prejudice in favor of nonconformists. Some people do, of course. Some people, I think, have protest hardwired into their souls, and so they applaud almost any personal stand against whatever the prevailing mores happen to be. But by temperament I am not of the camp.
Cathy Venkatesh
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose would by any other name smell as sweet." Shakespeare's Juliet bemoans Romeo's family name of Montague and begs him to cast it off, but all who have seen the play know that is not so easily done. Names have power, both the names we are given and the names that we choose. Each of our lessons today touches on the power of names and naming in our lives of faith. Are there names we need to cast off? Are there names we need to claim? Today's readings offer much to ponder.

Exodus 1:8--2:10

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. Have you ever thought about how blessed you are to be able to speak words? (let them answer) You don't whistle or grunt, you don't bark or meow, instead you say words and other people understand you. Our language is called English, and it is made up of thousands of words. With those words you can ask questions, tell a story, get directions, praise God, and many other things.
Good morning, boys and girls. Isn't it wonderful how God made us different? He gave us so many gifts that we can use to build his church and bring peace to the world. All of us have gifts. What are some of your gifts? (let them answer) Those are all wonderful. The one gift I really like to share is encouragement.
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