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Advent 4 -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The narrative possibilities of today's text are almost endless.
The Barren Fruit Tree -- Luke 13:1-9 -- William E. Keeney -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 1997
1At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate h
The Catch Of Fish -- Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 4:18-22 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 1997
1. Text
Proper 9 -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
Chapters 9 and 10 of Luke are much occupied with the disciples.
Baptism Of The Lord; Epiphany 1 -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This story of Jesus' baptism has manifold narrative connections in Luke's Gospel.
A Father And Two Sons -- Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 -- William E. Keeney -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 1997
1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to
Jesus Transfigured -- Luke 9:28-36, Matthew 17:1-8 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 1997
1. Text
Proper 10 -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
We come this week to one of the great Lukan stories that have found their way into the consciousness
Epiphany 3 -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
With this week's text we come to the absolute center of Luke's concerns.
Forgiving Debts -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 1997
36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he
The Post-Resurrection Catch -- John 21:1-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 1997
1. Text
Proper 11 -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The few verses in this week's Gospel text have been the subject of much interpretation.
The Sprouting Fig Tree -- Luke 21:25-36 -- William E. Keeney -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
25"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
The Centurion's Servant -- Luke 7:1-10, Matthew 8:5-13 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 1997
1. Text
Proper 12 -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
One of the basic agendas "on the way to Jerusalem" is instruction of the disciples.
The Widow's Son at Nain -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 1997
1. Text
Proper 13 -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
"God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty" (Luke 1:53).
The Lepers -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 1997
1. Text
Proper 14 -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's text begins with a clear statement of the Gospel message. "Do not be afraid ...
Proper 15 -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
"I came to bring fire to the earth...." "I have a baptism with which to be baptized...." Je
Proper 16 -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
We have seen that the material in the Travel Narrative consists primarily of Jesus' giving instructi
Proper 17 -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
Chapter 14 in Luke's Gospel consists of a series of discourses in the setting of a banquet.
Proper 18 -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
In this week's text Jesus fixes his gaze on the multitudes who have followed him and calls them to d
Proper 19 -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because ...
Proper 20 -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
We have made reference to these verses in Chapter 11 and in Chapter 24.

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Placard Faith, Complex World -- John 3:14-21 -- Robert A. Noblett -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
As you have sat in your easy chair munching on snack food during any NFL game, you have seen this si
Running Home In The Dark -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2002
Our liturgical calendar stands poised on the verge of a commercial feeding frenzy.
Hanging The Law On Love -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Cathy A. Ammlung -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2002
Compared to some of the pericopes from Mark's Gospel, this one seems a piece of cake.
The Holiness Of The Sacred -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- Paul E. Robinson -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
In the April 7, 1999, issue of The Upper Room, Merial Scott of South Dakota wrote the following:
Humble Beginnings -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- H. Alan Stewart -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2002
Small town folk will often ask a person on first meeting, "Who was your mother?" What they mean is:
Thanks -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2002
A minister held an administrative position in a major university in a large city.
Holy Vexation -- John 2:13-22 -- Robert A. Noblett -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
We have all probably had the experience of being in the presence of someone who is normally composed
What It Takes To Do The Job -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- Paul E. Robinson -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2002
What is Job #1 in your life? We know what it is for Ford, right?
In The Hot Seat -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Cathy A. Ammlung -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2002
Everybody who thinks you could have done better than James or John, raise your hands.
Growing Faith -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Paul E. Robinson -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
It's an old joke, but an insightful one: A man slipped off the edge of a cliff, and just before he f
Blessing Revealed -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- H. Alan Stewart -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2002
"Trouble comes in threes," so many people say.
Sweet Surrender -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2002
John Bradshaw tells a parable about a prisoner in a dark cave.1 The man was sentenced to die.
Life -- From The Inside Out -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Robert A. Noblett -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
Eleven people, so goes the story, were dangling from a rope beneath a helicopter in a rescue scenari
Height Advantage -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Paul E. Robinson -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2002
One of the key inventions of the modern world is the geostationary or geosynchronous satellite, many
The Impossible Option -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Cathy A. Ammlung -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2002
Before there was Harry Potter, there was Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit. In J. R. R.
Too Good To Miss -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- Paul E. Robinson -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
C. S.
The Threshing Floor -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- H. Alan Stewart -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2002
We so casually go to the supermarket and pick up a loaf of bread.
Grace In The Midst Of Unanswered Prayer -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- Glenn W. Mcdonald -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2002
No one ever really prepares you for your first theological bull session.
Up And Running -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Robert A. Noblett -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
We all have a stake in making sure that our young people get up and running.
Promised Land -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B -- 2002
This day called All Saints' developed in a manner that every university fund-raiser can appreciate.
The Destination Of All Journeys -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- H. Alan Stewart -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2002
Today we encounter one of the most sacred moments for every single one of us.
Grace In The Midst Of Limited Resources -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 -- Glenn W. Mcdonald -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2002
Year after year Stumpy and Martha attended the fair in their home state, and every summer it was the
Cross Connections -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Robert A. Noblett -- Good Friday - B -- 2002
Good Friday is not an easy day on which to preach, nor is what happened on Good Friday easy to expla
Ah, Sweet Mystery Of Life -- Romans 16:25-27 -- Frederick R. Harm -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
An early movie version of Victor Herbert's romantic operetta
What Changes And What Doesn't? -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- H. Alan Stewart -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2002
(Before speaking, the speaker puts on a pair of "cool shades" [dark sunglasses] and takes them off w

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The agony of sin -- Lamentations 1:1-6 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
The Savior is coming -- Micah 5:2-5a -- James R. Wilson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Come now and know the presence of the Lord God of Hosts!
Faithfully witness wherever we are -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Let us proclaim the glory of the Lord in our praise and worship!
God's kingdom shall endure forever -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 -- James R. Wilson -- All Saints Day - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let the saints of the church gather this day for worship!
Promise of the New Covenant -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Let us gather for worship and praise before Almighty God!
The Ascension -- Acts 1:1-11 -- James R. Wilson -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who believe in the risen and ascended Christ give praise!
Prophecy, dreams, and visions -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 1997
Sunday between October 23 and October 29 inclusive First Lesson: Joel 2:23-32
Repent and turn to the Lord -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- James R. Wilson -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
Sin, judgment, and faith -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let the people of God give praise and worship the Lord!
The Lord is our salvation -- Isaiah 43:1-7 -- James R. Wilson -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let all of God's people gather this day for worship!
God's promised blessing -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Give praise to the Lord, for God's kingdom is at hand!
Resurrection of the Lord -- Acts 10:34-43 -- James R. Wilson -- Easter Day - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Christ, our Lord, is risen from the dead. Praise be to the Lord!
God's new earth -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who seek the Kingdom of the Lord gather now for worship!
We are witnesses sent by God -- Acts 5:27-32 -- James R. Wilson -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Let us gather this day and raise our voices in praise before God!
God's righteous branch -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- James R. Wilson -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
Repentance in Christ -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- James R. Wilson -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Give praise to God, for Christ is risen and lives in our hearts!
God knows no equal! -- 1 Kings 18:20-39 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
Power over death -- Acts 9:36-43 -- James R. Wilson -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
Proper 19 -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: The wisdom of the Lord belongs to those who will seek God's will!
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- James R. Wilson -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, all who would bear witness to the risen Christ!
Proper 20 -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1996
First Lesson: Proverbs 31:10-31
Epiphany -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let all of God's people give praise and worship the Lord!
Proper 21 -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who would proclaim God's word gather now for worship!
Second Sunday After Epiphany -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Praise be to the Lord who calls us to serve the living Christ!
Proper 22 -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who would praise the Lord gather now for worship!

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it out as a role-play. I will show the role-play version, but you can ignore the acting pieces and just tell the story if you prefer.

Note: For the role-play version, you will need to select two girls and one boy to play the roles. You might also have a broom and a dust rag if you want to.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started.

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For July 20, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (v. 24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middle of an admiring crowd of friends. Mary had always been a dancer, from the time she could walk. Privately, Martha thought she'd always been something of a show-off and ought to go on the stage, for Mary loved an audience.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jeanne Jones
Several years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin, I was an honorary nanny for our pastor's son, Jonathan. I took care of him from the time he was able to walk until our pastor moved, when Jonathan was about five. We had wonderful times together. One time, when I was at their house, and we had been doing some spiritual direction together, Pastor Michael asked me if I knew the name of my guardian angel.
James Evans
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against the godly" or "plotting destruction" all day long. The image we have in our minds about who "bad" people are, and how they conduct themselves, make such accusations completely plausible. We are less inclined to believe such things about leaders, especially respected leaders among us. We have difficulty believing someone with wealth and power would deliberately plot to do someone else harm.
Arley K. Fadness
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan. Luke positions the good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God."
Kirk R. Webster
In the early 1990s, Wesley Nunley of Dallas completed a project he had dreamed of for decades. "I tell you, this could be a big thing," he explained. Wes then walked out to a concrete octagon in the middle of his backyard. With a beaming smile, arms raised up in excitement, the energetic retiree said, "This welcomes the UFO to land, which has never been done before."
John W. Wurster
It was the best of times. A time of prosperity and confidence, a time of relative peace, a time when most everything looked pretty good, a time when most everyone felt pretty good. It was a time maybe not unlike our own time.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
Our God is both wise and caring: afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.

Pastoral Prayer
God, we bow before you this morning, knowing that you hear every prayer. We know that in all of Creation, you are the source of life. You are the one who set the light swirling between the galaxies. The breath of your Spirit pulses through all life. You have even become flesh among us. We praise you, Lord, that in all your wonder, you have not forgotten us.

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