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You Now Have Set Your Servant Free -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Barbara G. Schmitz -- 1995
A Funeral Homily For The Feast Of The PresentationCanticle: Nunc Dimittis
The transfiguration of Christ was an experience of divine transcendence -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Good News of Christ's Birth -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Russell F. Anderson -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Welcoming The New Millennium -- James W. Angell -- 1995
At a wedding I attended 50 years ago, the bride's brother sang a love song, "At Dawning." I was the
Use It Or Lose It -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1995
"For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to the
A Time To Die -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, Psalm 90:1-12 -- Barbara G. Schmitz -- 1995
A Funeral Homily For LentCanticle: Pascha Nostrum
The lessons for the Festival of the Holy Trinity have to do with the name of God. -- Genesis 1:1-2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The passion and death of our Lord -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66, Matthew 27:11-54 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
James W. Angell -- 1995
AppendixTheology And SomeMajor Concerns
Actions Determine Judgment -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- William E. Keeney -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1995
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the thr
All Glory, Laud, And Honor -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Barbara G. Schmitz -- 1995
A Funeral Homily For Palm Sunday
God enters the human family and leads us through suffering to salvation -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Russell F. Anderson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 63:7--9 (C, L)
The end times. -- Jeremiah 26:1-6, Matthew 24:1-14 -- Russell F. Anderson -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 26:1--6
The Attitude of Readiness -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Russell F. Anderson -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 2:1--5 (C, RC, E, L)
Welcome To The Banquet -- Revelation 7:9-17, Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Barbara G. Schmitz -- 1995
A Funeral Homily For Maundy Thursday
Through the Incarnate Word, we are conceived in love and born anew as God's dear children. -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 31:7--14 (C, E)
The gift of the Holy Spirit -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 7:37-39 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 2:1--21 (C); Acts 2:1--11 (RC, E)
The Attitude of Repentance -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Sting Of Death -- 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 35-38, 42-44, 53-58 -- Barbara G. Schmitz -- 1995
A Funeral Homily For Good Friday
Sleepers, Wake! -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Barbara G. Schmitz -- 1995
A Funeral Homily For AdventCanticle: Benedictus Dominus Deus
The productivity of God's word -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 25:19--34 (C)
The Attitude of Patience -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Low In The Grave He Lay -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Psalm 130, John 5:24-27 -- Barbara G. Schmitz -- 1995
A Funeral Homily For Holy Saturday
Alleluia, He Is Risen! -- Job 19:21-27a, John 11:21-27 -- Barbara G. Schmitz -- 1995
A Funeral Homily For The Great 50 Days Of Easter
The mystery of good and evil -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 28:10--19a (C)

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Where Are We Without God? -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2001
Moses stood in the presence of Almighty God on Mount Sinai.
Leaving A Legacy -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2001
Moses became God's agent during a transitional era in the Hebrew's history.
Truth Or Consequences -- Exodus 20:16 -- Robert R. Kopp -- 2001
Mother Teresa and the Princess of Wales were larger than life and continue to evoke sympathy, curios
What's All The Fuss About? -- Micah 6:1-8 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2001
Micah is the sixth minor prophet.
Why Doesn't God Do Something? -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2001
Introduction
Juxtaposing -- John 3:14-21 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 2001
"... God so loved the world ..."
Identity As A People -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- 2001
Fascinating reading is an account of the Lewis and Clark expedition to the Northwest, titled Unda
What Gives Commitment Staying Power -- Richard E. Boye -- 2001
We will not agree on everything at this assembly but one thing I think we might agree on is that chu
Pulling Up Tent Stakes -- Genesis 12:1-9 -- Kristin Borsgard Wee -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2001
Twenty years ago a friend of mine was thinking about taking a class at Wartburg Seminary.
Who Am I To Judge Another? -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2001
While I was still in seminary, I thought it would be good to go back to my roots and try to understa
Seven Deadly Virtues -- 1 Corinthians 12:31--13:13 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 2001
If I have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not love, I'm nothing.
It's A Mystery -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Linda Schiphorst Mccoy -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2001
Mike, a member of our Good Earth Band at THE GARDEN, and a Ph.D.
Anticipation Of The Destination -- Joshua 3:7-17 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2001
Several years ago Heinz created a commercial for its ketchup line that still haunts one every time a
Let Sleeping Dogmas Awake! -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2001
There are many doctrines in the Bible that receive light billing today.
Receiving The Holy Spirit -- John 20:19-23 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2001
Today is Pentecost. Today we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the people of God.
Nevertheless -- 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 2001
... Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews, an absurdity to Gentiles ...
Adventuring Into Advent -- Isaiah 40:1-5 -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2001
About twenty miles northwest of Edinburgh, Scotland, on the Firth of Forth, is the village of Linlit
The Blessing In Suffering -- 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- 2001
Toni Morrison wrote the novel Beloved to help us appreciate the pain and difficulty blacks ha
Reflections After Forty Years As A Lutheran Pastor -- Richard E. Boye -- 2001
A Sermon Preached on the Fortieth Anniversary of Ordination
Laughter -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) -- Kristin Borsgard Wee -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2001
Several years ago Danny Thomas got a good burst of laughter from his audience.
Living On The Edge -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2001
In 1971 Evel Knievel attempted to jump across Snake River on a rocket--powered motorcycle.
Woe Is We -- Luke 6:17, 20-26 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 2001
"Woe to you when all speak well of you ..."
Let's Get Committed -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2001
Living in a new millennium differs little from the last.
Do The Old Rules Still Apply? -- Exodus 24:12-18 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2001
Grandma was well into her eighties when she saw her first basketball game.
Houses Built On Sand -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
One evening the television news was filled with stories about home--owners on the west coast whose m

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Number 8 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: You have come to worship. What have you brought with you to offer up to the Lord?
Jesus Speaks About His Suffering And Death -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use in ordinary sequence with the scripture reading.
PROPER 17 -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- B. David Hostetter -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPGive yourselves wholly to prayer . . . always interceding for all
Good Friday's Silence -- Stephen P Cowen, Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1993
Invocation *P: Standing in the darkness of this day, we feel the pain
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER -- Acts 4:32-35, Psalm 133 -- B. David Hostetter -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPHear and read what is written down in the gospel of John in order
Number 69 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: Are you pleased with the way your life has gone, so far?
Number 61 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: "Words! Words! Words!" cried Eliza Doolittle. She said she was "sick of words!"
Number 29 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: It's Sunday! The Lord's Day!
Number 32 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: In the beginning was darkness.
Our Spiritual Growth -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Comfort is an intriguing concept.
Do Not Worry -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use before the pastoral prayer.
Number 80 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Easter Sunday
Christ The Power And The Wisdom Of God -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use in ordinary sequence with the scripture reading.
PROPER 18 -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Mark 7:24-37, Psalm 125 -- B. David Hostetter -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPPraise the Lord as long as you live. Sing psalms to God all your
Love Speaks In The Silence -- Stephen P Cowen, Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1993
Leader's Helps Leader's Helps: This series of confessions may be made by one
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER -- Acts 3:12-19, Psalm 4, 1 John 3:1-7 -- B. David Hostetter -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1993
*CALL TO WORSHIPGod is everywhere. Pause here to be armed with the power from
Number 7 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: If you won the magazine's $10 million sweepstakes, how would you use the money?
Number 62 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: Relinquishing control.People: Wow! That's a toughy -- pretty risky, even.
Number 30 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: "Good" and "goodness" are not melodic sounds, but connected to God, they are made rich in me
Number 33 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: We hold coronations just about every day of our lives.
Our Relationship To God -- George A. Nye -- 1993
A story from my youth comes to mind about a Native American man who was walking the city streets of
The Lord Takes Elijah Up To Heaven -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use in ordinary sequence with the scripture reading.
Number 81 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Easter SundayPastor: Do you hear it?
The Snake Made Of Bronze -- Numbers 21:4-9 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use in ordinary sequence with the scripture reading.
PROPER 19 -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38, Psalm 19 -- B. David Hostetter -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPLove the Lord, who has heard us and listens to our prayers. God

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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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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.

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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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