Login / Signup

SermonStudio

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 10 -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Man With A PlumblineCall To Worship
Proper 11 -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Price Of SinCall To WorshipLeader: God's faithfulness is eternal.
Proper 12 -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
First Lesson: Hosea 1:2-10 Theme: Children Of The Living GodCall To Worship
Proper 13 -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Theme: God's Love For His PeopleCall To Worship
Proper 14 -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
Theme: How Paul Became An ApostleCall To Worship
Proper 15 -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Luke 12:49-56 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Price Of Evil DeedsCall To Worship
I Am Too Young -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2003
First Lesson: Jeremiah 1:4-10 Theme: "I Am Too Young"
Listen To God -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2003
Call To Worship
Healing On The Sabbath -- Luke 13:10-17 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2003
Gospel Lesson: Luke 13:10-17Theme: Healing On The Sabbath
Proper 17 -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Price Of Forsaking GodCall To Worship

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

Risky Business -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- 2006
Su Xueling (pronounced ZOO-ling) is a different breed of entrepreneur, delivering instant noodles on
Who Will Go? -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2006
Ken had not realized there was a shoplifter in the supermarket.
Like A Tree Planted -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2006
You have probably never thought seriously about tiptoeing through the treetops, but there is a place
The Possible Dream -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2006
Sibling rivalry. It's the pits. It has been around as long as there have been siblings around.
Sowing Eternal Seeds -- Isaiah 55:10-13 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2006
Who among us has not been stunned by the splendor of a summer sunset, the sparkling spring waters of
Shine, Moses, Shine -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
Have you ever had a "mountaintop" experience?
Advent: The Call To Holiness -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- John T. Ball -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Anytime we center on First Thessalonians in our devotional reading or in a study group or read a pas
Advent: A Wider Context -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- John T. Ball -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
The congregation at the Macedonian city of Philippi was the first church established by Paul in Euro
Advent: An Irrational Sense Of Peace -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- John T. Ball -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
We are always touched by newspaper or media stories of people who have come through some terrible ex
Advent: Jesus, The Suffering Savior -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- John T. Ball -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
This is our final Sunday in Advent.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Your Lifetime Teeth -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a baby tooth or a drawing of a baby tooth
Throw Your Worries To The Lord -- Romans 8:31-39 -- Wesley T. Runk
(Appropriate for use in Lent)
Bill And Bert Bell -- Romans 8:1-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: two bells, only one of them having a clapper
The Key Ring That Unites Us -- Romans 6:2b-11 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a round key ring with a lot of keys and one large key
Missing The Bull's Eye -- Romans 7:15-25a -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some darts and a dart board
Target Practice -- Romans 3:21-25a, 27-28 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some rubber bands, candy to pass out to the children
Jumping With Help -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: string or rope
You're Worth A Million -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a make--believe check for $1,000,000 (be sure to void the check!) and an old rag
Goldie Belongs To Me -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a pet dog, cat, or even a goldfish
Cold Water And Kindness -- Matthew 10:34-42 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: cups of cold water to be shared with all of the children

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Say, "Who Do You Love?" -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The Youth Fellowship of the Epworth United Methodist Church of Lima, Ohio, used to have an interesti
Second Springs -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
In the 1930s, I lived in Sugar Grove, Fairfield County, Ohio.
Seed Investments -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Dr.
Selah -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Question: In the book of Psalms in the Bible, what does the word Selah mean?
Some Good Things Take Time -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
About the middle of the nineteenth century, a noted English traveler, Lord Sandys, was served a fine
Stab Us Awake -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Robert Louis Stevenson, a sufferer himself, wrote:If I have faltered more or less
Strangers? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A young married woman had been quarreling with her mother-in-law, to the extent that the elderly one
Teamwork -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Some years ago the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church met in Columbus, Ohio.
Bad Chemistry -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Here's to the memory of Willie.Willie is no more:
Thanks For The Boll Weevil -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
At Enterprise, Alabama, there is a most unusual monument worthy of consideration.

Stories

SermonStudio

Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Holiness wipes away the moral and ethical evil that has accumulated in life.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Holiness harmonizes us with the character of God.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Holiness makes us morally fit for heaven.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Holiness dwells on the almightiness of God.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Holiness is like the engine that is fired up with a full head of steam and rolling towards heaven.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Holiness is a bargain at any cost.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Spirit-filled prayer is the best safeguard against backsliding.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
The Holy Spirit will fortify the soul for everyday spiritual battles.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
The standard by which we test God is how Holy He is.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A holy person finds God at the center of the storm.

Prayer

Devotional

Poems

Pastoral Resources

Children's program

Pageant

Adult study

Youth Resources

Monologues

Church Programs

Meditations

Candlelighting service

Biblical Studies

Humor

Faith Development

Bible Study

Children's Resources

Self Help

Liturgy

Illustration

Spirituality

Biblical Study

Inspirational

Christian Life

Easter

Lent/Easter

Church Growth

Sacrament

Healing

Death

Funeral

Memorial

Observance

Christian

African-American History

Thanksgiving Day

Marriage Ceremony

Wedding Vow

Home Blessing

Church Anniversary

Women's Day

Men's Day

Church Leaders

Mother's Day

Gathering Prayer

Unison Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer

Intercession

Fellowship

Christian Faith

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 5
28 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
22 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
21 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

SermonStudio

Richard E. Gribble, CSC
When Charlie Atlas was a teenager his parents purchased for him a dresser mirror that he placed in his bedroom. Before this, whenever Charlie needed to use a mirror, he went to the bathroom, but there he was only able to see his head and possibly his shoulders. When he got dressed up he used his parents' full-length mirror in their bedroom. Charlie was happy with his new mirror; he spent many hours in front of it.
Elizabeth Achtemeier
There is a strange belief abroad in our land at the present time, the belief that we cannot know God. Such a belief rises partly from a feeling of awe before the divine -- the feeling that God is so unfathomable, so other, so beyond our feeble understanding that we cannot possibly experience who he truly is in all of his fullness and perfection. And perhaps that is the reason that the Athenians have erected that idol "to an unknown God" that Paul encounters when he visits their city. They know that there is a god beyond them, but they cannot define him or name him.
Stan Purdum
(See Proper 23/Pentecost 21/Ordinary Time 28, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-12.)

Psalm 66 is a song of communal thanksgiving, probably composed to celebrate some national deliverance. Because of the personal language of verses 13-20, there is some speculation that this psalm was originally two hymns, but as it stands, it contains a combination of corporate and personal prayers, both appropriate in worship.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E, L)
Schuyler Rhodes
Are you one of those people who always has a backup plan? Do you make your commitments and focus your energies on one thing, but have an alternative in mind just in case things don't work out with the first one? You might call it "Plan B" or something else, but basically you're hedging your bets and covering yourself in case the situation goes south.
Mark Ellingsen
Jesus was still in the middle of his farewell discourse to his disciples. He was trying to comfort the despair that they were feeling when they had first heard the news (during the last supper) that Jesus would be leaving them (John 13:21, 33; 14:1). He had comforted them with the good news that he was on the way to God the Father, that in associating with Jesus, the disciples had been in fellowship with the Father (John 14:6-11). Whoever believed in him, Jesus said, would be able to do the works that he had done, even greater works (John 14:12).
Albert G. Butzer, III
Here are two statements about the world. Tell me if both of them ring true for you. The first of them is this: "The world is a beautiful place." And the second statement is this: "The world is a terrible and dangerous place." Both statements are true - don't you agree? - and yet, ironically, they seem to say the exact opposite thing. How much easier it would be to affirm one statement or the other, but not both.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
The name Robert Stroud is not one commonly heard in ordinary conversation, but this man's contribution to humanity will live on in the minds of many under a different title, "The Birdman of Alcatraz." By nature, Robert Stroud was not a congenial man. As a youth he was always getting into fights, disagreements, and various altercations. When he was only nineteen he killed a man in a barroom brawl, was convicted of second--degree murder, and was sentenced to the Federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, since the crime was committed on Federal land.
Richard W. Ferris
In a large stone cathedral in Europe there was a grand, magnificent pipe organ. On a particular Saturday afternoon, the sexton was making one final check of the choir and organ loft high in the balcony at the back of the church. As he was making his inspection, he was startled to hear footsteps echoing up the stone stairway behind him. He thought the doors were all locked and that no one else was in the church. He turned to see a man in slightly tattered traveling clothes coming toward him.
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Acts 17:22-31
Theme: To A Known God

Call To Worship
Leader: God is a known God who continually gives us evidence of presence.
People: God is a knowable God who extends to us the hand of hope.
All: Come, let us worship God. Amen.

Collect
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Our Cities Cry To You, O God (PH437)
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (PH376, UM384, LBW315, NCH43)
Holy Spirit, Truth Divine (PH321, UM465)
There's A Sweet, Sweet Spirit (PH398, UM334)
Thy Holy Wings, O Savior (UM502)
Come Down, O Love Divine (LBW508, NCH289, PH313)
O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee (OBW492, NCH502, PH357)
My Song Is Love Unknown (LBW94, NCH222, PH76)

Anthems
Praise The Lord, Service Music, Hal Hopson, CGA, Unison 2--part

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 10, 2026:

StoryShare

John Fitzgerald
Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the classic Little House on the Prairie series neared an end to her
life. At this juncture she penned an essay about hope in face of the constant current of change. Here is an excerpt from that writing: 
Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Always Be Ready" by Frank Ramirez
"Looking for God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"A Gentle Profession" by Peter Andrew Smith


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
The lessons for the Sixth Sunday of Easter direct us to sermons on the great things God’s love does, appreciating in two cases this love’s cosmic character (especially leading to a stress on justification by grace). This is an appropriate theme with the festival of the Ascension in view, which celebrates Christ’s almighty power and cosmic vindication. 

Acts 17:22-31
William H. Shepherd
Schuyler Rhodes
In Garret Kreizer's novel, God of Beer (2002), the high school social studies teacher tells the class about Gandhi's assertion that if God ever came to India, he'd have to come as bread, in order to get the attention of the starving peasants. The teacher then asks the class what form God would have to take in order to get the attention of their high school. "Beer," says one student. "Yeah," another chimes in, "it's the only thing to do around here."

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

CSSPlus

Hi there, boys and girls! How many of you have rules that you have to follow at home? (show of hands) What are some of the rules you have? (let them tell you) What about at school? Do you have rules there? What are they? (let them tell you)

Why should we even have rules? (see what they think) I think we have rules because it makes it easier for us to be together. If we are all kind to each other, we will all be happier. If there are rules, then maybe people will fight less.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL