Login / Signup

SermonStudio

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

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 25 -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Lord Is Among UsCall To Worship
Proper 26 -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2003
Theme: Why Doesn't God Intervene Now?Call To Worship
Proper 27 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
Theme: Do Not Be Discouraged -- The Lord Is With YouCall To Worship
Stand Firm In The Time Of Trial -- Luke 21:5-19 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
Gospel Lesson: Luke 21:5-19Theme: Stand Firm In The Time Of Trial
Celebrating The Lord's Day -- Luke 1:46b-55 -- David M. Oliver -- 2003
Opening SentenceLuke 1:46-48, The Message
Lazy Christians -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
Second Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13Theme: Lazy ChristiansCall To Worship
The New Creation -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
First Lesson: Isaiah 65:17-25 Theme: The New CreationCall To Worship
Proper 4 -- 1 Kings 18:20-39, Galatians 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Lord Alone Is GoodCall To Worship
Proper 5 -- 1 Kings 17:8-24, Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Lord Speaks Through People Of GodCall To Worship
Proper 6 -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2003
First Lesson: 1 Kings 21:1-21a Theme: Evil Deeds Lead To Destruction

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

When Truth Comes Via An Invalid Argument -- 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2006
Sometimes truth comes to us by way of an invalid argument or perspective.
We're On Our Way, Baby -- 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:3 -- John T. Ball -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
Today is the Sunday when we celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus, a moment in his ministry when up
First Things First -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Gary L. Carver -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
No moment in the life of a parent is more awesome than when a child leaves home for the first time a
Repentance Is Relationship! -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Gary L. Carver -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Repentance is relationship.
What Shall We Become? -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Almost thirty years ago a play titled, Mourning Pictures, opened off-Broadway.
Mary's Magnificat -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Tom M. Garrison -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Christmas songs have a way of staying with us from childhood.
Bethlehem: Where Extremes Meet -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Tom M. Garrison -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
Every year at this particular season, I am amazed all over again at the impact that the old, old sto
Our Task: Acceptance And Challenge -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Tom M. Garrison -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
What do our children need of us really, as adults, as parents, and as the community of faith called
What Gift Do You Bring? -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
I remember watching a football game between Kansas State and Ohio State.
The Baptism Of The Lord -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Tom M. Garrison -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
This text invites us to listen as John the Baptist tells the people that there is one who is coming

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Counting Fish, Birds, And Hair -- Matthew 10:26-33 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: an aquarium with many fish (minnows or guppies can be purchased at bait shops, pet st
How To Settle An Argument -- Acts 15:22a -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: none
Sticking Up For God -- Acts 13:8 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: none
God's Hero -- Acts 11:27-12:3a -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a sword
God Is Fair -- Acts 10:34-38 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a referee's shirt and whistle
Fighting Fear -- Acts 9:13-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: none
The Man From Ethiopia -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a shoe without shoelaces and some shoelaces, a screwdriver and a screw, a coloring bo
Open Ears -- Acts 7:55-60 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some ear muffs, cotton, ear plugs
Advice From Gamaliel -- Acts 5:17-42 -- Wesley T. Runk
God's Good Worker -- Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-2a, 51-60 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some big stones

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

The Inspired Holy Bible -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
1.It is not the concepts of just one man or group.
The International Garden Of Peace -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
In almost the exact center of North America, on the border of Canada and the United States, at the j
The Love Of Christ -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A Roman Catholic saint once said, the love of Christ is:
The Mayo Clinic -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The world famous Mayo Clinic had a religious origin. In 1883, Dr. William W.
The Miracle Of Ice -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A Mrs.
The Miracle Worker -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Did you ever see the motion picture The Miracle Worker?
The People Had A Mind To Work -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
When the fires were finally extinguished, near Washington, D.C., at the Pentagon Building, which had
The Prince Of Peace -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Arthur Brisbane, a famous newspaper editor in the days of World War I, wrote philosophically on worl
The Prince Of Peace 2 -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
At the close of World War I, there was a meeting of world leaders to discuss the future.
The Print Of The Nails -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The blind hymn writer, Fannie Crosby, gave an answer to a critic on how a blind person could believe

Stories

SermonStudio

Even In Death, Life Is Celebrated -- Ephesians 1:11-23 -- Constance Berg -- All Saints Day - C -- 2000
Our son, Andrew, was born on November 1, All Saints' Day.
Open Our Minds, Lord -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Constance Berg -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2000
Mr.
Mrs. Smedes' Prayer Chair -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Constance Berg -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2000
The Reverend Dr.
Baptism -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Constance Berg -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2000
Andrew was just a little baby when he was baptized.
Follow The Leader -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Constance Berg -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2000
I admit I like it when people are articulate.
Easter Cookies? -- John 20:1-18, Luke 24:1-12 -- Constance Berg -- Easter Day - C -- 2000
Usually we celebrate Easter with chocolate bunnies and sugared chicks, dyed eggs or flower crosses.
Heartfelt Prayers And A Doubting Doctor -- John 20:19-31 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
Timmy's heart had a small hole in it.
Put Your Net On The Other Side -- John 21:1-19 -- Constance Berg -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
When Beth was a teenager, she lived on the streets.
Sheep Crossing -- John 10:22-30 -- Constance Berg -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
Chuck laughed as he told the story. He had been on a trip to the Netherlands on business.
Love One Another: Love Jacob -- John 13:31-35 -- Constance Berg -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
Jacob can be so annoying. He talks loudly during Sunday School.

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