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Worship

SermonStudio

Who Will Go? -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2002
The Holy TrinityFirst Lesson: Isaiah 6:1-8Theme: Who Will Go?
The Call To Leadership -- 1 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: The Lord is greatPeople: and is to be highly praised.
A New Covenant -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2002
Call To Worship
The Lord Provides -- Joel 2:21-27 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2002
Call To Worship
The Giants Who Would Enslave Us -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: The Lord rules the world with righteousness;
The Loss Of A Friend -- 1 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: From the depths of my despair I call to you, Lord.
The Voice Of The People -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: We thank you, Lord, with all our hearts,
Not The Outward Appearance, But The Heart Is What Matters -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship
Proper 27 | OT 32 Worship Resources -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2002
First Lesson: Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17Theme: Happy Ending
Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2002
First Lesson: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 Theme: Hannah's Prayer

Drama

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Jesus Rewards The Just -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Imagine picking up the Sunday paper, opening it and reading in giant letters, Jesus Christ Will R
The Prodigal Father -- Romans 8:14-17 -- John Jamison -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
It wasn't their first fight. Like most fathers and sons they had their disagreements.
Boast Of That! -- Romans 5:1-5 -- John Jamison -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2006
He had been looking forward to Sunday afternoon all week.
The Dream -- Galatians 1:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2006
It was an October Monday morning.
My Earlier Life -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- John Jamison -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2006
You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism.
The Difference Between Knowing And Doing -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- John Jamison -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2006
It is difficult to be the church. What we have been asked to do here is not easy.
God's Grammar -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- John Jamison -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2006
In the last reading from Paul's letter to the church at Galatia, he addressed the ongoing feud in th
Church Potluck -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- John Jamison -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2006
It was the pastor's first Sunday at the church.
Sowing And Reaping -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- John Jamison -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2006
These words certainly sound like a threat, don't they? You will reap what you sow!
Something To Whistle About -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- John Jamison -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2006
It was back in the days when the railroad was the most common mode of transportation.

Children's sermon

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Preaching

SermonStudio

The Cuckoo Clock -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man stayed out so late one night that when he quietly came into the bedroom, the cuckoo clock stru
A Mystery Story -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man worked in a factory where they made all kinds of garden tools; all the way from hand tools to
The Doctor's Fee -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man carried his dog into the vet's office, and after an examination the doctor told him the dog wa
The Hereafter -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
An elderly lady confided in her pastor that lately she was bothered by the "hereafter."
The Meaning Of Amen -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
During a children's sermon, Rev.
The Politicians' Prayer -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Two politicians were arguing about something when the first one said: "I'll bet you $5 that you can'
The Preacher's Parrot -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A lady bought a parrot from a retired sailor. It had one bad habit: it used swear words sometimes.
The Smart Old Indian Chief -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Some curious tourists stopped along an Arizona road where they saw an old Indian chief sitting in fr
The Way -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A little boy, while walking down the street, met a stranger who asked him, "Can you tell me the way
The Woman's Purse -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A woman left her purse in a big city church, so the next day the pastor brought it to her at her own

Stories

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Marked By The Cross Of Christ Forever -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
Blaine sat in the chair, waiting for the doctor to tell him what the problem was.
Joseph, Our Brother -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Constance Berg -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
Joseph Bernardin was the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church in Chicago.
Receiving The News -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Constance Berg -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
I was sitting with my husband in a doctor's sterile office when I learned I was to become a mother f
God's Presence In The Millennium -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Constance Berg -- All Saints Day - B -- 1999
The speaker was funny, interesting, engaging, and very knowledgeable.
New Hope -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Constance Berg -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1999
Chiapas is one of the two poorest states in Mexico.
Treasures -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Constance Berg -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1999
A man bought a house.
A Beautiful Creation -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Constance Berg -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1999
All he saw was a dark, formless blob. A blob that he knew would one day come alive with character.
The Message Of The Cross -- John 18:33-37 -- Constance Berg -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1999
"Can you make a banner for the church?"
The Body Of Christ ... For You -- Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 -- Constance Berg -- 1999
"This is the body of Christ, broken for you."
"Christ Jesus Lay In Death's Strong Bands" -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Constance Berg -- Easter Day - B -- 1999
Christ Jesus lay in death's strong bandsFor our offenses given;

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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
Contents
"Reason for Hope" by John Fitzgerald

Reason for Hope
by John Fitzgerald
1 Peter 3:13-22

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

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