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Wednesday Lent 5 -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
Welcome to worship this evening. Tonight, we will hear again from Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son.
The Prodigal Son: "Sunrise Or Sunset?" -- Luke 15:11ff: -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
(Setting: man dressed in Middle Eastern attire.
The Elder Son: "The Coat Says It All" -- Luke 15:25ff -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
(Setting: man dressed in farming clothing, well-dressed, clean, wearing a jacket/vest/robe that is n
The Father: "Not Your Typical Parent" -- Luke 15:20-24 -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
(Setting: man dressed in first century, Middle Eastern attire.
The Mother: "Where's Mom? -- Luke 15:22-23 -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
(Setting: woman dressed in Middle Eastern attire, perhaps in black, suggesting mourning.
The Servant: "Can I Get A Witness?" -- Luke 15:22ff -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
(Setting: person dressed in Middle Eastern attire, perhaps with a notepad, reporting, like a news re
Good Friday Tenebrae -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
Order Of WorshipGood Friday Tenebrae
Ash Wednesday -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
Order Of WorshipAsh Wednesday
A Sleeping Disciple -- Beth Huener -- 2001
Life On The Edge Of FaithA Sleeping DiscipleThe Opening Speech
The High Priest -- Beth Huener -- 2001
Life On The Edge Of FaithThe High PriestThe Opening Speech

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New Covenant -- New Testament -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2006
Our reading today from the prophet Jeremiah is one in which the Hebrew people, not knowing what else
Calamity And Hope -- Joel 2:23-32 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2006
The little book of Joel has a big part to play in the overall story of the Hebrew Scripture.
Living The Vision -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2006
In most congregational settings, the name Habakkuk does not bring people to their feet.
Building The Temple Of God -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2006
Haggai is what has been labeled as the first of the restoration prophets, and he has no recorded his
Isaiah -- The Prophet Of Gloom And Glory -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2006
Of all the writing prophets of Israel, Isaiah stands out above them all.
Preaching God's Reformation -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- John W. Clarke -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2006
On this Reformation Sunday, it is useful to look back in time and remember one of the most important
Saintly Visions! -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 -- John W. Clarke -- All Saints Day - C -- 2006
On All Saints, we are visited through the Hebrew Scripture by Daniel.
The Shepherd King -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- John W. Clarke -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
Although we are going to concentrate on Jeremiah 23:1-6, it is important to note that these verses a
Thanks For Receiving Thanksgiving -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- John W. Clarke -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2006
This wonderful chapter of Deuteronomy speaks to us on this Thanksgiving Day of the forms for the pre
Ash Wednesday -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
For a while, as a child, my family lived over the hardware store that my father owned.

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Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Matthew 5:38-48 -- John R. Brokhoff -- 2004
THE LESSONS
Eighth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 49:8-16a, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34 -- John R. Brokhoff -- 2004
THE LESSONS
Second Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 49:1--7 (C, E); Isaiah 49:3, 5--6 (RC)
The Epiphany Season -- John R. Brokhoff -- 2004
A History Of Epiphany
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 60:1--6 (C, RC); Isaiah 60:1--6, 9 (E)
First Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- John R. Brokhoff -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONS
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONS
Third Sunday In Lent -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 17:1--7 (C, E); Exodus 17:3--7 (RC)
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 16:1--13 (C, E); 1 Samuel 16:1, 6--7, 10--13 (RC)
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONS

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Sucker! -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Not often, Leon, do I recall overtly referring to other people as gullible individuals, but I know I
Disillusionment -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Would it not be a much better world in which to live if the world actually was more like we picture
Bureaucratic Prisons -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Writers such as Kenneth Boulding have stated that the real revolution of modern times is the organiz
Meanness -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
New owners acquire a private social service facility.
"Pin-Pricking" -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
A serious discussion was under way in one of the university's key administrative-faculty committees.
Could We? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
If we were in a tour group visiting the Grand Canyon and one of the members of the group kept asking
Missing The Mark -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
We were visiting with my 94-year-old uncle.
Unprepared -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
I just have to recognize the fact, Leon, that I am not prepared for any great fame or acclaim.
How About Humor? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
When the Japanese were bombing Pearl Harbor, the story is told that when American soldiers were runn
Some Guideline Questions -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Unbridled, unrestrained, blind ethnocentrism frightens me, Leon.

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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
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New & Featured This Week

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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.

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