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Worship

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First Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 2:1-5 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: Walk In The Light Call To Worship
First Sunday Of Advent -- Romans 13:11-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: Time To Wake Up Call To Worship
First Sunday Of Advent -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: Be Ready -- The Son Of Man Is Coming Call To Worship
First Sunday Of Advent -- Psalm 25:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: The Peaceful Kingdom Call To Worship
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Romans 15:4-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: The God Of Hope Call To Worship
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: Prepare The Way Of The Lord Call To Worship
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Psalm 24 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Third Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 35:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: The Pageant Of The Lord's Coming Call To Worship
Third Sunday Of Advent -- James 5:7-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: Patience In Suffering Call To Worship

Drama

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SermonStudio

What's So Amazing About Grace? -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2005
What's So Amazing About Grace?
Thanksgiving And Thanksliving -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Don't you just love times of thanksgiving?
No More Camping Out -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
I wanted to see if we could get a show of hands today.
Claiming A Do-Over Faith -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
What do you think of when you hear the word "jubilee"?
A Level Playing Field For God -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
A Level Playing Field For God
Apocalypse Wow! -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- All Saints Day - B -- 2005
A pastor friend of mine recently attended a ministerial meeting at a Presbyterian church, along with
Final Instructions -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Ron Lavin -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2005
Final Instructions
Taking The Long View -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
So much seems to press upon us in our daily living that "taking the long view" may not only be remot
Ashes For Remembering -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ron Lavin -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2005
Ashes For Remembering
Day One: A New Beginning -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2005
Day One: A New Beginning

Children's sermon

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Proper 19 -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 14:19--31 (C)
Proper 20 -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 16:2--15 (C)
Proper 21 -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 17:1--7 (C)
Proper 22 -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONS Lesson 1: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 (C)
Proper 23 -- Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 32:1-14 (C)
Proper 24 -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 33:12--23 (C)
Proper 25 -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 34:1--12 (C)
Proper 26 -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Joshua 3:7--17 (C)
Proper 27 -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Joshua 24:1--3a, 14--25 (C)
Proper 28 -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Judges 4:1--7 (C)

Stories

SermonStudio

"The Mysterium Tremendum"? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Early on, Leon, selecting sociology as a major area of study presented me with indications that my i
Alive In Christ -- 1999
Dave Carlson of Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines tells of importing live fish by plane.
Advent -- 1999
At a church meal after a funeral a man told me they were expecting a baby any time now, so each nigh
Alert -- 1999
The Dow Chemical Company in Pittsburg, California, had a leak of chlorine gas when a gasket broke in
Angels -- 1999
On an Air Wisconsin flight from Appleton, Wisconsin, I noticed they chain the tail down on a Dash 7
Baptism -- 1999
Former Bishop Blevins announced at the funeral of his 24-year-old son who had committed suicide: "To
Barrier -- 1999
Our acolyte carrying the cross and leading the processional got to the chancel at Saint Johns and di
Bible -- 1999
Palimpsest is parchment from which one or more writings have been erased to make room for late recor
Blessings -- 1999
There is a little steak house named Toppers in Des Moines, Iowa, between Mercy and Lutheran Hospital
Boundaries -- 1999
Merrill Lynch's ad on television: "We believe your world should know no boundaries." -- 1987

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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
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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