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Worship

SermonStudio

Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 16:9-15 -- Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Acts 16:9-15 Theme: A Dream For Salvation
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5 -- Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5 Theme: Game Over
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- John 14:23-29 -- Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 14:23-29 Theme: I Need A Hero
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Acts 1:1-11 Theme: View From A Height
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23 Theme: That's Him!
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 24:44-53 Theme: Why Do We Wonder?
What Must We Do To Be Saved? -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Call To Worship
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 Theme: A Promise Is A Promise
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- John 17:20-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 17:20-26 Theme: That We May All Be One
The Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Acts 2:1-21 Theme: Clarity!

Drama

SermonStudio

A Light Verse -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1998
ThemeDoes knowing Jesus change a person's life?Summary
The Lesser Commission -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 1998
ThemeDoubting what the Lord says is not a recent phenomenon.
Orders Are Orders -- Luke 2:1-14 -- Robert F. Crowley -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1998
Theme
Saturday Night At The Fights -- Timothy W. Ayers -- 1998
Topic: Marriage, marriage battles, dysfunctional couples, relationships, arguments
Get With The Program -- Timothy W. Ayers -- 1998
Topic: Ambitions, organization, potential, career, budgeting
Born Leader -- Timothy W. Ayers -- 1998
Topic: Unselfishness, head of church, leadership, ministry teams, servanthood, dictator
Fruit Or Twinkies? -- Timothy W. Ayers -- 1998
Topic: Fulfillment through the fruit of the spiritCharacters: Husband and wife
Here I Am, Lord; Send Somebody Else! -- Timothy W. Ayers -- 1998
Topic: Missions, inner-city, summer missionsCharacters: 4
Pass The Buck -- Timothy W. Ayers -- 1998
Topic: Responsibility of knowing Christ, salvation, temptation, evangelism
Everybody Plugs Into Something -- Timothy W. Ayers -- 1998
Topic: Salvation

Sermon

SermonStudio

Let The Shofar Sound! -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ken Lentz -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2008
The school bell rings. The noonday siren sounds. The church bells call the faithful to worship.
Troubled Waters -- Genesis 9:8-17 -- Ken Lentz -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
A man from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, died and went to heaven.
The Divine Deal ... -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Ken Lentz -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
The priest challenged the rabbi at lunch: "Rabbi Cohen, when are you going to eat a piece of this de
God, The Good Ally -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- Ken Lentz -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
A group of American tourists once listened to a story told by their Jewish guide.
Hope Lifted Up -- Numbers 21:4-9 -- Ken Lentz -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
It was a mystery.
The Last Compact -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Ken Lentz -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
A man, seriously ill in the hospital, requested a visit from his pastor.
Who Is Isaiah's Servant? -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Ken Lentz -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2008
A man had three small children, all three old enough to enjoy the activities of Halloween.
Thanks For The Memories! -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Ken Lentz -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2008
The dark of the night began to turn to the gray of morning.
A Death On A Long Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Ken Lentz -- Good Friday - B -- 2008
After dying in a car crash, three friends went to heaven for orientation.
Death Meets The Lord -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Ken Lentz -- Easter Day - B -- 2008
The writer quoted in Isaiah 25 promises that an unlikely victory will occur.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

The Right Thing To Do -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
There are many ways to tell if you're growing up. One way is to measure how tall you've gotten.
Learning To Behave -- Teresa L. Major -- 1998
Does anyone know what this is? (Hold up hair spray. Children respond.) It's hair spray.
New Year -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. I have a very special (watch or clock) with me today.
Saint Valentine, Bishop Of Love -- 1 Chronicles 28:9 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you know what a tradition is?
Saint Patrick, Missionary -- Matthew 28:19 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. Today I want to tell you an adventure story!
Thinking About The Cross -- Matthew 10:38, Luke 9:23 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls.
Triumphal Entry -- Matthew 21:9, Luke 19:28-40 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. I love a parade! Don't you?
He Is ALIVE! -- Matthew 28:1-8, Luke 24:1-12 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
He is alive! He is alive! He is alive!
Forgiveness Of Sins -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, 1 John 1:7 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. Ever make a mistake? I've made a great many in my lifetime.
Careful With Those Lips -- Isaiah 6:5 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6 -- Psalm 30 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2006
(For alternative approaches, see Easter 3, Cycle C, and Proper 9/Pentecost 7/Ordinary Time 14, Cy
Epiphany 7/Ordinary Time 7 -- Psalm 41 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2006
This psalm is often identified as a prayer of individual thanksgiving but it reads more as a plea fo
Epiphany 8/Ordinary Time 8 -- Psalm 103:1-13, 22 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2006
This is one of those psalms whose words have become so familiar from liturgical usage that they run
Christmas Day -- Psalm 98 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see also Christmas, Cycle A, and Easter 6, Cycle B
Christmas 1 -- Psalm 148 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Christmas 1, Cycle A; Christmas 1, Cycle C; an
Christmas 2 -- Psalm 147:12-20 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2006
This psalm was likely written for the people of Jerusalem after their return from exile (see vv.
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see also The Epiphany Of Our Lord, Cycle A, for an
The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Time 1 -- Psalm 29 -- James Evans -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Ti
Epiphany 2/Ordinary Time 2 -- Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2006
(See Proper 4/Pentecost 2/Ordinary Time 9, Cycle B for an alternative approach; see also Proper 1
Advent 3 -- Psalm 126 -- James Evans -- 2006
There is perhaps no greater challenge to the life of faith than suffering.

Stories

SermonStudio

Notes From A Nomad -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2003
Marti Guixe is homeless -- unless you call the world his home.
The Hated Blessed -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2003
I don't feel blessed when I am mildly disliked, let alone hated.
The Peacemaker -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2003
You have to admire those men and women who serve as peacemakers in trouble spots around the globe.
How Helen Raster Came Back To Life -- 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2003
Pastors love to have church members like Helen Raster.
Tipping Etiquette -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2003
I don't frequent fine restaurants regularly, but occasionally I will visit an establishment that com
Famous Last Words -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Good Friday - C -- 2003
You'd think that when famous people die, they ought to leave us some final word, a last word, if you
Hasta La Vista, Baby! -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
The Marines have been in the headlines in recent years, and the publicity has not always been positi
Flash-in-the-pan Christians -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Back in the good old days of the dotconomy, people were making money hand over fist in what Alan Gre
The Adversity Antidote -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Dr. Charles J.
Cleaning Up After The Bomb -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
On March 27, 2002, at a little after 7 p.m., a young Palestinian male sauntered into the lobby of th

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

Vindicate Me, O God, And Defend My Cause -- Psalm 43 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;
We Have Heard With Our Ears, O God -- Psalm 44 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
We have heard with our ears, O God, our ancestors have told us,
My Heart Overflows With A Goodly Theme -- Psalm 45 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
I address my verses to the king ... In your majesty ride on victoriously
God Is Our Refuge And Strength -- Psalm 46 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Clap Your Hands, All You Peoples -- Psalm 47 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy.
Great Is The LORD And Greatly To Be Praised -- Psalm 48 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God.
Hear This, All You Peoples -- Psalm 49 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
The Mighty One, God The LORD, Speaks -- Psalm 50 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth ...
Have Mercy On Me, O God -- Psalm 51 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
Why Do You Boast, O Mighty One? -- Psalm 52 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Why do you boast, O mighty one, of mischief done against the godly? ...

Poems

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Inspirational

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Easter

Lent/Easter

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Death

Funeral

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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...
Ascension of the Lord
28 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – 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...
Pentecost
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

SermonStudio

Frank Luchsinger
Huckle the Cat and his school teacher Miss Honey the Bear, Bananas Gorilla, Captain Salty, Pig Will and Pig Won't, Sergeant Murphy the Police Dog, and my favorite, Lowly the Worm; if you know these names then you are familiar with the work of Richard Scarry, author and illustrator of children's books, who passed away in '94 at age 75. Scarry wrote over 250 books, which in thirty languages have sold over 100 million copies. He said, "The greatest compliment I can receive is to be told that some of my books are held together with more Scotch tape than there is paper in the original book.
David E. Leininger
We reflected earlier on Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and its assertion that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and were parents of a daughter. True, there is nothing at all in scripture to back up such a claim, but can you imagine what kind of parent Jesus would have been?
Constance Berg
Pastor Wallace was loved by many, many people. He had come to a rural, agricultural area and stayed for 41 years. He and his wife Bea had four children, three of whom would become pastors themselves. The fourth was a missionary teacher in Madagascar. Pastor Wallace's second and last call was to another rural church he started only thirty miles away. He stayed fifteen years. His reputation was tough but fair; disciplined but compassionate; strong but just.
Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Seasonal Theme
Jesus out of the grave and alive and with us.

Theme For The Day
We are prayed for by Jesus that we might be unified with each other and with our God. A summary of the Season of Easter.

First Lesson
Acts 1:1-11
Return To The Upper Room
Stan Purdum
At first reading, this psalm presents a scattering of themes. Some scholars think it was not a psalm at all, but a listing of headings to a number of liturgical pieces. Most, however, see in Psalm 68 the underlying theme of the victory and reign of God, the Divine Warrior -- the God who was with the people of Israel in the wilderness (v. 7). Psalm 68 calls the kingdoms of the world to acknowledge that God is the warrior king who reigns over all. It presents God as the power and strength of the chosen people.
Carlos Wilton
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary. See The Ascension Of Our Lord, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)

The brief Psalm 93 seems archaic, from the standpoint of our culture. The Lord is enthroned, here, as a cosmic king. The accoutrements of royalty are front and center: the robe of majesty, the girding-on of strength (suggesting a royal broadsword), the throne, the royal decree. Its message, loudly declared from the first verse onward, is simplicity itself: the Lord reigns!
George M. Bass
The church year theological clue
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 1:1--11 (C, RC, E, L)
David O. Bales
In 1936, near the beginning of the Spanish Civil War one horrible center of fighting was the Alcázar fortress near Toledo. In the middle of horrific fighting, however, every day the firing stopped twice in order to allow a blind beggar to tap his way on the street between the firing lines. We can imagine how welcome those few minutes were to the men on both sides. They probably hoped that the blind man walked slower to give them a few more seconds of peace. Then the reprieve ended and the slaughter again engulfed the two armies that were struggling to kill each other.1
Schuyler Rhodes
I love this story. It doesn't matter how many times I hear it, or how it's told, it never fails to grab me in a new and different way. It's really an incredible tale. And by incredible I mean just that. Without credibility! Who could actually buy a story like this? The disciples, cowardly and virtually faithless, abandoned the Master and scattered in the chaos of his arrest and execution.
Lee Griess
It's one of those stories that circulates around the internet. I don't know if it's true or not but it's so interesting that I have to share it with you. It seems that a woman came home to find her husband in the kitchen, shaking frantically with what looked like a wire running from his waist toward the electric outlet in the wall. Intending to jolt him away from the deadly electricity, she grabbed a piece of wood that was leaning by the back door, and gave him a good whack, breaking his arm in two places. It was a shame. He was not being electrocuted at all.
Richard L. Sheffield
I want to take the text seriously this morning. It would be easy not to, because Luke's story of the ascension of Jesus is not easy no matter how you take it. For you and me, twenty centuries later, this story may be very hard to take very seriously.

Our take on the ascension of Jesus might be on the order of liturgy as lift-off: Jesus being lifted up to the Air Force song: "Off we go into the wild blue yonder, climbing high into the sky!"

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 17, 2026:
  • When Jesus Prays by Chris Keating. Jesus’ high priestly prayer is rooted in the authority of God’s love, and not from a posture of authoritarian control.
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 17, 2026:
  • When Jesus Prays by Chris Keating. Jesus’ high priestly prayer is rooted in the authority of God’s love, and not from a posture of authoritarian control.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus prayed for us all, that we might be protected and united. In our worship today let us explored what it means to be one just as Jesus and the Father are one.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we are more ready to criticise other Christians than to be united with them.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we get hung up on small details instead of seeing the big picture.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we are too selfish to open up and welcome other people.

StoryShare

Argile Smith
Charles D. Reeb
John S. Smylie
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Wayne's Deployment" by Argile Smith
"In The Event of Power Failure" by Charles D. Reeb
"Where's the Finish Line?" by John Smylie


What's Up This Week
John E. Sumwalt
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"The God of All Grace" by John Sumwalt
"Keeping the Word" by Frank Ramirez


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The God of All Grace
by John Sumwalt
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.
-- 1 Peter 5:10

CSSPlus

Cynthia E. Cowen
The Point: Jesus has the authority to give eternal life.

Special Occasion

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