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Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 9/Ordinary Time 14 -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: 2 Kings 5:1-14 Theme: Too Simple For You?
Proper 9/Ordinary Time 14 -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 Theme: Carry This, Will Ya?
Proper 9/Ordinary Time 14 -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 Theme: You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
Proper 10/Ordinary Time 15 -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Amos 7:7-17 Theme: Got A Life Call To Worship
Proper 10/Ordinary Time 15 -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Colossians 1:1-14 Theme: Victory Parade
Proper 10/Ordinary Time 15 -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 10:25-37 Theme: Question And Answer
Proper 11/Ordinary Time 16 -- Amos 8:1-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Amos 8:1-12 Theme: Bad Pun, Bad News
Proper 11/Ordinary Time 16 -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Colossians 1:15-28 Theme: Second Verse, Same As The First
Proper 11/Ordinary Time 16 -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 10:38-42 Theme: Not You Two, Again!
Proper 12/Ordinary Time 17 -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Hosea 1:2-10 Theme: Children Of The Living God

Drama

SermonStudio

Homesick: Monologues of an Ancient Hebrew -- 1 Kings 8:22-30 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Pentecost Communion Meditation: Monologue of a Saint -- Acts 2:36-47 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Number One Mother -- Genesis 2:20-25 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
It's Hell, I Say: Herod Speaks -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Poolside Blessing: Monologue of a Paralytic -- John 5:2-16 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
I Am Zacchaeus -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Reuben: I'm not a Sandwich -- Genesis 37:19-34 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Boaz: I Am Blessed! -- Ruth 3:1-5 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Josiah Speaks: An Ancient King Brings Greetings -- 2 Chronicles 34:8-14, 29-33 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
THEME:
Jesus Is Alive and Well -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Edward W. Thorn -- 1998
Jesus is alive and well. I know, for I saw Jesus face to face.

Sermon

SermonStudio

Wise Leadership -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2008
Solomon asks for the right thing: He asks for wisdom.
Dedicating Temples -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2008
So much is happening in chapter 8 of 1 Kings that we almost want to get dressed up for an amazing ce
Joy Is For Leaping -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2008
This ode to spring and to love is almost always used at Passover.
The Place Beyond Punishment -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2008
You can tell a lot about a family by finding out what happens if a child spills something.
Having A Good Name -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2008
Proverbs is right: Having a good name is a terribly important thing.
Finding The Good Woman In Us All -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2008
A good woman is a superwoman, or so it appears to me as I read the list of things she can do.
The Place Beyond Revenge -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2008
A custom is begun!
Job Is For Real -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2008
We find Job on the edge of town, his money gone, his children dead, picking at his innumerable sores
Oh, That I Knew Where I Might Find Him -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- Robert A. Hausman -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2008
Then Job answered, "Today also is my complaint bitter." With those words, we go from the patience of
An Answer Out Of The Whirlwind -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Robert A. Hausman -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2008
What does it mean to be great? That is the question our texts raise today.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Troubles Into Opportunities -- Matthew 13:45, 46 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. (Display a string of pearls.
Labor Day -- Proverbs 14:23 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. This is Labor Day Weekend in America.
Back To School -- Proverbs 22:6 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. Raise hands, all of you who can't wait to get back to school!
The Name Jesus -- Job: 1:21, Matthew 1:21 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you know how you got your name?
The Drawing Power Of Christ -- John 12:32 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have ever experimented with a magnet?
Jonah's Disobedience And Restoration -- Jonah 1:17 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have ever seen a whale?
Worldwide Christian Fellowship -- Proverbs 14:34, Matthew 28:19 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls.
Sacrificial Giving -- Mark 12:43 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. What does it mean to be poor?
Giving Thanks -- Genesis 8:22 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls.
Opening Your Heart To Jesus -- Revelation 3:20 -- Robert B. Lantz -- 1997
Good morning, boys and girls. Does anyone know what this object is?

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Fear/Salvation -- Exodus 14:5-14 -- 2006
When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their
God's Provision -- Exodus 16:2-4 -- 2006
In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
Atonement/Forgiveness/Scapegoat -- Leviticus 16:9-10, 15-16, 20-22 -- 2006
Aaron shall bring the goat ... to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering.
For A Christian Parent -- Deuteronomy 6:4-9 -- 2006
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Land Of Milk And Honey/Heaven -- Deuteronomy 26:5-11 -- 2006
Then you shall declare before the Lord your God: "My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went
Seeking And Finding Understanding -- Proverbs 2:1-8 -- 2006
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom an
Seasons Of Life/The Beauty Of A Simple Life/A Heart For Eternity -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 -- 2006
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born a
God With Us Through Flood And Fire -- Isaiah 43:1-3 -- 2006
But now, this is what the Lord says -- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:
For Those Of Uncertain Faith/Expansive Promise Of God -- Isaiah 43:6-13 -- 2006
I will say to the north, "Give them up!" and to the south, "Do not hold them back." Bring my sons
For One Who Longed To Know God -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- 2006
"The time is coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israe

Stories

SermonStudio

Croppies -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2003
My wife enjoys Mel Gibson's talent. Sort of like I enjoy Jamie Lee Curtis' talent.
Deus Absconditus -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2003
Sometimes, you just don't know where God is, or if you do, what he's up to.
Unfinished Buildings -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
Travel to Bangkok, Thailand, and you'll fall in love with this beautiful city of the Orient.
Preparing For The Comet -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
Ever tried your hand at writing a novel?
The FIDO Effect -- 1 Kings 18:20-39 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2003
In the fall of 1940, the Battle of Britain was coming to a close.
The Check Is In The Mail -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2003
In November of 1998, I received a call from the billing department of a major electronics store.
Chateau Naboth -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2003
Bob and Patty Brower had a dream.
The Adoption Paradox -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2003
Our oldest daughter is adopted.
Fruit Is Boring -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2003
"... Against such things there is no law." Well, perhaps there ought to be.
Bagging It -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Timothy F. Merrill -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2003
Bones Mackay thinks he has a cool job.

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

Truly God Is Good To The Upright -- Psalm 73 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,
O God, Why Do You Cast Us Off Forever? -- Psalm 74 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
O God, why do you cast us off forever? Remember your congregation,
We Give Thanks To You, O God -- Psalm 75 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
"At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity.
In Judah God Is Known, His Name Is Great In Israel -- Psalm 76 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.
I Cry Aloud To God ... That He May Hear Me -- Psalm 77 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord ...
Give Ear, O My People, To My Teaching -- Psalm 78 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,
O God, The Nations Have Come Into Your Inheritance -- Psalm 79 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
O God, the nations have come into your inheritance,
Give Ear, O Shepherd Of Israel -- Psalm 80 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Stir up your might and come to save us! ... look down from heaven, and see;
Sing Aloud To God, Our Strength -- Psalm 81 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob ...
God Has Taken His Place In The Divine Council -- Psalm 82 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
God has taken his place in the divine council;

Poems

Pastoral Resources

Children's program

Pageant

Adult study

Youth Resources

Monologues

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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...
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


* * * * * * * *


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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