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Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 22/Ordinary Time 27 -- 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Theme: Our Blessed Past, Our Hopeful Future
Proper 22/Ordinary Time 27 -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 17:5-10 Theme: Pass The Mustard
Proper 23/Ordinary Time 28 -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Theme: Make Yourself At Home
Proper 23/Ordinary Time 28 -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Theme: If, Then, Therefore
Proper 23/Ordinary Time 28 -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 17:11-19 Theme: Good Odds Or Bad Odds
Proper 24/Ordinary Time 29 -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:27-34 Theme: No More Sour Grapes
Proper 24/Ordinary Time 29 -- 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 Theme: The Other 3:16
Proper 24/Ordinary Time 29 -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 18:1-8 Theme: Don't Give Up So Easily
Proper 25/Ordinary Time 30 -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Joel 2:23-32 Theme: God's Spirit On All
Proper 25/Ordinary Time 30 -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Theme: Finish Line

Drama

SermonStudio

Who's Your Neighbor -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 1997
ThemeBeing of service to others no matter who they are.Summary
Talk Show I -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 1997
Theme
Good Neighbors -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1997
Theme
The Rich Fool -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 1997
Theme
Song by Becky Potter -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1997
ThemeThe Son of Man is coming like the flood. Be ready as Noah was.
This Present Time -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1997
Theme
Super Christian III -- Luke 13:22-30 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 1997
Theme
Alexander The Mediocre -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 1997
ThemeIt is never pleasant to be humbled but it is necessary to be used by God.
Discipleship -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 1997
Theme What is the price of discipleship?Summary
Sketch Practice -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 1997
ThemeWithout Jesus there will be no joy in any of our endeavors.

Sermon

SermonStudio

Do You Love Me? -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Kristin Borsgard Wee -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2008
Nikos Kazantzakis gives us a disturbing and beautiful story in his book, The Last Temptation of C
Curiosity And Questions -- John 3:1-17 -- Kristin Borsgard Wee -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2008
When I was sorting through household items in Minnesota, preparing for a move to Florida, I came acr
Living Upside Down -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Kristin Borsgard Wee -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2008
In any list of unusual animals, you are likely to find the sloth.
Family Values -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Kristin Borsgard Wee -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2008
Last week I was reading a newspaper article on family values.
It's Anybody's Guess -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Kristin Borsgard Wee -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2008
Several years ago, it was the week before Father's Day and the children and I were looking for a gif
Be Not Afraid? -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Kristin Borsgard Wee -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2008
Just a short time ago, a young homemaker and mother sat in my office telling me how she was feeling
Out Of Control -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Kristin Borsgard Wee -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2008
There is a marvelous miracle described in Willa Cather's book, Death Comes for the Archbishop
A Strange Authority -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Kristin Borsgard Wee -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2008
When I was just barely into my teens, I went through a period of time when I wanted to be someone el
The Unsilenced Voice -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Kristin Borsgard Wee -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2008
There is a book on my shelf titled Texts of Terror.
God's Anthills -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Kristin Borsgard Wee -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2008
Four years ago this week, I was walking through an African village in Namibia with my friend, Solvei

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Slowly But Surely -- 2 Peter 3:9 -- Mark A. Hultquist -- 1996
Message: I thought we would do some painting today.
Spread The News -- Matthew 28:18-20 -- Mark A. Hultquist -- 1996
Message: I want you to try to imagine yourself on a hot day.
God Knows Us -- Psalm 139:1-2 -- Mark A. Hultquist -- 1996
Message: Today I would like to find out how good all of you are at describing things.
Lost And Found -- Luke 24:1-5 -- Mark A. Hultquist -- 1996
Message: How many times have you lost something, and no matter how hard you looked, you just couldn'
Special Days -- Exodus 20:8-9 -- Mark A. Hultquist -- 1996
Message: This morning I brought something with me that I think all of you probably have at home.
Promises -- Psalm 119:57-58 -- Mark A. Hultquist -- 1996
Message: Can you think of some promises you have made to someone?
Large Or Small -- Matthew 6:26 -- Mark A. Hultquist -- 1996
Message: Have you seen those charts used at the eye doctor's office?
Treasures -- Proverbs 3:1-2 -- Mark A. Hultquist -- 1996
Message: Do you have some toys and other things that are very important to you?
"Abba" -- Romans 8:16-17 -- Mark A. Hultquist -- 1996
Message: Have you ever had the fun of watching young children when they are just beginning to talk?
Planting Seeds -- Matthew 13:3 -- Mark A. Hultquist -- 1996
Message: Do any of you ever help your parents when they are out working in the yard?

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

A Place Has Been Prepared -- 2006
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
The Resurrection! -- John 20:1-18 -- 2006
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and
Pronounced Innocent And Made Whole -- Romans 5:6-11 -- 2006
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Even Suffering Leads To Good -- Romans 8:15-28 -- 2006
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spiri
Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love -- Romans 8:31-39 -- 2006
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Foolishness Of The Resurrection/Limits Of Rationality -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- 2006
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being s
Salvation Message -- 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 -- 2006
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
In The Fullness Of Time -- Ephesians 1:5-10 -- 2006
He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure
Christlike Humility/Obedient Unto Death -- Philippians 2:5-8 -- 2006
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not
The Reconciliation That Leads To Peace -- Colossians 1:15-20 -- 2006
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Stories

SermonStudio

Sound Grace -- Psalm 63:1-8 -- John E. Sumwalt, Lucinda Alwa -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Twenty-four years ago, my younger sister Charlotte died.
A New Creation -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Debi Lyerly Lawson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
I cannot remember a time when God wasn't the source of all that I am.
Recovered Memory -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Bruce Stunkard -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
I was a male glossophobiac. An avoider of spotlights. Stage frightened.
Maundy Thursday Visions -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- John E. Sumwalt, Lisa Lancaster -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2003
In 1985, I was struggling deeply with a very painful friendship.
He Will Wipe Away Every Tear -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- John E. Sumwalt, Rosmarie Trapp -- New Year's Day - C -- 2003
In 1987, I came to Stowe, Vermont, for a visit with my mother, Maria Von Trapp.
A Single Drop Of Blood -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- John E. Sumwalt, Wayne Frank -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2003
I was first elected as an Alderman on Milwaukee's south side after a special election in 1973.
A Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Ellen Sherry -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2003
I was raised in the Congregational Church.
Steadfast Love -- Psalm 85 -- John E. Sumwalt, Christal Bindrich -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2003
My brother died on March 15, 2001, at the age of 56.
The Taste Of Music -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jeanne Jones -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2003
The whole thing began when I was asked to be the song leader for a Walk to Emmaus retreat in 1988.
Assurance -- Psalm 33:12-22 -- John E. Sumwalt, Marie Regine Redig -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
Always I have been guided gently by God in how and where I would be in ministry and career.

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

Praise The LORD! Praise, O Servants Of The LORD -- Psalm 113 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Praise the LORD! ... Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
When Israel Went Out From Egypt -- Psalm 114 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
When Israel went out from Egypt ... The sea looked and fled;
Not To Us, O LORD ... But To Your Name Give Glory -- Psalm 115 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,
Praise The LORD, All You Nations! -- Psalm 117 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples!
O Give Thanks To The LORD, For He Is Good -- Psalm 118 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous ...
Happy Are Those Whose Way Is Blameless -- Psalm 119 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Happy are those ... who seek him with their whole heart ...
In My Distress I Cry To The LORD -- Psalm 120 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace;
I Lift Up My Eyes To The Hills -- Psalm 121 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
I Was Glad When They Said To Me -- Psalm 122 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord!" ...
To You I Lift Up My Eyes -- Psalm 123 -- Robert G. Beckstrand -- 2007
O you who are enthroned in the heavens! As the eyes of servants

Poems

Pastoral Resources

Children's program

Pageant

Adult study

Youth Resources

Monologues

Church Programs

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


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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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