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Worship

SermonStudio

Theme: The One Wish -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Proverbs 9:9-10)
Theme: What I Want -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 34:18-19)
Theme: It Don't Get No Better -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 45:6-7)
Theme: Wisdom. Real. -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 125:1-5) One:
Theme: Embarrassed Enough To Finally Listen? -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 19:1-2, 7-9, 14) One:
Theme: With One Hand Tied Behind Her Back -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship Rejoice and be glad in God! Collect
Theme: For Such A Time As This -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Who Knew? -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2005
First Lesson: Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Theme: And Another Thing, Lord ...
Theme: I Think You Said You Wanted An Answer -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 104:24-34) One:

Drama

SermonStudio

John, the Baptizer -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"Prepare ye the way of the Lord."
Levi, the Publican -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"All went to be taxed."
Nathan, the Shepherd -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"Unto you is born this day ... a Savior."
Jacob, the Innkeeper -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"There was no room ... in the inn."
Balthasar, the King -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"We have seen his star in the east ..."
Joseph, the Carpenter -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"Call his name Jesus ..."
Looking the Part -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
Marguerite Detrick
Caiaphas -- Exodus 40:12-16, Matthew 26:57-68 -- Scott A. Bryte
Good evening.
The Centurion -- 2 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 27:45-54 -- Scott A. Bryte
Good evening.
John -- Job 19:23-25, Acts 8:14-17, John 21:20-25 -- Scott A. Bryte
Good evening.

Sermon

SermonStudio

Now I See -- John 9:1-41 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth.
Healing Tears -- John 11:1-45 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
When we came up out of the tomb of Lazarus, the other half of our touring group, who were waiting th
While It Was Still Dark -- John 20:1-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
March 7, 1961, was by all appearances an ordinary day.
The Best Send Off Ever -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
In the summer of 2004, I had the joy of traveling with Rosmarie Trapp on a five-day, whirlwind story
Pentecost Diaries -- Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
The last time I spoke to Ken was on the phone a few weeks before he died.
How To Stretch A Meal -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
My mother's people, the Longs of Longfield House, County Tipperary, came from Ireland to southwest W
Storm Walker -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2007
The call came on a Sunday after church just as we were sitting down to lunch.
Foreign Territory -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
I grew up "poor" -- or so I thought.
Are You Ready For Christmas? -- Isaiah 40:3-4, Luke 2:1-7 -- William Powell Tuck -- 2007
As we approach Christmas, the question will be heard on many lips: "Are you ready for Christmas?" A
Christmas Is For The Young -- Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 2:1-14 -- William Powell Tuck -- 2007
Christmas is usually associated in our memory as a time of great joy.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

The Torn Curtain -- Matthew 27:45-54, Mark 15:33-39, Luke 23:44-49 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
There is a story that says there was once a very large religious statue in a temple, but one day a m
The Unused Spices -- Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Spices are a symbol of love, the love of the women who brought the spices to the tomb of Jesus to po
The Misplaced Christ -- John 20:1-18 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Ty asked his father, "Why do we go to church?" When his father did not reply, Ty asked again, "Why d
The Idle Tale -- Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:1-12 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
The small, furry, green caterpillar ate its way up the stalk of grass.
The Twice-Traveled Road -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace were Alison's favorite friends in church.
The Identifying Scars -- Luke 24:36-43, John 20:24-29 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
"Alan, you are late again!" Alan's father's jaw twitched, which meant he was not pleased.
The Dispelled Doubt -- John 20:19-29 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Once there was a child who lived during a war. His name was Norman.
The Propelling Word -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
"You are under arrest," the policeman said to the old man, caught for stealing a loaf of bread, beca
The Wasted Ointment -- Matthew 26:6-13, Luke 7:36-50 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Our sacred story for today is about a woman who came to Jesus with a jar of very expensive oil and s
The Sustaining Promise -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Long ago King Philip of France issued a decree ordering all Jews under the penalty of death to leave

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Three Little Pigs -- Jesus' Version -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Sometimes we have to preach the obvious such as: we need a strong faith founda
Can Pagan Objects Be Sanitized? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Are there certain objects or ideas that are off limits to Christians because t
A Just-In-Case Arrangement With God -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: It may not be possible to have a playing-it-safe kind of approach to religion.
Rainbow-colored Coats And Green-eyed Monsters -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: I think one of the "seven deadly sins" is jealousy, which may be a temptation
A Buddhist, A Mormon, And An Atheist Were Out In A Boat Fishing -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Dialogue with other faiths and denominations leading to better understanding a
A Blueprint For Dying -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: A Christian should prepare for death and find ways of serving even after death
Developing Extra-Ray Vision -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: A Christian should become continually more sensitive to his or her total envir
Paul Said The Darnedest Things -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We cannot ignore some of the strange things Paul said, and we should discuss w
Does The Sneaky Side Of Us Enjoy Violence? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How unhealthy is the obsession we have with violence and what can the Christia
When Religion Turns Into A Circus -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Why does religion sometimes become bizarre, weird, or ridiculous, and what do

Stories

SermonStudio

Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Progress Slow progress is always better than no progress at all.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Association
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Age
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Assurance
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Attitude
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Beauty
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Becoming
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Bible
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Blessing
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Caution

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

Easter 4 -- John 10:11-18 -- William W. Helland -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 10:11-18
Easter 5 -- John 15:1-8 -- William W. Helland -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 15:1-8
Easter 6 -- John 15:9-17 -- William W. Helland -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 15:9-17
Easter 7 -- John 17:6-19 -- William W. Helland -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 17:6-19
The Resurrection Of Our Lord / Easter Day -- John 20:1-18 -- William W. Helland -- Easter Day - B -- 2005
John 20:1-18
Epiphany 2 -- John 1:43-51 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2005
John 1:43-51
Epiphany 3 -- Mark 1:14-20 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:14-20
Epiphany 4 -- Mark 1:21-28 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:21-28
Epiphany 5 -- Mark 1:29-39 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:29-39
Epiphany 6 -- Mark 1:40-45 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:40-45

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Christian Faith

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

Schuyler Rhodes
This story about Stephen is a hard one to preach about these days. Lately, the idea of martyrdom has fallen under a bit of a cloud, don't you think? What do you think of when you hear about martyrs? In my experience, a martyr is either reduced to a psychological complex foisted off on someone who does too much for others, or it's a poor child with a dynamite vest ready to doom himself or herself and plenty of others for the sake of the cause, and the cash benefits paid to the family, after the fact. There's no question about it. The stock on martyrdom is way, way down these days.
David E. Leininger
"Christ is our cornerstone!" That motto was chosen over a century ago for the congregation I now serve. It was October 29, 1895, at 2:30 in the afternoon, that the grandparents and great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, the forebears of today's congregation, gathered outside in Pennsylvania's autumn chill to see the laying of the cornerstone of the church building that has been in use ever since.
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
Jesus Christ is the cornerstone.

First Lesson
Acts 7:55-60
The Stoning Of Stephen
Derl G. Keefer
C. Neil Strait
WORSHIP HELPS

CALL TO WORSHIP
God is ready to swoop down and rescue us from the burdens we carry and to lift the heart aches! Our God has known us since birth through old age and gray hair and He will sustain us today!

OFFERING THOUGHT
The secret of money is enjoying the opportunity of giving it away for the glory of God.

BENEDICTION
May the God who transforms disappointments to joy do that for you this week. Amen.



SERMON BRIEFS

Holiness, The Trademark Of A Holy Person
Lee Griess
The great American humorist, Will Rogers, had the reputation that he could make anyone laugh. President Calvin Coolidge, on the other hand, had the reputation that he never laughed. Want to know what happened the time those two met? Rogers was invited to visit the White House and as was the custom, the president's assistant brought Rogers into the Oval Office. As was the custom as he entered, the assistant said, "President Coolidge, this is Will Rogers. Mr. Rogers, this is President Coolidge." To which Rogers leaned forward and said, "I'm sorry.
Richard L. Sheffield
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1 NRSV).

Since everything that follows for the rest of the passage I just read from John is commentary on that, we need to hear that clearly, before we hear anything else.

This is the closest English can get to the Greek of John's Gospel: "Let not be troubled of you the heart; Believe in God, also in me believe."1

And here are the translations of others who have listened and interpreted these words for you and me:
Robert J. Elder
In the earliest experience of the church, the apostles soon discovered that their teaching and preaching duties were taking an incredible amount of energy. As the community of believers grew in numbers, and they continued in their commitment to hold all things in common, it became obvious that some details of the life of the community would need more attention than the twelve apostles themselves could give. It was decided to appoint deacons to serve the needs of the church, particularly the needs of the poor and widows who could no longer care for themselves. Seven were appointed.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Confession And Forgiveness
P: We gather for worship in the name of the one who is
the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: The journey before us is one of letting go and taking hold.
As he prepares a place for us,
let us name the sin that clings to us, that we may find release.

Silence for reflection and self-examination

P: Unbelief, hatred, revenge,
C: Lord, do not hold our sins against us.
P: Gossip, despair, deceit,
C: Lord, do not hold our sins against us.
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (Psalm 31:15-16)

One: My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.

All: Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.


Collect
 Strengthen us, Lord, in the time of testing and trial, calling to mind the example of the martyrs who died for our faith. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Thomas Willadsen
For May 3, 2026:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
It is hard for us, living after the resurrection, to understand how Jesus, who was clearly a mortal man, could come to be worshipped as though he were God. Since we believe that Jesus did rise from the dead, we tend to endow his ministry with a divine glow. How could the authorities not see that Jesus was, indeed, the son of God? How did they explain away his miracles? How did they ignore how the average people felt about him?
David Kalas
What do you do between Act 2 and Act 3 of a performance? That depends upon who you are.

If you are like me, then you have attended a great many more shows, plays, and performances than you have participated in. And, as members of the audience, the time between acts is an intermission -- an opportunity to stretch your legs, to use the restroom, to enjoy some refreshments.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In our worship today, let us explore these words and find out how to reach God through Jesus.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, show me the right way to God.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, lead me into the truth about God.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, give me the eternal life which you have promised.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

Keith Hewitt
Scott Dalgarno
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Encounter in the Darkness" by Keith Hewitt
"Please Don't Forget Me" by Scott Dalgarno
"An Unwanted Gift" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
Peter Andrew Smith
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"Words of Power" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Refuge" by Keith Hewitt


* * * * * * * *


Words of Power
by Peter Andrew Smith
Acts 7:55-60

The principal looked at the boy holding the cloth up to his nose. His hair was dishevelled, his lip swollen, and his clothes bore the stains of the muddy playground. The nurse examined him but his bleeding nostrils seemed his greatest injury.

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. (Show the rubbing of the cornerstone.) Does anyone know what I'm holding? (Let them answer.) This is a rubbing of the cornerstone of our church building. (Read to them what the cornerstone says. Tell them where the cornerstone is located.) I hope that when church is over this morning you can go out and look at and touch the real cornerstone. Cornerstones are very important. Does anyone know the purpose of a cornerstone? (Let them answer.) It's important because it is at the very foundation of our building. The church building is built on top of it.
Good morning, boys and girls. (Have your road map opened as you talk. Examine the map as you greet the children.) If I wanted to take a trip to (name a familiar city in your area) but I wasn't certain how to get there, what could I use to help me? (Let them answer.) A road map! I just happen to have one here. I'm looking for my direction right now. (Point out the way to your destination.) When you go on vacation do your parents sometimes give you road maps to follow? (Let them answer.) A road map is very important when you are going places that you've never been before.

Special Occasion

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