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Worship

SermonStudio

After Christmas -- Luke 2:21-38 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe've been there. We've had our Christmas. What now?
Blessedness/Trust -- Luke 6:17-26, Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipIt is not what we have but who we are that counts.
Blindness/Seeing -- Mark 10:46-52 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipGod sees all - and understands.
Bread -- John 6:24-35 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe come here today to choose.
Challenge -- 1 Samuel 17:32-46a, 48-50a -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe gather in worship to still our souls.
Choosing -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe come because God has called us.
Chosen -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Luke 5:1-11 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe gather to worship -That we might scatter to serve.
Connectedness -- Luke 24:44-53, Ephesians 1:17-23 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe worship the Christ who promises to be with us always.
Costly Grace -- Luke 14:25-35, Philemon 1:1-21 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipGod's love is a costly love.
Dancing With God -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 11-19 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipThere is joy, joy, joy, joy ...

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Promised Land -- Luke 9:28-36, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 86:1-13 -- Joe Barone, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a Christian who has suffered in faith The Promised Land
To Die Is Gain -- Philippians 1:18-23 -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an older person who lived past many of her family and friends
Jesus Called To Her -- Luke 13:12 -- T.a. Kantonen, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a forty-year-old woman who died a lingering death from cancer
I'll Give You A Daisy A Day -- Romans 8:38-39, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 -- Victor A. Myers, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a person who died following a lengthy battle with the ravages of cancer
Hope! -- John 14:1-6, Revelation 7:9-17 -- A. Donald Main, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a woman who died following the painful ordeal of bone cancer
A Gift For A Friend -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Stanley C. Sneeringer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a church member who died following a lengthy illness
Do You Hear What I Hear? -- Luke 2:20 -- Gary W. Fehring, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a hearing-impaired person Do You Hear What I Hear?
There With Jesus -- 2 Peter 1:16-18 -- Gary W. Fehring, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a person crippled in mind and body There With Jesus
Incarnation In Nashville -- Isaiah 9:5-7 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to Mary.
Behind The Brocade -- Isaiah 9:2b, 5-7 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Do The Dishes? -- 1 Peter 4:13-19 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: dirty dishes
Hermon, The Camel Who Was Humbled -- Matthew 19:24 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: none
Troubled Carrie And Clear Connie -- 1 Peter 3:15-18 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: two jars of water, one clear and one filled with particles
God's Stamp Of Approval -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a rubber stamp that reads "Paid"
Straight A's - Forever! -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a grade card or grade printout with all A's
Share Your Life -- James 4:7-12 (13-5:6) -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: two buckets of water, some powdered household cleaner like Spic And Span, and some di
Try For A Good Life -- James 3:16-4:6 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: bricks and raisins
Faith Needs Work -- James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a calculator
Anger Doesn't Work! -- James 1:17-27 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a pitcher of water, a strainer, and an empty bucket
Plan For Heaven -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a pup tent

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

The Trial Of The Century -- Matthew 26:57-68 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
(Author's note: This sermon should be read as a role play based on Court TV.)
Guilt And Responsibility -- John 18:28-38 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Who killed Jesus? You may think the answer is relatively easy, but there are some complications.
Green Wood And Dry Trees -- Luke 23:26-31 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
They led Jesus out to be crucified, down the road now known as the Via Dolorosa.
Three Men And A Savior -- Matthew 27:15-26 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Three men. Perhaps they were boyhood friends all their lives. Perhaps they hooked up as adults.
Any Last Words? -- Mark 15:34, 39, Luke 23:46 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Famous last words. You can tell a lot about a person by his last words.
A Real Death For A Real Atonement -- John 19 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Which is more important, the death of Jesus, or the resurrection of Jesus?
He's Alive -- Acts 1:3 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
"He is risen!
Dimensions For Growth -- Luke 2:51-52 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Just as the details about Mary were sparse, the details about Jesus' growing up years are also very
As You Are Going -- Matthew 28:18-20 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
The Urgency Of Our Mission -- Mark 16:9-20 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
The ending of Mark has posed interesting problems for Bible scholars and students throughout the age

Stories

SermonStudio

Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Some children were asked if they knew anyone who was always good.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A frustrated mother of three very lively boys went to the manager of the local grocery and begged, "
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"Automation: a technological process that performs all the work while we just sit there.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
The joy of motherhood is what a mom experiences when the kids have gone to bed.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
One new mom wrote back to her mother that she had worked without ceasing from son-up to son-down!
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"A mother never realizes that her children are no longer children." (Holbrook Jackson)
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"What the mother sings to the cradle goes all the way down to the coffin." (Henry Beecher)
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"Every mother is like Moses.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary." (Dorothy Herbert)
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A mother needs to teach her children that a basic value system comes from God.

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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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