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Proper 27 -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1990
The end of the Pentecost cycle/season is rapidly approaching; the calendar - church and secular - te
Proper 8 -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1990
The Easter event continues to be the heart of the Sunday worship, when God's people celebrate Sunday
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:12-19, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- George M. Bass -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1990
The title of this day - Ash Wednesday (the rite when ashes are placed on the foreheads of penitents
Proper 23 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1990
It is critical, at this juncture of the church year, to remember that the lectionary and the church
Fourth Sunday of Easter -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- George M. Bass -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1990
This is Good Shepherd Sunday, which occurs, as earlier commentary has pointed out, one week later in
Proper 15 -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1990
Since every Sunday of the church year is a "Little Easter," and since John 6 is being read as the Go
Sixth Sunday of Easter -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George M. Bass -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1990
No matter what name is given to this Sunday, it remains the Sunday before the Ascension of the Lord.
Christmas -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:8-20 -- George M. Bass -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1990
Note: A detailed study, with sermon suggestions, is available for the first Christmas service in Cyc
Proper 26 -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1990
The very numbering of the Sundays reminds every pastor that the end of the Pentecost cycle/season is
Proper 14 -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1990
The theological clue contained in this part of the church year continues to be kerygmatic, informing
Christ the King -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- George M. Bass -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1990
In the homiletical studies for the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A, it was pointed out th
Proper 24 -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1990
With the church year nearing the end of its annual cycle - and with Advent (with its eschatological
Proper 22 -- Mark 10:2-16, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Job 1:1, 2:1-10 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1990
The early Christian Church could sustain its cry of "Christ is risen!
Corpus Christi -- Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15, Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 -- George M. Bass -- 1990
Corpus Christi is a festival that few, if any, Protestants celebrate.
Proper 28 -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Mark 13:1-8 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1990
Eschatology - the "last things" - is the order of the day on this next to the last Sunday of Penteco
Third Sunday of Easter -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- George M. Bass -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1990
It was suggested in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A, that the Third Sunday of Easter
Easter Vigil -- Mark 10:39b -- George M. Bass -- Easter Day - B -- 1990
(Note: Details about the Easter Vigil are included in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Cycle A.
Proper 25 -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1990
In the older liturgies and lectionaries, three themes - sinfulness, godliness, and loving service -
Third Sunday after the Epiphany -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- George M. Bass -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1990
Those who look at the lectionaries for the remainder of Epiphany will notice that the semi-continuou
Proper 10 -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1990
The weekly rhythm of the church year should be clearly perceived by the preacher by this time of the
Third Sunday in Lent -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- George M. Bass -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1990
In the ancient liturgy, this Sunday was known as Oculi - "Eyes" or "Vision" Sunday - from the fourte
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- George M. Bass -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1990
The Epiphany/Manifestation theme - "this is the Promised One, the very Son of God" - continues to be
Proper 7 -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1990
Since it is now over three months since the church celebrated Easter, the memories of the joy and gl
Third Sunday of Advent -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- George M. Bass -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1990
"New Age" Sunday might be one name that could be given to this Third Sunday of Advent.
Fifth Sunday in Lent -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George M. Bass -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1990
More than any other Sunday in Lent, the fifth Sunday has lost its theological and liturgical identit

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You Can Create A Godly Heritage! -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1999
Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm said: "Future historians will see best the multiple factors th
The Friend Of Sinners -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- John A. Stroman -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1999
Jesus' critics complained that "this fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them" (Luke 15:2).
Calmly Plotting The Resurrection -- John 20:1-18 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Easter Day - B -- 1999
We have come to the end of a spiritual journey, one which we were faithful enough to take.
How Good News Spreads! -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1999
In 1971 I made a trip to Russia.
The Right Person For The Job -- Hebrews 5:5-10 -- John A. Stroman -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Consideration is being given today to the teaching sermon.
Lessons From A Picnic -- Luke 9:11-17 -- Glenn E. Ludwig -- 1999
There are certain biblical stories that are so well known that most of us could tell them from memor
Through Many Doors, He Comes -- John 20:19-31 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Jesus came to earth. Jesus left earth.
Godly Sexual Passion For An X-Rated World! -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1999
The Hebrew word for love, awhab or awrag, means "to pant, to long for, to breathe heavily after." P
ChristianOptimism -- 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1999
While waiting at an airport, years ago, I saw a couple in their thirties bring an older woman
Amazing Grace -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- John A. Stroman -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Keith Miller, a well-known author and Episcopal churchman, arrived in Bloomington, Illinois, for a s
The Waiting Place -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- William L. Self -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
While we were keeping our eighteen-month-old grandson for the weekend so his parents could catch up
The Promise Of A Presence -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Glenn E. Ludwig -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1999
Thomas G.
What's For Breakfast? -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
The testimony of Easter is that Jesus joins us again, on earth, after his resurrection from the dead
All Mine To Give! -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1999
Do you ever get tired of giving?
Anti-Venom Serum -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1999
Years ago, when we lived in Alberta, Sunday nights were very special for us.
The Scandal Of The Cross -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- John A. Stroman -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
The preaching of the cross in the first century world was repulsive and odious.
Getting In Tune Again -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- William L. Self -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
A radio station in Missouri had an interesting experience.
Must I Love That Neighbor? -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Glenn E. Ludwig -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 1999
Someone once said: "What goes around comes around." And there is enough anecdotal and historical evi
The Culture Of Disbelief -- John 10:11-18 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
What does this shepherd possibly mean?
The Channel Between The Buoys -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1999
"Let's go boating!"
The Challenge Of Starting All Over Again -- Romans 5:17 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 1999
If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who r
Templates And Story-Sermons -- J. Will Ormond, Lucy A. Rose -- 1999
The buttonholer on my sewing machine uses templates.
Promises -- Promises -- Romans 4:13-25 -- John A. Stroman -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
In Romans 4, the apostle turns his attention to Abraham, and rightly so for obvious reasons.
Will The Real Messiah Please Stand Up? -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- William L. Self -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
In the early days of television a popular game show, To Tell the Truth, held the attention of the Am
Changing A Paradigm -- Or Two -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Glenn E. Ludwig -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 1999
Paradigm is certainly a word that has received much usage these days, especially in management circl

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Day Of Remembrance -- Psalm 13 -- Robert A. Allen -- 1991
All Dark: By the rivers of Babylon,All Light: there we sat down
Proper 25 -- Psalm 3 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 1991
O Lord, how many are my foes!Many are rising against me;many are saying to me,
Ash Wednesday -- Psalm 51:1-12 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 1991
Have mercy on me, O God,according to your steadfast love;
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
48. We express our thanks for this cup Father.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
34.
Service -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Robert A. Allen -- 1991
All: The kingdom of heaven is like,Dark Solo: like a landowner
Proper 26 -- Psalm 65:1-8 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 1991
Praise is due to you,O God, in Zion;and to you who shall vows be performed,
Baptism Of Jesus -- Psalm 29 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 1991
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
130. We gather here every week. Not because of habit, but because of need.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
35.
Proper 27 -- Psalm 9:11-20 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1991
Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion.Declare his deeds among the peoples.
Christmas 1 -- Psalm 111 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 1991
Praise the Lord!I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
35.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
36. God of creation, we come to you for living bread.
Proper 28 -- Psalm 82 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1991
God has taken his place in the divine council;
Christmas 2 -- Psalm 147:12-20 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 1991
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!Praise your God, O Zion!
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
36. God of creation, we come to you for living bread.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
1.
Proper 29 -- Psalm 95 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 1991
O come, let us sing to the Lord,let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Christmas Day -- Psalm 98 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1991
O sing to the Lord a new song,for he has done marvelous things.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
1.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
40. My family will let me go half a mile and then smile and tell me I have missed a turn.
Proper 4 -- Psalm 100 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 1991
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.Worship the Lord with gladness;
Christmas Eve Day -- Psalm 96 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1991
O sing to the Lord a new song;sing to the Lord, all the earth.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
40. My family will let me go half a mile and then smile and tell me I have missed a turn.

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Baptism of Our Lord
29 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
40 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 2 | OT 2
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 3 | OT 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Nazish Naseem
For February 1, 2026:
  • What the Lord Requires by Dean Feldmeyer. The world’s requirements are often complex and difficult. God’s requirements are simple and easy. Kinda.
  • Second Thoughts: Resisting The Storms of Winter by Chris Keating. Jesus does not offer a cheery optimism to those enduring the cold blasts of injustice. More than an insulating blanket of hope, the Beatitudes create communities of resistance.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the people how they could be blessed by God and experience God's kingdom. In our worship today let us explore the Sermon on the Mount.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I'm full of pride instead of being poor in spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm overbearing and pushy, instead of being meek.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm not exactly pure in heart.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
Stories to Live By: "You Fool"/ "Us Who Are Being Saved"
Shining Moments: "A Comforting Dream" by Harold Klug
Good Stories: "Mercy, Mercy" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "The Souper Bowl of Caring" by Jo Perry-Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt

Sandra Herrmann
John Jamison
Contents
"Child Sacrifice" by Sandra Herrmann (Micah 6:1-8)
"Ka-Chang" by John B. Jamison (Matthew 5:1-12)


* * * * * * * *


Child Sacrifice
Sandra Herrmann
Micah 6:1-8

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles....
-- 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Micah 6:1--8 (C, E, L)
John N. Brittain
The other day I stumbled onto a Discovery Channel show about underwater archaeology (not basket weaving). The archaeologist described the process of identifying the probable location of an underwater wreck site, the grueling work involved in beginning the process, and the same kind of methodical work that characterizes all scientific archaeology. But then her eyes twinkled as she described the joy of uncovering the first artifact, or recognizing a significant discovery. And that of course is what it is all about, the final product of discovery.
Tony S. Everett
Late one night, Pastor Bill was driving home after spending the past 23 hours in the hospital with his wife, celebrating the birth of their son. It had been a glorious day. His wife was peacefully resting. His extended family was ecstatic. His son was healthy. Surely God was in heaven and all was right with the world.

Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
When I'm teaching a class, and want to get a discussion going, I often begin with something that's called a sentence stem. I start a sentence and let the participants complete it. This morning, if I were to ask you to complete this sentence, what would you say? "Happy are those who...." What would you use to complete the thought?
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: Demands On God
Message: All these demands don't make sense, God. Lauds, KDM
R. Glen Miles
What does God want from us? The answer is simple, but it is not easy to put into practice. What God wants is you. What God wants is me. God wants our whole selves. The prophet Micah makes it fairly clear that ultimately God does not care too much about religion and the things that come with it. Religion isn't a bad enterprise. It is okay as a way of reminding us about what God wants, but in the long run being good at religion is not what God desires. What God requires is us. It is simple to understand but not necessarily the thing we would offer to God first.
John B. Jamison
It was a strange sound. Some said it was a kind of "clanging" sound, while others said it was more of a "ka-ching," or more accurately, a "ka-chang!" It sounded like the result of metal hitting metal, which is exactly what it was.

In the valley off to the west from the hillside is a steep cliff rising up the face of Mount Arbel. The face of the cliff is covered with hundreds of caves, with no good way to get to them without climbing straight up the cliff. That's why the Zealots liked them. They were safe.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Prayer Of Dedication/Gathering
P: Our Lord Jesus calls each of us to a life of justice, kindness, and humility. We pray that in this hour before us our defenses would fall and your love would be set free within us.
Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit, your mercy knows no end.
C: Amen.

Intercessory Prayers

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
We have a prejudice in favor of things complex. Not that we necessarily desire complexity, but somehow we trust it more. We figure that complexity is the prevailing reality in our world, and so we feel obliged to be in touch with it. We would love to hear that this thing or that is really quite simple, but doctors, politicians, futurists, ethicists, economists -- and even some preachers -- keep discouraging us. It's actually quite complicated, we are told, and there is no simple answer.
People tend to say in times of personal or community disaster, "God works in mysterious ways." The point they are making is that when we can't figure out any logical answer to a situation, it must be the work of God. It is one way of making sense out of an inexplicable event.
Schuyler Rhodes
In 1993 brothers Tom and David Gardner began a financial information service they named The Motley Fool. Dressed in their trademark court jester hats, the motley fools can be seen and heard offering their advice and warnings concerning the stock market on a variety of talk shows and financial news channels.

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have spent time around babies? (let them answer) Babies are so cute when they are happy but hard to please when they are upset. Babies can't talk, can they? (let them answer) So when they don't get what they want they cry. When they are hungry they cry. When they are sleepy they cry. When a stranger tries to hold them they cry. How do we know if babies are sick, hungry, or tired? (let them answer) Most of the time a baby's mom can figure out what's wrong even when we can't.
Teachers or Parents: Have the children sit on the floor and pretend that they are on a mountaintop and learning at Jesus' feet. Ask: "How is this classroom different from classrooms you have seen?" "How is it like them?" Read various portions of the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7) that they might understand (such as Matthew 7:7-11 -- prayer; 7:12 -- the Golden Rule; 7:15 -- being true). Be careful -- many parts of the Sermon on the Mount are difficult for children to understand and may lead to great misunderstanding and perhaps fear.

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