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Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany -- Isaiah 58:3-9a, Matthew 5:13-20 -- George M. Bass -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Proper 20 -- Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 20:1-16 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany -- Isaiah 49:8-13, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5:27-37 -- George M. Bass -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Proper 10 -- Exodus 2:11-22, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
The Epiphany of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- George M. Bass -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Fifth Sunday in Lent -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11 -- George M. Bass -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Proper 13 -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 8:31-39, Matthew 14:13-21 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Fifth Sunday of Easter -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:1-10, John 14:1-14 -- George M. Bass -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Proper 17 -- Exodus 19:1-9, Matthew 16:21-28 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1989
Exodus 19:1-9Romans 12:1-13Matthew 16:21-28
First Sunday of Advent -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- George M. Bass -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Proper 16 -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 11:33-36, Matthew 16:13-20 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
First Sunday of Lent -- Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17, 25-3:7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- George M. Bass -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Proper 6 -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 5:6-11, Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- George M. Bass -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
The Holy Trinity -- Deuteronomy 4:32-40, 2 Corinthians 13:5-14, Matthew 28:16-20 -- George M. Bass -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Fourth Sunday of Advent -- Isaiah 7:10-17, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- George M. Bass -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
The Nativity of Our Lord -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- George M. Bass -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hosea 6:1-6, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- George M. Bass -- Good Friday - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Proper 11 -- Exodus 3:1-12, Romans 8:18-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Second Sunday in Lent -- Genesis 12:1-4a (4b-8), John 3:1-17 -- George M. Bass -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1989
The arrangement of the lessons for the second through the fifth Sundays in Lent is rather confusing;
Proper 4 -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 3:21-28, Matthew 7:21-29 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Fourth Sunday in Lent -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- George M. Bass -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Proper 19 -- Exodus 20:1-20, Matthew 18:21-35 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue
Epiphany 2 -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Lent 2 -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:31-35 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons

Sacrament

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Inherit The World -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
"The promise to Abraham and his descendants, that they should inherit the world, did not come throug
Food For Hungry People -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Robert A. Stanley -- 1998
There is no story in all of the Bible that more graphically demonstrates the dilemma of biblical int
Make Good Use Of Your Injustice -- Philippians 2:1-11 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... he emptied himself taking the form of a slave...
Easter: A Time For Higher Things -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
On The Twenty-fourth Day -- Haggai 2:10 -- Frank Ramirez -- 1998
Haggai works his way to this crucial question, and so shall we.
Center Yourself In The Lord -- Acts 17:22-31 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
When Charlie Atlas was a teenager his parents purchased for him a dresser mirror that he placed in h
Salvation Serving -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Joseph M. Freeman -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1998
When I was in high school, I had a bad case of acne. Many teenagers did then and many still do now.
Been There, Done That -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- William B. Kincaid, III -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
We can thank Mountain Dew for throwing one more cliché on the heap of cutesy phrases.
God Promises, Promises! -- John 14:2-3 -- Anthology -- 1998
a funeral meditationJohn R. Brokhoff
When God Says, "Let Me Alone" -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- William A. Jones -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1998
Poor Moses, poor Aaron, poor people. I label all of them poor, but for different reasons.
Enter Your Pax Word A Lenten Lexicon -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
Enter your password -- flashed up on the computer screen.
The Tie That Binds -- Mark 14:12-21 -- Robert A. Stanley -- 1998
For centuries the question has been debated among Christians: When did the Church begin?
Bad Habits -- Mark 9:38-43, 47-48 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out...
Is There Any Seed Left In The Barn? -- Haggai 2:19 -- Frank Ramirez -- 1998
About eight years ago I first considered moving from Los Angeles to northern Indiana, from the city
The Community Of Life -- Acts 1:6-14 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Unity and disunity -- these words are more than mere opposites.
The Marvelous Style Of Jesus: Truth And Love -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Joseph M. Freeman -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1998
Jesus' use of parables is his way of communicating a striking truth with significant love.
Overcoming Spiritual Anemia -- John 6:51-58 -- Wayne H. Keller -- 1998
Webster, the famous dictionary author, defines anemia as a "condition in which the red corpuscles of
In The Flesh -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- William B. Kincaid, III -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 1998
"And the Word became flesh."
Zapped By The Spirit: No Post-Easter Slump -- John 20:19-23 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1998
Pentecost -- the "religious holiday" ignored by the mass media. Thank God!
Presents And The Gift Of Presence -- Luke 2:1-20 -- William B. Kincaid, III -- 1998
Some of you may have opened gifts before you came here tonight, others may do so later tonight or to
Death Shows No Partiality -- Anthology -- 1998
for a little childJames W. Robinson
On Seeing His Backside -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- William A. Jones -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1998
"I beseech Thee, O God, show me thy glory. Show me the essence of your being.
Pleasing The Teacher -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
Pleasing the teacher.
Freed For Service -- John 13:1-9 -- Robert A. Stanley -- 1998
No scene in the Bible is more gripping, awe--inspiring, and compelling than the picture of Jesus, po
Top Ten List -- Matthew 18:21-25 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive...

Spirituality

Stories

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

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Jesus' calming of the sea: the disciples' fear and awe -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationOne pastor did this:
A teaching with authority - A summary of Jesus' teaching ministry -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationConsider this:
Jesus' healing of the woman with a flow of blood and the ruler's daughter -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationSuggestion:
The preaching ministry -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationSuggestion:
Announcement - You're the one, Mary! You're the ones, church! -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 1990
Invitation to the Corporate CelebrationOne pastor began this way:
Jesus' healing of the leper -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationTry this:
Jesus' inability to do any mighty works in his own community because of the peoples' disbelief -- Mark 6:1-6 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationTry this:
Jesus healing the bed-ridden -- Mark 2:1-12 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1990
Theme: Jesus healing the bed-ridden, followed by the hostility of the scribes.
Jesus calling the disciples and sending them out two by two -- Mark 6:7-13 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationOne pastor did this:
Watchfulness -- Mark 13:32-37 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1990
Suggested quotes at the beginning and end of the order of worship:
Jesus' invitation to the disciples to leave the crowd and to rest -- Mark 6:30-34 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationSuggestion:
The Transfiguration of Jesus -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationSuggestion:
The Baptism, Temptation, Message of Jesus -- Mark 1:9-15 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationOne pastor began this way:
Jesus' attempt to be alone with his disciples -- John 6:1-15 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationConsider this:
Jesus' awareness of the cost of discipleship -- Mark 8:31-38, Mark 9:2-10 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationOne pastor began this way:
Jesus, the Bread of Life -- John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationOne pastor began this way:
The cleansing of the temple; the promise of Jesus' resurrection. -- John 2:13-25 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationSuggestion:
Jesus' response to, his critics, and his reiteration of the Bread of Life theme -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationOne pastor began this way:
God's love for the world to which the son came to bring light and judgment. -- John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationConsider this:
Jesus' insights into his body and blood -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1990
Order of Worship HeadingsConsider this:
Jesus' moving toward his death and glorification; the call to die in order to live -- John 12:20-33 -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationTry this:
Jesus, the living Bread and Wine -- John 6:55-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationOne pastor did this:
The final events of Jesus' life -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1990
The idea for this Holy Week celebration came from an idea suggested by a pastor in a church periodic
Jesus' insight into his death because of the people's attitudes -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationTry this:
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem -- 1990
Pastoral Invitation to the CelebrationConsider this:

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

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 25, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus called Simon and Andrew, James and John, to follow him. They immediately made their decision and dropped everything, for they knew the importance of their call. When Jesus calls us, do we hear him and do we respond?

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when I'm busy I find it difficult to hear you.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy, I find it difficult to respond to you.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy I'm not sure whether I want to follow you.
Lord, have mercy.
Janice B. Scott
I remember years ago watching an old film, which I think was "The Nun's Story." The young nun who was the heroine of the story had all sorts of difficulties in relationships with the other nuns. The problem was that she was super-intelligent, and the other nuns resented her. In the end the young nun went to the Mother Superior for advice, and was told that as a sign of humility she should fail her coming exams!

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Angel of Mercy"
Shining Moments: "A Dog's Life" by David Michael Smith
Good Stories: "God's Call" by Stephen Groves
Scrap Pile: "The Way Less Taken" by Garry Deverell


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt

C. David Mckirachan
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"Ordinary Time" by C. David McKirachan
"Who's the Fool?" by C. David McKirachan
"Sharing the Light" by Sandra Herrmann


* * * * * * *


Ordinary Time
by C. David McKirachan
Isaiah 9:1-4

SermonStudio

John N. Brittain
How familiar Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1 sound! Chloe's people had reported quarreling among the believers. Imagine that -- disagreements in a church! There were rivalries and backstabbing even in the very earliest days of the Christian community.
Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
A few years ago, I was on a retreat in northern Michigan, and I knew that some of our friends from home were sailing in the vicinity. One evening I went to the local boat dock, and walked through the lines of boats calling out the names of our friends, hopeful that they might be there. I remember the joy I felt when I yelled their names, and they answered! They were actually there, and they responded to my call!
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: In Christ's Name
Message: What on earth will bring us together, God? Lauds, KDM

How long must we wait, God,
for people to stop fighting
nations and nations
buyers and sellers
big ones and little ones
in-laws and relatives
husbands and wives
sisters and brothers
for me to stop fighting with me?
How long must we wait, God,
before we let the Christ Child come here?1
William B. Kincaid, III
In some parts of the country it doesn't matter, but in many areas the snow which falls during this time of the year can bring things to a decisive halt. Schools close. Events are canceled. Travel becomes tricky. If the conditions become severe enough, the decision may be made that not everybody should try to get to work. Only those who are absolutely necessary should report.
R. Glen Miles
"There will be no more gloom." That is how our text begins today. For the ones who were in anguish, glory will replace the gloom. Light will shine in darkness. Celebration will replace oppression. A new day will dawn.

In one sense these verses offer a summary of the overall message of the scriptures, "The darkness will pass. The light of a new day is dawning and there will be joy once again." At the end of the Bible, almost as if the original collectors of these sacred texts intended to remind us again of this word of hope, the Revelation of John tells us:
Robert A. Beringer
After a service of ordination to the Christian ministry, a sad-faced woman came up to the newly-ordained pastor and said, "It's a grand thing you are doing as a young man - giving up the joys of life to serve the Lord." That woman's attitude reflects a commonly held belief that to be serious about our faith means that we expect all joy to be taken out of living. For many, Christianity appears to be a depressing faith, with unwelcome disciplines, that cramps our lifestyle and crushes our spirits.
John T. Ball
All religions offer salvation. Eastern religions offer salvation from the illusion of being separated from ultimate reality - as in Hinduism, or from the pains of desire, as in Buddhism. Nature religions preach a salvation by calling us to realize we are linked to the natural world. Humanistic religions offer a salvation tied to the call to live in dignity and justice without divine aid. The biblical religions - Judaism, Islam, and Christianity - describe salvation in somewhat different ways. Judaism sees salvation primarily as an earthly and corporate affair.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Litany Of Confession
P: Discord, dissention, strife,
C: anger, violence, hatred;
P: we confess to you, O God,
C: our schemes, our willful rebellion,
our hidden hostilities toward your children.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our lack of trust in your presence,
our need to control, our insatiable appetite for praise.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our fear of speaking the truth in love,
our self-hatred, our moments of utter despair
when we no longer believe you are at work in us.
Wayne H. Keller
Adoration And Praise

Invitation to the Celebration
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Canticle Of Light And Darkness (UM205)
To Us A Child Of Hope Is Born (CBH189)
God Of Our Strength (CBH36)
Beneath The Cross Of Jesus (CBH250, UM297, NCH190, PH92)
In The Cross Of Christ I Glory (CBH566, UM295, NCH193--194, PH84)
Lord, You Have Come To The Lakeshore (CBH229, NCH173, PH377, UM344)
Where Cross The Crowded Ways Of Life (PH408, CBH405, UM42, NCH543)
Jesus Calls Us, O'er The Tumult (UM398, NCH171--172, CBH398)

Anthems

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
In 1882 George MacDonald wrote a fascinating story that powerfully illumines the thought behind today's lectionary passages. MacDonald called his tale "The Day Boy and the Night Girl: the Romance of Photogen and Nycteris" (it is available online at http://www.ccel.org/m/macdonald/daynight/daynight.html). In MacDonald's fable a witch steals a newborn girl and raises her in the total darkness of a cave. The witch experiences both light and darkness, but not the girl. She is completely immersed in the black world.
Wayne Brouwer
"Politics are almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous!" said Winston Churchill. "In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times."

In one of his essays, Albert Camus describes a powerful scene. John Huss, the great Czech reformer of the church, is on trial. His accusers twist all his ideas out of shape. They refuse to give him a hearing. They maneuver the political machine against him and incite popular passion to a lynch-mob frenzy. Finally, Huss is condemned to be burned at
David Kalas
Schuyler Rhodes
I was in the home of a church member the other day where I saw a marvelous family portrait. The picture had been taken on the occasion of a fiftieth wedding anniversary, and the entire family had gathered for the occasion. The celebrating husband and wife were seated in the center of the picture, flanked by their adult children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. It was a magnificent full-color illustration of God's design.

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