Login / Signup

SermonStudio

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Adult study

African-American History

Bible Study

Biblical Studies

Biblical Study

Candlelighting service

Children's program

Children's Resources

Children's sermon

Christian

Christian Faith

Christian Life

Church Anniversary

Church Growth

Church Leaders

Church Programs

Death

Devotional

Drama

Easter

Faith Development

Fellowship

Funeral

Gathering Prayer

Healing

Home Blessing

Humor

Illustration

Inspirational

Intercession

Lent/Easter

Liturgy

Marriage Ceremony

Meditations

Memorial

Men's Day

Monologues

Mother's Day

Observance

Pageant

Pastoral Resources

Poems

Prayer

Preaching

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Pain And Promise In The Heart Of God -- Hosea 2:14-20 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1996
One of the amazing claims of the Judaeo-Christian heritage is that God takes on the attributes of hu
When Imagination Replaces Memory -- Isaiah 43:18-25 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1996
One of the fascinating aspects of being human is our ability to create time.
Pain and Promise in the Heart of God -- Hosea 2:14-20 -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1996
One of the amazing claims of the Judaeo-Christian heritage is that God takes on the attributes of hu
No Box Seats In The Kingdom -- Mark 10:35-45 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1996
Historically speaking, the church has usually painted a pretty picture of the twelve original disci
When The Odds Are Against Us -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
I recently had the privilege of introducing Maya Angelou who addressed a luncheon honoring Cecil Wil
Beware Of Your Piety -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1996
Whatever happened to Lent?
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1996
Many scholars view this narrative as one occasioned by the fear of an uncertain future followed by a
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1996
Many scholars view this narrative as one occasioned by the fear of an uncertain future followed by a
Can You See Where We're Going? -- Mark 10:46-52 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1996
A cigar-chomping realtor was driving around a young couple to search for their first dream house.
When It's Hard To Give Thanks -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1996
Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937) was the first black artist to acquire an international reputation in
Easter Jogging -- John 20:1-18 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Easter Day - B -- 1996
He is Risen. "He is Risen, indeed," we respond. We sound the trumpet.
All Dressed Up And Somewhere to Go! -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1996
In Tennessee Williams' play Sweet Bird of Youth, the heckler says to Miss Lucy, "I believe that the
What To Say When You Roll Out Of Bed -- Mark 12:28-34 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1996
A few years ago, a radio station ran a contest.
Ready Or Not -- He Comes -- Mark 13:33-37 -- John A. Stroman -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
There is a passage in the old Jewish book of Zohar, that goes like this: "Whenever the Jews on earth
Easter Power -- John 20:19-31 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
Storms that knock out electrical systems make us mindful of how dependent we are upon power.
A Little Book Of Comfort -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1996
The lectionary text for today is part of a larger unit that has sometimes been called "The Little Bo
Commitment Beyond Calculation -- Mark 12:38-44 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
Here she is again: the widow who goes up to the temple treasury to put in her two cents.
Have You Heard The Good News? -- Mark 1:1-8 -- John A. Stroman -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
Have you heard the good news?
Easter Understanding -- Luke 24:35-48 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
Edward Schillebeeckx, an outstanding Roman Catholic New Testament Scholar, some twenty years ago pub
Light In The Land Of Shadows -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1996
On a trip to Munich, Germany, Samuel Miller had a chance to watch Karl Vallentin, the last of the gr
He Abides In Us -- John 15:1-8 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
John Updike once more revealed his remarkably brilliant powers of description in the novel Brazil.
Something To Do While The World Falls Apart -- Mark 13:1-8 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
A number of years ago, leaders in a church decided to track down the congregation's drop-outs.
A Voice Crying In The Wilderness -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- John A. Stroman -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
The people wondered who John the Baptist was.
Choose To Be Chosen -- Mark 6:7-13 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1996
What a relief to be chosen! Remember?
He Shepherds Us! -- John 10:11-18 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
Andrew Young, former delegate to the United Nations and former mayor of Atlanta, finally published t

Spirituality

Stories

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

GOOD FRIDAY -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- Heth H. Corl -- Good Friday - C -- 1976
First Lesson: Isaiah 52:13--53:12Theme: The Suffering ServantCall to Worship
THURSDAY IN HOLY WEEK -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Heth H. Corl -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 1976
First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:31-34Theme: The new covenant written on our hearts
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Luke 4:1-13 -- Heth H. Corl -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 1976
First Lesson: Deuteronomy 26:1-11Theme: Remembering God's deliverance
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:22-35 -- Heth H. Corl -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 1976
First Lesson: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18Theme: Faith is belief in God's covenant promise
THE RITE AND THEOLOGY OF CONFIRMATION -- Acts 8:14-17 -- William J. Rauch -- 1972
Does the above portion of Scripture describe a sacrament?
Responding To The Lord's Word -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- ...
First Lesson: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
The Faith of a Syrophoenician Woman -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
The Vine and the Branches -- John 15:1-8 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Birth of the World's Savior -- Luke 2:1-20, John 1:1-14 -- Wayne H. Keller -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Introit
A GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE OF WORSHIP -- Ralph E. Dessem
THE PRELUDETHE CALL TO WORSHIP
Peter's Confession of Christ -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation
No Longer Servants, but Friends -- John 15:9-17 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus presented in the temple -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Celebrating The Presence of GodPastoral Invitation
EASTER SERVICE OF CELEBRATION -- Ralph E. Dessem
(This service is designed to be used in a social hail on Easter morning.
Jesus Announces His Death to the Disciples -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation
Jesus Prays for His Disciples, Then, and Now -- John 17:6-19 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
The Sheep and the Goats -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B
Celebrating The Presence Of GodPastoral Invitation
The Nails of the Cross -- Ralph E. Dessem
During World War II the cathedral at Coventry, England, was largely destroyed by incendiary bombs dr
Who is For and Who is Against God -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
The Season Of The Resurrection -- Wayne H. Keller
Liturgical Color: White(Easter to Pentecost)
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael -- John 1:43-51 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
Pastoral Invitation
The Season Of The Nativity -- Wayne H. Keller
ChristmasThe Season Of The NativityLiturgical Color: White
THE WAY OF THE CROSS LEADS HOME -- Ralph E. Dessem
A minister was on board the Eastern Airlines plane as it was flying into Birmingham, Alabama.
Covenants, Illustrated by Marriage -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
The Calling of the First Disciples; the Call to Repent! -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Pastoral Invitation

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
Ascension of the Lord
25 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
19 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
27 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
20 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
22 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Pentecost
33 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Elena Delhagen
For May 19, 2024:
  • Dry Bones or Dancing Bones by Dean Feldmeyer based on Ezekiel 37:1-14. “Hope means to keep living amid desperation and to keep humming in the darkness.” Henri J.M. Nouwen

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Pentecost accents the belief that the Christian church is a Spirit movement, not another world institution. Imagine a pastor who is on the denomination committee for examining pastoral candidates that are on various points along their journey toward ordination either before, during or just after completion of seminary/Bible college training. All the pastoral candidates are excited about their future of making a positive change and impression on the churches they serve.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Acts 2:1-21
Martin Luther viewed Pentecost as a day of celebration, as on a sermon in the topic he noted “it was on this present Pentecost Day that the joyful blessed and lovely kingdom of Christ was established, a kingdom filled with joy, courage, and certainty.”  Complete Sermons, Vol.6, p.152) Awareness of the Holy Spirit is a big part of the joy and certainty Pentecost brings.  John Wesley, then, offers a timely warning about how not to lose a sense of the Spirit and the joy and confidence this insight offers.  He wrote:

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“I’m not sure why we’re doing this,” Ollie muttered to himself as he took his place on the bandstand. He unpacked his guitar and played a few chords to make sure that it was in tune. “The acoustics are better in the church building.”

“They may be,” Todd said raising his voice over the sounds of the busy park. “Going to be a noisy afternoon from the sounds of it.”

“Huh?” Ollie looked over at his smiling friend. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

“You’re just saying what we’re all thinking, isn’t he Wendy?’

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: Today’s message will include a role-play. You will need one child to play the role of the shepherd and the rest of the children will be the people from town. I usually pick an outgoing child for my shepherd so they will act out a bit. Encourage everyone to have fun and ham it up a bit.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
As I recall, there was a mighty, rushing wind at the last Bank Holiday weekend. It didn't herald the coming of God quite as much as the coming of a mighty, rushing rain, and for many unfortunate people, substantial flooding. And it was accompanied by considerable power, for it uprooted and destroyed one of our laburnum trees.

SermonStudio

Mark Ellingsen
Theme of the Day
The Holy Spirit gets around. Historically the church has also commemorated its origins on this festival. In some traditions, confirmation is celebrated.

Collect of the Day
Petitions are offered that the Spirit come and transform the faithful to give them language to proclaim the word. The Holy Spirit, Justification (by Grace), Sanctification, and Evangelism are emphasized.

Psalm of the Day
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
* Hymn to God the creator; praise for God's providential interventions.
James Evans
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Day Of Pentecost, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)

Elizabeth Achtemeier
On the previous Sundays of this Eastertide, we have heard the risen Christ tell his followers to remain in Jerusalem until he sends the Holy Spirit upon them. That will enable them to be his witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Having promised that, he ascended into heaven, to rule over all at the right hand of the Father. That promise was spoken during the forty days that the Lord was with the apostles and disciples after his resurrection.
Arthur H. Kolsti
Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord to the breath, prophesy mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
-- Ezekiel 37:4-10
Ron Lavin
The Holy Spirit is called "your Advocate" in the New English Bible translation of John 15:26. Other translations may be helpful in understanding the meaning of the Holy Spirit. The King James Version uses the term "The Comforter." The Revised Standard Version and the New International Version use the term "The Counselor." The Phillips translation and the Barclay translation call the Holy Spirit "The Helper." I like the title "The Advocate" best of all. This term "The Adovcate" includes comforting, counseling, and helping.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL