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SermonStudio

By What Authority? -- Mark 1:21-28 -- John A. Stroman -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1996
Two remarkable things happened. Jesus' words in the synagogue left the people amazed.
Acquaintances Or Friends? -- 1 Samuel 17:57--18:5, 10-16 -- Arthur H. Kolsti -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1996
Let's begin by thinking about the difference between an acquaintance and a friend.
God's Plan For Your Happiness -- Psalm 1 -- Robert G. Mccreight -- 1996
Introduction
Take Up Your Cross -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Glenn Tinder, Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, has writt
The Demanding Crowd -- Mark 1:29-39 -- John A. Stroman -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1996
Jesus was mobbed by the crowds.
Lyrics For The Centuries -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Arthur H. Kolsti -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1996
When David received the report of the battlefield deaths of Saul and Jonathan, he expressed his sorr
Since He's In Charge, We're In Luck -- Psalm 33:45, 8-9, 13-22 -- Robert G. Mccreight -- 1996
Introduction
Jesus Transfigured -- Mark 9:2-10 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Dr.
A Hands-on Religion -- Mark 1:40-45 -- John A. Stroman -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1996
A leper confronted Jesus and said to him, "If you want to, you can make me clean." I would imagine
Another Kind Of Success -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Arthur H. Kolsti -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1996
Rags-to-riches stories have been popular in every time and place.
When God Is The Problem -- Psalm 13 -- Robert G. Mccreight -- 1996
Introduction
Clean House -- John 2:13-25 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
The portrait of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Gospel appointed for this day has proven to be som
The Power Of A Rumor -- Mark 2:1-12 -- John A. Stroman -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1996
Most sermons on this text deal with one of two things: either a detailed account about the four
The Taught Can -- Mark 8:27-38 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1996
You have heard that it has been said in old times, "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach." But
R.S.V.P. -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Arthur H. Kolsti -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1996
Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?-- Isaiah 6:8b
A Faith I Could No Longer Count On -- Psalm 73:1-7, 13-18 -- Robert G. Mccreight -- 1996
Introduction
Hate Evil -- John 3:14-21 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
In the Holy Gospel appointed for today our Lord refers to the manner in which Moses "lifted up the s
What Shall We Do With The New Wine? -- Mark 2:13-22 -- John A. Stroman -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1996
Jesus knew that his message was different. In a sense it was startlingly new.
Cheers For The Healed -- Mark 7:24-37 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1996
Let's Hear It For The Deaf Man -- that's the title of a detective novel.
No Particular Place To Go -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1996
It was the last week of summer when some boys who had spent the summer playing together became restl
Confidence To Spare -- Psalm 27:1-6, 13-14 -- Robert G. Mccreight -- 1996
Introduction
Which Way To Jesus? -- John 12:20-33 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Great commotion was created in the holy city of Jerusalem at the time of the Feast of the Passover.
With Our Heads In The Clouds -- Mark 9:2-9 -- John A. Stroman -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1996
The crowds were gone. Jesus was alone with his disciples.
Our Dilemma And Delight -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1996
For the past five Sundays the lectionary has assigned gospels from John.
At The Right Place At The Right Time -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1996
Sherry was struggling with some personal issues in her life.

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SermonStudio

Maundy Thursday -- Joann H. Hary
Order of Worship
Jesus Teaches the Essence of His Being the True Bread and Cup -- John 6:56-69 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus Deals with Cleanliness and Uncleanliness -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
The Community Gathers To CelebratePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus, the Good Shepherd Versus the Hired Hands Who Abandon the Sheep -- John 10:11-18 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
An Invitation To The Easter CelebrationPastoral Invitation
Good Friday -- Joann H. Hary
Order of Worship

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
New Year's Eve/Day
13 – Sermons
40+ – Illustrations / Stories
16 – Children's Sermons / Resources
6 – Worship Resources
6 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas 2
20 – Sermons
60+ – Illustrations / Stories
12 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
12 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany of the Lord
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

Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 4-6, 2026:
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 4-6, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
I was only just full-grown when we set out on the journey, but I was strong and eager for adventure. And by the time we returned to our own land after many years, I was older and wiser than my age might have you believe.

Don't get me wrong. I was happy in my home, living in the paddock with my brothers and sisters and the rest of the herd, for we were well looked after. We always had food and water, and the camel master almost never beat us, even when occasionally we'd spit at him, just for fun.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Frank Ramirez
Timothy F. Merrill
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Sons from Far Away, Daughters in Nurses' Arms" by David O. Bales
"Tenting Among Us" by Frank Ramirez
"God's Resolutions" by Timothy F. Merrill


What's Up This Week
C. David Mckirachan
Larry Winebrenner
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"A Time for Everything" by Larry Winebrenner
"A Word of Hope" by Larry Winebrenner
"You Were Adopted" by C. David McKirachan
"Behold the Man" by Keith Hewitt


* * * * * * * *


A Time for Everything
Larry Winebrenner
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Henry didn't like Jack.

Oh, he loved him like a brother. He would die for his friend. But oh, the arrogance. He always thought he was right. And he would always use authority, authority of some kind, to support his claims.

SermonStudio

Mark Wm. Radecke
This season, the boundaries of darkness are pushed back. A light shines in the darkness and the darkness is powerless to extinguish it.

Darkness has always been a potent metaphor for those things in life that oppress and enthrall us, frighten and intimidate us, cause us worry and anxiety and leech the joy from our lives.

We know darkness in our physical lives when illness is close at hand, when we lack the basic necessities of life -- food, shelter and clothing.
Paul E. Robinson
Early in January in northern Canada the sun peeks above the horizon for the first time after six weeks of hiding. An important dawn for Canada. Imagine how the lives of people in the northern latitudes would be different if they got used to the darkness and never even expected that a dawn would ever lighten their horizon again.
John N. Brittain
We lived in Florida for a while in the 1980s and it was then that we learned about Tarpon Springs. Not a large city, it has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any place in the US. This dates back to the 1880s, when Greek immigrants moving into the area were hired as sponge divers, a trade they had plied back in the old country. Today Tarpon Springs' main claim to fame is the Greek Orthodox Church's Epiphany celebration, which is held every January 6, with the blessing of the waters and the boats.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
Early January always feels like a fresh start. The Christmas whirlwind has settled down. We still have a fighting chance to keep our resolutions for the new year. Cartoons always depict the New Year as a baby, full of possibilities and innocence. We hope that with a new year we can leave the baggage behind us, stretching toward a brighter future.

Stephen M. Crotts
Many things are written with all of the excitement of some fresh truth recently received. Other things are written from anger. And there is much these days in any pastorate to make one mad. Still other messages are delivered from depression. I'm convinced that the majority of preachers I know are over the edge into burnout. And what of this particular study? Where am I coming from? Today, I'm writing from a broken heart, a heart shattered by a fallen comrade.
William B. Kincaid, III
Did you notice that bad things did not stop happening through the holidays? And is any warning necessary that bad things will happen in every season of this year? Surely there is better news than that, but we ought to be honest about the bad news. Not even the holidays generate enough good will to stop people from blowing up airplanes and destroying people's reputations and abusing children and selling drugs to teenagers and gunning down their neighbors.
Robert A. Beringer
"So, what's new?" he asked. It happens all the time. You meet someone on the street you have not seen for awhile. "What's new?" "Oh, nothing much, really.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

When to accommodate and when not to accommodate? That's the question we face today. Most likely, the minds and hearts of our congregations will be focused on the new year. They will have just celebrated the advent not only of a new year but in this case a new millennium. With all the hype about the year 2000, our attention will doubtless be engrossed in the calendar. On the other hand, today is also an important liturgical celebration of the naming of Jesus. It provides us opportunity to acknowledge the importance of that name which has become sacred in our tradition.
Mark J. Molldrem
Schuyler Rhodes
These are the longest hours of darkness. Although the winter solstice is passed, the darkness lingers for many more weeks. The season becomes a symbol for the longing of the human spirit to "see the light." It becomes difficult to catch sight of the light, however, when so many shadows lurk at every turn of a corner we make. We claim to be an enlightened people; yet settle for clap-trap on television and spend countless hours absorbing it like a sponge under a dripping faucet. We call athletes heroes for nothing more than being good at what they do.
Cathy Venkatesh
In many countries, January 6 is a public holiday with parades, parties, and festivities celebrating the visit of the wise men. For some Christian churches, the main celebration of Christ's incarnation occurs on this day. But in the United States, Monday, January 6, 2014, is nothing special in the public sphere. For most of us, this day marks the beginning of our first full week back at work or school after the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

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Teachers: Most youngsters (and many adults) have a misconception of the wise men. The Bible does not state that the wise men visited Jesus at the manger. Even so, our tradition of gift giving at Christmas may relate to the wise men's gifts. The church celebrates the arrival of the wise men's visit to Jesus 12 days after Christmas. This event is called "Epiphany."

Take a moment to explain to your students the significance of Epiphany, the wise men, and Jesus. The lesson from Matthew states three gifts that the wise men gave Jesus: gold, frankincense and
Today we are going to be like the wise men from the East who looked for baby Jesus. They were told the wonderful story about a promised Messiah who would save the world. He was the "king of the Jews" and would be king of all people. They traveled a great distance. They wanted to see the baby. They had to see the baby! So they left and ended up in Jerusalem. There they asked about the promised king.

The man who was king became very jealous. Even though they were looking for a spiritual king -- a king of our hearts, minds,
Teachers or Parents: Have an Epiphany pageant to close off the Christmas season and the twelve days of Christmas with the children of your church. Have people stationed in various parts of the home or church building where you might go to ask the question, "Are you the Messiah?" They will, of course, say, "No." The first group might add, "Look for the star." Involve as many children as possible. Let them ask the question. Let them get into the role of wise men from the East. Help them relive the story and see that Jesus is more than king of the Jews or king of

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