Login / Signup

SermonStudio

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

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 23 -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2001
Theme: Another Chance Call To Worship
Proper 23 -- Philippians 4:1-9 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2001
Theme: Rejoice In The Lord, Always Call To Worship
Proper 23 -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2001
Theme: God Calls Us Call To Worship
Proper 23 -- Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 24 -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2001
Theme: God's Invisible Presence Call To Worship
Proper 24 -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2001
Theme: An Example To Others Call To Worship
Proper 24 -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2001
Theme: Give God His Due Call To Worship Leader: We are God's people.
Proper 24 -- Psalm 99 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 25 -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2001
Theme: Leadership Call To Worship
Proper 25 -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2001
Theme: Courage To Declare The Gospel Call To Worship

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

Going For The Goal In Football And Faith -- Hebrews 12:1-3, 12a -- 2004
I caught the title out of the corner of my eye while wandering through a bookstore.
Don't Be A Turkey! -- Luke 17:11-19 -- 2004
There is little question that the commercially grown turkey is, pound for pound, one of nature's les
Valentines -- 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:8a, 13 -- 2004
Back in February of 1848, Esther Howland, a student at Mount Holyoke Seminary for Females (now Mount
One Nation, Under God -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- 2004
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it
Don't Forget The Child! -- Luke 1:46b-55, Micah 5:2-5a -- 2004
Most of us are familiar with the blockbuster movies, Home Alone and Lost in New York: Home
Expectancy -- Romans 13:11-14 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
Christmas decorations are beginning to appear everywhere and the children are getting excited.
A Hope For Peace -- Romans 15:4-13 -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
We will soon be singing Christmas songs full of joy and goodwill and love and peace.
Look Who Is Standing At The Door -- James 5:7-10 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
Imagine a happening with me. The scene is a fine restaurant all decorated for the holidays.
A Gift For You -- Romans 1:1-7 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
Christmas is almost here.
Say What? -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- Richard C. Brand -- All Saints Day - A -- 2004
Say what?

Children's sermon

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Bread To Eat -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2002
"Oh, no, not for five Sundays!" a preacher may exclaim when he/she looks at the Gospel for Propers 1
Eat The Bread -- John 6:51-58 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2002
Eat to live or live to eat? We can eat to our salvation or damnation.
Independence Day: We pray for our country's leaders. -- 1 Timothy 2:1-4 -- Julia E. Bland -- 2002
Visual Aids: A U.S. flag Handouts: Activity sheets
Baby Talk -- Hebrews 1:1-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2002
Luther said it: When God speaks to humanity, God always speaks in baby talk.
Where Is Your Heart? -- Mark 3:1-6 -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2002
We live in a very crazy world. Did you know
Ash Wednesday -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2002
Object: A blindfold and a member of the choir with a loud speaking voice.
Evangelism In The Local Church -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2002
The church battles constantly to keep the main thing, the main thing.
The Battle Of Discouragement -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2002
Everyone, at one time or another, faces discouragement. It can be devastating to one's ministry.
A Word About Change -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2002
The big word today is change. It is both the most used word and the most emotional word.
The Pastor's Spiritual Life -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2002
One of the great resources overlooked in some church growth materials is the personal and spiritual

Stories

SermonStudio

Now, That's A Miracle! -- Richard Stoll Armstrong -- 1996
Of all the miracles I've knownthe greatest one must be
A Helping Hand -- Richard Stoll Armstrong -- 1996
O Christ, had I one wish I fain would bethe one who bore your cross to Calvary,
Looking Back -- Richard Stoll Armstrong -- 1996
My call to be a minister I never will forget.
The Calling Cycle -- Richard Stoll Armstrong -- 1996
The God who calls isthe God who guides isthe God who provides is
It's Not In The Bible -- Richard Stoll Armstrong -- 1996
"The Lord helps those who help themselves."That sounds all right to me.
The Lord Willing ... -- Richard Stoll Armstrong -- 1996
"Do not boast about tomorrow;you don't know what it may bring."
A Child's Faith -- Richard Stoll Armstrong -- 1996
We're happy that our little grandson Grayenjoys the times he spends the night with us.
Clergy -- Walter M. Buescher -- 1996
1. A preacher, looking for a discount, said, "I'm only a poor preacher."
God, Bible, And Eternity -- Walter M. Buescher -- 1996
158. Saint Peter showed the new arrival around.
The People In The Pew -- Walter M. Buescher -- 1996
241. Thank God daily for the plurality of the Christian church in America.

Prayer

Devotional

Poems

Pastoral Resources

Children's program

Pageant

Adult study

Youth Resources

Monologues

Church Programs

Meditations

Candlelighting service

Biblical Studies

Humor

Faith Development

Bible Study

Children's Resources

Self Help

Liturgy

Illustration

Spirituality

Biblical Study

Inspirational

Christian Life

Easter

Lent/Easter

Church Growth

Sacrament

Healing

Death

Funeral

Memorial

Observance

Christian

African-American History

Thanksgiving Day

Marriage Ceremony

Wedding Vow

Home Blessing

Church Anniversary

Women's Day

Men's Day

Church Leaders

Mother's Day

Gathering Prayer

Unison Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer

Intercession

Fellowship

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

Richard E. Gribble, CSC
When Charlie Atlas was a teenager his parents purchased for him a dresser mirror that he placed in his bedroom. Before this, whenever Charlie needed to use a mirror, he went to the bathroom, but there he was only able to see his head and possibly his shoulders. When he got dressed up he used his parents' full-length mirror in their bedroom. Charlie was happy with his new mirror; he spent many hours in front of it.
Elizabeth Achtemeier
There is a strange belief abroad in our land at the present time, the belief that we cannot know God. Such a belief rises partly from a feeling of awe before the divine -- the feeling that God is so unfathomable, so other, so beyond our feeble understanding that we cannot possibly experience who he truly is in all of his fullness and perfection. And perhaps that is the reason that the Athenians have erected that idol "to an unknown God" that Paul encounters when he visits their city. They know that there is a god beyond them, but they cannot define him or name him.
Stan Purdum
(See Proper 23/Pentecost 21/Ordinary Time 28, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-12.)

Psalm 66 is a song of communal thanksgiving, probably composed to celebrate some national deliverance. Because of the personal language of verses 13-20, there is some speculation that this psalm was originally two hymns, but as it stands, it contains a combination of corporate and personal prayers, both appropriate in worship.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E, L)
Schuyler Rhodes
Are you one of those people who always has a backup plan? Do you make your commitments and focus your energies on one thing, but have an alternative in mind just in case things don't work out with the first one? You might call it "Plan B" or something else, but basically you're hedging your bets and covering yourself in case the situation goes south.
Mark Ellingsen
Jesus was still in the middle of his farewell discourse to his disciples. He was trying to comfort the despair that they were feeling when they had first heard the news (during the last supper) that Jesus would be leaving them (John 13:21, 33; 14:1). He had comforted them with the good news that he was on the way to God the Father, that in associating with Jesus, the disciples had been in fellowship with the Father (John 14:6-11). Whoever believed in him, Jesus said, would be able to do the works that he had done, even greater works (John 14:12).
Albert G. Butzer, III
Here are two statements about the world. Tell me if both of them ring true for you. The first of them is this: "The world is a beautiful place." And the second statement is this: "The world is a terrible and dangerous place." Both statements are true - don't you agree? - and yet, ironically, they seem to say the exact opposite thing. How much easier it would be to affirm one statement or the other, but not both.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
The name Robert Stroud is not one commonly heard in ordinary conversation, but this man's contribution to humanity will live on in the minds of many under a different title, "The Birdman of Alcatraz." By nature, Robert Stroud was not a congenial man. As a youth he was always getting into fights, disagreements, and various altercations. When he was only nineteen he killed a man in a barroom brawl, was convicted of second--degree murder, and was sentenced to the Federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, since the crime was committed on Federal land.
Richard W. Ferris
In a large stone cathedral in Europe there was a grand, magnificent pipe organ. On a particular Saturday afternoon, the sexton was making one final check of the choir and organ loft high in the balcony at the back of the church. As he was making his inspection, he was startled to hear footsteps echoing up the stone stairway behind him. He thought the doors were all locked and that no one else was in the church. He turned to see a man in slightly tattered traveling clothes coming toward him.
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Acts 17:22-31
Theme: To A Known God

Call To Worship
Leader: God is a known God who continually gives us evidence of presence.
People: God is a knowable God who extends to us the hand of hope.
All: Come, let us worship God. Amen.

Collect
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Our Cities Cry To You, O God (PH437)
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (PH376, UM384, LBW315, NCH43)
Holy Spirit, Truth Divine (PH321, UM465)
There's A Sweet, Sweet Spirit (PH398, UM334)
Thy Holy Wings, O Savior (UM502)
Come Down, O Love Divine (LBW508, NCH289, PH313)
O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee (OBW492, NCH502, PH357)
My Song Is Love Unknown (LBW94, NCH222, PH76)

Anthems
Praise The Lord, Service Music, Hal Hopson, CGA, Unison 2--part

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 10, 2026:

StoryShare

John Fitzgerald
Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the classic Little House on the Prairie series neared an end to her
life. At this juncture she penned an essay about hope in face of the constant current of change. Here is an excerpt from that writing: 
Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Always Be Ready" by Frank Ramirez
"Looking for God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"A Gentle Profession" by Peter Andrew Smith


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
The lessons for the Sixth Sunday of Easter direct us to sermons on the great things God’s love does, appreciating in two cases this love’s cosmic character (especially leading to a stress on justification by grace). This is an appropriate theme with the festival of the Ascension in view, which celebrates Christ’s almighty power and cosmic vindication. 

Acts 17:22-31
William H. Shepherd
Schuyler Rhodes
In Garret Kreizer's novel, God of Beer (2002), the high school social studies teacher tells the class about Gandhi's assertion that if God ever came to India, he'd have to come as bread, in order to get the attention of the starving peasants. The teacher then asks the class what form God would have to take in order to get the attention of their high school. "Beer," says one student. "Yeah," another chimes in, "it's the only thing to do around here."

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

CSSPlus

Hi there, boys and girls! How many of you have rules that you have to follow at home? (show of hands) What are some of the rules you have? (let them tell you) What about at school? Do you have rules there? What are they? (let them tell you)

Why should we even have rules? (see what they think) I think we have rules because it makes it easier for us to be together. If we are all kind to each other, we will all be happier. If there are rules, then maybe people will fight less.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL