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Worship

SermonStudio

Theme: Give Me Back What The Bugs Stole -- Frank Ramirez -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: When God Began To Create ... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Frank Ramirez -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Rule Like God -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Frank Ramirez -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 118:24)
Theme: Standing Stones -- Exodus 24:3-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 116:12-13) One:
Theme: Yours, Mine, And Ours -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: I Had No Idea -- Luke 24:36b-48, 1 John 3:1-7, Acts 3:12-19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Acts 3:12-13) One:
Theme: What Good Is That? -- Acts 4:5-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Acts 4:7 and 12) One:
Theme: Try And Stop Us -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: That'll Show Us -- Acts 10:44-48 -- Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 98:1)
Theme: Who Goes There? -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 139:17-18)
Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
First Lesson: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Theme: I Knew This Would Happen!
Theme: One Lord, False Profits -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 111:10)
Theme: View From A Height -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Isaiah 40:31)
Theme: If Only -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Get In The Game -- Isaiah 43:18-25 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 8:1, 3-4, 9) One:
Theme: A New Name, The Right Name -- Hosea 2:14-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Walk To The Light -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2005
Call To Worship Arise, shine; for your light has come!
Theme: Believe It Or Not! -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25) One:
Nevermore Forevermore -- Genesis 9:8-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship Storms are raging all about,
Theme: Spell My Name With An "H" -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 22:23-24) One:
Theme: "No's" That Mean "Yes"! -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 19:1-4) One:
Theme: Snake Eyes -- Numbers 21:4-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 107:17-22) One:
Theme: Stop The Presses! New Story! -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Lots Of Luck -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 1:1-2) One:
Theme: You Explain It -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 118:1-2, 8-9, 14, 18) One:

Pages

Drama

SermonStudio

Searching -- John 6:51-58, John 6:56-69 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersNarrator: male or female, any age
The Deeds -- James 1:17-27 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersMinister: male or female any age over college
The Applicants -- James 2:1-10 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersSecretary: male or female over college age
The Grocery Store -- James 3:1-12, Mark 9:30-37 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
(The lights come up on a woman, sitting on the couch talking on the telephone)
The Pray-er -- James 5:13-20 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersMildred: an elderly lady who is handicapped
The Hotel And Restaurant -- Hebrews 1:1-4, Hebrews 4:12-16 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersPeter: the maitre d' hotel, middle-aged or older
The Mission -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersAgent 1: male or female, any ageAgent 2: male or female, any age
Are You Calling Me? -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
(The lights come up on a solitary figure, with no set or props.
The Adoption Agency -- Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersAgency Director: male or female older than college age
Three Words -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
(The monologue can be done simply as a stand-alone, or use your imagination to create a set where so
The Collection -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersNarrator: male or female, any ageHusband: male non-speaking role
Sundays -- 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersJane: friend of Sara's and a similar age
Questions -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
(This can be done as a readers' theatre or memorized with three or six people.
Raging -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
(This stand-alone monologue should be done as simply as possible, one on one with God)
Attitude -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersNarrator: male or female, any ageCain: the older brother
A Thorn -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-6 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersJessica: a sick singer who wants to make a career singing
The Inheritance -- Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersAttorney: middle-aged, can be male or female
The Food -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, John 6:1-21 -- Lori Lee Triplett -- 1993
Cast Of CharactersKristen: female, college age or older
Isaiah's Surprise -- Nancy Steltz -- 1987
Staging: Gabriel is on the far right; Mary is sitting center stage; the chorus stands at left stage.
Recollections of Enoch, A Jewish Captive In Babylon -- Robert A. Morgan -- 1985
I thought I was an old man when we were brought to Babylon, and I am ten years older now.
Recollections of Sarah, Servant in the Home of Zacharias and Elizabeth -- Robert A. Morgan -- 1985
I am not really an old woman yet - at least I know a few who are older!
Recollections of Reuben, Uncle of a Young Bethlehem Shepherd -- Robert A. Morgan -- 1985
It's a great time for you to be asking questions now, after all the blood your soldiers spilled and
Recollections of Abdul, Camel Boy for An Eastern Potentate -- Robert A. Morgan -- 1985
I'm glad I'm home. That's the first thing for me to say. I'm really glad I'm home.
Recollections of Mary, Daughter of the Keepers of a Bethlehem Inn -- Robert A. Morgan -- 1985
Children, I just can't sit down with you now. I have too much work to do for our guests.
The Women -- William Grimbol -- 1984
SETTING: Five women gathered in a courtyard garden for conversation

Pages

Sermon

SermonStudio

I Wonder As I Wander -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
An angel appeared to some shepherds, Saint Luke reports.
Little Lord Jesus -- Luke 1:46b-55, Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
"Take me to your leader" -- it's the famous cliché of bad science-fiction movies.
The Glory Of Flesh And Blood -- Luke 2:1-20, John 1:1-14 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
A few springs ago, I installed a small pond in the side yard of our home.
No More Senseless Journeys -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
Because Jesus was Mary's firstborn, there were four words that she and Joseph did not have to hear a
In Dulci Jubilo -- Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11, Luke 1:46b-55, Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
Year after year, we are drawn to this night.
Word Made Flesh -- John 1:1-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
Two observations about language: In the academic world, this is what we might call "the season of ve
Son Of God, Love's Pure Light -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Isaiah 60:1-6, Luke 2:1-20, John 1:1-14 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
The ship's captain stood at the helm on a night that boasted neither moon nor stars, but only impene
A Bow In The Clouds, A Babe In A Manger -- Isaiah 11:1-9, Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
The place to start is with a family on a boat.
Light In Darkness, Speech From Silence -- Isaiah 9:2-7, John 1:1-14 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
This season, the boundaries of darkness are pushed back.
Ironies, Contrasts, Paradoxes, And Reversals -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-20 -- Mark Wm. Radecke -- 2008
Saint Luke's narrative of the Christmas story has been read and heard and cherished this season in m
Father, Forgive Them -- Luke 23:32-34 -- Robert D. Cornwall -- 2008
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.
Paradise -- Luke 23:39-43 -- Robert D. Cornwall -- 2008
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah
Woman, Here Is Your Son -- John 19:26-27 -- Robert D. Cornwall -- 2008
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his moth
Abandonment -- Mark 15:34-35 -- Robert D. Cornwall -- 2008
At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani" which m
I Thirst -- John 19:28-29 -- Robert D. Cornwall -- 2008
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture
It Is Finished -- John 19:30 -- Robert D. Cornwall -- 2008
When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up h
The Final Word -- Luke 23:44-49 -- Robert D. Cornwall -- 2008
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while
God Never Gives Up On Us -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15) -- William J. Carl, III -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2008
Have you noticed that no matter how much of a mess we make of our lives, God never gives up on us?
The Three Dimensions Of Life -- Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2007
Today's reading starts in the ancient world before the great flood.
God, What Are You Up To? -- Genesis 12:1-9 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2007
One of the better programs on television from 2003 to 2005 was a series on CBS called Joan of Arc
God's Laughter -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2007
Okay, who knows how Joan of Arc died? Right. She was burned at the stake.
A Way Of Seeing -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2007
Remember your childhood suspicion that both your mother and your teacher had eyes in the back of the
Breakdowns And Breakthroughs -- Genesis 22:1-14 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2007
There are some recent studies on racism that offer important information about our thinking processe
A Match Made In Heaven -- Genesis 29:15-28 -- David Kalas -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2007
One of the great privileges of being a parish pastor is the opportunity to officiate at weddings.
A Blessing In Disguise -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- David Kalas -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2007
I wonder how many of us here are named after someone.

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Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Using Your Imagination -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to use their imagination for good.
The Wind Sock -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To show that we need God's love and wisdom to give our lives proper direction.
A Bucket Of Water -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to actively seek the things of our faith.
Learning From A Flower -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To show why we should be thankful to God.
A Disappearing Act -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: It is not necessary to see God; but we can still experience God.
Hidden Treasure -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: True life with God is like a great treasure.
The Shortest Distance -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to stick with a task until it is finished.
Pieces Of Paper -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: Understanding values.
Fine And False Speech -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to tell the truth.
The Rich And The Poor -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage the children to be friendly to new children in the church.
The Jumping Flame -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to try new things.
A Lesson From Paper -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To help the children understand that as we grow older,
The Arrow Of Friendship -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To think about the meaning of true friendship.
Fishing With A Net -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To show the need for each one to accept responsibility
The Lever -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To show how people working together can accomplish more
Useful Junk -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To show how God can refashion us into something good.
If The Shoe Fits -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To stress the importance of accepting help when it is needed.
Let Your Light Shine Through -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To help children see that even little deeds of kindness are important.
Putting God In His Place -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To show the importance of keeping God at the center of life.
Try, Try Again -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To encourage children to keep on trying when they have
The Pretzel -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To think with the children about stewardship and prayer.
On Using Problems -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To think about the reason for problems in life.
Zero -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: Learning to handle failure.
Symbols Of Thanksgiving -- Stone And Rope -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To stress our need to thank God for all the good things
The Wishbone -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: How to reach our goals in life.Material: A chicken or turkey wishbone.

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Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 27/Pentecost 25/Ordinary Time 32 -- Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2006
Psalm 145 is known not so much in its entirety, but piecemeal, by those who are familiar with Christ
Proper 27/Pentecost 25/Ordinary Time 32 -- Psalm 98 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see also Christmas Day, Cycle A and B, and Easter
Proper 28 / Ordinary Time 33 / Pentecost 23 -- Isaiah 12 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2006
(For an alternative approach to vv. 2-6, see Advent 3, Cycle C.)
Christ The King/Proper 29 -- Luke 1:68-79 -- James Evans -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
(See Advent 2, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)
Thanksgiving Day -- Psalm 100 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2006
This brief psalm is among the most familiar in the psalter, but that is primarily because its verses
Plays Well With Others: B+ -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: If nothing else, the Christian should be congenial, amicable, and much better
Let Me Tell You What You Believe -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: So many Christians are ignorant concerning the beliefs and doctrines of their
No Yellow Flags! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Christians should be concerned about avoiding making mistakes.
God Always Wins At Hide And Seek -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We can't get away from God.
Should Acolytes Wear Sneakers? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How formal or informal should we allow our worship services to become?
Mom, Where Did We Come From? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Occasionally a sermon on who we are, historically, would be appropriate.
One Bible -- So Many Churches! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Why are there so many different denominations?
Guns  Rn't Us -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We must explore whether guns are worth the cost of life and limb.
Ate With Any Wicked People Lately? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: As Christians are we allowed to associate with "bad" people?
When Your Friends Are Naughty -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How do we act when our friends do wrong things?
Love Your Neighbor -- Very Carefully! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: It is important to remind our church family to not allow ourselves to be place
Worship Is More Than Just Staying Awake -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: When is worship really worship?
Little Orphan Annie Complex -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We need to deal with our fear of growing old.
Would Jesus Stretch The Truth? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Jesus used exaggeration in his teaching and for good reason.
A Sunday School For Adults Only! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Sunday school is not only for children, but also perhaps even more important f
Up Close And Personal -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Unfortunately, until it affects us, we usually are not willing to get involved
There Are No Holy Wars -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: There is no justification for war.
Pink Bunny Batteries -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How do we keep the flame burning and the enthusiasm lively?
My God Doesn't Make Tornadoes -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We need to stop blaming God for natural calamities.
In The Name Of God! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Christians have done (and still do) some terrible things and claimed they were

Pages

Stories

SermonStudio

A Random Act Of Kindness -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Constance Berg -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2001
In his book A Time to Fish and A Time to Dry Nets (1996: Lakewood Publishing Co.), author Alv
Baptism By Spit -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Constance Berg -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2001
"Jan wasn't baptized by the spirit, she was baptized by spit," went the joke.
Fred's Team -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Constance Berg -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2001
Every day newspapers, magazines, and radio stations report how "bad" things are getting.
Doing Something - For God -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Constance Berg -- Easter Day - A -- 2001
"Honey, I want to do something for God. What should I do?"
Doubt - A Difficult Thing To Overcome -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Doubt, especially self--doubt, is difficult to overcome. Sometimes it is impossible.
Unrecognized Faith -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Constance Berg -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Pastor Jim and his wife Ida were shaking hands with people as they came to church.
The Importance Of Sheep -- John 10:1-10 -- Constance Berg -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
In Palestine, the shepherd figure was a familiar one: shepherds were part of the scenery, part of th
What Good Can Come Of This? -- John 14:1-14 -- Constance Berg -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Their hearts were troubled. They couldn't believe it.
The Advocate -- John 14:15-21 -- Constance Berg -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
A new baby boy: Jonathan Richard.
The Sewage Pit -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Constance Berg -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
I was at a Michael Card concert many years ago, enjoying the message and the music of this fine musi
Epiphany: A Wonderful Holiday -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2001
I have lived in two different countries where Epiphany is a very important holiday: The Netherlands
The Love Of Being A Christian -- John 1:29-42 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2001
Bob Bohn was serving in Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1971.
A Time To Rest, A Time For Renewal -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2001
Stan needed rest, but there was no letting up.
An Open Letter To Congressional Delegation And The U.S. Secretary Of Agriculture -- Micah 6:1-8 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2001
Dear Sirs:
Sweet/Salty Love -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2001
While waiting at the beauty salon, I was captivated by an article in People magazine (January
The Stolen Generation -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2001
In an October 2, 2000, Time magazine article written by Terry McCarthy, Archie Roach recounts
Conscience-Building -- 1 Corinthians 3:10-11,16-23 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2001
Trace was known for his strong, durable buildings.
Today's Trouble Is Enough For Today -- Matthew 6:24-34 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2001
Margy was born in 1934.
A Religious Dilemma -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Constance Berg -- Good Friday - A -- 2001
Maia knew she was carrying twins.
Rainbow -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Constance Berg -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
The clown came walking ever so slowly up the aisle, smiling. She looked around.
Poor Nicodemus -- John 3:1-17 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Nicodemus didn't get it.
The Faith Of Rachel Bella Calof -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Constance Berg -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
This passage fits the life of Rachel Bella Kahn Calof.
That Which Is Good And Right And True -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Constance Berg -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Many, many people have tried to give a formula for the secret of happiness.
Funerals -- John 11:1-45 -- Constance Berg -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Cheryl's father had an affair with his secretary when Cheryl was just four years old.
Being A Servant -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Constance Berg -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2001
Danny looked at the document. He was standing at his secretary's desk.

Pages

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

Lent 1 -- Psalm 32 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
... and in whose spirit there is no deceit. -- Psalm 32:2
Lent 1 -- Romans 5:12-19 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even for those whose sins were not like the tran
Lent 1 -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Lent 2 -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
I will make of you a great nation ...
Lent 2 -- Psalm 121 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
Lent 2 -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
... "Abraham believed in God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
Lent 2 -- John 3:1-17 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
What is born of the flesh is flesh, what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Lent 3 -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
... "Is the Lord among us or not?" -- Exodus 17:7
Lent 3 -- Psalm 95 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah.... -- Psalm 95:8
Lent 3 -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
Lent 3 -- John 4:5-42 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink ..." The Samaritan
Lent 4 -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
...
Lent 4 -- Psalm 23 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. -- Psalm 23:1
Lent 4 -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light....
Lent 4 -- John 9:1-41 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
... One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. -- John 9:25
Lent 5 -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
... They say, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely."
Lent 5 -- Psalm 130 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord ... O Israel, hope in the Lord!
Lent 5 -- Romans 8:6-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Lent 5 -- John 11:1-45 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazaru
Passion/Palm Sunday -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2007
The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.
Passion/Palm Sunday -- Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2007
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
Passion/Palm Sunday -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2007
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.... -- Philippians 2:5
Passion/Palm Sunday -- Matthew 21:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2007
The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!
Easter Day -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Easter Day - A -- 2007
...
Easter Day -- Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Easter Day - A -- 2007
The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Lent 5
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
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The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
George Reed
For March 29, 2026:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
The work of salvation is embodied in the crucifixion and death of Jesus. That, all Christians are agreed upon. But how does that work? Jesus is obedient to God, undergoing torture and a horrible death, naked and in public view. Unless someone will come forward and claim the body after the crucifixion is over, it will be disposed of like garbage, literally: it will be thrown in the garbage pit outside of Jerusalem and slaked with lime to hold down the smell of the decaying flesh and hurry the process of tissue breakdown.
Perhaps we lose the punch of the imagery of "servant" in the Bible when we in our day view on cable television a movie like Remains of the Day. Watching the ever meticulous and loyal Anthony Hopkins prepare a table for dinner in a British palatial estate enables us to see what the ideal servant should do, how he should dress and act and talk, and how he should close his ears to whatever conversation takes place between host and guest.
R. Craig Maccreary
I suspect that most preachers will not be looking for ways to dive headlong into lifting up the passion as the centerpiece of their homiletical offering for this Sunday. No doubt there are good reasons to avoid wandering off the usual beaten path of the Palm Sunday parade: the palms, on order for a year, beckon to be taken home and folded into family Bibles as bookmarks; the children wait to have the promise fulfilled that they will be able to act up a bit in the parade of palms with a passion that is not usually permitted; and the choir has practiced for months.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
When Jesus died, the centurion who crucified him said, "Truly this man was God's Son!" Let us worship God's Son in all our activities today.


Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, forgive us when we fail to recognise you in other people.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, forgive us when we let ourselves down.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, forgive us for all those occasions when we crucify you afresh.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

Bryan Meadows
David O. Bales
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Upwards Motion" by Bryan Meadows
"Is It Truth?" by David Bales


What's Up This Week
Judy Sepsey
David O. Bales


Contents
"In the Arms of Love" by Judy Sepsey
"Mother of Judas" by David O. Bales


* * * * * * * *


Introducing Judy Sepsey

SermonStudio

David O. Bales
The novel The Ugly American is based upon facts of how Americans related to people in Southeast Asia. The insensitivity and arrogance of American government officials was generally depressing. One chapter of the novel, however, is particularly inspiring. An American woman, Emma Atkins, has come with her engineer husband to the fictional nation of Sarkhan. Emma is a curious, good-hearted person and she soon notices that in their small village all the older people are permanently bent over.
Lee Griess
Different churches celebrate Palm Sunday in different ways. At one church in Chicago, there is a tradition for worshipers to gather outside the church. Palm branches are distributed, and when the time comes, another group of worshipers emerge from the front doors playing instruments and together they march around the block, singing the songs of Palm Sunday. One year as the procession made its way around the block of the church building, a young man living in an apartment across the street, threw open the window and in his pajamas shouted, "What's all this noise?
Mark Ellingsen
God simply does not seem to do the sort of things we would expect our God to do. He does not always give us what we want. Most of us do not have everything we had hoped and dreamed for in life. He does not always answer our prayers. After all, we have all lost loved ones.
Robert J. Elder
Preachers often wonder what to do with Palm Sunday. Frequently the day is given to a celebration of Jesus' triumphal procession into Jerusalem.

Sometimes, though, worship provides a different offering, given the alternate title of Passion Sunday, leaving behind the pomp and celebration of Palm Sunday for a hard look at the events of the coming week, the last supper, the betrayal, the crucifixion, the burial in the tomb. It is because we know about the passion that is coming that preachers always wonder what to do with the happy celebration of Palm Sunday.
Albert G. Butzer, III
One of the harsh realities of the life of faith is feeling abandoned by God. Sooner or later most of us will experience what college chaplain Will Willimon once called "vacant places of the heart when God seems far away, remote."1 We often hear people say, "I come to church to celebrate the presence of God in my life," which is true for many people much of the time. But if we listen carefully we will hear others say:

I come to church to try to find what's missing in my life.
I come hoping that Someone will shed some light on my darkness.
Bill Mosley
Things are hardly ever the way they appear and certainly not on Calvary's hill. The Passion story from Luke makes the turning tables graphically clear. The king is crucified. The court of law is not legal. Justice is not done. Even the Roman governor can find no crime in this man. The evidence is compromised. Everything points the other way. So why does Jesus have to die?
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Theme: Like Flint

Call To Worship

He, who could tenderly sustain the weary with a word, was about to be clobbered. He knew it. He did not run. He faced it. He turned his own other cheek.

Collect

We stand together with you, O Parent of Jesus, through the unholy events of this holy week. We stand with you as you wait with your own face set like flint as you hear him cry out to you on the cross.

Prayer Of Confession
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
At The Name Of Jesus (PH148, UM168, CBH342)
All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name (PH142, 143, CBH106, NCH304)
He Is Lord (UM177)
Blessed Be The Tie That Binds (CBH421)
Go To Dark Gethsemane (PH97, CBH240)        
He Never Said A Mumblin' Word (PH85)
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (UM27, PH89, NCH213)
Mantos y Palmas/Filled With Excitement (UM279, NCH214)
All Glory, Laud, And Honor (PH90, NCH216)

Anthems
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna, Kenyon, Agape, handbells

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. Everyone here this morning has taken an elevator ride before, right? (Let them answer.) Have you ever gotten on an elevator that was going down, (point down) and you wanted to go up, (point up) so you went down (point down) to go up (point up)? That's what we are going to do this morning. Only our elevator is an imaginary one.
Good morning! Today I brought a sign with me. Can someone tell me what it says? (Have one of the older children read it.) Now why do you think I brought this with me this morning? (Let them answer.) I brought this with me because it is very similar to the sign they put on Jesus' cross. (Here you can recap the Passion Sunday reading.)
Good morning! I brought two pictures to show you today. Here
is a picture of Jesus having a dinner with his friends (show the
picture), and here is one of Jesus suffering on the cross (show
the picture). Now, if you were Jesus, which of these two things
would you rather be doing? (Let them answer.) Yes, of course. If
any of us were given that choice, we would rather be doing
anything other than suffering on a cross. In fact, I doubt that
there is anything that would convince one of us to allow

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