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Hermon, The Camel Who Was Humbled -- Matthew 19:24 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: none
It's Not On Any Map -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a large map of the world, any map of Israel, or a globe of the world
Life Is Like A Seed -- Titus 3:4-7 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some seeds, preferably vegetable or flower
God's Bankers -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a bank savings book
The Right Side -- Acts 24:1-27 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: things with two sides but only one of them is usable, such as a dinner plate, an umbr
Warning! -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a warning device, like a siren or buzzer
Do Not Open! -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: The value of patience.
A Dog Named Sport -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: an invisible dog named Sport
The World Needs Salt -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: The church intercedes on behalf of God for the salvation of the world.
The Greatest Secret Ever Told -- Romans 16:25-27 -- Wesley T. Runk
(Appropriate for Christmas)
Bad Apples -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: Separation of the good and bad.
Sing A Song To Each Other -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some sentences with which you greet the children, reading them to a melody which you
Troubled Carrie And Clear Connie -- 1 Peter 3:15-18 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: two jars of water, one clear and one filled with particles
Stay Close To The Vine -- John 15:1-8 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some ivy in a pot
In Training -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a whistle and a leash
Sharing With Others -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: an item of canned food that might be given to a food pantry
Sleeping In Church -- Acts 20:8-9 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: nodding - have the children practice nodding
A Candle With Two Wicks -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a candle with the wick exposed at both ends
Jesus The Healer -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some chicken noodle soup
Happiness -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: Happiness comes from a life emptied and humble before God and not from a life full a
What Taxes Do -- Romans 13:1-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a street sign, some school books, and a fascimile of a food stamp voucher
God-given Talent -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: Talents and gifts are from God and are to be used in service to the church.
Made For Something Good -- Ephesians 2:4-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: something handcrafted, like a dress, a piece of woodworking, or some pottery
God's Stamp Of Approval -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a rubber stamp that reads "Paid"
Do You Believe What He Said? -- John 14:23-29 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some nut cups, some wet cotton for each cup, and a package of dry lima beans

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God's Time -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Little Jimmy had lain on a hillock in the middle of a meadow one warm spring day.
God Knows -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
David, the famous sculpture by Michelangelo, is now located in a museum in Florence, Italy.
Proper 9 -- Genesis 24:34-38, Romans 7:15-25a -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2004
Proper 9 (C, E)14th Sunday In Ordinary Time (RC)Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
They Cooked The Books -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The new expression of what has been happening in some of the top business corporations of America we
Wise Men's Red Hats -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A visitor to a certain town noticed many homes had Christmas nativity scenes in front of them.
We Are Witnesses -- Luke 24:44 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
As we examined the Great Commissions in Matthew and Mark, we noted how each version matches the styl
The Easter Season -- John R. Brokhoff -- 2004
Easter is the old English adaptation of the pagan name, "Eastre," which was the name of a Teutonic g
Feeding The 5,000 -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Jeff Wedge -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2004
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
Selah -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Question: In the book of Psalms in the Bible, what does the word Selah mean?
Music, Off Key -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
One Sunday morning, at a neighborhood church, the choir was singing way off key.
Proper 18 -- Exodus 12:1-14 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2004
This particular text, which tells of the institution of the Jewish Passover feast, is to mark the be
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany -- Micah 6:1-8 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2004
The important thing to remember about this text from Micah is that it represents a court case betwee
Take Up Your Cross -- Matthew 10:38-39 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
We come to one of those hard sayings of Jesus about discipleship, "Take up your cross." In chapter 2
On A New Year's Day -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
This passage was spoken by the King of England in World War II several times on the British radio br
The Wise And The Foolish -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2004
1. Text
He Really Squeezed Them -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A side show at the traveling circus which came to town featured a guy who squeezed a lemon very hard
Abstract Or Concrete -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man had said he adored children and would do whatever he could for them.
Proper 10 -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 25:19--34 (C)
Those Two Cents -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
It was during the 1950s and the young couple came to their pastor for premarital counseling.
Without One Flea -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Another little girl was singing at church, "Just as I am, without one flea."
That Is How I Send You -- John 20:21-23 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
In my third year at seminary, as I was doing my morning devotions and Bible reading, I came to John
The Resurrection Of Our Lord -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18, Jeremiah 31:1-6 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Easter Day - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 10:34--43 (C, E); Acts 10:34, 37--43 (RC)
Walking On Water -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Jeff Wedge -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2004
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he d
Some Good Things Take Time -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
About the middle of the nineteenth century, a noted English traveler, Lord Sandys, was served a fine
My Precinct -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
When they were giving out flu shots one year, a poor lady had tried to get hers at the Red Cross bui

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

A Lost Soul Returns Home -- Titus 2 -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a man struggling with alcohol and AIDS
The Colors of Christmas: Six Sermons and Object Lessons for Advent and Christmas -- H. Michael Nehls -- 2006
Christmas 1 Children's Message Gold
O Come, Little Children -- Luke 18:15-16 -- Walter A. Schmidt, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a newborn infantO Come, Little Children
Sowing Eternal Seeds -- Isaiah 55:10-13 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2006
Who among us has not been stunned by the splendor of a summer sunset, the sparkling spring waters of
The Backside Of The Mountain -- Matthew 13:24-30, John 14:1-7 -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a young person who died following a prolonged battle with cancer
Standing Tall In The Lord -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
History records the expression, Athanasius contra mundum -- Athanasius against the world.
New Covenant -- New Testament -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2006
Our reading today from the prophet Jeremiah is one in which the Hebrew people, not knowing what else
Allowing Your Sainthood To Surface -- Revelation 21 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Today we celebrate All Saints -- historically a major festival in the church year -- celebrated inte
What Outsiders Can Teach Us -- Luke 7:1-10 -- David R. Cartwright -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2006
Those of us ministers actively engaged in congregational worship don't get many opportunities to vis
Priceless -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
The Island of Rodriguez in the Pacific Ocean, not that far from Zanzibar, has mainly managed to stay
An Unexpected Journey -- Psalm 121 -- Lawrence A. Craig, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a fourteen-year-oldAn Unexpected Journey
What Shall We Become? -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Almost thirty years ago a play titled, Mourning Pictures, opened off-Broadway.
Church Potluck -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- John Jamison -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2006
It was the pastor's first Sunday at the church.
The Demon Had Its Way -- Mark 5:1-9 -- William E. Labarr, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For one with a troubled lifeThe Demon Had Its Way
Lifting Up The Lowly -- Luke 1:52-53 -- Gary W. Fehring, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a sixteen-year-old girlLifting Up The Lowly
Shine, Moses, Shine -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
Have you ever had a "mountaintop" experience?
Minding The Store Of Our Lives -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
A man lived in an old stone cottage that was badly in need of repair.
Calamity And Hope -- Joel 2:23-32 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2006
The little book of Joel has a big part to play in the overall story of the Hebrew Scripture.
Dead, Deified, Or Different? -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- All Saints Day - A -- 2006
Blest are the lowly; they shall inherit the land.
Nearer To God Than Me -- Philippians 4:10-14 -- Charles Cammarata, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a model ChristianNearer To God Than Me
A Living Sacrifice -- Romans 12:1-12 -- Lawrence Ruegg, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a seventy-year-old womanA Living Sacrifice
Compassion Can Do More Than You May Think -- Luke 7:11-17 -- David R. Cartwright -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2006
A teacher was fond of asking students in his counseling classes this question: "What can you know ab
The Easter Era -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - C -- 2006
Most of us probably enjoy taking part in Easter rituals both here at church and at home.
God Will Prevail -- John 6:40 -- Mark Ellingsen, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a family manGod Will Prevail
Mary's Magnificat -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Tom M. Garrison -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
Christmas songs have a way of staying with us from childhood.

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Creativity
Leprosy -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Constance Berg -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2001
Leprosy is a horrendous skin condition, a mycobacterial disease.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Mothers put the music in our hearts.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Spiritual truth is conveyed with the Holy Spirit's help to anyone willing to listen.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Problems "The man who has no problems is out of the game." (Elbert Hubbard)
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"A mother's heart is the precious porcelain of human clay."
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Methods, plans, and human efforts are futile without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Gossip
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Stress -- Good And Bad
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.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Evangelism
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Patience "Since God is eternal and I am immortal, I can wait." (J. B. Chapman)
A Defining Moment -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Constance Berg -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2001
Sue went with her three most trusted friends on a retreat.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
There is no stare like a mother's stare.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
God's Spirit turns chickens into lions.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Progress Slow progress is always better than no progress at all.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A mother's love is never afraid of giving too much.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"If a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, his witness will not be optional or mandatory -- it wil
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Government
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Success
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?"
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Example
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Peace
From Chaos To Harmony -- Genesis 1:1-2:4a -- Constance Berg -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2001
The children - aged nine through thirteen - were milling around waiting for the old school bell that
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Motherhood holds the keys to the soul.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 6 -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7), Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, Romans 5:1-8 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2004
HymnsWe Are Dancing Sarah's Circle (NCH501)
Third Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
HymnsLo, How A Rose E'er Blooming (UM216, PH48, NCH211, NCH127)
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2004
HymnsArise, Your Light Is Come (NCH164, PH411)
Storms -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to Worship We worship God, whose creation is good.
God Walks With Us Through Darkness -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (Psalm 105:1-4)
What Are You Looking At? -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (Psalm 47)
Mother/Family -- John 13:31-35 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe gather as the family of God to worship.
Proper 7 -- Genesis 21:8-21, Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2004
HymnsGreat Is Thy Faithfulness (NCH423, PH276, UM140)
Fourth Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
HymnsO Come, O Come, Emmanuel (UM211, PH9, LBW34, CBH172, NCH116)
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22, John 18:1-19:42 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Good Friday - A -- 2004
HymnsDeep Were His Wounds And Red (PH78)
Deuteronomy 26:1-11, John 6:25-35 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipThanksgiving - a day or an attitude?
God Has Sent Me Before You -- Genesis 45:1-5, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2004
Call To Worship
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2004
First Lesson: Joel 2:12-13Theme: It's Not Too Late
New Year/New Beginnings -- Isaiah 43:15-21, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipThere are times for new beginnings,And for renewing ministries.
Proper 8 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2004
Proper 8Ordinary Time 13Pentecost 6Genesis 22:1-14 Psalm 13
All Saints' Sunday -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Psalm 34:1-10, 22, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- All Saints Day - A -- 2004
HymnsCrown Him With Many Crowns (NCH301, UM327, CBH116, PH151)
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2004
HymnsHoly Spirit, Truth Divine (CBH 508, UM465)
First Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
The Lenten Season
Things Of First Importance -- Mark 12:28-34, Hosea 6:1-6 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to Worship
God Remembers The People -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2004
Call To Worship
The Light Still Shines -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (Isaiah 42:6-7)
Open Hands -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipAn open hand, bestowing the bounty of creation.
Proper 9 -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Psalm 45:10-17, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2004
Hymns
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
HymnsThe God Of Abraham Praise (NCH24, UM116, PH488)
This Earthly Life -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Romans 14:7-9 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipOn this earth, what is but one short life?It is a gift from God.

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
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Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it out as a role-play. I will show the role-play version, but you can ignore the acting pieces and just tell the story if you prefer.

Note: For the role-play version, you will need to select two girls and one boy to play the roles. You might also have a broom and a dust rag if you want to.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started.

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For July 20, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (v. 24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middle of an admiring crowd of friends. Mary had always been a dancer, from the time she could walk. Privately, Martha thought she'd always been something of a show-off and ought to go on the stage, for Mary loved an audience.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jeanne Jones
Several years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin, I was an honorary nanny for our pastor's son, Jonathan. I took care of him from the time he was able to walk until our pastor moved, when Jonathan was about five. We had wonderful times together. One time, when I was at their house, and we had been doing some spiritual direction together, Pastor Michael asked me if I knew the name of my guardian angel.
James Evans
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against the godly" or "plotting destruction" all day long. The image we have in our minds about who "bad" people are, and how they conduct themselves, make such accusations completely plausible. We are less inclined to believe such things about leaders, especially respected leaders among us. We have difficulty believing someone with wealth and power would deliberately plot to do someone else harm.
Arley K. Fadness
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan. Luke positions the good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God."
Kirk R. Webster
In the early 1990s, Wesley Nunley of Dallas completed a project he had dreamed of for decades. "I tell you, this could be a big thing," he explained. Wes then walked out to a concrete octagon in the middle of his backyard. With a beaming smile, arms raised up in excitement, the energetic retiree said, "This welcomes the UFO to land, which has never been done before."
John W. Wurster
It was the best of times. A time of prosperity and confidence, a time of relative peace, a time when most everything looked pretty good, a time when most everyone felt pretty good. It was a time maybe not unlike our own time.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
Our God is both wise and caring: afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.

Pastoral Prayer
God, we bow before you this morning, knowing that you hear every prayer. We know that in all of Creation, you are the source of life. You are the one who set the light swirling between the galaxies. The breath of your Spirit pulses through all life. You have even become flesh among us. We praise you, Lord, that in all your wonder, you have not forgotten us.

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