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SermonStudio

Sunday Of The Passion -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 27:11-54 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 50:4--9a (C); Isaiah 50:4--7 (RC)
Do You See The King? -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Just to get perspective, Matthew records about fifteen parables in his Gospel.
Kindness -- Emily Dickinson -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Emily Dickinson wrote, "If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain: if I can ea
W.W.J.D. -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Have you seen the initials W.W.J.D.
Food For Thought -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
There was a healthy controversy in England over a newspaper editorial that criticized a particular p
The Prince Of Peace 2 -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
At the close of World War I, there was a meeting of world leaders to discuss the future.
Proper 24 -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2004
There is no doubt, according to the stories that we find in Exodus, that the unfaithfulness of Israe
Humorous One-liners -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A1. Prejudice is being down on what you're not up on.
Proper 25 -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2004
In the scriptures, the first five books of the Old Testament, or the Pentateuch, are sometimes calle
Try, Try Again -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A child prayed: "O God, make me a good girl, and if at first you don't succeed, try, try, again."
27th Sunday After Pentecost Lutheran -- Jeremiah 26:1-6, Matthew 24:1-14 -- John R. Brokhoff -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 26:1--6
Your Money Or Your Life -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
As with other parables of Jesus, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is best understood in its w
Let's Roll! (No Greater Love Than This ...) -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The last words of Todd Beamer of Cranbury, New Jersey, from United Airlines flight 93 to his wife ma
Finally, There Is Hope -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The phrase, "Hope springs eternal in the human breast," says a lot.
For A Dead Rabbit? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
It was the season of the year when snow melts and springtime rains had raised the nearby stream to f
The Print Of The Nails -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The blind hymn writer, Fannie Crosby, gave an answer to a critic on how a blind person could believe
Proper 13 -- Genesis 32:22-31, Isaiah 55:1-5 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2004
At the command of God (Genesis 31:13), Jacob is returning to Canaan from Haran after twenty years of
A Child's Prayer For A Bicycle -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The little boy was praying quite loudly: "Oh, God, I would like to have a new bicycle!"
Proper 5 -- Genesis 12:1-9 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2004
This text in Genesis 12 is one of the most important passages in the Bible for it lays the foundatio
A New Sunday School Building -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
At the ground-breaking ceremony for a new Sunday school building, children were also given the oppor
The Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 2:1--21 (C)
What Will Become Of This Child? -- Luke 1:67-80 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Four hundred years is a long time to wait, don't you think?
Like A Candle -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Continued worship of God can be like making a candle.
Election Time -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
It was near election time when a pastor in Phoenix, Arizona, phoned the city's largest newspaper.
More On "Accountability" -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Yehudi Menuhin, the famous concert violinist, was to perform in a New York concert hall.

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

A Double Share Of The Spirit -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2005
A Double Share Of The Spirit
Speaking With Prophetic Authority -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2005
"Free at last, free at last -- thank God Almighty, we are free at last." These words were spoken by
A Funeral For "I Can'ts" -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Ron Lavin -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
A Funeral For "I Can'ts"
In Solidarity With Jesus -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2005
"Rags, rags!
Ashes For Remembering -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ron Lavin -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2005
Ashes For Remembering
Birthpangs Of The New Age -- Romans 8:22-23 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2005
It may surprise you to know that from time to time, ministers get complaints.
Living With Money -- And Still Being Christian -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2005
News from the financial section of the paper is seldom as interesting as whatever's on the front pag
Day One: A New Beginning -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2005
Day One: A New Beginning
Parades And Crosses -- The Challenge Of Ministry -- 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2005
He had grown up in a fashionable suburb of a large American city, a cosmopolitan area of considerab
The Strange Economy In The Kingdom Of God -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2005
I saw one of those Far Side-type cartoons a while back that showed Adam and Eve being expelle
When Nothing Is Sacred -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Stan Purdum -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2005
The television season of 1997-1998 included a series on ABC called Nothing Sacred.
Sharing The Message Of Christ -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2005
They called her "Sister" and to many thousands who jammed the Angelus Temple in Los Angeles on a reg
What Part Of "You Shall Not" Don't You Understand? -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- Ron Lavin -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
What Part Of "You Shall Not" Don't You Understand?
Like A Child -- Hebrews 4:12-16 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2005
Angela was still a pre-schooler the Christmas Grandpa Harvey got her the red Radio Flyer wagon, and
Having The Last Word -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2005
The Wizard of Id comic strip characterizes a feisty little fellow as the despotic ruler of th
Looking To The Unseen -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2005
It once was reported on the news that one of our Mariner spacecraft was expected to make a new disco
Far From The Obscuring Crowd -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2005
More than forty years ago, an accidental chemical spill robbed Antonio Sanchez-Migallon of his sight
Time For A New Wardrobe -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2005
Time For A New Wardrobe
The Compassion Of Christ -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2005
Once upon a time, there was a city which was adorned by a beautiful statue.
Rebellion, Renewal, And Rebirth -- Numbers 21:4-9 -- Ron Lavin -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
A French Bishop once told a story to a vast audience about a rebellious group of boys who stood outs
Power And Compassion -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2005
Many of you may remember from your grade school days a novel by Mark Twain titled, The Prince and
Does Easter Make A Difference? -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Ron Lavin -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
A bully in a small town resented the man everyone looked up to as the wisest man in town.
No-fault Religion -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2005
It happened in a church parking lot, and my friend saw it happen.
The Kin Of Qoheleth -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2005
Today's Gospel Reading is from Mark, but I want to begin in the Old Testament.
Time To Come Home -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2005
Time To Come Home

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Lost And Found -- 1999
My outboard motor, which had been stolen, was repurchased in a sting operation by the police and I n
Close In Heart -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Constance Berg -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
Whenever I think of Katy, I think of God's perfect timing.
Knowledge vs. Love -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1999
In the beginning they seemed normal enough.
A "Centering" Place -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Four decades ago when we purchased our lake property, hundreds of miles from our home then, I wonder
"... But For The Grace Of God" -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
"Don't criticize another until you have walked a mile in his moccasins" is attributed to an old Indi
Heaven -- 1999
I watched them say good-bye for the last time.
Foundation -- 1999
I saw today a very heavy trailer of a tractor-trailer combination without the tractor parked on an a
Renewal -- 1999
In Harry DeCarlo's restaurant in Des Moines, I noticed a box of Twix candy bars with the following s
Freedom -- 1999
Ralph Klein told the Senior Pastors Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, that the custom of raising th
Rescue -- 1999
CNN called John Freese, of the American Embassy in Liberia, a hero.
Stewardship -- 1999
Bill Moyers on CBS news talked of the United States Congress overriding sanctions on Central America
God Was On Her Side -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1999
Brianna was nervous. This was a big step for her. One of the biggest steps she would ever take.
The Christ -- 1999
During the sermon at Saint John's Lutheran in Des Moines, Iowa, a homeless vagrant came through the
Love -- 1999
On the sitcom Night Court, Dan Fielding was in the hospital, close to death, and had partiall
Marked By The Cross Of Christ Forever -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
Blaine sat in the chair, waiting for the doctor to tell him what the problem was.
The Church Still Lives -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1999
I was the only former church leader present at the closing ceremony of the tiny country church.
Busy -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
"How have you been?""Busy!""What did you do over the weekend?"
Glory Be: The Personal In Life! -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Several times recently I have remarked to friends that I would find teaching now much more difficult
Help -- 1999
In Tampa harbor one of the ships began to "list" badly.
Friendship -- 1999
"For the lonely man all the treasures of the world are no substitute for companionship.
Rest -- 1999
During a four-hour ordination service in the Batak Church in Medan, Sumatra, I saw the assistant to
Suffering -- 1999
When flying into Stapleton Airport this morning, we took a very bad jolt.
Keeping The Sabbath -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1999
Take a day to nourish your soul. Keeping the Sabbath isn't about rules and restrictions.
Christian Family -- 1999
I like being a Christian because everywhere I travel I'm family at once.
Luther -- 1999
Today is Saint Martin's Day (Nov.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Life On The Edge Of Faith -- Beth Huener -- 2001
Maundy Thursday Worship ServiceThe Opening Hymn
Psalm 15 -- Psalm 15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
First Sunday After Christmas -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Theme: Holy FamilyCall To Worship
Joseph -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Pamela J. Abbey -- 2001
Measure twice; cut once.
Ascension Of Our Lord -- Luke 24:44-53 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2001
Theme: The CommissionCall To Worship
Proper 21 -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2001
Theme: Is The Lord Among Us Or Not?Call To Worship
Holy / Maundy Thursday -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2001
Theme: Servant LeadershipCall To Worship
Proper 13 -- Romans 9:1-5 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2001
Theme: For Whom Are The Promises Of God?Call To Worship
Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Psalm 99 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 5 -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2001
Theme: Through Faith We Are HealedCall To Worship
Proper 26 -- Joshua 3:7-17 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2001
Theme: Partnership With GodCall To Worship
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2001
Theme: True WorshipCall To Worship
First Sunday After Christmas -- Psalm 8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Cousin Jochaved A Heart Prepared -- Luke 2:6-7 -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
I'm so glad that census is over.
Ascension Of Our Lord -- Psalm 47 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 21 -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2001
Theme: Shining As Lights In The WorldCall To Worship
Holy / Maundy Thursday -- Psalm 116 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 13 -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2001
Theme: Caring For The Needs Of OthersCall To Worship
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2001
Theme: A Call To Prayer, Fasting, And RepentanceCall To Worship
Proper 5 -- Psalm 33:1-12 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance Jesus said: "Anyone who comes to me I will never drive away."
Proper 26 -- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2001
Theme: God's Work In UsCall To Worship
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany -- 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2001
Theme: True Wisdom Of GodCall To Worship
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2001
Theme: Rejoice In Your RedemptionCall To Worship
A Shepherd Night Watch -- Luke 2:8-15 -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
It began as a night just like any other night.
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:6-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Theme: God's Messengers Come To Us In Our Time Of IndecisionCall To Worship

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
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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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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