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SermonStudio

Passion/Palm Sunday -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2001
As is well known, the text forms the third of the four Servant Songs that are found in the prophecie
Jesus Searches For Us -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2000
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.
Sixth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Christ The King -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 23:1-6 (C, E)
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Rightful Stewardship Of God's Gifts -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2000
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and the charges were brou
Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Complacency Leads To Death -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2000
Theme
Eighth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 55:10-13, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Luke 6:39-49 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 55:10-13 (C)
Trinity Sunday -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Service Is Our Reward -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2000
The apostles said to Jesus, "Increase our faith!" The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Corpus Christi -- Genesis 14:18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Luke 9:11-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 14:18-20
Perseverance In Prayer -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2000
Then Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not to lose heart.
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Proper 4 -- 1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39, Galatians 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
God Justifies The Humble -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2000
Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded
First Sunday In Lent -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Proper 5 -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24), Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Responding To God's Love -- Luke 7:36-50 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2000
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's home and took his
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:31-35 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Proper 6 -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
New Life For A Dead Friend -- Isaiah 25:6-9, John 11:32-44 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 2000
The stench of death surrounded Christ's sorrow, crying
Third Sunday In Lent -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 55:1-9 (C)

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Hallelujah Chorus -- Revelation 19:1-8 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
In 1741, a 56-year-old German living in England was at the lowest point in his career.
God's Delight -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Susan R. Andrews -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2004
Once upon a time a student approached his teacher and announced that he was ready to assume the offi
How Does It Work? -- 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2004
There is a very nice book for children that is titled, The Way Things Work.
The Witness Of Being -- Genesis 1:1-2:4a -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2004
Things are. The world is. The universe, whatever that is, is. I am. You are.
Is Work A Four Letter Word? -- Psalm 104 -- 2004
He was the owner and manager of a downtown store in Utica, New York. I'll call him Fred.
Oskar's Cruelty -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Bill Mosley -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
Schindler's List is a true story of World War II.
A Severe Mercy! -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2004
French author Victor Hugo has a short story titled, "93." In the midst of this tale a ship at sea is
Vision From Patmos -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
A cowboy was crossing the desert when his horse bit the dust.
Go To Heaven? -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2004
Judgment day was the preacher's theme, and he thundered about God's wrath, sin and the day of judgme
Still Under Construction -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2004
People print all sorts of things on T-shirts, from advertisements to obscenities to affirmations of
A Worldly Salvation -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- John T. Ball -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
In the early 1960s, John A. T.
Memorial Daze -- Ecclesiasticus 44:1-15 -- 2004
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,
Dark Ugly Clouds -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Bill Mosley -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2004
Things are hardly ever the way they appear and certainly not on Calvary's hill.
As Long As It Is Day! -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2004
The greatest sorrow is to have no cause, no work, no sacrifice for which to live.
Living Creatures -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
Dakota tribal wisdom says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is t
Jesus Transforms The Darkness Into Light -- John 20:1-18 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Easter Day - A -- 2004
Pastor David Johnson was all ready, he thought, for his Easter sermon.
The Reward -- 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2004
The Rock opera, Jesus Christ, Superstar, pictures Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking G
I'll Be Home For Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- John T. Ball -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2004
In 1943, during World War II, a new song appeared, "I'll Be Home For Christmas." The lyrics and the
Called, Commissioned, And Comforted: A Tribute To Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. -- Isaiah 49:1-9 -- 2004
Recently, Rosa Parks was again in the news.
Experiencing The Reality Of God -- Acts 2:1-21 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2004
The story of the Day of Pentecost tells of a pivotal event in the history of God's work in the world
A Guide To Christmas -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2004
If you talk about the blind and guides you are talking about seeing--eye dogs.
Paradise Restored -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
In the last book of the Bible, John the elder has a great vision of the earth ending in subjection t
Enduring The Trials Of Faith -- John 20:19-3 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
"In the seventh year of his reign, two days before his sixty--fifth birthday, in the presence of a f
Dealing With Criticism -- 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2004
No one likes criticism. We all like to be liked.
The Truth Of Christmas -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- John T. Ball -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2004
The early Christians were good at using the Hebrew Scriptures when confessing the meaning of Jesus a

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Death Row -- John 3:1-17 -- Henry Scholberg -- 1993
"I'm afraid to die," Tony said.
The Messenger -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Henry Scholberg -- 1993
They were proud of their church. "Proud as punch!" they always
Finders Keepers -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Henry Scholberg -- 1993
Neil loved his bicycle. It was a three-speed and quite
Here Comes The Bride -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1993
David adjusted his cuff links and straightened his tie. He
Hearing The Promise -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- 1993
Rhea Lawson was 49 when it happened. Her last child would
This Doesn't Make Sense -- Luke 2:1-14 -- Paul Lintern -- 1993
John heard it. Tim did, too. So did Grace and Sarah. But none
The Weight Of The Cross -- John 2:13-22 -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1993
The restoration of First Community Church had been completed.
A Fair Hearing -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
From the look on Delores' face as she strode up our walk, I knew that, once again, my sermon hadn't
The Gifts Are Unrelated -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Paul Lintern -- 1993
Lydia loved to give things away -- crafts, baked goods, items
Into Every Life -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Frank put me in a bind.
The Draw Of The Magnet -- John 12:20-33 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1993
A young child sat at the wooden picnic table in the back yard
The Organ -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
A church crisis can be precipitated by seemingly innocent events.
Letting Her Alone -- Mark 14:1Ä15:47 -- Betty Lynn Schwab -- 1993
"Well, isn't that something!" the pastor said to his very
Night Trek -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Methodist pastors change pulpits at the will of the bishop, so when the call came from my district s
With Sighs Too Deep -- Romans 8:22-27 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1993
Over at last. That's the only thought she could think about just now. Over at last.
Endwork -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"Good grief!" Susie said. "It's Alfred Plunket!"
Music Box Dancer -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1993
David stared at the music box nostalgically as his sister held it out to him.
Jesus Loves Problem Kids -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
His name was Freddie and he was as cute as little boys come.
The Wall -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1993
Warren Jones had just retired from a long successful career in
Spring Story -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
She was dying of pancreatic cancer.
Sand -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Peter C. Garrison -- 1993
The smells of the beach reminded Molly of being a kid. When
The Other Roads -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
In the course of my ministry I occasionally came upon people who had gone rather suddenly from being
Commercial Break -- John 6:24-35 -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1993
Like the product it advertised, the commercial seemed to keep
Strangers -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
When Betty appeared at my door she looked positively ill.
Before The Sun Sets -- Ephesians 4:25Ä5:2 -- James E. Sargent -- 1993
The supper table hadn't yet been cleared. Coffee cups were

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Left Out? -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lent 2 -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: PurpleGospel: Luke 13:31-35
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2000
We come to your house this day, our Father, to open our hearts to you, to thank you for your loving-
Wisdom -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2000
Call To Worship Leader: Wisdom calls out to all who yearn to gain understanding.
By The Other Water Gate -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lent 3 -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: PurpleGospel: Luke 13:1-9
Project Accomplished -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2000
Call To Worship Leader: Finally, finally, all the plans have come together.
With You In Mind -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship Leader: From where does our confidence arise?
Lent 4 -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: PurpleGospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
A Little Robe -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Holy Risking -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lent 5 -- John 12:1-8 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: PurpleGospel: John 12:1-8
A Stronger Hand -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lead On -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lent -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
LentThe Season Of RenewalLiturgical Color: Purple
Advent 1 -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: Purple/BlueGospel: Luke 21:25-36
I Will Be Your God -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Name Change -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Swift to Hear and Slow to Speak -- James 1:19-25, James 3:1-12 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
At The Root -- Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
You Shall ... -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Incredible Faith -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Here's Jesus! -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
I Will Not Leave You -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: Join me in this conversation about change: You must stay here.
Fourth Sunday in Lent -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
First Lesson: Numbers 21:4-9 Theme: I Will Pray For You Call To Worship

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Baptism of Our Lord
29 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
40 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 2 | OT 2
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 3 | OT 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 25, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus called Simon and Andrew, James and John, to follow him. They immediately made their decision and dropped everything, for they knew the importance of their call. When Jesus calls us, do we hear him and do we respond?

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when I'm busy I find it difficult to hear you.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy, I find it difficult to respond to you.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy I'm not sure whether I want to follow you.
Lord, have mercy.
Janice B. Scott
I remember years ago watching an old film, which I think was "The Nun's Story." The young nun who was the heroine of the story had all sorts of difficulties in relationships with the other nuns. The problem was that she was super-intelligent, and the other nuns resented her. In the end the young nun went to the Mother Superior for advice, and was told that as a sign of humility she should fail her coming exams!

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Angel of Mercy"
Shining Moments: "A Dog's Life" by David Michael Smith
Good Stories: "God's Call" by Stephen Groves
Scrap Pile: "The Way Less Taken" by Garry Deverell


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt

C. David Mckirachan
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"Ordinary Time" by C. David McKirachan
"Who's the Fool?" by C. David McKirachan
"Sharing the Light" by Sandra Herrmann


* * * * * * *


Ordinary Time
by C. David McKirachan
Isaiah 9:1-4

SermonStudio

John N. Brittain
How familiar Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1 sound! Chloe's people had reported quarreling among the believers. Imagine that -- disagreements in a church! There were rivalries and backstabbing even in the very earliest days of the Christian community.
Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
A few years ago, I was on a retreat in northern Michigan, and I knew that some of our friends from home were sailing in the vicinity. One evening I went to the local boat dock, and walked through the lines of boats calling out the names of our friends, hopeful that they might be there. I remember the joy I felt when I yelled their names, and they answered! They were actually there, and they responded to my call!
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: In Christ's Name
Message: What on earth will bring us together, God? Lauds, KDM

How long must we wait, God,
for people to stop fighting
nations and nations
buyers and sellers
big ones and little ones
in-laws and relatives
husbands and wives
sisters and brothers
for me to stop fighting with me?
How long must we wait, God,
before we let the Christ Child come here?1
William B. Kincaid, III
In some parts of the country it doesn't matter, but in many areas the snow which falls during this time of the year can bring things to a decisive halt. Schools close. Events are canceled. Travel becomes tricky. If the conditions become severe enough, the decision may be made that not everybody should try to get to work. Only those who are absolutely necessary should report.
R. Glen Miles
"There will be no more gloom." That is how our text begins today. For the ones who were in anguish, glory will replace the gloom. Light will shine in darkness. Celebration will replace oppression. A new day will dawn.

In one sense these verses offer a summary of the overall message of the scriptures, "The darkness will pass. The light of a new day is dawning and there will be joy once again." At the end of the Bible, almost as if the original collectors of these sacred texts intended to remind us again of this word of hope, the Revelation of John tells us:
Robert A. Beringer
After a service of ordination to the Christian ministry, a sad-faced woman came up to the newly-ordained pastor and said, "It's a grand thing you are doing as a young man - giving up the joys of life to serve the Lord." That woman's attitude reflects a commonly held belief that to be serious about our faith means that we expect all joy to be taken out of living. For many, Christianity appears to be a depressing faith, with unwelcome disciplines, that cramps our lifestyle and crushes our spirits.
John T. Ball
All religions offer salvation. Eastern religions offer salvation from the illusion of being separated from ultimate reality - as in Hinduism, or from the pains of desire, as in Buddhism. Nature religions preach a salvation by calling us to realize we are linked to the natural world. Humanistic religions offer a salvation tied to the call to live in dignity and justice without divine aid. The biblical religions - Judaism, Islam, and Christianity - describe salvation in somewhat different ways. Judaism sees salvation primarily as an earthly and corporate affair.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Litany Of Confession
P: Discord, dissention, strife,
C: anger, violence, hatred;
P: we confess to you, O God,
C: our schemes, our willful rebellion,
our hidden hostilities toward your children.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our lack of trust in your presence,
our need to control, our insatiable appetite for praise.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our fear of speaking the truth in love,
our self-hatred, our moments of utter despair
when we no longer believe you are at work in us.
Wayne H. Keller
Adoration And Praise

Invitation to the Celebration
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Canticle Of Light And Darkness (UM205)
To Us A Child Of Hope Is Born (CBH189)
God Of Our Strength (CBH36)
Beneath The Cross Of Jesus (CBH250, UM297, NCH190, PH92)
In The Cross Of Christ I Glory (CBH566, UM295, NCH193--194, PH84)
Lord, You Have Come To The Lakeshore (CBH229, NCH173, PH377, UM344)
Where Cross The Crowded Ways Of Life (PH408, CBH405, UM42, NCH543)
Jesus Calls Us, O'er The Tumult (UM398, NCH171--172, CBH398)

Anthems

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
In 1882 George MacDonald wrote a fascinating story that powerfully illumines the thought behind today's lectionary passages. MacDonald called his tale "The Day Boy and the Night Girl: the Romance of Photogen and Nycteris" (it is available online at http://www.ccel.org/m/macdonald/daynight/daynight.html). In MacDonald's fable a witch steals a newborn girl and raises her in the total darkness of a cave. The witch experiences both light and darkness, but not the girl. She is completely immersed in the black world.
Wayne Brouwer
"Politics are almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous!" said Winston Churchill. "In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times."

In one of his essays, Albert Camus describes a powerful scene. John Huss, the great Czech reformer of the church, is on trial. His accusers twist all his ideas out of shape. They refuse to give him a hearing. They maneuver the political machine against him and incite popular passion to a lynch-mob frenzy. Finally, Huss is condemned to be burned at
David Kalas
Schuyler Rhodes
I was in the home of a church member the other day where I saw a marvelous family portrait. The picture had been taken on the occasion of a fiftieth wedding anniversary, and the entire family had gathered for the occasion. The celebrating husband and wife were seated in the center of the picture, flanked by their adult children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. It was a magnificent full-color illustration of God's design.

Special Occasion

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