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The Neighborly Samaritan -- Luke 10:25-37 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 1997
25Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.
Proper 25 -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
"Two men went up into the temple to pray...." These are very familiar words.
Epiphany 5 -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The first four chapters of Luke prepare the way for all that is to come.
A Prayer For Maturing Faith -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Gary L. Carver -- 1997
I make no secret of the fact that I am not fond of bumper stickers or bumper sticker religion.
Persistent Praying -- Luke 11:1-13 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1997
1He was praying in a certain place, and after he had
Proper 26 -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
"This story is a Lukan masterpiece, a wonder story of the first order.
Epiphany 6 -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
A considerable portion of Luke's narrative is omitted as we move from the Fifth Sunday after the Epi
The Joy Is The Journey -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Gary L. Carver -- 1997
Sometimes, not every time, but sometimes the very worst thing that can happen to us is that we get t
The Unwise Farmer -- Luke 12:13-21 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 1997
13Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my
Proper 27 -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
Today's text comes to us rather radically ripped from its Lukan context.
Epiphany 7 -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's text is a continuation of the Sermon on the Plain.
Recipe For Peace -- Philippians 4:1-9 -- Gary L. Carver -- 1997
"There is no God!" blatantly he shouted.
Prepared Servants -- Luke 12:32-40 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1997
Watching. Waiting. Preparedness. Servanthood. These are
Proper 28 -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
With this week's text we come to material that is focused on the future.
Epiphany 8 -- Luke 6:39-49 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
We note first of all that this week's text is doubly appointed for the Lukan year.
Somebody Up There Likes You -- Gary L. Carver -- 1997
We are talking about encouragement.
Weather Signs -- Luke 12:49-56 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1997
49"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were
Proper 29 -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's appointed text from Luke is a fitting text for what is often called "Christ the King" Su
Lent 1 -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
In the early years of the Christian Church a dominant theme of the Lenten season was the conflict be
To An Audience Of One -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Gary L. Carver -- 1997
I sometimes sit in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Chattanooga, recalling its distingui
Honor Or Humility -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 1997
Emily Post was a well-known expert on etiquette. She would
Resurrection Of The Lord -- Luke 24:1-12 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
Luke 24:1-12 is the text assigned for both the Vigil of Easter and Easter Day.
Lent 2 -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's assigned text comes from the heart of Luke's Travel Narrative: 9:51„19:27.
Arriving Home First -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Gary L. Carver -- 1997
His name is Ralph Archbold.
The Price Of Discipleship -- Luke 14:25-33 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 1997
25Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned

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The Healing Touch -- Mark 5:21-43 -- David G. Rogne -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2002
Recently, when I renewed my driver's license, I was presented with the opportunity to renew the acco
A Landmark Event! -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2002
During World War II allied armies marched into Germany on their way to Berlin.
Spelling Doesn't Count -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Paul E. Robinson -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
How many of you know what BASE jumping is?
The God Who Never Lets Go Of Us -- Joel 2:21-27 -- H. Alan Stewart -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2002
The prophets of antiquity faced problems no different from the soothsayers of today: what language c
Sweet-Smelling Fragrance -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2002
Realtors tell us that an empty house is difficult to sell.
Turn On The Lights -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Many people don't realize the extent of the preparations involved when the President of the United S
When The Boat Begins To Sink -- Mark 4:35-41 -- David G. Rogne -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2002
In the Gardener Museum in Boston hangs Rembrandt's painting of The Storm on the Sea of Galilee.
The Dark Didn't Catch Me! -- John 6:24-35 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2002
Remember how it was in grade school when your class went out on the playground during recess?
What Goes On When He Comes In? -- 2 Timothy 1:6, 7, Acts 19:1-7 -- Frederick R. Harm -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2002
As we grapple with the meaning of our first text for today, Acts chapter 19, how appropriate is the
Going, Going, Gone -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Curtis Lewis -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2002
Recently, a friend of mine went to Wrigley Field in Chicago to watch an afternoon baseball game.
The Highest Bidder -- Ephesians 3:14-21 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2002
An auction is a fun event, especially when you are the highest bidder for an item you really want to
Promises, Promises, Promises -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
This morning's Gospel from Luke recounts God's announcement to Mary that she was to become the Mothe
It's Happening! -- Mark 4:26-34 -- David G. Rogne -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2002
In an effort to stimulate their thoughts about the nature of God, I invited a group of teenagers to
Making Compassion A Verb -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- David G. Rogne -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2002
The Superintendent of Schools was having a bad year.
The World's Still Point -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Paul E. Robinson -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Just this past week I received an e-mail from a gentleman I do not know.
Covenant Of The Heart; Sacred Signature -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- H. Alan Stewart -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2002
Marriage is a covenant.
Grace In The Midst Of Dividing Walls -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Glenn W. Mcdonald -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2002
According to those whose job it is to know such things, it only takes three weeks to become blind to
Reverse Direction -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
It's human nature to be excited about meeting a celebrity in person.
Preparing For Something Big -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Paul E. Flesner -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
How are you getting ready for Christmas? Have you gotten out your Christmas tapes or CDs yet?
Is Anything Unforgivable? -- Mark 3:20-35 -- David G. Rogne -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2002
One morning I was roused from sleep around 3 a.m. by the ringing of the telephone.
The Hillside And The Basket -- John 6:1-21 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2002
There is a certain rock known as a geode. From the outside it is but a dull-looking stone.
Easy To Say; Hard To Do -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Paul E. Robinson -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and ag
By What Power Did You Do This? -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Linda R. Forsberg -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2002
When I was growing up, my family belonged to St.
Grace In The Midst Of Guilt And Shame -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Glenn W. Mcdonald -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2002
At the begining of his ministry Jesus had a chance to impress the people he grew up with.
A New Look For The New Year -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Frederick R. Harm -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2002
Just a few days ago we greeted loved ones and friends with a cheery, "Happy New Year." And we sincer

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Unison Prayer

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Women's Day

Worship

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The joy of the Lord is our strength -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
The Word of the Lord restores us -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
Christ died for our sins -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- James R. Wilson -- Passion Sunday - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let us give praise for God's wonderful redeeming love!
The Lord is our strength -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who would serve the Lord enter God's house for worship!
Litany For Forgiveness -- Kathryn W. Orso -- 1997
Pastor: We have sinned in many ways.People: Forgive us, Lord.
Give praise and thanksgiving for God's blessings -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- James R. Wilson -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
The wisdom of the Lord -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- James R. Wilson -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
Send me, Lord! -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
Justified By Greed -- Lynda PujadÓ -- 1997
A Biography of a Pharisee
God's presence among us -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- James R. Wilson -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
Receiving the Holy Spirit -- Acts 2:1-21 -- James R. Wilson -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
Well-placed faith -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Let the children of God join in this day in praise and song!
The Passover Haggadah -- Rabbi Sol Ester, Robert L. Linder -- 1997
The Passover
We are one in Christ -- Acts 10:23b-48 -- James R. Wilson -- 1997
Call To Worship
Held to the plumb; true and straight -- Amos 7:7-17 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Let the people of God gather now for praise and worship!
God's promise fulfilled -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: The Lord is faithful and God's Word will never return empty!
A Good Friday Vigil -- Alexander H. Wales -- 1997
The following service is useful in a small room setting, establishing a "come and go" time frame for
Dedication to the Lord -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- James R. Wilson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
Proper 11 | OT 16 -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 1997
First Lesson: Amos 8:1-12 Theme: God's judgment comes
The Word of the Lord shall bear witness -- Isaiah 55:10-13 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Let us praise God and share the Gospel of Christ in every land!
Shadows Around The Cross -- Ralph E. Dessem -- 1997
IntroductionThe Tenebrae Tradition
In all seasons have faith -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- James R. Wilson -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 1997
Call To Worship
"Not My People" (RSV) -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: The Lord is our salvation, and we will worship no other gods!
The Light has come -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let all of God's people give praise and worship the Lord!
The Lord has come! -- Isaiah 52:7-10 -- James R. Wilson -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1997
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let us celebrate, for Christ our Savior has been born!

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – 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
For November 2, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message involves roleplay. You will need a chair for Zach to stand on, unless it is ok for him to stand on a front pew. For the best fun, you will also want to have an adult volunteer play the role of Jesus and walk in when it is time. Whether he is in costume is up to you.

* * *
John Jamison
Object: You will need one or more pictures of people recognized as saints. You may find some pictures by Googling “public domain pictures of saints” and printing images from the results.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 and Psalm 119:137-144
Walter Elwell in the Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook notes of righteousness that it is, “Right standing, specifically before God. Among the Greeks, righteousness was an ethical virtue. Among the Hebrews it was a legal concept; the righteous man was the one who got the verdict of acceptability when tried at the bar of God’s justice.” God is a righteous God, even when is people are not righteous.
Frank Ramirez
One of the features of Synagogue worship is the Shema. The Hebrew word is “Hear!” and is the opening for Deuteronomy 6:4-5, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” God’s people are commanded to “hear” these words. They come from the Lord. And these three scriptures invite us to hear God and each other, something that is lacking in our society today.
Wayne Brouwer
Fred Craddock tells of a vacation encounter in the Smokey Mountains of eastern Tennessee years ago that moved him deeply. He and his wife took supper one evening in a place called the Black Bear Inn. One side of the building was all glass, open to a magnificent mountain view. Glad to be alone, the Craddocks were a bit annoyed when an elderly man ambled over and struck up a nosey conversation: “Are you on vacation?” “Where are you from?” “What do you do?”
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 and Psalm 149

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight. Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live. (vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.
Frank Ramirez
Call them the good old days. Call it the Golden Age. It’s not unusual for people to look back in their youth, or to the youth of their country, as somehow more perfect, honorable, or simpler. C.S. Lewis was always skeptical about claims that chocolate was better in one’s youth. It wasn’t better. Our taste buds were stronger and more receptive.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The Roman Catholic Church's canonisation of Edith Stein some years ago, fuelled considerable controversy. Edith Stein was born and bred into a Jewish family, becoming a Roman Catholic Christian at the age of 31. She was also a leading German intellectual in the early thirties, during the run-up to World War 2, although she gave up that career in order to become a Carmelite nun. But she didn't deny her Jewish roots, for in 1933 she petitioned the Pope, Pious XI to write an encyclical in defence of the Jews.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus didn't reject anyone, even those who were liars and cheats. By a simple act of friendship Jesus turned Zaccheus' life around. In our worship today let us consider friendship and all that it means.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, there are some people I don't like.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I reject.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, there are some people I keep out of my circle of friends.
Lord, have mercy.


Reading:

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
The world offers many blessings, but none of these things will save us: only the blessing of God in Jesus Christ can do that.

Old Testament Lesson
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Daniel's Apocalyptic Dream
Perry H. Biddle, Jr.
Comments on the Lessons
John W. Clarke
This chapter of Luke brings us ever closer to the end of Jesus' public ministry. Jesus enters Jericho, just fifteen miles or so from the holy city of Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus transforms the life of Zacchaeus, the tax collector. This is one of the few stories that is peculiar to Luke and is a wonderful human-interest story. The fact that Zacchaeus is willing to climb a tree to see Jesus is a clear indication that he really wanted to see and meet the carpenter from Nazareth. His eagerness to see Jesus is rewarded in a very special way.
Scott A. Bryte
Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
Mark Ellingson
This is a story written for people who had been or were about to be persecuted, if not enslaved. (The book of Daniel was probably written in the mid-second century B.C. during a period of Seleucid [Syrian] domination in Palestine.) It tells them and us how their ancestors had once faced a similar slavery under the oppression of the Babylonians centuries earlier. The implication was that if these ancestors could endure and overcome such bondage, so could they and so can we.
Gary L. Carver
Ulysses S. Grant fought many significant battles as commander of the Union forces in the War Between the States. He also served as President of the United States where he probably engaged in as many battles as he did while he was a general. Toward the end of his life he fought his toughest battle -- with cancer and death.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
There is an apocryphal story told that after completing his masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, the famous Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci went to a nearby tavern to celebrate the event with his friends. While in conversation and sipping a little of the local wine, Leonardo noticed that many in the tavern were making sport of an ugly fool who made his living going from tavern to tavern, entertaining patrons for a spare coin or a crust of bread. This man truly was an ugly person; he seemed to be more of a troll than a man. His small beady eyes were not centered in his oversized head.

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