Login / Signup

SermonStudio

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Adult study

African-American History

Bible Study

Biblical Studies

Biblical Study

Candlelighting service

Children's program

Children's Resources

Children's sermon

Christian

Christian Faith

Christian Life

Church Anniversary

Church Growth

Church Leaders

Church Programs

Death

Devotional

Drama

Easter

Faith Development

Fellowship

Funeral

Gathering Prayer

Healing

Home Blessing

Humor

Illustration

Inspirational

Intercession

Lent/Easter

Liturgy

Marriage Ceremony

Meditations

Memorial

Men's Day

Monologues

Mother's Day

Observance

Pageant

Pastoral Resources

Poems

Prayer

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 21 -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The assigned Lukan text for this week is another uniquely Lukan story which is so very well known.
Proper 22 -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
These verses of instruction to the disciples close a discourse of Jesus that began in 15:1.
Proper 23 -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's familiar story of the ten lepers begins with a travel marker.
Preaching On Controversial Subjects -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 1996
Fred Craddock has written: "We will know power has returned to the pulpit when and where preaching e
Proper 26; Pentecost 25 -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
The narrative told in Part Two of Mark's Gospel, chapters 11-16, slows down and broadens out.
The Lord sends his spokesmen to speak words of judgment against religious authorities -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The Lord sends his spokesmen to speak words of judgment against religious author
Story Sermons -- George L. Murphy, Lavonne Althouse, Russell Willis -- 1996
These two science fiction story sermons are intended to
The Sermon On The Amount: Stewardship From The Pulpit 1 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 1996
One of the more frightening tasks we preachers have, particularly as we're getting started in our pa
Proper 27; Pentecost 26 -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
This week's Gospel text skips only Mark 12:35-37 from the ending of the assigned lesson for the Twen
Facing the enemy -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), Mark 3:20-35 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Facing the enemy. God and his servants can expect opposition.
we pay homage to Christ as our king through his cross -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: At this end of the Church year we pay homage to Christ as our king through his c
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD -- Psalms 96, 97, 98 -- George L. Murphy, Lavonne Althouse, Russell Willis -- 1996
The Psalms for all three Christmas services celebrate the
Enriching And Polishing The Message -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 1996
Sometimes the hardest part of sermon preparation and experiencing the edge which is ours is simply g
Proper 28; Pentecost 27 -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
In his work on Mark's Gospel, A Master of Surprise, Donald Juel joins an earlier argument made by R.
Life through death -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Life through death.
God has established his covenant with us -- Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15, Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 -- Russell F. Anderson -- 1996
Theme For The Day: All three texts center around the idea that God has established his covenant wit
Free Texts -- Exodus 31:1-11 -- George L. Murphy, Lavonne Althouse, Russell Willis -- 1996
The phrase "spiritual gifts" usually suggests qualities or
Sermons For Children 1 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 1996
For whom do we give the children's sermon? What is the message we are attempting to convey?
Proper 3; Pentecost 2 -- Mark 2:13-22 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
We may need to refresh our memory by noting that today's gospel text is one of four controversy stor
Knowing God's presence and power in the midst of the storms of life -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Knowing God's presence and power in the midst of the storms of life.
Through Christ's resurrection we are raised to newness of life -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Easter Day - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Through Christ's resurrection we are raised to newness of life.
1 ADVENT -- Mark 13:24-37 -- George L. Murphy, Lavonne Althouse, Russell Willis -- 1996
The apocalyptic imagery of such texts contrasts sharply with
Warming Up The Message And The Messenger -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 1996
Homer K.
The Fig Tree Lesson -- Mark 13:24-37 -- William E. Keeney -- 1996
We were traveling in the dark.
Proper 4; Pentecost 3 -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
The series of controversy stories comes to an end with today's text.

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Grace In The Midst Of The Crush Of Time -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Glenn W. Mcdonald -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2002
In the year 2000 Forbes Magazine featured a special edition on a single topic that it called "the bi
New Wine In New Wineskins -- Mark 2:13-22 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2002
We humans are often schizophrenic when it comes to the old and the new.
The Roads Less Traveled -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Frederick R. Harm -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
A lecturer was talking about what he called "the most dangerous road in the world." Most people in t
The Unanswered Question: Will God Be Fair? -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- H. Alan Stewart -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2002
Ancient people were terrorized by the thought of God.
Grace In The Midst Of Judgment -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Glenn W. Mcdonald -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2002
In his book Making Life Work, Chicago area pastor Bill Hybels cites a study that was published under
The Wideness In God's Mercy -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2002
Many fundamentalist Christian groups would have us believe that the Bible has all the answers to the
Waiting For Godot? -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Frederick R. Harm -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
As we embark on another Advent Adventure we pause to remind ourselves that this sacred season holds
Are You A Taker Or A Giver? -- 2 Corinthians 8:13-14 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2002
It was quite a picture - on the front of the New York Times Magazine some time ago.
God Is Good All The Time -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2002
Imagine a person standing in the rain without an umbrella.
Grace In The Midst Of Suffering -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1 -- Glenn W. Mcdonald -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2002
For several years an earnest and energetic woman has been attempting to make August 8 a national hol
Your Sins Are Forgiven -- Mark 2:1-12 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2002
This morning Mark tells us about the healing of a paralyzed man.
With A Bang Or A Whimper? -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Frederick R. Harm -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Back in 1925, T. S.
Let George Do It -- Romans 12:6-13 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2002
Many will remember the decade of the '60s in America.
You Can Make It Happen -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2002
Some friends invited Brenda to go rock climbing with them.
Grace In The Midst Of Weakness -- 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 -- Glenn W. Mcdonald -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2002
Over the centuries rank and file church members have grown up in the presence of stained glass saint
Seeing Jesus Clearly -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2002
I'd like to begin with what might seem a rather strange question.
The Lure Of Downward Mobility -- Mark 10:43-45 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2002
I first heard him speak some years ago at the Beecher Lectures at Yale Divinity School.
My Life Is In You, Lord -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2002
When we affirm that our life belongs to God, this affirmation includes every aspect of our lives.
For The Person Who Is Everything -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2002
One of life's interesting experiences is learning how to respond to gifts.
We Are Christ's -- That Is Enough -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2002
In today's Gospel, Mark tells us more about Jesus by showing his power over unclean spirits.
When Giving Gets Personal -- Hebrews 9:11-12 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2002
To tell the truth, I had wondered whether the reports I had read were exaggerated.
Solid Foundation -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2002
There was much excitement on the first night of Vacation Bible School as parents eagerly registered
The Real Thing -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2002
How do you know something is a genuine article, "The Real Thing"?
The Adventure Of Discipleship -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2002
Today's Gospel is about Jesus' calling of his first four disciples.
Making A Difference -- John 1:43-51 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2002
How many of you know someone who is partially or completely color blind?

Spirituality

Stories

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 23 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Third Sunday After Epiphany -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let the redeemed of the Lord gather this day for worship!
Proper 24 -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Proper 25 -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who trust in the Lord gather this day for worship!
Proper 26 -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
First Sunday In Advent -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- James R. Wilson -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
Theme: Come to us, O Lord!Call To Worship
Sixth Sunday After Epiphany -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let all of God's people give praise and worship the Lord!
Proper 27 -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who have been redeemed by the Lord come now for worship!
Second Sunday of Advent -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- James R. Wilson -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
First Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11
Seventh Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let our hearts be joined together this day in praise and worship!
A Service Of Light -- J.B. Quisenberry -- 1996
Production Notes
Proper 28 -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Let all who have been blessed by the Lord gather now for worship!
Third Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- James R. Wilson -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
First Lesson: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany -- Hosea 2:14-20, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, Mark 2:13-22 -- James R. Wilson -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let all of God's people give praise and worship the Lord!
Christmas At Bethlehem And Beyond -- Lynda Pujado -- 1996
Call To Worship
Proper 4 -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23--3:6 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
Fourth Sunday In Advent -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- James R. Wilson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: The Word of the Lord shall endure forever! Praise be to the Lord!
Fourth Of July -- Genesis 12:1-8; John 8:31-36 -- James R. Wilson -- 1996
Call To Worship
Observance Of The Birthday Of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. -- Jonah 2:2-9, Revelation 21:1-7 -- Gennifer Benjamin Brooks -- 1996
(This liturgy is written intentionally for use in an interfaith setting.)
Proper 5 -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), Mark 3:20-35 -- James R. Wilson -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1996
Call To Worship
All Saints' Day -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- James R. Wilson -- All Saints Day - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let all of God's people give praise and worship the Lord!
First Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- James R. Wilson -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let all who have known God's mercy gather now for worship!
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- James R. Wilson -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Call To Worship

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.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL