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Proper 20; Pentecost 19 -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
The lectionary moves directly from the story on the Mount of Transfiguration (9:1-8) to Jesus' secon
Seeing the vision of God's glory -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Seeing the vision of God's glory.
The institution of the covenant meal for both Jews and Christians -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The institution of the covenant meal for both Jews and Christians.
Proper 21; Pentecost 20 -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
Mary Ann Tolbert sets this week's text in its larger context:
The mystery of the divine presence -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The mystery of the divine presence.
God has come among us in the person of his Son -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- Russell F. Anderson -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: God has come among us in the person of his Son. Let us rejoice!
Proper 22; Pentecost 21 -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
We have understood this entire section of Mark's Gospel from 8:22„10:52 as a journey "on the way" to
Hope for the future -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- Russell F. Anderson -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Hope for the future.
The God of the universe takes on the form of a servant -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The God of the universe takes on the form of a servant, suffering not only abuse
Proper 23; Pentecost 22 -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
Today's text begins with the story of the man who ran to Jesus in order to ask him what he must do t
God's immeasurable grace -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:1-18 -- Russell F. Anderson -- 1996
Theme For The Day: God's immeasurable grace.
The Spirit gives life -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Through the gift of the Holy Spirit the church witnesses to the saving power of
Proper 24; Pentecost 23 -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
The first thing to note about the appointment of today's text from Mark's Gospel is that which is om
The Preacher's Edge 1 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 1996
The older I get, the more convinced I am that God created preaching as much for the benefit of the p
The Pentecost Season -- Russell F. Anderson -- 1996
The Meaning Of The Name
Proper 25; Pentecost 24 -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
We come now to the end of Part One of Mark's Gospel. Part One goes from chapters 1-10 of Mark.
The rule of God -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 33:12--23 (C)
The Holy Spirit -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Holy Spirit i -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
I Go To Prepare A Place For You -- John 14:1-6, Psalm 139:1-17 -- Barbara G. Schmitz -- 1995
A Funeral Homily For AscensionDay Until Pentecost DayCanticle: Nunc Dimittis
Loving God and the neighbor -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 34:1--12 (C)
God's saints are humble in spirit -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Micah 6:1--8 (C, E, L)
Where Can I Go From Your Spirit? -- Psalm 139:1-17 -- Barbara G. Schmitz -- 1995
A Funeral Homily For PentecostMusic: Come, Gracious Spirit
Warning against religious hypocrisy -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Joshua 3:7--17 (C)
God's Illuminating Spirit -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1995
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

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Are You A Risk Taker? -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2001
Introduction
A God Thing -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Linda Schiphorst Mccoy -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2001
Bil Keane, the creator of the Family Circus cartoon, said he was drawing a cartoon one day wh
I Really Am Who I Am! -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Douglas B. Bailey -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2001
Have you ever been driving down the road and seen something so irresistible that you ended up going
Cheating The Reaper -- Romans 8:1-11 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2001
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation ..." (v. 1 NIV). No condemnation! No condemnation?
Now Playing: God, Live And In Person! -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Some years ago I was in a London theater watching a Harold Pinter play.
It's Never Enough -- Exodus 20:17 -- Robert R. Kopp -- 2001
"Oh, Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz? ..."
Woman, Behold Thy Son; Behold Thy Mother -- John 19:26-27 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2001
Ask most sons and they will tell you their mothers do not understand them.
Some Final Words In Christ's Name! -- Richard E. Boye -- 2001
A Final Sermon Upon the Occasion of RetirementElim Lutheran Church
"I Murdered My Grandmother This Morning!" -- Mark 7:31-37 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 2001
At once, the man's ears were opened.
Do You Have Enough Faith? -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2001
Introduction
Positive Identification -- John 1:29-42 -- Linda Schiphorst Mccoy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2001
A while ago, I received an invitation to my high school reunion.
Saved Through The Blood Of The Lamb -- Exodus 12:1-14 -- Douglas B. Bailey -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2001
Many times, especially during Lent, we hear that Jesus is the Lamb of God who shed his blood on the
All In The Family -- Romans 8:12-25 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2001
How to begin a sermon? It always is a preacher's dilemma as to how to introduce a sermon.
The Taste Of Joy! -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2001
When traveling to Israel, Jerusalem is the place!
Dime Store Faith -- Exodus 20:4 -- Robert R. Kopp -- 2001
Growing up in a little town which nobody has heard of across the Susquehanna River from Wilkes-Barre
Strength Out Of Weakness -- Romans 8:26-39 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
It was the July 22, 1999, CNN live coverage of the burial at sea of John F. Kennedy, Jr.
The Heart Of The Gospel -- Richard E. Boye -- 2001
A dear and godly parishioner once said to me about his Lord, "I am left speechless at his unending l
A Word Of Thanks -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 2001
"Was there no one to return and give thanks to God?"
Who Is Jesus To You? -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2001
Introduction
Answering The Call -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Linda Schiphorst Mccoy -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2001
A few years ago, I was on a retreat in northern Michigan, and I knew that some of our friends from h
Coming Through In The Clutch -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- Douglas B. Bailey -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2001
The highest compliment that can be said about an athlete is that he or she can be counted on to come
Having High Hope -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2001
Into Thin Air is John Krakauer's grizzly account of the loss of twelve persons attempting to climb M
One Born Among Us -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Have you ever noticed the importance children play in history?
Putting Words In His Mouth -- Exodus 20:7 -- Robert R. Kopp -- 2001
Standing in the express line at Shop N' Spend can test one's soul, especially if the person just in
The Pain Of Caring -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2001
Amazing statements have a powerful way of burning themselves into our memories.

Spirituality

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Thanksgiving Day

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Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

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George A. Nye -- 1994
With Praise And CelebrationNumber 3
The Beauty Of Holiness -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationA Call To Worship: (May be said or sung)
Installation Of Pastor -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1994
Receiving A New LeaderWe Prepare For Worship(Name of Presider)
Headlines -- George A. Nye -- 1994
The tabloid headlines at the checkout stands are intriguing.
Just -- George A. Nye -- 1994
"Just" is such a horrid little word. We use it most often as a
George A. Nye -- 1994
With Praise And CelebrationNumber 2
Judgment -- George A. Nye -- 1994
In our pluralistic society, we're told not to judge one
Calls To Worship For Lent -- Craig M. Sweet -- 1994
L: Come!P: We come from lives of loneliness, pain and human loss to this
Gifts -- George A. Nye -- 1994
The story of Job doesn't work for many of us who have known
Definitions -- George A. Nye -- 1994
Who defines your life? A parent? Your friends? What society
Being -- George A. Nye -- 1994
The image comes to me of a man who looks small on a barren
We Celebrate The Creator -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1994
Opening To A Special MeetingCall To Worship
Prayers Of Confession And Pardon For Easter -- Craig M. Sweet -- 1994
Holy God, before whom we kneel in awe, we confess that we have
Time -- George A. Nye -- 1994
Are you guilty of murder? Most of us are , at least to the
Easy Answers -- George A. Nye -- 1994
It is so frustrating! "Just tell me the answer! Don't keep
The Miracle Of Life -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationIntroductory Moments
Baptism -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1994
Introductory Comments
Prayers of Dedication For Easter -- Craig M. Sweet -- 1994
O God, guide of the meek and helper of all persons, we come now
Empowerment -- George A. Nye -- 1994
The big dog is unperturbed by the incessant yapping of the
With Unwavering Trust -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationThe Call To Worship: (By the leader)
Lakeside Service With Communion -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1994
A Galilean Service
Ash Wednesday -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Craig M. Sweet -- 1994
Reader 1: Beware of practicing your piety before others in order
Plight -- George A. Nye -- 1994
Our plight is our task. Take away our plight, and we have no
Everyone Is Searching -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation: from Deuteronomy 4:29; James 4:8, 10.
Showers Of Blessing -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1994
Worship Service With A SkitLeader's Helps

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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