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Worship

SermonStudio

Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, John 14:1-14 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
HymnsIn You, Lord, I Have Put My Trust (PH183)
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Psalm 66:8-20, John 14:15-21 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
HymnsOur Cities Cry To You, O God (PH437)
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
HymnsHail, O Festal Day (NCH262, UM324)
Second Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2004
HymnsJesus, Priceless Treasure (LBW457, 458, PH365, NCH480, UM532, CBH595)
Third Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2004
HymnsCanticle Of Light And Darkness (UM205)
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany -- Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2004
HymnsWhat Does The Lord Require (UM441, CBH409, PH405)
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), Psalm 112:1-9 (10), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2004
HymnsHail To The Lord's Anointed (LBW87, CBH185, NCH104, UM203)
Sixth Sunday After Epiphany -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2004
HymnsLord Jesus, Think On Me (LBW309, PH301, CBH526)
Seventh Sunday After Epiphany -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119:33-40, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5:38-48 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2004
HymnsO Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High (LBW88, PH83, NCH209, UM267)
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 49:8-16a, Psalm 131, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2004
HymnsJesus, Priceless Treasure (LBW457, 458, PH365, CBH595, NCH480, UM532)

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

Faithful, Not Successful -- Matthew 9:9-13, Ephesians 2:4-10 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Today is a day in the church year that is set aside to remember and commemorate the early church apo
Angels And Aliens -- Luke 10:17-20, Revelation 12:7-12 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Like some giant, mystical flock of snow geese stopping momentarily in their fall flight to the south
Radically Unfair -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
In a Walker Percy novel, a white physician is arrested for illegally selling drugs to truck drivers
Unity That Transcends -- Luke 22:14-17 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
The World Council of Churches and other interdenominational and international church groupings have
The Radiating Reformation -- John 8:31-36, Romans 3:19-28 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
The assigned lesson reading from Romans for this festival worship includes these comments by Saint P
Psalm 46 And Reformation Today -- Psalm 46 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Chaos breaking into life, from creation to now -- today's psalmody was Psalm 46.
Allowing Your Sainthood To Surface -- Revelation 21 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Today we celebrate All Saints -- historically a major festival in the church year -- celebrated inte
Dead, Deified, Or Different? -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- All Saints Day - A -- 2006
Blest are the lowly; they shall inherit the land.
Reward Or Responsibility? -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a wealthy person who had a manager of his possession
Total Living In Christ -- Deuteronomy 8:11-20 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
In Lutheran churches and many other denominations across the world, today is the celebration of Chri

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Keep Your Promise -- Mark 11:1-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: something that you could borrow, like a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread
The Eye Of The Needle -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a needle and your pet dog or cat
Have A Good Marriage -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a clock
In The Power Of His Name -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a bottle of shampoo
Beloved Of God -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a hidden tape recording that can be played, telling the children how much they are lo
Lose Your Life In God -- Mark 8:30-38 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: instant cocoa powder and a spoon; also a container for the children to dump the powde
You Have To Change The Inside -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-24 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a ballpoint pen out of ink, several empty pens that the cartridge can be put into, an
Make A Friend For Jesus -- Mark 6:7-13 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a big walking stick
Filled Up With God -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a large glass of water and a clear straw
The Day The Winds Came -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Wesley T. Runk
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have ever been caught in a big wind?

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 10 -- Genesis 25:19-34, Isaiah 55:10-13 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2004
It may seem rather startling to read in verse 20 of this passage that Isaac is forty years old when
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
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
Proper 11 -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Isaiah 44:6-8 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2004
Jacob is on a journey from Hebron to Haran, Abraham's original home in northern Mesopotamia.
Proper 12 -- Genesis 29:15-28, 1 Kings 3:5-12 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2004
We find before us a very worldly story of love and deceit on the part of two very worldly men.
Proper 14 -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, 1 Kings 19:9-18 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2004
Here begins the collection of Joseph stories with which the rest of Genesis will be concerned.
Proper 15 -- Genesis 45:1-15, Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2004
In Sunday schools and Bible studies, the Joseph stories are frequently used as moral lessons, and Jo
Proper 16 -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Isaiah 51:1-6 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2004
With this text, there now occurs a long gap of time in the biblical history of Israel.
Proper 17 -- Exodus 3:1-15, Jeremiah 15:15-21 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2004
Moses, who was raised in the palace of the Pharaoh, has had to flee Egypt, because it has become kno
Proper 18 -- Exodus 12:1-14 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2004
This particular text, which tells of the institution of the Jewish Passover feast, is to mark the be

Stories

SermonStudio

Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Somebody's mother once said, "If you're wondering when middle age begins -- watch out, it's begun al
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Most mothers resemble what Robert Louis Stevenson says about quiet minds, that they "cannot be perpl
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Mothers know that the best medicine chest for ailing families is the Bible.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
It must have been a wise mother who said, "When we die, we leave behind us all we have and take with
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
No mother is so old as those who have outlived their enthusiasm for children.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Christian mothers realize that faith is the belief that we are loved by God.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A mother's righteousness is her beauty in its best light.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"A mother's heart is the precious porcelain of human clay."
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A mother's love is never afraid of giving too much.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Mother is really a four-letter word -- LOVE.

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Christian Faith

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 5
28 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
22 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
21 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

SermonStudio

Richard E. Gribble, CSC
When Charlie Atlas was a teenager his parents purchased for him a dresser mirror that he placed in his bedroom. Before this, whenever Charlie needed to use a mirror, he went to the bathroom, but there he was only able to see his head and possibly his shoulders. When he got dressed up he used his parents' full-length mirror in their bedroom. Charlie was happy with his new mirror; he spent many hours in front of it.
Elizabeth Achtemeier
There is a strange belief abroad in our land at the present time, the belief that we cannot know God. Such a belief rises partly from a feeling of awe before the divine -- the feeling that God is so unfathomable, so other, so beyond our feeble understanding that we cannot possibly experience who he truly is in all of his fullness and perfection. And perhaps that is the reason that the Athenians have erected that idol "to an unknown God" that Paul encounters when he visits their city. They know that there is a god beyond them, but they cannot define him or name him.
Stan Purdum
(See Proper 23/Pentecost 21/Ordinary Time 28, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-12.)

Psalm 66 is a song of communal thanksgiving, probably composed to celebrate some national deliverance. Because of the personal language of verses 13-20, there is some speculation that this psalm was originally two hymns, but as it stands, it contains a combination of corporate and personal prayers, both appropriate in worship.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E, L)
Schuyler Rhodes
Are you one of those people who always has a backup plan? Do you make your commitments and focus your energies on one thing, but have an alternative in mind just in case things don't work out with the first one? You might call it "Plan B" or something else, but basically you're hedging your bets and covering yourself in case the situation goes south.
Mark Ellingsen
Jesus was still in the middle of his farewell discourse to his disciples. He was trying to comfort the despair that they were feeling when they had first heard the news (during the last supper) that Jesus would be leaving them (John 13:21, 33; 14:1). He had comforted them with the good news that he was on the way to God the Father, that in associating with Jesus, the disciples had been in fellowship with the Father (John 14:6-11). Whoever believed in him, Jesus said, would be able to do the works that he had done, even greater works (John 14:12).
Albert G. Butzer, III
Here are two statements about the world. Tell me if both of them ring true for you. The first of them is this: "The world is a beautiful place." And the second statement is this: "The world is a terrible and dangerous place." Both statements are true - don't you agree? - and yet, ironically, they seem to say the exact opposite thing. How much easier it would be to affirm one statement or the other, but not both.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
The name Robert Stroud is not one commonly heard in ordinary conversation, but this man's contribution to humanity will live on in the minds of many under a different title, "The Birdman of Alcatraz." By nature, Robert Stroud was not a congenial man. As a youth he was always getting into fights, disagreements, and various altercations. When he was only nineteen he killed a man in a barroom brawl, was convicted of second--degree murder, and was sentenced to the Federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, since the crime was committed on Federal land.
Richard W. Ferris
In a large stone cathedral in Europe there was a grand, magnificent pipe organ. On a particular Saturday afternoon, the sexton was making one final check of the choir and organ loft high in the balcony at the back of the church. As he was making his inspection, he was startled to hear footsteps echoing up the stone stairway behind him. He thought the doors were all locked and that no one else was in the church. He turned to see a man in slightly tattered traveling clothes coming toward him.
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Acts 17:22-31
Theme: To A Known God

Call To Worship
Leader: God is a known God who continually gives us evidence of presence.
People: God is a knowable God who extends to us the hand of hope.
All: Come, let us worship God. Amen.

Collect
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Our Cities Cry To You, O God (PH437)
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (PH376, UM384, LBW315, NCH43)
Holy Spirit, Truth Divine (PH321, UM465)
There's A Sweet, Sweet Spirit (PH398, UM334)
Thy Holy Wings, O Savior (UM502)
Come Down, O Love Divine (LBW508, NCH289, PH313)
O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee (OBW492, NCH502, PH357)
My Song Is Love Unknown (LBW94, NCH222, PH76)

Anthems
Praise The Lord, Service Music, Hal Hopson, CGA, Unison 2--part

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 10, 2026:

StoryShare

John Fitzgerald
Contents
"Reason for Hope" by John Fitzgerald

Reason for Hope
by John Fitzgerald
1 Peter 3:13-22

Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the classic Little House on the Prairie series neared an end to her
life. At this juncture she penned an essay about hope in face of the constant current of change. Here is an excerpt from that writing: 
Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Always Be Ready" by Frank Ramirez
"Looking for God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"A Gentle Profession" by Peter Andrew Smith


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
The lessons for the Sixth Sunday of Easter direct us to sermons on the great things God’s love does, appreciating in two cases this love’s cosmic character (especially leading to a stress on justification by grace). This is an appropriate theme with the festival of the Ascension in view, which celebrates Christ’s almighty power and cosmic vindication. 

Acts 17:22-31
William H. Shepherd
Schuyler Rhodes
In Garret Kreizer's novel, God of Beer (2002), the high school social studies teacher tells the class about Gandhi's assertion that if God ever came to India, he'd have to come as bread, in order to get the attention of the starving peasants. The teacher then asks the class what form God would have to take in order to get the attention of their high school. "Beer," says one student. "Yeah," another chimes in, "it's the only thing to do around here."

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

CSSPlus

Hi there, boys and girls! How many of you have rules that you have to follow at home? (show of hands) What are some of the rules you have? (let them tell you) What about at school? Do you have rules there? What are they? (let them tell you)

Why should we even have rules? (see what they think) I think we have rules because it makes it easier for us to be together. If we are all kind to each other, we will all be happier. If there are rules, then maybe people will fight less.

Special Occasion

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