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Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 5 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Lamentations 3:19-26)
Proper 6 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 123)
Proper 7 -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Ephesians 1:3-14)
Proper 8 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Ephesians 2:11-22)
Proper 25 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 16)One: Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Proper 26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Revelation 1:8)
Proper 4 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on 2 Corinthians 6:8-13)
Proper 22 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 34:1-8)
Proper 23 -- Psalm 146 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (Psalm 146)One: Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
Proper 24 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2002
Unison Call To Worship (Psalm 127:1-2)

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

Recognizing His Disciples -- John 13:31-35 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Recognition of people, places, and things is a fundamental prerequisite of successful living.
Keeping His Word -- John 14:23-29 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Keeping our word has a long and positive history in our nation.
A Good-bye Topping All Others -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2006
Those bidding good-bye are around us all of our lives.
Call To Oneness -- John 17:20-26 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
When, dear God, shall Christians all be one? It is a first-century inquiry.
A New Continuing -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- David R. Cartwright -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
That first Pentecost was a grand and glorious day. It was a new beginning.
Guided By The Spirit -- John 16:12-15 -- David R. Cartwright -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2006
There are two main ways to go about teaching someone something.
What Outsiders Can Teach Us -- Luke 7:1-10 -- David R. Cartwright -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2006
Those of us ministers actively engaged in congregational worship don't get many opportunities to vis
Compassion Can Do More Than You May Think -- Luke 7:11-17 -- David R. Cartwright -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2006
A teacher was fond of asking students in his counseling classes this question: "What can you know ab
The Extravagance Of Love -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- David R. Cartwright -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2006
If there was anything Jesus despised, it was stinginess, especially the holding back of oneself.
What Happens When You're Not Prepared For What Happens -- Luke 8:26-39 -- David R. Cartwright -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2006
How do you handle what happens when you're not prepared for what happens?

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

One Flower Or Many? -- John 11:1-53 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a flower with some seeds that will shake out when the petals are removed
Do You Know His Voice? -- John 10:22-30 -- Wesley T. Runk
Objects: some blindfolds
Give Your Life To The Lord -- John 10:11-18 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a doll or teddy bear
Prissy Plant -- John 9:1-41 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: an attractive artificial plant
The Doctor For Sin -- Matthew 9:9-13 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a thermometer, a heating pad, and a bad cough
Combination Locks And Freedom -- John 8:31-36 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a combination lock
Who Can Fill You Up? Jesus! -- John 7:37-39 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a bucket of cold water, a dipper, and some small cups
The Bread Of Life -- John 6:51-58 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: an unsliced loaf of bread
What's Your Prize? -- John 6:24-35 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a bag of garbage
A Little Black Dot -- John 6:1-21 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a large white piece of paper or poster board with a black dot on it

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Where Is God? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Dr. E. Stanley Jones used to tell of a five-year-old child who was asked, "Where is God?"
Where Is Your Goal? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
In the Arabian Nights collection of stories, there is this one:
Do You Need It? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Sign in a Vermont country store:"If we haven't got it, you don't need it!"
W(h)ite Out -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Every author knows the value of this modern substance which can be used when we have typed the wrong
Who Is The Architect? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The day after a fire had destroyed a wing of the British House of Commons, many letters poured into
Who Made God? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Children often ask profound questions over which we all stumble.
Who Really Pays The Tax? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
One excuse for the sale of alcoholic beverages is that those who produce the drinks pay taxes.
Wisdom -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
On President Calvin Coolidge's desk these words were displayed:
With God At Antarctica -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
When the famous explorer Shackleton reported on his explorations in Antarctica he said, "When I look
W.W.J.D. -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Have you seen the initials W.W.J.D.

Stories

SermonStudio

Sabbath At Mt. Carmel -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2000
The cabins at Mt. Carmel Bible Retreat are small.
Newspaper Prayers -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2000
I was at a Bible study on prayer when the leader handed each of us a section of the newspaper.
Success -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2000
She didn't want to go to the reunion.
Merle's Treasure -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2000
Merle Kvamme called three times before I could return her call the next day.
Jesus, The Messiah; Jesus, The Crisis -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2000
Cecilia knew she was having trouble with her pregnancy when the doctor called and asked her and her
The Business Of Healing -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2000
The temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed but every city still had a synagogue.
A Place Of Honor -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2000
Stan's grandfather started a machine repair business that became successful: it had a steady stream
The Cost Of The Kingdom -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2000
"Brooke, are you aware of the demands that will be placed on you? Can you handle them?
The Wedding Ring -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2000
I was in great pain.
Too Old To Work? -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2000
Carol was too old to be out of work and too young to be on Social Security.

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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

Schuyler Rhodes
This story about Stephen is a hard one to preach about these days. Lately, the idea of martyrdom has fallen under a bit of a cloud, don't you think? What do you think of when you hear about martyrs? In my experience, a martyr is either reduced to a psychological complex foisted off on someone who does too much for others, or it's a poor child with a dynamite vest ready to doom himself or herself and plenty of others for the sake of the cause, and the cash benefits paid to the family, after the fact. There's no question about it. The stock on martyrdom is way, way down these days.
David E. Leininger
"Christ is our cornerstone!" That motto was chosen over a century ago for the congregation I now serve. It was October 29, 1895, at 2:30 in the afternoon, that the grandparents and great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, the forebears of today's congregation, gathered outside in Pennsylvania's autumn chill to see the laying of the cornerstone of the church building that has been in use ever since.
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
Jesus Christ is the cornerstone.

First Lesson
Acts 7:55-60
The Stoning Of Stephen
Derl G. Keefer
C. Neil Strait
WORSHIP HELPS

CALL TO WORSHIP
God is ready to swoop down and rescue us from the burdens we carry and to lift the heart aches! Our God has known us since birth through old age and gray hair and He will sustain us today!

OFFERING THOUGHT
The secret of money is enjoying the opportunity of giving it away for the glory of God.

BENEDICTION
May the God who transforms disappointments to joy do that for you this week. Amen.



SERMON BRIEFS

Holiness, The Trademark Of A Holy Person
Lee Griess
The great American humorist, Will Rogers, had the reputation that he could make anyone laugh. President Calvin Coolidge, on the other hand, had the reputation that he never laughed. Want to know what happened the time those two met? Rogers was invited to visit the White House and as was the custom, the president's assistant brought Rogers into the Oval Office. As was the custom as he entered, the assistant said, "President Coolidge, this is Will Rogers. Mr. Rogers, this is President Coolidge." To which Rogers leaned forward and said, "I'm sorry.
Richard L. Sheffield
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1 NRSV).

Since everything that follows for the rest of the passage I just read from John is commentary on that, we need to hear that clearly, before we hear anything else.

This is the closest English can get to the Greek of John's Gospel: "Let not be troubled of you the heart; Believe in God, also in me believe."1

And here are the translations of others who have listened and interpreted these words for you and me:
Robert J. Elder
In the earliest experience of the church, the apostles soon discovered that their teaching and preaching duties were taking an incredible amount of energy. As the community of believers grew in numbers, and they continued in their commitment to hold all things in common, it became obvious that some details of the life of the community would need more attention than the twelve apostles themselves could give. It was decided to appoint deacons to serve the needs of the church, particularly the needs of the poor and widows who could no longer care for themselves. Seven were appointed.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Confession And Forgiveness
P: We gather for worship in the name of the one who is
the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: The journey before us is one of letting go and taking hold.
As he prepares a place for us,
let us name the sin that clings to us, that we may find release.

Silence for reflection and self-examination

P: Unbelief, hatred, revenge,
C: Lord, do not hold our sins against us.
P: Gossip, despair, deceit,
C: Lord, do not hold our sins against us.
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (Psalm 31:15-16)

One: My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.

All: Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.


Collect
 Strengthen us, Lord, in the time of testing and trial, calling to mind the example of the martyrs who died for our faith. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Thomas Willadsen
For May 3, 2026:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
It is hard for us, living after the resurrection, to understand how Jesus, who was clearly a mortal man, could come to be worshipped as though he were God. Since we believe that Jesus did rise from the dead, we tend to endow his ministry with a divine glow. How could the authorities not see that Jesus was, indeed, the son of God? How did they explain away his miracles? How did they ignore how the average people felt about him?
David Kalas
What do you do between Act 2 and Act 3 of a performance? That depends upon who you are.

If you are like me, then you have attended a great many more shows, plays, and performances than you have participated in. And, as members of the audience, the time between acts is an intermission -- an opportunity to stretch your legs, to use the restroom, to enjoy some refreshments.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In our worship today, let us explore these words and find out how to reach God through Jesus.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, show me the right way to God.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, lead me into the truth about God.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, give me the eternal life which you have promised.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

Keith Hewitt
Scott Dalgarno
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Encounter in the Darkness" by Keith Hewitt
"Please Don't Forget Me" by Scott Dalgarno
"An Unwanted Gift" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
Peter Andrew Smith
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"Words of Power" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Refuge" by Keith Hewitt


* * * * * * * *


Words of Power
by Peter Andrew Smith
Acts 7:55-60

The principal looked at the boy holding the cloth up to his nose. His hair was dishevelled, his lip swollen, and his clothes bore the stains of the muddy playground. The nurse examined him but his bleeding nostrils seemed his greatest injury.

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. (Show the rubbing of the cornerstone.) Does anyone know what I'm holding? (Let them answer.) This is a rubbing of the cornerstone of our church building. (Read to them what the cornerstone says. Tell them where the cornerstone is located.) I hope that when church is over this morning you can go out and look at and touch the real cornerstone. Cornerstones are very important. Does anyone know the purpose of a cornerstone? (Let them answer.) It's important because it is at the very foundation of our building. The church building is built on top of it.
Good morning, boys and girls. (Have your road map opened as you talk. Examine the map as you greet the children.) If I wanted to take a trip to (name a familiar city in your area) but I wasn't certain how to get there, what could I use to help me? (Let them answer.) A road map! I just happen to have one here. I'm looking for my direction right now. (Point out the way to your destination.) When you go on vacation do your parents sometimes give you road maps to follow? (Let them answer.) A road map is very important when you are going places that you've never been before.

Special Occasion

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