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Proper 27 -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1990
The end of the Pentecost cycle/season is rapidly approaching; the calendar - church and secular - te
Proper 8 -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1990
The Easter event continues to be the heart of the Sunday worship, when God's people celebrate Sunday
Proper 13 -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1990
Christians live between the time of the Lord's resurrection and his anticipated return to the earth.
Christmas -- Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:8-20 -- George M. Bass -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1990
Note: A detailed study, with sermon suggestions, is available for the first Christmas service in Cyc
Fourth Sunday of Easter -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- George M. Bass -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1990
This is Good Shepherd Sunday, which occurs, as earlier commentary has pointed out, one week later in
Proper 15 -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1990
Since every Sunday of the church year is a "Little Easter," and since John 6 is being read as the Go
Proper 23 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1990
It is critical, at this juncture of the church year, to remember that the lectionary and the church
Sixth Sunday of Easter -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George M. Bass -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1990
No matter what name is given to this Sunday, it remains the Sunday before the Ascension of the Lord.
Christ the King -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- George M. Bass -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1990
In the homiletical studies for the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A, it was pointed out th
Proper 14 -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1990
The theological clue contained in this part of the church year continues to be kerygmatic, informing
Proper 26 -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1990
The very numbering of the Sundays reminds every pastor that the end of the Pentecost cycle/season is
Corpus Christi -- Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15, Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 -- George M. Bass -- 1990
Corpus Christi is a festival that few, if any, Protestants celebrate.
Proper 22 -- Mark 10:2-16, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Job 1:1, 2:1-10 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1990
The early Christian Church could sustain its cry of "Christ is risen!
Proper 24 -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1990
With the church year nearing the end of its annual cycle - and with Advent (with its eschatological
Easter Vigil -- Mark 10:39b -- George M. Bass -- Easter Day - B -- 1990
(Note: Details about the Easter Vigil are included in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook, Cycle A.
Third Sunday of Easter -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- George M. Bass -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1990
It was suggested in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A, that the Third Sunday of Easter
Proper 28 -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Mark 13:1-8 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1990
Eschatology - the "last things" - is the order of the day on this next to the last Sunday of Penteco
Proper 10 -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1990
The weekly rhythm of the church year should be clearly perceived by the preacher by this time of the
Third Sunday after the Epiphany -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- George M. Bass -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1990
Those who look at the lectionaries for the remainder of Epiphany will notice that the semi-continuou
Proper 25 -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1990
In the older liturgies and lectionaries, three themes - sinfulness, godliness, and loving service -
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- George M. Bass -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1990
The Epiphany/Manifestation theme - "this is the Promised One, the very Son of God" - continues to be
Third Sunday in Lent -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- George M. Bass -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1990
In the ancient liturgy, this Sunday was known as Oculi - "Eyes" or "Vision" Sunday - from the fourte
Proper 7 -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- George M. Bass -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1990
Since it is now over three months since the church celebrated Easter, the memories of the joy and gl
Third Sunday of Advent -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- George M. Bass -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1990
"New Age" Sunday might be one name that could be given to this Third Sunday of Advent.
Fifth Sunday in Lent -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George M. Bass -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1990
More than any other Sunday in Lent, the fifth Sunday has lost its theological and liturgical identit

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You Can Create A Godly Heritage! -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1999
Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm said: "Future historians will see best the multiple factors th
The Friend Of Sinners -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- John A. Stroman -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1999
Jesus' critics complained that "this fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them" (Luke 15:2).
Calmly Plotting The Resurrection -- John 20:1-18 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Easter Day - B -- 1999
We have come to the end of a spiritual journey, one which we were faithful enough to take.
How Good News Spreads! -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1999
In 1971 I made a trip to Russia.
The Right Person For The Job -- Hebrews 5:5-10 -- John A. Stroman -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Consideration is being given today to the teaching sermon.
Lessons From A Picnic -- Luke 9:11-17 -- Glenn E. Ludwig -- 1999
There are certain biblical stories that are so well known that most of us could tell them from memor
Through Many Doors, He Comes -- John 20:19-31 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Jesus came to earth. Jesus left earth.
Godly Sexual Passion For An X-Rated World! -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1999
The Hebrew word for love, awhab or awrag, means "to pant, to long for, to breathe heavily after." P
What's For Breakfast? -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
The testimony of Easter is that Jesus joins us again, on earth, after his resurrection from the dead
All Mine To Give! -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1999
Do you ever get tired of giving?
Amazing Grace -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- John A. Stroman -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Keith Miller, a well-known author and Episcopal churchman, arrived in Bloomington, Illinois, for a s
The Waiting Place -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- William L. Self -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
While we were keeping our eighteen-month-old grandson for the weekend so his parents could catch up
ChristianOptimism -- 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1999
While waiting at an airport, years ago, I saw a couple in their thirties bring an older woman
The Promise Of A Presence -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Glenn E. Ludwig -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1999
Thomas G.
The Culture Of Disbelief -- John 10:11-18 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
What does this shepherd possibly mean?
The Channel Between The Buoys -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1999
"Let's go boating!"
The Scandal Of The Cross -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- John A. Stroman -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
The preaching of the cross in the first century world was repulsive and odious.
Getting In Tune Again -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- William L. Self -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
A radio station in Missouri had an interesting experience.
Anti-Venom Serum -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1999
Years ago, when we lived in Alberta, Sunday nights were very special for us.
Must I Love That Neighbor? -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Glenn E. Ludwig -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 1999
Someone once said: "What goes around comes around." And there is enough anecdotal and historical evi
Vining And Branching -- John 15:1-8 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Parents know exactly what Jesus means about vining and branching.
Queen Of Hearts! -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1999
Sociologists have defined her. Psychologists have analyzed her. Pollsters have surveyed her.
Promises -- Promises -- Romans 4:13-25 -- John A. Stroman -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
In Romans 4, the apostle turns his attention to Abraham, and rightly so for obvious reasons.
Will The Real Messiah Please Stand Up? -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- William L. Self -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
In the early days of television a popular game show, To Tell the Truth, held the attention of the Am
Templates And Story-Sermons -- J. Will Ormond, Lucy A. Rose -- 1999
The buttonholer on my sewing machine uses templates.

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Ascension Sunday -- Psalm 47 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 1991
Clap your hands, all you peoples;shout to God with loud songs of joy.
Proper 25 -- Psalm 3 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 1991
O Lord, how many are my foes!Many are rising against me;many are saying to me,
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
34.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
48. We express our thanks for this cup Father.
Service -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Robert A. Allen -- 1991
All: The kingdom of heaven is like,Dark Solo: like a landowner
Ash Wednesday -- Psalm 51:1-12 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 1991
Have mercy on me, O God,according to your steadfast love;
Baptism Of Jesus -- Psalm 29 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 1991
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Proper 26 -- Psalm 65:1-8 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 1991
Praise is due to you,O God, in Zion;and to you who shall vows be performed,
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
35.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
130. We gather here every week. Not because of habit, but because of need.
Christmas 1 -- Psalm 111 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 1991
Praise the Lord!I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
Proper 27 -- Psalm 9:11-20 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1991
Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion.Declare his deeds among the peoples.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
36. God of creation, we come to you for living bread.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
35.
Christmas 2 -- Psalm 147:12-20 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 1991
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!Praise your God, O Zion!
Proper 28 -- Psalm 82 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1991
God has taken his place in the divine council;
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
1.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
36. God of creation, we come to you for living bread.
Christmas Day -- Psalm 98 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1991
O sing to the Lord a new song,for he has done marvelous things.
Proper 29 -- Psalm 95 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 1991
O come, let us sing to the Lord,let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
40. My family will let me go half a mile and then smile and tell me I have missed a turn.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
1.
Christmas Eve Day -- Psalm 96 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1991
O sing to the Lord a new song;sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Proper 4 -- Psalm 100 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 1991
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.Worship the Lord with gladness;
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
41. None of us can be alone, what God has created us to be.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
14 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 1
30 – Sermons
90+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For December 7, 2025:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
There was an incident some years ago, when an elderly lady in some village parish in England was so fed up with the sound of the church bells ringing, that she took an axe and hacked her way through the oak door of the church. Once inside, she sliced through the bell ropes, rendering the bells permanently silent. The media loved it. There were articles in all the papers and the culprit appeared on television. The Church was less enthusiastic - and took her to court.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
(See The Epiphany Of Our Lord, Cycle A, and The Epiphany Of Our Lord, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)

This psalm is a prayer for the king, and it asks God to extend divine rule over earth through the anointed one who sits on the throne. Although the inscription says the psalm is about Solomon, that is a scribal addition. More likely, this was a general prayer used for more than one of the Davidic kings, and it shows the common belief that the monarch would be the instrument through which God acted.

Mark Wm. Radecke
In her Pulitzer Prize winning book, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, author Annie Dillard recalls this chilling remembrance:
Paul E. Robinson
There is so much uncertainty in life that most of us look hard and long for as many "sure things" as we can find. A fisherman goes back again and again to that hole that always produces fish and leaves on his line that special lure that always does the trick. The fishing hole and the lure are sure things.
John N. Brittain
If you don't know that Christmas is a couple of weeks away, you must be living underground. And you must have no contact with any children. And you cannot have been to a mall, Wal-Mart, Walgreen's, or any other chain store since three weeks before Halloween. Christmas, probably more than any other day in the contemporary American calendar, is one of those days where impact really stretches the envelope of time not just -- like some great tragedy -- after the fact, but also in anticipation.
Tony S. Everett
One hot summer day, a young pastor decided to change the oil in his automobile for the very first time in his life. He had purchased five quarts of oil, a filter wrench, and a bucket in which to drain the used oil. He carefully and gently drove the car onto the shiny, yellow ramps and eased his way underneath his vehicle.

Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
We've gathered here today on the second Sunday of Advent to continue to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord. This task of preparing for the arrival of the Lord is not as easy as we might think it is. As in other areas of life, we find ourselves having to unlearn some things in order to see what the scriptures teach us about God's act in Jesus. We've let the culture around us snatch away much of the meaning of the birth of the Savior. We have to reclaim that meaning if we really want to be ready for what God is still doing in the miracle of Christmas.
Timothy J. Smith
As we make our way through Advent inching closer to Christmas, our days are consumed with many tasks. Our "to do" list grows each day. At times we are often out of breath and wondering if we will complete everything on our list before Christmas Day. We gather on this Second Sunday in Advent to spiritually prepare for what God has done and continues to do in our lives and in our world. We have been too busy with all our activities and tasks so that we are in danger of missing out on the miracle of Christmas.
Frank Luchsinger
For his sixth grade year his family moved to the new community. They made careful preparations for the husky, freckle-faced redhead to fit in smoothly. They had meetings with teachers and principal, and practiced the route to the very school doors he would enter on the first day. "Right here will be lists of the classes with the teachers' names and students. Come to these doors and find your name on a list and go to that class."
R. Glen Miles
The text we have heard today is pleasant, maybe even reassuring. I wonder, though, how many of us will give it any significance once we leave the sanctuary? Do the words of Isaiah have any real meaning for us, or are they just far away thoughts from a time that no longer has any relevance for us today?
Susan R. Andrews
When our children were small, a nice church lady named Chris made them a child--friendly creche. All the actors in this stable drama are soft and squishy and durable - perfect to touch and rearrange - or toss across the living room in a fit of toddler frenzy. The Joseph character has always been my favorite because he looks a little wild - red yarn spiking out from his head, giving him an odd look of energy. In fact, I have renamed this character John the Baptist and in my mind substituted one of the innocuous shepherds for the more staid and solid Joseph. Why this invention?
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Litany Of Confession
P: Wild animals flourish around us,
C: and prowl within us.
P: Injustice and inequity surround us,
C: and hide within us.
P: Vanity and pride divide us,
C: and fester within us.

A time for silent reflection

P: O God, may your love free us,
C: and may your Spirit live in us. Amen.

Prayer Of The Day

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The world and the church approach the "Mass of Christ" with a different pace, and "atmospheres" that are worlds apart. Out in the "highways and byways" tinsel and "sparkly" are everywhere, in the churches the color of the paraments and stoles is a somber violet, or in some places, blue. Through the stores and on the airwaves carols and pop tunes are up-beat, aimed at getting the spirits festive, and the pocketbooks and wallets are open.
David Kalas
In the United States just now, we're in the period between the election and the inauguration of the president. In our system, by the time they are inaugurated, our leaders are fairly familiar faces. Months of primaries and campaigning, debates and speeches, and conventions and commercials, all contribute to a fairly high degree of familiarity. We may wonder what kind of president someone will be, but we have certainly heard many promises, and we have had plenty of opportunities to get to know the candidate.
(A)
During my growing up years we had no family automobile. My father walked to work and home again. During World War II his routine at the local milk plant was somewhat irregular. As children we tried to guess when he would come. If we were wrong, we didn't worry. He always came.
Wayne Brouwer
Schuyler Rhodes
What difference does my life make for others around me? That question is addressed in three related ways in our texts for today. Isaiah raised the emblem of the Servant of Yahweh as representative for what life is supposed to be, even in the middle of a chaotic and cruel world. Paul mirrors that reflection as he announces the fulfillment of Isaiah's vision in the coming of Jesus and the expansion of its redemptive effects beyond the Jewish community to the Gentile world as well.

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