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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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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!
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.
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
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 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
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 -
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
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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Symbols Of Hope And Reality -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- John A. Stroman -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1999
We are about to embark on Holy Week.
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 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).
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
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
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
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Templates And Story-Sermons -- J. Will Ormond, Lucy A. Rose -- 1999
The buttonholer on my sewing machine uses templates.
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

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John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
1. The offering plate is a story.
Service -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Robert A. Allen -- 1991
All: The kingdom of heaven is like,Dark Solo: like a landowner
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
48. We express our thanks for this cup Father.
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,
Ash Wednesday -- Psalm 51:1-12 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 1991
Have mercy on me, O God,according to your steadfast love;
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
34.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
35.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
130. We gather here every week. Not because of habit, but because of need.
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,
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.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
36. God of creation, we come to you for living bread.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
35.
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.
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,
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
1.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
36. God of creation, we come to you for living bread.
Proper 28 -- Psalm 82 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1991
God has taken his place in the divine council;
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!
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.
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!
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.
John Enochs, Jr. -- 1991
41. None of us can be alone, what God has created us to be.
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.
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;

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:
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.

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