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Proper 18 -- Ezekiel 33:1-11, Luke 14:25-33 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
The Day of Pentecost -- Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Proper 19 -- Hosea 4:1-3; 5:15-6:6, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
An Overview of the Sundays After Pentecost -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- 1988
This is the non-festival half of the Christian Year.
Proper 20 -- Hosea 11:1-11, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Proper 4 -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Galatians 1:1-10, Luke 7:1-10 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Christmas 1 -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Corpus Christi -- Genesis 14:18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Luke 9:11-17 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Proper 21 -- Joel 2:23-30, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Proper 5 -- 1 Kings 17:17-24, Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Proper 22 -- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Proper 6 -- 1 Kings 19:1-8, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Proper 23 -- Micah 1:2; 2:1-10, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Proper 24 -- Habakkuk 1:1-3; 2:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 1988
Comments an the Lessons
Proper 25 -- Zephaniah 3:1-9, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Proper 26 -- Haggai 2:1-9, Luke 19:1-10 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Reformation Sunday -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Advent 1 -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
All Saints' Sunday -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-36 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- All Saints Day - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Epiphany 3 -- Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 8-10, Luke 4:14-21 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Proper 27 -- Zechariah 7:1-10, Luke 20:27-38 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Epiphany 4 -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Proper 28 -- Malachi 4:1-6, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Epiphany 5 -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons
Christmas 2 -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18, John 1:1-18 -- Perry H. Biddle, Jr. -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 1988
Comments on the Lessons

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Terminally Distracted Or Decisively Prepared? -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Joseph M. Freeman -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1998
Case one: One can be diligent about meeting tasks in an orderly, thoughtful manner and yet be unthou
The Treasure Of His Kingdom -- Matthew 13:44 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
Some time ago we had a man speak at one of our suppers who is a shareholder in Mel Fisher's enterpri
The Eternal Divorce -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1998
What's your first image when you hear these parables describing the kingdom of God in Matthew 13?
The Lord Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed! He Really Is! -- John 20:1-18 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
The Lord is risen!He is risen indeed!The Lord is risen!
Preferring The Lie To The Truth -- John 16:12-15 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...
The Issue Of Allegiance -- Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25 -- William A. Jones -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1998
Joshua is very near journey's end. For 110 years he has been a guest of existence.
The Holy Vessel Is Empty -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1998
It was the early 1400s and France was without a king.
God Provides -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Anthology -- 1998
for a person the minister did not knowJoe BaroneCALL TO WORSHIP
Looking To The Heart -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
Once upon a time in a far-off land there lived a wise but old king.
Entrustment Is Fruitful Where Gratitude Abounds -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Joseph M. Freeman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1998
My family and I enjoy watching professional as well as Final Four collegiate basketball.
The Test Of His Courage -- Matthew 20:17-19 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
A man and his wife had their vacation interrupted by a terrible toothache.
Playing It Cool? Not Jesus! -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 1998
"Good grief, Jesus, do you know what you're saying and doing?
The Last Beatitude -- John 20:19-31 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
What the disciples of Jesus reported to their fellow disciple Thomas they had seen seemed unbelievab
Antidotes For "Perfectionism" -- Mark 6:7-13 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... shake off the dust that is on your feet...
The Saga Of Sisera -- Judges 4:1-7 -- William A. Jones -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1998
He was vile. He was vicious. His deeds were callous and nefarious. He was a ruthless man.
How To Profit From Prophets -- Luke 1:76 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 1998
Many would claim the profit motive to be one of the stronger motives of our humanity.
The Predictables Of Life In The Midst Of Death -- Anthology -- 1998
for a nominal church memberJames W. Robinson
God's Wonderful Plans -- Anthology -- 1998
for a young war veteran who died in a motorcycle accident near his home
Moving From Death To Life -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
He was chained, held bound in a life of torment and blasphemy.
Commitment One Way Or The Other -- John 8:31-36 -- Joseph M. Freeman -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 1998
In this passage of John, claimed centuries later as a key passage for students of the Reformation, w
The Tragedy Of His Victory -- Matthew 21:1-11 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1998
Some of you experienced the victory of World War II.
Who Me? You've Got To Be Kidding! -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 1998
Unlike many businesses today engaged in the process of "downsizing," it was time for Jesus to "upsiz
People Die! -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
"People die.
Jesus Christ Or Arnold Palmer -- John 17:11-19 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 1998
... that they also may be sanctified in truth...
Don't Forget To Remember -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18 -- William A. Jones -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 1998
Don't forget to remember. I employ this line for purposes of emphasis. It is an emphatic utterance.

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The Church as community -- Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The picture of the earliest Church painted here refers almost exclusively to its li
Godly civil disobedience -- Exodus 1:6-14, 22-2:10, Psalm 124, Matthew 11:25-30 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The story of the Pharaoh’s ineffective plot to decimate the burgeoning Hebrew popul
Other gods -- Exodus 20:1-20, Psalm 19, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The commandments of the so-called "First Table," i.e., those dealing directly with
Easter as God's "Yes" -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118, Matthew 28:1-10 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Easter Day - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The heart of the kerygmatic recapitulation contained in Peter's speech to Gentiles
The requirements of God -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 37, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Prophesying at the end of the eighth century B.C.
God's safe-keeping Spirit -- Exodus 14:19-31, Psalm 106, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:22-33 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Although Paul made the crossing of the Red Sea a type for Christian baptism (1 Cori
Our futile present vs. God's future presence -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Psalm 24, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: In its original setting, this famous prophecy was directed at a reluctant recipient
John Wesley's Covenant Service -- Vincent Wayne Leaver -- 1989
Background
God's nurturing salvation -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Psalm 147, Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18, John 1:1-18 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: This portion of a homecoming hymn, part of the so-called "Book of Consolation," loo
Selfless intercession -- Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Modern readers will have difficulty with a view of God that allows for the divine w
Public holiness -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 5:38-48 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The first two verses of this chapter set the theme: holiness.
John Wesley's Love Feast -- Vincent Wayne Leaver -- 1989
Background
God's "X-ray" vision -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23, John 9:1-41 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The key contrast in this wonderful story of Samuel's anointing of David as God's ha
Ulrich Zwingli's Zurich -- Vincent Wayne Leaver -- 1989
Background
Called from the womb for the world -- Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-34 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: In this second Servant Song of Isaiah II, the Servant makes a public announcement o
God's unbearable majesty -- Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:28-32 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Face imagery permeates this selection.
Ritual versus righteousness -- Isaiah 58:3-9a, Psalm 112, Matthew 5:13-16 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: Trito-Isaiah, writing in the context of the early days of the return of the exiles
Moravian-Style Worship -- Vincent Wayne Leaver -- 1989
Background
God's eternal plan: a Gospel for the world -- Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: The axis around which this (probably pseudoPau line) passage turns is the idea of G
The suffering substitute -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Good Friday - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: This Fourth Servant Song is not without its difficulties, not the least of which is
A Celebration of John Wesley's Aldersgate Experience -- Vincent Wayne Leaver -- 1989
Background
Divine commission and human ordination -- Numbers 27:12-23, Psalm 81, Philippians 3:12-21, Matthew 21:33-43 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: In anticipation of his death, Moses asks God to select a successor for him, lest th
Two Services Honoring a Father of the Church: John Calvin and Martin Luther -- Vincent Wayne Leaver -- 1989
Background to John Calvin's Liturgical Emphasis
God's outlandish promises -- Genesis 12:1-4a (4b-8), Psalm 33, John 3:1-17 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: This passage, which begins the Abraham narratives of Genesis, shows the great patri
The life-breathing God -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 116, Romans 8:6-11, Psalm 116 -- Paul A. Laughlin -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1989
Exegetical note: This passage from the early exilic period records the well-known (through song) "dr

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
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

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John Jamison
Object: This message is a role play. You can do this with only two children playing the parts of the two women, but if you have more children, you could have two more playing the parts of the children, another playing the part of the synagogue leader, and another playing the part of the country’s leader. You can also add any other roles you might want to add to make it interesting. Also, I have created places for your characters to speak, but you can add more of those to make it all more fun and memorable.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For August 24, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
C. Knight Aldrich, a medical doctor and the first chairperson of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Chicago (1955-1964), was a keen analyst of the motivations for our behaviors. He worked with the social services agencies of Chicago for a time, particularly spending hours with teenagers who had been arrested for shoplifting or other theft. Aldrich interviewed them to find out how they had come to this. He also talked with the parents, attempting to discover how they had handled the problem from the first time they knew about it.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 77:1-6

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“We have questions about your conduct as our pastor,” Carl announced as soon as Pastor John sat down at the hastily called board meeting. “We have received complaints about you from the congregation.”

“Complaints?” Pastor John frowned. “From whom and about what?”

“Mrs. Finnigan saw you coming out of what she politely described as ‘A Gentleman’s Club’ last Thursday night when she was driving downtown.” Bruce scowled. “Do you deny this?”

“Not at all,” Pastor John said. “I did have to go to that place on Thursday evening.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus was aware of people's deepest needs and what prompted their actions. In our worship today let us consider how we can discover people's deepest needs and the motives for their actions.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we see only the surface and condemn without real understanding.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we are afraid to get sufficiently close to other people to see their inner needs.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Epiphany 4/Ordinary Time 4, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)

The old saying, "experience is the best teacher," could serve as a subtitle for this psalm. Written as a prayer for help in a time of distress or oppression, the psalm subtly hints at a recognition and awareness that only comes with time. There is a track record, so to speak, that the psalmist is aware of: God's record of dependability. Based on God's proven record of saving power and grace, the psalmist is able to pray for salvation, but at the same time celebrate the certainty of its arrival.
Lee Ann Dunlap
Carrie's1 high school guidance counselor noticed she had been acting out a bit in school recently. She had appeared depressed and had been having some authority issues over rules and such. The guidance counselor set Carrie up with a local pastor who had been volunteering a few hours each Friday after a teen suicide a few months before. Most of the other students who came to see the pastor just needed someone to listen to their usual teen issues and heartaches. But, shortly into their time together, Carrie began to open up about some real grown-up problems.
Kirk R. Webster
It's a typical Sunday morning at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida. The people file in and sit down in plush pews. Their attention is drawn to the chancel where they see choir members calmly seated, robed in dark blue and white. The mahogany altar table is draped with a silk parament. Two bronze candleholders stand guard at the table edges.
R. Robert Cueni
As was his custom, Jesus went that Sabbath morning to the synagogue for worship. As he was preaching and teaching, he happened to glance toward the fringe of the crowd where he saw a very crippled woman. She was bent over and was unable to stand up straight. When he inquired, Jesus was told the woman had been that way for eighteen years.
John H. Will
Call to Worship
Indeed, this is a day of rest and gladness.
This is God's Sabbath, created for our reflection and renewal.
Let us then not profane it, but keep it holy.
We do this as we honor God and commit ourselves to the well--being of God's creation.
Each of us individually needs a personal rejuvenation of spirit.
Together we seek a strengthening of community, a community that continues to build itself in love.
So do we come as one people to worship God, our Maker and our Sustainer.

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