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The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
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The Mathematics of Marriage -- William Mckee Aber -- 1997
(Written for the wedding of two college students.
Let It Shine! -- John 1:1-14 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
The Gospel of John makes one of the most powerful observations in all scripture: "In the beginning
Gluttony: Living By Bread And The Word Of God -- 1 Timothy 4:4-10 -- R. Curtis Fussell -- 1997
Every day at about 10:30 in the morning and then about 3:30 in the afternoon, I need a little snack
Love In Action -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
One of the enduring images of both the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures is that of the goo
Leeches Or Lovers -- Leslie F. Brandt -- 1997
We can make grandiose statements about our willingness to forgive or to tolerate the atrocities of o
The Need to Believe that Life Is Meaningful and Has Purpose -- Luke 18:18-30 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
Paradoxes Of The Christian Faith -- Matthew 10:34-39 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
There is something strange and paradoxical about the faith of Christians, and many people struggle t
Love And Friendship -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
A boy was asked about his family, when he enrolled for church school.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue -- Kenneth H. Sauer -- 1997
(A general wedding homily built around the traditions)
The Need for a Sense of Community and Deeper Relationships -- John 15:13-17 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
Take Off The Grave Clothes! -- John 11:38-44 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
Today our lesson paints a poignant picture of one of the most famous of Jesus' acts: raising Lazarus
The Victory Of Faith -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Planes drop out of the sky, killing all passengers.
Marriage As Crisis -- Leslie F. Brandt -- 1997
The time of marriage is a time of crisis.
The Need to Be Appreciated and Respected -- Mark 1:10-11 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
The African Foundations Of Christianity -- Exodus 4:1-7 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
In surveying the vast and rich history of African--American people, we must go beyond the shores of
Life In His Name -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
In 1922, a marvelous treasure was unearthed in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.
Friday -- The Good One -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
A youngster in Sunday School asked the pastor, "If Jesus died on Friday, why do we call it good?"
We Belong To Each Other -- Kenneth H. Sauer -- 1997
This is a great day for John and Susan, for their families, for friends.
The Need to Be Listened to and Heard -- Luke 8:8b -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
African--American Spirituality: The African's Gift To America -- Exodus 3:1-10 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
As we commence celebrations of Black History this month, I want to say what a wonderful thing that w
Adoption Into God's Family -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Any parent who has adopted a child knows the joy of bringing a new member into the family.
Let God Be The Go-Between -- Paul L. Winemiller Jr. -- 1997
Text: Mark 10:7-9: For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined t
The Need to Feel that One Is Growing in Faith -- John 8:31-36 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
Joy Songs, Trumpet Blasts, And Hallelujah Shouts! -- Joshua 6:1-21 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
The Israelites have come to the end of a long, long journey.
The Gospel Of Our Calling -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
A friend related to me how, when he was a youngster, he spent a lot of time on the other side of the

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EASTER DAY -- John 20:1-18, Colossians 3:1-4, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:14-24 -- Norman A. Beck -- Easter Day - A -- 1986
More than on any other day during the Church Year, our Easter Day message must be subjective and it
Always under God's care -- Exodus 2:11-22 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
EPIPHANY 2 -- Psalm 40:1-1, Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-34 -- Norman A. Beck -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1986
There is an interesting tension in these four texts between whether the salvation that God provides
PROPER 27 -- Psalm 50:7-15, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1986
Since the Lutheran Lectionary texts for Pentecost 24, with the single substitution of Amos 5:18-24 f
EPIPHANY 4 -- Psalm 37:1-11, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Norman A. Beck -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1986
With selections from Psalms 1, 37, and 146 as the leadoff texts and the Beatitudes of Matthew 5 as t
God is with his people -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7 -- Heth H. Corl -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
The resurrection of the dead -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
Proper 3 | Ordinary Time 8 -- Matthew 6:24-34, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Isaiah 49:8-16a -- Norman A. Beck -- 1986
For this occasion, we have one text (Isaiah 49:13-18) that is primarily assurance or "gospel," one t
God's revelation, a call to service -- Exodus 3:1-12, Romans 8:18-25 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
EPIPHANY 5 -- Psalm 112:4-9, Isaiah 58:3-9a, Matthew 5:13-16 -- Norman A. Beck -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1986
Within three of the four texts appointed for next Sunday, the central, unifying theme is "the righte
PROPER 4 -- Psalm 33:12-22, Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 3:21-28, Matthew 7:21-29 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 1986
Perhaps the best unifying theme in these six texts is the gracious goodness of God.
EPIPHANY 6 -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, Matthew 5:17-26 -- Norman A. Beck -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1986
Within the texts selected for next Sunday, Psalm 119 and Deuteronomy 30:15-20 depict the significant
Eternal reward of the faithful -- Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3 -- Heth H. Corl -- All Saints Day - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:Blessed are those who are faithful to Christ in this life!
God's wrath on man's sin -- Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipLeader:
PROPER 5 -- Psalm 13, Genesis 22:1-8, Matthew 9:9-13 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 1986
All six of the texts selected for this occasion place emphasis on the importance of close personal r
God, the Deliverer -- Exodus 3:13-20, Romans 8:26-30 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
EPIPHANY -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-14, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Norman A. Beck -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1986
We have a responsibility in our ministry to observe and to preserve the festival of the Epiphany in
PROPER 6 -- Psalm 46, Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 5:6-11, Matthew 9:35-10:8 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 1986
The texts selected for this occasion include the basic elements of worship of God and of the life an
GOOD FRIDAY -- Psalm 22:1-18, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- Norman A. Beck -- Good Friday - A -- 1986
It is not likely that the followers of Jesus had much direct information about what the Roman milita
The ascension of Jesus -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Heth H. Corl -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
God is a shepherd to his people -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 -- Heth H. Corl -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
PROPER 7 -- Psalm 91:1-10, Genesis 28:10-17, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 10:24-33 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 1986
Through the words of these texts God calls us to be inspired individuals in the time and place where
Celebrate God's redemptive acts in history -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 8:31-39 -- Heth H. Corl -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1986
Call to WorshipPastor:
Holy Name of Jesus -- Psalm 67, Numbers 6:22-27, Philippians 2:9-13, Luke 2:15-21 -- Norman A. Beck -- 1986
For some people there is great joy in the selection of the name for their child.
PROPER 8 -- Psalm 17:1-7, 15, Genesis 32:22-32, Matthew 10:34-42 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1986
We are called in these texts to lives of commitment to God and to service as People of God, serving

Worship Service

Youth Resources

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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