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Hostage Crisis -- 1 Kings 19:1-18, Luke 4:14-21 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
Sweat swarmed and beaded the palms of his hands as his heart thumped and pulse escalated.
The Name Of Names -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Mark -- warlikeShirley -- bright meadowJennifer -- fair lady
Marriage Likened To A Wedding Cake -- Richard E. Boye -- 1997
____________ and ____________, it might be said that a Christian marriage is like the beautiful and
Under New Management -- 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; 7:1-11 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
I'll call him Raj to protect his identity. Some of you may know him. I knew him very well.
The Righteousness Of God -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
"Hardships -- beatings -- imprisonment --sleepless nights -- hunger -- in dishonor -- in ill repute
Marriage Is Joy -- Kenneth H. Sauer -- 1997
(Homily for a seminarian who was being married in a service with Eucharist)
Can You Dig It? -- Genesis 26:1-31 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
Our scripture today finds Isaac, the son of Abraham, faced with the formidable task of holding his f
Witnesses -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
In a play about the crucifixion of Jesus, playwright John Masefield creates a conversation between P
One Husband's Counsel -- John M. Braaten -- 1997
____________ and ____________, what a marvelous day this is for us!
Between The Parentheses -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- William G. Carter -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1996
Whenever a preacher announces a sermon text from the book of Revelation, a lot of people grow nervou
We Can't Contain God In Our Cups! -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1996
One morning a little girl sat at a kitchen table to eat breakfast with her mother and father.
Turning a Minus into a Plus -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1996
One of the finest minds in our country belongs to a man named Charles Merrill.
Turning A Minus Into A Plus -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1996
One of the finest minds in our country belongs to a man named Charles Merrill.
Look How You Listen -- Mark 6:14-29 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1996
The whole of today's gospel seems to be about John the Baptist.
When All Is Said And Done -- Mark 13:24-32 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
The Jehovah's Witnesses have changed their minds.
It Came To Pass -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1996
One of my father's favorite stories was about a Bible study class that shared their favorite Bible v
A Bad Temperament Can Kill You -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1996
Imagine, if you will, two children walking down a hallway at school.
God Is Down To Earth -- John 1:1-18 -- John A. Stroman -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1996
William Barclay is convinced that John wrote the fourth gospel for the sake of this fourteenth
A Bad Temperament Can Kill You -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1996
Imagine, if you will, two children walking down a hallway at school.
Invitation To Community -- Mark 10:2-16 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1996
We have a problem today. Here we are, gathered at worship as the household of God.
From Singleness To Solidarity -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Zan W. Holmes, Jr. -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1996
The book of Ruth is one of the world's most beautiful stories of human solidarity in the face of tro
When Imagination Replaces Memory -- Isaiah 43:18-25 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1996
One of the fascinating aspects of being human is our ability to create time.
The Highest In The Lowest -- Luke 2:1-20 -- John A. Stroman -- 1996
During a cold winter's night in Bethlehem in the Judean hills, the pains of childbirth came upo
When Imagination Replaces Memory -- Isaiah 43:18-25 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1996
One of the fascinating aspects of being human is our ability to create time.
Love And Money -- Mark 10:17-31 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1996
A seminary professor named Stanley Hauerwas has a novel idea about how churches should receive new m

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The Calling of the First Disciples; the Call to Repent! -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Pastoral Invitation
TITLES TO SPARK A SERMON -- Ralph E. Dessem
BASED ON LENTEN GOSPELSDinner Pail Messiah?Matthew 4:1-11
A Matter of Power -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
The Peoples' Amazement at Jesus Teaching; Driving out an Evil Spirit. -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Pastoral Invitation
THE WORDS TO THE CROSS -- Ralph E. Dessem
1. The Words of the Crowd
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
Jesus Heals Many -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Pastoral Invitation
The Greatest Commandment -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
Jesus Heals the Leper, and Warns Him Not to Tell Anyone -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Pastoral Invitation
Lent 1 -- Exodus 1:8--2:25, Mark 14:12-21 -- Betty Lynn Schwab
Minister: When the hour had come, Jesus sat at table, and the
Lent 2 -- Isaiah 41:8-20, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Betty Lynn Schwab
Minister: When the hour had come, Jesus sat at table, and the
The Contrast Between Those Who Parade Their Faith, And Those Who Refuse To Call Attention to Themselves -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
Jesus Heals a Paralytic -- Mark 2:1-12 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Pastoral Invitation (Pastor and evangels)
Lent 3 -- Exodus 12:3-13 -- Betty Lynn Schwab
Minister: When the hour had come, Jesus sat at table, and the
Signs of the End of the Age and the Horror of That Day -- Mark 13:1-8, 14-23 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
Jesus Eating with "Sinners," and Jesus Questioned about Fasting. -- Mark 2:13-22 -- Wayne H. Keller
Alternative Idea
Lent 4 -- Exodus 12:14-20 -- Betty Lynn Schwab
Minister: When the hour had come, Jesus sat at table, and the
Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Epiphany -- Wayne H. Keller
EpiphanyThe Season Of The EvangelLiturgical Color: Green
Lent 5 -- Deuteronomy 8:6-10, John 16:16-33 -- Betty Lynn Schwab
Minister: When the hour had come, Jesus sat at table, and the
Jesus and Beelzebub -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and ministers)
The Last Hours of Jesus' Life -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Good Friday - B
To prepare for Good Friday, reread the material for Ash Wednesday.
Maundy Thursday -- Betty Lynn Schwab
(For insertion before or after the Order of Service)
Jesus Teaches With Parable -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
The Baptism, Temptation, Preaching of Jesus -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Suggestion

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 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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I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (v. 11)

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