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Pain And Promise In The Heart Of God -- Hosea 2:14-20 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1996
One of the amazing claims of the Judaeo-Christian heritage is that God takes on the attributes of hu
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
Pain and Promise in the Heart of God -- Hosea 2:14-20 -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1996
One of the amazing claims of the Judaeo-Christian heritage is that God takes on the attributes of hu
You Are My Witness -- Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:44-53 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1996
The inauguration of Nelson Mandela as president of the Republic of South Africa goes down in the ann
When The Odds Are Against Us -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
I recently had the privilege of introducing Maya Angelou who addressed a luncheon honoring Cecil Wil
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1996
Many scholars view this narrative as one occasioned by the fear of an uncertain future followed by a
No Box Seats In The Kingdom -- Mark 10:35-45 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1996
Historically speaking, the church has usually painted a pretty picture of the twelve original disci
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1996
Many scholars view this narrative as one occasioned by the fear of an uncertain future followed by a
Beware Of Your Piety -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1996
Whatever happened to Lent?
When It's Hard To Give Thanks -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1996
Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937) was the first black artist to acquire an international reputation in
All Dressed Up And Somewhere to Go! -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1996
In Tennessee Williams' play Sweet Bird of Youth, the heckler says to Miss Lucy, "I believe that the
Can You See Where We're Going? -- Mark 10:46-52 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1996
A cigar-chomping realtor was driving around a young couple to search for their first dream house.
Easter Jogging -- John 20:1-18 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Easter Day - B -- 1996
He is Risen. "He is Risen, indeed," we respond. We sound the trumpet.
Ready Or Not -- He Comes -- Mark 13:33-37 -- John A. Stroman -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
There is a passage in the old Jewish book of Zohar, that goes like this: "Whenever the Jews on earth
A Little Book Of Comfort -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1996
The lectionary text for today is part of a larger unit that has sometimes been called "The Little Bo
What To Say When You Roll Out Of Bed -- Mark 12:28-34 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1996
A few years ago, a radio station ran a contest.
Easter Power -- John 20:19-31 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
Storms that knock out electrical systems make us mindful of how dependent we are upon power.
Have You Heard The Good News? -- Mark 1:1-8 -- John A. Stroman -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
Have you heard the good news?
Light In The Land Of Shadows -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1996
On a trip to Munich, Germany, Samuel Miller had a chance to watch Karl Vallentin, the last of the gr
Commitment Beyond Calculation -- Mark 12:38-44 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
Here she is again: the widow who goes up to the temple treasury to put in her two cents.
Easter Understanding -- Luke 24:35-48 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
Edward Schillebeeckx, an outstanding Roman Catholic New Testament Scholar, some twenty years ago pub
He Abides In Us -- John 15:1-8 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
John Updike once more revealed his remarkably brilliant powers of description in the novel Brazil.
A Voice Crying In The Wilderness -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- John A. Stroman -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
The people wondered who John the Baptist was.
Day of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Arthur H. Kolsti -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1996
Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lor
Something To Do While The World Falls Apart -- Mark 13:1-8 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
A number of years ago, leaders in a church decided to track down the congregation's drop-outs.

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Jesus Calms the Storm -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus Predicted His Death -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
We Offer Ourselves In The Spirit Of The Living Christ
Passion Sunday -- Numbers 15:1-10 -- Betty Lynn Schwab
Minister: When the hour had come, Jesus sat at table, and the apostles with him.
A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
AdorationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus Clears the Temple -- John 2:13-22 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
We Offer Ourselves In The Spirit Of The Living Christ
He Spoke From the Cross -- Ralph E. Dessem
The Minister: As he gazed from the cross he said, "Forgive them, Father!
Jesus, a Prophet Without Honor Among His Own Friends -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
AdorationPastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus -- John 3:14-21 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
We Offer Ourselves In The Spirit Of The Living ChristPastoral Invitation
ADDITIONAL IDEAS FOR LENT -- Ralph E. Dessem
MY SINS NAILED TO THE CROSS
No Need to Worry -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Thanksgiving Day - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
Jesus Predicts His Death -- John 12:20-33 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
We Offer Ourselves In The Spirit Of The Living ChristPastoral Invitation
Be Alert/Be Prepared -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday of Advent - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Invitation
AN 18-HOUR DEVOTIONAL VIGIL -- Ralph E. Dessem
(Many churches in recent years have observed a prayer vigil of 12 or 24 hours.
The Transfiguration of Jesus -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
We Begin On The MountainChoral Introit
Lent -- Wayne H. Keller
LentThe Season Of RenewalLiturgical Color: Purple
Preparing the Way -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Invitation
SCRIPTURE READINGS -- Ralph E. Dessem
THE SCRIPTURE READINGThe Penitential Psalm (No. 32)
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus about Birth and Second Birth -- John 3:1-17 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Maundy Thursday - B
Consider a silent communion with the worshipers focused on the Cross and communion table still cover
Witnessing and Previewing -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Invitation
MAUNDY THURSDAY HOME COMMUNION SERVICE -- Ralph E. Dessem
INTRODUCTION:(Read by host or hostess to participants)
The Triumphal Entry -- Mark 11:1-11; 14:1-15:47; or 15:1-39 (40-47) -- Wayne H. Keller -- Passion Sunday - B
We Offer Ourselves In The Spirit Of The Living ChristNote:
Announcing, to Mary, the birth of Jesus -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming MessiahChoral Invitation
Receiving the Holy Spirit, Who is the Present Tense of Christ in the World -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Day of Pentecost - B
Consider this:
The Season Of Expectancy -- Wayne H. Keller
AdventLiturgical Color: Purple/Blue

Worship Service

Youth Resources

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

CSSPlus

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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