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Concerning Suffering -- John 16.33 -- Lowell Messerschmidt -- 1992
One of the greatest problems that the human race faces is that of suffering.
Moving Words -- Matthew 10:24-33 -- Larry M. Goodpaster -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 1992
On the surface, this reading from Matthew's gospel is a strange sounding, and somewhat puzzling pass
Love Without Deman -- Ruth 1:1-19a -- Robert F. Sims -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1992
These beautiful words, with the possible exception of 1 Corinthians 13, have been quoted at more wed
Watch Your Language -- John 1:1-18 -- John B. Jamison -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 1992
Everyone liked Linda. There was no reason not to like her.
Echoes Prom Eden -- Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17, 25; 3:7 -- Theodore F. Schneider -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1992
I. "There's Something Wrong Here!"
Concerning Love -- John 15:12 -- Lowell Messerschmidt -- 1992
The Christian faith is often described as a religion of love. Children are told that God is love.
How's That Again, Jesus? -- Matthew 10:34-42 -- Larry M. Goodpaster -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1992
A misguided bird gets loose in the sanctuary and every eye in the congregation drifts toward the cei
Under The Wings Of The Almighty -- Ruth 2:1-13 -- Robert F. Sims -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1992
The people of God are strong people.
Just The Facts -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- John B. Jamison -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1992
There is a beautiful old tradition about the star in the East.
The Saving Link -- Genesis 12:1-4a (4b-8) -- Theodore F. Schneider -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1992
If we think much about it, the link between salvation and damnation has often seemed precarious.
Concerning Life After Death -- John 11:40 -- Lowell Messerschmidt -- 1992
The issue of life after death has faced mankind from its beginning.
Give Me A Break! -- Matthew 11:25-30 -- Larry M. Goodpaster -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 1992
Jesus was having one of those days!
Chosen By God -- Ruth 4:7-17 -- Robert F. Sims -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 1992
All of us love to be chosen. It is a wonderful thing to be chosen.
Watching The Eyes -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- John B. Jamison -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1992
The way it happened in my mind is that he walked into this little restaurant in downtown Jericho, to
A Remarkable Grace -- Exodus 17:3-7 -- Theodore F. Schneider -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1992
I. An Unexpected Wilderness
Concerning The First Coming Of Christ -- Luke 19:10, Matthew 1:21, Luke 2:11 -- Lowell Messerschmidt -- 1992
During political campaigns candidates are interviewed by the media.
Life Isn't Fair -- Amos 5:18-24 -- Robert F. Sims -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1992
The story is told of the old Irishman who was critically ill. The family called the priest.
An Our Good works And Generosity -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1992
To whom was Jesus referring with these words?
The Making Of A King -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Theodore F. Schneider -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1992
It was difficult to believe.
Concerning The Second Coming Of Christ -- Acts 1:6-7 -- Lowell Messerschmidt -- 1992
From time to time one reads in the newspapers of some person who has announced that on a certain day
When God Has Enough -- Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 -- Robert F. Sims -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1992
There was no doubt in Zephaniah's mind that God had had enough.
God Works Through Opposites -- Matthew 21:1-11 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1992
God simply does not seem to do the sort of things we would expect our God to do.
A Chance To Live Again -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Theodore F. Schneider -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1992
I. An Ichabod World!
How Do You Vote? -- John 7:43 -- Lowell Messerschmidt -- 1992
Every four years we select a president.
Here Comes The King -- Luke 19:28-40 -- George M. Bass -- 1992
A flashback - that's what this story is when it is read on the First Sunday in Advent.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
24 – Sermons
100+ – 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

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
Merry Christmas! The midwinter festival has come, and it calls for parties, feasting and drinking and dancing and the exchange of gifts. Like all people in the northern hemisphere, we need light in the dark days of winter. The only problem with all of this is that the pressure to be joyful can send us spiraling in the exact opposite of mind sets.
Christmas shops are not just for Christmas anymore. These stores that specialize in everything yuletide-ish do business year round and can be found everywhere. I have seen them in an outlet mall near Washington, D.C., nestled in a small village in the mountains of North Carolina and adorning the white sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is born! A bright light has come into our world, so let us thank and praise God for his gift to us of Jesus, the Messiah.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, make us worthy to worship at your crib.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, may we remember you in today's excitement.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, be born in our hearts today.

Lord, have mercy

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
A Story to Live By: "
Christmas Stories: "Christmas Presence" by Janice Hammerquist
"Silver In His Soul"
"www.ChristmasHouse" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: Great Prayer of Thanksgiving for Christmas Eve by Thom M. Shuman


What's Up on Christmas Eve

Lamar Massingill
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"Taking His Joy unto Ourselves" by Lamar Massingill
"God Acted that We Might Act" by Lamar Massingill
"The Hopes and Fears of All the Years" by John Sumwalt
"God with Us" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


Taking His Joy unto Ourselves
Lamar Massingill
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Christmas would be incomplete without recognizing Incarnate Love's first fruit, which is joy. Johann Sebastian Bach recognized it when he, as an act of worship, composed "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."

SermonStudio

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7 (C, RC); Isaiah 9:2--4, 6--7 (E)
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night: This night with its carols, its candlelight, its communion, and the combined fragrance of pine, poinsettia and perfume. (Is that Passion or Poison you're wearing? Or maybe it's Polo!) The gentle poetry of Luke's story draws us, too.

Why is it that we are so drawn to this night, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
It's not an easy life, I'll tell you that. I work my small farm during the day, but that doesn't bring in enough money. I have a family to support, taxes to pay -- oy, don't get me started on taxes -- so I need more than my farm brings in. I do the only other thing I know how to do. I hire myself out for the night shift watching other people's sheep. Tending sheep would not be my first choice, you understand. First, I have to stay awake all night. Then, there's counting the sheep to make sure one or two haven't wandered off. Thieves are always a problem.
Timothy J. Smith
There is a special feeling from being in church on Christmas Eve. For many of us it feels like coming home for Christmas. We come to hear the familiar story of Mary and Joseph making their way to the little town of Bethlehem. We hear once again of Baby Jesus born in stable. Soon after an unexpected encounter with angels, the shepherds head to the manger to see Jesus for themselves. Children have creatively acted out this story for generations complete with the wise men offering their gifts. Living Nativities complete with live animals are portrayed in church parking lots in many communities.
Frank Luchsinger
"The grace of God has appeared ... training us ... to await our blessed hope" (Titus 2:11-13), and oh, how we have waited! The air is filled with anticipation, the Holy Night has come. We each wait for different things: the lighting of candles, the singing of carols, loved ones returning home, feasting, and forgetting ferment, for the Prince of Peace is coming. We wait for delight in the eyes of someone we love as he or she opens that special gift. We wait in awe in the hope that one star's strong light lingers still and will lead us home to him who redeems us.
John B. Jamison
He stood on the steps and waved. He nodded to those cheering to him from below, and took a deep breath as if to soak up their praise.
Susan R. Andrews
At the risk of putting you to sleep, I'd like to ask each one of you to close your eyes. Right now, for just a minute. Please close your eyes. And now imagine with me. Imagine that you are holding a newborn baby. Imagine how this baby feels - skin touching skin, curves touching curves - harmonious heartbeats as life surges between you. Imagine the smell - the earthy sweetness of breath and body perfuming the air. Imagine the sound - the silent melody of sighing, stretching, settling. Right now, for just a minute, let your imagination go. Feel the baby. Smell the baby. Hear the baby.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering
P: Born into this world,
C: born into our lives,
P: God made flesh.
C: O Emmanuel, we praise you now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Of Praise
O Come, All Ye Faithful or Jesus, What A Wonderful Child

Gospel Procession
Have the children (dressed as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds) process and then read the gospel from the center of the congregation.

Intercessory Prayers
After each petition:
L: O God of love,
C: be born in us today.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Sing A New Song To The Lord (PH216)
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (UM220, PH22, NCH126)
Born In The Night (PH30, NCH152)
Once In Royal David's City (PH49, UM250, NCH145)
The First Nowell (PH56, UM245, CBH199, NCH139)
On This Day Earth Shall Ring (UM248, PH46, CBH192)
What Child Is This? (UM219, PH53, CBH215, NCH148)
Silent Night (PH60, UM229, CBH193, PH134)
The Friendly Beasts (UM227, NCH138)
That Boy--Child Of Mary (PH55, UM241)
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light -

All: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shone.

Women: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

Men: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders -

CSSPlus

Merry Christmas, boys and girls. (Show one of your signs). Do any of you know what this sign means? (Let them answer.) That's right, it means (provide answer). (Show another sign and ask what it means. Let them answer.) Very good. Signs are very important aren't they? They give us direction. They tell us what to do and what not to do. The Bible gives many signs also.

You all know the story about the shepherds on Christmas Eve. The shepherds were in the field watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared to them. The Bible says that the shepherds
Leah Thompson
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all… (v. 11)

Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) Who can tell me what today is? (allow answers) That's right -- it's finally here! Today is Christmas [Eve]! We have spent the whole season of Advent preparing for right now. The long preparation is finally over. Christmas is here!

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