Login / Signup

SermonStudio

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 6, Pentecost 4, Ordinary Time 11 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: GreenGospel: Luke 7:36--8:3
Proper 7, Pentecost 5, Ordinary Time 12 -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: GreenGospel: Luke 8:26-39
Proper 8, Pentecost 6, Ordinary Time 13 -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: GreenGospel: Luke 9:51-62
Proper 9, Pentecost 7, Ordinary Time 14 -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: GreenGospel: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Thanksgiving Eve/Day -- Thessalonians 5:12-22, Psalm 95 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: White/RedEpistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
The Transfiguration Of The Lord -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Wayne H. Keller -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: WhiteGospel: Luke 9:28-36 (37-43)
Trinity Sunday -- John 16:12-15 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: WhiteGospel: John 16:12-15
Christmas Eve/Day -- Luke 2:1-10, John 1:1-14 -- Wayne H. Keller -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: WhiteGospel: Luke 2:1-10 or John 1:1-14
Christmas 1 -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: WhiteGospel: Luke 2:41-52
Christmas 2 -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: WhiteGospel: Matthew 25:31-46

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

Creative Management Of The Earth -- Genesis 2:4-9, 15 -- 2004
God created the earth and the earth was like a beautiful garden full of all of the good things neede
On Sharing Leadership -- Judges 4:1-10 -- 2004
Some of the most far--reaching and conspicuous changes that have occurred in our culture in recent y
Weep For The Children -- Matthew 2:13-18 -- 2004
Our scripture lesson tells a horror story, innocent children being massacred because of the paranoia
What Will You Do With Your Freedom? -- 1 Corinthians 8 -- 2004
Once upon a time, there was a happy, moderate church with a friendly, moderate pastor that lived a h
Feeding God's Sheep -- John 21:15-17 -- 2004
"If you love me, feed my sheep." These words that Jesus spoke to Peter, and to us, make it clear tha
Thinking About Suicide -- Psalm 130 -- 2004
One day several years ago, a pastor was called by a church member and asked to visit one of his neig
The Radicalizing Of Charlie -- Amos 5:14-15 -- 2004
(A sermon in the form of a chancel drama.)
A Question Of Right And Wrong -- Deuteronomy 5:1-22 -- 2004
Is there any such thing as right and wrong? Is there any such thing as truth?
Homosexuality, Facing The Issue -- Romans 1:16-32 -- 2004
The Christian faith should form every aspect of the life of a Christian.
Return From A Far Country -- Luke 15:11-24 -- 2004
Every year, the young people in the confirmation classes are told that the most important choice the

Children's sermon

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Joy, Grace, And Living Together -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2001
Chirpy was a parakeet.
In Celebration Of The One-Talent Person -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2001
Some parables of Jesus are really upsetting. This is one of those.
Safer Roads And Real Life -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2001
Maybe the priest and the Levite were the smartest after all.
The Never Lost Ninety-Nine -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2001
The homemade sign hanging on a large construction crane outside Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Io
Love That Just Won't Quit -- Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
This parable strikes a sound like fingernails on a blackboard right in the core of my being.
Dog-Licked Sores And Linen Underwear -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2001
I wonder if there has ever been a study of how the kind of underwear we wear affects our behavior.
Going Home Justified -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2001
In the beautiful, romantic, walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany, there is a strange m
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme We head toward the passion and cross of Christ.
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme We head toward the passion and cross of Christ.
Third Sunday In Lent -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Seasonal Theme We head toward the passion and cross of Christ.

Stories

SermonStudio

Eden -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11, 16-20 -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1993
The small country of Gardenia had been a democracy for more
Believing Is Seeing -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Paul Lintern -- 1993
"Oh great!" Al was not excited about being at this workshop on team-
And The Wind Came Up -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1993
It was going to be a beautiful summer evening. The sun
Touching Cloaks -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Betty Lynn Schwab -- 1993
Beth found herself humming. It was always like this for her as
Hometown Prophets Don't Get No Respect -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Steven E. Burt -- 1993
Caroline grew up in Phillipsville and spent all her life there
Calling For You And For Me -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Susan K. Hedahl -- 1993
Karenza smiled as she hung up the phone. The principal's
Death Row -- John 3:1-17 -- Henry Scholberg -- 1993
"I'm afraid to die," Tony said.
Here Comes The Bride -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1993
David adjusted his cuff links and straightened his tie. He
This Doesn't Make Sense -- Luke 2:1-14 -- Paul Lintern -- 1993
John heard it. Tim did, too. So did Grace and Sarah. But none
A Fair Hearing -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
From the look on Delores' face as she strode up our walk, I knew that, once again, my sermon hadn't

Prayer

Devotional

Poems

Pastoral Resources

Children's program

Pageant

Adult study

Youth Resources

Monologues

Church Programs

Meditations

Candlelighting service

Biblical Studies

Humor

Faith Development

Bible Study

Children's Resources

Self Help

Liturgy

Illustration

Spirituality

Biblical Study

Inspirational

Christian Life

Easter

Lent/Easter

Church Growth

Sacrament

Healing

Death

Funeral

Memorial

Observance

Christian

African-American History

Thanksgiving Day

Marriage Ceremony

Wedding Vow

Home Blessing

Church Anniversary

Women's Day

Men's Day

Church Leaders

Mother's Day

Gathering Prayer

Unison Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer

Intercession

Fellowship

Christian Faith

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
30+ – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
26 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 4
27 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For April 19, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
When Jesus broke bread in a house in Emmaus, the eyes of his companions were opened, and they recognized him. Let us try to recognise Jesus in our worship today.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I'm unable to see you or to discern your presence.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I refuse to wait around long enough for you show yourself to me.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I find it easier to ignore you than to seek for you.
Lord, have mercy.

StoryShare

John S. Smylie
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Speak the Truth in Love" by John Smylie
"Recognizing the Christ" by Sandra Herrmann


What's Up This Week

SermonStudio

Lee Griess
It is perhaps one of the most compelling narratives in all of the scriptures. So fascinating is this scene, in fact, that the gospel writer Luke includes it in detail near the end of his gospel writing. It is a story known well and beloved in the church -- the story of two disciples walking down a dusty road to the village of Emmaus, the evening of that first Easter day.
Richard L. Sheffield
"People die. Don't ya know." That's what Cleopas and his friend said to Jesus on Easter afternoon on their way home. People die!

Don't believe it? Don't want to believe it? Read about it in The Lima News. And not just in the obits. This is my copy of The Lima News from Good Friday, the day we remember that Jesus died.

Page 1: Cult Died in Shifts

Page 2: A headline so gruesome, let's just say, "Wife kills husband."

Page 3: A list of the dead from page 1, by age, sex, and the state where they got their driver's license.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
Is the life you lead one for which you want to be remembered? That very challenging and thought-provoking question certainly came to the mind of the famous Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel one day. In the common everyday exercise of reading the morning paper, Nobel discovered the challenge of God and the need for conversion before his very eyes.
Mark Ellingsen
"What happens to you when you die, Dad?" "Of course, son, if you believe in God, you go up to heaven where you will be with God and the angels."
Harry N. Huxhold
A rather insightful novel about the problem of Christian missions to Africa is Barbara Kingsolver's story The Poisonwood Bible. Kingsolver weaves her story around Nathan Price, a fundamentalist, legalistic preacher who takes his wife and four daughters to serve in the heart of the Belgian Congo. While they are there, in l960 Patrice Lumumba emerges as the leader of his people when Belgium grants the Congolese their independence. Soon after, Mobuto comes to power. Nathan Price decides to remain and serve with his family even when the resources of his sponsors are cut off.
Bill Mosley
There's an old Uncle Remus story about Br'er Rabbit. Br'er Fox catches Br'er Rabbit and is fixin' to cook him for supper. Rabbit kinda giggles behind his hand. Fox grabs him by the ear, and says, "Why you laughin'?"

Rabbit says, "Jus' thinkin' 'bout my Laughin' Place." Fox says, "What Laughin' Place?" Rabbit says, "Oh, I cain't tell you about it. I got to show you!"
B. David Hostetter
CALL TO WORSHIP
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God may call.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering Litany
Begin instrumental music for the Hymn of Praise when the spoken litany begins. A solo flute would be excellent.
P: Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
C: we rejoice that you have been raised from the dead.
P: Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
C: we rejoice in the gift of your Holy Spirit.
P: Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
C: we rejoice in your promise of baptism.
P: Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
C: we rejoice that we are born anew eternally.

Hymn Of Praise

Emphasis Preaching Journal

William H. Shepherd
My friend was overwhelmed by his first church convention. "It's all so big," he wrote in his report. "There is so much going on. I wish I had a manual to instruct me on what to do, where to go, and how to vote."

Someone responded to his report with a letter to an editor. "How sad," said the letter, "that a leader of our church would not know that we Christians already have a manual on how to live the Christian life. It's called the Bible."
The best way to learn about modern culture is to have a teenager; you learn quickly what is valued highly. One of those things that a teenager can teach you is the extreme value of being cool. Now "cool" means different things in different contexts. In general, it means desirable. In talking about clothes, it means fashionable. For 14-year-old boys talking about girls, cool means attractive. But at its root, cool means ... the opposite of hot. It means the opposite of passion. It means looking like nothing will get you stirred up. Like nothing bothers you. Like nothing can affect you.

CSSPlus

Good morning! I have here a newspaper article about a kidnapping. It seems that ... (tell them about the story in the clipping). Now when somebody is kidnapped, the usual reason for kidnapping them is money. The kidnappers want somebody to pay them money to release the prisoner. Does anybody know what we call the money paid to get someone released from the kidnappers? (Let them answer.) It's called a "ransom." A ransom is paid in order to get someone released by the bad guys.
Good morning! Did you know that after Jesus was raised from the dead, he went around showing himself to some of his followers? Some of the disciples saw him and recognized him right away. One of the disciples, Thomas, recognized him but he didn't believe that it was really Jesus. He wanted proof before he would believe.
After the resurrection of Jesus -- but before it was known -- two of his followers were walking along a road. They were sad about the crucifixion and mourning that their friend was gone. Jesus joined them on the road, but they did not recognize him. He challenged their lack of belief in the resurrection. Didn't the prophecies say that the Messiah would be brought back from the dead? Why, then, didn't they believe them? Jesus tells them that they are slow to believe.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL