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Worship

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Prayer 20 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Supreme Scientist Of The Universe:
Prayer 21 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Loving Communicator:
Prayer 22 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Father Of Us All:
Prayer 23 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Ever-Present, Helping God:
Prayer 24 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Merciful Judge And Loving Father:
Prayer 25 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Source Of All Good Things:
Prayer 26 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Compassionate Judge:
Prayer 27 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Grantor Of Responsibility:
Prayer 28 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Zealous Landlord:
Prayer 29 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Benign Protector:

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

Half-truths And Almost Bible -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2003
The first time that I noticed the book Salvation on Sand Mountain was when I was leaving the Andover
Changed And Charged -- 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2003
Fred Craddock tells the story of a young lady standing before a mirror and she doesn't like what she
Life As Prelude -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2003
John Claypool reminds us that the ancient art of map-making or cartography dates back over 4,500 yea
Praying For People -- 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2003
Ulysses S.
Left Behind? -- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
I want to talk about the confusing, messy, often heartbreaking process we call life.
Rowers And Rockers -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
One of the most difficult jobs in any church is the staff person, usually a secretary, who is assign
Too Peeved To Pray -- Galatians 1:1-12 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2003
Paul did not pray! I know that it is difficult to believe, but Paul did not pray.
The Power Of Story -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2003
Elie Wiesel relates this story.
Curtain Call -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2003
It was 1974 in the racially-troubled southern city of Birmingham.
A Whole New World -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2003
I knew that it was wrong.

Children's sermon

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Proper 24 (C, E) -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Job 38:1-7 (34-41) (C)
Proper 25 (C, E) -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Job 42:1-6, 10-17 (C)
Proper 26 (C, E) -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Ruth 1:1-18 (C)
Proper 27 (C, E) -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS Lesson 1: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 (C)
Proper 28 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 (C)
Proper 4 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 3:1-20 (C)
Proper 5 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 8:4-20 (11:14-15) (C)
Proper 6 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 15:34„16:13 (C)
Proper 7 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49 (C)
Proper 8 (C, E) -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 (C)

Stories

SermonStudio

PARABLE OF THE WEIGHT OF HAPPINESS -- Paul R. Balliett -- 1971
"Let's get weighed and have our fortunes told," said Jean.
PARABLE OF THE INDIAN CHIEFS -- Paul R. Balliett -- 1971
Said the great red one, "I am a mighty chief, and I want my son to follow in my footsteps and rule a
PARABLE OF STRINGED MUSIC AND SOUL WHISPERS -- Paul R. Balliett -- 1971
There is a sense of finenessIn music of the strings
PARABLE OF TWO CAKES -- Paul R. Balliett -- 1971
The first homemaker placed her cake in the oven and went about her duties.
PARABLE OF GRANTING YOUR WISHES -- Paul R. Balliett -- 1971
The old philosopher in a homespun setting was talking to his three nephews.
PARABLE OF THE ROAD SIGNS -- Paul R. Balliett -- 1971
They were heading down the highway of life and the story of where they were going was written on the
PARABLE OF THE CORRECTION FLUID -- Paul R. Balliett -- 1971
"What is the little blue bottle? Ink?" the lady asked the secretary.
PARABLE OF THE HAND -- Paul R. Balliett -- 1971
"What did you do?" inquired the boss of his secretary, who was grimacing with pain.
EBENEEZER: The Satisfied Pig -- Luke 15:11-32 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1971
Have you ever felt greedy?
JASON: One of God's Signs -- Exodus 8:2 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1971
How many children like to keep the promises that they make?

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Christian Faith

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Pentecost
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Trinity Sunday
28 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 5 (OT 10, Pent 2)
22 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
21 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

SermonStudio

William G. Carter
An unusual piece of mail arrived at the office the other day. Inside the envelope was a colorful brochure, a response card, and a prepaid business reply envelope. A computer-generated cover letter was addressed to First Presbyterian Church.
Stan Purdum
Pentecost is considered the birth date of the church universal. There was also planted that day, in the preaching of the apostle Peter, an important seed -- the fruit of which was almost lost at one point in the church's history. That seed was in this statement by Peter: "Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21).
Steven E. Albertin
They had been waiting so long for this. It was an interminable fifty days since Jesus had risen from the dead. It had been ten long days since Jesus had ascended into heaven from that mountain outside of Jerusalem and that angel had told them to go back to Jerusalem and wait. They had to wait again for what must have seemed like an eternity to finally receive what they had been waiting for -- the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Mark Ellingsen
It's Pentecost Sunday, a day when we celebrate the birth of the Church and the giving of the Holy Spirit, as our lesson from Acts (2:1-21) reports. But the Bible makes it clear that it was not just on that first Pentecost that the Holy Spirit was given. It happened to some in Old Testament times (Judges 6:34; 1 Samuel 11:6; 16:13). However, the Spirit was also given during Jesus' own life on earth. Here's the story.
Larry M. Goodpaster
One of the several things we all have in common is the sheer enjoyment of receiving gifts. While we may not always say so, our feelings are at least slightly wounded if our birthday is forgotten. Christmas is not memorable if, because of economic conditions, or because we were extravagant with gifts for others, our gifts are fewer in number. I've also observed that as many of us add years to our lives, the gifts we do receive are more predictable and much more practical.
Schuyler Rhodes
Today is Pentecost. Today we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the people of God. Today we celebrate the birthday of the Church of Jesus Christ, recalling our ancestors in the faith who received the power of God's Holy Spirit and began a journey which we continue in this moment as we take on the struggle to become a faithful people in today's world. Today we celebrate the arrival of the Advocate, the Spirit who accompanies and partners with us in life and faith.
Gary L. Carver
To be asked to speak or pray in public sent shivers of terror down his spine. He had a small part in his high school play. He froze. When it came time for him to deliver his lines, he could not say a word. He never completely recovered from that humiliation and embarrassment. But if you needed a nurse during a painful or sleepless long night, he was your man. With dozens of people for dozens of years often late into the night, he administered the "sacrament of the coffee pot" as he listened and counseled with a wisdom from a source other than his own.
James L. Killen, Jr.
The story of the Day of Pentecost tells of a pivotal event in the history of God's work in the world. It tells of the emerging of a very important aspect of the Christian faith and of the birth of the church.
Stephen M. Crotts
Have you ever noticed how we preachers often promote the early church as if it were the ideal? "Why, they did a miracle a day in the early church." "When they had a prayer meeting, everyone came!" " They spoke in Greek then!" (As if it were some sort of superior language!) On and on we can go browbeating ourselves by comparison.

Yet, when one really studies the Bible, he discovers that early believers weren't perfect either. Moses had his temper. Noah got drunk. David fell into adultery. Peter couldn't keep his vows and Paul and Barnabas split up over a disagreement.
Thom M. Shuman
Call To Worship
One: The day of Pentecost is upon us.
All: Those who have been touched by tongues of fire
can speak as though in native languages.
One: In worship together, let us share with each other.
All: Let us share our bread, our wine, and our prayers.
One: We come to the Lord's table.
All: It is spread before us.

Prayer Of The Day
One: Spirit of the Living God,
visit us again on this day of Pentecost,
All: come, Holy Spirit.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Holy Spirit, Truth Divine (CBH508, PH321)
Fire Of God, Undying Flame (NCH64)
Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow (NCH271, CBH31, UM38, PH131)
Filled With The Spirit's Power (NCH266, CBH289, UM537)
Like The Murmur Of A Dove's Song (CBH29, UM544, PH314)
O Spirit Of The Living God (CBH361, UM539)
Spirit Of The Living God (PH322)
Many And Great, O God (NCH3, UM148, PH271)
I Sing The Mighty Power Of God (CBH46, UM152, PH288)

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
For May 24, 2026:

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'receive the Holy Spirit.' (v. 22)

Good morning, boys and girls. I am so happy to see you this morning. You know why I'm happy? I am happy because you are here at worship ? and I am really happy to tell you about something amazing! Are you ready to hear about it?  (children answer)

There are some things in life that are invisible. But they are very real. For example, here in my hands I am holding some air. (cup hands like holding air) (shows air to children)
Cynthia E. Cowen
The Point: Jesus comes to us even when we are afraid and gives us the power to live as his followers.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus promised his friends that great power would be available to them when he had finally disappeared from this earth. That power came on the Day of Pentecost. In our worship today let us explore what sort of power this was and whether it is still available to us.


Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I have difficulty connecting with things that happened 2,000 years ago.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I assume that all your power was in the past, belonging to a by-gone age.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Happy Birthday"
Shining Moments: "Wrapped in Pentecost" by Kate Jones
Sermon Starter: "Do You Have Charisma?" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "What the World Needs Now..." by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
C. David Mckirachan
David O. Bales
Contents
"Rauch" by C. David McKirachan
"Claustrophobia" by David O. Bales


* * * * * * * *


Ruach
by C. David McKirachan
Acts 2:1-21

Emphasis Preaching Journal

We've all seen them -- women and men, girls and boys, wrestling with huge sails attached to a small board, seeking to stand and balance and catch both the wind and the waves just right -- windsurfers. It is one of the hardest sports to learn and succeed at, but to those who have made it an art, it is one of the most rewarding experiences of freedom. One stands between heaven and earth, supported by nothing more than the fluid surface of a lake or ocean, and powered by the breath of this world's atmosphere. To catch the right breeze is a craft not easily learned.

Special Occasion

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