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Worship

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Bulletin Insert for Fourth Sunday in Advent for Year A -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Fourth Sunday In Advent Advent Wreath Service Reader A:
Bulletin Insert for Third Sunday in Advent for Year A -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Third Sunday In Advent Advent Wreath Service Reader A:
Bulletin Insert for Second Sunday in Advent for Year A -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 17-19 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Second Sunday In Advent Advent Wreath Service Reader A:
Bulletin Insert for First Sunday in Advent for Year A -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
First Sunday In Advent Advent Wreath Service Reader A:
Second Sunday In Advent -- Romans 15:4-13 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: Reader A:
Second Sunday In Advent -- Psalm 72:1-7, 17-19 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: Reader A:
Second Sunday In Advent -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: Reader A:
First Sunday In Advent -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: Reader A:
First Sunday In Advent -- Romans 13:11-14 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: Reader A:
First Sunday In Advent -- Psalm 122 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: Reader A:

Drama

SermonStudio

Jesus And The Woman Of Adultery -- Robert Lakey -- 2006
Characters Narrator Woman 1 Pharisee 1 Pharisee 2 Woman 2
Jesus And The Rich Young Man -- Robert Lakey -- 2006
Characters Narrator Rich Young Man Peter
Jesus And The Mother Of James And John -- Robert Lakey -- 2006
Characters Narrator Mother James John Jesus
Jesus' Parable Of The Good Samaritan -- Robert Lakey -- 2006
Characters Narrator Teacher (male) Jesus Robber Merchant
Jesus And Blind Bartimaeus -- Robert Lakey -- 2006
Characters Narrator Man 1 Bartimaeus Man 2 Man 3
Jesus And Lazarus -- Robert Lakey -- 2006
Characters Narrator Thomas Jesus Martha Mary
Jesus Enters Jerusalem -- Robert Lakey -- 2006
Characters Narrator Woman 1 Man 1 Man 2 Woman 2
Jesus Cleanses The Temple -- Robert Lakey -- 2006
Characters Narrator Peter Jesus Money Changer Merchant 1
Jesus Anointed By Mary -- Robert Lakey -- 2006
Characters Narrator Thomas Judas Jesus Mary
Jesus Predicts Things To Come -- Robert Lakey -- 2006
Characters Narrator James John Peter Jesus

Sermon

SermonStudio

Looking Down on God -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- David O. Bales -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2010
One of the most interesting accounts of a creative and surprising story was of a father and his thre
Suffered under (Saint) Pontius Pilate -- John 18:1--19:42 -- David O. Bales -- Good Friday - A -- 2010
Christians Sunday by Sunday announce our collective memory of Pontius Pilate: "Suffered under Pontiu
Putting the World Back Together -- John 20:1-18 -- David O. Bales -- Easter Day - A -- 2010
It's too soon after the murder to mention the names of the people involved; so, the following names
He's Back -- John 20:19-31 -- David O. Bales -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2010
Most Christians know about the Holy Spirit's power granted one morning in Jerusalem seven weeks afte
On the Road with Jesus -- Luke 24:13-35 -- David O. Bales -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2010
Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Lonesome Dove is about a cattle drive from Texa
The Door of the Cross -- John 10:1-10 -- David O. Bales -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2010
Last summer my wife and I enjoyed visiting our friends Dick and Mary in Montana.
Praying in Jesus' Name -- John 14:1-14 -- David O. Bales -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2010
It's good to be with you in worship. I appreciate the invitation to preach.
Duuuh! -- John 14:15-21 -- David O. Bales -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2010
If you've been around the Christian faith for a while, you've noticed how people pick what they like
He Ascended into Heaven -- Luke 24:44-53 -- David O. Bales -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2010
After John Glenn was the first American astronaut to orbit the earth, he met with the Soviet astrona
Jesus' Prayer: The Pause in the Battle -- John 17:1-11 -- David O. Bales -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2010
In 1936, near the beginning of the Spanish Civil War one horrible center of fighting was the Alcázar

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Brotherhood -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Pastor: Hi, Peter!Peter: Hi, Pastor!
Attitudes -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Peter: Boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Did I have fun this last week! It was sooo groovy!
Scout Sunday II -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Pastor: Hi, Peter!
Stubborn -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Peter: (Chants) School's out! School's out! Teacher's turned her ...
Thanksgiving -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Peter: (Sings to the tune of "Up On The Housetop")
A Thanksgiving Game -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Pastor: When you think about Thanksgiving, Peter, what comes to mind?
Angels Look At Christmas -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Peter: (Dressed like an angel) Look at all those people out there!
How Do You Catch The Christmas Spirit? -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Peter: (Carries a butterfly net) I think I almost had some that time.
An Interview With Santa -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
(Peter is dressed with a Santa hat and a white beard)
We Can Give Something To Jesus -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2004
Pastor: Hi, Peter! What's the matter with you? I thought you caught the Christmas spirit.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Psalm 131 -- Psalm 131 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Humility is at the core of faith. Nice statement, that. But what does it mean?
Psalm 130 -- Psalm 130 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Back in the '60s, there was a phenomenon known as trading stamps.
Psalm 130 -- Psalm 130 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"Patience," the old ditty goes, "is a grace, and Grace is a little girl who doesn't wash her face."
Psalm 130 -- Psalm 130 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Forgiveness is a concept common to most everyone. It covers a vast landscape, to be sure.
Psalm 127 -- Psalm 127 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
There is a story about a pastor who worked for years to revive and grow a failing downtown church.
Psalm 126 -- Psalm 126 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
There's nothing quite as wonderful as looking at an old car that's been restored to its former luste
Psalm 126 -- Psalm 126 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday.
Psalm 126 -- Psalm 126 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Some dreams feel so real that waking is a moment of profound confusion; a shudder of dislocation.
Psalm 125 -- Psalm 125 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Trusting in God is the most challenging and basic element of faith.
Psalm 124 -- Psalm 124 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Everyone needs someone who is on their side. This is not about friendship, though that's important.

Stories

SermonStudio

One Nation, Under God -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2007
It is conventional wisdom that one must avoid talking about religion or politics if we want to stay
Church Fights -- Philippians 4:1-9 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2007
No one in the church today knows what Euodia and Syntyche were fighting about.
God Cares About Justice -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2007
God cares about justice! Hardly a startling statement.
Salvation -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
...
To Die Is Gain -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." So says the apostle Paul. Really?
The Power To Change The Past -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2007
A fellow went to the hospital to visit his partner who had been taken strangely ill and was near dea
Remembering 9/11 -- Exodus 12:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2007
"This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festi
The Bush Is Still Burning -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2007
The burning bush, or more correctly, the unburning bush.
Who Do You Say That I Am? -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2007
Many years ago, in my seminary days, our first course in Systematic Theology dealt with basically th
Fertility Facts -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2007
Bible scholars tell us Matthew's gospel was compiled and distributed around 85 AD.

Prayer

SermonStudio

Sundays after Easter -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
Sometimes, God our Sustainer, it is difficult to pray.
Sundays after Easter -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
In the quietness of this place we hush the noisiness of our lives.
Sundays after Easter -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
O God, you have given us the hours of our days, the days of our weeks, and the weeks of our years.
Sundays after Easter -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
There are times, our Creator, when we wish we could be children again.
Sundays after Easter -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
We are mindful today, our Healer, of our friends and family members on our prayer lists: ...
Sundays after Easter -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
Eternal God, the hope of every soul, strengthen us in this hour of worship.
Sundays after Easter -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
Now, dear Lord, that the leaves have fallen to the ground, we've started to grumble.
Sundays after Easter -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
Our Creator, your word speaks plainly to us about the seduction of money.
Sundays after Easter -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
We thank you, heavenly One, for your presence.
Sundays after Easter -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2000
O God of indescribable grandeur, to you we raise our words of praise and adoration.

Devotional

SermonStudio

Easter 2 -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
We must obey God rather than any human authority. -- Acts 5:29
Easter 2 -- Psalm 118:14-29 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Easter 2 -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests
Easter 2 -- John 20:19-31 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." -- John 20:19
Easter 3 -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Easter 3 -- Psalm 30 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the
Easter 5 -- John 13:31-35 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Easter 6 -- Acts 16:9-15 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying,
Easter 6 -- Psalm 67 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us....
Easter 5 -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
See, the home of God is among mortals.

Poems

Pastoral Resources

Children's program

Pageant

Adult study

Youth Resources

Monologues

Church Programs

Meditations

Candlelighting service

Biblical Studies

Humor

SermonStudio

Rogers, Will -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
Some comments by Will Rogers:
Rules -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
A farmer was plagued with city folks trespassing on his land
Samaritans -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
A man was driving along a freeway when he noticed a lady by
Second Coming -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
A red Porsche convertible pulled up to the red light. Its
Sins And Sinner -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
The painter was supposed to use a quality paint in painting
Solomon Wisdom -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
The seven-year-old was taking care of his two-year-old
Sports -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
St. Peter and Satan were having an argument one day about
T-shirts -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
"How Can I Fly Like An Eagle When I Have To Work With Turkeys?"
Theology -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
The late Gerald Kennedy once told about an old lady who heard
Tongue Twisters -- Hoover Rupert -- 1994
According to Guiness Book of Records, the worst tongue twister

Faith Development

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Easter

Lent/Easter

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Sacrament

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Death

Funeral

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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 5
28 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
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

Richard E. Gribble, CSC
When Charlie Atlas was a teenager his parents purchased for him a dresser mirror that he placed in his bedroom. Before this, whenever Charlie needed to use a mirror, he went to the bathroom, but there he was only able to see his head and possibly his shoulders. When he got dressed up he used his parents' full-length mirror in their bedroom. Charlie was happy with his new mirror; he spent many hours in front of it.
Elizabeth Achtemeier
There is a strange belief abroad in our land at the present time, the belief that we cannot know God. Such a belief rises partly from a feeling of awe before the divine -- the feeling that God is so unfathomable, so other, so beyond our feeble understanding that we cannot possibly experience who he truly is in all of his fullness and perfection. And perhaps that is the reason that the Athenians have erected that idol "to an unknown God" that Paul encounters when he visits their city. They know that there is a god beyond them, but they cannot define him or name him.
Stan Purdum
(See Proper 23/Pentecost 21/Ordinary Time 28, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-12.)

Psalm 66 is a song of communal thanksgiving, probably composed to celebrate some national deliverance. Because of the personal language of verses 13-20, there is some speculation that this psalm was originally two hymns, but as it stands, it contains a combination of corporate and personal prayers, both appropriate in worship.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E, L)
Schuyler Rhodes
Are you one of those people who always has a backup plan? Do you make your commitments and focus your energies on one thing, but have an alternative in mind just in case things don't work out with the first one? You might call it "Plan B" or something else, but basically you're hedging your bets and covering yourself in case the situation goes south.
Mark Ellingsen
Jesus was still in the middle of his farewell discourse to his disciples. He was trying to comfort the despair that they were feeling when they had first heard the news (during the last supper) that Jesus would be leaving them (John 13:21, 33; 14:1). He had comforted them with the good news that he was on the way to God the Father, that in associating with Jesus, the disciples had been in fellowship with the Father (John 14:6-11). Whoever believed in him, Jesus said, would be able to do the works that he had done, even greater works (John 14:12).
Albert G. Butzer, III
Here are two statements about the world. Tell me if both of them ring true for you. The first of them is this: "The world is a beautiful place." And the second statement is this: "The world is a terrible and dangerous place." Both statements are true - don't you agree? - and yet, ironically, they seem to say the exact opposite thing. How much easier it would be to affirm one statement or the other, but not both.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
The name Robert Stroud is not one commonly heard in ordinary conversation, but this man's contribution to humanity will live on in the minds of many under a different title, "The Birdman of Alcatraz." By nature, Robert Stroud was not a congenial man. As a youth he was always getting into fights, disagreements, and various altercations. When he was only nineteen he killed a man in a barroom brawl, was convicted of second--degree murder, and was sentenced to the Federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, since the crime was committed on Federal land.
Richard W. Ferris
In a large stone cathedral in Europe there was a grand, magnificent pipe organ. On a particular Saturday afternoon, the sexton was making one final check of the choir and organ loft high in the balcony at the back of the church. As he was making his inspection, he was startled to hear footsteps echoing up the stone stairway behind him. He thought the doors were all locked and that no one else was in the church. He turned to see a man in slightly tattered traveling clothes coming toward him.
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Acts 17:22-31
Theme: To A Known God

Call To Worship
Leader: God is a known God who continually gives us evidence of presence.
People: God is a knowable God who extends to us the hand of hope.
All: Come, let us worship God. Amen.

Collect
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Our Cities Cry To You, O God (PH437)
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (PH376, UM384, LBW315, NCH43)
Holy Spirit, Truth Divine (PH321, UM465)
There's A Sweet, Sweet Spirit (PH398, UM334)
Thy Holy Wings, O Savior (UM502)
Come Down, O Love Divine (LBW508, NCH289, PH313)
O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee (OBW492, NCH502, PH357)
My Song Is Love Unknown (LBW94, NCH222, PH76)

Anthems
Praise The Lord, Service Music, Hal Hopson, CGA, Unison 2--part

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 10, 2026:

StoryShare

John Fitzgerald
Contents
"Reason for Hope" by John Fitzgerald

Reason for Hope
by John Fitzgerald
1 Peter 3:13-22

Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the classic Little House on the Prairie series neared an end to her
life. At this juncture she penned an essay about hope in face of the constant current of change. Here is an excerpt from that writing: 
Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Always Be Ready" by Frank Ramirez
"Looking for God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"A Gentle Profession" by Peter Andrew Smith


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
The lessons for the Sixth Sunday of Easter direct us to sermons on the great things God’s love does, appreciating in two cases this love’s cosmic character (especially leading to a stress on justification by grace). This is an appropriate theme with the festival of the Ascension in view, which celebrates Christ’s almighty power and cosmic vindication. 

Acts 17:22-31
William H. Shepherd
Schuyler Rhodes
In Garret Kreizer's novel, God of Beer (2002), the high school social studies teacher tells the class about Gandhi's assertion that if God ever came to India, he'd have to come as bread, in order to get the attention of the starving peasants. The teacher then asks the class what form God would have to take in order to get the attention of their high school. "Beer," says one student. "Yeah," another chimes in, "it's the only thing to do around here."

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.

CSSPlus

Hi there, boys and girls! How many of you have rules that you have to follow at home? (show of hands) What are some of the rules you have? (let them tell you) What about at school? Do you have rules there? What are they? (let them tell you)

Why should we even have rules? (see what they think) I think we have rules because it makes it easier for us to be together. If we are all kind to each other, we will all be happier. If there are rules, then maybe people will fight less.

Special Occasion

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