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Transforming Our Mind To Christ -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Richard E. Gribble -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Sir Launfal, a knight errant, methodically checked his list for the third time.
The Raft Of Passage -- John 6:56-69 -- Lawrence H. Craig -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Anchored a fair distance off the shore of the great lake called Erie, it was constructed of planks o
Doing Battle With Death Death of an Infant -- Romans 8:14-39 -- Anthology
Death of an InfantLaurence A. Wagley
Resurrection Faith: Our Source For Accomplishment -- Acts 4:5-12 -- Richard E. Gribble -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Joshua and the Children, by Joseph Girzone, the second in a multi-volume series that describes the l
Hey, Don't Ruin The Bean Pot! -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Lawrence H. Craig -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
There was a time, long ago, when families had just one car and when all the children gathered at the
God Is Love For a Child Trapped in a Fire -- Psalms 121, 1 John 4:7-21 -- Anthology
C. David Godshall
Teammates In The Cause Of The Lord -- Acts 4:32-3 -- Richard E. Gribble -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
"Outlined against a blue-gray October sky, the Four Horsemen rode again.
Who Are You? -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Lawrence H. Craig -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Beginning in late fall, throughout the winter months, until the first signs of spring, Grandma alway
For of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven Death on the School Playground -- Matthew 19:12 -- Anthology
Charles L. Koester
Negotiating The Trials Of Life -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Richard E. Gribble -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
"In the seventh year of his reign, two days before his sixty-fifth birthday, in the presence of a fu
The Fine Print -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Lawrence H. Craig -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Congratulations! You've Won!
Kim's Wish Come True Death of a Young Adult -- John 14:2 -- Anthology
R. J. Lavin
Jesus Brings Us To New Life -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Richard E. Gribble -- Easter Day - B
Pastor David Johnson was all prepared, he thought, for his Easter sermon.
Focus -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Lawrence H. Craig -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
A recent visit to the ophthalmologist became quite an eye-opening experience.
A Hand We Can Grasp Death Following Mysterious Disappearance -- John 14:1-6 -- Anthology
Alan R. Lindberg
The Three Wishes Of The Christian Life -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Ascension of the Lord - A
Following the resurrection of their Lord, the disciples' lives must have been an emotional roller co
What Is Your Legacy? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- H. Alan Stewart -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Maybe you have had the experience of being mentioned in the last will and testament of someone who h
Redeeming Grief Death in an Auto Accident -- 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 -- Anthology
Charles L. Koester
Lent - A Tithe Of Days -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-2 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Ash Wednesday - A
Many of us feel that our lives are out of control.
Preparing For Our Homecoming -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Richard E. Gribble -- Ash Wednesday - B
The idea of going home is experienced by various people in different ways, depending on circumstance
The Problem With Finding The Kingdom -- Matthew 13:44-52 -- William J. Carl, III -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
I don't know about you, but when I finished reading these parables of the kingdom, I wasn't so sure
Victory Over Evil Violent Death -- Romans 8:31-39 -- Anthology
Harold G. Skinner
Where To Go When You Grieve Death in Mid-life -- Matthew 14:12 -- Anthology
Barbara Brokhoff
Resurrection In A Cross--Shaped World -- John 20:1-18 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Easter Day - A
In one of his songs, Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel fame suggests that we live in a time "of mira
Witnesses To The Whole World -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Richard E. Gribble -- Ascension of the Lord - B
A woman involved in a weekly Bible study made a significant discovery quite accidentally in her base

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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

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For December 21, 2025:

SermonStudio

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson
Pastor: Advent God: We praise and thank you for the word of promise spoken long ago by your prophet Isaiah; as he bore the good news of the birth of Immanuel–so may we be bearers of the good news that Immanuel comes to be with us. God of love:

Cong: Hear our prayer.
Dallas A. Brauninger
1. Text

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this
way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.18 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.19 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the
James Evans
(See Advent 1, Cycle B, and Proper 15/Pentecost 13/Ordinary Time 20, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

The recurring phrase, "let your face shine" (vv. 3, 7, 19), offers an interesting opportunity to reflect on the meaning of God's presence in our world. This reflection takes on a particular significance during the Advent season.

Richard A. Jensen
Our Matthew text for this week comes from the first chapter of Matthew. Matthew's telling of the Jesus' story is certainly unique. Matthew tells of the early years of our Savior stressing that his name is Jesus and Emmanuel; that wise sages from the East attend his birth; that Joseph and Mary escape to Egypt because of Herod's wrath. No other Gospel includes these realities.
Mark Wm. Radecke
In the Jewish tradition there is a liturgy and accompanying song called "Dayenu." Dayenu is a Hebrew word which can be translated several ways. It can mean: "It would have been enough," or "we would have been grateful and content," or "our need would have been satisfied."

Part of the Dayenu is a responsive reading that goes like this:

O God, if thy only act of kindness was to deliver us from the bondage of Egypt, Dayenu! -- It would have been enough.
Stephen M. Crotts
Some years ago I was in a London theater watching a Harold Pinter play. The drama was not very good really. I was getting bored. Then right in the middle of the play the theater manager walked on stage, excused himself, and made an announcement. The actors stared. The audience looked shocked. Me? I thought it was all part of the play. Such interruptions are rare in a theater. But nonetheless, the stage manager felt that it was necessary this time. His announcement was nothing trivial like, "Some owner has left his car lights on." Nor was it a terrifying message like, "Fire! Fire!
Timothy J. Smith
It is easy to get so caught up in the sentimentality and nostalgia of Christmas that we neglect the true reason we celebrate. We receive Christmas cards portraying a cute infant Jesus lying in a manger filled with straw. The Baby Jesus is pictured in the center with Mary and Joseph on one side, the shepherds and Magi on the other. We know this scene: animals are in the background, in the distance angels can be seen hovering, as a star shines brightly overhead. However, there is more to Advent and Christmas than celebrating the birth of a baby.
William B. Kincaid, III
If we cannot relate to Joseph and appreciate his situation, then our lives are simple, easy lives indeed. Now, by relating to Joseph or understanding what he endured, I don't mean to suggest that we all either have been engaged or married to someone impregnated by the Holy Spirit. Even in our frantic search for ways to explain how such a thing might have happened, we probably didn't think of blaming the Holy Spirit!
R. Glen Miles
"The Lord himself will give you a sign" is the way Isaiah begins his recitation of the promise containing all promises. Isaiah is talking to Ahaz. Ahaz is the king who is stuck in a political mess. It looks like Assyria is about to invade some of the countries neighboring Judah. Isaiah is recommending that the king refuse to sign on with these other countries and their armies and trust only in Yahweh, the Lord of all. Today's reading is a reminder of the promise of God to be with Ahaz and his people, no matter what happens, no matter who invades.
John T. Ball
Religion is a mutual relationship. We pledge loyalty and devotion to God and God blesses us. This is how Moses worked it out with Yahweh and his people who had recently escaped from Egyptian captivity. If the Israelites prove loyal to this mysterious Sinai god, then God would bless them with prosperity and well being. Those who deal with many gods are no different. Even though they have gods for various concerns, they still expect blessings and security in exchange for loyalty.
Susan R. Andrews
According to tradition, Joseph was the strong, silent type - an older carpenter who willingly submitted to impotent fatherhood - a second--string player in the drama of God's human birth. But according to scripture, none of this is true. All that is actually recorded in the Bible is that Joseph was a dreamer - a righteous man who transformed the meaning of righteousness by taking seriously his dreams.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (UM211, PH9, LBW34, CBH172, NCH116)
The God Of Abraham Praise (UM116, PH488, NCH24)
O Hear Our Cry, O Lord (PH206)
Hail To The Lord's Anointed (UM203)
Blessed Be The God Of Israel (UM209)
Emmanuel, Emmanuel (UM204)
People Look East (PH12, UM202)
Savior Of The Nations, Come (LBW28, CBH178, PH14, UM214)
The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy (CBH202)
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (PH1, 2,UM196, NCH122)

Anthem

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:
Just before the first Christmas, an angel appeared to Joseph to tell him that Jesus would also be called "Emmanuel", meaning "God With Us." Let us listen to the guidance of the angels today as we prepare to receive God With Us once again.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, fill me with the awe of Christmas.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, fill me with the mystery of Christmas.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, fill me with Emmanuel -- God with us.
Lord, have mercy.

StoryShare

Argile Smith
C. David Mckirachan
Scott Dalgarno
Stan Purdum
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Samantha" by Argile Smith
"I'm Pregnant" by C. David McKirachan
"You'd Better Watch out..." by C. David McKirachan
"Terribly Vulnerable to Joy" by Scott Dalgarno
"The Great Christmas-Tree Battle" by Stan Purdum


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Over the years, I grow more cynical about Christmas and just about everything that goes along with it. I have not become a scrooge, although the advancing years have made me more careful with my pennies. It is not that I cannot be moved by the lights, the music, and the fellowship of the holidays. I have not become an insensitive, unfeeling clod. My problem is that the language and the images and the music seem to have fallen short in expressing what must have been the feelings of the real human beings going through the events recounted in this story.

CSSPlus

What an exciting day this is! Today is the day before Christmas and tonight is Christmas Eve! People have different ways of doing things. Some people open their presents on Christmas Eve. How many of you do that? (Let them answer.) Others open their presents on Christmas Day. Which of you will open your presents tomorrow? (Let them answer.) Some open gifts on other days. Would any of you like to share another time when you open presents? (Give them the opportunity to answer.)

Why do you suppose we open gifts at this time of the year? (Let them answer.)

Special Occasion

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