Login / Signup

SermonStudio

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

Worship

SermonStudio

Self-limitations -- George A. Nye -- 1994
"It's my life!" "This is my body!" We're very possessive of
Journeys -- George A. Nye -- 1994
There's a big risk in granting freedom to others. It becomes a
Just -- George A. Nye -- 1994
"Just" is such a horrid little word. We use it most often as a
Gifts -- George A. Nye -- 1994
The story of Job doesn't work for many of us who have known
Time -- George A. Nye -- 1994
Are you guilty of murder? Most of us are , at least to the
Loopholes -- George A. Nye -- 1994
Loopholes are highly desirable in everything from income
Temptation -- George A. Nye -- 1994
A prayer that's often in our heart of hearts, if not in our
Bonsai Christians -- George A. Nye -- 1994
Bonsai trees are formed by stunting normal trees through a
Disconnected -- George A. Nye -- 1994
A person with amnesia has no past. And having no past, she has
Ruts -- George A. Nye -- 1994
There's a Canadian sign at a rural crossroads: "Be careful

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

Why Worry? -- Matthew 6:24-34 -- Linda Schiphorst Mccoy -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2001
We were told that one of the major trends of the latter part of the twentieth century was anxiety.
It's A Mystery -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Linda Schiphorst Mccoy -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2001
Mike, a member of our Good Earth Band at THE GARDEN, and a Ph.D.
Strength Out Of Weakness -- Romans 8:26-39 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
It was the July 22, 1999, CNN live coverage of the burial at sea of John F. Kennedy, Jr.
The Pain Of Caring -- Romans 9:1-5 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2001
Amazing statements have a powerful way of burning themselves into our memories.
The Word Of Confession -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Tom M. Garrison -- 2001
On January 21, 2001, George W.
Have Mercy On Me -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2001
"Lord, have mercy on me." My earliest memory of that statement goes back to a little farm in central
A Living Sacrifice -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2001
I had always assumed I understood the word "sacrifice." A recent trip to Mexico City, however, washe
Victims? -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2001
After watching Gandhi, the acclaimed movie about the nonviolent leader of India, for the sixt
A Call To Love -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2001
Of all the words used throughout the world, the one that is used the most -- or misused the most --
Who Am I To Judge Another? -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Tom M. Garrison -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2001
While I was still in seminary, I thought it would be good to go back to my roots and try to understa

Children's sermon

Preaching

SermonStudio

The One Shepherd -- John 10:11-18 -- William E. Keeney -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
The Good Shepherd parable comes on the fourth Sunday of Easter.
The Fruitful Vine -- John 15:1-8 -- William E. Keeney -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1996
What is a preacher to make of a parable or extended allegory about a vine in an urban and industrial
Bread For Life -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1996
Friends told me recently that they had bought a bread-making machine.
Eating Living Bread -- John 6:51-58 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1996
Most Americans eat well. Three square meals a day is not uncommon.
Tying Up A Strong Man -- Mark 3:20-35 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1996
Mark's gospel account very quickly gets into the conflict that will eventually culminate in the deat
Seeds And The Kingdom -- Mark 4:26-34 -- William E. Keeney -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1996
At this writing the U.S.
To Search The Heart With Candles, And A Man Named Angell James -- James W. Angell -- 1995
I was ten when I first got an inkling that someday I might wind up as a preacher.
After A Lost Election, Field Of Dreams -- James W. Angell -- 1995
Iowa is an Indian word meaning "beautiful land." And that's where it all began for me.
Preaching Because We Have Something To Say Rather Than Because We Have To Say Something -- James W. Angell -- 1995
The pulpit is less than half of the mystery of preaching.
Windows Of Wonder - Choosing Illustrations That Set Ideas Dancing -- James W. Angell -- 1995
I feel life is so small unless it has windows into other worlds.- Bertrand Russell

Worship Service

Stories

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

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Alyssa Spradlin
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For November 15, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Jack had a huge plastic bag full of conkers. He spent the whole of one evening with a skewer boring a hole in the conkers and threading each one on a piece of string. When he went to school next day he spent every spare minute in the playground playing conkers with his friends. He lost quite a few to start with, but he soon became very proficient, and watched with delight as his opponents' conkers gradually smashed and disappeared.

StoryShare

Argile Smith
Gregory L. Tolle
C. David Mckirachan
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Inspiring Courage" by Argile Smith
"Investing Talents" by Gregory L. Tolle
"Monster Dandruff" by C. David McKirachan


What's Up This Week
David O. Bales
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"The End of What?" by David O. Bales
"The Aqueduct" by John Sumwalt


* * * * * * * *


The End of What?
by David O. Bales
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

SermonStudio

Richard L. Sheffield
I have a little book titled, You Are What You Believe in my library. In today's world, where belief translates so easily into violence, that title says more, I think, than John Killinger had in mind when he wrote his little book by that title on the "Apostles' Creed."
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
"For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.
George M. Bass
The church year theological clue
Derl G. Keefer
C. Neil Strait
WORSHIP HELPS

CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: God claims the earth and all who occupy it.
People: God claims the people and all who will be pure--hearted.
Leader: God is on the side of all who seek Him
People: And of those who quest for sainthood.
Leader: God's saints are those who claim His salvation,
People: The salvation bought with the blood of Jesus.
Leader: God claims the heavens and all who will occupy it.
All: We claim the land for eternity.
Joseph M. Freeman
My family and I enjoy watching professional as well as Final Four collegiate basketball. The display of talent in many players is exciting to watch. However, what I wish to offer is a mixed review on the public behavior of some coaches before referees and players. I get this sense that some coaches are freed up enough to use and to enjoy their coaching skills, because they don't have to take credit for them: a John Wooden of the great UCLA days, for instance.
Robert F. Sims
There was no doubt in Zephaniah's mind that God had had enough. His people bowed down to other gods and no longer turned to the Lord in prayer nor did they seek his help. They blindly walked their own selfish and greedy path and in their arrogance thought God would sit quietly by and do nothing. They were wrong! "Listen, the cry on the day of the Lord will be bitter… that day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish… (Zephaniah 1:14-15)." Our Lord Jesus in similar fashion spoke to the world of his day, "I did not come to bring peace but a sword (Matthew 10:34)."
Derl G. Keefer
The great emancipator Moses and his general Joshua, who became Commander-in-Chief of Israel, both had died. Quality leadership had nearly vanished. These were unsettled, disturbed, and reckless times. Kings and kingdoms jockey for political position ... dominating one race over another. Fierce, aggressive men struggle for possession of land caring nothing for the people they rule with an iron hand. Desperate times call for heroes who can bring calm and peace in trouble.
George L. Murphy
Epistemology is the study of knowledge. How does one know anything? How can I know what is true?

One means of knowledge is reason. Two plus two equals four is an equation of reasonability. The Bible says, "The wisdom from above is ... open to reason" (James 3:17). The discipline of apologetics is the use of reason to defend the faith.
Richard C. Brand
For a man who claims that he does not know much about the coming day of the Lord, Paul has certainly written us a vivid description of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Paul speaks with authority when he says that when the day of the Lord comes, those who are dead and in the grave will be awakened by the trumpets of the angels and they will rise up and meet the Lord first. Those who are still alive when this happens will have to wait until all the dead are welcomed before they get to enter into the joy of the victorious kingdom of God.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Awake My Soul, Stretch Every Nerve (NCH491, CBH609)
Battle Hymn Of The Republic (NCH610, UM717)
O Day Of God, Draw Near (NCH611, CBH370, UM730, PH452)
God Of Grace And God Of Glory (NCH436, CBH366, UM577, PH420)
We Who Would Valiant Be (NCH494)
O God, Our Help In Ages Past (NCH25, CBH328, UM117)
When I Had Not Yet Learned Of Jesus/Yee Jun Ae Joo Nim Eul Nae Ka Mol La (PH410)
Come, Labor On (PH415, NCH532)
This Little Light Of Mine (CBH401, NCH524, 525, UM585)
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship
Surely the Lord is working out his will, around the world and in this place. Boldly step forward in faith as we gather to praise God for his works in history and in our story.


Collect
Lord, you raise up the lowly and least likely. Surprise us today as you call forth leadership in our midst. Grant us the wisdom to follow your prophets wherever they might be found. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
At the college where I teach in the religion department, we are just past midterm exams. I enjoy the excitement of my students each fall as they seem energized for another year of college life. By late September, however, absenteeism climbs, and some students drag themselves to class for a little nap.
The tradition of "fire and brimstone" preaching runs deep. With his famous sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," Jonathan Edwards was not the first nor the last of those who passionately develop graphic themes of judgment in preaching. Fear is a pretty strong motivating factor. I have often thought that discovering a relationship with God because of the fear of eternal damnation is the epitome of spiritual selfishness. No doubt folks turn to God in fearful circumstances all of the time.

CSSPlus

Good morning! This morning I want to retell a story Jesus once told to teach us the importance of being faithful users of what God gives us. A boy named Freddy Faithful got ten dollars as a gift. He wanted to use his money very wisely so the first thing he did was set one dollar aside to give to church that next Sunday. This, the first dollar, he wanted to go to God. Then he took the second dollar and put it aside in his savings. This dollar was for a new bicycle he wanted to purchase someday. That only left him with eight dollars to spend -- not ten. But Freddy Faithful was happy.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 27 (OT 32, Pent 24)
29 – Sermons
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 28 (OT 33, Pent 25)
26 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christ the King
30 – Sermons
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
20 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
Wildcard SSL