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Worship

SermonStudio

Christmas 2 -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, Psalm 147:12-20 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2007
Gathering Litany P: O God, who created our world with a single word,
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Matthew 2:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2007
Opening Prayer/Invocation
The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Time 1 -- Matthew 3:13-17, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 29 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
A Service Of Renewal
Epiphany 2/Ordinary Time 2 -- John 1:29-42, Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Psalm 40:1-11 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2007
Gathering Chant
Epiphany 3/Ordinary Time 3 -- Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2007
Litany Of Confession P: Discord, dissention, strife,
Epiphany 4/Ordinary Time 4 -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 15 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2007
Prayer Of Dedication/Gathering
Epiphany 5/Ordinary Time 5 -- Matthew 5:13-20, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Psalm 112:1-9 (10) -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2007
Order For Confession And Forgiveness
Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6 -- Matthew 5:21-37, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2007
Order For Confession And Forgiveness
Epiphany 7/Ordinary Time 7 -- Matthew 5:38-48, Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Psalm 119:33-40 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2007
Order For Confession And Forgiveness
Epiphany 8/Ordinary Time 8 -- Matthew 6:24-34, Isaiah 49:8-16a, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Psalm 131 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2007
Gathering Litany P: Light in the darkness; C: song in the silence;

Drama

SermonStudio

Second Witness-- Caiaphas -- Robert Kleinke -- 2005
State: Ladies and gentlemen of the grand jury, our next witness that we call before you is Jo
Third Witness -- Herod Antipas -- Robert Kleinke -- 2005
State: Ladies and gentlemen of the grand jury, the next witness we call before you is Herod A
Fourth Witness -- Pontius Pilate -- Robert Kleinke -- 2005
State: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the next witness we call before you is Pontius Pilat
Fifth Witness -- Mary Magdalene -- Robert Kleinke -- 2005
State: Ladies and gentlemen of the grand jury, we now call before you Mary Magdalene, one of
Sixth Witness -- Peter (Simon bar Jonah) -- Robert Kleinke -- 2005
State: Ladies and gentlemen of the grand jury, we now call before you the last of our witness
A Travesty Of Justice: In The Shadow Of The Cross -- Kathy Martz -- 2005
Six Lenten MeditationsThe ThornThe RobeThe NailThe Spear
Live From Jerusalem -- John O. Eby -- 2005
A Palm Sunday DramaLive From JerusalemCharacters
Maundy Thursday Testimonies -- David H. Covington -- 2005
God On Trial, Or...? -- John O. Eby -- 2005
CharactersPilateBeelzebubJohannisJesus
Sons Of Thunder -- Carol Secord -- 2005

Sermon

SermonStudio

What Can We Believe about the Christian Life? -- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2010
Paul frequently reminded the Thessalonians of the kind of life that he and his friends lived while t
What Can We Believe about God's Saving Grace? -- Romans 3:19-28 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2010
The grace of God is the theme of some of our favorite hymns.
What Can We Believe about Ourselves? -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- All Saints Day - A -- 2010
When we put together the collection of things that we can believe, we need to ask a question about t
What Can We Believe about the End of Time? -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2010
Today we are going to talk about one of the biggest puzzles in the study of the Bible.
What Can We Believe about Judgment Day? -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2010
Most of the biblical images of the coming day of the Lord suggest a belief that it will be a day of
What Can We Believe about the Reign of Christ? -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2010
The church calendar says that this is the day on which we celebrate the festival of Christ the King.
What Can We Believe about Stuff? -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2010
Today we celebrate the festival of Thanksgiving.
A Wonderful Conversion Story -- Acts 8:26-40 -- David H. Webb -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
In our first lesson today, we hear yet another Easter faith story.
Our Salvation In Being Loved -- Acts 10:44-48 -- David H. Webb -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
All of a sudden, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone, even the Gentiles.
Life's Greatest Tension: Despair vs. Hope -- Acts 1:1-11 -- David H. Webb -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2009
Today is Ascension Sunday.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

The Eensy-Weensy Spider -- Psalm 147:8b -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Together the nursery children and I wondered at the beauty and importance of water as part of God's
Opened Eyes -- Psalm 25:2 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Once upon a time a grandfather gave his granddaughter, about your age, not a pony, nor a puppy, nor
Timothy's Questions -- Psalm 100:3a -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
"Who made it? How does it work? What is it for? Why is it here? Where did it come from?
36 People -- Matthew 22:36-39 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Talk together: 36 is a special number for the Jewish people. Do you know why?
The Christmas Star -- Matthew 2:2 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Once, long ago, a new star was born in the sky. Because it was a new star it was very small.
The Eagle -- Isaiah 40:31 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
A man found an eagle's egg and put it in the nest of a barnyard hen.
The Magic Thread -- Psalm 118:24 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
When it was summer, the boy wanted winter, and in the winter, he dreamed of summer.
Can I Help You? -- 1 John 4:7 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
The young girl, her arms full of books, crossed the park, seeing the old man sitting on a bench.
Good News -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
John the Baptist, preparing the way for Jesus, found himself in prison for telling the truth, and he
When Jesus Was A Little Boy -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Brian was three years old. He liked coming to Sunday school and hearing stories about Jesus.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 -- Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Today we live in a world where all our leaders are "deconstructed." Every frailty of every hero is l
Psalm 89:20-37 -- Psalm 89:20-37 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
What a beautiful thing is rendered here. A covenant made and kept.
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 -- Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
It was Rene Descartes who said, "I think, therefore I am." While not wishing to enter the questionab
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
This psalm represents a real struggle for most people.
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Go ahead. Take a coin from your pocket.
Psalm 95 -- Psalm 95 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
In democratic culture, individualism reigns supreme.
Psalm 96 -- Psalm 96 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"Say to the nations, 'The Lord is king!' "
Psalm 97 -- Psalm 97 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
This is it.
Psalm 97 -- Psalm 97 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Christ is born!
Psalm 97 -- Psalm 97 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Bracketed by the language of praise, this psalm tackles an issue that does not much concern the chur

Stories

SermonStudio

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.
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
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.
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 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
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?
Salvation -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
...
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.
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.
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

Prayer

SermonStudio

DOING LOVE -- John 4:43-54 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 4:43-54
SAYING "YES" TO HEALING -- John 5:1-18 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 5:1-18
JUDGMENT -- John 5:19-30 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 5:19-30
PRETENDING TO WANT GOD -- John 5:31-47 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 5:31-47
RUNNING TO THE MOUNTAIN -- John 6:1-15 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 6:1-15
STORMS AND CALM -- John 6:16-21 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 6:16-21
LOVE HUNGER -- John 6:22-34 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 6:22-34
ETERNAL BREAD -- John 6:35-40 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 6:35-40
LOVE POWER -- John 6:41-59 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 6:41-59
BEYOND FLESH -- John 6:60-71 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 6:60-71

Devotional

SermonStudio

Proper 27 / Pentecost 25 / Ordinary Time 32 -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2009
In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be?
Proper 28 / Pentecost 26 / Ordinary Time 33 -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2009
For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered o
Proper 28 / Pentecost 26 / Ordinary Time 33 -- Isaiah 12 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2009
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. -- Isaiah 12:3
Proper 28 / Pentecost 26 / Ordinary Time 33 -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2009
For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.
Proper 28 / Pentecost 26 / Ordinary Time 33 -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2009
By your endurance you will gain your souls. -- Luke 21:19
Christ The King / Proper 29 -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2009
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch....
Christ The King / Proper 29 -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2009
And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepa
Christ The King / Proper 29 -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2009
... and in him all things hold together. -- Colossians 1:17b
Christ The King / Proper 29 -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2009
If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself! -- Luke 23:37
Advent 2 -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2009
... because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.

Poems

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Thanksgiving Day

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Women's Day

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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

Frank Luchsinger
Huckle the Cat and his school teacher Miss Honey the Bear, Bananas Gorilla, Captain Salty, Pig Will and Pig Won't, Sergeant Murphy the Police Dog, and my favorite, Lowly the Worm; if you know these names then you are familiar with the work of Richard Scarry, author and illustrator of children's books, who passed away in '94 at age 75. Scarry wrote over 250 books, which in thirty languages have sold over 100 million copies. He said, "The greatest compliment I can receive is to be told that some of my books are held together with more Scotch tape than there is paper in the original book.
David E. Leininger
We reflected earlier on Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and its assertion that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and were parents of a daughter. True, there is nothing at all in scripture to back up such a claim, but can you imagine what kind of parent Jesus would have been?
Constance Berg
Pastor Wallace was loved by many, many people. He had come to a rural, agricultural area and stayed for 41 years. He and his wife Bea had four children, three of whom would become pastors themselves. The fourth was a missionary teacher in Madagascar. Pastor Wallace's second and last call was to another rural church he started only thirty miles away. He stayed fifteen years. His reputation was tough but fair; disciplined but compassionate; strong but just.
Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Seasonal Theme
Jesus out of the grave and alive and with us.

Theme For The Day
We are prayed for by Jesus that we might be unified with each other and with our God. A summary of the Season of Easter.

First Lesson
Acts 1:1-11
Return To The Upper Room
Stan Purdum
At first reading, this psalm presents a scattering of themes. Some scholars think it was not a psalm at all, but a listing of headings to a number of liturgical pieces. Most, however, see in Psalm 68 the underlying theme of the victory and reign of God, the Divine Warrior -- the God who was with the people of Israel in the wilderness (v. 7). Psalm 68 calls the kingdoms of the world to acknowledge that God is the warrior king who reigns over all. It presents God as the power and strength of the chosen people.
Carlos Wilton
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary. See The Ascension Of Our Lord, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)

The brief Psalm 93 seems archaic, from the standpoint of our culture. The Lord is enthroned, here, as a cosmic king. The accoutrements of royalty are front and center: the robe of majesty, the girding-on of strength (suggesting a royal broadsword), the throne, the royal decree. Its message, loudly declared from the first verse onward, is simplicity itself: the Lord reigns!
George M. Bass
The church year theological clue
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 1:1--11 (C, RC, E, L)
David O. Bales
In 1936, near the beginning of the Spanish Civil War one horrible center of fighting was the Alcázar fortress near Toledo. In the middle of horrific fighting, however, every day the firing stopped twice in order to allow a blind beggar to tap his way on the street between the firing lines. We can imagine how welcome those few minutes were to the men on both sides. They probably hoped that the blind man walked slower to give them a few more seconds of peace. Then the reprieve ended and the slaughter again engulfed the two armies that were struggling to kill each other.1
Schuyler Rhodes
I love this story. It doesn't matter how many times I hear it, or how it's told, it never fails to grab me in a new and different way. It's really an incredible tale. And by incredible I mean just that. Without credibility! Who could actually buy a story like this? The disciples, cowardly and virtually faithless, abandoned the Master and scattered in the chaos of his arrest and execution.
Lee Griess
It's one of those stories that circulates around the internet. I don't know if it's true or not but it's so interesting that I have to share it with you. It seems that a woman came home to find her husband in the kitchen, shaking frantically with what looked like a wire running from his waist toward the electric outlet in the wall. Intending to jolt him away from the deadly electricity, she grabbed a piece of wood that was leaning by the back door, and gave him a good whack, breaking his arm in two places. It was a shame. He was not being electrocuted at all.
Richard L. Sheffield
I want to take the text seriously this morning. It would be easy not to, because Luke's story of the ascension of Jesus is not easy no matter how you take it. For you and me, twenty centuries later, this story may be very hard to take very seriously.

Our take on the ascension of Jesus might be on the order of liturgy as lift-off: Jesus being lifted up to the Air Force song: "Off we go into the wild blue yonder, climbing high into the sky!"

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 17, 2026:
  • When Jesus Prays by Chris Keating. Jesus’ high priestly prayer is rooted in the authority of God’s love, and not from a posture of authoritarian control. It is a prayer that the disciples might dwell in the abundance of eternal life by abiding in the love and unity Jesus has offered.
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 17, 2026:
  • When Jesus Prays by Chris Keating. Jesus’ high priestly prayer is rooted in the authority of God’s love, and not from a posture of authoritarian control. It is a prayer that the disciples might dwell in the abundance of eternal life by abiding in the love and unity Jesus has offered.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus prayed for us all, that we might be protected and united. In our worship today let us explored what it means to be one just as Jesus and the Father are one.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we are more ready to criticise other Christians than to be united with them.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we get hung up on small details instead of seeing the big picture.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we are too selfish to open up and welcome other people.

StoryShare

Argile Smith
Charles D. Reeb
John S. Smylie
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Wayne's Deployment" by Argile Smith
"In The Event of Power Failure" by Charles D. Reeb
"Where's the Finish Line?" by John Smylie


What's Up This Week
John E. Sumwalt
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"The God of All Grace" by John Sumwalt
"Keeping the Word" by Frank Ramirez


* * * * * * * *


The God of All Grace
by John Sumwalt
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.
-- 1 Peter 5:10

CSSPlus

Cynthia E. Cowen
The Point: Jesus has the authority to give eternal life.

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