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Worship

SermonStudio

Epiphany 9/Ordinary Time 9 -- Matthew 7:21-29, Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31), Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- 2007
Order For Confession And Forgiveness
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Psalm 2 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
Gathering Litany
Ash Wednesday -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Psalm 51:1-17 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
Hymns And Songs Savior, When In Dust To You -- LBW 91
Lent 1 -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Order For Confession P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, +
Lent 2 -- John 3:1-17, Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Psalm 121 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Confession And Absolution
Lent 3 -- John 4:5-42, Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, Psalm 95 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Gathering
Lent 4 -- John 9:1-41, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Confessional Litany Divide the congregation into two voices.
Lent 5 -- John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, Psalm 130 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Litany: A Conversation With The Psalmist L: The abyss, the unknown, the feared:
Passion/Palm Sunday (Lent 6) -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2007
Prayer For Procession With Palms
Maundy Thursday -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2007
Offertory Prayer

Drama

SermonStudio

A Discussion Among Angels -- Matthew Powell, O.p. -- 2004
CastStorytellerThe Archangel MichaelThe Archangel Uriel
Christmas Every Day -- Matthew Powell, O.p. -- 2004
CastStoryteller 1Storyteller 2Little Girl
Hoodoo McFiggin's Christmas -- Matthew Powell, O.p. -- 2004
CastNarratorHoodoo McFiggin
Home For The Holidays -- Matthew Powell, O.p. -- 2004
CastNarratorMotherFatherArthurRelatives 1-4
A Pilgrimage To Bethlehem -- Matthew Powell, O.p. -- 2004
CastStoryteller 1Storyteller 2GregoryIvanPeasant Man
Two Babes In The Manger -- Matthew Powell, O.p. -- 2004
CastStoryteller 1Storyteller 2TeacherMisha
The Tree That Didn't Get Trimmed -- Romans 11:33-34, Romans 8:28 -- Matthew Powell, O.p. -- 2004
CastStoryteller 1Storyteller 2Fir Tree
Willibald Krautman's Trip To Heaven -- Matthew Powell, O.p. -- 2004
CastStorytellerWillibald KrautmanSaint PeterWife
Two Christmas Dinners -- Deuteronomy 16:17, Acts 20:35, Luke 21:3-4 -- Matthew Powell, O.p. -- 2004
In this play, based on an O. Henry short story, the receiver gives and the giver receives.
Why The Evergreen Trees Never Lose Their Leaves -- Matthew Powell, O.p. -- 2004
CastNarratorBirdBirch TreeOak TreeWillow Tree

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Courage To Carry On -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 -- David H. Webb -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
The courage to be, to do, to act, to care, and to be responsible lies at the heart of our existence.
Gardens -- Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2009
Now the whole earth had one language and the same words.
How Can One Be Three? -- John 3:1-17 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2009
Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about the interactive Spirit of God the creator.
Betting On Foolish Pleasure -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2009
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one wh
What's In Your Wallet? -- Isaiah 44:21-25, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23-28 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2009
Out of darkness the light shall shine! God's glory shining in the face of Christ.
The Earth Is The Lord's -- Genesis 2:15 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2009
... the world and all that is in it is mine. -- Psalm 50:12b
Acceptance, Forgiveness, And Camping -- Romans 8:18-23 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2009
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Zoom Lens -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2009
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known.
Coney Island -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2009
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "
Dealing With Our Fears -- John 6:1-21 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2009
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

The Other Cheek -- Matthew 5:38-39 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
There once was a boy who was always fighting.
If I Were The Church -- Romans 12:4-5 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Talk together:
Coming To Church -- Psalm 122:1 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Carl liked to come to church.
Sharing -- Luke 6:27-36 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
When the world was young, two brothers loved each other.
Habitat For Humanity -- John 2:1-11 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
"Millard, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
Silent Night, Holy Night -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
"Thank you, Pastor, for coming to visit my sick wife, especially on Christmas Eve," said the old man
This Little Light Of Mine -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
(Bring a lamp that uses oil, such as in Jesus' time, and a basket.)
Francis Of Assisi -- Genesis 1:31 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Once upon a time there was a man named Francis who liked to play and sing and dance.
The Aspen And The Wind -- Mark 10:44 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
"Whoever wishes to be first must be servant of all."
One Small Raindrop -- Psalm 147:8 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
"God covers the sky with clouds; God supplies the earth with rain...."

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Psalm 98 -- Psalm 98 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2009
Some people are gifted in music.
Psalm 98 -- Psalm 98 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Anyone who has made a long road trip with children singing "99 Bottles Of Beer On The Wall" can supp
Psalm 98 -- Psalm 98 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Rolling the radio around the stations one morning during summer vacation, it became evident that the
Psalm 99 -- Psalm 99 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
One of the realities that inhibits our understanding of biblical language is the fact that we really
Psalm 99 -- Psalm 99 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Former Secretary of Education, Richard Riley, once remarked that "We are the victims of the tyranny
Psalm 100 -- Psalm 100 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
In a world where relativity seems to have taken over, clarity feels good.
Psalm 100 -- Psalm 100 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"Know that the Lord is God! It is [God] who made us, and we are [God's]" (v. 3).
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c -- Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2009
The voice of praise rings beautifully through this psalm as each verse gives poetic color to the glo
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"Yonder is the sea, great and wide!" The beach is the perfect place to get in touch with the grandeu
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
In Christian tradition, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as a partner on the journey (John 14:

Stories

SermonStudio

The God Of The Unlikely -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2007
Moses is one of the genuinely towering figures of the biblical story.
The Truth -- John 8:31-36 -- David E. Leininger -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2007
One of the first Bible verses my mother taught me when I was a little boy was "Lying lips are an abo
Family Resemblance -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- David E. Leininger -- All Saints Day - A -- 2007
The internet is a fascinating place to hang out.
Memorial Day -- Joshua 3:7-17 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2007
The book of Joshua tells of Israel's conquest of Canaan, which appears to climax the long opening st
Words Of Comfort -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2007
"Brothers [and sisters], we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve
Talents -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2007
Three servants.
The Incredible Invitation -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- David E. Leininger -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2007
Imagine for a moment.
Leaping Lepers -- Luke 17:11-19 -- David E. Leininger -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2007
Leaping lepers.
The Righteous Christmas Tree -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of
Getting Ready For Christmas -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah i

Prayer

SermonStudio

BEYOND GENTLE LOVE -- John 7:1-24 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 7:1-24
CHRIST IN OTHERS -- John 7:25-36 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 7:25-36
LIVING WATER -- John 7:37-52 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 7:37-52
SECOND CHANCE -- John 8:1-11 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 8:1-11
HEAVENLY FATHER -- John 8:12-30 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 8:12-30
HEIRS -- John 8:31-38 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 8:31-38
USING FAITH FOREVER -- John 8:39-59 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 8:39-59
GETTING THE MUD OUT -- John 9:1-12 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 9:1-12
EYES EARTHWARD -- John 9:13-41 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 9:13-41
KNOWN BY NAME -- John 10:1-10 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 10:1-10

Devotional

SermonStudio

Advent 1 -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Isaiah 64:1-9
Advent 2 -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Isaiah 40:1-11
Advent 3 -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28, Psalm 126 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Advent 4 -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38, Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Christmas Eve-Christmas Day -- Isaiah 62:6-12, Titus 3:4-7, Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20, Psalm 97 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2008
Isaiah 62:6-12
Christmas 1 -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40, Psalm 148 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2008
Isaiah 61:10--62:3
Christmas 2 -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Psalm 147:12-20 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
Jeremiah 31:7-14
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2008
Isaiah 60:1-6
The Baptism Of The Lord -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11, Psalm 29 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2008
Genesis 1:1-5 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
Epiphany 2 -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2008
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

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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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