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Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 20/Pentecost 18/Ordinary Time 25 -- Matthew 20:1-16, Philippians 1:21-30 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
Prayer Of The Day
Proper 21 / Ordinary Time 26 -- Matthew 21:23-32, Philippians 2:1-13, Psalm 25:1-9 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
Litany Divide the congregation into four voices.
Proper 22/Pentecost 20/Ordinary Time 27 -- Matthew 21:33-46, Isaiah 5:1-7, Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2007
Prayer Of Confession And Absolution P: O holy one of Israel,
Proper 23 / Ordinary Time 28 / Pentecost 18 -- Matthew 22:1-14, Isaiah 25:1-9, Philippians 4:1-9, Psalm 23 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2007
Prayer Of Confession And Absolution
Proper 24/Pentecost 22/Ordinary Time 29 -- Matthew 22:15-22, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2007
Litany Of Confession
Proper 25/Pentecost 23/Ordinary Time 29 -- Matthew 22:34-46, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Psalm 1 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2007
Confession And Forgiveness
Reformation Day -- John 8:31-36, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, Psalm 46 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2007
Choral Music "The House Of The Lord" -- Bradley Ellingboe (Neil A. Kjos Music)
All Saints -- Matthew 5:1-12, Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Psalm 34:1-10, 22 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- All Saints Day - A -- 2007
Gathering
Proper 26 / Ordinary Time 31 / Pentecost 23 -- Matthew 23:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Psalm 43 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2007
Prayer Of The Day
Proper 27/Pentecost 22/Ordinary Time 32 -- Matthew 25:1-13, Amos 5:18-24, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Psalm 70 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2007
Gathering

Drama

SermonStudio

The Rich Man -- Mark 10:17-27 -- Lynn Robert Schlessman -- 2004
CharactersFredBillChorus 1Rich Man
The Great Banquet -- Luke 14:16-24 -- Lynn Robert Schlessman -- 2004
CharactersFredBillSlaveFirst One
Adam And Eve: The First Couple -- Genesis 1-3 -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This play is dual purpose.
Strangers In A Strange Land: The Story Of Daniel And His Friends -- Daniel 1-6 -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This one-act play is designed to be flexible.
The Lord's Servant: The Story Of Mary -- Luke -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This play can be used as a reading to spark discussion or performed with simple props.
Jesus: The Unselfish King -- Luke 22-24 -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This play is designed to be read using no props or scenery, or performed using simple effects.
Noah And The Flood -- Genesis 6:5--9:17 -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This play is designed to be read and discussed with no props or scenery or produced as a simple one-
Jacob And Esau: Trickery In The Genes -- Genesis 25-29 -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This play is designed to be read and discussed with no scenery, or produced easily with a few simple
Joseph And His Brothers -- Genesis 37-47 -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
Although there are several different scenes in this skit, for simplicity's sake it can be performed
How Low Can You Go? The Story Of Job -- Job -- Pat Betteley -- 2004
This skit can be used "bare bones" simply as a reading to spark discussion, or performed as a one-ac

Sermon

SermonStudio

Divorce: The Deadlock Of Wedlock -- Matthew 5:31-32 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
It was also said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce." But I s
A Woman's Place -- Matthew 5:27 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
... everyone who looks at a woman.... -- Matthew 5:27
Don't Waste Your Breath! -- Matthew 5:33-37 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
Again you have heard that it was said to the men of old, "You shall not swear falsely, but shall
You Guys Are Really Gonna Be Different! -- Matthew 5:38-42 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, D
How To Treat Your Enemies -- Matthew 5:43-47 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to
Is Pacifism Biblical? -- Matthew 5:39 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
Do not resist one who is evil. -- Matthew 5:39 Love your enemies.
Confessions Of A Healed Perfectionist -- Matthew 5:48 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The Fine Art Of Giving -- Matthew 6:1-4 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no
Prayer: Moving The Hands That Move The World -- Matthew 6:5-13 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the sy
It's Called Forgiveness ... And It's On Your Exam! -- Matthew 6:12, Matthew 6:14 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- 2009
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. -- Matthew 6:12

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

During Lent -- Psalm 116:12-19 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
In the classroom Bernadette prayed that the floor would open so she could fall in it, or if not that
Passion/Palm Sunday -- Matthew 21:1-11 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
As God heard the shouting, God saw Jesus approaching the people, riding on the back of a small donke
Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
One day Jesus' friends came together. They were sad because Jesus was no longer with them.
Jesus At Twelve -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Mary said to Joseph, "I thought Jesus was with you!" Joseph replied, "I thought Jesus was with you."
Jesus And The Children -- Luke 18:15-17 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Pantomime "Jesus And The Children" while it is being read.
The Good Samaritan ... But ... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Jesus told stories because people like, listen to, and remember stories.
The Three Trees -- Psalm 1:3 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Choose four volunteers -- a narrator and three trees to do a readers' theatre of "The Three Trees."
The Two Sons -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Jesus said, "A father had two sons, two boys (Young children sometimes confuse their "suns").
The Donkey -- 1 Corinthians 4:10 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
Think of the donkey,The one we call "dumb,"Yet patient, mild and meek,
The Great Commandment -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2002
In our Bible story for today someone asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Psalm 119:97-104 -- Psalm 119:97-104 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
A devotee of the writings of the apostle Paul might look at such a psalm as this and shake his head
Psalm 119:105-112 -- Psalm 119:105-112 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
A fond memory emerges of a young child attending church camp, walking darkened pathways each night f
Psalm 119:137-144 -- Psalm 119:137-144 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Protestant Christians love to talk about grace.
Psalm 121 -- Psalm 121 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
There is perhaps no better feeling than knowing that someone "has your back." Having someone's back
Psalm 122 -- Psalm 122 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
In this day of turmoil and violence in the Middle East, a call to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem,"
Psalm 123 -- Psalm 123 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
A wise preacher once said that original sin did not involve an apple or a big snake.
Psalm 124 -- Psalm 124 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
The words to this psalm bring to mind the phrase imprinted on a huge monument to Germany's fallen in
Psalm 124 -- Psalm 124 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Everyone needs someone who is on their side. This is not about friendship, though that's important.
Psalm 125 -- Psalm 125 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Trusting in God is the most challenging and basic element of faith.
Psalm 126 -- Psalm 126 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Some dreams feel so real that waking is a moment of profound confusion; a shudder of dislocation.

Stories

SermonStudio

Ambassadors For Christ -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everythi
Is Your Faith Skybala? -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ.
Forgiveness In The Heart -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2006
When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him.
The Fisher King -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2006
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this wo
The Ragman -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, stru
The Defeat Of Death -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Easter Day - C -- 2006
For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a
The Goodness Of Doubt -- John 20:19-31 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
Transformation -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the
Saints In White Satin -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation,
Living In Kansas, Wishing For Oz -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away

Prayer

SermonStudio

THE GOOD NEWS OF FORGIVENESS -- John 20:19-23 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 20:19-23
MESSIAH -- John 20:24-29 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 20:24-29
A THANK YOU FOR JOHN -- John 20:30-31 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 20:30, 31
WHEN OTHERS ARE AROUND -- John 21:1-14 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 21:1-14
ONE ON ONE -- John 21:15-19 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 21:15-19
WE WILL -- John 21:20-25 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 21:20-25
FOR THE FATHER AND US -- John 18:1-14 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 18:1-14
GIFT FROM THE FATHER -- John 12:44-50 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 12:44-50
LOVE AND DIFFICULT TIMES -- John 13:21-35 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 13:21-35
WINNING US BACK -- John 13:36-38 -- Richard F. Bansemer -- 1997
John 13:36-38

Devotional

SermonStudio

The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53, Psalm 47 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2008
Acts 1:1-11
The Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2008
Acts 2:1-21
The Holy Trinity -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 29 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2008
Isaiah 6:1-8
Proper 4 -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23--3:6, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2008
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
Proper 5 -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35, Psalm 138 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2008
1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15)
Proper 6 -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34, Psalm 20 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2008
1 Samuel 15:34--16:13
Proper 7 -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41, Psalm 9:9-20 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2008
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49
Proper 8 -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 130 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2008
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places!
Proper 9 -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13, Psalm 48 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2008
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10
Proper 10 -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29, Psalm 24 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2008
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 David danced before the Lord with all his might.

Poems

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Thanksgiving Day

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Wedding Vow

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Thanksgiving Prayer

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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

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
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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