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IS FREE JUST LOOSE? -- Galatians 4:21-5:1a -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1976
Object:a wristwatch or a pocket watch on a chain.
GOD'S THICK SYRUP -- Titus 3:4-7 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1976
Object:some very thick syrup that you would use on waffles or pancakes.
Filled Up With God -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a large glass of water and a clear straw
The Sealed Secret -- Colossians 1:21-28 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a large envelope with a wax seal
A Man With A Hard Name To Remember -- Acts 1:12-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: symbol of Jude
You Can't Hide The Light -- John 1:1-18 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a box with a hole in one end and a blanket that will shut out the light attached to t
Rest -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: In Christ there is rest from weariness.
The Last Is First -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a circle of children holding hands
Parts Working Smoothly -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-21, 26-27 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: automobile parts (an be borrowed from car dealer)
Gordon Glove And Henry Hand -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a glove on a stick
The Day The Winds Came -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Wesley T. Runk
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have ever been caught in a big wind?
Jesus Our Parachute -- Colossians 1:13-20 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a parachute (tie some strings to a handkerchief and attach a weight)
A Second Choice -- Acts 1:21-26 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: symbol of Matthias
Gum! -- Luke 24:1-11 -- Wesley T. Runk
(Appropriate for use at Easter)
A Big Problem -- Luke 12:49-53 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a blackboard, some chalk, and a division problem
Jesus Helps Us See Better -- Hebrews 12:18-24 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a pair of eyeglasses
Bill And Bert Bell -- Romans 8:1-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: two bells, only one of them having a clapper
Be Nice -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: To teach the children courtesy and hospitality.
The Welcome Mat -- 3 John 5 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a welcome mat
When A Child ... -- 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a coloring book, a novel, a toy car, a set of car keys
A Paper Bag Is Worth A Lot -- Matthew 8:1-13 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a paper bag and a bunch of fruit - a dozen apples or oranges or anything that a child
Just The Right Time -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some ears of corn
Things Change -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a series of school pictures of the same child (or children) showing the change in the
The Day Jesus Cooked -- John 21:1-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some charcoal and a loaf of bread
A Different Kind Of King -- Luke 23:35-43 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a cup of vinegar

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The Christian And False Besmirchment -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Christians should be extraordinarily careful not to judge others on flimsy and
Easter Day -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Carlos Wilton -- Easter Day - B -- 2005
Theme For The Day
It's Time To Quit -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Many or all of us have some things over which we need to get control.
Time Travel -- Mark 1:12-15 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
The Spirit hurled Jesus into the desert.
A Strong Man -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2005
1. Text
The Day That God Changed His Mind -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How do we account for the differences in the biblical teachings about God?
We Need To Talk -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: It is necessary for Christians to sit down together and discuss controversial
Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2005
Theme For The DayGod's call requires a receptive listener.
Have You Hugged Your God Today? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: What does it mean to love God and do we?
The Aliens Are Puzzled -- John 10:11-16 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
The aliens didn't come to conquer the earth. They came just to survive.
The Miracle Seed -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2005
1. Text
Touch Me, Turn Me On, And Burn Me Down -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: What part do, and should, emotions play in our faith experiences?
If You Can't Say Something Nice ... -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Constructive criticism is necessary and helpful, and we need to learn how to g
Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
Revised Common Jonah 3:1-5, 10 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20
Religion That Will Scare You To Death -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Is there still fear associated with some religion and should there be?
Burying The Seeds -- John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
She sat on the ground and watched the grass grow. The long green stalks were not good to eat.
Bread To Eat -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2005
1. Text
Becoming A Tricky Old Dog -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: It is never too late for us to grow and change.
Let Me Tell You How To Vote -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Should our Christian faith dictate how we should cast our votes?
Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2005
Revised Common Deuteronomy 18:15-20 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Mark 1:21-28
Drive-Thru-Window Church -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: For some churches and for some church members, a quick and convenient Sunday m
The Bread Of Heaven -- Acts 1:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
"This could be kind of embarrassing!" she thought as she looked at the computer screen and read the
Eat The Bread -- John 6:51-58 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2005
1. Text
How Vulgar Can We Be? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: What are the limits of acceptable vulgarity for the Christian?
Oh, One More Thing -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: A sermon summarizing the overview of Christian theology or the pastor's key co

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Set Apart At Christmas -- Romans 1:1-7 -- John N. Brittain -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
I am so old that I can actually remember when there was a difference between the number of "shopping
A Little Theology At Christmas -- Titus 2:11-14 -- John N. Brittain -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2007
Scholars who study such things are quick to tell anyone who will listen that Christmas is much overr
The Proof Is In The Pudding -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- David Kalas -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
It is an incongruous scene: a multitude in the desert.
Holding On To Christmas -- Zephaniah 3:14-17, Luke 2:15-20 -- William Powell Tuck -- 2007
Since I was a small boy, one of my most memorable experiences at Christmastime has been listening to
Forty Days And Forever -- Exodus 24:12-18 -- Tony S. Everett -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
Here's a story that many church members have been telling for a while.
No Partiality -- Acts 10:34-43 -- John N. Brittain -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
You may be looking at the most fortunate person on the face of the earth. Let me explain.
Righteous! -- Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31) -- Steven E. Albertin -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2007
Perhaps some of you are old enough to remember one of the most popular musical groups of the mid 196
Having Fun With The Great Commission -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2007
I find it interesting that today as we commemorate the Trinity doctrine, the church assigns the Bibl
Not What You Expected -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- John N. Brittain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2007
Some years ago, my wife and I took a group of students on a short-term mission trip to Belize, the o
Appointment With Thunder -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- David Kalas -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2007
If you're like me, then you've spent your whole life in the church.
Ruining The Christmas Spirit -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
This morning is the first Sunday of Advent, and therefore the first Sunday of the church year.
Sleeping Through The Alarm -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
I might as well get this off my chest. I have an abiding dislike for alarm clocks.
Caught In The Middle -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- John N. Brittain -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2007
It has become very popular to talk about how stressed out we are because we (both individually and c
In Spite Of Evidence To The Contrary -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2007
The scriptures talk about "faith" in many different ways.
With A Firm Foundation, Application Is Second Nature -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2007
Practice makes perfect. If you do these things for Jesus, the Lord will bless you.
The Vastness Of Relationships -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- John N. Brittain -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2007
At this time of year, the Christmas and Epiphany seasons, various preachers, teachers, and Sunday sc
A Change Of Mind -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2007
While it has been suggested that idle hands are the playthings of the devil -- the same may be true
Hard Words To Hear At Christmas -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
We've gathered here today on the second Sunday of Advent to continue to prepare ourselves for the co
Putting The Genie Back In The Bottle ... -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
When our twins were quite young -- infants really -- I remember a scene that played out on our livin
Small-Minded Christians In A Big World -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- John N. Brittain -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2007
How familiar Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1 sound!
Boast In Our Suffering -- Romans 5:1-8 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2007
The phone rings in the middle of the night.
Sick People Like Us Will Always Need The (Divine) Doctor -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2007
Jesus spent a lot of his time hanging around undesirable folks, not with "good" people like us.
A Strange Way In And A New Way Out -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2007
The heroes of this little narrative certainly seem familiar to us.
Show Me What's Real -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2007
Have you ever found yourself in a position or place where you would rather not be?
The Way Things Are -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- John N. Brittain -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2007
The other day I stumbled onto a Discovery Channel show about underwater archaeology (not basket weav

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Real leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determination molded by the Spirit.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Giving
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Worship "Worship is not performance -- it is participation." (Robert Webber)
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
The philosopher, Immanuel Kant, said that the dove might consider air resistance a problem, somethin
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Being a friend of God is the essence of holiness.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Ego
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Service
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Church Growth
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Mother's Day
Niceties Don't Sell -- 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Constance Berg -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2001
During the time of the Christian church in Corinth, a trance--like state testified to the fact that
Is It Too Late? -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2001
Courtney worried for her daughter.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A mother's praise has outstanding effects upon children.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Spirit-filled prayer is the best safeguard against backsliding.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Leadership
The Viking Bachelor -- Romans 15:4-13 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
In 1948 there lived a group of bachelors in the small Minnesota town of Viking.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"A man never sees all that his mother has been to him until it's too late to let her know that he se
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
We may not be able to direct the wind of the Spirit, but we can adjust the sails to catch the wind.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Glory
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Worship
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Somebody's mother once said, "If you're wondering when middle age begins -- watch out, it's begun al
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
The carnal person is overcome by the world, while the holy person overcomes the world through the po
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Ego
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Service
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Commitment
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Motivation

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18, Psalm 23 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To WorshipFrom 1 John 3:16-24.Leader:
NULL -- Haggai 1:6-8 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: You plant much but harvest little.
Theme: What I Want -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 34:18-19)
First Sunday in Advent -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: _________________________
Other Services Of Anointing -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
In Times Of Emergency
Celebrate The Trinity -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Readings For Trinity Sunday
Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8, Psalm 22:25-31 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To WorshipBased on 1 John 4:7-21. Leader: Love -- what is love?
NULL -- Malachi 3:10 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
Theme: It Don't Get No Better -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 45:6-7)
First Sunday in Advent -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.)Date: _________________________
Historic Anointing Services -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
From An 1887 Church Manual
In Search Of Love -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Hymn Service Of Words On Love For Valentine's Day Or Family Day
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17, Psalm 98 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
NULL -- Matthew 2:11 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed dow
Theme: Wisdom. Real. -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 125:1-5) One:
A Hymn For Anointing -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
To the tune Hyfrydol ("Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus")
The Way To The Manger -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Choral Readings For Christmas Eve
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19, Psalm 1 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To WorshipFrom Psalm 1:1-3 (The Message)Leader:
NULL -- Matthew 5:7 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: "Blessed are the merciful,
Theme: Embarrassed Enough To Finally Listen? -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 19:1-2, 7-9, 14) One:
Proper 15 -- Genesis 45:1-15, Psalm 133, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2004
HymnsO Christ, The Healer, We Have Come (NCH175, CBH379, UM265, PH380)
Come Into The Ark -- Genesis 6:11-22; 7:24; 8:14-19, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31), Matthew 7:21-29 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2004
Call To WorshipCome into the ark, it's raining outside.
Ancient Ruins Rebuilt -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (Isaiah 58:10-11)
Connectedness -- Luke 24:44-53, Ephesians 1:17-23 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe worship the Christ who promises to be with us always.
Proper 16 -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Psalm 124, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2004
HymnsIn Egypt Under Pharaoh (NCH574)

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
14 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Advent 1
30 – Sermons
90+ – 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

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For November 30, 2025:
  • Time Change by Chris Keating. The First Sunday of Advent invites God’s people to tell time differently. While the secular Christmas machine keeps rolling, the church is called to a time of waiting and remaining alert.
  • Second Thoughts: What Time Is It? by Tom Willadsen based on Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
According to Martin Luther our thanksgiving is brought about only by justification by grace:

But bringing of tithes denotes that we are wholly given to the service of the neighbor through love…  This, however, does not happen unless, being first justified by faith. (Luther’s Works, Vol.9, p.255)

The Reformer also wants us to be happy, what with all the generous gifts we have been given.  He wrote:
Wayne Brouwer
A schoolteacher asked her students to make a list of the things for which they were thankful. Right at the top of Chad’s list was the word “glasses.” Some children resent having to wear glasses, but evidently not Chad! She asked him about it. Why was he thankful that he wore glasses?

“Well,” he said, “my glasses keep the boys from hitting me and the girls from kissing me.”

The philosopher Eric Hoffer says, “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings!” That’s true, isn’t it?
William H. Shepherd
Christianity is, among other things, an intellectual quest. The curriculum to know God truly. The lesson plans interact creatively with other aspects of faith: worship is vain if not grounded in truth, while service is misguided if based on faulty premises. While faith certainly cannot be reduced to knowledge, it cannot be divorced from it, either.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (v. 6)

We just received word about the passing of our friend, Rosmarie Trapp. We had lost touch with her in recent years, so I was shocked when I stumbled onto her obituary in The New York Times from May 18, 2022.
David E. Leininger
John Jamison
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Reason for the Season" by David Leininger
"Time's Up" by John Jamison


What's Up This Week

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: The activity for this message is the Be Thank You! game.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Rosemary was 33 years old. She'd been married to James for four years and they had two children, Sam who was two and the baby, Elizabeth, who was just three weeks old. Apart from the baby blues and extreme fatigue, both of which got her down a bit when James was at work, Rosemary was happy. They had recently moved to the London suburbs and James commuted each day by train.

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
This brief psalm is among the most familiar in the psalter, but that is primarily because its verses have been excerpted in so many hymns and liturgical texts. There is something to be gained from looking at Psalm 100 in its entirety, and trying to recover its ancient liturgical context.

James Evans
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (v. 6). What better way could there be for us to begin the Advent season than by focusing our prayers on peace? The word, shalom, translated "peace," means much more than the mere absence of conflict. And of course, it is not only Jerusalem that is in need of peace; the whole world needs the shalom that the psalmist dreams about. So perhaps we should expand the breadth of this prayer, and deepen it with our awareness of the various meanings of the Hebrew idea of peace.

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 2:1--5 (C, RC, E)
Tony S. Everett
A popular skit at church camps involves about a dozen folks lined up side-by-side, looking anxious and frustrated facing the audience. Each person rests a left elbow on the right shoulder of their neighbor. Then, from left to right, each member asks, "Is it time yet?" When the question arrives at the end of the line, the last person looks at his/her wristwatch and responds, "No." This reply is passed, one-by-one each with bored sighs, back to the first questioner. After a few moments, the same question is passed down the line (left elbows remaining on the right shoulders).
Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
Just a few days before writing this message, I conducted a memorial service for a 60-year-old man who was the picture of health until three months before his death. He was active, vibrant, only recently retired, and looking forward to years of good life with his wife and family and friends. Nonetheless, pancreatic cancer had done its work, and quickly, and he was gone. It was the general consensus that it was too soon for his life to end; he was too young to die.
John W. Clarke
In this the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus begins to withdraw to the east side of the Sea of Galilee. He has fed the 5,000, and he has walked on water. The press of the crowds had become all consuming and he needs some solitude to prepare himself for what lay ahead. Considering that the crowds that followed him more than likely knew of the feeding of the 5,000, and some may even have heard of the miraculous walking on water, it is difficult to explain why in these verses, they would doubt anything he had to say -- but they do.
Robert R. Kopp
My favorite eighth grader just confessed his aspiration for becoming President of the United States.

When I foolishly asked the inspiration of his lofty goal, he replied, "Bill Clinton." Then my hormone-raging adolescent proceeded to list perceived presidential perks that have nothing to do with God or country.

My prayer list has been altered.

And my attitude about prayer in public schools has changed too.

I used to be against prayer in public schools.
John E. Berger
Thanksgiving, according to one newspaper columnist, has kept its original meaning better than any other holiday. That original meaning, he wrote, was family reunions around large dinner tables.

In contrast, Christmas has changed into Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Easter has come to emphasize new spring clothes and the Easter bunny. Even our national holidays -- Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day -- have become cook-outs and summer travel get-aways.
Mark Ellingson
Thanksgiving: How do we say thanks authentically and not lapse into the platitudes so often associated with this holiday? There are several dangers associated with the holiday. Ever since it was instituted as a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln, and even before when various state governors instituted it in their states, Thanksgiving has not been a strictly Christian holiday. There has been a lot of nationalism and self-congratulations associated with this day. What is the distinctively Christian way to give thanks to God for all the good things that we have?

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