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Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 4 -- Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31), Matthew 7:21-29 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: Be still!
Proper 5 -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: The sinners, the saints; the broken, the whole:
Proper 6 -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7), Romans 5:1-8, Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: On an ordinary Sunday, we come to worship God.
Proper 7 -- Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: There is no one like you, God of Abraham and Sarah.
Proper 8 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: With joy and celebration,
Easter 6 -- John 14:15-21, Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Psalm 66:8-20 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Call To Confession
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 47 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2007
Service Notes
Easter 7 -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
As we move between the festivals of Ascension and Pentecost we are reminded on this day of the on
Easter 3 -- Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Gathering Litany
Easter 4 -- John 10:1-10, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Psalm 23 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Prayer Of The Day

Drama

SermonStudio

Jonathan's Cloak -- Doris Wells Miller -- 2002
Synopsis And Stage Directions For Jonathan's Cloak
Proclamation -- Doris Wells Miller -- 2002
Synopsis And Stage Directions For Proclamation
The Big Picture -- Doris Wells Miller -- 2002
Synopsis And Stage Directions For The Big Picture
The Christmas Story -- Doris Wells Miller -- 2002
Synopsis And Stage Directions For The Christmas Story
The Shawl -- Doris Wells Miller -- 2002
Synopsis And Stage Directions For The Shawl
You Are There -- Doris Wells Miller -- 2002
Synopsis And Stage Directions For
I Am The Light Of The World -- Luke 24:13-35, Psalm 22 -- Donald H. Neidigk -- 2001
JESUS: I see you're going my way, toward Emmaus. Do you mind if I walk with you?
I Am He -- Isaiah 51:17-23 -- Donald H. Neidigk -- 2001
MALCHUS: Jesus, I may never have a chance to speak with you again.
I Am -- Genesis 12:1-7 -- Donald H. Neidigk -- 2001
REUBEN: Jesus, I know you've had a busy day, and I'm not one of your Twelve.
I Am The Gate -- Genesis 28:10-17, John 10:1-10 -- Donald H. Neidigk -- 2001
ELIEZER: Do you mind if I walk with you, Jesus?

Sermon

SermonStudio

Earth, Wind, And Fire -- Joel 2:23-32 -- R. Kevin Mohr -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2009
While serving as a missionary to Madagascar with my family in the 1980s and 90s, I witnessed at leas
Put Within Us -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- R. Kevin Mohr -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2009
Note: This text was also dealt with earlier in the exposition of the first reading for Proper
Oh, By The Way ... -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 -- R. Kevin Mohr -- All Saints Day - C -- 2009
The book of Daniel presents us with the words and visions of the prophet Daniel, who lived and worke
Help From Habakkuk? -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 -- R. Kevin Mohr -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2009
It can be really depressing to listen to the news anymore.
Making Something Out Of Nothing -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- R. Kevin Mohr -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2009
Making something out of nothing. We often use that phrase in a negative sense.
A New Beginning -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- R. Kevin Mohr -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2009
I am a lousy typist. My keyboard skills are rudimentary and functional, at best.
Shepherds Who Will Shepherd -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- R. Kevin Mohr -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2009
A few years ago, Michael Crichton, of Jurassic Park and the television series ER fame,
Thanksgiving Is Nine-Tenths Of Possession -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- R. Kevin Mohr -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2009
In law I believe there is a basic legal principle that goes something to the effect that "possession
Thanksgiving Means Giving -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
When Billy Walsh was a youngster, his family lived near Mrs. Smithson.
Jesus -- The Leader Of Our Team -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
One day a young girl came home from school in tears because she had only been given a small part in

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

How Much Does It Cost? -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: Understanding the cost of something before the commitment is made.
The Lost Sheep -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: God's love and concern for one lost child.
Kingdom Order -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: To teach that in God's Kingdom victory does not fall on the strongest and fas
Sometimes You Gotta Bend The Rules! -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: Rules and laws are good.
Sign Of The Times -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: Winter and cold as symbols and signs of the world's darkness and the need for
Watch And Be Ready! -- Luke 12:32-40, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: Conditioning God's children to be watchful and ready.
Gobble, Gobble, Gone -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: A lesson of sharing.
Magic Prayers -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: To teach the children that prayer forms a relationship with God.
Work And Worship -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: Sometimes we need to sit still, listen, and worship and not let the cares of
Who's My Friend? -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: We should not discriminately pick who we love, so we must love all.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

How Many Times? -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2007
I received a piece of mail not too long ago that brought a rather disconcerting message.
More Than Fair! -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
I ran across a website a while back that said something that we all know, intuitively: "A roll of th
Think! -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
So, what do you think?
Did You Hear What Jesus Said? -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2007
Did you hear what Jesus said?
Party Time -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2007
What kind of story was that? The one Jesus told about the wedding reception?
What We Have Left Undone -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2007
There is a mistake in my Bible. Actually, I found two mistakes in the gospel reading this week.
Faith Like Fanny's -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2007
I have a little book titled, You Are What You Believe in my library.
Narrow Love? -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2007
Okay -- I confess.
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5 -- Carlos Wilton -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Carlos Wilton -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day

Stories

SermonStudio

You Can't Out Give Grace -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2005
You Can't Out Give Grace
Don't Know What You've Got -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2005
Don't Know What You've Got
The Claim Of Destiny -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2005
If you are looking for the worship resources by Dennis Koch,
Resting Up -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2005
Resting Up
The Miracle Of Sharing -- John 6:1-21 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2005
The Miracle Of Sharing
Soul Food -- John 6:24-35 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2005
Soul Food
The Bread Of Life -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2005
The Bread Of Life
Carpe Kairos -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2005
Carpe Kairos
Protected For Battle -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2005
Protected For Battle
Breaking With Tradition -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2005
Breaking With Tradition

Prayer

SermonStudio

Different paces and paths to resurrection faith -- John 20:1-18 -- Dennis Koch -- Easter Day - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:Different paces and paths to resurrection faith
Silliness and silence at the Christ's glory -- Luke 9:28-36 -- Dennis Koch -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:Silliness and silence at the Christ's gloryGospel Note:
God's relentless revelation -- John 16:12-15 -- Dennis Koch -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:God's relentless revelationGospel Note:
The value of Christmas nurture -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Dennis Koch -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The value of Christmas nurtureGospel Note:
The enlightening, enlivening Word -- John 1:1-18 -- Dennis Koch -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The enlightening, enlivening WordGospel Note:
The Communicating Word, the Illuminating Light -- John 1:1-14 -- Dennis Koch -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The Communicating Word, the Illuminating Light
A birth bringing a blessing -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Dennis Koch -- 1994
Gospel Theme:A birth bringing a blessingGospel Note:
Be prepared -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Dennis Koch -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: Having uttered two parables that urge watchfulness, Jesus here
Confession and repentance, cleansing and renewal -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Dennis Koch -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: In this beginning to his Gospel, Mark uses (with some
Waiting and witnessing -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Dennis Koch -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: These two passages are John's prose interpolations into the

Devotional

SermonStudio

Easter 4 -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrus
Easter 4 -- John 10:1-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
... I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." -- John 10:10
Easter 5 -- Acts 7:55-60 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
Easter 5 -- Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Easter 5 -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, a
Easter 5 -- John 14:1-14 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
... I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
Easter 6 -- Acts 17:22-31 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
For as I went through the city and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I found among the
Easter 6 -- Psalm 66:8-20 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
... we went through fire and through water, yet you have brought us to a spacious place.
Easter 6 -- 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope th
Easter 6 -- John 14:15-21 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. -- John 14:15

Poems

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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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