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God Is Fair -- Acts 10:34-38 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a referee's shirt and whistle
Look To The Lord -- 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: two different kinds of medicine and a heavy pan
He Cares For Our Hurts -- Revelation 7:9-1 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a box of tissues
Standing Ovation -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a standing round of applause (use a sign that reads "Give a standing round of applaus
Does That Make You A Christian? -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: We must be baptized to be effective disciples for Christ.
Keep Your Promise -- Mark 11:1-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: something that you could borrow, like a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread
How Much Is It Worth? -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: Life is more valuable than material things.
The Bread Of Life -- John 6:51-58 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: an unsliced loaf of bread
Fighting Fear -- Acts 9:13-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: none
Jesus Rescued Us -- Galatians 1:1-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some rescue equipment like a firefighter's net or a big rope
A Brand New World -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a used piece of furniture like a chair; some paint, sandpaper, some fresh wood, and h
What It's Like -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a fluffy bed pillow
Jesus' Public Opinion Poll -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a public opinion poll
Clothed With Power -- Luke 24:44-53, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: The need to have God's power in our life.
The Eye Of The Needle -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a needle and your pet dog or cat
Who Is He? -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: The identity of Jesus.
What's Your Prize? -- John 6:24-35 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a bag of garbage
The Man From Ethiopia -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a shoe without shoelaces and some shoelaces, a screwdriver and a screw, a coloring bo
Bad Mixed With Good -- Matthew 13:24-30 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some wheat seeds and some weed seeds
Counting Sand -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a handful of sand and a piece of paper
How To Be A Christian -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some boards, nails and hammers, and screws and screwdrivers
God With Us -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: Jesus is God "with us."
Have A Good Marriage -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a clock
A Clean Heart -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: What makes a heart clean.
A Little Black Dot -- John 6:1-21 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a large white piece of paper or poster board with a black dot on it

Christian

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Preaching

SermonStudio

The Meaning Of Advent -- John R. Brokhoff -- 2004
Advent, a season of four Sundays, opens the church year.
Christ the King -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2004
The temptation of the preacher in using these passages from Ezekiel is to lapse into a sentimental d
Practical Christianity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the center of the marketplace as well as on the ste
Humor At A Funeral -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
At the funeral of famous Senator Barry Goldwater, broadcast live on the PBS public television, the b
The Trial Of The Century -- Matthew 26:57-68 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
(Author's note: This sermon should be read as a role play based on Court TV.)
Treasure And Trash -- Matthew 13:44-52 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2004
1. Text
Fifth Sunday in Lent -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
This famous vision of the Valley of Dry Bones is given to the prophet Ezekiel in Babylonia shortly a
His Very Simple Credo -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
"To believe that there is nothing more beautiful, more profound, more sympathetic, more reasonable,
Was It Luck Or Pluck? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Some years ago, a famous Canadian ice skater, Barbara Ann Scott, won the highest honor a skater can
Second Sunday in Advent -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
This passage is part of the larger section of Isaiah 10:5--11:16, that portrays the defeat of Assyri
A Living Soul -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
"The social being without the personal being is a body without a soul;
Compose -- William H. Shepherd -- 2004
One who preaches without a net must have something memorable to say.
Proper 18 -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 12:1--14 (C)
The Eastern Gate -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
I will meet you in the morning,Just inside the Eastern Gate;
The Cleansing Fire -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
An impressive moment came, in the lives of many youth, on the night at church camp when they would g
Playing The Numbers -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A woman entered a guessing game at a store to win a new refrigerator.
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2004
Fourth Sunday After The EpiphanyFourth Sunday In Ordinary Time
First Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- John R. Brokhoff -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 2:1--5 (C, RC, E)
Puppies Can Share, Too! -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A doctor found a little dog with a broken leg by the roadside.
Ignition Blinds -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The fellow was a school dropout who worked as a mechanic in a garage.
Guilt And Responsibility -- John 18:28-38 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Who killed Jesus? You may think the answer is relatively easy, but there are some complications.
Forgiveness -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2004
1. Text
Passion/Palm Sunday -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2004
As we approach the story of our Lord's suffering during what we call this Holy Week, and especially
How A Child Thinks -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A little boy went with his mother to see the movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
What A Dream! -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Camp Wesley, located six miles north of Bellefontaine, Ohio, was originally the site of a government

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

I'll Give You A Daisy A Day -- Romans 8:38-39, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 -- Victor A. Myers, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a person who died following a lengthy battle with the ravages of cancer
Woe To The Blessed -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2006
One of my all-time favorite television programs was M*A*S*H.
We Are One In Christ -- Philemon 1:1-21 -- Clayton A. Lord Jr. -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2006
Someone once said that action speaks louder than words and that is true.
God Suffers With Us -- Romans 14:8b -- Michael L. Sherer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For the untimely death of someone youngGod Suffers With Us
Going Home -- John 14:1-14 -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an elderly, faithful manGoing Home
When They Are Gathered At The Chancel -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
We have all witnessed this scene: the bride and groom are standing at the altar of the church surrou
Caring For Others: The Christian Vocation In The World -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2006
When Bobby Smith was a youngster, his family lived near Mrs.
Tour Guide -- Proverbs 3:5-6 -- Wayne Brouwer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful woman who was a tour guideTour Guide
Family Ties And Good-byes -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Ron Lavin -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2006
If ever we needed to strengthen the institution of family, it's today.
Choosing To Believe -- 1 Kings 18:20-39 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2006
Perhaps you recall recently when a burial box from the first century A.D.
Hope! -- John 14:1-6, Revelation 7:9-17 -- A. Donald Main, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a woman who died following the painful ordeal of bone cancer
Taking The First Step -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2006
Create in your minds, if you will, a scene where the people are gathering at a small church for wors
Thank God We Can Change -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Clayton A. Lord Jr. -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2006
Someone once said that the only constant in life is change.
When The Boat Keeps Rocking -- Psalm 46 -- Robert A. Noblett, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a congregation experiencing several deaths in a brief period
The Dancing Farmer -- 2 Samuel 6:14 -- Gary W. Fehring, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a ninety-year-old who had led a full life
Touching Jesus -- Luke 24:36-40 -- Gary W. Fehring, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a country womanTouching Jesus
The Good News Of Christ -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2006
Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news....
Jesus Rewards The Just -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Imagine picking up the Sunday paper, opening it and reading in giant letters, Jesus Christ Will R
A Real Test Of Faith -- Romans 3:21-26; 5:1-11, Isaiah 53:2-6, Job 19:23-27 -- Joe Barone, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a Christian suicideA Real Test Of Faith
Cured Cripples And Crabby Critics -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Ron Lavin -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2006
Have you ever been crippled by something that happened to you?
The Kindness Of Strangers -- 1 Kings 17:8-24 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2006
In 1994, a 37-year-old man by the name of Mike McIntyre decided to confront his fears and the shaky
A Gift For A Friend -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Stanley C. Sneeringer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a church member who died following a lengthy illness
Building A Victorious Life -- Luke 6:39-49 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2006
J.
It All Begins With Prayer -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Clayton A. Lord Jr. -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2006
Imagine you only have a short time to prepare your successor in ministry.
Death Saddens Us -- John 3:16, Psalm 90 -- Mark Ellingsen, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an elderly shut-inDeath Saddens Us

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Prayer
An Open Letter To Congressional Delegation And The U.S. Secretary Of Agriculture -- Micah 6:1-8 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2001
Dear Sirs:
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Change
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"The Holy Spirit makes us more aware of our lack of holiness to stimulate us to deeper yearning and
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Homemaker
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Some children were asked if they knew anyone who was always good.
Slavery And Gratitude -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2000
Jenica has a ring and a photograph that are more precious to her than gold.
The Curse Of Leprosy -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2000
Leprosy is a horrendous mycobacterial disease.
The Holy Spirit, Our Guide -- John 14:23-29 -- Constance Berg -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
With God, all things are possible.
The Breath Of The Spirit -- 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2000
A retired chemist and university professor asked me to re-write a book he co-authored with his wife.
Singing Praises To God -- John 17:20-26 -- Constance Berg -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
A group of twenty men meet in a home in Pakistan.
Two Doctors: Two Deductions -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2000
Dr. Tom was a young internist.
One Tiny Light -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2000
It's a strange phenomenon that scientists are surely able to explain.
Zacchaeus -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2000
"Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he." So the nursery song goes.
The Wedding In Tuxtla -- John 2:1-11 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2000
Rebeca Ruiz had met Carlos Marin at a church convention.
An Angelic Child -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2000
Margo works in Pediatric Intensive Care in a large children's hospital.
The Scroll Of Wisdom -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2000
David led us the two blocks from our church to his place of worship: a synagogue.
He Knew -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Constance Berg -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
He knew. From the moment I saw his eyes looking at me -- at my body -- I knew he knew.
Not One Stone Will Be Left -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2000
Life is fragile; life is powerful. Life can be long; life can be short-lived.
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not ... -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2000
Wow! First they love Jesus just from what he has to say.
And You Shall Have A Baby -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
It was their first year in seminary. They were eager; they were anxious.
The Centurion -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2000
A centurion was a Roman soldier in charge of 100 men; thus the name "centurion." These Roman soldier
Good Enough To Be With You? -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2000
They had been pen pals of a sort for only ten months but their letters came more and more frequently
Enough To Share -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Constance Berg -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
Keith and Lois volunteer in the hospital thrift shop.
Don't Cry -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2000
Peter sat on the step, crying. His knee was skinned, his pants torn, and his pride hurt.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Christmas Wonder -- Elaine M. Ward -- 2003
ContentsIntroductionFirst Sunday Of Advent: New Friends
Stand Firm In The Time Of Trial -- Luke 21:5-19 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
Gospel Lesson: Luke 21:5-19Theme: Stand Firm In The Time Of Trial
First Sunday In Lent -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Theme: Expressing Our GratitudeCall To Worship
Reading The Christmas Eve Scriptures -- Stan Purdum -- 2003
Introduction
Lazy Christians -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
Second Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13Theme: Lazy ChristiansCall To Worship
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:31-35 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Theme: Abram Put His Trust In The LordCall To Worship
The New Creation -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
First Lesson: Isaiah 65:17-25 Theme: The New CreationCall To Worship
Third Sunday In Lent -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Theme: God's MercyCall To Worship
Proper 4 -- 1 Kings 18:20-39, Galatians 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Lord Alone Is GoodCall To Worship
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Theme: The Israelites Celebrated Passover Before Entering The Promised Land
Proper 5 -- 1 Kings 17:8-24, Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Lord Speaks Through People Of GodCall To Worship
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Theme: Do Not Cling To The PastCall To Worship
Holy/Maundy Thursday -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2003
Theme: The PassoverCall To Worship
Sunday Of The Passion -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2003
Theme: The Lord's Servant Is ObedientCall To Worship
Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2003
Theme: The Coming Of The Holy SpiritCall To Worship
First Sunday Of Advent -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Theme: The Promise Of A Kingdom Of Justice And RighteousnessCall To Worship
Proper 10 -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Man With A PlumblineCall To Worship
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 3:1-6 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Theme: The Coming MessengerCall To Worship
Proper 11 -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Price Of SinCall To WorshipLeader: God's faithfulness is eternal.
Third Sunday Of Advent -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Theme: The Time Is ComingCall To Worship
Fourth Sunday Of Advent -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Theme: God Promises A Ruler From BethlehemCall To Worship
Proper 12 -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
First Lesson: Hosea 1:2-10 Theme: Children Of The Living GodCall To Worship
All Saints' Sunday -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- All Saints Day - C -- 2003
Theme: God's People Will Receive PowerCall To Worship
Proper 13 -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Theme: God's Love For His PeopleCall To Worship
Ascension Of Our Lord -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2003
Theme: The AscensionCall To Worship

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 4
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

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John Jamison
Object: An orange and a lemon that are about the same size and shape, a knife, a cutting board, orange and yellow paint, and some paper towels. Prepare the fruit by painting the lemon orange, and the orange, yellow. The more alike they look, the better.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Let’s get started!

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For May 11, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
Tinkerbell is the delightful sprite in Peter Pan who drifts between the world of senses and the world of magic. She sprinkles “fairy dust” to make children fly; she sparkles around Peter Pan as a comrade adventurer.

Once, in one episode of a televised version of Peter Pan, Tin­kerbell ingested some poison. There was nothing to be seen of her, tiny thing that she was, other than the brightness of her little light. But with the poison, her light began to fade. Before our very eyes she grew dimmer, pulsing with a weakening glow.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Acts 9:36-43
Cryonics is an interesting and, if I’m honest, disturbing practice. You might be wondering, what is cryonics? The aim of cryonics, according to Dennis Kowalski, the president of the Cryonics Institute in Michigan, is to “keep bodies in a stable, preserved state until the necessary medical technology arrives.” As of June 1, 2024, there were about five hundred people who have tried to keep themselves preserved for future medical advances to revive.

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hello, Peter. Come on in to the office,” Pastor Carl held open the door for him. “Oh, don’t worry about your shoes.”

“They’re muddy and I really should take them off,” Peter said. “Besides if I don’t, I’ll be hearing my mother’s voice telling me to take them off before coming into your office.”

Pastor Carl smiled. “Fair enough.”

After a few moments, Peter took the offered seat across from Pastor Carl.

“So how are you finding our church?” Pastor Carl asked. “I know you mentioned we’re a bit more casual and smaller than you are used to.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus said that he gives eternal life to those who follow him. As we worship God today, let us believe in his words so that we too may enjoy the Life that he offers.



Invitation to Confession:

 Jesus, sometimes we leave you out of our lives.
Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we are disappointed because you don't answer prayers in the way that we wish.
Christ, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we refuse to believe that you still act in our lives today.

SermonStudio

David E. Leininger
Women have always been uniquely important in the life of the church, whether or not men want to admit it. It started with Mary. Women were accorded special status during Jesus' ministry; in fact, it was probably women who were major financial supporters of the itinerant rabbi and his friends. Women were the first witnesses to the resurrection. This is not a feminist statement but a factual statement: from the first day to this day, if it were not for the women, there would be no church. It is that simple.

Donald Charles Lacy
History shows that people are invariably looking for Messiahs or Christs. There is that special person who is to come among them and, in a sense, do for them what they cannot do for themselves. Even for years after our Lord arose from the dead and ascended -- yes, and still at this moment -- people are looking.

Henry F. Woodruff
Now you can't even trust the police. When I was a child growing up in Texas, everyone knew how to spot the police cars: they were big old Ford Crown Victorias, painted black with white doors, sporting black wall tires with little moon hubcaps -- or, if they really wanted to be sneaky and fool you, they were big old Ford Crown Victorias painted gray, with whip antennas and license plates that read "City" on them. You could bet the farm on it. Now all that has changed. Police cars are all different makes and models and colors.
Clyde W. Wentzell
1. O my Good Shepherd, O Lord of my soul,
Keep me forever beneath your control.
In right paths lead me for your name’s sake.
All the best choices, Lord, help me to make.

2. When through dark valleys my walk is severe,
Keep me from evil, Lord, ever be near.
Your rod and staff, my discipline be,
O my Good Shepherd, keep watch over me.

3. You spread a table of bountiful store.
Rich are your mercies and love evermore.
Oil on the head, anointing most pure,
Flows in abundance as your love is sure.

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