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SermonStudio

He's Alive -- Acts 1:3 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
"He is risen!
Say It With Flowers -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Henry Penn, the man who coined the phrase, "Say it with flowers,"told Dr.
Before Preaching From The Lectionary -- John R. Brokhoff -- 2004
What Is A Lectionary?
She Said Yes -- Luke 1:46b-55 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
I wonder when Mary realized what she had gotten into by saying yes.
In The Presence Of God -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
It was reported that the great concert pianist Paderewski never went before an audience until he had
Lightning Bugs -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Some Boy Scouts were camping in a rather swampy area.
New Year's Day -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Numbers 6:22-27 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- New Year's Day - A -- 2004
I cry at weddings.
Church Attendance -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Some go to church to take a walk,Some go to church to laugh and talk;
Raising Lazarus -- John 11:1-45 -- Jeff Wedge -- 2004
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
Where Is God? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Dr. E. Stanley Jones used to tell of a five-year-old child who was asked, "Where is God?"
America Is Great, If -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Alexis de Tocqueville, the French historian, after an exhausting study, once said:
Proper 24 -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 33:12--23 (C)
The Holy Bible And Pitcairn Island -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Do you remember the movie Mutiny on the Bounty?
A Mystery Story -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man worked in a factory where they made all kinds of garden tools; all the way from hand tools to
Christmas For A College Girl -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Colleen, the college girl, had come home for the Christmas holiday.
The Doctor's Fee -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man carried his dog into the vet's office, and after an examination the doctor told him the dog wa
Fourth Sunday of Easter -- Acts 2:42-47 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
These stories in Acts about the beginning of the church in Jerusalem are intended by Luke, the autho
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 60:1--6 (C, RC); Isaiah 60:1--6, 9 (E)
Don't Walk By -- John 9:1-7 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
One day as Jesus is walking along, he sees a man, blind from birth. The story is found in John 9.
Into Eternity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
While touring Europe, you may visit the Cathedral in Milan, Italy.
Church Attendance 2 -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
We disagree with the news media on where most people attend events on Sunday.
Where Is Your Goal? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
In the Arabian Nights collection of stories, there is this one:
An Act Of Kindness -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
When Bob Howard was the Sheriff of Darke County, Ohio, he and his wife had an interesting custom.
Proper 25 -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 34:1--12 (C)
The Inspired Holy Bible -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
1.It is not the concepts of just one man or group.

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Combat Fatigue And Christmas -- James 5:7-9 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Be patient, my brothers, until the Lord comes.
A Little Town Of Great Renown -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
The name Johann Sebastian Bach has been familiar in church music circles for many years.
The Eternal God Is Thy Refuge -- Hebrews 12:12-13, Deuteronomy, Psalm 23, Psalm 84 -- David A. Davis, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a person who had endured much pain
A Frightening Friday -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Good Friday - C -- 2006
So much happening in so little time! We are left gasping for breath.
Falling Short (Of The Glory Of God) -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2006
Sam Goldwyn, the great picture maker, said of one of his movies, "I don't care if the picture makes
Service, Not Flash -- John 14:1-6, 2 Timothy 2:8-13, Job 19:23-27 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For one whose life was centered in ChristService, Not Flash
Wounded In Our Spirit And Emotions -- Isaiah 42:1-4, James 3:13-18 -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
Sermon NotesCausesEmotionsUnresolved anger
Prayer -- What's In It For You? -- Luke 18:9-14 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2006
The Gospel Lesson for this day is the familiar story about the tax collector and the Pharisee.
Star-spangled Justice -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2006
In just a few more weeks we will be winding down the official summer season.
Mary, The Mother Of Jesus -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
The Light Of Christ -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
Isn't it wonderful to be part of a candlelight Christmas Eve worship service?
A Letter To My Children -- Jeremiah 31:3-10 -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a widowed mother who left young children behind
Where To Go When You Grieve -- Matthew 14:12 -- Barbara Brokhoff, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a forty-year-oldWhere To Go When You Grieve
Mary Magdalene's Day -- John 20:1-18 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Easter Day - C -- 2006
Mary Magdalene may very well be the most enigmatic and controversial figure in the resurrection stor
Whose Inheritance Is It? -- Ephesians 1:11-23 -- Donna E. Schaper -- All Saints Day - C -- 2006
The Holy Spirit gives us our inheritance.
God's Little Warrior -- Mark 10:13-16 -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an eight-year-old who died of leukemia
Wounded In Our Hopes And Dreams -- Isaiah 40:4-11 -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
Sermon NotesCauseDisciples after the crucifixion
A Tax Collector Becomes Rich -- Luke 19:1-10 -- John W. Clarke -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2006
This chapter of Luke brings us ever closer to the end of Jesus' public ministry.
Song Of The Vineyard -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2006
Some of the best prophetic voices of any culture are its troubadours.
Thin Places -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Joseph also went [to] Bethlehem to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was ex
The Boy Grows Up -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Each of us faces the choice of who and what we will become.
An Appetizer -- John 11:1-44 -- Carl W. Mangold, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful 69-year-old woman following a second heart attack
Those Who Doubt -- John 20:19-31 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Christianity has always had its doubters. Sometimes it comes in open and public terms.
When Christ Is King ... -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
Many people don't like the theological language of Christ as king.
See You At The Party -- Romans 8:31ff, Psalm 23 -- Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a young man killed in a car accidentSee You At The Party

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Barrier -- 1999
Our acolyte carrying the cross and leading the processional got to the chancel at Saint Johns and di
Power -- 1999
Pastor Joe Allison of Saint Peters, Monrovia, Liberia, tells that after 600 were slaughtered in the
"Pin-Pricking" -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
A serious discussion was under way in one of the university's key administrative-faculty committees.
Jerusalem -- 1999
All Bataks of Sumatra can tell you their Bona Pinesa (village of origin).
God's Power -- 1999
Not everyone enjoys Monday night football as much as I do.
Saints -- 1999
In September of 1997 the world lost one of its living saints.
God Noticed Their Hearts -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1999
The vote to have a new church pictorial directory made was approved. Everyone was excited.
A Different Hunger -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1999
Marsha and Richard had a beautiful home on a wooded lot just outside the suburbs.
A Salute -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
There she walks carefree into the store.
Envy -- 1999
In Newsweek: "Executive Robert McDonald, after cleaning up after his dog, took literally a mu
"Christ Jesus Lay In Death's Strong Bands" -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Constance Berg -- Easter Day - B -- 1999
Christ Jesus lay in death's strong bandsFor our offenses given;
Bible -- 1999
Palimpsest is parchment from which one or more writings have been erased to make room for late recor
Prayer -- 1999
From Robert Fulghum's book, Uh-Oh: "A Hudson Bay start meant the frontiersmen always camped t
Could We? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
If we were in a tour group visiting the Grand Canyon and one of the members of the group kept asking
Joy -- 1999
A little sign on my desk says, "Joy is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God." The gre
God's Presence -- 1999
At a community Thanksgiving service at the First Methodist Church, Des Moines, the Drake University
Savior -- 1999
At all the professional football games, behind the goalpost is a fan holding a banner which says, "J
Sharing One's Faith -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1999
One of the greatest joys for believers is that chance to share our faith with each other and others.
An Autonomous Person -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
On the inside cover of a Sigurd Olson book which she gave me for my sixtieth birthday, she wrote, "A
Ethics -- 1999
There is an unwritten code of the Bataks of Sumatra that dictates right and wrong behavior.
Peace Be With You -- John 20:19-31 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
"Peace be with you. Peace be with you."
Blessings -- 1999
There is a little steak house named Toppers in Des Moines, Iowa, between Mercy and Lutheran Hospital
Preaching -- 1999
A woman who had dated a divorced United Methodist minister several times shot the 36-year-old pastor
Missing The Mark -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
We were visiting with my 94-year-old uncle.
Joy And Preaching -- 1999
I preached in Curran Memorial Church in Sanoyea, Liberia, tonight.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

The Good News Of Deliverance -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: I waited patiently for the Lord.
Proper 22 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 34:1-8)
The Understanding God -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: It is good to sing praise to our God.
Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2002
First Lesson: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 Theme: Hannah's Prayer
First Sunday In Lent -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Genesis 9:8-17 and 1 Peter 3:18-22)
The Lord Comes With Power -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: As we worship, prepare a way for the Lord to come into your life.
Proper 23 -- Psalm 146 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (Psalm 146)One: Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
God Speaks To His People -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: With all our hearts let us thank the Lord.
Speak, Lord, I'm Listening -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship
Second Sunday In Lent -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16)
Plea For God's Presence -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Call To Worship
Proper 24 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2002
Unison Call To Worship (Psalm 127:1-2)
God's Call To Change Our Ways -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Wait in silence for God, for our hope is from him.
Job Perseveres And Finds New Life -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising him.
Third Sunday In Lent -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on 2 Timothy 3:14-17)
Proper 18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipAll: The harvest is before us. But someone has to gather the crops.
Called By God -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Wait patiently for the Lord and he will hear your cry.
The Beginning -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship
Faithfulness -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on 1 Corinthians 13)
Proper 19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 8)
God Of All The People -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Arise, shine, for your light has come.
Where Is God When We Need Him? -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship
Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 40:28-31)
Proper 20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship One: Lord, we call to mind the hatred and violence half a world away

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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