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Contrasts In Character -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Notice the sociological study of two families:I. The Jonathan Edwards family:
The Love Of Christ -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A Roman Catholic saint once said, the love of Christ is:
Third Sunday In Lent -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 17:1--7 (C, E); Exodus 17:3--7 (RC)
An Expression Of Love -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
An American journalist during World War II watched a Roman Catholic sister, who was a nurse, cleanse
Trinity Sunday -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2004
This priestly account of God's creation of the world has been called the most theological chapter in
The Preacher's Parrot -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A lady bought a parrot from a retired sailor. It had one bad habit: it used swear words sometimes.
Good Guys And Bad Guys -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Gary Larson, creator of the comic strip Far Side, produced a strip in which we see God in his
Jesus' First Miracle -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A converted alcoholic was asked if he believed the Bible story of how Jesus changed water into wine.
Who Made God? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Children often ask profound questions over which we all stumble.
Reformation Sunday -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 31:31--34 The promise of a new covenant.
Cry, The Beloved Country -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Alan Paton's book, Cry, The Beloved Country, suggests a valid answer to racism.
The Mayo Clinic -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The world famous Mayo Clinic had a religious origin. In 1883, Dr. William W.
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 16:1--13 (C, E); 1 Samuel 16:1, 6--7, 10--13 (RC)
An Investment In Eternity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Herbert Hoover was a poor boy working his way through Stanford University in California.
Beginning Again -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The poet Louise Tarkington once wrote:I wish there were some wonderful place
Proper 7 -- Genesis 21:8-21, Jeremiah 20:7-13 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2004
God has a way of humbling our pride.
The Smart Old Indian Chief -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Some curious tourists stopped along an Arizona road where they saw an old Indian chief sitting in fr
Risk And Reward -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Every few years, we hear sermons during the stewardship season based on the parable of the talents.
Keokuk's Answer -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
At Keokuk, Iowa, we walked out on a high earthen dam, bolstered by concrete.
Who Really Pays The Tax? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
One excuse for the sale of alcoholic beverages is that those who produce the drinks pay taxes.
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 24:12--18 (C); Exodus 24:12 (13--14) 15--18 (E)
Education And The Ends -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Education in life deals with ends:
The Miracle Of Ice -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A Mrs.
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONS
Being Gracious -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
One time, John Wesley, who started the Methodist Church, was calling in the home of a wealthy Englis

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Recognizing His Disciples -- John 13:31-35 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Recognition of people, places, and things is a fundamental prerequisite of successful living.
Can We Give Thanks? -- 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 -- Carl B. Rife, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a six-year-old boy who was ill from birth
Maundy Thursday -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
As a child the first time I heard the word "maundy" I associated it with being seedy.
Dream And Reality -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
How can one best understand Dr. King? What was it that formed and empowered him?
The Colors of Christmas: Six Sermons and Object Lessons for Advent and Christmas -- H. Michael Nehls -- 2006
Advent 1 Children's Message Green
Tales Of The Spiritually Stupid -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 18-22 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2006
"Stupid is as stupid does." So says the now-famous quote from the movie, Forrest Gump.
Angels And Aliens -- Luke 10:17-20, Revelation 12:7-12 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
Like some giant, mystical flock of snow geese stopping momentarily in their fall flight to the south
Home At Last -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
One of the more colorful eras of our country's past is the old Wild West.
What Price Must We Pay? -- Luke 6:20-31 -- John W. Clarke -- All Saints Day - C -- 2006
Today's Gospel Lesson mirrors the Sermon on the Mount that is found in Matthew 5-7.
Questions -- Psalm 13 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a young woman following a brief illnessQuestions
What's In A Name? -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
What's in a name? Does a name matter?
Keeping His Word -- John 14:23-29 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Keeping our word has a long and positive history in our nation.
It Is Well -- Matthew 11:28 -- R. Blaine Detrick, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an eleven-year-old boy who drownedIt Is Well
Palm Sunday -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
Several times in the book of Revelation there is a break in the action here on earth while we are tr
The Colors of Christmas: Six Sermons and Object Lessons for Advent and Christmas -- H. Michael Nehls -- 2006
Advent 2 Children's Message Purple or Violet
Listening For The "Ching-ching" -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 -- Lee Ann Dunlap -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2006
When television producer, Dick Wolf, introduced a new "cop show" in the early 1990s, he could hardly
Radically Unfair -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Michael D. Wuchter -- 2006
In a Walker Percy novel, a white physician is arrested for illegally selling drugs to truck drivers
Risky Business -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- 2006
Su Xueling (pronounced ZOO-ling) is a different breed of entrepreneur, delivering instant noodles on
Father, Forgive Them! -- Luke 23:33-43 -- John W. Clarke -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
Each of the gospel accounts of the crucifixion has its own peculiarity.
Frayed Ends And Torn Seams -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a man killed by a hit-and-run driver
Abraham Believed God -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
If you've traveled with small children in a car, you've probably heard this conversation more than o
He Will Abundantly Pardon -- Isaiah 55:1-13 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
Perhaps you have taken a vacation with the intention of seeking out some historical or national monu
A Good-bye Topping All Others -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2006
Those bidding good-bye are around us all of our lives.
Swallowed Up In Victory -- 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 -- Charles L. Koester, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a seventeen-year-old boy killed by a drunk driver
Five Crosses, Five Candles -- C. David Hogsett -- 2006
The simplest visual for the Lenten candles is the one Crescent Avenue used the first time Wounded

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Service -- 1999
At Bishop's Cafeteria there is a light on each table.
Burden -- 1999
On an Ozark flight from Des Moines to Saint Louis in March, the plane had to be de-iced before we co
Life After Death -- 1999
At the airport, there was a limo driver holding up a sign: "Katz." Others recognized family right aw
Some Guideline Questions -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Unbridled, unrestrained, blind ethnocentrism frightens me, Leon.
Grace -- 1999
Because Dwaine Pittman was ill on the day we seven were examined before the confirmation, the questi
May God Go With You -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1999
Things weren't going very well. Angelica's husband's paycheck wasn't due for another week.
An Impossible Wish -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Leon, how I would like to spare my children and loved ones much of the unnecessary pain and folly we
A Life For A Life -- John 15:9-17 -- Constance Berg -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Who would lay down his life for a friend?
Faith And Action -- 1999
At a PLTS chapel service Christine Sinnott talked of an eagle stirring up its nest.
Prison -- 1999
I purchased three goldfish for our fountain.
Sign -- 1999
David Brenner on the Johnny Carson show told about signs he never quite understood:
Call -- 1999
A young man working as church van driver, Larry Kennedy, locked himself out on the roof of Park Plac
Life In Christ -- 1999
Sometimes when there is a typhoon in the Phillippines some trees survive and are still standing, eve
Sabbath Made For Man -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
A conscientious young couple is trying to provide janitorial services for their church, and they are
Greed -- 1999
At Drake University, Allen Boesak of South Africa said, "I'm here because some of us believe there i
Trust In God -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1999
Jancy counted her money.
A Gratifying Moment -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
"What is your brother doing these days?" "Oh, he's a successful accountant out West." "How did your
Gift From God -- John 17:6-19 -- Constance Berg -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Brian could feel the heat of anger rising in his neck.
Faith And Life -- 1999
Dr.
Promise -- 1999
The radio and television ads in Des Moines for Reichardt's clothing store have owner Bill say: "No s
Sin -- 1999
I was following a car down Harding Road today and read on it a bumper sticker: "To know me is to lov
Caring -- 1999
On a recent airline trip I saw the Columbus control tower hold up the takeoff of our 727 stretch for
Lifestyle -- 1999
Alan Alda, in an interview about making movies, said that those now aged thirteen to 21 want three t
Frustrated Spiritual Hunger -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
While I know that it was an erroneous impression, when I used to travel on the old highways through
Guidance -- 1999
On a US Air flight from Johnstown to Pittsburgh on a small commuter plane, I noticed through the ope

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Second Sunday Of Easter -- 1 John 1:1 - 2:2 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Unison Confession Of Faith (1 John 1:1 - 2:2)
Dancing For The Lord -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: The world and all that is in it belongs to the Lord.
First Sunday Of Advent -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Advent WreathWe come with open minds.
Third Sunday After Epiphany -- Psalm 27 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Reformation Day -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Welcome and AnnouncementsPreludeCall to Worship
According To Thy Will -- Luke 1:26-38 (and other scriptures) -- Janet Burton -- 2001
Vignettes On Mary Of Nazareth
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- John 14:15-21 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Theme: The Promise Of The Holy SpiritCall To Worship
Proper 20 -- Exodus 16:2-15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2001
Theme: Our Daily BreadCall To Worship
Day Of Thanksgiving -- Psalm 65 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Christmas Eve / Day -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2001
Theme: The Birth Of JesusCall To Worship
The High Priest -- Beth Huener -- 2001
Life On The Edge Of FaithThe High PriestThe Opening Speech
Sunday Of The Passion (Sixth Sunday In Lent/Palm Sunday) -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Matthew 27:11-54 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2001
Theme: Dark GethsemaneCall To Worship
Proper 12 -- Romans 8:26-39 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Theme: More Than ConquerorsCall To Worship
Fourth Sunday After Epiphany -- Micah 6:1-8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2001
Theme: Genuine PietyCall To Worship
All Saints' Day -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
All Saints' DayService Of Worship
A Secret Search For Truth -- John 3 -- Janet Burton -- 2001
Nicodemus Reports To Joseph
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Psalm 66:8-20 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 20 -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2001
Theme: Living The Fruitful LifeCall To Worship
Christmas Eve / Day -- Psalm 96 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
A Maid -- Beth Huener -- 2001
Life On The Edge Of FaithA MaidThe Opening Speech
Sunday Of The Passion (Sixth Sunday In Lent/Palm Sunday) -- Psalm 31:1-16 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 12 -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Theme: What Is The Kingdom Of God Like?Call To Worship
Proper 25 -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2001
Theme: LeadershipCall To Worship
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany -- Psalm 37:1-11 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 4 -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
Theme: A Firm FoundationCall To Worship

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – 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: This message is a role play. You can do this with only two children playing the parts of the two women, but if you have more children, you could have two more playing the parts of the children, another playing the part of the synagogue leader, and another playing the part of the country’s leader. You can also add any other roles you might want to add to make it interesting. Also, I have created places for your characters to speak, but you can add more of those to make it all more fun and memorable.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For August 24, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
C. Knight Aldrich, a medical doctor and the first chairperson of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Chicago (1955-1964), was a keen analyst of the motivations for our behaviors. He worked with the social services agencies of Chicago for a time, particularly spending hours with teenagers who had been arrested for shoplifting or other theft. Aldrich interviewed them to find out how they had come to this. He also talked with the parents, attempting to discover how they had handled the problem from the first time they knew about it.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 77:1-6

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“We have questions about your conduct as our pastor,” Carl announced as soon as Pastor John sat down at the hastily called board meeting. “We have received complaints about you from the congregation.”

“Complaints?” Pastor John frowned. “From whom and about what?”

“Mrs. Finnigan saw you coming out of what she politely described as ‘A Gentleman’s Club’ last Thursday night when she was driving downtown.” Bruce scowled. “Do you deny this?”

“Not at all,” Pastor John said. “I did have to go to that place on Thursday evening.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus was aware of people's deepest needs and what prompted their actions. In our worship today let us consider how we can discover people's deepest needs and the motives for their actions.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we see only the surface and condemn without real understanding.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we are afraid to get sufficiently close to other people to see their inner needs.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Epiphany 4/Ordinary Time 4, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)

The old saying, "experience is the best teacher," could serve as a subtitle for this psalm. Written as a prayer for help in a time of distress or oppression, the psalm subtly hints at a recognition and awareness that only comes with time. There is a track record, so to speak, that the psalmist is aware of: God's record of dependability. Based on God's proven record of saving power and grace, the psalmist is able to pray for salvation, but at the same time celebrate the certainty of its arrival.
Lee Ann Dunlap
Carrie's1 high school guidance counselor noticed she had been acting out a bit in school recently. She had appeared depressed and had been having some authority issues over rules and such. The guidance counselor set Carrie up with a local pastor who had been volunteering a few hours each Friday after a teen suicide a few months before. Most of the other students who came to see the pastor just needed someone to listen to their usual teen issues and heartaches. But, shortly into their time together, Carrie began to open up about some real grown-up problems.
Kirk R. Webster
It's a typical Sunday morning at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida. The people file in and sit down in plush pews. Their attention is drawn to the chancel where they see choir members calmly seated, robed in dark blue and white. The mahogany altar table is draped with a silk parament. Two bronze candleholders stand guard at the table edges.
R. Robert Cueni
As was his custom, Jesus went that Sabbath morning to the synagogue for worship. As he was preaching and teaching, he happened to glance toward the fringe of the crowd where he saw a very crippled woman. She was bent over and was unable to stand up straight. When he inquired, Jesus was told the woman had been that way for eighteen years.
John H. Will
Call to Worship
Indeed, this is a day of rest and gladness.
This is God's Sabbath, created for our reflection and renewal.
Let us then not profane it, but keep it holy.
We do this as we honor God and commit ourselves to the well--being of God's creation.
Each of us individually needs a personal rejuvenation of spirit.
Together we seek a strengthening of community, a community that continues to build itself in love.
So do we come as one people to worship God, our Maker and our Sustainer.

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