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Worship

SermonStudio

NULL -- Revelation 3:17a, 18a -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: "You say, 'I am rich, with everything I want; I don't need a thing!'
Saints Through The Ages -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Readings For Reformation/All Saints Day
Out Of The Ashes -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Ashes And Holy Communion For Ash Wednesday
Celebrate The Resurrection -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Word For Easter
Words Of The Cross -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Readings For Good Friday
The Dream -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Story For The Lenten Season
The Suffering Servant -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Lights And Scriptures For Maundy Thursday
A Time For All Things -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Readings For New Year's Day
A Parade Of Passion -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Choral Readings For Palm/Passion Sunday
The Birth Of The Church -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Word For Pentecost Sunday

Drama

SermonStudio

God First -- J.B. Quisenberry -- 1993
PreludeIntroit: "Seek Ye First" verse 1Call To Worship: Exodus 20:2-3
Of Sheep And Shepherds -- J.B. Quisenberry -- 1993
PreludeIntroit: "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us" verse 1
The Burden Of Freedom -- J.B. Quisenberry -- 1993
PreludeIntroit: "Softly And Tenderly Jesus Is Calling" verse 1
At The Foot Of The Cross -- J.B. Quisenberry -- 1993
PreludeIntroit: "The Old Rugged Cross" verse 1
Miracle In The Bethlehem Inn -- Mary Lou Warstler -- 1993
WelcomePrayerCarol "O Little Town Of Bethlehem"Scene I
Paul's Early Life Through His Conversion -- Marion Fairman -- 1993
Woman: Paul! Paul! May I speak with you?
The Years Of Suspicion -- Marion Fairman -- 1993
Woman: Paul, when we left off talking the last time, you were
The First Missionary Journey -- Marion Fairman -- 1993
Woman: Well, Paul. I'm eager to hear of this new chapter in your life.
The Gospel Reaches Europe -- Marion Fairman -- 1993
Woman: Well, Paul. This time when you, as an old hand, started
The Third Journey And Trials In Caesarea -- Marion Fairman -- 1993
Woman: Paul, after you came home from your second journey, did you visit Jerusalem?

Sermon

SermonStudio

Be Careful How You Live -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Thomas W. Lentz -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2008
Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opport
Sleeping In On Sunday -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Thomas W. Lentz -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2008
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. -- Ephesians 6:10
The Ear, The Tongue, And The Temper: A Lesson In Spiritual Anatomy -- James 1:17-27 -- Thomas W. Lentz -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2008
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow t
Yielding To Spiritual Maturity -- James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Thomas W. Lentz -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2008
Peter Drucker has conducted management seminars for both businesses and churches.
The Tongue Is Mightier Than The Sword -- James 3:1-12 -- Thomas W. Lentz -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2008
The tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.
Heavenly Wisdom -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Thomas W. Lentz -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2008
Who is wise and understanding among you?
Antidote For Bad Times -- James 5:13-20 -- Thomas W. Lentz -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2008
A minister waited in line to get his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend.
Living In The Present -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Thomas W. Lentz -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2008
Look to this day, for it is life, the very life of life.
Praying In Boldness And Faith -- Hebrews 4:12-16 -- Patrick J. Rooney -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2008
It is the holiest of days.
Filling The Job Description -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Patrick J. Rooney -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2008
It was probably one of the most difficult and certainly one of the most embarrassing moments of my l

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

The Ladder And The Sponge -- Matthew 27:45-49 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1995
Object:A ladder and a sponge
The Dice And The Robe -- John 19:23-24 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1995
Object:Dice and a robe
The Crown Of Thorns -- Matthew 27:26b-30 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1995
Object:A crown of thorns
The Rope -- John 18:12-13 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1995
Object:A rope
The Lantern -- John 18:3 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1995
Object: A lantern
Lo, I Am With You Always -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To help understand how Jesus influences our lives.
Keep Spinning -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To show our need for regular worship and study; and to
The Lightning And The Current -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: To stress our need of Jesus to show us how to do good things.
Inner Warmth -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: Learning to express love.
Know Your Limitations -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1993
Purpose: Learning to live with our limitations.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Time 1 -- Psalm 29 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Baptism Of Our Lord, Cycle B, and Trinity
Advent 2 -- Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2006
(See The Epiphany Of Our Lord, Cycle A, and The Epiphany Of Our Lord, Cycle B, for alternative ap
Advent 3 -- Psalm 146:5-10 -- James Evans -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2006
(See Proper 26/Pentecost 24/Ordinary Time 31, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)
Advent 3 -- Luke 1:47-55 -- Carlos Wilton -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2006
One day, back in the early years of computers, an engineer was asked to demonstrate to a group of re
Advent 4 -- Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2006
(See Advent 1, Cycle B, and Proper 15/Pentecost 13/Ordinary Time 20, Cycle C, for alternative app
Christmas Eve -- Psalm 96 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Christmas Eve, Cycle B, for an alternative app
Christmas Day -- Psalm 97 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see also Easter 7, Cycle C, for an alternative app
Advent 1 -- Psalm 122 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2006
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (v. 6).
Proper 21/Pentecost 19/Ordinary Time 26 -- Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2006
(See Lent 1, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 9-16.)
Proper 20/Pentecost 18/Ordinary Time 25 -- Psalm 79:1-9 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2006
This poignant prayer of lament and community grief gives expression to what it feels like to suffer

Stories

SermonStudio

A Steward Of Her Garden -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2001
Grace loves to garden and she tends her garden carefully.
Is It Too Late? -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2001
Courtney worried for her daughter.
The Debate Over Paying Social Security -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2001
A group of farmers refused to pay taxes.
Being Neighborly -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2001
Bea is 81, but you would never know it looking at her.
Should He Or Shouldn't He? -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2001
Gilbert was about to graduate from seminary.
The Wise And The Foolish Bridesmaids -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2001
Jacopo Tintoretto paints a stunning portrayal of The Parable of The Wise and The Foolish Virgins.
Burying Or Multiplying Riches -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2001
In Jesus' day, it was rabbinical law that if you had a sure treasure, you could bury it for safekeep
Reformed Thinking -- John 8:31-36 -- Constance Berg -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2001
Tom doesn't like black people.
Leprosy -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Constance Berg -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2001
Leprosy is a horrendous skin condition, a mycobacterial disease.
A Defining Moment -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Constance Berg -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2001
Sue went with her three most trusted friends on a retreat.

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

Epiphany 6 / OT 6 -- Psalm 119:1-8 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2007
Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
Epiphany 6 / OT 6 -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2007
And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people
Epiphany 6 / OT 6 -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2007
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has
Epiphany 7 / OT 7 -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2007
... You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. -- Leviticus 19:2
Epiphany 7 / OT 7 -- Psalm 119:33-40 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2007
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
Epiphany 7 / OT 7 -- 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2007
... all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
Epiphany 7 / OT 7 -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2007
You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."
Epiphany 8 / OT 8 -- Isaiah 49:8-16a -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2007
Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb?
Epiphany 8 / OT 8 -- Psalm 131 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2007
... my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. -- Psalm 131:2
Epiphany 8 / OT 8 -- 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2007
Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to lig

Poems

Pastoral Resources

Children's program

Pageant

Adult study

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Monologues

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Meditations

Candlelighting service

Biblical Studies

Humor

Faith Development

Bible Study

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Inspirational

Christian Life

Easter

Lent/Easter

Church Growth

Sacrament

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Death

Funeral

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Observance

Christian

African-American History

Thanksgiving Day

Marriage Ceremony

Wedding Vow

Home Blessing

Church Anniversary

Women's Day

Men's Day

Church Leaders

Mother's Day

Gathering Prayer

Unison Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer

Intercession

Fellowship

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
Contents
"Reason for Hope" by John Fitzgerald

Reason for Hope
by John Fitzgerald
1 Peter 3:13-22

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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