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SermonStudio

Passion/Palm Sunday -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2001
As is well known, the text forms the third of the four Servant Songs that are found in the prophecie
Sixth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Jesus Searches For Us -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2000
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.
Christ The King -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 23:1-6 (C, E)
Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Rightful Stewardship Of God's Gifts -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2000
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and the charges were brou
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Eighth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 55:10-13, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Luke 6:39-49 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 55:10-13 (C)
Complacency Leads To Death -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2000
Theme
The Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Service Is Our Reward -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2000
The apostles said to Jesus, "Increase our faith!" The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a
Trinity Sunday -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Perseverance In Prayer -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2000
Then Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not to lose heart.
Corpus Christi -- Genesis 14:18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Luke 9:11-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 14:18-20
First Sunday In Lent -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
God Justifies The Humble -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2000
Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded
Proper 4 -- 1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39, Galatians 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:31-35 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Responding To God's Love -- Luke 7:36-50 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2000
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's home and took his
Proper 5 -- 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24), Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Third Sunday In Lent -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 55:1-9 (C)
New Life For A Dead Friend -- Isaiah 25:6-9, John 11:32-44 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 2000
The stench of death surrounded Christ's sorrow, crying
Proper 6 -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Church Discipline: A Cure For What Ails The Body -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2004
When a sixteen-year-old stays out all night drinking, then drives home, a father disciplines him wit
The Hallelujah Chorus -- Revelation 19:1-8 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
In 1741, a 56-year-old German living in England was at the lowest point in his career.
Our Two Flags -- Romans 13:1-7 -- 2004
O! say, can you see by the dawn's early light,
God's Delight -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Susan R. Andrews -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2004
Once upon a time a student approached his teacher and announced that he was ready to assume the offi
Is Work A Four Letter Word? -- Psalm 104 -- 2004
He was the owner and manager of a downtown store in Utica, New York. I'll call him Fred.
Go To Heaven? -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2004
Judgment day was the preacher's theme, and he thundered about God's wrath, sin and the day of judgme
A Worldly Salvation -- Isaiah 63:7-9 -- John T. Ball -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2004
In the early 1960s, John A. T.
Oskar's Cruelty -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Bill Mosley -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
Schindler's List is a true story of World War II.
Still Under Construction -- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2004
People print all sorts of things on T-shirts, from advertisements to obscenities to affirmations of
A Severe Mercy! -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2004
French author Victor Hugo has a short story titled, "93." In the midst of this tale a ship at sea is
Vision From Patmos -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
A cowboy was crossing the desert when his horse bit the dust.
Memorial Daze -- Ecclesiasticus 44:1-15 -- 2004
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,
Jesus Transforms The Darkness Into Light -- John 20:1-18 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Easter Day - A -- 2004
Pastor David Johnson was all ready, he thought, for his Easter sermon.
I'll Be Home For Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- John T. Ball -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2004
In 1943, during World War II, a new song appeared, "I'll Be Home For Christmas." The lyrics and the
Dark Ugly Clouds -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Bill Mosley -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2004
Things are hardly ever the way they appear and certainly not on Calvary's hill.
The Reward -- 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2004
The Rock opera, Jesus Christ, Superstar, pictures Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking G
As Long As It Is Day! -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2004
The greatest sorrow is to have no cause, no work, no sacrifice for which to live.
Living Creatures -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
Dakota tribal wisdom says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is t
Called, Commissioned, And Comforted: A Tribute To Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. -- Isaiah 49:1-9 -- 2004
Recently, Rosa Parks was again in the news.
Enduring The Trials Of Faith -- John 20:19-3 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
"In the seventh year of his reign, two days before his sixty--fifth birthday, in the presence of a f
The Truth Of Christmas -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- John T. Ball -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2004
The early Christians were good at using the Hebrew Scriptures when confessing the meaning of Jesus a
Experiencing The Reality Of God -- Acts 2:1-21 -- James L. Killen, Jr. -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2004
The story of the Day of Pentecost tells of a pivotal event in the history of God's work in the world
Dealing With Criticism -- 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2004
No one likes criticism. We all like to be liked.
A Guide To Christmas -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2004
If you talk about the blind and guides you are talking about seeing--eye dogs.
Paradise Restored -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
In the last book of the Bible, John the elder has a great vision of the earth ending in subjection t

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Finders Keepers -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Henry Scholberg -- 1993
Neil loved his bicycle. It was a three-speed and quite
The Messenger -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Henry Scholberg -- 1993
They were proud of their church. "Proud as punch!" they always
Death Row -- John 3:1-17 -- Henry Scholberg -- 1993
"I'm afraid to die," Tony said.
Here Comes The Bride -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1993
David adjusted his cuff links and straightened his tie. He
Hearing The Promise -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- 1993
Rhea Lawson was 49 when it happened. Her last child would
This Doesn't Make Sense -- Luke 2:1-14 -- Paul Lintern -- 1993
John heard it. Tim did, too. So did Grace and Sarah. But none
The Weight Of The Cross -- John 2:13-22 -- Charles W. Byrd -- 1993
The restoration of First Community Church had been completed.
A Fair Hearing -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
From the look on Delores' face as she strode up our walk, I knew that, once again, my sermon hadn't
The Gifts Are Unrelated -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Paul Lintern -- 1993
Lydia loved to give things away -- crafts, baked goods, items
Into Every Life -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Frank put me in a bind.
The Draw Of The Magnet -- John 12:20-33 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1993
A young child sat at the wooden picnic table in the back yard
The Organ -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
A church crisis can be precipitated by seemingly innocent events.
Letting Her Alone -- Mark 14:1Ä15:47 -- Betty Lynn Schwab -- 1993
"Well, isn't that something!" the pastor said to his very
Night Trek -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Methodist pastors change pulpits at the will of the bishop, so when the call came from my district s
With Sighs Too Deep -- Romans 8:22-27 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1993
Over at last. That's the only thought she could think about just now. Over at last.
Endwork -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"Good grief!" Susie said. "It's Alfred Plunket!"
Music Box Dancer -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1993
David stared at the music box nostalgically as his sister held it out to him.
Jesus Loves Problem Kids -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
His name was Freddie and he was as cute as little boys come.
The Wall -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1993
Warren Jones had just retired from a long successful career in
Spring Story -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
She was dying of pancreatic cancer.
Sand -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Peter C. Garrison -- 1993
The smells of the beach reminded Molly of being a kid. When
The Other Roads -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
In the course of my ministry I occasionally came upon people who had gone rather suddenly from being
Commercial Break -- John 6:24-35 -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1993
Like the product it advertised, the commercial seemed to keep
Strangers -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
When Betty appeared at my door she looked positively ill.
Before The Sun Sets -- Ephesians 4:25Ä5:2 -- James E. Sargent -- 1993
The supper table hadn't yet been cleared. Coffee cups were

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Lent 2 -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: PurpleGospel: Luke 13:31-35
Wisdom -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2000
Call To Worship Leader: Wisdom calls out to all who yearn to gain understanding.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- 2000
We come to your house this day, our Father, to open our hearts to you, to thank you for your loving-
Left Out? -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lent 3 -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: PurpleGospel: Luke 13:1-9
Project Accomplished -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2000
Call To Worship Leader: Finally, finally, all the plans have come together.
By The Other Water Gate -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lent 4 -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: PurpleGospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
A Little Robe -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
With You In Mind -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship Leader: From where does our confidence arise?
Lent 5 -- John 12:1-8 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: PurpleGospel: John 12:1-8
A Stronger Hand -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Holy Risking -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Lent -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
LentThe Season Of RenewalLiturgical Color: Purple
Advent 1 -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
Liturgical Color: Purple/BlueGospel: Luke 21:25-36
Lead On -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2000
Call To Worship
Swift to Hear and Slow to Speak -- James 1:19-25, James 3:1-12 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
I Will Be Your God -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Name Change -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Incredible Faith -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
At The Root -- Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Here's Jesus! -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
You Shall ... -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Ministry of Encouragement -- Acts 4:32-37 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
I Will Not Leave You -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: Join me in this conversation about change: You must stay here.

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
14 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 1
30 – Sermons
90+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For November 30, 2025:
  • Time Change by Chris Keating. The First Sunday of Advent invites God’s people to tell time differently. While the secular Christmas machine keeps rolling, the church is called to a time of waiting and remaining alert.
  • Second Thoughts: What Time Is It? by Tom Willadsen based on Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
According to Martin Luther our thanksgiving is brought about only by justification by grace:

But bringing of tithes denotes that we are wholly given to the service of the neighbor through love…  This, however, does not happen unless, being first justified by faith. (Luther’s Works, Vol.9, p.255)

The Reformer also wants us to be happy, what with all the generous gifts we have been given.  He wrote:
Wayne Brouwer
A schoolteacher asked her students to make a list of the things for which they were thankful. Right at the top of Chad’s list was the word “glasses.” Some children resent having to wear glasses, but evidently not Chad! She asked him about it. Why was he thankful that he wore glasses?

“Well,” he said, “my glasses keep the boys from hitting me and the girls from kissing me.”

The philosopher Eric Hoffer says, “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings!” That’s true, isn’t it?
William H. Shepherd
Christianity is, among other things, an intellectual quest. The curriculum to know God truly. The lesson plans interact creatively with other aspects of faith: worship is vain if not grounded in truth, while service is misguided if based on faulty premises. While faith certainly cannot be reduced to knowledge, it cannot be divorced from it, either.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (v. 6)

We just received word about the passing of our friend, Rosmarie Trapp. We had lost touch with her in recent years, so I was shocked when I stumbled onto her obituary in The New York Times from May 18, 2022.
David E. Leininger
John Jamison
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Reason for the Season" by David Leininger
"Time's Up" by John Jamison


What's Up This Week

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: The activity for this message is the Be Thank You! game.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Rosemary was 33 years old. She'd been married to James for four years and they had two children, Sam who was two and the baby, Elizabeth, who was just three weeks old. Apart from the baby blues and extreme fatigue, both of which got her down a bit when James was at work, Rosemary was happy. They had recently moved to the London suburbs and James commuted each day by train.

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
This brief psalm is among the most familiar in the psalter, but that is primarily because its verses have been excerpted in so many hymns and liturgical texts. There is something to be gained from looking at Psalm 100 in its entirety, and trying to recover its ancient liturgical context.

James Evans
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (v. 6). What better way could there be for us to begin the Advent season than by focusing our prayers on peace? The word, shalom, translated "peace," means much more than the mere absence of conflict. And of course, it is not only Jerusalem that is in need of peace; the whole world needs the shalom that the psalmist dreams about. So perhaps we should expand the breadth of this prayer, and deepen it with our awareness of the various meanings of the Hebrew idea of peace.

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 2:1--5 (C, RC, E)
Tony S. Everett
A popular skit at church camps involves about a dozen folks lined up side-by-side, looking anxious and frustrated facing the audience. Each person rests a left elbow on the right shoulder of their neighbor. Then, from left to right, each member asks, "Is it time yet?" When the question arrives at the end of the line, the last person looks at his/her wristwatch and responds, "No." This reply is passed, one-by-one each with bored sighs, back to the first questioner. After a few moments, the same question is passed down the line (left elbows remaining on the right shoulders).
Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
Just a few days before writing this message, I conducted a memorial service for a 60-year-old man who was the picture of health until three months before his death. He was active, vibrant, only recently retired, and looking forward to years of good life with his wife and family and friends. Nonetheless, pancreatic cancer had done its work, and quickly, and he was gone. It was the general consensus that it was too soon for his life to end; he was too young to die.
John W. Clarke
In this the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus begins to withdraw to the east side of the Sea of Galilee. He has fed the 5,000, and he has walked on water. The press of the crowds had become all consuming and he needs some solitude to prepare himself for what lay ahead. Considering that the crowds that followed him more than likely knew of the feeding of the 5,000, and some may even have heard of the miraculous walking on water, it is difficult to explain why in these verses, they would doubt anything he had to say -- but they do.
Robert R. Kopp
My favorite eighth grader just confessed his aspiration for becoming President of the United States.

When I foolishly asked the inspiration of his lofty goal, he replied, "Bill Clinton." Then my hormone-raging adolescent proceeded to list perceived presidential perks that have nothing to do with God or country.

My prayer list has been altered.

And my attitude about prayer in public schools has changed too.

I used to be against prayer in public schools.
John E. Berger
Thanksgiving, according to one newspaper columnist, has kept its original meaning better than any other holiday. That original meaning, he wrote, was family reunions around large dinner tables.

In contrast, Christmas has changed into Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Easter has come to emphasize new spring clothes and the Easter bunny. Even our national holidays -- Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day -- have become cook-outs and summer travel get-aways.
Mark Ellingson
Thanksgiving: How do we say thanks authentically and not lapse into the platitudes so often associated with this holiday? There are several dangers associated with the holiday. Ever since it was instituted as a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln, and even before when various state governors instituted it in their states, Thanksgiving has not been a strictly Christian holiday. There has been a lot of nationalism and self-congratulations associated with this day. What is the distinctively Christian way to give thanks to God for all the good things that we have?

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