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SermonStudio

Seek Reconciliation: God's Judgment Is Near -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had m
Proper 23 -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 (C)
First Sunday After Christmas / Holy Family -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 (C)
Reconciled To Self, Others, And God -- Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.
Proper 24 -- Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 31:27-34 (C)
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Jeremiah 31:7-14 (C, E)
The Challenge Of Compassion -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2000
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.
Proper 25 -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Joel 2:23-32 (C)
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Confidence And Persistence In Prayer -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2000
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lor
Proper 26 -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Habakkak 1:1-4; 2:1-4 (C)
The Baptism Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 43:1-7 (C)
Becoming Rich In The Eyes Of The Lord -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2000
Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me
Proper 27 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Haggai 1:15b--2:9 (C)
Second Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 62:1-5 (C, RC, E)
Expect The Unexpected -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2000
Jesus said, "Do not be afraid little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the ki
Proper 28 -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 65:17-25 (C)
Third Sunday After The Epiphany -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Renewing Our Relationship With Jesus -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2000
Theme
All Saints -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- All Saints Day - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 (C)
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Generosity Of Humility -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2000
One occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sab
The Day Of Thanksgiving -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2000
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Consequences Of Discipleship -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2000
Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, "Whoever comes to me and d

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Hinge Of History -- Luke 3:1-6 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Henry Ford said that history is bunk; but history has gotten its revenge on the pioneer auto maker.
The Son Also Rises -- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2003
When it comes to the resurrection, one of the things that all of the Gospel writers agree upon is th
Burden Or Blessing? -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
There is an ancient Chinese parable that goes like this:
Working Together As One -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2003
Nature is filled with examples of how the world functions better when things come together and act a
A Woman's Place -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2003
In 1999 I traveled in North Africa.
Left Behind? -- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
I want to talk about the confusing, messy, often heartbreaking process we call life.
A Dirty Christmas -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Steven E. Albertin -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
Under every Christmas tree in the midst of the brightly wrapped packages, the choo-choo train windin
Jesus' Lesson On Prayer -- Luke 11:1-13 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
Jesus was praying. His followers sat near and watched.
Rowers And Rockers -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
One of the most difficult jobs in any church is the staff person, usually a secretary, who is assign
The Life You've Always Wanted -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
The other day I came across some interesting epitaphs.
Can You Hear It? -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Charles D. Reeb -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2003
There is a monastery in Europe which was built in a most difficult location.
The Divine Opportunity -- Luke 3:7-18 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Opportunity comes with so many different faces that we often don't recognize it.
Revised And Amended By The Author Of Life -- 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2003
The celebrated theologian and novelist Frederick Buechner once remarked that preaching is like doing
God's Peace Is On Patrol -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
On the Sunday afternoon following Thanksgiving, when I was in seventh grade, it began to snow.
The Making Of A Holy Family -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- Steven E. Albertin -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
How many times have your heard people say at this time of the year, "Christmas is about family.
It's God's Grace, Not American Ingenuity -- Luke 12:13-21 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Imagine an enormous open field in the midst of rolling hills.
Too Peeved To Pray -- Galatians 1:1-12 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2003
Paul did not pray! I know that it is difficult to believe, but Paul did not pray.
A Vexing Vision -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Charles D. Reeb -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Have you have heard the expression, "Something got lost in the translation?" On the Internet there a
Conversion To Christ -- Steven E. Albertin, Charles D. Reeb, Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- 2003
Contemporary life provides almost endless opportunities and possibilities that allow us to maximize
Songs Of The Season -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
No season of the year sings as well as Christmas.
A Labor Not In Vain -- 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2003
According to the book of Acts, when Saul set out toward Damascus with his satchel of arrest warrants
The Ultimate Sacrifice -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Back during the first week of November, when the stores were busy trying to persuade us suddenly to
Never Just Words -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2003
"Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words can never harm me."
The Transforming Power Of A Changed Perspective -- Luke 12:32-40 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
As we wander through the middle of this twelfth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, we notice that Jesus
The Power Of Story -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2003
Elie Wiesel relates this story.

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Stars and Stables -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In 1899, a boy named Jeno was born in Budapest, Hungary.
Limelight -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Sir Humphry Davy, a British chemist, isolated calcium oxide in 1808.
Parable -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Truth embodied in a tale shall enter in at lowly doors," wrote Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
Grudge -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Anemia was the girl's problem.
Stars -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In a small monastery there was a little monk who was extremely shy.
Lost -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"I come here to find myself.
Stone Soup -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Do you know how to make stone soup?
Hard-Boiled -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In the early days of the American frontier, women used lye soap and often washed their family's clot
Thanksgiving Letters -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
During the Depression of the 1930's, Dr. William L.
Luck -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Many years ago, begins an old Chinese story, there was a man who had a horse and one son.
Healthy Religion -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"It is worth-while to look at the types of character that Jesus admires.
The Existence of God -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Robinson Crusoe is an imaginary story about a sailor, who was marooned on a desert island.
Mansion -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In A.D.
Hero -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Robert Redford's movie about baseball, "The Natural," confirms the words of educator Jacques Barzun:
Through -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Keep my lad safe, O Lord. Hide him under Thy wings.
Affirm -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Jesus once told a story about a woman who kept nagging a greedy and unjust judge until his resistanc
Means and Ends -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
America's crucial problem is too many Americans are rich in things and poor in soul.
Heroes -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Researchers for the World Almanac and Book of Facts asked 2,000 American eighth-grade students to na
Tired -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In the entrance hall of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore is a remarkable statue of Jesus of Nazar
Bridge Builders -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In A.D. 1191, Pope Clement III approved a new guild.
Medicine -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Many believers think that to have recourse to science in treating illness is to reject faith," wrot
Holy Week -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Holy Week is the last week of Lent, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Saturday.
Tomato -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Before 1830, tomatoes were known as love apples.
Cabbage Patch Kids -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Cabbage Patch Kids are dolls invented by Xavier Roberts.
Meek -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When the Great Fire of London destroyed the original St.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

No God Like God -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Touchable -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Practice Random Acts of Kindness -- Ephesians 4:25-32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1999
First Lesson: Song of Solomon 2:8-13Theme: Spring FeverCall To Worship
Covenant -- Exodus 24:3-8, Hebrews 9:11-15, Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- 1999
Call To Worship
Afraid and Overwhelmed -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
All God's Children -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
God Raised Him -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Mark 16:1-8 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Easter Day - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: God is in charge. God raised Jesus. This is Easter.
Roads to Happiness -- John 14:1-6 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Storm Shelter -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Partners -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: Partners in concern,People: Partners in planning,
Standing on the Promises -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Call Her Happy -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Releasing Joy -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: Let us rejoice in this day that God has made.
So, Anyway -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Turning Inkblots into Angels -- Romans 8:28-39 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Speaking Up -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
God Who Gave -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: It is Christmas.People: The Holy Child has come.
By The Name Of Jesus -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Healing Power of Love -- John 15:12-17 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Counting On God -- Job 1:1, 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Getting It Straight -- Acts 19:1-7 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Tell Me -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Staying Alive as Long as You Live -- Romans 12:3-18 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Where On Earth Are You? -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: Where are you when we need you, God?

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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