Login / Signup

SermonStudio

Advent Sale - Save $131!
Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Adult study

African-American History

Bible Study

Biblical Studies

Biblical Study

Candlelighting service

Children's program

Children's Resources

Children's sermon

Christian

Christian Faith

Christian Life

Church Anniversary

Church Growth

Church Leaders

Church Programs

Death

Devotional

Drama

Easter

Faith Development

Fellowship

Funeral

Gathering Prayer

Healing

Home Blessing

Humor

Illustration

Inspirational

Intercession

Lent/Easter

Liturgy

Marriage Ceremony

Meditations

Memorial

Men's Day

Monologues

Mother's Day

Observance

Pageant

Pastoral Resources

Poems

Prayer

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 25 (C, E) -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Job 42:1-6, 10-17 (C)
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (C, RC, E)
Breaking Down The Barriers To Jesus -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1999
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life.
Proper 26 (C, E) -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Ruth 1:1-18 (C)
Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 40:21-31 (C)
Sharing With Others In Imitation Of Christ -- John 6:51-58 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1999
Jesus said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven.
Proper 27 (C, E) -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 (C)
Sixth Sunday After The Epiphany -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 2 Kings 5:1-14 (C); 2 Kings 5:1-15 (E)
Jesus: The Victor Over Evil -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1999
The crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat.
Proper 28 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 (C)
Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Awaiting The Kingdom Of God -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1999
He also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep
Proper 4 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 3:1-20 (C)
Proper 5 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 8:4-20 (11:14-15) (C)
Eighth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Hosea 2:14-20, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, Mark 2:13-22 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1999
Lesson 1: Hosea 2:14-20 (C); Hosea 2:16-17, 21-22 (RC); Hosea 2:14-23 (E)
Healing A Demoniac -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Harold H. Lentz -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 1999
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.
Proper 6 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 15:34„16:13 (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 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 60:1-6 (C, RC); Isaiah 60:1-6, 9 (E)
Healing Peter's Mother-In-Law -- Mark 1:29-31 -- Harold H. Lentz -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1999
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Proper 7 (C, E) -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49 (C)
Good Friday -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Good Friday - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 52:13„53:12 (C, RC, E)
Healing A Leper -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Harold H. Lentz -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1999
A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean.
Proper 8 (C, E) -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 (C)
First Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 9:8-17 (C, E); Genesis 9:8-15 (RC)
Healing A Paralytic -- Mark 2:1-12 -- Harold H. Lentz -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1999
When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

"Thy Kingdom Come" -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2003
Many of us are familiar with Stephen Covey's 1989 bestseller, The Seven Habits of Highly Effectiv
Divine Dinner Party Decorum -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2003
Luke opens the fourteenth chapter by telling us that Jesus "was going to the house of a leader of th
What Does A Christian Look Like? -- Galatians 5:1, 13-23 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2003
One of my favorite stories about Abraham Lincoln emerges from the Lincoln-Douglas Debates.
More Beyond -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Centuries ago, Portugal adopted a national motto.
Epiphany: Glory Beyond Our Expecting -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2003
In 1986 a relatively unknown basketball team from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock defeated
High-tension Wire -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
A two-lane state highway bisects the little town of Hemingford in western Nebraska.
The Power Of A Song -- Gary L. Carver -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2003
Paul Duke tells the story of a white man who during the racial turmoil of the 1960s visited the area
Know Yourself And Know God -- Hosea 11:1-11 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Is the life you lead one for which you want to be remembered?
"Thy Will Be Done" -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2003
All of us are familiar with word association.
Warning To The Clueless Enthusiasts -- Luke 14:25-33 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2003
Jesus said, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brother
Choosing Your Future -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2003
It was many years ago now, right after I had first started in the ministry that Sharlon and I travel
Love For Herbert And Dorothy -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2003
The miracle that Jesus performed at the wedding at Cana in today's Gospel is recalled in the prayer
The Crowd That Watched God Die -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2003
Have you ever noticed how people are attracted to the scene of tragedy?
Moment By Moment -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
The Christmas-Easter-only people do have a point.
In Fact -- 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Easter Day - C -- 2003
On first reading of Paul's message to the Corinthians, two parts stand out: The first is a phrase, "
Conversion To The Lord -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
"I'd sell my soul to play for the Washington Senators." Joe Hardy, the protagonist in the popular Br
"Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread" -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2003
Today marks the mid--point of a journey.
Jesus Encounters The Religion Police -- Luke 15:1-10 -- R. Robert Cueni -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2003
Back before the ways of the Taliban became common knowledge, there was a fascinating little article
Targets And U-turns -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Robert S. Crilley -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2003
His father had once served as the pastor of the largest Baptist Church east of the Mississippi River
The Good News And The Bad News -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2003
Have you ever had someone come up to you with a message and then introduces it by saying, "I've got
Resurrection And Remembrance -- Luke 24:1-12 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Easter Day - C -- 2003
Down through the centuries there have been various and sundry attempts to try to discredit the resur
Salvation's From And For -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Despite the zest to adapt when things go amiss with the human body or the mind, a self-alienation an
Alpha Dog -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2003
Today we begin the first of six Sundays of revelation, that is, The Revelation to John.1 Many shy aw
Maximizing Your Potential -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2003
Once upon a time two beautiful flowers lived side-by-side in a magnificent garden.
"Forgive Us Our DebtsÓ -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2003
"Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." I don't know about you, but I find the s

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Park -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Common words have an uncommon history. Take the word park, for example.
Jesus' Resurrection -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Imagine how early man must have stared in wonder at an egg. It looked like a stone.
Branded -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Once upon a time, two brothers were convicted of stealing sheep.
Catharsis -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
The scientific study of human anatomy is a very recent development.
Patience -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Where is God's home?" asked the church school teacher of the children seated in front of her.
Labor Day -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In 1882, a member of the Executive Council of The American Federation of Labor proposed one day in t
Breath -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Closer is He than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet," wrote Alfred Lord Tennyson about God.
Christopher -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
In a kingdom long ago and fan away, near the middle of the third century, there was a giant of a man
Pause -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When Leonardo da Vinci was painting the scene of Jesus' last supper, on a dining room wall in a cert
Consequences -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Of course, God will forgive me; that's his business!" Those flippant words were written by the nine
Pillars of Hercules -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Pillars of Hercules was the name ancient Greeks gave to two rocks on either side of the Strait of Gi
Crazy -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
A little boy was confined to his house one rainy Sunday afternoon.
Poor -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," said Jesus.
Cross -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Jesus transformed the cross from a revolting sight to a beloved symbol.
Possibilities -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"You are a promise, you are a possibility," sang the children in our Vacation Church School last sum
Prepare -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
Long ago and far away there lived a court jester named Giacomo.
Death and Resurrection -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
A little boy went to a doctor for a throat checkup and noticed a religious medal hanging from the do
Problem -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"I'm the head of my house," announced one recently-married husband to another.
Defeat -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"In love's service, only the wounded can serve," wrote Thornton Wilder in a three-minute play inspir
Procrastinate -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When I was a boy, I met Connie Mack at old Shibe Park.
Disappointment -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Yes," said the old man, "I've had some terrible disappointments, but none stands out over the years
Pure -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When the English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson was in old age, he asked his son, who was to be the exec
Esprit de corps -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When Frank first went to college, the campus was unfamiliar to him.
Rainbow -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
When people have been brought through the seriousness of a great illness and then reflect on their l
Esteem -- Edward Chinn -- 1987
"Born to lose" were the words tattooed on the back of the young man's hand. Dr.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Little Ado -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Calling Your Name? -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship Leader: Who is calling your name?
The Simple Shepherds -- And The Lamb Of God -- Isaiah 53:1-7, Luke 2:15-20 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Christmas Eve Isaiah 53:1-7; Luke 2:15-20They Came Together In Bethlehem:
The Blotter -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Shadow You Cast -- Acts 5:12-16 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Listen To Their Voice -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15) -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
The Three Kings -- And The King Of Kings -- Isaiah 9:7, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
First Sunday After Christmas Isaiah 9:7; Matthew 2:1-12
A Door Of Hope -- Hosea 2:14-20, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, Mark 2:13-22 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Prayer Is for Real! -- Matthew 6:5-13 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
On The Heart -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Sonrise -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Amazing Grace -- Joshua 2:1-15 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
The Lion's Paw -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship Leader: Who is your Goliath?
By A Perversion Of Justice -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, John 18:1-19:42 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Good Friday - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: He was wounded for our transgressions.
What's the Use of Worrying? -- Matthew 6:25-34 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
Lion Friendship -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship Leader: By what qualities do we measure a friendship as strong as lions?
Kin -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1999
Call To Worship
Never Again -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Call To WorshipLeader: When all seems hopeless, there God is.
The Gospel of the Second Chance -- Acts 15:36-41 -- Robert A. Beringer -- 1999
Greeting and Call To Worship
First Sunday In Advent -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Isaiah 2:1-5Theme: With JoyCall To Worship
Prayer 32 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Demanding But Understanding One:
Jesus Prays for his Disciples -- John 17:1-11 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
A Celebration Of ResurrectionInvitation to the Easter Celebration
Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Genesis 25:19-34Theme: Isaac and RebekahCall To Worship
Proper 11 -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Genesis 28:10-19a Theme: Know ThisCall To Worship
Second Sunday In Advent -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-10Theme: From Jesse's StumpCall To Worship

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?

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL