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Worship

SermonStudio

Theme: The One Wish -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Proverbs 9:9-10)
Theme: What I Want -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 34:18-19)
Theme: It Don't Get No Better -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 45:6-7)
Theme: Wisdom. Real. -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 125:1-5) One:
Theme: Embarrassed Enough To Finally Listen? -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 19:1-2, 7-9, 14) One:
Theme: With One Hand Tied Behind Her Back -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship Rejoice and be glad in God! Collect
Theme: For Such A Time As This -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Who Knew? -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2005
First Lesson: Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Theme: And Another Thing, Lord ...
Theme: I Think You Said You Wanted An Answer -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 104:24-34) One:

Drama

SermonStudio

John, the Baptizer -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"Prepare ye the way of the Lord."
Levi, the Publican -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"All went to be taxed."
Nathan, the Shepherd -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"Unto you is born this day ... a Savior."
Jacob, the Innkeeper -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"There was no room ... in the inn."
Balthasar, the King -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"We have seen his star in the east ..."
Joseph, the Carpenter -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
"Call his name Jesus ..."
Looking the Part -- R. Blaine Detrick -- 1976
Marguerite Detrick
Caiaphas -- Exodus 40:12-16, Matthew 26:57-68 -- Scott A. Bryte
Good evening.
The Centurion -- 2 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 27:45-54 -- Scott A. Bryte
Good evening.
John -- Job 19:23-25, Acts 8:14-17, John 21:20-25 -- Scott A. Bryte
Good evening.

Sermon

SermonStudio

Now I See -- John 9:1-41 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth.
Healing Tears -- John 11:1-45 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
When we came up out of the tomb of Lazarus, the other half of our touring group, who were waiting th
While It Was Still Dark -- John 20:1-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
March 7, 1961, was by all appearances an ordinary day.
The Best Send Off Ever -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
In the summer of 2004, I had the joy of traveling with Rosmarie Trapp on a five-day, whirlwind story
Pentecost Diaries -- Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
The last time I spoke to Ken was on the phone a few weeks before he died.
How To Stretch A Meal -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
My mother's people, the Longs of Longfield House, County Tipperary, came from Ireland to southwest W
Storm Walker -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2007
The call came on a Sunday after church just as we were sitting down to lunch.
Foreign Territory -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
I grew up "poor" -- or so I thought.
Are You Ready For Christmas? -- Isaiah 40:3-4, Luke 2:1-7 -- William Powell Tuck -- 2007
As we approach Christmas, the question will be heard on many lips: "Are you ready for Christmas?" A
Christmas Is For The Young -- Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 2:1-14 -- William Powell Tuck -- 2007
Christmas is usually associated in our memory as a time of great joy.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

The Torn Curtain -- Matthew 27:45-54, Mark 15:33-39, Luke 23:44-49 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
There is a story that says there was once a very large religious statue in a temple, but one day a m
The Unused Spices -- Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Spices are a symbol of love, the love of the women who brought the spices to the tomb of Jesus to po
The Misplaced Christ -- John 20:1-18 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Ty asked his father, "Why do we go to church?" When his father did not reply, Ty asked again, "Why d
The Idle Tale -- Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:1-12 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
The small, furry, green caterpillar ate its way up the stalk of grass.
The Twice-Traveled Road -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace were Alison's favorite friends in church.
The Identifying Scars -- Luke 24:36-43, John 20:24-29 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
"Alan, you are late again!" Alan's father's jaw twitched, which meant he was not pleased.
The Dispelled Doubt -- John 20:19-29 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Once there was a child who lived during a war. His name was Norman.
The Propelling Word -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
"You are under arrest," the policeman said to the old man, caught for stealing a loaf of bread, beca
The Wasted Ointment -- Matthew 26:6-13, Luke 7:36-50 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Our sacred story for today is about a woman who came to Jesus with a jar of very expensive oil and s
The Sustaining Promise -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Elaine M. Ward -- 1993
Long ago King Philip of France issued a decree ordering all Jews under the penalty of death to leave

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Three Little Pigs -- Jesus' Version -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Sometimes we have to preach the obvious such as: we need a strong faith founda
Can Pagan Objects Be Sanitized? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Are there certain objects or ideas that are off limits to Christians because t
A Just-In-Case Arrangement With God -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: It may not be possible to have a playing-it-safe kind of approach to religion.
Rainbow-colored Coats And Green-eyed Monsters -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: I think one of the "seven deadly sins" is jealousy, which may be a temptation
A Buddhist, A Mormon, And An Atheist Were Out In A Boat Fishing -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Dialogue with other faiths and denominations leading to better understanding a
A Blueprint For Dying -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: A Christian should prepare for death and find ways of serving even after death
Developing Extra-Ray Vision -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: A Christian should become continually more sensitive to his or her total envir
Paul Said The Darnedest Things -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We cannot ignore some of the strange things Paul said, and we should discuss w
Does The Sneaky Side Of Us Enjoy Violence? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How unhealthy is the obsession we have with violence and what can the Christia
When Religion Turns Into A Circus -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Why does religion sometimes become bizarre, weird, or ridiculous, and what do

Stories

SermonStudio

Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Progress Slow progress is always better than no progress at all.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Association
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Age
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Assurance
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Attitude
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Beauty
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Becoming
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Bible
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Blessing
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Caution

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

Easter 4 -- John 10:11-18 -- William W. Helland -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 10:11-18
Easter 5 -- John 15:1-8 -- William W. Helland -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 15:1-8
Easter 6 -- John 15:9-17 -- William W. Helland -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 15:9-17
Easter 7 -- John 17:6-19 -- William W. Helland -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
John 17:6-19
The Resurrection Of Our Lord / Easter Day -- John 20:1-18 -- William W. Helland -- Easter Day - B -- 2005
John 20:1-18
Epiphany 2 -- John 1:43-51 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2005
John 1:43-51
Epiphany 3 -- Mark 1:14-20 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:14-20
Epiphany 4 -- Mark 1:21-28 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:21-28
Epiphany 5 -- Mark 1:29-39 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:29-39
Epiphany 6 -- Mark 1:40-45 -- William W. Helland -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2005
Mark 1:40-45

Poems

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Easter

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Thanksgiving Day

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Home Blessing

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Women's Day

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Mother's Day

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Unison Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer

Intercession

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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
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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