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Proper 8 -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1998
Lesson 1: Genesis 22:1-14 (C)
Proper 14 -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 (C)
Christ The King -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Proper 26 -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
There is much material that is unique to Matthew in the final chapters of his Gospel.
Proper 9 -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 (C)
Proper 15 -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 45:1-15 (C)
Corpus Christi -- Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, John 6:51-58 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16
Advent 1 -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
As we indicated in the Preface we have chosen to arrange the chapters of this work in their Matthean
Illuminating God's Message To The World -- Matthew 5:13-16 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1998
Images of salt and light hold center stage in this short pericope at the outset of the Sermon on the
Proper 27, Proper 28 -- Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
We have chosen to discuss two texts together in one chapter.
The Day Of Thanksgiving -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 8:7-18 (C)
Proper 16 -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 1:8--2:10 (C)
The Resurrection Of Our Lord (Easter Day) -- Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6, John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 10:34-43 (C, E); Acts 10:34, 37-43 (RC)
Caring For The Gifts Of God -- Matthew 21:33-43 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1998
"Listen to another parable.
Christ The King; Proper 29 -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
We come to the end of the Church Year.
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Proper 17 -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 3:1-15 (C)
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 2:14a, 22-32 (C, E)
Perseverance Brings Us Home -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1998
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king
Resurrection Of The Lord -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
Resurrection is the heart and climax of Matthew's story.
The Holy Trinity -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 1:1--2:4a (C); Genesis 1:1--2:3 (E)
Proper 18 -- Exodus 12:1-4, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 12:1-4 (C)
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Readiness For The Lord -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1998
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this.
The Holy Trinity -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The closing verses of Matthew's Gospel include the Trinitarian formula in the call to go to all the

Sacrament

Self Help

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SermonStudio

Praying With The Preacher -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2003
Sharlon and I returned recently from a brief trip to Tuscumbia, Alabama, where we served from 1978-1
Falling Into Faith -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Charles D. Reeb -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Woody Allen once quipped, "If there is a God, he is the ultimate under-achiever." This statement is
Not Just Any Body, Christ's Body -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a -- Robert S. Crilley -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2003
Let me offer you a hypothetical situation.
The Justice Of God -- Lamentations 1:1-6 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2003
During the dark and sullen of days of the Great Depression in New York City there was one man who br
O Perfect Love! (Where Are You?) -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
Click here for
Celebrating The Lord's Day -- Luke 1:46b-55 -- David M. Oliver -- 2003
Opening SentenceLuke 1:46-48, The Message
Epiphany: The Joy Of Fulfillment -- Luke 4:14-21 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2003
I've read some books where it seemed the author had no purpose in writing.
The One Or One Of Many -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2003
It is the year 50 A.D. Two individuals run into each other on the street corner.
Make The Most Of Your Life -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2003
Once there was a wise king who died.
What The Church Should Be Doing Until The Second Coming -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
In folklore and literature there are many famous deadlines.
Celebrating The Lord's Day -- Luke 2:15 -- David M. Oliver -- 2003
Opening SentenceLuke 2:15
Epiphany: The Tragedy Of Rejection -- Luke 4:21-30 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2003
In the church, most of us think of Epiphany simply as a season on the church calendar, and sometimes
Calendars And Checkbooks -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
In seeking to create that teachable moment, the motivational speaker presented to his gathered stude
A Personal Commitment To God -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2003
One morning at a missionary church deep in the rain forest of South America, the Sunday worship serv
Whom Christ Commended -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2003
A new soldier, having just completed jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia, stood proudly at attentio
The Festival Of The Holy Nativity -- David M. Oliver -- 2003
Prelude Organ SuggestionsJoy To The World -- arr. Petker
From Empty Nets To Full Lives -- Luke 5:1-11 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2003
It's funny what experiences and phrases will stay with you from childhood.
The Reason For The Rules -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
When I was eleven years old I was a baseball player. Well, not really.
God Provides The Path To Life -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2003
Today people throughout the world refer to the Hawaiian islands as "paradise." Visitors come to enjo
Grace Encounters -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2003
Several years ago at one of the Lausanne Missions Conferences, something remarkable was decided.
At The Corner Of Church And Main -- Luke 6:17-26 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2003
Once there was a great intersection in the ancient city of Bethlehem.
Sustained By A Hope Unfulfilled -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
In his newest book, The Good Life, Peter Gomes tells of the two times he invited Billy Graham to spe
God Knows What God Is Doing -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2003
There is an apocryphal story told that after completing his masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, the famous I
Incident At A Table -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2003
Many of the great events of history have taken place at tables.
Saints In Shorts -- Luke 6:27-38 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2003
Seven years ago, our family moved from southern Virginia to northeast Wisconsin.

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Christ The King -- Luke 23:33-43 -- John Steward -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C
In Toledo, Spain, there is an old cathedral.
My Dad, Marlie -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Patricia Gallagher Marchant -- Easter Day - B
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our
A Tire Of A Different Dimension -- Psalm 26 -- John E. Sumwalt, Kay Boone Stewart -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wave
Christmas 1 -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- John Steward -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
A farmer was being questioned by a lawyer during a trial concerning an accident on a highway.
Lent 1 -- Romans 10:8b-13 -- John Steward -- First Sunday in Lent - C
In a Danish village there was a Lutheran Church where each Sunday the people would walk into the chu
Convincing Proof -- Acts 1:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Margaret Nyland-brown -- Ascension of the Lord - B
I was born in 1970. My brother, Randy, was five years older than I. He died on February 28, 1982.
My Beloved -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- John E. Sumwalt, Judie M. Jacobson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B
Beth and David are a young couple in my congregation who have a wonderful relationship and a tremend
Lent 2 -- Luke 13:31-35 -- John Steward -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
In a small Swiss town there was a cathedral. It was called the Mountain Valley Cathedral.
Ronny's Gift -- Psalm 51:1-17 -- John E. Sumwalt, Rebecca Henderleiter -- Ash Wednesday - B
In recovery circles, many tight-knit relationships are formed.
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha -- Mark 7:24-37 -- John E. Sumwalt, Allan Mccauley, As Told To Rebecca Henderleiter -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B
Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." And immedia
Lent 3 -- Luke 13:1-9 -- John Steward -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
Most people think of AIDS as being transmitted sexually or through intravenous drug use.
What Is God Saying? -- Luke 1:26-38 -- John E. Sumwalt, Susan D. Jamison -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
In May of 1996, I attended an event at Kirkridge, located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
Easter In September -- Psalm 19 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
The call came from the doctor that Dad had only a short time to live.
Lent 4 -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- John Steward -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Walter Elias was born in the city; now his parents had just moved to the country.
Our Family In Heaven -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- John E. Sumwalt, Jeff Veenhuis -- All Saints Day - B
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals.
What Dreams Have Come -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
After my father died, in September of 1998, I had several vivid dreams that felt very much like his
Lent 5 -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- John Steward -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
There was a Scotsman whose wife became ill. At first it did not seem like anything serious.
Cameron's Story -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Todd Chrisler, John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday of Advent - B
I met Todd and Dawn at wedding reception in the fall of 1999.
A Heavenly Voice -- Psalm 84 -- John E. Sumwalt, Rosmarie Trapp -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
When I was growing up, in our large family which performed all over Europe and the U.S., I was the r
Passion/Palm Sunday -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- John Steward -- Passion Sunday - C
Several years ago I had the occasion to meet A.C. Lyles. A.C.
To Bind Up The Broken Hearted -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Roy H. Nelson -- Third Sunday of Advent - B
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good ne
That Which Comes From Heaven -- John 6:24-35 -- John E. Sumwalt, Janet Angel -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to
Day Of Pentecost -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- John Steward -- Day of Pentecost - C
Four centuries ago there was an incident that can serve as an example of the power of fear.
A Safe Place To Tell Visions -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- John E. Sumwalt, John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Late on Maundy Thursday evening, in the year 2000, as I lay in bed, meditating on the format of this
Do Not Let The Sun Go Down On Your Anger -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- John E. Sumwalt, Marjorie K. Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger ...

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Serving Two Masters with Anxiety -- Matthew 6:24-34 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 1998
Adoration And PraiseInvitation to the Celebration
The Holy Trinity -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Genesis 1:1--2:4aTheme: Trinity -- In The Beginning
Corpus Christi -- Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, John 6:51-58 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- 1998
First Lesson: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16Theme: By God's DesignCall To Worship
Easter (Resurrection Of Our Lord) -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Acts 10:34-43Theme: The Whole StoryCall To Worship
Reproving Another Who Sins -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1998
Remembering Whose We AreInvitation to the Celebration
Prayer 9 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Lord Of Life:
Proper 19 -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Exodus 14:19-31Theme: TrustCall To Worship
The Last Hours of Jesus' Life and his Burial -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Good Friday - A -- 1998
Print these statements at the beginning of the order of worship: We are here to discover the meaning
First Sunday After Christmas (Holy Family) -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Isaiah 63:7-9Theme: Saving PresenceCall To Worship
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Acts 2:14a, 22-32Theme: But God IsCall To Worship
Forgiveness and the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1998
Remembering Whose We AreInvitation to the Celebration
Prayer 10 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear God, By Whatever Name You Are Known:
Proper 20 -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Exodus 16:2-15Theme: ProvideCall To Worship
The Temptations of Jesus -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation to the Celebration
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:7-14Theme: Like A Watered GardenCall To Worship
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 2:14, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Acts 2:14, 36-41Theme: The Promise Is For YouCall To Worship
The Laborers in the Vineyard -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 1998
Remembering Whose We AreInvitation to the Celebration
Prayer 11 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Watchful And Caring Mother-Father God:
Proper 21 -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Exodus 17:1-7 Theme: Are You Here, God?Call To Worship
Nicodemus and Jesus -- John 3:1-17 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation to the Celebration
Christmas Eve/Day -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7 Theme: See The LightCall To Worship
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Acts 2:42-47Theme: TogetherCall To Worship
The Authority of Jesus Questioned -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1998
Remembering Whose We AreInvitation to the Celebration
Prayer 12 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Loving, Merciful God:
Proper 22 -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20Theme: Ten Commandments

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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
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Thanksgiving
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80+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
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90+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
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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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