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Proper 19 -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 14:19-31 (C)
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 2:42-47 (C); Acts 2:14, 36-41 (RC)
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
God's Gifts Are For All -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1998
"For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;
Advent 4 -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
Our Matthew text for this week comes from the first chapter of Matthew.
Proper 20 -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 16:2-15 (C)
Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 7:55-60 (C)
Advent 2 -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
Enter John the Baptist. Matthew doesn't introduce this desert prophet until now.
Serving Christ Through Others -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1998
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne
Proper 6 -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The appointed Gospel reading for this week begins with the words: "Then Jesus went about all the cit
Proper 21 -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 17:1-7 (C)
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Acts 17:22-31 (C, E)
Baptism Of The Lord; Epiphany 1 -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
This week's assigned Gospel story is a continuation of the story assigned for the Second Sunday in A
The Gate Of Life -- John 10:1-10 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by anothe
Proper 7 -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The Gospel assigned for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost comes out of the heart of Matthew 10.
Proper 22 -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 (C)
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lent 1 -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The Gospel text appointed for this week has allusions to many, many stories throughout the Bible.
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.
Christ The King -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
We come to the end of the Church Year.
Anchoring Your Life In The Lord -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 1998
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who d
Proper 8 -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
We come now to the final passage in the section of Matthew's Gospel which Robert Smith has called:
Proper 23 -- Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 32:1-14 (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 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 60:1-6 (C, RC); Isaiah 60:1-6, 9 (E)
Epiphany 3 -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
This week's Matthew text takes us from Part I to Part II in the outline of Matthew that we proposed

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

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.
Whether You'll Weather The Weather -- Luke 6:39-49 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2003
Every so often, toward the end of a hot, still, muggy day here in the Midwest, we'll have a televisi
In Betwixt And Between -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2003
It was a calm and lazy summer evening, almost dark.
God Restores Us To Life -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
The New Man For Our Time -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2003
This is the time of the year when new cars are unveiled.
Pilate Pops The Question -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Good Friday - C -- 2003
Do The Do's! -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2003
It was just unthinkable! The unbelievable had to be believed because it had just happened!
Supporting Others As God Supports Us -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
In 1921 Lewis Lawes became the warden at New York's infamous Sing Sing Penitentiary.
Committed To The Committed One? -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2003
Try this experiment. Turn your radio on. Now dial it to your favorite station.
On Defeating The Devil -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
At every baptism in the Lutheran church an old question is asked.
Waging Peace -- Philemon 1:1-21 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2003
The old man is about to retire for the evening.
Through Cross-colored Glasses -- Steven E. Albertin, Charles D. Reeb, Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- 2003
Introduction
Contemporary Prophets -- 1 Kings 18:20-39 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2003
On March 24, 1980, Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, was saying Mass at a cancer hospital op
How Good News Spreads! -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2003
In 1971 I made a trip to Russia.
Jesus, Desirous -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
In the powerful movie, Ulee's Gold, Peter Fonda plays a tired man who is a beekeeper by day.
Giving The Best To The Worst -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2003
J.
The Power Of The Future -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- Steven E. Albertin -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
We have all had them. We all hate them. You know what I am talking about: boring history teachers.
Living For Others -- 1 Kings 17:8-24 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2003
Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland, in 1821.
How To Break A Bad Habit For Good! -- John 8:31-36 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2003
After helping his child with homework, a man said to his wife, "I wish we still had those kinds of p
Headlines And Holiness -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Imagine for a moment that Jesus is watching television with his twelve disciples.
All! -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2003
"I pray that we will not become too introverted."
Be Careful What You Ask For! -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
It is a piece of worldly wisdom we often hear in the course of our daily conversations: "Be careful
Living The Life God Gives Us -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2003
There once was a businessman who, after a long hard day at the office, cried out loudly to God with
Let's Talk Turkey -- John 6:25-35 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2003
Let's talk turkey!
The Waster -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
We live in a world where the concept of fairness is nearly elevated to a level of worship.

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Proper 10 -- Luke 10:25-37 -- John Steward -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
The story is told of the fourth wise man who had followed the Star announcing the birth of Jesus.
Blessed At The Core -- John 13:1-17, 31-35a -- John E. Sumwalt, Manda R. Stack -- Maundy Thursday - B
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.
Proper 11 -- Luke 10:38-42 -- John Steward -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
When Charles Dickens was a little boy he was unhappy and neglected, for he was working in a factory.
A Plea For Help -- Psalm 31:9-16 -- John E. Sumwalt, Christal Bindrich
My mother died of breast cancer in 1976.
Proper 12 -- Colossians 2:6-15 -- John Steward -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Two men were high up in a hot air balloon.
My Encounter With God -- Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Robert L. Gossett -- Day of Pentecost - B
A United Methodist pastor, lying on a Lutheran gymnasium floor, struggling with God about speaking i
Proper 13 -- Luke 12:13-21 -- John Steward -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
One of the great struggles in our lives is the one that we have with materialism.
No One Is Lost -- Psalm 22:23-31 -- John E. Sumwalt, Keith R. Eytcheson, Sr. -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
A few years ago, one of my nephews went through an emotional break-up with a girlfriend.
Kathy's Caterpillar -- Titus 2:11-14 -- John E. Sumwalt, Diana Lampsa -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
On a recent August morning, I raced into the drive of a retreat center, late for my morning appointm
Proper 14 -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- John Steward -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
My good friend and former professor Dr.
Waiting For God -- Psalm 19 -- John E. Sumwalt, John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
I begin my prayer time some mornings with the following meditation.
Visions Of The Nativity -- Luke 2:1-20 -- John E. Sumwalt, Rochelle M. Pennington
Christmas EveLuke 2:1-20Visions Of The Nativity
Proper 15 -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- John Steward -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
In Plato's Symposium there is an allegory that imagines the beginning of human beings.
Advent 1 -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- John Steward -- First Sunday of Advent - C
What is love?
My Labyrinth Prayer -- Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 -- John E. Sumwalt, Ann Watson Peterson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
On a cold, snowy evening, I climbed the stairs of Calvary Presbyterian Church to walk the Labyrinth
Consolation -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- John E. Sumwalt, Lori Hetzel -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
My mother died on January 20, 2001. I am her only daughter, and we were very close.
Proper 16 -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- John Steward -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C
During World War II the Red Cross would provide blood for wounded soldiers.
Advent 2 -- Luke 3:1-6 -- John Steward -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
While Khrushchev was Premier of the Soviet Union, he came out against his predecessor Joseph Stalin
Then A Voice Came -- John 12:20-33 -- John E. Sumwalt, Loxley Ann Schlosser -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified [my name], and I will glorify it again." The crowd
Born Of The Spirit -- John 3:1-17 -- John E. Sumwalt, Earl Kammerud -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Do not be astonished that I said to you, "You must be born from above." The wind blows where it choo
Proper 17 -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- John Steward -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
One summer a farmer named Worthy Taylor hired a young man by the name of Jim to work the farm.
Advent 3 -- Luke 3:7-18 -- John Steward -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
When the Gettysburg Cemetery was being dedicated, those doing the planning wanted to have a speaker
A Life Redeemed -- Psalm 103:1-13, 22 -- John E. Sumwalt, Vickie Eckoldt -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B
At age 42, I was faced with two major surgeries within six weeks.
Three Days Of Meditation -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- John E. Sumwalt, Judy Von Bergen -- The Nativity of our Lord - B
Day One
Proper 18 -- Luke 14:25-33 -- John Steward -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
A man was once put in a dark cave.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

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
Proper 23 -- Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Exodus 32:1-14Theme: I Love YouCall To Worship
Physical and Spiritual Blindness -- John 9:1-41 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation to the Celebration
Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Acts 7:55-60Theme: ValorCall To Worship
Prayer 13 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Creator And Inhabiter Of The Universe:
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1998
Alleluia! Alleluia!Invitation to the Celebration
Clothed For Salvation -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1998
Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11Theme: Clothed For Salvation
Proper 24 -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Exodus 33:12-23Theme: InvisibleCall To Worship
Lazarus' Death and Resurrection -- John 11:1-45 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation to the Celebration
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Acts 17:22-31Theme: To A Known GodCall To Worship
Prayer 14 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Wonderful Provider:
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1998
Alleluia! Alleluia!Invitation to the Celebration
The Question about Paying Taxes -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1998
Alleluia! Alleluia!Invitation to the Celebration
In A Few Things -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1998
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30Theme: In A Few ThingsCall To Worship
Proper 25 -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Theme: Growing UpCall To Worship
Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet, and the New Commandment -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 1998
For this worship, use a small room for closeness that can be expanded easily to accommodate those wh
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Acts 1:6-14Theme: Angels?Call To Worship
Prayer 15 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Lord:
The Greatest Commandment; the Question about David's Son -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1998
Alleluia! Alleluia!Invitation to the Celebration
Proper 26 -- Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Joshua 3:7-17Theme: Miracles of Leadership Call To Worship
Palm Sunday and Jesus' Passion -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation to the Celebration
Second Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Isaiah 49:1-7Theme: From Your BeginningCall To Worship
Prayer 16 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Concerned And Loving One:
Watchfulness -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
The Community Gathers To Celebrate Its ExpectationsInvitation to the Celebration
Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 1998
Alleluia! Alleluia!Invitation to the Celebration

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

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