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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)
First Sunday After Christmas/Holy Family -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 63:7-9 (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)
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 2 -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
Enter John the Baptist. Matthew doesn't introduce this desert prophet until now.
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)
Advent 4 -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
Our Matthew text for this week comes from the first chapter of Matthew.
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)
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
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
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)
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
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)
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 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
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 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)
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.
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
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
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
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)
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:
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)

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.
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.
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
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.
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!
Pilate Pops The Question -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank G. Honeycutt -- Good Friday - C -- 2003
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.
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.
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.
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.
Through Cross-colored Glasses -- Steven E. Albertin, Charles D. Reeb, Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- 2003
Introduction
Giving The Best To The Worst -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2003
J.
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.
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
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.
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."
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.
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!
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
Greed And Graciousness -- 1 Timothy 6:6-19 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2003
In July, 1975, the Nashville Banner ran an article about David Burroughs.

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.
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
Advent 1 -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- John Steward -- First Sunday of Advent - C
What is love?
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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

Prayer 12 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Loving, Merciful God:
Physical and Spiritual Blindness -- John 9:1-41 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation 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
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
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
Prayer 13 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Creator And Inhabiter Of The Universe:
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
Lazarus' Death and Resurrection -- John 11:1-45 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation to the Celebration
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
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
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
Prayer 14 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Wonderful Provider:
Prayer 15 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Lord:
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
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
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
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
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
Prayer 16 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Concerned And Loving One:
Palm Sunday and Jesus' Passion -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1998
The Community GathersInvitation 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
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
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
Prayer 17 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Patient, Present, And Self-Revealing One:
Rivers of Living Water -- John 7:37-39 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1998
Pre-preparations for Pentecost

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Baptism of Our Lord
29 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
40 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 2 | OT 2
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 3 | OT 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 25, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus called Simon and Andrew, James and John, to follow him. They immediately made their decision and dropped everything, for they knew the importance of their call. When Jesus calls us, do we hear him and do we respond?

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when I'm busy I find it difficult to hear you.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy, I find it difficult to respond to you.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy I'm not sure whether I want to follow you.
Lord, have mercy.
Janice B. Scott
I remember years ago watching an old film, which I think was "The Nun's Story." The young nun who was the heroine of the story had all sorts of difficulties in relationships with the other nuns. The problem was that she was super-intelligent, and the other nuns resented her. In the end the young nun went to the Mother Superior for advice, and was told that as a sign of humility she should fail her coming exams!

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Angel of Mercy"
Shining Moments: "A Dog's Life" by David Michael Smith
Good Stories: "God's Call" by Stephen Groves
Scrap Pile: "The Way Less Taken" by Garry Deverell


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt

C. David Mckirachan
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"Ordinary Time" by C. David McKirachan
"Who's the Fool?" by C. David McKirachan
"Sharing the Light" by Sandra Herrmann


* * * * * * *


Ordinary Time
by C. David McKirachan
Isaiah 9:1-4

SermonStudio

John N. Brittain
How familiar Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1 sound! Chloe's people had reported quarreling among the believers. Imagine that -- disagreements in a church! There were rivalries and backstabbing even in the very earliest days of the Christian community.
Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
A few years ago, I was on a retreat in northern Michigan, and I knew that some of our friends from home were sailing in the vicinity. One evening I went to the local boat dock, and walked through the lines of boats calling out the names of our friends, hopeful that they might be there. I remember the joy I felt when I yelled their names, and they answered! They were actually there, and they responded to my call!
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: In Christ's Name
Message: What on earth will bring us together, God? Lauds, KDM

How long must we wait, God,
for people to stop fighting
nations and nations
buyers and sellers
big ones and little ones
in-laws and relatives
husbands and wives
sisters and brothers
for me to stop fighting with me?
How long must we wait, God,
before we let the Christ Child come here?1
William B. Kincaid, III
In some parts of the country it doesn't matter, but in many areas the snow which falls during this time of the year can bring things to a decisive halt. Schools close. Events are canceled. Travel becomes tricky. If the conditions become severe enough, the decision may be made that not everybody should try to get to work. Only those who are absolutely necessary should report.
R. Glen Miles
"There will be no more gloom." That is how our text begins today. For the ones who were in anguish, glory will replace the gloom. Light will shine in darkness. Celebration will replace oppression. A new day will dawn.

In one sense these verses offer a summary of the overall message of the scriptures, "The darkness will pass. The light of a new day is dawning and there will be joy once again." At the end of the Bible, almost as if the original collectors of these sacred texts intended to remind us again of this word of hope, the Revelation of John tells us:
Robert A. Beringer
After a service of ordination to the Christian ministry, a sad-faced woman came up to the newly-ordained pastor and said, "It's a grand thing you are doing as a young man - giving up the joys of life to serve the Lord." That woman's attitude reflects a commonly held belief that to be serious about our faith means that we expect all joy to be taken out of living. For many, Christianity appears to be a depressing faith, with unwelcome disciplines, that cramps our lifestyle and crushes our spirits.
John T. Ball
All religions offer salvation. Eastern religions offer salvation from the illusion of being separated from ultimate reality - as in Hinduism, or from the pains of desire, as in Buddhism. Nature religions preach a salvation by calling us to realize we are linked to the natural world. Humanistic religions offer a salvation tied to the call to live in dignity and justice without divine aid. The biblical religions - Judaism, Islam, and Christianity - describe salvation in somewhat different ways. Judaism sees salvation primarily as an earthly and corporate affair.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Litany Of Confession
P: Discord, dissention, strife,
C: anger, violence, hatred;
P: we confess to you, O God,
C: our schemes, our willful rebellion,
our hidden hostilities toward your children.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our lack of trust in your presence,
our need to control, our insatiable appetite for praise.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our fear of speaking the truth in love,
our self-hatred, our moments of utter despair
when we no longer believe you are at work in us.
Wayne H. Keller
Adoration And Praise

Invitation to the Celebration
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Canticle Of Light And Darkness (UM205)
To Us A Child Of Hope Is Born (CBH189)
God Of Our Strength (CBH36)
Beneath The Cross Of Jesus (CBH250, UM297, NCH190, PH92)
In The Cross Of Christ I Glory (CBH566, UM295, NCH193--194, PH84)
Lord, You Have Come To The Lakeshore (CBH229, NCH173, PH377, UM344)
Where Cross The Crowded Ways Of Life (PH408, CBH405, UM42, NCH543)
Jesus Calls Us, O'er The Tumult (UM398, NCH171--172, CBH398)

Anthems

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
In 1882 George MacDonald wrote a fascinating story that powerfully illumines the thought behind today's lectionary passages. MacDonald called his tale "The Day Boy and the Night Girl: the Romance of Photogen and Nycteris" (it is available online at http://www.ccel.org/m/macdonald/daynight/daynight.html). In MacDonald's fable a witch steals a newborn girl and raises her in the total darkness of a cave. The witch experiences both light and darkness, but not the girl. She is completely immersed in the black world.
Wayne Brouwer
"Politics are almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous!" said Winston Churchill. "In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times."

In one of his essays, Albert Camus describes a powerful scene. John Huss, the great Czech reformer of the church, is on trial. His accusers twist all his ideas out of shape. They refuse to give him a hearing. They maneuver the political machine against him and incite popular passion to a lynch-mob frenzy. Finally, Huss is condemned to be burned at
David Kalas
Schuyler Rhodes
I was in the home of a church member the other day where I saw a marvelous family portrait. The picture had been taken on the occasion of a fiftieth wedding anniversary, and the entire family had gathered for the occasion. The celebrating husband and wife were seated in the center of the picture, flanked by their adult children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. It was a magnificent full-color illustration of God's design.

Special Occasion

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