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Local History As Gospel Parable -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 1996
In my 35 years of preaching I never found a sermon series in which the congregation and community ha
The Baptism of Jesus and Baptism of the Spirit. -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- Russell F. Anderson -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The baptism of Jesus and baptism of the Spirit.
The difficulty of entering the kingdom of heaven when material things have a hold on you. -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The difficulty of entering the kingdom of heaven when material things have a hol
Palm Sunday -- Mark 11:1-11 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1996
"When they were approaching Jerusalem." These words open the Palm Sunday text.
The Epiphany Season -- Russell F. Anderson -- 1996
Epiphany Through The Centuries
Our human pride gets in the way of our worshiping and serving the Lord -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Our human pride gets in the way of our worshiping and serving the Lord.
The Parable Of The Sower -- Mark 4:1-20 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
We have indicated a number of times that the Parable of the Sower plays a crucial role in the overal
Healing and eternal life through the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Good Friday - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Healing and eternal life through the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, God's
God in Christ is ever available to hear and heed our cries for mercy. -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: God in Christ is ever available to hear and heed our cries for mercy.
Passion Sunday -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
The Sunday of the Passion confronts us with a different kind of challenge.
God's good news -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- Russell F. Anderson -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: God's good news.
Getting back to the basics -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Getting back to the basics, to love God with one's entire being and to love the
Proper 10; Pentecost 9 -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
Today's text centers in two men: John the Baptist and King Herod.
Christ calls us to take up our cross and follow him -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The road to God's kingdom is the way of obedience, suffering and death, th
Security -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Security.
Proper 11; Pentecost 10 -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
In her outline of Mark's Gospel, Mary Ann Tolbert presents Mark 6:35„8:21 as a unit of material.
A call to spiritual renewal and cleansing -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: A call to spiritual renewal and cleansing.
Knowing the signs of the Lord's return -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Knowing the signs of the Lord's return.
Proper 17; Pentecost 16 -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
With Mark 7 we come to some repetition of basic Markan themes.
We are saved by grace through faith -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: We are saved by grace through faith.
The Church is renewed -- Romans 3:19-28, Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 8:31-36 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The Church is renewed as it opens itself to the transforming power of the gospel
Proper 18; Pentecost 17 -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
Both of the Markan stories appointed for this week take place in the land of the Gentiles.
The heart of Jesus was broken in death so that he might create within us a new heart. -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: The heart of Jesus was broken in death so that he might create within us a new h
Rejoice in God's goodness and render thanks for all his blessings -- Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33 -- Russell F. Anderson -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1996
Theme For The Day: Rejoice in God's goodness and render thanks for all his blessings.
Proper 20; Pentecost 19 -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1996
The lectionary moves directly from the story on the Mount of Transfiguration (9:1-8) to Jesus' secon

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SermonStudio

Buried, But Alive -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2001
Baptism is a solemn, sincere, often serene, significant service of Christian worship.
The Touch Of Human Kindness -- Matthew 8:14-15 -- 2001
It was a cold and icy day in January as a gasoline truck
Catfish -- Romans 8:1-5 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 2001
... we even boast of our afflictions ...
Today Shalt Thou Be With Me In Paradise -- Luke 23:42-43 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2001
Paradise is hard to come by these days. But then again, paradise has always been hard to come by.
The Power Of A Dream -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Linda Schiphorst Mccoy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
Do you dream? Do you remember your dreams?
Life In The Old Bones Yet -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Robert J. Elder -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Several years ago a psychologist conducted a survey in which he asked 3,000 people the question, "Wh
Still Small Voice -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Ask any child at Christmas!
When It Hurts To Forgive -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Douglas B. Bailey -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2001
How could Joseph possibly forgive his brothers after all they did to him?
What Is Priceless? -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2001
Introduction
The Nails -- Carl B. Rife, Harold D. Shaffer -- 2001
During these Sundays in Lent, we have been looking at the symbols of the cross.
Free: For What? -- Romans 6:12-23 -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina sits on property that was once a large southern plantation.
The Critic's Choice -- Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 2001
"I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites ..."
Father, Into Thy Hands I Commend My Spirit -- Luke 23:46 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2001
Perhaps no scene is more indelibly impressed in the consciousness of western civilization than that
Show And Tell -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Linda Schiphorst Mccoy -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2001
An article in U.S.
For And Against -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Robert J. Elder -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2001
One-Way Theology -- Exodus 20:3 -- Robert R. Kopp -- 2001
God knows we don't do much theology these days.
What Good Music Can Do For You -- Isaiah 35:1-10 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
It is a scientific fact that when the music of Mozart is played in a henhouse, chickens lay more egg
Nothing Left But A Baby In A Basket -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- Douglas B. Bailey -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2001
Every head of a family would like to do everything possible to make life better for the next generat
How Much Is Enough? -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Marilyn Saure Breckenridge -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2001
Is there anything better to eat than fresh homemade bread? I don't think so.
Mary Magdalene -- Carl B. Rife, Harold D. Shaffer -- 2001
Unloved and unlovable.
Too Err Is Human -- Romans 7:15-25a -- Gary L. Carver -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
Craig Christina in his excellent sermon, "Between Two Worlds," reminds us of Robert Lewis Stevenson'
Asking -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Richard E. Zajac -- 2001
"Come after me and I will make you fishers of men."
It Is Finished -- John 19:30 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2001
In the time of Jesus, Rome was a great power, but it was a brutal power.
A God Thing -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Linda Schiphorst Mccoy -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2001
Bil Keane, the creator of the Family Circus cartoon, said he was drawing a cartoon one day wh
Slaving After Freedom -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Robert J. Elder -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2001
Preachers often wonder what to do with Palm Sunday.

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Germination -- George A. Nye -- 1994
A couple of weeks ago, I re-seeded a portion of my lawn. As I
He Has Come Back To Life! -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation (By the Worship Leader)
Commitment -- George A. Nye -- 1994
"Make me feel good, Lord," is the prayer of some who seek an
Cables -- George A. Nye -- 1994
In Washington State, the old timers remember the Starbuck
What Is That In Your Hand? -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation:
"They" -- George A. Nye -- 1994
"They" is an ugly word. It robs us of our most precious gift -
Trees -- George A. Nye -- 1994
A scourge of the emerging generations is their state of
Like A New Batch Of Dough -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Meditation Music Appropriate To Observance Of The EucharistWords Of Preparation:
Building Arks -- George A. Nye -- 1994
Build your ark while the ground is dry; for when the floods
Hospital Gowns -- George A. Nye -- 1994
One of the worst things about being a patient in the hospital
What Can I Do With Who I Am? -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation Matthew 16:13-17 (TEV)
Joint Responsibility -- George A. Nye -- 1994
One of the saddest of human experiences is divorce and often,
Hope -- George A. Nye -- 1994
For some of us, there comes a time when we lose hope. The
What Did You Say? -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation from Psalm 15
Elevators -- George A. Nye -- 1994
The "3-Ds" that terrify us the most are disease,
Valuables -- George A. Nye -- 1994
Things possess the qualities of fun, value, or interest that
Expect Great Things To Happen! -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation:
The Visitor -- George A. Nye -- 1994
In yarns about visitors from outer space, alien life from the
Goofs -- George A. Nye -- 1994
I remember in the 1950s, seeing Jackie Gleason run off stage
With Christ As Partner -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationWords Of Preparation:
Natural Expressions -- George A. Nye -- 1994
Jesus tells us the parable of The Good Samaritan, in which a
Self-limitations -- George A. Nye -- 1994
"It's my life!" "This is my body!" We're very possessive of
George A. Nye -- 1994
With Praise And CelebrationNumber 4Pastor: Immortal God!
If We Are Dreamers -- Clement E. Lewis -- 1994
Instrumental MeditationThe Call To Worship:
Headlines -- George A. Nye -- 1994
The tabloid headlines at the checkout stands are intriguing.

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 4
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

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John Jamison
Object: An orange and a lemon that are about the same size and shape, a knife, a cutting board, orange and yellow paint, and some paper towels. Prepare the fruit by painting the lemon orange, and the orange, yellow. The more alike they look, the better.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Let’s get started!

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For May 11, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
Tinkerbell is the delightful sprite in Peter Pan who drifts between the world of senses and the world of magic. She sprinkles “fairy dust” to make children fly; she sparkles around Peter Pan as a comrade adventurer.

Once, in one episode of a televised version of Peter Pan, Tin­kerbell ingested some poison. There was nothing to be seen of her, tiny thing that she was, other than the brightness of her little light. But with the poison, her light began to fade. Before our very eyes she grew dimmer, pulsing with a weakening glow.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Acts 9:36-43
Cryonics is an interesting and, if I’m honest, disturbing practice. You might be wondering, what is cryonics? The aim of cryonics, according to Dennis Kowalski, the president of the Cryonics Institute in Michigan, is to “keep bodies in a stable, preserved state until the necessary medical technology arrives.” As of June 1, 2024, there were about five hundred people who have tried to keep themselves preserved for future medical advances to revive.

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hello, Peter. Come on in to the office,” Pastor Carl held open the door for him. “Oh, don’t worry about your shoes.”

“They’re muddy and I really should take them off,” Peter said. “Besides if I don’t, I’ll be hearing my mother’s voice telling me to take them off before coming into your office.”

Pastor Carl smiled. “Fair enough.”

After a few moments, Peter took the offered seat across from Pastor Carl.

“So how are you finding our church?” Pastor Carl asked. “I know you mentioned we’re a bit more casual and smaller than you are used to.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus said that he gives eternal life to those who follow him. As we worship God today, let us believe in his words so that we too may enjoy the Life that he offers.



Invitation to Confession:

 Jesus, sometimes we leave you out of our lives.
Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we are disappointed because you don't answer prayers in the way that we wish.
Christ, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we refuse to believe that you still act in our lives today.

SermonStudio

David E. Leininger
Women have always been uniquely important in the life of the church, whether or not men want to admit it. It started with Mary. Women were accorded special status during Jesus' ministry; in fact, it was probably women who were major financial supporters of the itinerant rabbi and his friends. Women were the first witnesses to the resurrection. This is not a feminist statement but a factual statement: from the first day to this day, if it were not for the women, there would be no church. It is that simple.

Donald Charles Lacy
History shows that people are invariably looking for Messiahs or Christs. There is that special person who is to come among them and, in a sense, do for them what they cannot do for themselves. Even for years after our Lord arose from the dead and ascended -- yes, and still at this moment -- people are looking.

Henry F. Woodruff
Now you can't even trust the police. When I was a child growing up in Texas, everyone knew how to spot the police cars: they were big old Ford Crown Victorias, painted black with white doors, sporting black wall tires with little moon hubcaps -- or, if they really wanted to be sneaky and fool you, they were big old Ford Crown Victorias painted gray, with whip antennas and license plates that read "City" on them. You could bet the farm on it. Now all that has changed. Police cars are all different makes and models and colors.
Clyde W. Wentzell
1. O my Good Shepherd, O Lord of my soul,
Keep me forever beneath your control.
In right paths lead me for your name’s sake.
All the best choices, Lord, help me to make.

2. When through dark valleys my walk is severe,
Keep me from evil, Lord, ever be near.
Your rod and staff, my discipline be,
O my Good Shepherd, keep watch over me.

3. You spread a table of bountiful store.
Rich are your mercies and love evermore.
Oil on the head, anointing most pure,
Flows in abundance as your love is sure.

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