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What's The Matter With Sex? -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: A sermon intended to help the Christian find a healthier attitude concerning sexu
How Good Was Jesus With A Sword? -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: Did Jesus mean what he said about dividing a family, one member against another?
Good Friday -- Psalm 22:1-18 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Good Friday - B -- 1993
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me,
The Dragon Who Ate Himself To Death -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: A sermon recommending fasting.
Last Sunday After Epiphany -- Psalm 50:1-6 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1993
The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun
Who Are The Real Christians? -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: Behind the query of who is and who isn't a Christian lies the fundamental questio
Is Your House Haunted? -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: No plan for preaching is complete without an occasional sermon on fear.
Proper 23 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1993
In Job 23, Job responds to Eliphaz, one of Job's supposed
Hoping God Won't Answer -- Until...! -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: We need to confess that sometimes we are so audacious as to want a relationship w
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1993
The church is living between Jesus' departure and the coming
Proper 5 -- Psalm 61:1-5 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1993
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.From the end of the earth I call to you,
Mystery Of The Red Dragon -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: This is an opportunity to preach on apocalyptic literature in our Bible and the w
Nobody Actually Takes The Bible Seriously -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: Everyone reveres the Bible as the Word of God and more important than any other b
Lent 1 -- Psalm 25:1-10 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.O my God, in you I trust;
Women: What Men Need To Know -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: Men need to consider seriously being more like women.
Ash Wednesday -- Psalm 51:1-12 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 1993
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
Can You Keep A Secret? -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: If we are so eager to pass along secrets, why can't we be as excited about sharin
Made Anybody Uncomfortable Lately? -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: God's word is not always popular and can make us feel uncomfortable.
Proper 24 -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1993
The arguments of Job's four friends come to an end. Now the
Columns Of Stone Or Coals Of Fire? -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: Revenge has no place in the Christian's repertoire.
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 1993
The light of God's glory has appeared.
Proper 6 -- Psalm 92:1-14 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1993
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
Do We Have To Like Going To Church? -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: While there are "parts" of going to church that are not meant to be enjoyed, we s
Try It -- Perhaps God Hasn't Heard That Excuse Yet -- Terry Cain -- 1993
Purpose Statement: We must honestly confront our own excuses for avoiding God, not attending church,
Lent 2 -- Psalm 105:1-11 -- Hugh H. Drennan -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1993
O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Anything Better Than The Golden Rule? -- Luke 6:27-38 -- William G. Carter -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2000
A few years ago, I accepted an invitation to preach in a church in upstate New York.
Don't Look For Any Benches -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Henry F. Woodruff -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Let your imagination run with it; it is a riddle: What are the numbers 28, fourteen, and five all ab
How Not To Throw A Party -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2000
When I prepare a sermon, I usually begin by reading the assigned Bible passage for that day, often i
At Christmas Time, Don't Miss Christmas! -- Romans 15:4-13 -- Don M. Aycock -- 2000
A man who lives in Hollywood tells this to friends who come to visit: "When you are in Hollywood, do
Searching For Jesus -- John 6:24-35 -- Don M. Aycock -- 2000
Some people say that our generation is becoming godless. But make no mistake about it.
Confession: Confess And Absolve -- Joel 2:28-32, John 20:19-31 -- James A. Lucas -- 2000
The Office Of The Keys And Confession
The Second Article: Jesus Is My Lord -- Daniel 3:19, John 20:24-29 -- James A. Lucas -- 2000
The Apostles' Creed -- The Second Article
The Power Of Uninformed Decisions -- 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2000
One of the most nerve-wracking experiences in life is finding a place to live and a person to live w
Your Sins Are Remembered No More; You're Free! -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Mark Ellingson -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2000
Have you ever felt weighed down by your sins and shortcomings?
True Or False? -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- John W. Wurster -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2000
"Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom.
Pray Devoutly, Hammer Stoutly -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Thomas A. Renquist -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2000
They had not been married long -- three or four years -- when it started to unravel.
What To Do With Bad Guys -- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 -- Robert R. Kopp -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2000
When I asked Dad to go to Israel with Mom and me about fifteen years ago, he said, "Son, I've been i
The Promising Child -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2000
The Holy Gospel appointed for this First Sunday after Christmas was chosen to help us understand the
Getting It Together -- Luke 6:39-49 -- William G. Carter -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2000
Hypocrisy. We know it when we see it.
Words We Know, But God Doesn't -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Henry F. Woodruff -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2000
Native Texans know the place as "the hill country." Not like the high rolling plains of the Edward's
Sunday Dinner -- Luke 24:28-35 -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr. -- 2000
Remember Sunday when you were growing up? Maybe a lot of your families were like mine.
Affirmations For A New Year -- Isaiah 55:6 -- Don M. Aycock -- 2000
January is named after the Roman god, Janus.
Dealing With Disappointment -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Don M. Aycock -- 2000
How do you deal with disappointment? Some of us get angry.
The Sacrament Of The Altar: Given For You -- Exodus 24:1-8 -- James A. Lucas -- 2000
The Sacrament Of The Altar -- What The Lord's Supper Is
The Second Article: Jesus Christ Redeemed Me -- Deuteronomy 15:12-15, Hebrews 9:11-15, Luke 2:25-38 -- James A. Lucas -- 2000
The Apostles' Creed -- The Second Article
Taking The Sting Out Of Death -- 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2000
One of the most lasting images in the New Testament is one from Saint Paul: O death, where is thy vi
A Fresh Start! -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Mark Ellingson -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2000
Have you ever felt that you were absolutely at the end of your rope, left without hope?
God Knows -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- John W. Wurster -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2000
It's a phrase meant to underscore the limits of our knowledge.
Not Persistence, But Shamelessness -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Thomas A. Renquist -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2000
Midnight is not the best time to go knocking on your neighbor's door for a cup of sugar, is it?
Whistle While You Work -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Robert R. Kopp -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2000
Everybody has a list of favorite movies.

Spirituality

Stories

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Number 43 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: When you think about it, it is an awesome thought!
The Empty Tomb -- John 20:1-18 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Easter Day - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use in ordinary sequence with the scripture reading or
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12, Psalm 41 -- B. David Hostetter -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPIn Christ Jesus every one of God's promises is a "Yes." For this
Number 41 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things
Athanasius Faithful Teacher -- Thomas A. Renquist -- 1993
Reader 1: In the early part of the fourth century it suddenly became a lot less dangerous to be a Ch
Number 13 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
(The following outline is designed to be used by the pastor to lead the congregation in reflective t
Number 92 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Independence DayPastor: "If my people...."People: We are God's people.
Number 42 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: Have you ever looked for something, and searched and searched, but you couldn't find it anyw
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16, Romans 16:25-27 -- B. David Hostetter -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPHappy are the people who have learned to give acclaim to God, and
Number 74 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
Solomon Succeeds David As King -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use in ordinary sequence with the scripture reading.
Number 81 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Easter SundayPastor: Do you hear it?
The Tomb Confesses Its Emptiness -- Stephen P Cowen, Cynthia E. Cowen -- 1993
The Tomb Confesses Its Emptiness *P: The tomb is empty! He is risen!
Number 44 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: Ah, yes!
Number 45 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: No solution! Sometimes there just seems to be no solution -- no way out.
Jesus Appears To His Disciples -- John 20:19-31 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use in ordinary sequence with the scripture reading or as a call
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY -- Hosea 2:14-20, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, Mark 2:18-22, Psalm 103:1-13, 22 -- B. David Hostetter -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPBless God from your innermost heart and hallow God's name,
Number 43 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: When you think about it, it is an awesome thought!
Ludwig Nommensen Missionary To The Bataks -- Thomas A. Renquist -- 1993
Reader 1: In the Pacific Ocean of southeastern Asia lies the country known as Indonesia.
Number 14 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
(A pastoral reflection to share with the congregation at the opening of worship.)
Number 93 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Labor Day
Number 70 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Pastor: Over and over again, the scriptures call us to worship God our Creator, and to praise Him, t
ALL SAINTS' -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Psalm 24, Revelation 21:1-6a -- B. David Hostetter -- All Saints Day - B -- 1993
* CALL TO WORSHIPGod has spoken. Let us be glad and rejoice in the salvation of
Number 75 -- George A. Nye -- 1993
Presidents' Day
The Whole Armor Of God -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1993
Suggestions:Use in ordinary sequence with the scripture reading.

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.

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