Login / Signup

StoryShare

Midsummer Sale - Save $141!
Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Illustration

StoryShare

Women and Children First! -- Mark 9:30-37 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2021
“Women and children first!” We all know the cry in an emergency.
Speaking Tender -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2021
Contents“Speaking Tender” by John Sumwalt
May You Have An Interesting Life -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Ephesians 1:3-14 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2021
Contents “May You Have An Interesting Life” by C. David McKirachan
Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Contents “Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly” by John Sumwalt
A Backpack of Rocks -- Genesis 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15, Psalm 25:1-10 -- C. David Mckirachan, Keith Hewitt -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Contents“A Backpack of Rocks” by C. David McKirachan
Breaking Jesus’ Heart -- Psalm 22:23-31, Mark 8:31-38 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Contents“Breaking Jesus’ Heart” by John Sumwalt
Not Forsaken -- John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - B -- 2021
Contents“Not Forsaken” by John Sumwalt
The Scientific Method -- John 20:19-31 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Do not be faithless, but believing.’ That’s pretty rough when all he did was
Waking Up to Racism -- John 15:9-17, Psalm 98 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“Waking Up to Racism” by John Sumwalt
Love Is Hard -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- C. David Mckirachan, Keith Hewitt -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“Love is Hard” by C. David McKirachan
The Billy Graham Test -- Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2021
Contents“The Billy Graham Test” by John Sumwalt
No Limitations -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2021
Contents“No Limitations” by C. David McKirachan
We Are Spiritual Bodies -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Ezekiel 2:1-5 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2021
Contents“We Are Spiritual Bodies” by John Sumwalt
…But Do Not Sin -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2021
Most of us are passionate in our young days. It is not a reasonable time.
Bread From Heaven -- John 6:51-58, Psalm 111 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2021
Contents“Bread From Heaven” by John Sumwalt
Pasteboard Figures -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2021
When we’re looking for erotic poetry, we rarely look in the Bible.
Salt of the Earth -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2020
Maxine tapped her pen on the table as she looked at the open Bible in front of her.
Left Behind -- Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:44-53 -- Keith Hewitt, Peter Andrew Smith -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2020
Contents “Left Behind” by Keith Hewitt
In God's Image -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2020
Let us make people in our own image. Jessie narrowed her eyes and read Genesis 1:26 one mor
Welcoming -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
Contents “Welcoming” by Peter Andrew Smith
The Invaders -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a -- Keith Hewitt, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2020
Contents "The Invaders" by Keith Hewitt
Faith In the Storm -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2020
Luke stared at the stack of papers sitting in front of him.
Holy Ground -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2020
Charlie noticed the church a few blocks from his new apartment as he wandered toward the downtown.
Coming to Jesus -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2020
Helen’s picked up her phone to look at the new message.
Dealing With Sin -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2020
John entered the room without saying a word and took a seat at one end of the table.

Stories

StoryShare

The Beauty of God’s Law -- Hebrews 5:5-10, Psalm 119:9-16 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Contents“The Beauty of God’s Law” by Frank Ramirez
Mindful of Christ -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2021
Contents“Mindful of Christ” by Peter Andrew Smith
A New Commandment -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2021
Contents “A New Commandment” by Keith Hewitt
Not Forsaken -- John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - B -- 2021
Contents“Not Forsaken” by John Sumwalt
Despite Unreliable Witnesses -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Mark 16:1-8 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- Easter Day - B -- 2021
Contents“Despite Unreliable Witnesses” by David O. Bales
Cave Arrest -- Revelation 21:1-6a, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- New Year's Day - B -- 2021
Contents “Cave Arrest” by David O. Bales
The Scientific Method -- John 20:19-31 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Do not be faithless, but believing.’ That’s pretty rough when all he did was
Darkness and Light -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2021
Contents “Darkness and Light” by Frank Ramirez
Pause, Sign, Ponder, Reflect -- Psalm 4, 1 John 3:1-7 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents"Pause, Sign, Ponder, Reflect" by Frank Ramirez
May You Have An Interesting Life -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Ephesians 1:3-14 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2021
Contents “May You Have An Interesting Life” by C. David McKirachan
Trusting in God -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, Psalm 23 -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“Trusting in God” by Peter Andrew Smith
The Vine -- Acts 8:26-40, John 15:1-8, Psalm 22:25-31 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“The Vine” by Keith Hewitt
Receiving Grace -- Mark 1:4-11, Genesis 1:1-5, Psalm 29 -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2021
Contents “Receiving Grace” by Peter Andrew Smith
Waking Up to Racism -- John 15:9-17, Psalm 98 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“Waking Up to Racism” by John Sumwalt
Prom Night -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2021
Contents “Prom Night” by Keith Hewitt
Not the Hour or the Day -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2021
Contents“Not the Hour or the Day” by Peter Andrew Smith
Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Contents “Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly” by John Sumwalt
Love Is Hard -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- C. David Mckirachan, Keith Hewitt -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“Love is Hard” by C. David McKirachan
Something New In Old Capernaum -- Mark 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Psalm 111 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2021
Contents“Something New In Old Capernaum” by David O. Bales
The Billy Graham Test -- Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2021
Contents“The Billy Graham Test” by John Sumwalt
A Work of the Soul -- Isaiah 40:21-31, Mark 1:29-39 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2021
Contents“A Work of the Soul” by Keith Hewitt
One King Dead, Another King Eternal -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, Psalm 29 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2021
Contents“One King Dead, Another King Eternal” by David O. Bales
Only Two -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2021
Contents“Only Two” by Frank Ramirez
Wounds -- Mark 3:20-35, 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), Genesis 3:8-15 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2021
Contents“Wounds” by Keith Hewitt
The Faith of Giving -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Psalm 51:1-17 -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2021
Contents“The Faith of Giving” by Peter Andrew Smith
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
28 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 18
31 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
28 – Children's Sermons / Resources
27 – Worship Resources
22 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 20
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For September 26, 2021:
  • The Price of Admission by Tom Willadsen — Is the price of admission into the kingdom of God an arm and a leg? Or rather, a foot, hand and eye?
  • Second Thoughts: Why Pray? by Dean Feldmeyer — God answers prayer in God’s way, which, sometimes coincides with our desires — and sometimes doesn't.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
Timothy B. Cargal
Note: Originally published in 2003.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Frank Ramirez
Contents
“Speaking Tender” by John Sumwalt
“The Tables are Turned” by Frank Ramirez


Speaking Tender
by John Sumwalt
Mark 9:38-50, James 5:13-20

If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck, and you were thrown into the sea. (Mark 9:42)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A saltshaker, a stone, glue, salt, and a knife to scrape the stone. For the salt stone, I used a stone about the size of an apple, but you can use any size large enough to show. Many of the original ones would have been bigger. To make our salt stone, cover the stone with glue and then roll it in a pan of salt. Repeat that a few times until there is a visible coating of salt over at least part of the stone, and let it dry.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Praxis, the pixie who changed colour according to his feelings, was a bright and healthy pink. He looked so good and so happy with himself that everyone who saw him couldn't help smiling. The fact was, he'd been chosen for a very important job.

SermonStudio

William W. Helland
Mark 9:38-50

Sue Anne Steffey Morrow
On a cold and dark March night during my first year at Princeton as assistant dean of the chapel, I left our little home on the edge of the campus to go back to my office. I had a lot of things to accomplish and imagined that the quiet and solitude of the office would be the best place to work. As I approached our office building, Murray-Dodge Hall, I was surprised to see that it was all lit up and I began to hear the sounds of a ruckus. I came through the door and into a lobby to the middle of an astonishing party, a celebration of some sort or another.
James R. Wilson
Call To Worship
Leader: Let all who would proclaim God's word gather now for worship!
People: For we live in a hostile world with many who would silence the Gospel.
Leader: And thus it has always been, as Satan would keep us from God's love.
People: But the Lord will not be defeated, and God's word will be heard.
Leader: Then let us commit our lives to proclaiming God's mercy and love.
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

Special Occasion