Login / Signup

StoryShare

Advent Sale
Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Illustration

StoryShare

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.
Truly Exalted -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2020
“There were so many people involved in the project I’m not sure I deserve to be singled out,” Jenny
Called to Serve -- Judges 4:1-7 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2020
Judy appeared at the door. “Your two o’clock appointment is waiting for you.”
The Estranged -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Contents “The Estranged” by Keith Hewitt
The River -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Keith Hewitt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2019
“Have you thought about what pose you’d like?”
Second Chance -- John 21:1-19, Revelation 5:11-14 -- David O. Bales -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
Contents "Second Chance" by David O. Bales
The Spirit's Guidance -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5 -- David O. Bales -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2019
Contents “The Spirit’s Guidance” by David O. Bales
Further Visions To Follow -- John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2018
Contents "Further Visions To Follow" by David O. Bales
Visiting Asaph -- Mark 9:2-9, 2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6 -- David O. Bales, Keith Hewitt -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2018
Contents "Visiting Asaph" by David O. Bales
Make a Way Through the Desert -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2017
Contents "Make a Way Through the Desert" by Frank Ramirez
Law And Justice -- John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2015
Contents "Law and Justice" by Frank Ramirez
On The Mountaintop -- Mark 9:2-9, 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Psalm 50:1-6 -- Keith Hewitt -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2015
Contents "On The Mountaintop" by Keith Hewitt* * * * * * *
Where's Christmas? -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8 -- C. David Mckirachan, John Fitzgerald -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Contents"Where’s Christmas?" by C. David McKirachan
Always The Same, Always Changing -- Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2012
Contents"Always the Same, Always Changing" by Frank Ramirez
Cousins -- Mark 1:21-28, Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Psalm 111 -- Larry Winebrenner, Keith Hewitt -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2012
Contents"Cousins" by Larry Winebrenner
Listening For God -- John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Larry Winebrenner -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2012
Contents"Listening for God" by Peter Andrew Smith
The Valley -- Mark 9:2-9, 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Psalm 50:1-6 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2012
Contents"The Valley" by Keith Hewitt

Stories

StoryShare

Responding To Signs Of The End -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Contents “Responding To Signs Of The End” by David O. Bales
Here Am I -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2020
Contents “Remembering Our Limitations” by C. David McKirachan
The Estranged -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Contents “The Estranged” by Keith Hewitt
What Words to Use -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Contents “What Words to Use?” by C. David McKirachan
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
The Times or Periods -- Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- David O. Bales -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Contents “The Times or Periods” by David O. Bales
You. Yes, You. -- Acts 2:1-21, Numbers 11:24-30 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2020
Contents “You. Yes, You.” by C. David McKirachan
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
Too Deep For Words -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Romans 8:26-39 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2020
Contents “Too Deep For Words” by David O. Bales
A Fork In the Road -- Matthew 10:24-39, Genesis 21:8-21, Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17, Jeremiah 20:7-13, Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2020
Contents “A Fork In the Road” by C. David McKirachan
Welcoming -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
Contents “Welcoming” by Peter Andrew Smith
Mumbling Hope -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2020
Contents "Mumbling Hope" by David O. Bales
Bringing God Into Perspective -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2020
Joan cleared her throat. “I went to church this Christmas when I was home,”
Crops of Glory -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Romans 8:1-11, Genesis 25:19-34 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2020
Contents "Crops of Glory" by C. David McKirachan
Gloriously Stormy Worship -- Matthew 3:13-17, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 29 -- David O. Bales, Keith Hewitt -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2020
Contents “Gloriously Stormy Worship” by David O. Bales
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
The Principle of Paying Attention -- John 1:29-42, Psalm 40:1-11 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2020
Contents “The Principle of Paying Attention” by C. David McKirachan
Called and Freed To Serve -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23), Romans 5:1-8 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2020
Contents “Called and Freed To Serve” by David O. Bales
A Great Light -- Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2020
“Well that should do it for out here.” Paul shoveled the last of the snow on the walkway.
Who are the Good People? -- Genesis 32:22-31, Isaiah 55:1-5, Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 -- C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2020
Contents"Who are the Good People?" by C. David McKirachan
Pup -- Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- David O. Bales -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2020
Contents “Pup” by David O. Bales
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.
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.
Howling Good News For Some -- Genesis 45:1-15, Psalm 133 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2020
Contents “Howling Good News For Some” by David O. Bales
Control -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8 -- David O. Bales -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2020
‘Wally’ K. Freirer To My Descendants by David O. Bales
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
Advent 2
34 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
35 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 3
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
28 – Sermons
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
31 – 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

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
For December 6, 2020:
  • Hype Man for Disruption by Mary Austin — John the Baptist kicks off Mark’s gospel as the hype man for Jesus, drawing the crowds out to the Jordan River, and proclaiming that something new is coming.
  • Second Thoughts: We Need A Little Comfort by Chris Keating — Isaiah declares the promised tenderness of a God who has heard the cries of suffering and whose comfort is beyond measure.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Back in the 80’s, when I pastored a multiracial church in Chicago, there was one African American family with Cajun roots who had the tradition of preparing a huge pot of filé gumbo every Christmas Eve. Gumbo includes just about everything imaginable, and all the flavors slosh around to create something even greater than all the great stuff that goes into it.
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Ron Love
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 40:1-11
Wilfred Brimley died on August 1, 2020, at the age of 85. The actor was gruff and burly, yet very lovable. His best-known movie role was in Cocoon. Others may remember him for his Quaker Oats commercials with his famous tagline, “It’s the right thing to do.” He was also in the movies The Natural, The China Syndrome, and played Shannen Doherty’s grandfather on NBC’s Our House. Once when he was asked how he prepares for a role, Brimley replied, “I get up in the morning and I get dressed.”

StoryShare

Keith Hewitt
C. David Mckirachan
Contents
“The Estranged” by Keith Hewitt
“The Greatest Story Ever Told” by C. David McKirachan


The Estranged
by Keith Hewitt
Isaiah 40:1-11

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Note: This sermon is the second in a series you can continue through Advent. This is a great opportunity to have some fun with the children as you lead up to Christmas. The series is designed to end on Christmas Eve, but you can end it on the 4th Sunday of Advent if you do not have a children’s cermon on Christmas Eve. The most important part of this series is that the more fun you have with it, the more fun everyone else will have too!

Objects: You will need three objects:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Sam was the envy of all his friends. His dad was a farmer, so he drove a tractor. On rare occasions Sam was allowed to sit in the tractor cab and even help drive.

Sam's dad was entering a ploughing competition, so he was spending quite a lot of time in the tractor practising ploughing in straight lines.

SermonStudio

Wesley T. Runk
(Appropriate for Advent)

Elizabeth Achtemeier
To understand this rich passage, the preacher must first understand its setting. Historically, this is the message addressed to the Judean exiles in Babylonia, between 550 and 538 B.C., and it takes the place of the call of the prophet known as Second Isaiah, who is himself among the exiles. That prophet's preaching is found in Isaiah 40-55.
Robert J. Elder
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.
-- Mark 1:1a

The four gospels each have very different ways of introducing the story about Jesus. Matthew begins his gospel with a long genealogy, tracing Jesus' lineage -- "son of David, son of Abraham" (Matthew 1:1-16) from the time of Abraham through fourteen generations, through the line of Mary's husband, Joseph, all the way to Jesus.

Special Occasion