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Surviving Clergy Sexual Abuse -- Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Because you have made the Lord your refuge    the Most High your dwelling place,
The Open Way -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2025
Kenny walked past the open church doors and paused at the corner to look back the unusual sight.
Pet Clouds -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they en
A Picky Church Visitor -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2025
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Eve
Longing for Assurance -- Isaiah 55:1-9 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Incline your ear, and come to me;    listen, so that you may live…
Brother-Sister Act -- Psalm 82 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2025
I say, “You are gods,    children of the Most High, all of you;
The Old, Old Story -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Paul reread the parable again and sighed. Why had he agreed to lead the Bible study this week?
Rejoice in Your Sufferings -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2025
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacki
Extravagant Jesus Super Bowl Ads -- John 12:1-8 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Jesus said, “Leave her alone.
Asking in Faith -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2025
Luke frowned at the email he was writing.
Running on Empty -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2025
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he existed in the form of God,
The Boy Who Would Not Tell a Lie -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2025
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and
Communion in the Barn -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2025
In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my
Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2025
Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to
God's Will -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Good Friday - C -- 2025
I’m sorry but I have some bad news. John heard the words of the doctor again as he sat in t
Pancake Suppers And Lies -- Luke 12:49-56, Jeremiah 23:23-29 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2025
How long?
Seeing Through Easter Eyes -- John 20:1-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Easter Day - C -- 2025
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know tha
The Speed of News -- Revelation 1:4-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Every eye will see him…. (v. 7)
The Difficult Choice -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2025
“We have questions about your conduct as our pastor,” Carl announced as soon as Pastor John sat down
Vision of Heaven -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatu
Laurinda Talked to Strangers -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2025
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels
When Jesus Speaks -- John 10:22-30 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
“Hello, Peter. Come on in to the office,” Pastor Carl held open the door for him.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to La Mancha -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2025
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to
Who Wipes Your Tears? -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
Seeking the Lost -- Luke 15:1-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2025
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice wi

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Who Wipes Your Tears? -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
Dream a Little Dream -- Acts 16:9-15 -- Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
(This particular installment of StoryShare is adapted from a review of “Seven Psalms” that I wro
Shrewd Christians -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2025
“Hey!” Annie waved at the woman standing next to the open doorway. “Can you come here?”
Great Souls Are World Shakers -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2025
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[
Grandpa Got Run Over By a Trencher -- Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2025
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.
Creating Unity -- John 17:20-26 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Patrick rubbed his forehead and scrolled back on his laptop screen.
Roses are Red, and Poppies Too… -- Lamentations 1:1-6, Lamentations 3:19-26, Psalm 137 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2025
What kind of poetry is written in the midst of war? Gentle poetry. Brutal poetry. Shocking poetry.
Finding Holy Spirit in Nature -- Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- John E. Sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2025
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
Jesus and Ten Foot Poles -- Luke 17:11-19 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2025
As he entered a village, ten men with a skin disease approached him.
Hail and Farewell -- John 16:12-15 -- Frank Ramirez -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2025
A little while, and you will no longer see me…. (v. 12)
Persistent Virtues -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2025
Rose sat back in her chair and opened her magazine.
Clone of Love Never Ends -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2025
Love never ends.
Failure Can Lead to Spiritual Growth -- Psalm 119:137-144 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2025
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight.
I Need Jesus People -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2025
But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian,  for
The Open Way -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2025
Kenny walked past the open church doors and paused at the corner to look back the unusual sight.
A Picky Church Visitor -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2025
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Eve
Migration Toward Life, Love, And Hope -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2025
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts
Brother-Sister Act -- Psalm 82 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2025
I say, “You are gods,    children of the Most High, all of you;
Rejoice in Your Sufferings -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2025
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacki
Promises and Reality -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2025
Ted looked out over the field behind his grandparent’s house and sighed.
Asking in Faith -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2025
Luke frowned at the email he was writing.
God Saves Humans And Animals -- Psalm 36:5-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2025
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
The Boy Who Would Not Tell a Lie -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2025
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and
Behind The Scenes -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2025
Did you ever notice in most of the old movies how the credits are at the front and they don’t share
Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2025
Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For October 26, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
I am a scoreboard watcher. I follow a lot more games than I actually watch, but since technology makes it easy to check scores on a moment’s whim, I watch a lot of scoreboards of teams and games that I am at least mildly interested in. And as I check those scores, I find myself having immediate reactions: “Great!” “Oh, that's too bad.” “Excellent!” “Nuts.” And in the midst of that sports-fan roller coaster, I must continually remind myself that not all scores are final.
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Joel 2:22-32
Martin Luther sings the praises of God’s love revealed in this lesson. He wrote:

The love of God which lives in man loves sinners, evil persons, fools and weaklings in order to make them righteous, good, wise, and strong. Rather than seeking its own good, the love of God flows forth and bestows good. (Luther’s Works, Vol. 31, p.57)

John Wesley nicely summarizes the Spirit’s role in fighting the lure of our old sinful habits:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message is a role-play story. You will need two children to play the roles of the Pharisee and the tax collector. I usually ask two children if they will help me as they are all coming forward for the message, but you may select them however you choose.

* * *

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John E. Sumwalt
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight.
Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
(vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

We all dislike people who blow their own trumpets, although sometimes we may be in awe of them. Jesus too deplored such behaviour and was never in awe of those who practised it. In our worship today let us open ourselves to Jesus, allowing him to see what is in our hearts.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we allow other people's behaviour to intimidate us.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we refuse to reach our own fullest potential because we are afraid.

SermonStudio

Schuyler Rhodes
Every morning when sleep leaves and waking comes there is cause for praising God. Caught up, as we are, in the currents and eddies of our lives, this is easy to forget. This wonderful psalm is a reminder. God's bounty and abundance spill into our lives like waters over a causeway. God's delight in creation explodes in a million different colors. In every moment there is reason to give God praise.
Robert R. Kopp
When I was a little boy growing up in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania's First Presbyterian Church, one of those Christian chalk artists with black light, neon colors, and black felt canvas who made pictures of Jesus look like those Elvis portraits for sale on the side of the road at the beach showed up as entertainment for a Sunday evening potluck dinner.
John E. Berger
Today's sermon begins with this little one-person drama.
Mark Ellingson
Have you ever felt that you were absolutely at the end of your rope, left without hope? Sometime during the years of 539 B.C. to 331 B.C. that is the way the people of Judah felt. It seems that their land had been ravaged by a plague of locusts which had had catastrophic consequences.

Once a harvest has been destroyed, you cannot repair it. If a building has burned to the ground, you cannot repair it. In those instances you need to start from scratch with a fresh start.

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