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Albert G. Butzer, III

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The Three Wishes Of The Christian Life -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Ascension of the Lord - A
Following the resurrection of their Lord, the disciples' lives must have been an emotional roller co
Lent - A Tithe Of Days -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-2 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Ash Wednesday - A
Many of us feel that our lives are out of control.
Resurrection In A Cross--Shaped World -- John 20:1-18 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Easter Day - A
In one of his songs, Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel fame suggests that we live in a time "of mira
Doubting Thomas And His Twin -- John 20:19-31 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Second Sunday of Easter - A
Several years ago the Episcopal Church launched a creative and clever advertising campaign.
Wide-Eyed Recognition -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Third Sunday of Easter - A
With the miracle and wonder of Easter Day still a recent and very pleasant memory, we would do well
Listening For The Voice Of The Good Shepherd -- John 10:1-10 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
I know a woman who says that her husband has a listening problem.
The Truth About Jesus -- John 14:1-14 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Believe it or not, there is a theological debate raging in our society at present in the strangest o
Living In Two Worlds At Once -- John 14:15-21 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A
Here are two statements about the world. Tell me if both of them ring true for you.
Praying For The Church -- John 17:1-11 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
"Dear friends," is the way she began her letter ...Dear friends,
Looking At Life From The Point Of View Of Death -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Good Friday - A
As part of my preparation for ministry, I participated in a program called Clinical Pastoral Educati
Tempted In The Strong Places Of Life -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- First Sunday in Lent - A
In his best--selling book called First You Have To Row a Little Boat, Richard Bode writes abo
How Should Christians Relate To Jews Today? -- John 9:1-41 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
How should Christians relate to Jews in today's world? That's a question all of us should ponder.
Tears Of Sadness, Tears of Gladness -- John 11:1-45 -- Albert G. Butzer, III
This morning let's consider together what is often called the shortest verse in the Bible: "Jesus we
New Eyes For The (Spiritually) Needy -- John 3:1-17 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Second Sunday in Lent - A
Perhaps you have heard of an organization called "New Eyes for the Needy." Their mission is simple y
Drinking From The Same Cup -- John 4:5-42 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
Hate-filled prejudice is, unfortunately, alive and well in our world today.
The Cry Of The Vacant Heart -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Passion Sunday - A
One of the harsh realities of the life of faith is feeling abandoned by God.
Receiving In Order To Give -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Albert G. Butzer, III -- Maundy Thursday - A
According to the Apostle Paul, Jesus once said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 2
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Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
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Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture — the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response — to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

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Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

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John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

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

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
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For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

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