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Thomas A. Pilgrim

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Behold The Man Who Was Tempted As We Are -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 1996
A man who owned a small town grocery store saw a little boy come in one afternoon.

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In The Darkness Of Suffering, There Is The Light Of Life -- John 1:1-13 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 2004
Several years ago, I read Sidney Sheldon's Novel, The Windmills Of The Gods.
In The Darkness Of Oppression, There Is The Light Of Salvation -- Luke 2:1-5 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 2004
I was staying at a hotel in a small town, near a large city.
In The Darkness Of Fear, There Is The Light Of Joy -- Luke 2:6-11 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 2004
One cold Sunday afternoon in December, the congregation of a little Baptist church went over to the
In The Darkness Of Uncertainty,There Is The Light Of Wonder -- Luke 2:17-20 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 2004
William Sloane Coffin, Jr., was, for several years, the pastor at Riverside Church in New York City.
In The Darkness Of Anxiety, There Is The Light Of Peace -- Luke 2:12-17 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 2004
On a recent Sunday night, my wife and I went to a nearby church for their "Bethlehem Walk." Each yea
In The Darkness Of Suspicion, There Is The Light Of Devotion -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 2004
It was a few days after Christmas.
In The Darkness Of Despair, There Is The Light Of Hope -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 2004
A student at The University of Georgia got a job as a disc jockey at a little radio station in Comme
The Temptation Of His Life -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
Robert Penn Warren wrote a novel called All The King's Men.
The Transformation Of His Call -- Matthew 4:18-22 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
In preparation for our mission trip to Puerto Rico in the summer, several of us went there in the sp
The Touch Of His Hand -- Matthew 8:14-17 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
A little girl named Charlotte went with her grandmother on a shopping trip downtown.
The Treasure Of His Kingdom -- Matthew 13:44 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
Some time ago we had a man speak at one of our suppers who is a shareholder in Mel Fisher's enterpri
The Test Of His Courage -- Matthew 20:17-19 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
A man and his wife had their vacation interrupted by a terrible toothache.
The Triumph Of His Defeat -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
Bishop Walter L. Underwood wrote a book a few years ago called Being Human Being Hopeful.
The Tragedy Of His Victory -- Matthew 21:1-11 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1998
Some of you experienced the victory of World War II.
Behold The Man Who Takes Away Sin -- John 1:29-39 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 1996
G. K.
Behold The Man Who Taught By The Sea -- Mark 4:1-9 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 1996
It was the end of the school year and a first grade teacher was saying good-bye to her students.
Behold The Man Who Trained Disciples -- Luke 10:1-20 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 1996
In March of 1860 an ad appeared in many newspapers of the West. It read, ''Wanted.
Behold The Man Who Turned Toward Jerusalem -- Mark 10:32-34 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 1996
Some time ago I was reading Harold Kushner's book, Who Needs God.
Behold The Man Who Tried To Be King -- Matthew 21:1-10 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 1996
Some time ago there was a stage play called Construction.
The Things Which Remain When All Is Lost -- 2 Samuel 12:16-23 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Anthology -- 1994
There is a story in the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel which I want to share with you.
The Road To The Wilderness -- Mark 1:9-13 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 1992
I have always enjoyed that CBS News segment, "On The Road With Charles Kuralt." He takes us to out-o
The Road To Nazareth -- Luke 4:16-30 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 1992
Not long ago I was driving down the interstate.
The Road To Capernaum -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 1992
Dr. Robert V.
The Road To Samaria -- John 4:1-6 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- 1992
When I was growing up we had a joke in our family about my father's shortcuts.

Free Access

Behold The Man Who Was Tempted As We Are -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 1996
A man who owned a small town grocery store saw a little boy come in one afternoon.

Worship

SermonStudio

The Prophetic Word -- And The Living Word -- Isaiah 40:1-5, John 1:1-14 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
First Sunday In Advent Isaiah 40:1-5; John 1:1-14
The Hope Of A Girl -- And The Hope Of The World -- Isaiah 7:10-14, Luke 1:26-38 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Second Sunday In Advent Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-38
The Expectant Parents -- And An Unexpected Baby -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Luke 2:1-5 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Third Sunday In Advent Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 2:1-5
The Song Of Angels -- And The Son Of God -- Isaiah 9:2-6 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Fourth Sunday In Advent Isaiah 9:2-6; Luke 2:6-14
The Simple Shepherds -- And The Lamb Of God -- Isaiah 53:1-7, Luke 2:15-20 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
Christmas Eve Isaiah 53:1-7; Luke 2:15-20They Came Together In Bethlehem:
The Three Kings -- And The King Of Kings -- Isaiah 9:7, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Thomas A. Pilgrim, Lisa Johnson Wrote The Beholders -- 1999
First Sunday After Christmas Isaiah 9:7; Matthew 2:1-12
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
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160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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Object: A mat, like an exercise mat, or a blanket.

Note: You can do this all by yourself, but if you want to have more fun, help your children role-play the story. Select one child to be the sick man, and a few children to be the crowd. I usually play the role of Jesus so I can easily guide things. As you tell the story, have the sick man try to crawl, and have a group of children be the crowd blocking him, and then after Jesus helps him, have the man stand up, roll the mat up under his arm, and walk away smiling. Have fun with it!

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(This particular installment of StoryShare is adapted from a review of “Seven Psalms” that I wrote for Messenger, our denominational magazine.)

During the night, Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (v. 9)

It all began with a dream.

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The church is a work in progress — and we are expected to be a critical part of that church’s work. In the absence of synagogue worship, Lydia and her fellow believers meet anyway at the riverside. Their faithfulness leads to Paul’s dream which helps create something where there was nothing. The passage from Revelation creates a target for us to aim for, and to work for, even as we wait for its perfect fulfillment.
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Acts 16:9-15
John Calvin claimed that this is a text to stir up our commitments to reach out to those in need, especially in this time of intolerance towards immigrants and the poor. A 2024 Gallup poll indicates that 56% of Americans favor mass deportation. And in the most recent poll on the subject of the poor, (a 2002 NPR/Kaiser poll), 52% of Americans found the poor not to have a proper work ethic. It is unlikely we have outgrown that prejudice. In response, the reformer of Geneva wrote:

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During World War II, many members of the Lutheran church in Germany lost their faith because Hitler seduced them into ways of living that kept them from practicing their faith. But there was one man whom Hitler could not compromise. His name was Martin Niemöller. During World War I, Niemöller had been a great hero in the German military but when the Second World War came, he refused to bow to the authorities. He was marching to a different drumbeat. And march he did.
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After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
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May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us....
-- Psalm 67:1

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(Sing the first verse and chorus of "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic.")

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.

Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
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Life has a way of presenting us with defining moments. I remember facing a defining moment in my ministry. I went to see a man in the hospital who was dying. He was not active in the church I pastored, but I knew who he was. When I entered his hospital room, his whole family was standing in a semi-circle around his bed. They greeted me, and then the man told his family that he wanted a moment alone with me. So they left us alone.

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Call to Worship:

Jesus said to the paralysed man, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." In our worship today let us explore all that paralyses us, then let us respond to Jesus' command to stand up and walk.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes I'm so afraid of ridicule that I keep my head down.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I'm so afraid of doing the wrong thing that I do nothing at all.
Christ, have mercy.

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