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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Ephesians 3:1-12, John 1:1-18 -- Carter Shelley, George L. Murphy, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton, Larry Hard -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2003
(Originally published for January 5, 2003)

Illustration

StoryShare

The King And The Maiden -- Luke 2:1-20, Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Psalm 96 -- Constance Berg, Frank R. Fisher, John E. Sumwalt, Paul Lintern, Stan Purdum -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Contents What's Up for Christmas

The Immediate Word

You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Ephesians 3:1-12, John 1:1-18 -- Carter Shelley, George L. Murphy, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton, Larry Hard -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2003
(Originally published for January 5, 2003)

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 19/Pentecost 17/Ordinary Time 24 -- Psalm 114 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2006
This psalm falls into four cantos.
Christmas 1 -- Psalm 148 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Christmas 1, Cycle B; Christmas 1, Cycle C; an
Proper 7/Pentecost 5/Ordinary Time 12 -- Psalm 133 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2006
This little gem of a psalm celebrates the joy of unity among comrades in the faith.
Proper 19/Pentecost 17/Ordinary Time 24 -- Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2006
This alternate psalm follows immediately after this morning's Old Testament Lesson, the story of the
Christmas 2 -- Psalm 147:12-20 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; for an alternative approach to vv.
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Psalm 93 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Ascension Of Our Lord, Cycle A, for an alt
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord / Last Sunday After The Epiphany -- Psalm 50:1-6 -- Stan Purdum -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2006
(For an alternative approach to vv.
Proper 13/Pentecost 11/Ordinary Time 18 -- Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2006
(See Proper 26/Pentecost 24/Ordinary Time 31, Cycle A, and Lent 4, Cycle B, for an alternative ap
Proper 20/Pentecost 18/Ordinary Time 25 -- Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2006
(See Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17, Cycle A, for an alternative approach to vv.
The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Time 1 -- Psalm 29 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Baptism Of Our Lord, Cycle B, and Trinity
Easter 7 -- Psalm 1 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2006
Psalm 1 has long been considered as a possible prologue to the rest of the psalter.
Lent 2 -- Psalm 22:23-31 -- Stan Purdum -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
(See Good Friday, Cycle A; Good Friday, Cycle B; and Proper 23/Pentecost 21/Ordinary Time 28, Cyc
Proper 6/Pentecost 4/Ordinary Time 11 -- Psalm 5:1-8 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2006
There are several things in the course of a lifetime that have the power to cause us to question our
Proper 22/Pentecost 20/Ordinary Time 27 -- Psalm 19 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2006
Psalm 19 celebrates two different media through which God is revealed: nature and the law.
Advent 2 -- Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2006
(See The Epiphany Of Our Lord, Cycle A, and The Epiphany Of Our Lord, Cycle B, for alternative ap
Good Friday -- Psalm 22 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Good Friday - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Good Friday, Cycle A; Lent 2, Cycle B; and Pro
Palm Sunday/Sunday Of The Passion -- Psalm 31:9-16 -- Stan Purdum -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Liturgy Of The Passion, Cycles A and C, for al
The Day Of Pentecost -- Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Day Of Pentecost, Cycle B, for an alternat
Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17 -- Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2006
(See Proper 14/Pentecost 12/Ordinary Time 19, Cycle A, for an alternative approach to vv.
Advent 4 -- Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2006
(See Advent 1, Cycle B, and Proper 15/Pentecost 13/Ordinary Time 20, Cycle C, for alternative app
Lent 5 -- Psalm 119:9-16 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
The reason for this alternate lectionary selection, culled from the longest of the psalms, is undoub
Maundy Thursday -- Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Stan Purdum -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Cycle A for an alternative approach; see also
Proper 4/Pentecost 2/Ordinary Time 9 -- Psalm 96 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2006
Psalm 96 is an enthronement psalm.
Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17 -- Psalm 128 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2006
This Psalm is difficult to preach in our modern culture, because of the central section (vv.
Christmas Eve -- Psalm 96 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Christmas Eve, Cycle B, for an alternative app

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Three Dimensions Of Life -- Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2007
Today's reading starts in the ancient world before the great flood.
God's Laughter -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2007
Okay, who knows how Joan of Arc died? Right. She was burned at the stake.
A Way Of Seeing -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2007
Remember your childhood suspicion that both your mother and your teacher had eyes in the back of the
Breakdowns And Breakthroughs -- Genesis 22:1-14 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2007
There are some recent studies on racism that offer important information about our thinking processe
God, What Are You Up To? -- Genesis 12:1-9 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2007
One of the better programs on television from 2003 to 2005 was a series on CBS called Joan of Arc
Choosing To Love -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2007
The popular notion in our society is that the best way to choose a marriage partner is to wait until
A Man Of The Moment -- Genesis 25:19-34 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2007
Do you remember the movie 1988 movie, Twins?
The Ladder From Our House -- Genesis 28:10-19a -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2007
There is a wonderful story about a city mayor.
Whosoever Will -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Stan Purdum -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2007
Pentecost is considered the birth date of the church universal.
To Say Elohim -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a -- Stan Purdum -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2007
Since we are gathered here in a church, I suspect that there are not many of you present who do not
Going Home -- John 14:1-14 -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an elderly, faithful manGoing Home
A Multitude Of Thoughts -- Psalm 139:1-18 -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful manA Multitude Of Thoughts
Passages -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an elderly, faithful womanPassages
The Good Fight -- 2 Timothy 4:6b-8 -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful middle-aged manThe Good Fight
The Undoing Of Babel -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Stan Purdum -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
Several years ago, my wife and I took a vacation where we drove to Mexico City in an old Volkswagen
Wisdom's Delight -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Stan Purdum -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2006
I have a question for you, but let me tell you right up front that it is a trick question.
Choosing To Believe -- 1 Kings 18:20-39 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2006
Perhaps you recall recently when a burial box from the first century A.D.
The Kindness Of Strangers -- 1 Kings 17:8-24 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2006
In 1994, a 37-year-old man by the name of Mike McIntyre decided to confront his fears and the shaky
When Desire Goes Bad -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2006
Nathan, a boy I read about recently, is seven years old.
As Seen From The Solitary Broom Tree -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2006
I'm not sure when the term "burn out" ceased being only a description of what happened to a campfire
The Smell Of Bread -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2006
One of the most popular television shows ever was M*A*S*H, which ran for eleven seasons, from
Washing In Old Jordan -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2006
I know a man who has a severe back injury and lives with constant pain.
The Sign Of God -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2006
Most of us have wrestled with questions like these at one time or another:
When Nothing More Can Be Done -- Amos 8:1-12 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2006
Colleen was a good woman with a bad heart.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Why God has no grandchildren -- John 8:31-36 -- Stan Purdum -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2006
Children of pastors have their share of strange experiences. As a teenager, I went one day

Stories

StoryShare

Crazy Dreams -- Luke 6:20-31, Ephesians 1:11-23, Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Psalm 149 -- Stan Purdum, David E. Leininger, Gary L. Carver, Scott Dalgarno -- All Saints Day - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "A Change of Heart" by Scott Dalgarno
Donnie's Plant -- Luke 12:49-56, Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Stan Purdum, Gregory L. Tolle, David E. Leininger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Donnie's Plant" by Stan Purdum
A Change Of Heart -- John 8:31-36, Romans 3:19-28, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 46 -- Scott Dalgarno, Gary L. Carver, Stan Purdum, David E. Leininger -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "A Change of Heart" by Scott Dalgarno
Samantha -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-17, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Argile Smith, C. David Mckirachan, Scott Dalgarno, Stan Purdum -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Contents What's Up This Week "Samantha" by Argile Smith
The King And The Maiden -- Luke 2:1-20, Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Psalm 96 -- Constance Berg, Frank R. Fisher, John E. Sumwalt, Paul Lintern, Stan Purdum -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Contents What's Up for Christmas

SermonStudio

A Fair Hearing -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
From the look on Delores' face as she strode up our walk, I knew that, once again, my sermon hadn't
Into Every Life -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Frank put me in a bind.
The Organ -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
A church crisis can be precipitated by seemingly innocent events.
Night Trek -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Methodist pastors change pulpits at the will of the bishop, so when the call came from my district s
Endwork -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"Good grief!" Susie said. "It's Alfred Plunket!"
Jesus Loves Problem Kids -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
His name was Freddie and he was as cute as little boys come.
Spring Story -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
She was dying of pancreatic cancer.
The Other Roads -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
In the course of my ministry I occasionally came upon people who had gone rather suddenly from being
Strangers -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
When Betty appeared at my door she looked positively ill.
Generations -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
The ringing phone woke us out of a deep sleep. I scrabbled for the receiver.
Still Standing -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"What I need," said the man who'd come to my door, "is for a pastor to offer a prayer and then do no
Board Action -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Charlie Redgate shook his head and said, "Your mistake was asking in the first place."
Resurrection -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Up until this incident, Lucille Brennan would have said that the day she was approved to be a foster
Pioneers -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Susie and I had both grown up in cities, so our move to Thornberry, a township 30 miles from the nea
Neighbors -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Like many small rural townships, Thornberry had some problems because it had no zoning laws.
Freed by the Word -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"I was afraid," the old man said.
Compensation -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"That's my medicine," Louie said.
Summer Rain -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
All in all, Thornberry was a pretty quiet place, where big news usually referred to something like a
The Back of the House -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
The attractive young lady sitting opposite me was a puzzle.
Cow 27 -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"I really could use the help, Reverend," Wesley said, "and with your baby coming and all, you could

Worship

The Immediate Word

You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Ephesians 3:1-12, John 1:1-18 -- Carter Shelley, George L. Murphy, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton, Larry Hard -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2003
(Originally published for January 5, 2003)

SermonStudio

Reading The Christmas Eve Scriptures -- Stan Purdum -- 2003
Introduction
Rally Day -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Welcome and AnnouncementsPreludeCall to Worship
Reformation Day -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Welcome and AnnouncementsPreludeCall to Worship
All Saints' Day -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
All Saints' DayService Of Worship
Thanksgiving -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Welcome and AnnouncementsPreludeCall to Worship
Advent Sundays -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Four Advent MonologuesPreface
Cousin Jochaved A Heart Prepared -- Luke 2:6-7 -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
I'm so glad that census is over.
A Shepherd Night Watch -- Luke 2:8-15 -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
It began as a night just like any other night.
An Angel Tidings -- Luke 2:8-14 -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
(Angel enters, humming or whistling "Angels We Have Heard On High." Stops center and begins to pu
Youth Sunday -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Introduction
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
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

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This message is a role play. You can do this with only two children playing the parts of the two women, but if you have more children, you could have two more playing the parts of the children, another playing the part of the synagogue leader, and another playing the part of the country’s leader. You can also add any other roles you might want to add to make it interesting. Also, I have created places for your characters to speak, but you can add more of those to make it all more fun and memorable.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For August 24, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
C. Knight Aldrich, a medical doctor and the first chairperson of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Chicago (1955-1964), was a keen analyst of the motivations for our behaviors. He worked with the social services agencies of Chicago for a time, particularly spending hours with teenagers who had been arrested for shoplifting or other theft. Aldrich interviewed them to find out how they had come to this. He also talked with the parents, attempting to discover how they had handled the problem from the first time they knew about it.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 1:4-10 and Psalm 77:1-6

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“We have questions about your conduct as our pastor,” Carl announced as soon as Pastor John sat down at the hastily called board meeting. “We have received complaints about you from the congregation.”

“Complaints?” Pastor John frowned. “From whom and about what?”

“Mrs. Finnigan saw you coming out of what she politely described as ‘A Gentleman’s Club’ last Thursday night when she was driving downtown.” Bruce scowled. “Do you deny this?”

“Not at all,” Pastor John said. “I did have to go to that place on Thursday evening.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus was aware of people's deepest needs and what prompted their actions. In our worship today let us consider how we can discover people's deepest needs and the motives for their actions.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we see only the surface and condemn without real understanding.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we are afraid to get sufficiently close to other people to see their inner needs.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Epiphany 4/Ordinary Time 4, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)

The old saying, "experience is the best teacher," could serve as a subtitle for this psalm. Written as a prayer for help in a time of distress or oppression, the psalm subtly hints at a recognition and awareness that only comes with time. There is a track record, so to speak, that the psalmist is aware of: God's record of dependability. Based on God's proven record of saving power and grace, the psalmist is able to pray for salvation, but at the same time celebrate the certainty of its arrival.
Lee Ann Dunlap
Carrie's1 high school guidance counselor noticed she had been acting out a bit in school recently. She had appeared depressed and had been having some authority issues over rules and such. The guidance counselor set Carrie up with a local pastor who had been volunteering a few hours each Friday after a teen suicide a few months before. Most of the other students who came to see the pastor just needed someone to listen to their usual teen issues and heartaches. But, shortly into their time together, Carrie began to open up about some real grown-up problems.
Kirk R. Webster
It's a typical Sunday morning at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida. The people file in and sit down in plush pews. Their attention is drawn to the chancel where they see choir members calmly seated, robed in dark blue and white. The mahogany altar table is draped with a silk parament. Two bronze candleholders stand guard at the table edges.
R. Robert Cueni
As was his custom, Jesus went that Sabbath morning to the synagogue for worship. As he was preaching and teaching, he happened to glance toward the fringe of the crowd where he saw a very crippled woman. She was bent over and was unable to stand up straight. When he inquired, Jesus was told the woman had been that way for eighteen years.
John H. Will
Call to Worship
Indeed, this is a day of rest and gladness.
This is God's Sabbath, created for our reflection and renewal.
Let us then not profane it, but keep it holy.
We do this as we honor God and commit ourselves to the well--being of God's creation.
Each of us individually needs a personal rejuvenation of spirit.
Together we seek a strengthening of community, a community that continues to build itself in love.
So do we come as one people to worship God, our Maker and our Sustainer.

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