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Peter Andrew Smith

Peter Andrew Smith is an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada currently serving St. James United Church in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. He is the author of All Things are Ready (CSS) a book of lectionary based communion prayers and a number of stories and articles, which can be found listed at www.peterandrewsmith.com.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Be Not Afraid -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2025
Henry peeked through the curtain and saw the crowd of people waiting. “Wow!”
Giving Alms -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2025
Jonathan picked up the phone on the second ring. “Hello?”
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?
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
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 Different Way of Looking -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2024
“My parents raised me in the church.” Charlene leaned against the desk in their residence room.
Dancing Lessons -- Mark 6:14-29, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2024
“Is everything alright?” Gran asked Lily.
You are the Man -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2024
John was angry. He sliced open the box with the cans in it and threw the box cutter onto the floor.
The Christian Way -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2024
“It’s just wrong,” Martha whispered. “He needs to take off his hat in church.”
Being For the Gospel -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2024
Lou leaned on his shovel. “I’m honestly not sure.”
Hearing Jesus' Call -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2024
“God hates me,” Tim announced to the empty room.
Facing Today -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2024
“I wish I knew when all of this would be over,” Ben said.
Preparing the Way -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2024
Jean sat by the hospital bed watching her brother sleep.
Growing with Christ -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2024
John peeked around the corner.
The Invitation -- John 1:43-51 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2024
Tim walked up the stairs of the church and paused. He hadn’t been to church in so many years.
Facing Temptation -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Jack swung at the ball and missed again.
Seeing Jesus -- John 12:20-33 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Kirk shouted as he ran through the doors of the school after his friend. “Hey, Johnny!”
Back and Forward -- John 20:1-18 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Easter Day - B -- 2024
“Dad?” Susan flipped on a light in the living room.

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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.
Giving Alms -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2025
Jonathan picked up the phone on the second ring. “Hello?”
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

Stories

StoryShare

Giving Alms -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2025
Jonathan picked up the phone on the second ring. “Hello?”
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?
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Be Not Afraid -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2025
Henry peeked through the curtain and saw the crowd of people waiting. “Wow!”
The Invitation -- John 1:43-51 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2024
Tim walked up the stairs of the church and paused. He hadn’t been to church in so many years.
Facing Temptation -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Jack swung at the ball and missed again.
Seeing Jesus -- John 12:20-33 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Kirk shouted as he ran through the doors of the school after his friend. “Hey, Johnny!”
Back and Forward -- John 20:1-18 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Easter Day - B -- 2024
“Dad?” Susan flipped on a light in the living room.
Abiding in Jesus -- John 15:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2024
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree.
Out of the Church -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2024
“I’m not sure why we’re doing this,” Ollie muttered to himself as he took his place on the bandstand
A Different Way of Looking -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2024
“My parents raised me in the church.” Charlene leaned against the desk in their residence room.
Dancing Lessons -- Mark 6:14-29, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2024
“Is everything alright?” Gran asked Lily.
You are the Man -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2024
John was angry. He sliced open the box with the cans in it and threw the box cutter onto the floor.
The Christian Way -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2024
“It’s just wrong,” Martha whispered. “He needs to take off his hat in church.”
Being For the Gospel -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2024
Lou leaned on his shovel. “I’m honestly not sure.”
Hearing Jesus' Call -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2024
“God hates me,” Tim announced to the empty room.
Facing Today -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2024
“I wish I knew when all of this would be over,” Ben said.

Free Access

Giving Alms -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2025
Jonathan picked up the phone on the second ring. “Hello?”
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
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.

Worship

SermonStudio

Life Of Jesus (1) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Advent -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer is a general prayer for Advent focusing on light and the presence of God with us.
Life Of Jesus (2) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Christmas Eve (1) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
Since the Christmas readings are the same for all lectionary years, these communion prayers may b
Life Of Jesus (3) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Christmas Eve (2) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Prayers After Communion -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
We thank you, gracious God, that you have refreshed us at your table.
Christmas Eve (3) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer makes specific use of the familiar Christmas Eve lesson from Luke 2:1-20 with the con
Epiphany -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer is specifically written for Epiphany (January 6) as it makes specific reference to th
Baptism Of Jesus (A) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The next three prayers all focus in on the baptism of Jesus.
Baptism Of Jesus (B) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Baptism Of Jesus (C) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Transfiguration (1) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
These prayers all focus in on the Transfiguration texts but can also be used during the season of
Transfiguration (2) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Lent -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The references in this prayer to the covenant makes it especially applicable to Lectionary Cycle
Maundy Thursday -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer is applicable for Maundy Thursday as it recounts the Exodus and ties it into the Last
Easter Sunday (A) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
These three communion prayers are written around the Easter stories for the gospels highlighted i
Easter Sunday (B) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer makes reference to the stories highlighted in the Old Testament and gospel through th
Easter Sunday (C) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Pentecost -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you. And also with you.Lift up your hearts.
Worldwide Communion -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Thanksgiving Sunday -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
This prayer focuses on food and God's gifts to us so while appropriate for Thanksgiving, this mig
Christ The King (A) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
These prayers are specifically written for the last Sunday of the church year.
Christ The King (B) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
Christ The King (C) -- Peter Andrew Smith -- 2007
The Lord be with you.And also with you. Lift up your hearts.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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
For August 3, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

Note: The gesture used both hands. Hold both hands in front of you and make the thumbs-up sign with both hands with both thumbs pointing back at your chest. This is the “ME!” gesture. Then simply rotate your hands back so your thumbs are pointing straight up in the air, like two “OK” signs. This is the “US” gesture.

* * *

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. (vv. 9-10)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11: 1-13
The prophet compares Yahweh to a father who exercises compassion despite his original plan to punish Israel. John Calvin nicely explains these dynamics:
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11:1-11

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
-- Psalm 107:9, 43

Kirk R. Webster
How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
Thomas A. Renquist
This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
John W. Wurster
" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

" 'I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.' (1:4). But they did not know me. Do you?

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