Login / Signup

1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

Pentecost Sale - Save $131!
Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Still in the World -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14 -- David Coffin -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
It is early morning as a pastor opens up one of the small churches served in a multi congregational
After The Big Event -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- David Coffin -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2017
It is about one year after the big 150th anniversary at First Church.
The lion roars -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Ron Love -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Encratis lived in Portugal, but her father had given her in marriage to a nobleman in Roussillon, Fr
Glory in the cross -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Constantine Caesar was advancing his legions through the northern Italian mountains toward Rome.
Invisible link -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Now and again, one of my students will come into class and I'll greet her or him, but get
Glory in the cross -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Constantine Caesar was advancing his legions through the northern Italian mountains toward Rome.
Goal-oriented prayer and preaching -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
People have been known to listen to profound preaching of the biblical message and come out of churc
You are not alone -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1996
Janus, one of the gods, looked both ways (hence: January).

Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Jesus' Thoughts and Prayers -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
For May 21, 2023:
Should I Stay or Should I Go? -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 24, 2020:
Illustrations For May 1 -4, 2008 From The Immediate Word -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
In our space age mentality, when talking about the ascension, it is important to pay attention to th
Way Beyond The Blue -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Carlos Wilton, Barbara Jurgensen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Our worldview has changed dramatically throughout history.

CSSPlus

Burdens eased -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Leah Thompson -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. (v. 7)
Holding us up -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has
Casting our concerns -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
Hi, kids! Who can tell me what it means to cast something?
Facing the lion -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
Good morning! Let's think about some things that might scare
Blanket theology -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
Good morning! Many people are anxious. Would somebody here
Not surprised! -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
Good morning, boys and girls.

Devotional

SermonStudio

Easter 7 -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Discipline yourselves, keep alert.

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations For Easter 7 (2023) -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Acts 1:6-14
Sermon Illustrations For Easter 7 (2020) -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, M Adryael Tong -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Acts 1:6-14
Sermon Illustrations For Easter 7 (2017) -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2017
Acts 1:6-14
Sermon Illustrations for Easter 7 (2014) -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Acts 1:6-14
Sir Winston Churchill... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Sir Winston Churchill, the great British politician, is one of the most quoted men in history.
NULL -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Jordan's extended family is huge: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, step-cousins, the spouses of
NULL -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Novelist Sue Miller also has written a biography titled The Story of My Father: A Memoir.
NULL -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Craig Kelly -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Image is everything these days. Consider Hollywood.
Many Christians in Germany suffered... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Many Christians in Germany suffered for resisting the idolatry of Nazism. Theologian
Unconventional! Crazy! Unworkable! That's probably... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
"Unconventional! Crazy! Unworkable!" That's probably what Peter thought the first time
I believe the writer here... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
I believe the writer here is pointing out that persecution is inevitable. It is not easy to be a
Acts 1:6-14 Ben... -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Acts 1:6-14
Kathleen is a miracle in... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Kathleen is a miracle in progress. At the age of 10 she developed juvenile diabetes.
Lying there in the cell... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Lying there in the cell it seemed like he would never be free again.
Some frogs were hopping through... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Some frogs were hopping through the woods. Suddenly, two of them fell into a large hole.
On the cross, Jesus encountered... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
On the cross, Jesus encountered both terrible physical pain and extreme emotional pain.
Peter had been at a... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
Peter had been at a loss. His wife's paycheck didn't stretch to make their payments.
Today in Sudan, Africa's largest... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
Today in Sudan, Africa's largest country, Christians face severe persecution.
Intense anxiety can cripple us... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
Intense anxiety can cripple us.
There is a story about... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
There is a story about a wise old rabbi sitting by the side of the road.
In October 1994, 53 members... -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1996
In October 1994, 53 members of a religious cult in Switzerland died when they burned down the chalet

The Immediate Word

Jesus' Thoughts and Prayers -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
For May 21, 2023:
Should I Stay or Should I Go? -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 24, 2020:
Illustrations For May 1 -4, 2008 From The Immediate Word -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
In our space age mentality, when talking about the ascension, it is important to pay attention to th
Way Beyond The Blue -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Carlos Wilton, Barbara Jurgensen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Our worldview has changed dramatically throughout history.

Preaching

The Immediate Word

Jesus' Thoughts and Prayers -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
For May 21, 2023:
Should I Stay or Should I Go? -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 24, 2020:
Illustrations For May 1 -4, 2008 From The Immediate Word -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
In our space age mentality, when talking about the ascension, it is important to pay attention to th
Way Beyond The Blue -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Carlos Wilton, Barbara Jurgensen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Our worldview has changed dramatically throughout history.

SermonStudio

Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Carlos Wilton -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2010
Theme For The DayJesus is willing to help us bear the burden of worry.
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- John R. Brokhoff -- 2004
Lesson 1: Acts 1:6--14 (C); Acts 1:12--14 (RC); Acts 1:(1--7) 8--14 (E)
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1992
Lesson 1: Acts 1:6-14 (C); Acts 1:(1-7), 8-14 (E, L); Acts 1:12-14 (RC)
Seventh Sunday of Easter -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- George M. Bass -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1989
The church year theological clue

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Jesus' Thoughts and Prayers -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
For May 21, 2023:
Should I Stay or Should I Go? -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 24, 2020:
Illustrations For May 1 -4, 2008 From The Immediate Word -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
In our space age mentality, when talking about the ascension, it is important to pay attention to th
Way Beyond The Blue -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Carlos Wilton, Barbara Jurgensen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Our worldview has changed dramatically throughout history.

SermonStudio

Surprises -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- David O. Bales -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
You hope for good surprises, but many of life's surprises are the bad kind.
A Holy--wood Ending -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Richard W. Ferris -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
A couple from Minneapolis decided to go to Florida for a long weekend to thaw out during one particu
Surprised By Suffering? -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- 2001
Belva Plain wrote about a battered housewife back when our national conscience was awaking to the se
A Time to Answer: Where Do You Live? -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Frank Luchsinger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Where do you live? It's a question we ask sometimes. Where's your home? Where are you from?

The Village Shepherd

Cast All Your Anxiety Upon Him -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A
I've worked with a number of priests in my time, and often wondered how some of them are able to

Stories

StoryShare

Intimacy -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- C. David Mckirachan, Peter Andrew Smith -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2017
Contents "Intimacy" by C. David McKirachan
Looking In Faith -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Peter Andrew Smith, John Fitzgerald -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Contents"Looking in Faith" by Peter Andrew Smith
The God Of All Grace -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Contents"The God of All Grace" by John Sumwalt
Wayne's Deployment -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- John S. Smylie, Argile Smith, Charles D. Reeb -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Wayne's Deployment" by Argile Smith

SermonStudio

Blessing Or Bane? -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of grace, who has called you to his etern
The Sewage Pit -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- Constance Berg -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
I was at a Michael Card concert many years ago, enjoying the message and the music of this fine musi

Worship

The Immediate Word

Jesus' Thoughts and Prayers -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
For May 21, 2023:
Should I Stay or Should I Go? -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
For May 24, 2020:
Illustrations For May 1 -4, 2008 From The Immediate Word -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
In our space age mentality, when talking about the ascension, it is important to pay attention to th
Way Beyond The Blue -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Carlos Wilton, Barbara Jurgensen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Our worldview has changed dramatically throughout history.

SermonStudio

Easter 7 -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Amy C. Schifrin, Martha Shonkwiler -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
As we move between the festivals of Ascension and Pentecost we are reminded on this day of the on
Easter 7 -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Call To WorshipOne: The hour has come to worship our God,
Waiting Together -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (Acts: 1:7-8)
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
HymnsHail, O Festal Day (NCH262, UM324)
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Theme: The Power Of God To OvercomeCall To Worship
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Acts 1:6-14Theme: Angels?Call To Worship
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER -- Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- B. David Hostetter -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1992
CALL TO WORSHIP
EASTER 7 -- Psalm 68:1-10, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Norman A. Beck -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1986
The theme of "Power and Glory" permeates these six readings, as is appropriate on this Sunday After
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Ascension of the Lord
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Pentecost
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

Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For June 1, 2025:
  • That They All May Be One by Tom Willadsen based on Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26, Psalm 97.
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For June 1, 2025:
  • That They All May Be One by Tom Willadsen based on Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21; John 17:20-26, Psalm 97.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: Tickets to give the children. You may use the ones I have included, print your own, or just use simple tickets you might buy on a roll.

Note: Be sure to have enough tickets to be able to give one to each child during the message. Also, if you have very young children in the group, I find it best to include them in the first group receiving tickets, as they sometimes don’t really understand why they are left out of the group in the beginning.

* * *
John Jamison
Object: This message includes movements to reinforce the lesson. Based on your group, have them be as active as you dare in joining you with the movements.

* * *

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

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
Our family watched a movie together recently that left us feeling a bit mixed. The movie was great, mind you. Very well done. But the ending left us feeling frustrated, sad. We had expected a happy ending, but what we got was bittersweet, instead. 
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Acts 16:16-34
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Acts 1:1-11
The American middle class is still being squeezed. And there are too many Americans forever mired in poverty. A University of California at Davis study found that one-third to one-half of children who are poor for a substantial part of their childhood will be poor as adults. All this leads to despair, which the famed French existentialist Albert Camus defined as accepting your condition in life even when you can’t stand it (The Rebel, p.14).  

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
Patrick rubbed his forehead and scrolled back on his laptop screen. He tried to ignore the other students in the study lounge who were working on projects and papers for their classes. He took a deep breath and started reading again.

“You okay?”

“Huh?” Patrick looked up and noticed Tim from his Monday morning class sitting just down from him. “Yeah, sorry just reading and having a hard time making sense of it.”

“Well, I’m bored of what I’m doing.” Tim closed the text book in front of him. “Mind if I have a look?”
John E. Sumwalt
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[a] toward all the saints, and for this reason  I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers…(vv. 15-16)

Every church has at least one soul who embodies the Christ light like no other. If you cannot imagine who that might be in your congregation, maybe it’s you.

SermonStudio

Bonnie Bates
This reading from the book of Revelation, the vision of John, reminds us that Jesus is the beginning and the end, Jesus is the first and the last, the alpha and the omega. But even more than that, this reading reminds us to come to the Christ, to come to Jesus, to come to the water of life. Jesus poured his very self out to us and invited us to be a part of the work of the faith: a disciple. We are as invited to come with Jesus on a faith journey as Peter, Andrew, James, John, and all the others who followed Jesus were invited. The question is - what will we do with this invitation?
Carlos Wilton
(See Christmas Day, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)

A genre of movies that's become popular in recent years is disaster films. Whether it is invaders from another galaxy, a catastrophic global climate change, or a falling asteroid, Hollywood loves to fill the nation's big screens with images of destruction.

Schuyler Rhodes
"Clap your hands, all you people! Shout to God with loud shouts of joy!" What images of fun and frolic this paints in the imagination. Behind the shouting and the clapping is an old New-Orleans-style jazz band. All around the band are daisy chains of people wrapped arm and arm, caught in the throes of dance and song. It is exuberance and wonder, joy and clarity, all bound up in one powerful package.
Frank Ramirez
One of the most obvious things about the night sky is the moon, especially the full moon. The full moon transforms not only the sky, but the earth, creating a dimmer, second kind of day, casting long shadows, and providing some guidance to those who find themselves outdoors.

Certainly, it is one of the things that children first notice about the sky. They can point to the moon, ask what it is, stare at it in wonder.

And then, a few days later, the child can wonder -- where did it go?
Steven E. Albertin
Today I want you to participate in the proclamation of today's message. Perhaps it will help you to remember the spectacular event and its significance that we are commemorating today.

John N. Brittain
Have you ever noticed that some constellations are named for animals that they don't really resemble? If you have ever been in the Scouts or taken a course in astronomy or just looked up into the sky at night, you know what I am talking about. As an undergraduate astronomy minor at Brown University, many years ago, I would give tours at the Ladd Observatory and on clear nights point out constellations from the outdoor gallery. But people often were not satisfied. For example, the stars in the constellation Ursa Major, The Great Bear, do not look the part.
Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III
The prisoners and the jailers had their world rocked one midnight 2,000 years ago. The report includes the following details:

1:00: Paul and Silas while on their way to a place of prayer see a slave girl who was popular for telling the fortunes of others. She made much money from this enterprise and a fortune for her owners. Each day she would go to the town square and as people passed by she would shout out her readings of their future. Some revered the slave girl for the accuracy of her predictions. Others feared her for the same reason.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus prayed to God asking that Jesus might be within us just as God was within Jesus, so that we may become completely one with God. In our worship today let us meet with the God within us, who is waiting to welcome us.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we act as though you are not within us. Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we refuse to look deep within ourselves and so can't find you. Christ, have mercy.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL