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Terry Cain

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)

Illustration

StoryShare

New Beginnings For A New Year -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 8 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Wayne Brouwer, John E. Sumwalt -- New Year's Day - A -- 2006
Contents What's Up This Week

The Immediate Word

Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)

Preaching

SermonStudio

If It Isn't In The Bible, It Should Be -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We need a method of drawing answers from scripture to address a wide variety o
From Inside A Really Big Empty -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Because many of us do not recognize our need for God, we find substitutes (som
Reasons Not To Go To Church -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: If we are to be evangelists and help others find a meaningful life within our
Watch Those Promises! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Christians need to be careful concerning making promises, and then know how to
The Multi-Billion-Dollar Rodent Den -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Too many people are missing the intelligent and appropriate response to alcoho
There Are No Holy Wars -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: There is no justification for war.
What's The Point Of Living? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Why are we here and what should be our goals or purpose for life?
Religion In A Disposable Culture -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Has the over-indulgent nature of our rich and abundant culture carried over in
Is The Bible Racist? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Can we find any racism in our Bible?
Wicked, But Worth It -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We need to recognize the delicate balance between the realization we are sinne
Pink Bunny Batteries -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How do we keep the flame burning and the enthusiasm lively?
Too Heavenly Minded To Be Any Earthly Good -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Is it possible to be too religious?
The Four Most Beautiful Things God Ever Created -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: A Christian should be a person with a highly developed sense of aesthetics.
Pilgrim Or Tourist? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How serious (or loose) is our connection to Jesus Christ, the church, and Chri
Did Jesus Really Yell At A Tree? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: As Christians are we the worker bees or the drones?
My God Doesn't Make Tornadoes -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We need to stop blaming God for natural calamities.
Pearly Gates Entrance Exam -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: What does it take to get into heaven?
Did The Wise Men Sleep In The Stable? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: The Christian should be sensitive to, and concerned about, the abuse of privil
Blemishes And Biblical Authentication -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: "Defects" or "flaws" in the Bible do not necessarily diminish its value or tru
Plays Well With Others: B+ -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: If nothing else, the Christian should be congenial, amicable, and much better
In The Name Of God! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Christians have done (and still do) some terrible things and claimed they were
Can Compassion Be Turned On Like A Faucet? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How do we get motivated to actually love others?
When Kids Go Bad -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: What is the cause of so many of the problems our youth have today and what can
A Dangerous Way To Read Your Bible -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Unavoidably and necessarily we must "pick and choose" which passages in our Bi
Let Me Tell You What You Believe -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: So many Christians are ignorant concerning the beliefs and doctrines of their

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)

Stories

StoryShare

Follow The Star -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Psalm 29 -- David E. Leininger, David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Rick McCracken-Bennett, Frank R. Fisher -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2022
Note: This installment was originally published in 2007.Contents
Where Is The Church? -- Luke 21:25-36, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10 -- Terry Cain, David O. Bales -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2021
Note: This was originally published in 2006.Contents
Achieving Greatness -- Mark 10:35-45, Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c -- Peter Andrew Smith, Terry Cain, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Achieving Greatness" by Peter Andrew Smith
New Beginnings For A New Year -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 8 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Wayne Brouwer, John E. Sumwalt -- New Year's Day - A -- 2006
Contents What's Up This Week
Do You Have To Be Smart To Be A Christian? -- Mark 9:30-37, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Terry Cain, David O. Bales -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Man Of Discipline -- Mark 14:1--15:47, Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16 -- C. David Mckirachan, Charles Cammarata, David O. Bales, Terry Cain -- Passion Sunday - B
Based on Revised Common Lectionary texts:Passion/Palm Sunday
The Whole Truth -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48, Psalm 4 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Contents What's Up This Week A Story to Live By: "We Are Family"
Wait There -- Luke 24:44-53, Ephesians 1:15-23, Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47 -- David O. Bales, Constance Berg, Terry Cain, Charles Cammarata -- Ascension of the Lord - B
Ascension Sunday Acts 1:1-11 Psalm 47 or Psalm 93 Ephesians 1:15-23
Mid-Cemetery -- Mark 5:21-43, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, Psalm 130 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Betty Lynn Schwab -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
Contents What's Up This Week
At Least I'm Not That Bad -- John 6:1-21, Ephesians 3:14-21, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Psalm 14 -- Terry Cain, David O. Bales, Peter C. Garrison -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
Contents What's Up This Week A Story to Live By: "Making a Difference"
Waiting For God -- Mark 13:1-8, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -- Terry Cain, James E. Sargent -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
ContentsWhat's Up This Week Good Stories: "Waiting For God" by Terry Cain
Solomon's Prayer -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20, 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Psalm 84 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Jo Perry-Sumwalt, Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Contents What's Up This Week
Becoming A Child -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16, Psalm 26 -- Frank R. Fisher, Terry Cain -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Unanswerable -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45, Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
ContentsWhat's Up This Week A Good Story: "Unanswerable" by David O. Bales
Innocent Until Proven Guilty -- Mark 12:28-34, Hebrews 9:11-14, Ruth 1:1-18, Psalm 146 -- C. David Mckirachan, David O. Bales, Terry Cain -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Follow The Star -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- David E. Leininger, David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Rick McCracken-Bennett, Frank R. Fisher -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Follow The Star" by David Leininger

Worship

The Immediate Word

Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Easter 4
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160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
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Easter 5
33 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
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30 – Worship Resources
35 – Commentary / Exegesis
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and more...
Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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New & Featured This Week

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.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
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?

StoryShare

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?”

CSSPlus

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
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
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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