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Worship

SermonStudio

Fifth Sunday in Lent -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship A general Call To Worship. Leader:
Maundy Thursday -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2005
Passion Sunday -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16, Mark 11:1-11, Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2005
Liturgy of the Palms Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16
Day of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Romans 8:22-27 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34, Psalm 20 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship Makes use of the 2 Corinthians passage. Leader:
Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 -- 1 Samuel 15:7--18:5, 10-16, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 4:26-34, Psalm 130 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13, Psalm 48 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship A bit of encouragement to start a worship time. Leader:
Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29, Psalm 24 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, Psalm 89:20-37 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship

Drama

Sermon

SermonStudio

It Was Only Fair -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Larry Lange -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2007
The blizzard was kind enough to have shown up on Friday evening, so that when it had finished rattli
The Armor Of Light -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Larry Lange -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2007
Characters Harry Christian Margaret Christian (Harry's wife)
The Land Where Our Fathers Had Lived -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- David Kalas -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2007
The story begins innocently enough.
God's Providence: The Long And Short Of It -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- David Kalas -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2007
We human beings are naturally fond of happy endings.
Endless Line Of Blunder -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- David Kalas -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2007
Turn the page, and the story is suddenly different.
The Names By Which He Is Known -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- David Kalas -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2007
When I was about six years old, I made friends with a boy named Danny.
Eat And Run -- Exodus 12:1-14 -- David Kalas -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2007
At some time or another, we've all had to hurry through a meal and hurry away from the table.
Ruining The Christmas Spirit -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
This morning is the first Sunday of Advent, and therefore the first Sunday of the church year.
Hard Words To Hear At Christmas -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
We've gathered here today on the second Sunday of Advent to continue to prepare ourselves for the co
Looking At Jesus From Behind Prison Bars -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
How different things must have looked for John behind prison walls.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

The Great Thanksgiving (Holy, Holy, Holy) -- Larry L. Sydow -- 1991
(Bring a bag containing a Bible, a toy kids like to play with, and a delicate figurine to show the c
The words Of Institution -- Larry L. Sydow -- 1991
(My preference was to have this during the regular children's sermon time.
The Lord's Prayer -- Larry L. Sydow -- 1991
(At the regular time for the children's sermon, or following the prayer of the church when holy comm
At The Altar Rail -- Larry L. Sydow -- 1991
(We have a tradition of encouraging parents to bring their children to the altar rail with them when
The Blessing -- Larry L. Sydow -- 1991
(Ask the children to come to the altar rail.)
Post Communion Hymn (Thank The Lord) -- Larry L. Sydow -- 1991
(Ask the children to come forward.
Post Communion Hymn (Lord, Now You Let ...) -- Larry L. Sydow -- 1991
(Ask the children to come forward.
Post Communion Prayer -- Larry L. Sydow -- 1991
(When the children come forward, have a child's game with a spinner and a bag of goodies to pass out
The Benediction -- Larry L. Sydow -- 1991
(When the children come forward, have a "Love" or "I Love You" stamp for each child, a large light b
Sent Forth -- Larry L. Sydow -- 1991
(When the children come forward, have a badge of some type symbolizing a "deputy.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

We Need To Talk -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: It is necessary for Christians to sit down together and discuss controversial
If You Can't Say Something Nice ... -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Constructive criticism is necessary and helpful, and we need to learn how to g
Let Me Tell You How To Vote -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Should our Christian faith dictate how we should cast our votes?
Oh, One More Thing -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: A sermon summarizing the overview of Christian theology or the pastor's key co
What Did He Do That Was So Bad? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Why did anyone want to kill Jesus?
Life's Most Pressing Question -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: From all that Jesus said, it may be that nothing is as important as how we tre
Why Hasn't Jesus Offended You? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Do we understand and agree with all of Jesus' teachings?
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
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
Religion In A Disposable Culture -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Has the over-indulgent nature of our rich and abundant culture carried over in

Stories

SermonStudio

Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Evangelism
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Evangelism
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Example
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Excellence
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Excuses
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Fairness
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Faith
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Faith Faith honors God; God honors faith.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Faith
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Faith

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

"There are 7,000...." -- 1 Kings 19:14-18 -- William C. Bartlett -- 2001
Elijah answered, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites ha
Early Morning In Bethlehem -- Luke 2:4-20 -- William C. Bartlett -- 2001
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Beth
Simeon At The Temple -- Luke 2:25-35 -- William C. Bartlett -- 2001
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looki
The Transfiguration -- Matthew 17:1-8 -- William C. Bartlett -- 2001
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high
The Lord's Last Supper -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- William C. Bartlett -- 2001
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when
Noon -- 3 p.m. On Good Friday -- Matthew 27:45-51 -- William C. Bartlett -- 2001
From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
Easter Morning -- Matthew 28:1-8 -- William C. Bartlett -- 2001
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary w
Easter Evening -- John 20:19-28 -- William C. Bartlett -- 2001
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the
The Ordinary -- Acts 4:13-20 -- William C. Bartlett -- 2001
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordi
On A Road To Damascus -- Acts 9:1-6 -- William C. Bartlett -- 2001
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to th

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 5
28 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
22 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
21 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

SermonStudio

Richard E. Gribble, CSC
When Charlie Atlas was a teenager his parents purchased for him a dresser mirror that he placed in his bedroom. Before this, whenever Charlie needed to use a mirror, he went to the bathroom, but there he was only able to see his head and possibly his shoulders. When he got dressed up he used his parents' full-length mirror in their bedroom. Charlie was happy with his new mirror; he spent many hours in front of it.
Elizabeth Achtemeier
There is a strange belief abroad in our land at the present time, the belief that we cannot know God. Such a belief rises partly from a feeling of awe before the divine -- the feeling that God is so unfathomable, so other, so beyond our feeble understanding that we cannot possibly experience who he truly is in all of his fullness and perfection. And perhaps that is the reason that the Athenians have erected that idol "to an unknown God" that Paul encounters when he visits their city. They know that there is a god beyond them, but they cannot define him or name him.
Stan Purdum
(See Proper 23/Pentecost 21/Ordinary Time 28, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-12.)

Psalm 66 is a song of communal thanksgiving, probably composed to celebrate some national deliverance. Because of the personal language of verses 13-20, there is some speculation that this psalm was originally two hymns, but as it stands, it contains a combination of corporate and personal prayers, both appropriate in worship.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E, L)
Schuyler Rhodes
Are you one of those people who always has a backup plan? Do you make your commitments and focus your energies on one thing, but have an alternative in mind just in case things don't work out with the first one? You might call it "Plan B" or something else, but basically you're hedging your bets and covering yourself in case the situation goes south.
Mark Ellingsen
Jesus was still in the middle of his farewell discourse to his disciples. He was trying to comfort the despair that they were feeling when they had first heard the news (during the last supper) that Jesus would be leaving them (John 13:21, 33; 14:1). He had comforted them with the good news that he was on the way to God the Father, that in associating with Jesus, the disciples had been in fellowship with the Father (John 14:6-11). Whoever believed in him, Jesus said, would be able to do the works that he had done, even greater works (John 14:12).
Albert G. Butzer, III
Here are two statements about the world. Tell me if both of them ring true for you. The first of them is this: "The world is a beautiful place." And the second statement is this: "The world is a terrible and dangerous place." Both statements are true - don't you agree? - and yet, ironically, they seem to say the exact opposite thing. How much easier it would be to affirm one statement or the other, but not both.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
The name Robert Stroud is not one commonly heard in ordinary conversation, but this man's contribution to humanity will live on in the minds of many under a different title, "The Birdman of Alcatraz." By nature, Robert Stroud was not a congenial man. As a youth he was always getting into fights, disagreements, and various altercations. When he was only nineteen he killed a man in a barroom brawl, was convicted of second--degree murder, and was sentenced to the Federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, since the crime was committed on Federal land.
Richard W. Ferris
In a large stone cathedral in Europe there was a grand, magnificent pipe organ. On a particular Saturday afternoon, the sexton was making one final check of the choir and organ loft high in the balcony at the back of the church. As he was making his inspection, he was startled to hear footsteps echoing up the stone stairway behind him. He thought the doors were all locked and that no one else was in the church. He turned to see a man in slightly tattered traveling clothes coming toward him.
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Acts 17:22-31
Theme: To A Known God

Call To Worship
Leader: God is a known God who continually gives us evidence of presence.
People: God is a knowable God who extends to us the hand of hope.
All: Come, let us worship God. Amen.

Collect
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Our Cities Cry To You, O God (PH437)
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (PH376, UM384, LBW315, NCH43)
Holy Spirit, Truth Divine (PH321, UM465)
There's A Sweet, Sweet Spirit (PH398, UM334)
Thy Holy Wings, O Savior (UM502)
Come Down, O Love Divine (LBW508, NCH289, PH313)
O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee (OBW492, NCH502, PH357)
My Song Is Love Unknown (LBW94, NCH222, PH76)

Anthems
Praise The Lord, Service Music, Hal Hopson, CGA, Unison 2--part

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 10, 2026:

StoryShare

John Fitzgerald
Contents
"Reason for Hope" by John Fitzgerald

Reason for Hope
by John Fitzgerald
1 Peter 3:13-22

Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the classic Little House on the Prairie series neared an end to her
life. At this juncture she penned an essay about hope in face of the constant current of change. Here is an excerpt from that writing: 
Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Always Be Ready" by Frank Ramirez
"Looking for God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"A Gentle Profession" by Peter Andrew Smith


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
The lessons for the Sixth Sunday of Easter direct us to sermons on the great things God’s love does, appreciating in two cases this love’s cosmic character (especially leading to a stress on justification by grace). This is an appropriate theme with the festival of the Ascension in view, which celebrates Christ’s almighty power and cosmic vindication. 

Acts 17:22-31
William H. Shepherd
Schuyler Rhodes
In Garret Kreizer's novel, God of Beer (2002), the high school social studies teacher tells the class about Gandhi's assertion that if God ever came to India, he'd have to come as bread, in order to get the attention of the starving peasants. The teacher then asks the class what form God would have to take in order to get the attention of their high school. "Beer," says one student. "Yeah," another chimes in, "it's the only thing to do around here."

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

CSSPlus

Hi there, boys and girls! How many of you have rules that you have to follow at home? (show of hands) What are some of the rules you have? (let them tell you) What about at school? Do you have rules there? What are they? (let them tell you)

Why should we even have rules? (see what they think) I think we have rules because it makes it easier for us to be together. If we are all kind to each other, we will all be happier. If there are rules, then maybe people will fight less.

Special Occasion

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