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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

Frank Luchsinger
Huckle the Cat and his school teacher Miss Honey the Bear, Bananas Gorilla, Captain Salty, Pig Will and Pig Won't, Sergeant Murphy the Police Dog, and my favorite, Lowly the Worm; if you know these names then you are familiar with the work of Richard Scarry, author and illustrator of children's books, who passed away in '94 at age 75. Scarry wrote over 250 books, which in thirty languages have sold over 100 million copies. He said, "The greatest compliment I can receive is to be told that some of my books are held together with more Scotch tape than there is paper in the original book.
David E. Leininger
We reflected earlier on Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and its assertion that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and were parents of a daughter. True, there is nothing at all in scripture to back up such a claim, but can you imagine what kind of parent Jesus would have been?
Constance Berg
Pastor Wallace was loved by many, many people. He had come to a rural, agricultural area and stayed for 41 years. He and his wife Bea had four children, three of whom would become pastors themselves. The fourth was a missionary teacher in Madagascar. Pastor Wallace's second and last call was to another rural church he started only thirty miles away. He stayed fifteen years. His reputation was tough but fair; disciplined but compassionate; strong but just.
Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Seasonal Theme
Jesus out of the grave and alive and with us.

Theme For The Day
We are prayed for by Jesus that we might be unified with each other and with our God. A summary of the Season of Easter.

First Lesson
Acts 1:1-11
Return To The Upper Room
Stan Purdum
At first reading, this psalm presents a scattering of themes. Some scholars think it was not a psalm at all, but a listing of headings to a number of liturgical pieces. Most, however, see in Psalm 68 the underlying theme of the victory and reign of God, the Divine Warrior -- the God who was with the people of Israel in the wilderness (v. 7). Psalm 68 calls the kingdoms of the world to acknowledge that God is the warrior king who reigns over all. It presents God as the power and strength of the chosen people.
Carlos Wilton
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary. See The Ascension Of Our Lord, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)

The brief Psalm 93 seems archaic, from the standpoint of our culture. The Lord is enthroned, here, as a cosmic king. The accoutrements of royalty are front and center: the robe of majesty, the girding-on of strength (suggesting a royal broadsword), the throne, the royal decree. Its message, loudly declared from the first verse onward, is simplicity itself: the Lord reigns!
George M. Bass
The church year theological clue
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 1:1--11 (C, RC, E, L)
David O. Bales
In 1936, near the beginning of the Spanish Civil War one horrible center of fighting was the Alcázar fortress near Toledo. In the middle of horrific fighting, however, every day the firing stopped twice in order to allow a blind beggar to tap his way on the street between the firing lines. We can imagine how welcome those few minutes were to the men on both sides. They probably hoped that the blind man walked slower to give them a few more seconds of peace. Then the reprieve ended and the slaughter again engulfed the two armies that were struggling to kill each other.1
Schuyler Rhodes
I love this story. It doesn't matter how many times I hear it, or how it's told, it never fails to grab me in a new and different way. It's really an incredible tale. And by incredible I mean just that. Without credibility! Who could actually buy a story like this? The disciples, cowardly and virtually faithless, abandoned the Master and scattered in the chaos of his arrest and execution.
Lee Griess
It's one of those stories that circulates around the internet. I don't know if it's true or not but it's so interesting that I have to share it with you. It seems that a woman came home to find her husband in the kitchen, shaking frantically with what looked like a wire running from his waist toward the electric outlet in the wall. Intending to jolt him away from the deadly electricity, she grabbed a piece of wood that was leaning by the back door, and gave him a good whack, breaking his arm in two places. It was a shame. He was not being electrocuted at all.
Richard L. Sheffield
I want to take the text seriously this morning. It would be easy not to, because Luke's story of the ascension of Jesus is not easy no matter how you take it. For you and me, twenty centuries later, this story may be very hard to take very seriously.

Our take on the ascension of Jesus might be on the order of liturgy as lift-off: Jesus being lifted up to the Air Force song: "Off we go into the wild blue yonder, climbing high into the sky!"

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 17, 2026:
  • When Jesus Prays by Chris Keating. Jesus’ high priestly prayer is rooted in the authority of God’s love, and not from a posture of authoritarian control. It is a prayer that the disciples might dwell in the abundance of eternal life by abiding in the love and unity Jesus has offered.
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 17, 2026:
  • When Jesus Prays by Chris Keating. Jesus’ high priestly prayer is rooted in the authority of God’s love, and not from a posture of authoritarian control. It is a prayer that the disciples might dwell in the abundance of eternal life by abiding in the love and unity Jesus has offered.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus prayed for us all, that we might be protected and united. In our worship today let us explored what it means to be one just as Jesus and the Father are one.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we are more ready to criticise other Christians than to be united with them.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we get hung up on small details instead of seeing the big picture.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we are too selfish to open up and welcome other people.

StoryShare

Argile Smith
Charles D. Reeb
John S. Smylie
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Wayne's Deployment" by Argile Smith
"In The Event of Power Failure" by Charles D. Reeb
"Where's the Finish Line?" by John Smylie


What's Up This Week
John E. Sumwalt
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"The God of All Grace" by John Sumwalt
"Keeping the Word" by Frank Ramirez


* * * * * * * *


The God of All Grace
by John Sumwalt
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.
-- 1 Peter 5:10

CSSPlus

Cynthia E. Cowen
The Point: Jesus has the authority to give eternal life.

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