Login / Signup

Don R. Yocom

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Humor

SermonStudio

Great Is Thy Faithfulness -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
This hymn is used widely in American churches.
Here I Am, Lord, Speak To Me -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
When God chooses to change the destiny of a nation he sometimes does it in a most unusual manner.
T. L. C. (Tender Loving Care) -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
There came one night to a little hotel desk in a busy city, a middle aged couple.
Chance Or Providence? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
Mrs. Claude Douglas of Los Angeles, California, had been downtown and started for home.
Old Faithful -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
The main attraction at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming is a geyser shooting hot steam in the ai
The Laser Beam -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
It is so fantastic what the laser beam has done for mankind.
The Little Red Wagon Story -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor and our entrance into World War II, the U.S.
God's Hitchhiker -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
A woman had prayed for her uncommitted husband and believed that God would some day reach the man's
Daughter Of Independence -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
Probably no other emblem has had a more profound effect upon the American people than the Statue of
Handicapped Charlie -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
Our last dog was a Boston terrier named Charlie.
Hurricane Andrew And Havoc -- Matthew 7:24-27, Numbers 32:23 -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
When Hurricane Andrew came to Florida to wreak havoc on the residents and buildings, the people had
The Dead Sea Scrolls -- What If ...? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
The discovery of these famous manuscripts is universally known.
The Tidal Bore -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
At Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, one can witness this most unusual phenomenon: the tidal bore from
Use What You Have -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
It is a striking fact that God has different ideas from us on how to accomplish a difficult task.
"God Owns My Business" -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
These words of Stanley Tam, Lima, Ohio, mystify some people.
Now Consider Seeds 3,000 Years Old! -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
Scientists were given seeds discovered when tombs of ancient kings of Egypt were opened.
Goodwill Industries -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
Elmer E. Helmes had graduated from Boston University School of Theology in A.D.
The Compost Pile -- A Miracle -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
What about the compost pile in the backyard? It's almost a secret.
The First UFO -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
Some people think that UFOs are twentieth century phenomena, possible aliens invading our planet.
Something That Doesn't Like A Wall -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
An outstanding Christian layman, Branch Rickey, once owned a major league baseball team.
But In Spite Of ... -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
What a drastic sign of racism and hatred has been the burning of Black churches, predominantly in th
Recycling The Universe -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
The idea of recycling metal cans, plastic milk bottles, and newspapers has saved us all money and ha
Streams In The Desert -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
Not only did Isaiah give us a beautiful metaphor of how God's Kingdom can flourish in the desert pla
Masada -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
King Herod I of Israel was a fearful man.
Where Do You Think You Are? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
A well-known gangster burglar died and in the next world found things to be very pleasant.

Illustration

Preaching

SermonStudio

Accountability -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
"What kind of a place would this place be,If everyone in it were just like me?"
What One Man Can Do -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The Roman Catholic monk, Polemicus, dared to oppose gladiatorial death in the Coliseum of Rome.
That Bag Of Cookies -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The other day a businessman reported to an airport, purchased his ticket, and was checked through ca
That Special Day -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
As a man was leaving for his office on a wintry day, his wife hinted, "Tomorrow is a special day, yo
Channel One -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Not being a television electronic designer, I do not know why all television sets begin with Channel
The Four Levels Of Life -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
1.The level of instinct.2.The level of duty.
Another Mystery Story -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A night watchman heard that his boss was going away on a long trip.
Is Punctuation Important? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
What did Shakespeare say?"Woman, without her man, is nothing!"
About Fishing -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Sitting still and fishing makes no person great;
How Did You Play The Game? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
When the last great Scorer comesTo write against your name;
What's Missing? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The newspaper reported that a new post office was built in a certain town, and the day was set for i
The Cuckoo Clock -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man stayed out so late one night that when he quietly came into the bedroom, the cuckoo clock stru
Christmas Eve From Outer Space -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The astronauts on Apollo VIII were exploring outer space around the moon, but they were men w
The Good Neighbor -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Have you ever had a time in your life when you were totally helpless? It may happen suddenly.
Romans 8:28 -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
If there was ever a time when this Bible verse had tremendous significance, it has been during the t
It's Shortening -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man who was not tall and muscular asked a friend what he could do to make himself taller and more
A Real Pain -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A pastor asked a friend if he would be willing to substitute in the pulpit of his church on a certai
How To Handle Criticism -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Gary Moore, an early television personality, used to tell how he handled a letter of false criticism
When Henry Ford Gave A Dime -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Years ago Martha Berry, founder of the Berry Schools in the mountains of Georgia, visited Henry Ford
Where Is God? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Dr. E. Stanley Jones used to tell of a five-year-old child who was asked, "Where is God?"
A Mystery Story -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man worked in a factory where they made all kinds of garden tools; all the way from hand tools to
Church Attendance -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Some go to church to take a walk,Some go to church to laugh and talk;
The Holy Bible And Pitcairn Island -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Do you remember the movie Mutiny on the Bounty?
Say It With Flowers -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Henry Penn, the man who coined the phrase, "Say it with flowers,"told Dr.
Lightning Bugs -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Some Boy Scouts were camping in a rather swampy area.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
36 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
3 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
27 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
3 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A crèche, or manger scene. Any size and style is fine as long as it includes shepherds. Have the creche set up before you begin.

* * *

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” (vv. 13-14)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 62:6-12
Isaiah proclaims, “Look, your savior comes.” We celebrate on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day the coming of our savior into the world – not as one full of power, but as a babe, vulnerable and human, as one born among us. Yes, God has great things in store for this babe, great lessons to teach us and for us to absorb as we watch this babe become a child and then a man. But in this quiet moment, this moment in a stable, born of indigent, immigrant parents, we see our own vulnerability portrayed in the Christ child.
Wayne Brouwer
There is a powerful scene in Herman Melville’s great epic, Moby Dick, where Captain Ahab stands peg-legged on the deck of the Pequod during a violent storm (chapter 119). His obsession with the White Whale has carried the craft and crew to exotic and frightening locales, and now it seems as if divine providence might be unleashing furious anger against this ill-fated quest.

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For December 22, 2024:
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For December 22, 2024:

SermonStudio

Derl G. Keefer
I read an old legend about a Christmas party that Satan and his pack of demons were having in hell. As the demonic guests were departing, one laughed and grinned and sarcastically said to Satan, “Merry Christmas your majesty!” At that, Satan replied with a growl, “Yes, keep it merry. If they ever get serious about it, we’ll all be in trouble.”

Today the focus is all about the Messiah and we need to be serious about it. It is the birth of the baby Jesus, the Messiah. It is the coming of God…the doctrine of incarnation. It is the intervention of God’s presence among humanity.
Stephen P. McCutchan
... He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
-- Psalm 96:13

Gregory L. Tolle
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
James Evans
This psalm gives us the proper theme for a Christmas Day celebration: "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises" (v. 4).

Carlos Wilton
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Christmas Day, Cycle A; see also Easter 7, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)

The lectionary includes two sets of readings for Christmas Day: those appointed for dawn services, and those appointed for services that take place later in the day. Psalm 97 is designated as one of these early-morning readings.

William Powell Tuck
Christmas is usually associated in our memory as a time of great joy. But for many it is also a time for cynicism. There are some people for whom Christmas is difficult. It is a time of struggle, depression, loneliness, and anxiety. There are more suicides during the holiday season than at any other time of the year. A comment by a woman in a nursing home indicates the feeling of some: "No one really cares. No one cares about me now.
Mark Wm. Radecke
Because Jesus was Mary's firstborn, there were four words that she and Joseph did not have to hear as they made the arduous trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Four words that make long journeys longer. Four words that strike terror in the hearts of parents of every time and every place. Four words from which even the youngest child seems to be able to craft a sentence: Are we there yet?

I am struck this year by the number of journeys the narratives of Jesus' birth and infancy entail:

* Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem;
Julia Ross Strope
Gathering music
Christmas medley

(Light the Christ candle.)

(Invite adults, children, and youth ahead of time to bring a favorite gift for a one-sentence show and tell.)

Greeting
Leader: Merry Christmas!

People: Merry Christmas!

Leader: Settle your Christmas gifts on the pew beside you and find the space within your minds and hearts to sing, pray, listen, and talk.
James R. Wilson


Call To Worship
Leader: Come, let us celebrate, for Christ our savior has been born!
People: Is our Messiah, the promised one, among us this day?
Leader: Surely I say unto you, Christ the Lord is with us even as we speak.
People: Are even sinners such as we welcome in Christ's kingdom?
Leader: Praise to the Lord God Almighty, for in Christ we are all welcome!
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
After baby Jesus grew up to be a man, he got into terrible trouble, and wicked people killed him. But a good man called Joseph of Arimathea laid Jesus's body gently in his own grave, which he'd made ready for when he should die. After that the wicked people searched for Joseph of Arimathea, and so he ran away from Jerusalem carrying with him a special cup like this one, which contained some of Jesus's holy blood.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL