Frank Ramirez is a native of Southern California and is the senior pastor of the Union Center Church of the Brethren near Nappanee, Indiana. Frank has served congregations in Los Angeles, California; Elkhart, Indiana; and Everett, Pennsylvania. He and his wife Jennie share three adult children, all married, and three grandchildren. He enjoys writing, reading, exercise, and theater.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 19
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 20
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 21
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
New & Featured This Week
The Immediate Word
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For September 29, 2024:
- The Weaponization Of Prayer by Dean Feldmeyer based on James 5:13-20.
- Second Thoughts: Demonizing Others by Chris Keating based Mark 9:38-50. Jesus’ words on community and discipleship challenge us to rethink the ways we demonize others.
- Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin.
CSSPlus
John Jamison
Object: A pack of Post-It Notes® and a big piece of cardboard or board to stick them on. Draw a line or put a piece of tape vertically on the board to create two columns where you will stick the notes.
* * *
Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!
* * *
Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!
Emphasis Preaching Journal
Frank Ramirez
In the book of Esther, the tables are turned on Haman’s genocidal plot and the people emerge triumphant. James is aware the worst sometimes happens but reminds us the prayers of the faithful are part of the equation that averts disaster. And Jesus scolds the disciples for wanting him to discourage those who work for the gospel. There’s a great task we share, and we can avert the disaster toward which the world seems to be heading by working with all people of good will who are furthering the work of the kingdom.
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22
The phrase “hoisted on his own petard” is one that is not used as often today and that’s a shame. It is a good statement. It comes from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. Let’s examine this old phrase. The word “petard” is a word that, in medieval times referred to a bomb that would breach walls or blow in doors. The word “hoist” meant to be taken out or removed. Thus, someone who was hoisted by their own petard was taken out by the bomb that they set.
The phrase “hoisted on his own petard” is one that is not used as often today and that’s a shame. It is a good statement. It comes from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. Let’s examine this old phrase. The word “petard” is a word that, in medieval times referred to a bomb that would breach walls or blow in doors. The word “hoist” meant to be taken out or removed. Thus, someone who was hoisted by their own petard was taken out by the bomb that they set.
StoryShare
Peter Andrew Smith
Lou leaned on his shovel. “I’m honestly not sure.”
“We could ask them though, couldn’t we?” Mary gestured at the church across the street from their church. “I mean they are out doing work around their church.”
“I don’t know.” Lou looked over at the people painting and cleaning. “I hear they do their service in Greek or some other language and I’m not sure what I would say.”
“I’m just glad that someone took over that building after the last congregation disbanded.” Mary sighed. “It was looking pretty run down.”
“We could ask them though, couldn’t we?” Mary gestured at the church across the street from their church. “I mean they are out doing work around their church.”
“I don’t know.” Lou looked over at the people painting and cleaning. “I hear they do their service in Greek or some other language and I’m not sure what I would say.”
“I’m just glad that someone took over that building after the last congregation disbanded.” Mary sighed. “It was looking pretty run down.”
The Village Shepherd
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus said that whoever is not against us, is for us. Let us welcome all those who are not against us and thank God for their support.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when we judge others too harshly,
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, when we wrongly feel that all are against us,
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, when we enjoy our own cliques and keep others out,
Lord, have mercy.
SermonStudio
Cynthia E. Cowen
They entered the house drained from the night. They had prayed Erik's science project would be done on time for the Science Fair so it was a surprise when the fourth grader won a second place ribbon. The next step was district competition, and now the announcement of awards was taking its toll. The project had not been selected for honor. Handling the disappointment was tough.
James Evans
(See Proper 16/Pentecost 14/Ordinary Time 21, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)
Psalm 124 takes us deep into the thorny issue of claiming to have God on our side. The matter has come up repeatedly, in recent years, during the war in Iraq. Prayers have been offered, from both sides of the conflict, petitioning God's help in defeating "our" enemy and protecting "our" troops.
Psalm 124 takes us deep into the thorny issue of claiming to have God on our side. The matter has come up repeatedly, in recent years, during the war in Iraq. Prayers have been offered, from both sides of the conflict, petitioning God's help in defeating "our" enemy and protecting "our" troops.
Thomas Peterson
No mistake. This is a hard text. Jesus was often given to double-edged sayings, paradoxes and extreme comparisons. He spoke ironically and often with biting humor. Here he uses the images of cutting off a hand, a foot, or plucking out an eye.
Stephen M. Crotts
Do you remember the fairy tale "Snow White"? Recall how the wicked witch peered into her magic looking glass and said, "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"
The mirror's answer was quite disappointing. "It's certainly not you, Ugly!"
Does your mirror ever do that to you? Sad to say, but thousands of people's mirrors disappoint them each day.
The mirror's answer was quite disappointing. "It's certainly not you, Ugly!"
Does your mirror ever do that to you? Sad to say, but thousands of people's mirrors disappoint them each day.
