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Frank Ramirez

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.
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Illustration

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Sermon Illustrations for Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 (2023) -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2023
Exodus 33:12-23

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2022) -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Isaiah 2:1-5
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 2 (2022) -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:31-35 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2022) -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Isaiah 11:1-10
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 4 (2022) -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Joshua 5:9-12
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 7 | OT 12 (2022) -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2022
1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Psalms 42 and 43
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 5 (2022) -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Isaiah 43:16-21 
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | OT 13 (2022) -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2022
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 3 (2022) -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Isaiah 35:1-10
Sermon Illustrations for Palm/Passion Sunday (2022) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2022
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 9 | OT 14 (2022) -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2022
2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30
Clone of Sermon Illustrations for Lent 1 (2022) -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Maundy Thursday (2022) -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2022
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2022) -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2022
Amos 7:7-17
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 4 (2022) -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Isaiah 7:10-16
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2022) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas -- Good Friday - C -- 2022
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 23 | OT 28 (2025) -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19, Psalm 66:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2022
Jeremiah 29:1,4-7
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas Day (2022) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2022
Isaiah 9:2-7
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 11 | OT 16 (2022) -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2022
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Sermon Illustrations for Easter Day (2022) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - C -- 2022
Isaiah 65:17-25
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2022) -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2022
Hosea 1:2-10
Sermon Illustrations for Easter 2 (2022) -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Acts 5:27-32
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 13 | OT 18 (2022) -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2022
Hosea 11:1-11, Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Sermon illustrations for Easter 3 (2022) -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
Sermon illustrations for Easter 4 (2022) -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Acts 9:36-43

Prayer

Sermon

Stories

StoryShare

A New Birth -- Mark 12:38-44, Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Psalm 127 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Contents"A New Birth" by Peter Andrew Smith
Threading The Needle -- Mark 10:17-31, Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Psalm 22:1-15 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2012
Contents"Threading the Needle" by Frank Ramirez
At The Rail -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Psalm 89:20-37 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
Contents"At the Rail" by Keith Hewitt
How The Mighty Have Fallen -- Mark 6:1-13, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Psalm 48 -- Frank Ramirez, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
Contents"How the Mighty Have Fallen" by Frank Ramirez
Always The Same, Always Changing -- Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2012
Contents"Always the Same, Always Changing" by Frank Ramirez
A Place Of Healing And Hope -- John 3:14-21, Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 -- Frank Ramirez, Lamar Massingill -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Contents"A Place of Healing and Hope" by Frank Ramirez
Regrets -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
Contents"Regrets" by Keith Hewitt "Incarnation" by C. David McKirachan
Incarnation -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
Contents"Regrets" by Keith Hewitt "Incarnation" by C. David McKirachan
Back From The Dead -- John 20:1-18, Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Contents"Regrets" by Keith Hewitt "Incarnation" by C. David McKirachan
Evac -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 47 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez, Lamar Massingill, John E. Sumwalt -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
Contents"Evac" by Keith Hewitt
Jesus And Judas -- John 17:6-19, Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, Psalm 1 -- Lamar Massingill, John E. Sumwalt, Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Contents"Evac" by Keith Hewitt
Credit Where Credit Is Due -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Contents"Credit Where Credit Is Due" by Frank Ramirez
Standing Up To The General -- Mark 9:30-37, Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Psalm 1 -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Contents"Standing Up to the General" by Frank Ramirez
Choose Life -- Matthew 5:21-37, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2011
Contents"Choose Life" by C. David McKirachan
Your Choice -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- Frank Ramirez, Craig Kelly -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Contents"Your Choice" by Frank Ramirez "The Trial" by Craig Kelly
6248 -- John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, Psalm 130 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Contents"6248" by Keith Hewitt "Sky Show" by Frank Ramirez
An Imperishable Inheritance -- John 20:19-31, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 16 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Contents"An Imperishable Inheritance" by Frank Ramirez
The God Of All Grace -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Contents"The God of All Grace" by John Sumwalt
Restoring The Birthright -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Psalm 119:105-112 -- Frank Ramirez, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
Contents"Restoring the Birthright" by Frank Ramirez
The Prisoner -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28, Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Psalm 133 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
Contents"The Prisoner" by Keith Hewitt "Heavenly Talkback" by Frank Ramirez
American Idols -- Matthew 22:1-14, Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
Contents"American Idols" by Keith Heweitt
So What Is It Anyway? -- Matthew 20:1-16, Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
Contents"So What Is It Anyway?" by Frank Ramirez
The Land That God Promised -- Luke 17:11-19, Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Psalm 65 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2011
Contents"The Land That God Promised" by Frank Ramirez
A Church For Christmas -- Luke 1:26-38, 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:46b-55 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Contents"A Church for Christmas" by John Sumwalt
The Clearing -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez, Larry Winebrenner -- Good Friday - C -- 2010
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Clearing" by Keith Hewitt

Worship

SermonStudio

Theme: What I Want -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 34:18-19)
Theme: Give Me Back What The Bugs Stole -- Frank Ramirez -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Never Been There -- Never Done That -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Frank Ramirez -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Revelation 2:3-5) One:
Theme: It Don't Get No Better -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 45:6-7)
Theme: When God Began To Create ... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Frank Ramirez -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Have No Fear -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Frank Ramirez -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 22:26-28) One:
Theme: Rule Like God -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Frank Ramirez -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 118:24)
Theme: Fashion Report -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 6:1)
Theme: Standing Stones -- Exodus 24:3-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 116:12-13) One:
Theme: Too Late To Be Quiet -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 148:11-13) Older:
Theme: Yours, Mine, And Ours -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: News From Far As Far Away -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 147:16-18, 15) One: Praise the Lord!
Theme: I Had No Idea -- Luke 24:36b-48, 1 John 3:1-7, Acts 3:12-19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Acts 3:12-13) One:
Theme: Many Names, One Lord -- Isaiah 9:1-7 -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
Call To Worship (Isaiah 9:2 and 6) One:
Theme: What Good Is That? -- Acts 4:5-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Acts 4:7 and 12)One:
Theme: Life Beyond The Dead -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Try And Stop Us -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: As The Lord Lives, I Will Not Leave You -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 50:1-6) One:
Theme: That'll Show Us -- Acts 10:44-48 -- Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 98:1)
Theme: Beautiful Feet, Beautiful Feat -- Isaiah 52:7-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 57:8)
Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
First Lesson: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Theme: I Knew This Would Happen!
The Ministry Of Anointing -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful?
Theme: One Lord, False Profits -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 111:10)
A Basic Service Of Anointing -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
(Share a time of visitation and prayer as previously outlined.
Theme: View From A Height -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Isaiah 40:31)
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 23
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
34 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
For November 16, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Another natural disaster has flattened a number of coastal communities. Despite the weather and major television station warnings, and government disaster preparations, the dystopian destruction nightmare of Luke 21 has decimated another community. Also, it is reasonable to believe that this is not the last year for hurricanes, Tsunami’s, wildfires, mudslides and tornados. They will occur again. However, as weary citizens are interviewed in one group of people with the background of homes in rubble and streets still draining flood waters, they will not leave. This is their home.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez

Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 12

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. (v. 25)

A week after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, country singer Toby Keith — who died Feb. 5, 2024 — wrote a patriotic ballad titled “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” It was filled with populist fighting rhetoric that matched the mood of a nation shaken by the shocking death and destruction of that day.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A blood pressure monitor. It is actually called a sphygmomanometer, and is pronounced “sfig·mow·muh·naa’·muh·tr”.

* * *

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.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
-- Isaiah 12:3

John W. Clarke
No reading of Luke is complete without coming to realize that Luke is concerned that the world understands that Jesus is the hope of the world and that any teaching that leads away from that fact is a false teaching. No matter what, no matter when, Jesus will be there to give us life.

Scott Suskovic
Whoever does not work should not eat!
-- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NLT)

Wow! Kind of takes your breath away, doesn't it? Not a lot of ambiguity in that rule. "You don't work, you don't eat." For a religion based on grace, it seems a bit unyielding.

Mark Ellingson
Freedom is such a lovely word, a compelling image. What is freedom? How would you define it? What does it mean to you? Webster's New World Dictionary defines freedom as being exempt from control or from arbitrary restrictions. Freedom is said to be the ability to choose or determine one's own actions.

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