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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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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 (2019) -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 1 (2019) -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2019
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 (2019) -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2019) -- Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 8:18--9:1
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2019) -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 2 (2019) -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:31-35 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2019
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | OT 27 (2019) -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2019
Lamentations 1:1-6
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 23 | OT 28 (2019) -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 4 (2019) -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2019
Joshua 5:9-12
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 5 (2019) -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2019
Isaiah 43:16-21
Sermons Illustrations for Proper 24 | OT 29 (2019) -- Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2019
Jeremiah 31:27-34
Sermon Illustrations for New Year's Day (2019) -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - C -- 2019
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Sermon Illustrations for Palm/Passion Sunday (2019) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2019
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Sermon Illustrations for Reformation Day (2019) -- Psalm 46, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2019
Psalm 46
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of the Lord (2019) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2019
Isaiah 60:1-6a
Sermon Illustrations for Maundy Thursday (2019) -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2019
Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2019) -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2019
Joel 2:23-32
Sermon Illustrations for Baptism of Our Lord (2019) -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2019
Isaiah 43:1-7
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2019) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bill Thomas -- Good Friday - C -- 2019
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2019) -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- All Saints Day - C -- 2019
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Sermon Illustrations for Easter Day (2019) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove -- Easter Day - C -- 2019
Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | OT 31 (2019) -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2019
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 2 | OT 2 (2019) -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2019
Isaiah 62:1-5
Sermon illustrations for Easter 2 (2019) -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
Acts 5:27-32
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 27 | OT 32 (2019) -- Haggai 1:5b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2019
Haggai 1:15-2:9

Prayer

Sermon

Stories

Worship

SermonStudio

Third Sunday After The Epiphany -- Psalm 65 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 65)One: Praise is due to you, O God.
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 4)
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipWomen: We know love by this, that Jesus laid down his life for us.
Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipRight: The spirit told Philip to join the chariot of the Ethiopian.
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeft: Is there a place where we can come to laugh?
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Acts 1:6-11)
Fourth Sunday Of Advent -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Advent WreathWe hear your words, "Do not be afraid. I am with you."
Preparations For The Lord's Supper -- Frank Ramirez -- 2000
Some time before the Lord's Supper the group assigned to organize the event should meet to delegate
Bulletins For The Examination Service And The Love Feast (Agape Meal) -- Frank Ramirez -- 2000
The texts for two bulletins are provided.
A Simple Service For The Lord's Supper -- Frank Ramirez -- 2000
A: The Examination Service Call To Worship
Additional Hymn Suggestions -- Frank Ramirez -- 2000
Examination Service:"We Gather Together"
Dates Of Maundy Thursday Love Feasts -- Frank Ramirez -- 2000
The Lord's Supper is most often celebrated on Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter, and on Wo
Additional Sermons For Examination Services And Preparation For The Love Feast -- Frank Ramirez -- 2000
Examination Service Sermon
Some Ancient Christian References To Feetwashing -- Frank Ramirez -- 2000
Our feast explains itself by its name. The Greeks call it agape, i.e. affection.

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Second Sunday In Lent -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16)
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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
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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...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 21
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For September 29, 2024:

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!

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
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.

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.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

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.

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.

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