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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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Commentary

Drama

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 11 | OT 16 (2021) -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2021
2 Samuel 7:1-14a
Sermon Illustrations for the Fifth Sunday after Easter (2021) -- John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21, Acts 8:26-40 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Acts 8:26-40
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2021) -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21, Psalm 14 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2021
2 Samuel 11:1-15
Sermon Illustrations for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (2021) -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Acts 10:44-48
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 3 (2021) -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2021
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Sermon Illustrations for New Year's Day (2021) -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - B -- 2021
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 13 | OT 18 (2021) -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2021
2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 2 (2021) -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2021
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 14 | OT 19 (2021) -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:34, 41-51 -- Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2021
2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 4 (2021) -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2021
Micah 5:2-5a
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of Our Lord (2021) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2021
Isaiah 60:1-6
Sermon Illustrations for Ascension of the Lord (2021) -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2021
Acts 1:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for The Nativity of Our Lord (2021) -- Isaiah 62:6-12, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20, Titus 3:4-7 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2021
Isaiah 62:6-12
Sermon Illustrations for Baptism of Our Lord (2021) -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2021
Genesis 1:1-5
Sermon Illustrations for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (2021) -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 2 (2021) -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2021
1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20)
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 15 | OT 20 (2021) -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-4, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2021
1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14
Sermon Illustrations for First Sunday after Christmas Day (2021) -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2021
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 (2021) -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2021
1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43
Sermon Illustrations for Pentecost (2021) -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2021
Acts 2:1-21
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 (2021) -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2021
Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Sermon Illustrations for Trinity Sunday (2021) -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2021
Isaiah 6:1-8, Psalms 29
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (2021) -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 15 (2021) -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2021
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
Illustrations for Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 (2021) -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20, Psalm 138, 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Mark 3:20-35 -- Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2021
1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15)

Prayer

Sermon

Stories

Worship

Free Access

Love. Serve God. See God. Live. -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (Psalm 99)
The Greatest -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2004
First Lesson: Deuteronomy 34:1-12Theme: The GreatestCall To Worship

The Village Shepherd

Proper 5 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2002
Note: There is no content for Proper 5 / OT 10 / Pentecost 3 from The Village Shephe

SermonStudio

Easter Sunday -- Psalm 118:14-24 -- Frank Ramirez -- Easter Day - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (Psalm 118:14-24)
Second Sunday Of Easter -- 1 John 1:1 - 2:2 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Unison Confession Of Faith (1 John 1:1 - 2:2)
Proper 20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship One: Lord, we call to mind the hatred and violence half a world away
First Sunday Of Advent -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Advent WreathWe come with open minds.
Proper 21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Mark 10:35-45)
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Advent WreathWe come with many fears and anxieties.
Proper 15 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 146)All: Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
Second Sunday After Christmas -- John 1:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2002
Unison Call To Worship (John 1:1-14)
Christmas Eve/Christmas Day -- Frank Ramirez -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2002
Advent Wreath
Third Sunday Of Advent -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Advent WreathWe bring our fears into your revealing light.
Proper 17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipAll: Lord, we come together, restless in our pews.
First Sunday After Christmas -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
Call To Worship
Proper 10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (from Psalm 78:23-29)
Proper 9 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship
Proper 11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipWomen: God of time, the moments are yours.
Holy Trinity Sunday -- Frank Ramirez -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 6:1-8)
Proper 12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Proverbs 9:1-6)
Proper 5 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Lamentations 3:19-26)
Proper 16 -- Ephesians 6:10-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Ephesians 6:10-18)
Proper 14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 119:105-112)
Proper 6 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 123)
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on John 3:3-17)
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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