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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 Trinity Sunday (2020) -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, M Adryael Tong, Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2020
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Sermon Illustrations For Ash Wednesday (2020) -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2020
Joel 2:1-2,12-17 
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2020) -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Isaiah 64:1-9
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 1 (2020) -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
Psalm 32
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2020) -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Isaiah 40:1-11
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 6 | OT 11 | Pentecost 2 (2020) -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7), Romans 5:1-8, Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, M Adryael Tong -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2020
Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7)
Sermon Illustrations for Third Sunday of Advent (2020) -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 2 (2020) -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 121 -- Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
Psalm 121
Sermon Illustrations for Fourth Sunday of Advent (2020) -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 3 (2020) -- Matthew 10:24-39, Romans 6:1b-11, Genesis 21:8-21 -- M Adryael Tong, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2020
Genesis 21:8-21Shifting Perspectives
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 3 (2020) -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42, Psalm 95 -- Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
Psalm 95
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas Day (2020) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2020
Isaiah 9:2-7
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 (2020) -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, M Adryael Tong -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2020
Genesis 22:1-14
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 4 (2020) -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41, Psalm 23 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, M Adryael Tong, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
Psalm 23
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 1 (2020) -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2020
Isaiah 61:10--62:3
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 (2020) -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, M Adryael Tong -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2020
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 or Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 5 (2020) -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45, Psalm 130 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, M Adryael Tong -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
Psalm 130
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 (2020) -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, M Adryael Tong, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2020
Genesis 25:19-34
Sermon Illustrations For Passion Sunday (2020) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66, Psalm 31:9-16, Matthew 27:11-54 -- Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, M Adryael Tong -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2020
Psalm 31:9-16
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 (2020) -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- M Adryael Tong, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2020
Genesis 28:10-19aJoy in Minutiae
Sermon Illustrations For Maundy Thursday (2020) -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, M Adryael Tong -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2020
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 (2020) -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Psalm 128 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2020
Psalm 128
Sermon Illustrations For Good Friday (2020) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, M Adryael Tong -- Good Friday - A -- 2020
Psalm 22
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 (2020) -- Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2020
Genesis 32:22-31
Sermon Illustrations For Easter Sunday (2020) -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, M Adryael Tong -- Easter Day - A -- 2020
Acts 10:34-43

Prayer

Sermon

Stories

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 13 -- Ephesians 6:10-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Ephesians 6:10-18)
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on John 3:3-17)
Proper 8 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Ephesians 2:11-22)
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipWomen: It is not long before the journey ends.
Proper 25 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 16)One: Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Maundy Thursday -- Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2002
A First Century Communion Litany
Proper 26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Revelation 1:8)
Palm Sunday -- Frank Ramirez -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29)
Pentecost Sunday -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipOne: Who is like God?All: No one is like God.
Proper 4 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on 2 Corinthians 6:8-13)
Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 43:18-19)
Proper 22 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 34:1-8)
First Sunday In Lent -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Genesis 9:8-17 and 1 Peter 3:18-22)
Proper 23 -- Psalm 146 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (Psalm 146)One: Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
Second Sunday In Lent -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16)
Proper 24 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2002
Unison Call To Worship (Psalm 127:1-2)
Third Sunday In Lent -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on 2 Timothy 3:14-17)
Proper 18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipAll: The harvest is before us. But someone has to gather the crops.
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on 1 Corinthians 13)
Proper 19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 8)
Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 40:28-31)
Last Sunday After The Epiphany -- Frank Ramirez -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipRight: The Light has been shining.
Sixth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 30)
First Sunday After The Epiphany -- Frank Ramirez -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipOne: Lord, your light is shining to the nations.
Second Sunday After The Epiphany -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship (based on Psalm 139)All: O LORD, you have searched me and known me.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Lent 5
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Passion/Palm Sunday
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Maundy Thursday
15 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
11 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Good Friday
20 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – 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
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For April 6, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A small pillow or cushion, a bowl, and a jar.

NOTE: This is a simple role-play story. You will need one boy to play the role of Jesus, and one girl to play the role of Mary. Since these are not speaking roles, this may be an opportunity to have a child help who might be hesitant to do a more involved role.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
This is not the same old thing. This is something new. Isaiah tells us to forget the old standards of life and truth. Our God conquers, so no longer judge the old way. Paul in prison says pretty much the same thing. And in the first supper, which takes place in the home of Martha, with Mary, Jesus, and the newly resurrected Lazarus in attendance, we see the world turned upside down as well. Something new. Something new.

Isaiah 43:16-21
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 43:16-21

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” (vv. 7-8)

The first time I saw one of the “He Gets Us” Jesus ads during the Super Bowl two years ago, I sat up and said to my wife, Jo, “This is great! I wonder who is sponsoring this.” When I found out who, and what their motives were, I was deeply disappointed.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to worship:

 When Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus' feet with oil, the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. As we worship God today, may this whole church be filled with the fragrance of our prayers.

Invitation to confession:

 Jesus, sometimes we fail to notice or appreciate beauty.

Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we resent the actions of others and are spiteful towards them.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Gregory L. Tolle
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own. (vv. 8b--12)
Schuyler Rhodes
There's nothing quite as wonderful as looking at an old car that's been restored to its former luster. A 1932 Ford Victoria Coupe, rumbling down the road brings a thrill. The rust has been cleaned off, the torn upholstery replaced, and missing windows have been installed. It is a work of art. It is also a work of love. Such restoration projects, as anyone involved in them can attest, are not for the weak of heart. Restoring a classic automobile requires painstaking attention to detail and the patience of Job.
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
Worship is a blessed waste of time.

Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 43:16-21
A New Thing
Donald Charles Lacy
In our spiritual voyages, surprises -- sometimes outlandishly -- come to us. We scratch our heads and wonder if what we are experiencing is fact or fiction. It may or may not be a time of inspiration. However, it may be one of instruction, as we view it in retrospect. You and I are to remember that every occurrence may very well be a teaching event.

David Kalas
In December of every year, the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City awards the coveted Heisman Trophy. Voted on by over 800 media members, the Heisman is awarded to the most outstanding college football player during that season. Past recipients have included such notables as Roger Staubach, Marcus Allen, and Barry Sanders. It is a great honor, and it represents the broad and non-partisan recognition of a player's outstanding season.
Julia Ross Strope
You shall pass judgment on yourself. That is the hardest thing of all ...
If you succeed in judging yourself, it is because you are truly wise.
(The king on a planet to the prince)
-- Saint Exupery, The Little Prince

Call To Worship
Leader: You're here! Winter seems displaced by the new growth of spring. This is the fifth Sunday in Lent -- with one more to come: Palm Sunday.

(Candles counting the Sundays in Lent can be lighted.)

Special Occasion

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