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Frank Ramirez

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Commentary

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 1 (2023) -- 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 -- 2023
Isaiah 61:10--62:3

StoryShare

A Series of Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
In 2004 Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan published the book Chronicles: Volume One.
A Great Light -- But Who Saw It First? -- Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep dar
Because God is There -- Exodus 24:12-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2023
Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. (v. 15)
Gave As Good As She Got -- John 4:5-42 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Just then his disciples came.
Footwear and Foot Care -- John 13:1-7, 31b-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2023
(Jesus) poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet… (v. 5)
Seeing And Not Seeing -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight.
Into Thin Air -- Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:44-53 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2023
According to Acts 1:9, as the disciples watched, Jesus “…was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of
Sign Here -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2023
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax-collection station….
One Hit Wonder -- Zechariah 9:9-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2023
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!    Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!

Worship

SermonStudio

Time To Clean Up -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Sounds Great, But We're Busy -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 126) One:
Third Sunday of Advent -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
First Lesson: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Theme: Repairing Ancient Ruins
Theme: The Lord Needs No House -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Theme: Reunion -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- All Saints Day - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Isaiah 25:9)
Theme: It Is Not For You To Know -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 93)
Theme: Give Me Back What The Bugs Stole -- Frank Ramirez -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
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: Rule Like God -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Frank Ramirez -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 118:24)
Theme: Standing Stones -- Exodus 24:3-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 116:12-13) One:

Sermon

Prayer

Drama

Stories

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The Great Aim Of Virgil -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Psalm 96 -- Frank Ramirez -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2015
Contents "The Great Aim of Virgil" by Frank Ramirez
Doing Justice -- Matthew 3:13-17, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 29 -- John Fitzgerald, Frank Ramirez -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2014
Contents "Doing Justice" by John Fitzgerald
Having A Stake In The Harvest -- Matthew 5:21-37, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
Contents "Having a Stake in the Harvest" by Frank Ramirez
Words, Words, Words -- John 3:1-17, Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Psalm 121 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Contents "Words, Words, Words" by Frank Ramirez * * * * * * *
The Cornerstone -- Luke 14:1-14, Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Contents "The Cornerstone" by Sandra Herrmann "The Wall" by Sandra Herrmann
The Outer Limits -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 47 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2014
Contents "The Outer Limits" by C. David McKirachan
A Planet-Sized Wind -- John 20:19-23, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2014
Contents "A Planet-Sized Wind" by Frank Ramirez * * * * * * *
The Inner Struggle -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Psalm 45:10-17 -- John Fitzgerald, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2014
Contents "The Inner Struggle" by John Fitzgerald
Rules Fer Wrasslin' -- Matthew 14:13-21, Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Psalm 17:1-7, 15 -- Frank Ramirez, John Fitzgerald -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
Contents "Rules fer Wrasslin' " by Frank Ramirez
Growing Up Adams -- Matthew 16:13-20, Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Psalm 124 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
Contents "Growing Up Adams" by Frank Ramirez

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Alyssa Spradlin
For November 1, 2026:
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Alyssa Spradlin
For November 1, 2026:

CSSPlus

Wesley T. Runk
The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Good morning boys and girls. Does anyone here remember someone saying, “I am the greatest?” I remember hearing it many times by a prize fighter named Ali. Does anyone here remember Muhammed Ali? He used to say a lot of things and he was a very good boxer. He told everyone that he saw that he was “the greatest of all time.” Wow! Not many people say those kind of things about themselves.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
What is a saint?

According to the Roman Catholic church, a saint is a holy person who has been elevated by God to heaven, there to pray for those of us who need their help. There is a three-step process: the request by those who knew the person in life, and who attest to their holiness; a witness by at least two people that they asked the candidate to pray for them and their prayer was granted in a miraculous way; and an investigation by the Vatican into all this evidence. The declaration is made by the pope.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the people how they could be blessed by God and experience God's kingdom. In our worship today let us explore the Sermon on the Mount.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I'm full of pride instead of being poor in spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm overbearing and pushy, instead of being meek.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm not exactly pure in heart.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

John S. Smylie
Keith Hewitt
Bryan Meadows
Frank Ramirez
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Fifth Gospel" by John Smylie
"The Burden" by Keith Hewitt
"Up Stream" by Bryan Meadows
"A Magical Little Poem" by Frank Ramirez


What's Up This Week
John S. Smylie
Keith Hewitt
Bryan Meadows
Frank Ramirez
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Fifth Gospel" by John Smylie
"The Burden" by Keith Hewitt
"Up Stream" by Bryan Meadows
"A Magical Little Poem" by Frank Ramirez


What's Up This Week
Keith Hewitt
Larry Winebrenner
Peter Andrew Smith
Constance Berg
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann
"Lost" by Keith Hewitt
"Three Paths for the End of October" by Larry Winebrenner
"Ahmad's Final Lesson" by Larry Winebrenner
"Freedom to Live" by Peter Andrew Smith
"The Fullness of Life" by Constance Berg


* * * * * * * *


New Leadership
by Sandra Herrmann
Joshua 3:7-17
Keith Hewitt
Larry Winebrenner
Peter Andrew Smith
Constance Berg
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann
"Lost" by Keith Hewitt
"Three Paths for the End of October" by Larry Winebrenner
"Ahmad's Final Lesson" by Larry Winebrenner
"Freedom to Live" by Peter Andrew Smith
"The Fullness of Life" by Constance Berg


* * * * * * * *


New Leadership
by Sandra Herrmann
Joshua 3:7-17

SermonStudio

Mary S. Lautensleger
"Surprise! You're adopted!" If you were to hear those words from a trusted relative, surprise would be an understatement, I'm sure. Total shock would probably be more descriptive terminology for your emotional state as you examined the official court record and your original birth certificate. "Adopted" does describe each of us though, because we have been adopted by God into God's family. How do we know? The Bible tells us so.
James L. Killen, Jr.
When we put together the collection of things that we can believe, we need to ask a question about the person in the middle of the inquiry. What can we believe about ourselves? We don't often ask that question but it is a very important one. Some people are oppressed by low self-esteem. Others are led astray by exaggerated images of themselves. It is important to get a realistic understanding of who we are -- and of who we can be. The Bible has something to say on the subject that may surprise you. Are you ready? Hold on to your hat. The Bible says you were created and called to be saints.
Argile Smith
At an office meeting, Ben got the official news that he would become the manager of one of the most influential departments in the company. His colleagues admired him because of his tireless work, and they respected him as a dependable person in whom they could place their trust. They were glad when they found out that he had gotten the promotion. In order to celebrate the news with him, they bought him a gift. Well, it was actually more like a gag-gift, the kind that he would place on his shelf and chuckle over every time he saw it.
Joseph M. Freeman
Maybe both the best and the worst of us in humanity are far better preachers than we are doers and deliverers of what we preach and teach. And maybe maturity has everything to do with our genuine willingness to bring a greater congruity between our esteemed words and those actions compatible with, not contradictory of, those words. Jesus, fully divine and fully human, loved and valued not just the right deeds, but also the right motives and attitudes.
Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier
Commotion At The Communion Rail

Tommy didn't budge.

When everyone else got up to leave the communion rail, he stayed kneeling. His folded hands were perched on the rail, and his little head was bowed so far down that his forehead was squinched against his thumb knuckles. His eyes were closed hopefully, as if he were waiting for a big present.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
As the movie Contact opens, the audience sees a precocious girl named Eleanor learning how to use a ham radio. Nicknamed "Sparks" by her father, she has reached a man in Florida, and is excited that her radio lets her speak with someone so far away. In a later scene she asks her father wistfully if she can call her deceased mother on the radio. He responds sadly that no antenna is big enough.
George L. Murphy
You know that old saying, "Be careful what you wish for, because it might come true"? We see examples of that again and again in life. During the war in Iraq, Hampton Sides, a journalist who had been slated to be "embedded" with one of our frontline Marine battalions, gave an interview on NRP (National Public Radio). At almost the last possible moment, Sides decided not to go with the Marines, but instead to report from Central Command in Qatar.
Richard C. Brand
It seems fair to say that the saints of the Lord have always shown us what it is to be worthy of God. It is why we remember them and rejoice for them. They have shown us what a life worthy of God might look like. To talk about the saints, we may talk about Kagawa in Japan, about Mother Teresa, about Bishop Tutu and Nelson Mandela, about D. T. Niles in India, and about Saint Patrick in Ireland. To know the stories of Dorothy Day in New York City and Oscar Romero in Latin America is to have examples of what it means to lead lives worthy of the God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
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