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George L. Murphy

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Universal Salvation, Universal Scandal, Or What? -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
If He Comes Back ... -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
The Gospel Reloaded -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
Signs? -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Judge Deborah -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Trees Are Christmas Trees -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- George L. Murphy, Larry Hard, Wesley T. Runk -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Take Up Whose Cross? -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Can You Handle The Truth? -- Mark 10:17-31, Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Waiting For The Birth Of A Jewish Baby -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Child Is This? -- Matthew 2:13-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Over The Top And Over A Cliff -- Luke 4:21-30, Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Are You Tempted To Be Offended? -- Luke 4:1-13 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday in Lent - C
Jesus is getting plenty of media coverage these days.
The Empire Of Martha And The Kingdom Of God -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Like the music of J. S.
Breaking Into The Tomb -- John 20:19-31 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
This has been a week of troubling news out of Iraq, and many people in the pews will be feeling the
Trinity As Community -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
On Trinity Sunday we remind ourselves of the foundation and core of our faith: the oneness of God ex
A Christian Nation, Or A Nation With Some Christians? -- John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9, John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9, Psalm 67 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Nothing Hid From Its Heat -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
It's the nature of the news business that gripping human interest stories and immediate crises domin
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- George L. Murphy
Dear Immediate Word subscribers,
Back To Chaos? -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 14 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
This coming weekend is the third anniversary of one of the most traumatic events in the history of t

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Universal Salvation, Universal Scandal, Or What? -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
If He Comes Back ... -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
The Gospel Reloaded -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
Signs? -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Judge Deborah -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Trees Are Christmas Trees -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- George L. Murphy, Larry Hard, Wesley T. Runk -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Take Up Whose Cross? -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Can You Handle The Truth? -- Mark 10:17-31, Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Waiting For The Birth Of A Jewish Baby -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Child Is This? -- Matthew 2:13-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Over The Top And Over A Cliff -- Luke 4:21-30, Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Are You Tempted To Be Offended? -- Luke 4:1-13 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday in Lent - C
Jesus is getting plenty of media coverage these days.
The Empire Of Martha And The Kingdom Of God -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Like the music of J. S.
Breaking Into The Tomb -- John 20:19-31 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
This has been a week of troubling news out of Iraq, and many people in the pews will be feeling the
Trinity As Community -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
On Trinity Sunday we remind ourselves of the foundation and core of our faith: the oneness of God ex
A Christian Nation, Or A Nation With Some Christians? -- John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9, John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9, Psalm 67 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Nothing Hid From Its Heat -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
It's the nature of the news business that gripping human interest stories and immediate crises domin
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- George L. Murphy
Dear Immediate Word subscribers,
Back To Chaos? -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 14 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
This coming weekend is the third anniversary of one of the most traumatic events in the history of t

Preaching

SermonStudio

1 ADVENT -- Mark 13:24-37 -- George L. Murphy, Lavonne Althouse, Russell Willis -- 1996
The apocalyptic imagery of such texts contrasts sharply with
1 ADVENT -- Luke 21:25-36 -- George L. Murphy, Lavonne Althouse, Russell Willis -- 1996
Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, published in 1962, was for its

The Immediate Word

A Sword Will Pierce Your Own Soul Also -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dear fellow preachers,
Missing Earth Day -- John 14:1-14, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Who Needs Forgiveness? -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Star Wars And God's Peace -- Matthew 28:16-20, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A
George Lucas' "Star Wars" movies have had a huge impact on our culture, and our parishioners are awa
A Sermon Idea From The Immediate Word On The Rescue Of Elizabeth Smart -- George L. Murphy
A Sermon Idea from The Immediate Word on the Rescue of Elizabeth Smart
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy
It's the time of year when thousands of grads have to think about what to do next.
Universal Salvation, Universal Scandal, Or What? -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Good Works And Evil -- George L. Murphy
Special Edition for the July 7th Terrorist Attacks on London
If He Comes Back ... -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
The Gospel Reloaded -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
Signs? -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Judge Deborah -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Trees Are Christmas Trees -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- George L. Murphy, Larry Hard, Wesley T. Runk -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Take Up Whose Cross? -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Can You Handle The Truth? -- Mark 10:17-31, Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Waiting For The Birth Of A Jewish Baby -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Child Is This? -- Matthew 2:13-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Trinity As Community -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
On Trinity Sunday we remind ourselves of the foundation and core of our faith: the oneness of God ex
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Hero Time -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C
Athletes and sports in general are always hot topics in American culture -- and even more so during
Religion And Politics -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Who Gets The Gold? -- Luke 14:7-14, Jeremiah 2:4-13, Proverbs 25:6-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C
For two weeks we've seen some almost incredible physical feats, a lot of spectacle (wonderfully prep
Life's Farthest Limits -- Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Exiles In Our Own Land? -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
How Many Chickens Does It Take To Show That God Loves You? -- Joel 2:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Things: Evolved Things? -- Colossians 1:11-20, Matthew 13:44-52 -- George L. Murphy
November 21 is Christ the King Sunday, the end of the church year, and the lectionary readings
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
The Original Super Bowl? -- Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Exodus 24:12-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Transfiguration Sunday - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Our Lead Story -- Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Easter Day - A
March 27, 2005Easter Sunday| Cycle A
New Life - From The Laboratory Or The Font? -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- George L. Murphy -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Missing Earth Day -- John 14:1-14, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
A Sword Will Pierce Your Own Soul Also -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dear fellow preachers,
Star Wars And God's Peace -- Matthew 28:16-20, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A
George Lucas' "Star Wars" movies have had a huge impact on our culture, and our parishioners are awa
Who Needs Forgiveness? -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy
It's the time of year when thousands of grads have to think about what to do next.
A Sermon Idea From The Immediate Word On The Rescue Of Elizabeth Smart -- George L. Murphy
A Sermon Idea from The Immediate Word on the Rescue of Elizabeth Smart
Good Works And Evil -- George L. Murphy
Special Edition for the July 7th Terrorist Attacks on London
Universal Salvation, Universal Scandal, Or What? -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
If He Comes Back ... -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
The Gospel Reloaded -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,

Worship

The Immediate Word

Universal Salvation, Universal Scandal, Or What? -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 -- George L. Murphy -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
We And Jesus -- Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A
"He's got the whole world in his hands" -- so the old spiritual points to God's concern for the whol
If He Comes Back ... -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Kind Of Light? -- Isaiah 49:1-7 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
What Kind Of Light?Isaiah 49:1-7 By George Murphy
The Gospel Reloaded -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Where Can You Go From The Top? -- John 4:5-42, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11 -- George L. Murphy -- Third Sunday in Lent - A
For the Third Sunday in Lent, February 27, the gospel is John 4:5-42.
Signs? -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Judge Deborah -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Trees Are Christmas Trees -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- George L. Murphy, Larry Hard, Wesley T. Runk -- First Sunday of Advent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Take Up Whose Cross? -- Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Can You Handle The Truth? -- Mark 10:17-31, Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Waiting For The Birth Of A Jewish Baby -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What Child Is This? -- Matthew 2:13-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Over The Top And Over A Cliff -- Luke 4:21-30, Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Are You Tempted To Be Offended? -- Luke 4:1-13 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday in Lent - C
Jesus is getting plenty of media coverage these days.
The Empire Of Martha And The Kingdom Of God -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Like the music of J. S.
Breaking Into The Tomb -- John 20:19-31 -- George L. Murphy -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
This has been a week of troubling news out of Iraq, and many people in the pews will be feeling the
Trinity As Community -- John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8 -- George L. Murphy -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C
On Trinity Sunday we remind ourselves of the foundation and core of our faith: the oneness of God ex
A Christian Nation, Or A Nation With Some Christians? -- John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9, John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9, Psalm 67 -- George L. Murphy -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Dear Fellow Preacher:
Nothing Hid From Its Heat -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
It's the nature of the news business that gripping human interest stories and immediate crises domin
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- George L. Murphy
Dear Immediate Word subscribers,
Back To Chaos? -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 14 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
This coming weekend is the third anniversary of one of the most traumatic events in the history of t
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For November 9, 2025:
  • Reductio Ad Absurdum by Dean Feldmeyer. The best way to not lose an argument is to not argue at all.
  • Second Thoughts: Stirred, But Not Shaken by Chris Keating. In the face of lawlessness, chaos, and rumors about Jesus’ return, Paul urges the Thessalonians to hold fast. It is a reminder of the powerful witness we find in these often misinterpreted apocalyptic texts.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Haggai 1:15b--2:9
The First Lesson is found in a book which is set early in the reign of the Persian emperor Darius I (around 520 BC), nearly 20 years after the Babylonian exiles had returned home. Work had ceased on the planned rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. The book recounts the prophet Haggai’s efforts to exhort the region’s Persian governor Zerubbabel and the high priest Joshua to resume the construction project. This text is an ode to the new temple to be built.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Haggai 2:1-15b--2:9 and Psalm 145:2-5, 17-21 or Psalm 98

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A couple of board games or card games.

* * *

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hey Pastor Tom!” Mary waved from in front of the university library. “Are you heading to the flag raising?”

“I am,” Pastor Tom said. “Are you attending?”

“Not me — I’m afraid.” She gestured at the Physical Sciences building. “I have a class in a couple of minutes. See you on Sunday!”

“See you then. Have a good class!”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus responded to a trick question by telling people the good news that after death we live on forever in a new kind of life. In our worship today, let us explore the theme of life after death.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes I find it hard to believe in life after death. Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I'm afraid of Judgement Day. Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
Psalm 145 is known not so much in its entirety, but piecemeal, by those who are familiar with Christian worship texts. Words like "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised" (v. 3); "The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season" (v. 15) and "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth" have often called us to worship. The words, "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" (v. 8) have often called us to confession, or assured us of God's pardon.
Robert R. Kopp
When I asked Dad to go to Israel with Mom and me about fifteen years ago, he said, "Son, I've been in two wars. That's enough dodging bullets for one lifetime."

But after almost two decades of trips to Israel, I've discovered Jerusalem is a lot safer than walking around Yankee Stadium or Central Park. Indeed, I'd be willing to wager a round at Pebble Beach that there are more crimes committed in America every day than in Israel every year.
John E. Berger
Here is a true story about a strange funeral service.

The deceased man had no church home, but that is not the unusual part of the story. The man's widow asked for a certain clergyman to be the funeral preacher. The desired clergyman had performed a family wedding a few years earlier. That is not unusual either. It is what is called "an extended church family relationship." In other words, the man had been neither a church member nor a church goer, but there had been a connecting experience -- in this case a family wedding.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him down the labyrinthine ways
Of my mind; and in the midst of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
And shot, precipitated
Adown Titantic glooms of chasmed fears,
From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.
But with unhurrying chase
And unperturbed pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy;
They beat -- and a Voice beat
More instant than the Feet --

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