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John M. Braaten

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Marital Horticulture -- John M. Braaten -- 1997
____________ and ____________ we have gathered together this afternoon just for you.
One Husband's Counsel -- John M. Braaten -- 1997
____________ and ____________, what a marvelous day this is for us!
The Beauty Of Marriage -- John M. Braaten -- 1997
____________ and ____________, this is a very special day in your lives.
The Story Of The Scandalized Neighbors -- Luke 15:11-24 -- John M. Braaten -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 1991
I don't know what this world is coming to.
Two R-Rated Stories -- John 8:1-11 -- John M. Braaten -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 1991
We are going to look at two R-rated stories from the life of Christ this morning.
That's Our God For You! -- Luke 19:28-40 -- John M. Braaten -- Passion Sunday - C -- 1991
Palm Sunday is an event in Christ's life that many people, particularly young people, enjoy.
Portrait Of A Powerful Servant -- John 13:1-15 -- John M. Braaten -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 1991
Jesus loved to paint portraits for the soul. He did it through his actions as well as his words.
The King Who Came To Die -- John 19:l6b-22 -- John M. Braaten -- Good Friday - C -- 1991
"The King of the Jews." That was the title which Pilate nailed above the cross where Jesus hung.
Beyond Togetherness -- John 17:20-26 -- John M. Braaten -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 1991
There's a story which many of you have heard and it is a fitting introduction for our text.
Safe With The Shepherd -- John 10:22-30 -- John M. Braaten -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1991
Listening to a television talk-show one night I heard the cartoonist Jules Pfeiffer discussing a com
A Farewell Gift -- John 14:23-29 -- John M. Braaten -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1991
I have never liked saying "goodbye," it always elicits feelings of finality.
The Pitfalls Of Practicing Piety -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- John M. Braaten -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 1991
I have never liked the word "beware." It always seems to be written in intimidating block letters wh
Good News From A Graveyard -- John 20:1-18 -- John M. Braaten -- Easter Day - C -- 1991
If wild applause was ever in order in the church, Easter is the time.
A Word For All Reasons -- John 20:19-31 -- John M. Braaten -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 1991
Easter has happened.
Act III, Scene 2 -- John 21:1-14 -- John M. Braaten -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 1991
Each year we in the church are involved in a great drama.
A Strange Kind Of Glory -- John 13:31-35 -- John M. Braaten -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1991
It is often difficult for Christians to get past the idea that those who have given themselves to th
The Greatest Wonder Of All! -- John 20:19-23 -- John M. Braaten -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1991
The celebration of Pentecost, with its mighty demonstration of power by the Holy Spirit, is a good t
Our Christian I.D. -- Luke 4:1-13 -- John M. Braaten -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 1991
Given that you and I are reasonably good people, it probably does not amaze you to read that Jesus w
Finding Our Roots -- Luke 9:28-36 -- John M. Braaten -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 1991
Ever since Alex Haley’s novel, Roots, hit the bookstands in the mid-70s, there has been an increasin
Planted For A Purpose -- Luke 13:1-13 -- John M. Braaten -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 1991
A hole is blown open in the cargo area of a 747 jumbo jet, and nine people are sucked out and killed
Except We Become Like Children Death of a Twelve-year-old Boy -- Matthew 18:1-5 -- John M. Braaten, Anthology -- 1989
Preached at the funeral of a twelve-year-old boy who died of a congenital heart defect.
Never Separated Death of an Alzheimer's Victim -- Romans 8:31-39 -- John M. Braaten, Anthology -- 1989
Who shall separate us from the love of God?
Marital Horticulture -- John M. Braaten -- 1987
(Name) and (name) we have gathered together this afternoon just for you.
An Offer from God -- John M. Braaten -- 1987
(Name) and (name), you haven't exactly had what would be called a whirlwind romance.
The Crisis of Marriage -- John M. Braaten -- 1987
(Name) and (name), I rejoice with you today, and I know your families are pleased, too - glad that y
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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