Katy Stenta

SUBSCRIBE YOUR WAY
YEARLY, QUARTERLY, MONTHLY
Renew / Signup Here!

Katy Stenta is the solo revitalization pastor at the bigger on the inside New Covenant Presbyterian church located in Albany, NY, since 2010. She is also the co-founder/leader of TrailPraisers an Inclusive New Worshipping Community. She writes narrative lectionary and other liturgical prayers at www.katyandtheword.com and is a pursuing a Doctorate in Ministry in Creative Writing at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Katy loves reading as much fantasy as possible and playing with her three children Franklin (11), Westley (9) and Ashburn (7) who she often takes to the public library where her husband Anthony works. Katy, a Xiennial, is excited about the new greater church that is emerging and loves helping people hearths call of God.

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Children's sermon

Free Access

The Kingdom of Heaven is Hot -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 119:129-136, 1 Kings 3:5-12 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta, Elena Delhagen -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2023

For July 30, 2023:

At Home in Capernaum -- Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023

For January 22, 2023:

Beyond the Rule -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2023

For January 29, 2023:

God Makes Room For Us -- Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Psalm 2, Psalm 99 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2023

For February 19, 2023:

We Are the Holders of Hands -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22, Psalm 9 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2023

For October 22, 2023:

Lead Us Not into Relevance -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023

For February 26, 2023:

Awakened by Hope -- Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023

For December 3, 2023:

Resurrection Tears -- John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-10, Colossians 3:1-4, Acts 10:34-43, Jeremiah 31:1-6, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Elena Delhagen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Easter Day - A -- 2023

For April 9, 2023:

Mea Culpa -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023

For December 10, 2023:

The Immediate Word

Last Words -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26, Psalm 97 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022

For May 29, 2022:

Telling Our Stories -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 12, Malachi 4:1-2a, Psalm 98 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2022

For November 13, 2022:

Do We Really Want to be United in Christ? -- Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2022

For June 5, 2022:

Is Anyone Listening? -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43, Luke 1:68-79, Psalm 46 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2022

For November 20, 2022:

Abandon Your Calendars -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022

For November 27, 2022:

Is Paul Crazy? -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15, Psalm 8 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2022

For June 12, 2022:

Let Us Go Forth and Not Be Offended -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:5-10, Luke 1:46b-55 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022

For December 11, 2022:

Who Gets to Go Home? -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20, 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21, Psalm 16 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2022

For June 26 2022:

Missile Gap -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022

For December 18, 2022:

Why Pass By? -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37, Psalm 82, Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Psalm 25:1-10 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2022

For July 10, 2022:

Hospitality -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42, Psalm 52 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2022

For July 17, 2022:

No Room? No Way! -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Psalm 96, Psalm 98, John 1:1-14 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2022

For December 25, 2022:

Faith is a Verb -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23, Genesis 15:1-6, Psalm 33:12-22 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2022

For August 7, 2022:

4,000 Beagles and A Boy -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17, Psalm 71:1-6, Isaiah 58:9b-14, Psalm 103:1-8 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2022

For August 21, 2022:

Gatekeepers and Humility -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14, Psalm 81:1, 10-16, Proverbs 25:6-7, Psalm 112 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2022

For August 28, 2022:

But What About Meeeee? -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 1 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2022

For September 4, 2022:

Illustration

Free Access

For July 30, 2023:

For January 22, 2023:

For January 29, 2023:

For February 19, 2023:

For October 22, 2023:

For February 26, 2023:

For December 3, 2023:

For April 9, 2023:

For December 10, 2023:

The Immediate Word

For May 29, 2022:

For November 13, 2022:

For June 5, 2022:

For November 20, 2022:

For November 27, 2022:

For June 12, 2022:

For December 11, 2022:

For June 26 2022:

For December 18, 2022:

For July 10, 2022:

For July 17, 2022:

For December 25, 2022:

For August 7, 2022:

For August 21, 2022:

For August 28, 2022:

For September 4, 2022:

Preaching

Free Access

For July 30, 2023:

For January 22, 2023:

For January 29, 2023:

For February 19, 2023:

For October 22, 2023:

For February 26, 2023:

For December 3, 2023:

For December 10, 2023:

For April 9, 2023:

The Immediate Word

For May 29, 2022:

For November 13, 2022:

For June 5, 2022:

For November 20, 2022:

For November 27, 2022:

For June 12, 2022:

For December 11, 2022:

For June 26 2022:

For July 10, 2022:

For December 18, 2022:

For July 17, 2022:

For August 7, 2022:

For December 25, 2022:

For August 21, 2022:

For August 28, 2022:

For September 4, 2022:

Sermon

Free Access

For July 30, 2023:

For January 22, 2023:

For January 29, 2023:

For February 19, 2023:

For October 22, 2023:

For February 26, 2023:

For December 3, 2023:

For April 9, 2023:

For December 10, 2023:

The Immediate Word

For May 29, 2022:

For November 13, 2022:

For June 5, 2022:

For November 20, 2022:

For November 27, 2022:

For June 12, 2022:

For December 11, 2022:

For June 26 2022:

For December 18, 2022:

For July 10, 2022:

For July 17, 2022:

For December 25, 2022:

For August 7, 2022:

For August 21, 2022:

For August 28, 2022:

For September 4, 2022:

Worship

Free Access

For July 30, 2023:

For January 22, 2023:

For January 29, 2023:

For February 19, 2023:

For October 22, 2023:

For February 26, 2023:

For December 3, 2023:

For April 9, 2023:

For December 10, 2023:

The Immediate Word

For May 29, 2022:

For November 13, 2022:

For June 5, 2022:

For November 20, 2022:

For November 27, 2022:

For June 12, 2022:

For December 11, 2022:

For June 26 2022:

For December 18, 2022:

For July 10, 2022:

For July 17, 2022:

For December 25, 2022:

For August 7, 2022:

For August 21, 2022:

For August 28, 2022:

For September 4, 2022:

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

Lent 2

20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...

Lent 3

34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...

Lent 4

30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...

Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

Two Sons

John Jamison

Object: A rock about the size of a tennis ball, baseball, or even a softball.

* * *

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

The Immediate Word

What is Forgiveness?

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin

For March 30, 2025:

What Is Forgiveness? by Dean Feldmeyer based on Luke 15:1-3,11b-32
Second Thoughts: Reconciling Christ by Katy Stenta based on 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.
Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin and Chris Keating.
Worship resources by George Reed.

StoryShare

The Old, Old Story

Peter Andrew Smith

Paul reread the parable again and sighed. Why had he agreed to lead the Bible study this week? When Pastor Luke asked him, he had been all excited and enthusiastic. He knew the parable of the prodigal son inside and out having read commentaries and stories about it before. He had actually preached a sermon on the passage when Pastor Luke was away and received great feedback from the congregation.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

God Saves Us By His Grace!

Mark Ellingsen

Joshua 5:9-12

Sermon Illustrations for Lent 4 (2025)

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen

Joshua 9:5-12

SermonStudio

Seeking The Presence Of God

Bonnie Bates

It is a well-known cliché that “God never gives us more than we can handle”, but I have sometimes found that not to be so. When my youngest brother died of brain cancer at age five, it was more than I could handle. When my first husband was emotionally and physically abusive, it was more than I could handle. When my second husband and I lost our twin sons at birth, it was more than I could handle. The COVID pandemic was more than we could handle. Wars and violence are often more than we can handle. Homelessness, poverty, grief, and loss are often more than we can handle.

Where Am I?

John N. Brittain

I suppose we are all a little bit nervous about the prospect of a sermon on a Bible story as familiar and sometimes as overworked as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. "What can I possibly say that hasn't been said before?" And I know what's going through your minds: "Are we going to be subjected to the same old sermon yet another time?" Confronting a familiar Bible passage like this mid-Lent really serves to address the discipline of reading Scripture as part of our devotional life, particularly passages that are very familiar.

A Happy Ending

Charles D. Reeb

A. A. Milne, the creator of Winnie the Pooh, wrote a simple, yet telling poem in his work, Now We Are Six:

When I was One, I had just begun.
When I was Two, I was nearly new.
When I was Three, I was hardly Me.
When I was Four, I was not much more.
When I was Five, I was just alive.
But now I am Six, I'm as clever as ever.
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.1

The Village Shepherd

The Wandering Minstrel

Janice B. Scott

Call to worship:

While the Prodigal Son was still far off, his father saw him, ran to him, put his arms around him and kissed him. In our worship today, let us turn to God so that he may run to us, put his arms around and kiss us.

Invitation to confession:

Jesus, for the times when we run away from you,

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, for the times when we have wasted our inheritance on dissolute living,

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, when we return to you,

Lord, have mercy.

Refresh your browser to stay on this page

To narrow your results select one or more categories in the below list.

Children's sermon

Free Access

The Immediate Word

Illustration

Free Access

The Immediate Word

Preaching

Free Access

The Immediate Word

Sermon

Free Access

The Immediate Word

Worship

Free Access

The Immediate Word

New & Featured This Week

John Jamison

Dean FeldmeyerKaty StentaThomas WilladsenChristopher KeatingGeorge ReedMary Austin

Peter Andrew Smith

Mark Ellingsen

Bill ThomasFrank RamirezMark Ellingsen

Bonnie Bates

John N. Brittain

Charles D. Reeb

Janice B. Scott

Special Occasion

Site Links

Home

My account

Contact us

Advanced search

Components

The Immediate Word

SermonStudio

Emphasis Preaching Journal

StoryShare

The Village Shepherd

CSSPlus

Gospel Grams 1

Gospel Grams 2

Upcoming Lectionary

Ash Wednesday

Lent 1

Lent 2

Lent 3

Lent 4

Lent 5

Passion/Palm Sunday

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday

Easter!

This Week’s Scriptures

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen