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Mary Austin

Mary Austin is the Senior Pastor of Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, a diverse Presbyterian congregation in the Washington, DC area. She has served churches in New Jersey and Michigan, and also loved being a hospice chaplain. She is the author of Meeting God at the Mall, published by CSS.
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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

'her Piece Is Bigger Than Mine' And Other Family Quarrels -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2010
In this week's gospel text Jesus visits the home of the sisters Mary and Martha, where he finds hims
The Unnamed 72 -- Luke 12:32-40, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Genesis 15:1-6 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2010
This week's texts all have a common theme -- a call to a life of faith, and a forthright discussion
Pick Your Witnesses -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2010
In this week's lectionary epistle passage, the author of Hebrews takes us on a mini-tour of the Old
Hating Enough To Love Completely -- Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1:1-21, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2010
Jesus stuns us this week with some words that seem at first hearing to denigrate the role of the fam
Fear Itself -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Kate Murphy, Mary Austin -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2010
At first glance, it seems like this week's lectionary texts are an exercise in class warfare -- ther
Faith And Trust In A World Of Fractured Relationships -- Luke 17:5-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Lamentations 1:1-6, Lamentations 3:19-26 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2010
Playing The Hand We're Dealt -- Luke 17:11-19, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Psalm 66:1-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2010
As you well know, these are often challenging days for the church.
The Necessity Of Original Sin -- Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65 -- Kate Murphy, Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
This week's gospel text brings us the familiar parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector -- and
Who Gets To Be Mad? -- Luke 19:1-10, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
As if there weren't already enough reason to be outraged at the havoc the bad economy has wreaked on
Intimidation Or Imitation -- Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 65:17-25, Isaiah 12 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2010
This week's Gospel text depicts a traumatic scene, as Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! -- Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
This week we enter the season of Advent, and while the world around us is ratcheting up into full-b
Shop Without Ceasing -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Another Black Friday -- the discount shopping bonanza that marks the day after Thanksgiving -- has c
Hey, Grinch -- Bring Back Christmas! -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
On this final Sunday before Christmas, the collision between the secular Christmas season and the sa
Responsibility -- Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2010
This week's gospel text can be a difficult one to approach -- while the final verse, in which Jesus
Flight Into Faith -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text for the first Sunday after Christmas offers quite a contrast from the tra
An Anti-Easter World -- John 20:1-18, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Easter Day - C -- 2010
When Mary Magdalene and the other women discovered the empty tomb, it completely changed everything
Seeing, Hearing, Discovering -- John 21:1-19, Revelation 5:11-14, Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Psalm 30 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
This week's lectionary texts feature the story of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, and the
Is America A Christian Nation? -- John 13:31-35, Acts 11:1-8, Revelation 21:1-6, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
The volcano in Iceland that disrupted travel and commerce throughout Europe has not been the only er
Understanding In A World Of Many Languages -- Acts 2:1-21, Genesis 11:1-9, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Romans 8:14-17 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2010
One of the most fascinating aspects of Luke's account of the first Pentecost is the wide variety of
And God Turned My Wailing Into Dancing -- Luke 7:11-17, Galatians 1:11-24, 1 Kings 17:1-24, Psalm 146 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2010
This week's texts feature a pair of stories involving widows (the 1 Kings account of Elijah assistin
What Have You Done For Me Lately? -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2010
This week's Old Testament lesson addresses a problem that seems endemic to modern life -- burnout.
Not Too Quickly Shaken Or Alarmed -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
This week’s lectionary epistle passage from Second Thessalonians counsels us to “let no one dece
Insert The Other Candidate's Name Here -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
In this week’s lectionary epistle passage Paul warns the Thessalonian congregation against being swa
What's Next? -- Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
In the wake of a contentious election campaign that has been fraught with anxiety, many people will

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Hating Enough To Love Completely -- Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1:1-21, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2010
Jesus stuns us this week with some words that seem at first hearing to denigrate the role of the fam
Fear Itself -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Kate Murphy, Mary Austin -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2010
At first glance, it seems like this week's lectionary texts are an exercise in class warfare -- ther
Faith And Trust In A World Of Fractured Relationships -- Luke 17:5-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Lamentations 1:1-6, Lamentations 3:19-26 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2010
Playing The Hand We're Dealt -- Luke 17:11-19, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Psalm 66:1-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2010
As you well know, these are often challenging days for the church.
The Necessity Of Original Sin -- Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65 -- Kate Murphy, Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
This week's gospel text brings us the familiar parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector -- and
Who Gets To Be Mad? -- Luke 19:1-10, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
As if there weren't already enough reason to be outraged at the havoc the bad economy has wreaked on
Intimidation Or Imitation -- Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 65:17-25, Isaiah 12 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2010
This week's Gospel text depicts a traumatic scene, as Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! -- Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
This week we enter the season of Advent, and while the world around us is ratcheting up into full-b
Shop Without Ceasing -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Another Black Friday -- the discount shopping bonanza that marks the day after Thanksgiving -- has c
Hey, Grinch -- Bring Back Christmas! -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
On this final Sunday before Christmas, the collision between the secular Christmas season and the sa
Responsibility -- Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2010
This week's gospel text can be a difficult one to approach -- while the final verse, in which Jesus
Flight Into Faith -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text for the first Sunday after Christmas offers quite a contrast from the tra
An Anti-Easter World -- John 20:1-18, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Easter Day - C -- 2010
When Mary Magdalene and the other women discovered the empty tomb, it completely changed everything
Seeing, Hearing, Discovering -- John 21:1-19, Revelation 5:11-14, Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Psalm 30 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
This week's lectionary texts feature the story of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, and the
Is America A Christian Nation? -- John 13:31-35, Acts 11:1-8, Revelation 21:1-6, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
The volcano in Iceland that disrupted travel and commerce throughout Europe has not been the only er
Understanding In A World Of Many Languages -- Acts 2:1-21, Genesis 11:1-9, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Romans 8:14-17 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2010
One of the most fascinating aspects of Luke's account of the first Pentecost is the wide variety of
And God Turned My Wailing Into Dancing -- Luke 7:11-17, Galatians 1:11-24, 1 Kings 17:1-24, Psalm 146 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2010
This week's texts feature a pair of stories involving widows (the 1 Kings account of Elijah assistin
What Have You Done For Me Lately? -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2010
This week's Old Testament lesson addresses a problem that seems endemic to modern life -- burnout.
Not Too Quickly Shaken Or Alarmed -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
This week’s lectionary epistle passage from Second Thessalonians counsels us to “let no one dece
Insert The Other Candidate's Name Here -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
In this week’s lectionary epistle passage Paul warns the Thessalonian congregation against being swa
What's Next? -- Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
In the wake of a contentious election campaign that has been fraught with anxiety, many people will

Preaching

The Immediate Word

The Unnamed 72 -- Luke 12:32-40, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Genesis 15:1-6 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2010
This week's texts all have a common theme -- a call to a life of faith, and a forthright discussion
Pick Your Witnesses -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2010
In this week's lectionary epistle passage, the author of Hebrews takes us on a mini-tour of the Old
Hating Enough To Love Completely -- Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1:1-21, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2010
Jesus stuns us this week with some words that seem at first hearing to denigrate the role of the fam
Fear Itself -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Kate Murphy, Mary Austin -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2010
At first glance, it seems like this week's lectionary texts are an exercise in class warfare -- ther
Faith And Trust In A World Of Fractured Relationships -- Luke 17:5-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Lamentations 1:1-6, Lamentations 3:19-26 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2010
Playing The Hand We're Dealt -- Luke 17:11-19, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Psalm 66:1-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2010
As you well know, these are often challenging days for the church.
The Necessity Of Original Sin -- Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65 -- Kate Murphy, Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
This week's gospel text brings us the familiar parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector -- and
Who Gets To Be Mad? -- Luke 19:1-10, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
As if there weren't already enough reason to be outraged at the havoc the bad economy has wreaked on
Intimidation Or Imitation -- Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 65:17-25, Isaiah 12 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2010
This week's Gospel text depicts a traumatic scene, as Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! -- Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
This week we enter the season of Advent, and while the world around us is ratcheting up into full-b
Shop Without Ceasing -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Another Black Friday -- the discount shopping bonanza that marks the day after Thanksgiving -- has c
Hey, Grinch -- Bring Back Christmas! -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
On this final Sunday before Christmas, the collision between the secular Christmas season and the sa
Responsibility -- Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2010
This week's gospel text can be a difficult one to approach -- while the final verse, in which Jesus
Flight Into Faith -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text for the first Sunday after Christmas offers quite a contrast from the tra
An Anti-Easter World -- John 20:1-18, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Easter Day - C -- 2010
When Mary Magdalene and the other women discovered the empty tomb, it completely changed everything
Seeing, Hearing, Discovering -- John 21:1-19, Revelation 5:11-14, Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Psalm 30 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
This week's lectionary texts feature the story of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, and the
Is America A Christian Nation? -- John 13:31-35, Acts 11:1-8, Revelation 21:1-6, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
The volcano in Iceland that disrupted travel and commerce throughout Europe has not been the only er
Understanding In A World Of Many Languages -- Acts 2:1-21, Genesis 11:1-9, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Romans 8:14-17 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2010
One of the most fascinating aspects of Luke's account of the first Pentecost is the wide variety of
And God Turned My Wailing Into Dancing -- Luke 7:11-17, Galatians 1:11-24, 1 Kings 17:1-24, Psalm 146 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2010
This week's texts feature a pair of stories involving widows (the 1 Kings account of Elijah assistin
What Have You Done For Me Lately? -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2010
This week's Old Testament lesson addresses a problem that seems endemic to modern life -- burnout.
Not Too Quickly Shaken Or Alarmed -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
This week’s lectionary epistle passage from Second Thessalonians counsels us to “let no one dece
Insert The Other Candidate's Name Here -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
In this week’s lectionary epistle passage Paul warns the Thessalonian congregation against being swa
What's Next? -- Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
In the wake of a contentious election campaign that has been fraught with anxiety, many people will

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Race To The Rear? -- Matthew 23:1-12, Joshua 3:7-17, Revelation 7:9-17, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
One of the most fundamental aspects of American culture is competition.
Counting The Cost -- Matthew 25:1-13, Amos 5:18-24, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
The news that barring unforeseen developments all United States troops will withdraw from Iraq by De
Counting The Cost -- Matthew 25:1-13, Amos 5:18-24, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
The news that barring unforeseen developments all United States troops will withdraw from Iraq by De
No More Promised Lands -- Exodus 12:1-14, Matthew 18:15-20, Romans 13:8-14, Psalm 149 -- Roger Lovette, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
It's been an eventful week for America's East coast, dominated by what the media blithely refers to
Who's Number One? -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Psalm 30 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2010
American culture seems to thrive on an individualistic, can-do spirit -- exemplified by our deeply h
'her Piece Is Bigger Than Mine' And Other Family Quarrels -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2010
In this week's gospel text Jesus visits the home of the sisters Mary and Martha, where he finds hims
The Unnamed 72 -- Luke 12:32-40, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Genesis 15:1-6 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2010
This week's texts all have a common theme -- a call to a life of faith, and a forthright discussion
Pick Your Witnesses -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2010
In this week's lectionary epistle passage, the author of Hebrews takes us on a mini-tour of the Old
Hating Enough To Love Completely -- Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1:1-21, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2010
Jesus stuns us this week with some words that seem at first hearing to denigrate the role of the fam
Fear Itself -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Kate Murphy, Mary Austin -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2010
At first glance, it seems like this week's lectionary texts are an exercise in class warfare -- ther
Faith And Trust In A World Of Fractured Relationships -- Luke 17:5-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Lamentations 1:1-6, Lamentations 3:19-26 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2010
Playing The Hand We're Dealt -- Luke 17:11-19, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Psalm 66:1-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2010
As you well know, these are often challenging days for the church.
The Necessity Of Original Sin -- Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65 -- Kate Murphy, Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
This week's gospel text brings us the familiar parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector -- and
Who Gets To Be Mad? -- Luke 19:1-10, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
As if there weren't already enough reason to be outraged at the havoc the bad economy has wreaked on
Intimidation Or Imitation -- Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 65:17-25, Isaiah 12 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2010
This week's Gospel text depicts a traumatic scene, as Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! -- Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
This week we enter the season of Advent, and while the world around us is ratcheting up into full-b
Shop Without Ceasing -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Another Black Friday -- the discount shopping bonanza that marks the day after Thanksgiving -- has c
Hey, Grinch -- Bring Back Christmas! -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
On this final Sunday before Christmas, the collision between the secular Christmas season and the sa
Responsibility -- Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2010
This week's gospel text can be a difficult one to approach -- while the final verse, in which Jesus
Flight Into Faith -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text for the first Sunday after Christmas offers quite a contrast from the tra
An Anti-Easter World -- John 20:1-18, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Easter Day - C -- 2010
When Mary Magdalene and the other women discovered the empty tomb, it completely changed everything
Seeing, Hearing, Discovering -- John 21:1-19, Revelation 5:11-14, Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Psalm 30 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
This week's lectionary texts feature the story of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, and the
Is America A Christian Nation? -- John 13:31-35, Acts 11:1-8, Revelation 21:1-6, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
The volcano in Iceland that disrupted travel and commerce throughout Europe has not been the only er
Understanding In A World Of Many Languages -- Acts 2:1-21, Genesis 11:1-9, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Romans 8:14-17 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2010
One of the most fascinating aspects of Luke's account of the first Pentecost is the wide variety of
And God Turned My Wailing Into Dancing -- Luke 7:11-17, Galatians 1:11-24, 1 Kings 17:1-24, Psalm 146 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2010
This week's texts feature a pair of stories involving widows (the 1 Kings account of Elijah assistin

Worship

The Immediate Word

'her Piece Is Bigger Than Mine' And Other Family Quarrels -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2010
In this week's gospel text Jesus visits the home of the sisters Mary and Martha, where he finds hims
The Unnamed 72 -- Luke 12:32-40, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Genesis 15:1-6 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2010
This week's texts all have a common theme -- a call to a life of faith, and a forthright discussion
Pick Your Witnesses -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Luke 12:49-56, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2010
In this week's lectionary epistle passage, the author of Hebrews takes us on a mini-tour of the Old
Hating Enough To Love Completely -- Luke 14:25-33, Philemon 1:1-21, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2010
Jesus stuns us this week with some words that seem at first hearing to denigrate the role of the fam
Fear Itself -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Kate Murphy, Mary Austin -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2010
At first glance, it seems like this week's lectionary texts are an exercise in class warfare -- ther
Faith And Trust In A World Of Fractured Relationships -- Luke 17:5-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Lamentations 1:1-6, Lamentations 3:19-26 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2010
Playing The Hand We're Dealt -- Luke 17:11-19, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Psalm 66:1-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2010
As you well know, these are often challenging days for the church.
The Necessity Of Original Sin -- Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65 -- Kate Murphy, Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
This week's gospel text brings us the familiar parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector -- and
Who Gets To Be Mad? -- Luke 19:1-10, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
As if there weren't already enough reason to be outraged at the havoc the bad economy has wreaked on
Intimidation Or Imitation -- Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 65:17-25, Isaiah 12 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2010
This week's Gospel text depicts a traumatic scene, as Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple
Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! -- Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
This week we enter the season of Advent, and while the world around us is ratcheting up into full-b
Shop Without Ceasing -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
Another Black Friday -- the discount shopping bonanza that marks the day after Thanksgiving -- has c
Hey, Grinch -- Bring Back Christmas! -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2010
On this final Sunday before Christmas, the collision between the secular Christmas season and the sa
Responsibility -- Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, Psalm 79:1-9 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2010
This week's gospel text can be a difficult one to approach -- while the final verse, in which Jesus
Flight Into Faith -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, George Reed -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2010
The lectionary gospel text for the first Sunday after Christmas offers quite a contrast from the tra
An Anti-Easter World -- John 20:1-18, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Easter Day - C -- 2010
When Mary Magdalene and the other women discovered the empty tomb, it completely changed everything
Seeing, Hearing, Discovering -- John 21:1-19, Revelation 5:11-14, Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Psalm 30 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
This week's lectionary texts feature the story of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, and the
Is America A Christian Nation? -- John 13:31-35, Acts 11:1-8, Revelation 21:1-6, Psalm 148 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
The volcano in Iceland that disrupted travel and commerce throughout Europe has not been the only er
Understanding In A World Of Many Languages -- Acts 2:1-21, Genesis 11:1-9, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Romans 8:14-17 -- Mary Austin, Kate Murphy, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2010
One of the most fascinating aspects of Luke's account of the first Pentecost is the wide variety of
And God Turned My Wailing Into Dancing -- Luke 7:11-17, Galatians 1:11-24, 1 Kings 17:1-24, Psalm 146 -- Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2010
This week's texts feature a pair of stories involving widows (the 1 Kings account of Elijah assistin
What Have You Done For Me Lately? -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2010
This week's Old Testament lesson addresses a problem that seems endemic to modern life -- burnout.
Not Too Quickly Shaken Or Alarmed -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
This week’s lectionary epistle passage from Second Thessalonians counsels us to “let no one dece
Insert The Other Candidate's Name Here -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, Psalm 145 -- Mary Austin, George Reed, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
In this week’s lectionary epistle passage Paul warns the Thessalonian congregation against being swa
What's Next? -- Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
In the wake of a contentious election campaign that has been fraught with anxiety, many people will
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
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Lent 3
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Lent 4
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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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

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
For March 30, 2025:

StoryShare

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

Mark Ellingsen
Joshua 5:9-12
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Joshua 9:5-12

SermonStudio

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.
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.
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

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.

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