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Norman A. Beck

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PROPER 12 -- Psalm 105:1-11, Exodus 3:13-20, Romans 8:26-30, Matthew 13:44-52 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 1986
"Wisdom from God" is the major unifying motif in all of these texts except the Common selections Psa
PROPER 13 -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 8:31-39, Matthew 14:13-21 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1986
The proclamation of God's free, abundant, loving grace is the dominant theme of all of these texts.
ADVENT 1 -- Psalm 122 -- Norman A. Beck -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
Among the four texts chosen for this occasion in Series A of the lectionary we are using, perhaps Ps
PROPER 14 -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:22-33 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1986
Perhaps the unifying factor that all six of these texts have in common is that the human condition i
ADVENT 2 -- Psalm 72:1-8 -- Norman A. Beck -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
This psalm is a prayer to God in behalf of an Israelite king and even more in behalf of the people o
PROPER 15 -- Romans 11:13-1 6, 29-32, Matthew 15:21-28, Exodus 16:2-15, Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1986
The emphasis in all of these texts except the Common selections Exodus 16:2-15 and Psalm 78:1-3, 10-
ADVENT 3 -- Psalm 146:5-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Norman A. Beck -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 1986
This psalm sharply contrasts the inadequacy of all human rulers with the total adequacy of the Lord
PROPER 16 -- Psalm 95, Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 11:33-36, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1986
The first factor that is common to most of the texts selected for this occasion is interest in God's
ASCENSION DAY -- Psalm 47, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:46-53 -- Norman A. Beck -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1986
The Ascension accounts in Luke-Acts (Luke 24:44-53 and Acts 1:1-11) and in Matthew 28:16-20 accompli
PROPER 17 -- Matthew 16:21-28, Psalm 114, Exodus 19:1-9 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1986
In most of these texts, persons who are trying to serve God are depicted as engaged in intense strug
Epiphany 1 -- Psalm 29, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17 -- Norman A. Beck -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1986
There are no texts within the Old Testament Scriptures that point specifically to the "Baptism of ou
PROPER 19 -- Exodus 20:1-20, Psalm 19:7-14, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1986
God's forgiveness of us and our forgiveness of others clearly dominates the thought of most of the t
CHRISTMAS 1 -- Psalm 111, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9 -- Norman A. Beck -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1986
The emphasis in most of the texts selected for this occasion is on the responsibilities of God as Fa
PROPER 21 -- Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, Matthew 21:28-32, Philippians 2:1-13 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1986
In order to trace the progression of thought through these texts, perhaps we should start outside of
CHRISTMAS 2 -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Psalm 147:12-20, Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18, John 1:1-18 -- Norman A. Beck -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 1986
The most significant concept within these texts is probably the concept of the word of God objectifi
PROPER 22 -- Matthew 21:33-43, Numbers 27:12-23, Psalm 81:1-10, Philippians 3:12-21 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1986
"God Will Prevail!" is the basic message of the parable of the renters in the vineyard of Matthew 21
CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY -- Psalm 96, Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20 -- Norman A. Beck -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 1986
The birthday of Jesus is celebrated more than any other birthday in the world.
EASTER 2 -- Psalm 16:5-11, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 -- Norman A. Beck -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1986
The primary theme of these texts selected for Easter 2 is appropriately, implicitly or explicitly, t
PROPER 23 -- Matthew 22:1-14, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Philippians 4:1-9 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1986
The message conveyed in the Matthew 22:1-14 parable is basically that "When God invites, if you are
EASTER 3 -- Psalm 116:12-19, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35 -- Norman A. Beck -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 1986
In the three New Testament texts chosen for Easter 3, Series A, the message that God raised Jesus fr
PROPER 24 -- Ruth 1:1-19a, Psalm 146, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1986
Through the use of these texts we are guided to perceive God in universal terms, as the One who has
EASTER 4 -- Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10, Acts 2:42-47 -- Norman A. Beck -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1986
The beautiful Easter theme of "The Lord is Our Shepherd," alluded to in the John 10:1-10 analogies a
PROPER 25 -- Ruth 2:1-13, Psalm 128, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1986
When Hans Kung in On Being a Christian reflects on the ways in which the Jesus of history depicted l
EASTER 5 -- Psalm 31:1-8, Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 -- Norman A. Beck -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1986
The Gospel reading for Easter 5 begins the transition from Easter to Ascension and Pentecost activit
PROPER 20 -- Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Norman A. Beck -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 1986
The goodness of God is the dominant theme in the First Lesson texts, in the Psalms readings, and in
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
36 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
3 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
27 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
3 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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John Jamison
Object: A crèche, or manger scene. Any size and style is fine as long as it includes shepherds. Have the creche set up before you begin.

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John E. Sumwalt
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” (vv. 13-14)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
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Isaiah 62:6-12
Isaiah proclaims, “Look, your savior comes.” We celebrate on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day the coming of our savior into the world – not as one full of power, but as a babe, vulnerable and human, as one born among us. Yes, God has great things in store for this babe, great lessons to teach us and for us to absorb as we watch this babe become a child and then a man. But in this quiet moment, this moment in a stable, born of indigent, immigrant parents, we see our own vulnerability portrayed in the Christ child.
Wayne Brouwer
There is a powerful scene in Herman Melville’s great epic, Moby Dick, where Captain Ahab stands peg-legged on the deck of the Pequod during a violent storm (chapter 119). His obsession with the White Whale has carried the craft and crew to exotic and frightening locales, and now it seems as if divine providence might be unleashing furious anger against this ill-fated quest.

The Immediate Word

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SermonStudio

Derl G. Keefer
I read an old legend about a Christmas party that Satan and his pack of demons were having in hell. As the demonic guests were departing, one laughed and grinned and sarcastically said to Satan, “Merry Christmas your majesty!” At that, Satan replied with a growl, “Yes, keep it merry. If they ever get serious about it, we’ll all be in trouble.”

Today the focus is all about the Messiah and we need to be serious about it. It is the birth of the baby Jesus, the Messiah. It is the coming of God…the doctrine of incarnation. It is the intervention of God’s presence among humanity.
Stephen P. McCutchan
... He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
-- Psalm 96:13

Gregory L. Tolle
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
James Evans
This psalm gives us the proper theme for a Christmas Day celebration: "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises" (v. 4).

Carlos Wilton
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Christmas Day, Cycle A; see also Easter 7, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)

The lectionary includes two sets of readings for Christmas Day: those appointed for dawn services, and those appointed for services that take place later in the day. Psalm 97 is designated as one of these early-morning readings.

William Powell Tuck
Christmas is usually associated in our memory as a time of great joy. But for many it is also a time for cynicism. There are some people for whom Christmas is difficult. It is a time of struggle, depression, loneliness, and anxiety. There are more suicides during the holiday season than at any other time of the year. A comment by a woman in a nursing home indicates the feeling of some: "No one really cares. No one cares about me now.
Mark Wm. Radecke
Because Jesus was Mary's firstborn, there were four words that she and Joseph did not have to hear as they made the arduous trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Four words that make long journeys longer. Four words that strike terror in the hearts of parents of every time and every place. Four words from which even the youngest child seems to be able to craft a sentence: Are we there yet?

I am struck this year by the number of journeys the narratives of Jesus' birth and infancy entail:

* Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem;
Julia Ross Strope
Gathering music
Christmas medley

(Light the Christ candle.)

(Invite adults, children, and youth ahead of time to bring a favorite gift for a one-sentence show and tell.)

Greeting
Leader: Merry Christmas!

People: Merry Christmas!

Leader: Settle your Christmas gifts on the pew beside you and find the space within your minds and hearts to sing, pray, listen, and talk.
James R. Wilson


Call To Worship
Leader: Come, let us celebrate, for Christ our savior has been born!
People: Is our Messiah, the promised one, among us this day?
Leader: Surely I say unto you, Christ the Lord is with us even as we speak.
People: Are even sinners such as we welcome in Christ's kingdom?
Leader: Praise to the Lord God Almighty, for in Christ we are all welcome!
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
After baby Jesus grew up to be a man, he got into terrible trouble, and wicked people killed him. But a good man called Joseph of Arimathea laid Jesus's body gently in his own grave, which he'd made ready for when he should die. After that the wicked people searched for Joseph of Arimathea, and so he ran away from Jerusalem carrying with him a special cup like this one, which contained some of Jesus's holy blood.

Special Occasion

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