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Richard L. Sheffield

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Preaching

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Why Sheep? -- John 10:1-10 (Luke 16:19-31) -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Why sheep?
Fairy Tale Or God's Word? -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2007
When we ordain elders and deacons and ministers in the Presbyterian church we ask a number of questi
Listen To Yourself -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2007
Sometimes the best way to start reading your Bible is with the footnotes.
How Many Times? -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2007
I received a piece of mail not too long ago that brought a rather disconcerting message.
Did You Hear What Jesus Said? -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2007
Did you hear what Jesus said?
Explanations Or Truth? -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2007
So, what's that all about?
More Than Fair! -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
I ran across a website a while back that said something that we all know, intuitively: "A roll of th
Think! -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
So, what do you think?
Salt And Light -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2007
Sometimes I think preachers would do best by getting out of Jesus' way.
Storytelling -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2007
Jesus loved to tell stories. Much of his teaching was in the form of stories we call parables.
Party Time -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2007
What kind of story was that? The one Jesus told about the wedding reception?
Faith Like Fanny's -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2007
I have a little book titled, You Are What You Believe in my library.
Narrow Love? -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2007
Okay -- I confess.
What We Have Left Undone -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2007
There is a mistake in my Bible. Actually, I found two mistakes in the gospel reading this week.

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Think! -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
So, what do you think?
Why Sheep? -- John 10:1-10 (Luke 16:19-31) -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Why sheep?

Sermon

SermonStudio

He Ascended Into Heaven -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1998
I want to take the text seriously this morning.
Lent To Life -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1998
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent.
The Lord Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed! He Really Is! -- John 20:1-18 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
The Lord is risen!He is risen indeed!The Lord is risen!
The Last Beatitude -- John 20:19-31 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
What the disciples of Jesus reported to their fellow disciple Thomas they had seen seemed unbelievab
People Die! -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
"People die.
This Is Certain -- John 14:1-14 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled.
I Will Not Leave You Alone -- John 14:15-21 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
There's an old saying about the way you get people to hear what you're saying, that goes something l
What Jesus Prayed For -- John 17:1-11 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
What do you pray for? Maybe the question should be: "Do you pray?!"
Where, In This Hell, Is The Holy? -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Good Friday - A -- 1998
I am convinced that few of us are really convinced that this Good Friday really leads to the first d
Lint -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
The topic this morning was not a misprint in the newspaper nor in your bulletin.
Water, Water, Everywhere -- John 4:5-42 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
Reading the Gospel lesson this week a snatch of poetry I learned somewhere along the way kept runnin
Upon Those In The Tombs Bestowing Life -- John 11:1-45 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
In the Orthodox Church, Easter worship includes the singing of a hymn that goes:
Go Love! -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 1998
Blind Driveways -- John 9:1-41 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
King George VI, addressing his subjects at the beginning of a new year, said in his annual message:
Where Is God When I Need Him? -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Passion Sunday - A -- 1998
"Truly, this man was God's Son!" (Matthew 27:54 NRSV).
Why Sheep? -- John 10:1-10 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Why sheep?
The Stealth Disciple -- John 3:1-17 -- Richard L. Sheffield -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
In the "Science & Technology," section of a recent issue of Business Week magazine, there was an
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...

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The Immediate Word

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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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