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Schuyler Rhodes

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Tuning in -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
It has gotten very crowded out there in the last century.
Belonging -- Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
When I was in high school a new music teacher came to town.
Making war, making change -- Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21, Psalm 17:1-7, 15 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
It has happened more than once that I have been counseling a young couple who are planning to get ma
Emergency numbers -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
A whole generation is growing up now with no knowledge of those little stickers we used to keep on o
Irreconcilable differences? -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Psalm 133 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
In the movie Irreconcilable Differences, a ten-year-old girl sues her parents for divorce on
Mistaken identity -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20, Psalm 124 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
Appearances can be deceiving.
Expecting the unexpected -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28, Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
I have a confession to make -- I am a member of Packrats Anonymous.
Sale price -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2010
A friend of mine once described a man he knew as someone who "knew the cost of everything and the va
New -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8, Psalm 126 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2010
In 1954, Marcelle Maurtette penned his play Anastasia.
Experience Jesus and know God -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Schuyler Rhodes -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2010
In this age of computers and the internet, there is so much information "out there" to access.
Becoming what we were meant to be -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42, Psalm 40:1-11 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2010
Mine is a family of book lovers.
Faith for the world that is -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10, Lamentations 3:19-26 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2010
Who would not want the power of telekinesis? Obstacle in the way? Remove it with a thought.
Long table -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2010
Perhaps you've been part of a large group going out to eat together.
Group picture -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2010
I was in the home of a church member the other day where I saw a marvelous family portrait.
Your home away from home -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19, Psalm 66:1-12 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2010
Imagine yourself in a ship out on the high seas.
Why did Jesus have to die? -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Good Friday - C -- 2010
While Don Richardson was a student at Prairie Bible Institute in the 1950s his heart burned in antic
Fools for Christ or just plain fools? -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12, Psalm 15 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2010
In 1993 brothers Tom and David Gardner began a financial information service they named The Motley F
Patience -- Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Luke 18:1-8, Psalm 119:97-104 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2010
Patience is a tough virtue, slipping from our grasp in the moment of demand.
Love conquers death -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Gary Thompson, Schuyler Rhodes -- Easter Day - C -- 2010
My mentor in the ministry used to say, "If you can't preach on Easter, you just can't preach!" The g
Internal medicine -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2010
Some years ago Europa Times carried a story in which Mussa Zoabi of Israel claimed to be the
What God wants -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14, Psalm 65 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2010
In 2000, Mel Gibson played a character named Nick Marshall in the movie What Women Want.
A week after -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Psalm 118:14-29, Revelation 1:4-8 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
The gospels devote a great deal of attention to the week before Easter.
Heart condition -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37, Psalm 119:1-8 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2010
As a middle-aged man, I am forced to be conscious of my heart health.
Happy hallow… -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2010
Is today Halloween or Reformation Day?
Visions -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19, Psalm 30 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
Giuseppe Tartini's Devil's Trill Sonata is a spectacular piece of music.

Preaching

SermonStudio

Psalm 4 -- Psalm 4 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
A great piece of advice was once offered by a sage, elder pastor.
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
The words of this psalm emerge from a grateful heart.
Psalm 8 -- Psalm 8 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
This psalm always causes a little consternation.
Isaiah 12:2-6 -- Isaiah 12:2-6 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
After a long and grueling foot race, a runner reached for a glass of water puffing out the words, "T
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
A wise teacher once pointed out that much of scripture is said in dialogue.
Psalm 65 -- Psalm 65 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Every morning when sleep leaves and waking comes there is cause for praising God.
Psalm 131 -- Psalm 131 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Humility is at the core of faith. Nice statement, that. But what does it mean?
Psalm 31:9-16 -- Psalm 31:9-16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
At first, this psalm conjures up the words of an old acquaintance who frequently would call on the p
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
If there's one thing that people universally appreciate, it's being heard.
Psalm 8 -- Psalm 8 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Knowing one's place in the world is an important thing.
Psalm 130 -- Psalm 130 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Forgiveness is a concept common to most everyone. It covers a vast landscape, to be sure.
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"It's time." These two words charged through the boy's consciousness like an electric shock.
Psalm 66:1-12 -- Psalm 66:1-12 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
I use this psalm often when inviting people to join the church choir.
Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
The scholars tell us that this psalm was likely a liturgical piece used in the celebration of the Lo
Psalm 133 -- Psalm 133 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!" The words that open this pow
Psalm 20 -- Psalm 20 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2009
Everyone wants a protector.
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
It's Easter. For us, this is a day of new beginnings. It is the ultimate moment. Christ is risen!
Psalm 9:9-20 -- Psalm 9:9-20 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
There is a well-worn adage that all preachers must endure hearing.
Psalm 138 -- Psalm 138 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Few people write thank-you notes anymore.
Psalm 45:10-17 -- Psalm 45:10-17 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Here is a woman who is given over to a new "Lord." The advice is clear, even curt.
Psalm 66:8-20 -- Psalm 66:8-20 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
What does praise sound like?
Psalm 133 -- Psalm 133 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Living in unity is a beatific vision.
Psalm 27 -- Psalm 27 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Little children love to walk on the edge.
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Power is basic to our existence as human beings.
Psalm 13 -- Psalm 13 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Certainty is rarely to be trusted.

Sermon

SermonStudio

Great Expectations -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2005
Great Expectations
Doing A New Thing -- Isaiah 43:18-25 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2005
Doing A New Thing
Setting All The Idols Down -- Hosea 2:14-20 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2005
Setting All The Idols Down
It's Good To Know Who Is Calling -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2005
When I was a boy, our family used to have a parakeet.
A Sure-Fire Way To End Burn Out -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2005
We live in a crazy time.
A Double Share Of The Spirit -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2005
A Double Share Of The Spirit
Time For A New Wardrobe -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2005
Time For A New Wardrobe
Time To Come Home -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2005
Time To Come Home
Living Out The Promise Of This Child -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2005
Living Out The Promise Of This Child
Receiving The Holy Spirit -- John 20:19-23 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2001
Today is Pentecost. Today we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the people of God.
Houses Built On Sand -- Matthew 7:21-29 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
One evening the television news was filled with stories about home--owners on the west coast whose m
I Don't Need No Doctor -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2001
There's an old rock and roll song titled, "I Don't Need No Doctor." The song, like so many of the er
Sheep Without A Shepherd: Claiming Christian Leadership -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2001
My sister is a chronic room re--arranger.
Disruptive Faith In An Organized World: The End Of Nice Christianity -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2001
Once, not too long ago, a certain pastor was leaving the grocery store with some supplies for his fa
Good Seeds, Good Soil: The Call To Christian Community -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2001
Not too long ago I was in a garden shop and I bought a "meadow in a can." Have you ever seen one?
'I Am With You Always' -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2001
Have you ever been hard at work on something?
A No-Win Situation -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
I think one of the best lessons I have learned in ministry is the lesson of win-win.
The Prophet's Reward -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
Children are sometimes the best teachers one can imagine having.
Growing Together Until The Harvest -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2001
I once knew this person who had both the blessing and the curse of utter clarity in his life.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For September 14, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A sheep stuffy or toy.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started!

Did you know that Jesus traveled around and hunted for people who were doing something illegal and breaking the laws? (Let them respond.) He really did.And when he found someone who was doing something illegal, do you know what he did with them? (Let them respond.)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Our text tells us that we are skilled in doing evil (v.22). An anonymous late medieval treatise titled German Theology tells us why:

It is the nature and property of the creature to seek itself and its own things, and this and that, here and there, and in all that it does and leaves undone as desire is to its own advantage and benefit. (Varieties of Mystic Experience, p.162)

Martin Luther King, Jr. offers an alternative to this vision:
David Coffin
All three of today’s texts can be viewed as good news that God never gives up on God’s people. This is despite their resistance to repent or simple straying from the community of faith. We can observe family and loved ones at various points of their faith journey through the lens of each of these texts. Jeremiah 4 informs the people their neglect of honoring their covenant with God is about to result in disastrous consequences. Paul recalls in 1 Timothy 1 how he thought he was falling God’s will until he had his literal come to Jesus moment!

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (vv. 6-7)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus told stories to illustrate to the people God's gladness whenever anyone turned to him and chose life. There is still rejoicing in heaven whenever any one of us turns to God.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes I think I'm too insignificant for you to bother with me.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I don't bother with you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I don't bother with other people, but only with myself.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)

The psalm writer has an interesting perspective on the origin of injustice in our world. He begins this psalm with the assertion that those who do not believe in God are "fools." He goes on to accuse them of corruption and of being incapable of doing good. Later on he writes, "Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord?" (v. 4).

Elizabeth Achtemeier
"Now it is I who speak in judgment upon them" (v. 12). Ours is a society that does not accept that as the Word of God. Many people do not believe that God judges anyone. Rather, the Lord is a forgiving God, a kindly deity who overlooks all wrong. As in the Gospel lesson for the morning, the Lord searches for the one lost sheep and returns it gently to the fold, or he hunts for the one lost coin until he finds it. God accepts the lost as they are, we think, overlooking Jesus' teaching about repentance and transformation of life.
Scott Suskovic
We usually don't spend too much time thinking about our own sinfulness. On occasion, of course, our feelings of guilt overwhelm us. We can't stop thinking about our sinfulness. If we are in that situation, we may need to talk that out with someone. Apart from times like that, we don't think much about our own sinfulness. We have ways of getting around that.

R. Robert Cueni
Back before the ways of the Taliban became common knowledge, there was a fascinating little article about how they jailed barbers when they didn't do culturally correct haircuts.1 The newspaper reported that young men in Kabul, Afghanistan, have started wearing their hair the way the actor Leonardo DiCaprio wears his. Long, not only on the sides, but so long in the front that hair can drop over the eyes. They call the style, "the Titanic," named for the blockbuster movie starring DiCaprio about the 1912 sinking of the cruise ship by that name.

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