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Stan Purdum

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Ephesians 3:1-12, John 1:1-18 -- Carter Shelley, George L. Murphy, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton, Larry Hard -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2003
(Originally published for January 5, 2003)

Illustration

StoryShare

The King And The Maiden -- Luke 2:1-20, Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Psalm 96 -- Constance Berg, Frank R. Fisher, John E. Sumwalt, Paul Lintern, Stan Purdum -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Contents What's Up for Christmas

The Immediate Word

You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Ephesians 3:1-12, John 1:1-18 -- Carter Shelley, George L. Murphy, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton, Larry Hard -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2003
(Originally published for January 5, 2003)

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 21/Pentecost 19/Ordinary Time 26 -- Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2006
(See Lent 1, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 9-16.)
Lent 4 -- Psalm 23 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2006
(See Easter 4, Cycles A, B, and C, for alternative approaches.)
Epiphany 7/Ordinary Time 7 -- Psalm 41 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2006
This psalm is often identified as a prayer of individual thanksgiving but it reads more as a plea fo
Epiphany 8/Ordinary Time 8 -- Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2006
(See Proper 20/Pentecost 18/Ordinary Time 25, Year B, for an alternative approach.)
Proper 11/Pentecost 9/Ordinary Time 16 -- Psalm 52 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2006
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against th
Proper 20/Pentecost 18/Ordinary Time 25 -- Psalm 79:1-9 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2006
This poignant prayer of lament and community grief gives expression to what it feels like to suffer
Lent 5 -- Psalm 130 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2006
(See Proper 8/Pentecost 6/Ordinary Time 13, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)
Epiphany 8/Ordinary Time 8 -- Psalm 103:1-13, 22 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2006
This is one of those psalms whose words have become so familiar from liturgical usage that they run
Proper 16/Pentecost 14/Ordinary Time 21 -- Psalm 124 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2006
(See Proper 21/Pentecost 19/Ordinary Time 26, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Psalm 47 -- Stan Purdum -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2006
Both Psalms 47 and 93 (the alternative psalm for this day) are enthronement psalms, praise hymns cel
Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17 -- Psalm 85 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2006
(See Advent 2, Cycle B, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 8-13.)
Proper 19/Pentecost 17/Ordinary Time 24 -- Psalm 14 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2006
(See Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)
Liturgy Of The Palms -- Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Easter, Cycle A, for an alternative approach t
Christmas Day -- Psalm 98 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see also Christmas, Cycle A, and Easter 6, Cycle B
Christmas 1 -- Psalm 148 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Christmas 1, Cycle A; Christmas 1, Cycle C; an
Christ The King/Proper 29 -- Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
This psalm is a poem of public worship, celebrating the Davidic kingship.
Proper 13/Pentecost 11/Ordinary Time 18 -- Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2006
(See Proper 26/Pentecost 24/Ordinary Time 31, Cycle A, and Lent 4, Cycle B, for an alternative ap
Proper 18/Pentecost 16/Ordinary Time 23 -- Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2006
(See Epiphany 2/Ordinary Time 2, Cycle B, and Proper 4/Pentecost 2/Ordinary Time 9, Cycle B; see
Liturgy Of The Passion -- Psalm 31:9-16 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Liturgy Of The Passion, Cycle B and Cycle C, f
Christmas 2 -- Psalm 147:12-20 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2006
This psalm was likely written for the people of Jerusalem after their return from exile (see vv.
Proper 28/Pentecost 26/Ordinary Time 33 -- Psalm 123 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2006
This short psalm is a communal lament, pleading as a nation for God's mercy, though in what particul
Advent 1 -- Psalm 25:1-10 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
(See Lent 1, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)
Advent 2 -- Luke 1:68-79 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
(See Christ The King/Proper 29, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)
Proper 15/Pentecost 13/Ordinary Time 20 -- Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2006
(See Advent 4, Cycle A, and Advent 1, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)
Proper 17/Pentecost 15/Ordinary Time 22 -- Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2006
The writer of Psalm 81 employs a most interesting mixed metaphor.

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Three Dimensions Of Life -- Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2007
Today's reading starts in the ancient world before the great flood.
God's Laughter -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2007
Okay, who knows how Joan of Arc died? Right. She was burned at the stake.
A Way Of Seeing -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2007
Remember your childhood suspicion that both your mother and your teacher had eyes in the back of the
Breakdowns And Breakthroughs -- Genesis 22:1-14 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2007
There are some recent studies on racism that offer important information about our thinking processe
God, What Are You Up To? -- Genesis 12:1-9 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2007
One of the better programs on television from 2003 to 2005 was a series on CBS called Joan of Arc
Choosing To Love -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2007
The popular notion in our society is that the best way to choose a marriage partner is to wait until
A Man Of The Moment -- Genesis 25:19-34 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2007
Do you remember the movie 1988 movie, Twins?
The Ladder From Our House -- Genesis 28:10-19a -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2007
There is a wonderful story about a city mayor.
Whosoever Will -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Stan Purdum -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2007
Pentecost is considered the birth date of the church universal.
To Say Elohim -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a -- Stan Purdum -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2007
Since we are gathered here in a church, I suspect that there are not many of you present who do not
Going Home -- John 14:1-14 -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an elderly, faithful manGoing Home
A Multitude Of Thoughts -- Psalm 139:1-18 -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful manA Multitude Of Thoughts
Passages -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an elderly, faithful womanPassages
The Good Fight -- 2 Timothy 4:6b-8 -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful middle-aged manThe Good Fight
The Undoing Of Babel -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Stan Purdum -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
Several years ago, my wife and I took a vacation where we drove to Mexico City in an old Volkswagen
Wisdom's Delight -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Stan Purdum -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2006
I have a question for you, but let me tell you right up front that it is a trick question.
Choosing To Believe -- 1 Kings 18:20-39 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2006
Perhaps you recall recently when a burial box from the first century A.D.
The Kindness Of Strangers -- 1 Kings 17:8-24 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2006
In 1994, a 37-year-old man by the name of Mike McIntyre decided to confront his fears and the shaky
When Desire Goes Bad -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2006
Nathan, a boy I read about recently, is seven years old.
The Smell Of Bread -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2006
One of the most popular television shows ever was M*A*S*H, which ran for eleven seasons, from
As Seen From The Solitary Broom Tree -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2006
I'm not sure when the term "burn out" ceased being only a description of what happened to a campfire
Washing In Old Jordan -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2006
I know a man who has a severe back injury and lives with constant pain.
The Sign Of God -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2006
Most of us have wrestled with questions like these at one time or another:
When Nothing More Can Be Done -- Amos 8:1-12 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2006
Colleen was a good woman with a bad heart.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Why God has no grandchildren -- John 8:31-36 -- Stan Purdum -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2006
Children of pastors have their share of strange experiences. As a teenager, I went one day

Stories

StoryShare

Crazy Dreams -- Luke 6:20-31, Ephesians 1:11-23, Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Psalm 149 -- Stan Purdum, David E. Leininger, Gary L. Carver, Scott Dalgarno -- All Saints Day - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "A Change of Heart" by Scott Dalgarno
Donnie's Plant -- Luke 12:49-56, Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Stan Purdum, Gregory L. Tolle, David E. Leininger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Donnie's Plant" by Stan Purdum
A Change Of Heart -- John 8:31-36, Romans 3:19-28, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 46 -- Scott Dalgarno, Gary L. Carver, Stan Purdum, David E. Leininger -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "A Change of Heart" by Scott Dalgarno
Samantha -- Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 1:1-7, Isaiah 7:10-17, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Argile Smith, C. David Mckirachan, Scott Dalgarno, Stan Purdum -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Contents What's Up This Week "Samantha" by Argile Smith
The King And The Maiden -- Luke 2:1-20, Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Psalm 96 -- Constance Berg, Frank R. Fisher, John E. Sumwalt, Paul Lintern, Stan Purdum -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Contents What's Up for Christmas

SermonStudio

A Fair Hearing -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
From the look on Delores' face as she strode up our walk, I knew that, once again, my sermon hadn't
Into Every Life -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Frank put me in a bind.
The Organ -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
A church crisis can be precipitated by seemingly innocent events.
Night Trek -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Methodist pastors change pulpits at the will of the bishop, so when the call came from my district s
Endwork -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"Good grief!" Susie said. "It's Alfred Plunket!"
Jesus Loves Problem Kids -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
His name was Freddie and he was as cute as little boys come.
Spring Story -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
She was dying of pancreatic cancer.
The Other Roads -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
In the course of my ministry I occasionally came upon people who had gone rather suddenly from being
Strangers -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
When Betty appeared at my door she looked positively ill.
Generations -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
The ringing phone woke us out of a deep sleep. I scrabbled for the receiver.
Still Standing -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"What I need," said the man who'd come to my door, "is for a pastor to offer a prayer and then do no
Board Action -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Charlie Redgate shook his head and said, "Your mistake was asking in the first place."
Resurrection -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Up until this incident, Lucille Brennan would have said that the day she was approved to be a foster
Pioneers -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Susie and I had both grown up in cities, so our move to Thornberry, a township 30 miles from the nea
Neighbors -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
Like many small rural townships, Thornberry had some problems because it had no zoning laws.
Freed by the Word -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"I was afraid," the old man said.
Compensation -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"That's my medicine," Louie said.
Summer Rain -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
All in all, Thornberry was a pretty quiet place, where big news usually referred to something like a
The Back of the House -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
The attractive young lady sitting opposite me was a puzzle.
Cow 27 -- Stan Purdum -- 1993
"I really could use the help, Reverend," Wesley said, "and with your baby coming and all, you could

Worship

The Immediate Word

You Are What You Say: The Word Incarnate And Human Words -- Ephesians 3:1-12, John 1:1-18 -- Carter Shelley, George L. Murphy, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton, Larry Hard -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2003
(Originally published for January 5, 2003)

SermonStudio

Reading The Christmas Eve Scriptures -- Stan Purdum -- 2003
Introduction
Rally Day -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Welcome and AnnouncementsPreludeCall to Worship
Reformation Day -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Welcome and AnnouncementsPreludeCall to Worship
All Saints' Day -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
All Saints' DayService Of Worship
Thanksgiving -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Welcome and AnnouncementsPreludeCall to Worship
Advent Sundays -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Four Advent MonologuesPreface
Cousin Jochaved A Heart Prepared -- Luke 2:6-7 -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
I'm so glad that census is over.
A Shepherd Night Watch -- Luke 2:8-15 -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
It began as a night just like any other night.
An Angel Tidings -- Luke 2:8-14 -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
(Angel enters, humming or whistling "Angels We Have Heard On High." Stops center and begins to pu
Youth Sunday -- Stan Purdum, Pamela J. Abbey, Elaine M. Ward -- 2001
Introduction
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Epiphany 7 (OT 7)
24 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
17 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Transfiguration Sunday
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
36 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Ash Wednesday
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
35 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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John Jamison
Object: Two small containers or boxes and several pieces of paper. I used two shoe boxes with lids and about fifty pieces of used printer paper. Label one box “Judge” and the other box “Not Judge.”

* * *

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
For February 23, 2025:

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. (v. 4)

Spoiler alert!

Those two words warn us not to read, listen, or watch any further. Something crucial about a book, show, film, or fact is about to be revealed, and we’re being told if we want to be surprised when we finally get around to reading or watching we’d better stop listening right now.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Genesis 45:3-11, 15
Christal Berns wrote, in a May 23, 2023, article for Christian Learning, about Jacksonville, FL police officer Ike Brown. On May 27, 2002, Brown received heartbreaking news from his colleagues. His sergeant, lieutenant, chief, and chaplain came to his home and told him his son had lost his life in a shooting incident.
Wayne Brouwer
We all believe in justice; we all cry out to have our rights protected. Yet the power of revenge eventually takes us beyond where any of us truly want to go, for two reasons.

First of all, because of sin, we tend to be more zealous in our vindictiveness than we are in our love. I am much quicker to strike out at someone else and seek revenge against him for what he’s done to me, than I am to be that righteous myself.

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
Some years back, there was a best-selling book that got a lot of attention in the church, one written by a rabbi, Harold Kushner. The book was called When Bad Things Happen to Good People (HarperCollins, 1982). It is an honest attempt to grapple with the problem of evil. Why is it, Rabbi Kushner wants to know, that good and faithful people sometimes have to suffer?

John T. Ball
The honored dead from our fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq have created a problem for Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. So many have rightly claimed burial in Arlington National Cemetery that the cemetery is running out of space. Rightful burials may soon have to be denied because there is no place for them.

Mary S. Lautensleger
Sibling rivalry. It's the pits. It has been around as long as there have been siblings around. Beginning with Cain and Abel, we see one brother disgruntled because God likes the other brother's sacrificial offering better. We remember, too, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Rachel and Leah, the prodigal son and his older brother. Life is not fair.
James T. Garrett
When a person enters into any society or any fellowship, he takes upon himself the obligations to live a certain way, by certain standards. If the person fails to live the kind of life necessary, he hinders the purpose of the society.

Once we make the claim that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true then a claim is put on our lives. In today's Scripture lesson, Jesus sets down behavior patterns for kingdom people.

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