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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

Lent 3 -- Psalm 95 -- Stan Purdum -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2006
This psalm has two distinct parts.
The Holy Trinity -- Psalm 29 -- Stan Purdum -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary for The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Tim
The Holy Trinity -- Psalm 8 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2006
(See also The Holy Trinity, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Epiphany Of Our Lord, Cycles A and B; see
Easter 3 -- Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Stan Purdum -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2006
(See Maundy Thursday, Cycle A, and Maundy Thursday, Cycle B, for alternative approaches to vv.
Proper 8 / Pentecost 6 / Ordinary Time 13 -- Psalm 130 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2006
(See Lent 5, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)
Proper 4/Pentecost 2/Ordinary Time 9 -- Psalm 46 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2006
Categorized as both a "song of Zion" and "a psalm of confidence," Psalm 46 celebrates God's choice t
Thanksgiving Day -- Psalm 100 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2006
This brief psalm is among the most familiar in the psalter, but that is primarily because its verses
The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Time 1 -- Psalm 29 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
The references in this psalm to God's appearance in the storm are strongly reminiscent of the creati
Christ The King/Proper 29 -- Psalm 100 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2006
This brief psalm is among the most familiar in the psalter, but that is primarily because its verses
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
Easter 5 -- Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Stan Purdum -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2006
(See Liturgy Of The Passion, Cycle A, Cycle B, and Cycle C, for alternative approaches to vv.
Proper 14 / Pentecost 12 / Ordinary Time 19 -- Psalm 130 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2006
Because the organizing principle of the lectionary is that the psalm is supposed to be a meditation
Proper 6/Pentecost 4/Ordinary Time 11 -- Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2006
The lectionary editors' decisions as to the carving of biblical texts are not always well advised.
Epiphany 2/Ordinary Time 2 -- Psalm 36:5-10 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
If we wanted to give a name to this psalm, we might call it "A Song of Exuberant Praise." The psalmi
Proper 19/Pentecost 17/Ordinary Time 24 -- Psalm 114 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2006
This psalm falls into four cantos.
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.)
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Psalm 47 -- Stan Purdum -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Ascension Of Our Lord, Cycle B, for an alt
Proper 16 / Pentecost 14 / Ordinary Time 21 -- Psalm 84 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2006
This vibrant psalm celebrates the presence of God in the temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem.
Good Friday -- Psalm 22 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Good Friday - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Good Friday, Cycle B; Lent 2, Cycle B; and Pro
Epiphany 3/Ordinary Time 3 -- Psalm 19 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
Psalm 19 celebrates two different media through which God is revealed: nature and the law.
Proper 19/Pentecost 17/Ordinary Time 24 -- Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2006
This alternate psalm follows immediately after this morning's Old Testament Lesson, the story of the
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 5 / Ordinary Time 10 -- Psalm 33:1-12 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2006
Psalm 33 praises the God in whom the righteous trust.
Ash Wednesday -- Psalm 51:1-17 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2006
The superscription to this psalm identifies its origins with David's prayer after the prophet Nathan

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...
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...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For December 22, 2024:
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For December 22, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
Not many things are quite as common — and, for that matter, quite as predictable — as the sunrise and the sunset. Yet that does not make them less spectacular, does it? We still find ourselves struck by their beauty. So much so, in fact, that at times we try to take pictures in order to capture what we are seeing and experiencing. Or, if others are nearby, we call some family member over to the window in order to share the beauty of the view with someone we love.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Micah 5:2-5a
Phillips Brooks wrote the hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” in 1868. The song began as a poem he’d written for the Sunday School of his church, The Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia. Brooks found the inspiration for this hymn after the Civil War, during a year abroad (1865-66) in Europe and the Holy Land. While traveling, he wrote to the children of his parish about visiting Bethlehem on Christmas Eve.

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
Then I said, ‘See, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).

If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t miss a super hero movie, you know that every one of them has an origin story. Bruce Wayne, for instance, witnessed the senseless murder of his parents when he was a child, which is why as an adult he was not only intent on fighting crime but also to instill in criminals the traumatic terror he experienced as a child, and that is why he donned the character of the Batman.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A small bag of potato chips. This message includes role-playing. Depending on your group of children, you can either select your players yourself or ask for volunteers when you need them. You will want one girl to be Mary, another to be Elizabeth, and two more children to be the people in town.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! But instead of just hearing the story,

SermonStudio

Susan R. Andrews
We Protestants don’t know what to do with Mary. Because the doctrines of the Catholic church have turned Mary into a sweet passive icon of virginal purity, we Protestants have been content to leave her out of our gallery of biblical saints — except of course, for her obligatory appearance in our Christmas pageants.
James Evans
The recurring phrase, "let your face shine" (vv. 3, 7, 19), offers an interesting opportunity to reflect on the meaning of God's presence in our world. This reflection takes on a particular significance during the Advent season.

Mary S. Lautensleger
The name Johann Sebastian Bach has been familiar in church music circles for many years. Bach inscribed all his compositions with the phrase, "To God Alone The Glory." Professor Peter Schickele of the fictitious University of Southern North Dakota discovered an obscure relative, P.D.Q. Bach, known as the most bent twig on the Bach family tree. The name Bach had always been associated with fine music until P.D.Q. appeared on the scene. This fabled genius, P.D.Q.
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night. This night with its carols and candlelight, inhaling an atmosphere of poinsettia and pine, and exhaling the promise of peace. What is it about this night that so captivates our souls, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.

Some are here because they are believers, faithful followers of the Christ. You are here to celebrate the nativity of your Lord. In the name of the Christ you worship and adore, I bid you a joyful welcome.

Harold C. Warlick, Jr.
The university chaplain was late for a meeting. He roared down the interstate through a sparsely populated area of his state. He was traveling ten miles per hour over the speed limit. As the blue light from the highway patrol car flashed in his rearview mirror, the churning in his stomach was exceeded only by his anger at his foolishness. Putting on his best professional face and a humble demeanor, he gave the officer the requested information and jotted in his date book the time and location of his court appointment.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Christmas is nearly here! In our worship today let us reflect the joy and happiness of Mary in the way in which we too greet the birth of our Saviour.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are longing for your birth.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we wait to greet you with clean hearts.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we welcome you -- make us right with you.

Lord, have mercy

 Reading:

 Luke 1:39-45

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