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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

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 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 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.)
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 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
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see also The Epiphany Of Our Lord, Cycle A, for an
Advent 4 -- Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 -- Stan Purdum -- 2006
(See Proper 11/Pentecost 9/Ordinary Time 16, Cycle B, for an alternative approach to vv.
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 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 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.
Maundy Thursday -- Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Maundy Thursday, Cycle B, for an alternative a
Advent 3 -- Luke 1:47-55 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- 2006
One day, back in the early years of computers, an engineer was asked to demonstrate to a group of re
Proper 11 / Ordinary Time 16 -- Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2006
(See Epiphany 2/Ordinary Time 2, Cycle B, and Proper 4/Pentecost 2/Ordinary Time 9, Cycle B, for
Advent 4 -- Luke 1:47-55 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
One day, back in the early years of computers, an engineer was asked to demonstrate to a group of re
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 22/Pentecost 20/Ordinary Time 27 -- Psalm 137 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2006
This psalm's opening verses are among the most recognizable for understanding the experience of a wo
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord/Last Sunday After The Epiphany -- Psalm 2 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2006
Undoubtedly, the reason why Psalm 2 occupies its place in the lectionary is because it amplifies the
Advent 4 -- Luke 1:47-55 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- 2006
One day, back in the early years of computers, an engineer was asked to demonstrate to a group of re
Psalm 149 (Proper 18 / Ordinary Time 23 / Pentecost 15) -- Psalm 149 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2006
(See All Saints, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)
Proper 25/Pentecost 23/Ordinary Time 30 -- Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22) -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
The writer of this psalm begins with an assertion and an invitation to the gathered company of worsh

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...
Lent 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Lent 3
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Lent 4
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: Two garden plants. One plant is healthy and looks great. The second plant should be alive, but it looks weak or is in serious need of a drink.

* * *

The Immediate Word

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

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
The charming and familiar song from “The Sound of Music” recognizes that reading begins with A-B-C and that singing begins with Do-Re-Mi. Such are the foundational elements of reading and singing. But what about being saved? Where does the gospel begin?
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Rarmirez
Bill Thomas
Isaiah 55:1-9
John Calvin powerfully noted the misery in which we find ourselves:

Those who are puffed up with vain confidence and satiated, or who, intoxicated by earthly appetites, do not feel thirst of the soul, will not receive Christ. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.VIII/2, p.156)

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Incline your ear, and come to me;
    listen, so that you may live…
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call upon him while he is near… (vv. 3a, 6)

Assurance or re-assurance is what we long for when we are hurting, when we are afraid, when we have failed at something, or when we are grieving some painful loss. We want someone to tell us it is going to be alright. And not just anyone, someone we trust, someone we love, preferably someone who has the power to make it alright.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to worship:

 Jesus faced plenty of trouble in his life. He didn't flinch from trouble or try to avoid it, but asked God's help in handling it. In our worship today, let us explore how Jesus handled trouble.

Invitation to confession:

 Jesus, sometimes we are so afraid of trouble that we tell lies in order to avoid it.

Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we are so afraid of trouble that we don't do anything so that we can't get anything wrong.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Psalm 63 is particularly well-suited for helping Christians take stock of their commitment. Oftentimes, as we take a long, inward look, we become aware that we have lost or laid aside some of our passion for God. This does not necessarily mean we have left the church. There are many who sit in the pews week after week, visibly faithful and plugged in, who are nevertheless spiritually fatigued.

Steven E. Albertin
"Students, it is time to get out your pencils, close your books and remove any notes from your desks. The test is about to begin."

John N. Brittain
I know that they didn't have CNN or Walkmen back in Jesus' day, but if they had, they would have been listening to the World Report in today's Gospel Lesson. The topic is current events and things surely haven't changed much in 2,000 years because the headline stories are bad news: the imperial troops senselessly murder a few peasants; a tower collapses and kills eighteen. "What do you think about that?" Jesus asks. "Do you think that those poor folks who ended up dead were worse sinners than everybody else?" There is an uneasy silence. "No," he answers his own rhetorical question.
Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III
Isaiah issues a four-part injunction to the people of Judah to return to God, to renounce their iniquities, and to reaffirm the promises of the Davidic Covenant: come (55:1), listen (55:2), seek, and call on God while he is near and can be found (55:6). This plea is pertinent to Christians during this season of Lent, a season of exile and return, renewal and restoration, affliction and comfort, and death and resurrection.

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