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Stephen P. McCutchan

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Any Lazaruses On Your Front Porch? -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
This week's Immediate Word uses Luke 16:19-31 to tell how easy it is for most of us to think
The Illusion Of Human Power -- Luke 19:1-10, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 65 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2007
The mystery of the randomness of nature... we have seen so much devastating weather lately.
As Others See Us -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 98 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2007
It's easy to throw stones at distant targets.
An Unlikely Time -- Matthew 3:1-12, Romans 15:4-13, Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Advent is a time of waiting, of expectation. But what are we waiting for?
The Risk Of Being A Peacemaker -- John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10, Numbers 21:4-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God," Jesus tells us in the Beatit
The Comfort Zone -- Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, George L. Murphy, Chris Ewing, Carlos Wilton, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 4, 2005)
Marketing The Messiah -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126 -- Chris Ewing, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 11, 2005)
The Prince Of Peace In A World Of Violence -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), John 1:1-14, Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, George Reed -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Originally published for December 24-25, 2005)
Home For The Holidays? -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published November 27, 2005)
Integrity -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3, Psalm 5:1-8 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
In our very commercialized society, where it's often assumed that everything and everyone has their
The Price Of Faith -- Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29, 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
The ongoing debate over how America ought to respond to what many consider a rising tide of illegal
One Sin At A Time -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
When we hear of atrocities and other deplorable acts in our world, it is easy to imagine that we are
A Seeker's Faith -- John 6:1-21, Ephesians 3:14-21, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Psalm 14 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
From newspaper editorial pages and cable television news channels to internet "blogs" and direct-mai
What Is Truth? -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Like many other things in our culture, truth seems to be a concept that is often for sale to the hig
Nothing Hid From Its Heat -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
It's the nature of the news business that gripping human interest stories and immediate crises domin
Who Should Carry The Load? -- Mark 14:1--15:47, Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Passion Sunday - B
T
Alive Again! -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman, Carter Shelley -- Easter Day - B
Low Sunday! Slow Sunday! "oh No" Sunday! -- John 20:19-31, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35, Psalm 133 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Car-Nation And Christianity -- John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:16-24, Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Listening To God Through Bird Flu -- John 15:9-17, 1 John 5:1-6, Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
One of the distinguishing features of these first few years of the 21st century has been how much in
It's A Small World After All -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman -- Day of Pentecost - B
Media theorist Marshall McLuhan first coined the term "global village" nearly four decades ago, and
Seeds Of Disaster And Seeds Of Hope -- Mark 4:26-34, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
The American military operation last week resulting in the death of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Za
Scandal, Betrayal, Hope, Thanksgiving -- Mark 13:1-8, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
This week Stephen McCutchan will write about how the church gets through hard times by sticking toge
Living With Anger -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Psalm 130 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
The furor surrounding Mel Gibson and his outburst toward a police officer has been a major item in t
Faithing Our Fears -- Mark 7:24-37, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Psalm 125 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Fear -- and our varying responses to it -- will likely be one of the enduring legacies from Hurrican

Communicating God's Love

Devotional

SermonStudio

Proper 28 / Pentecost 26 / Ordinary Time 33 -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2009
By your endurance you will gain your souls. -- Luke 21:19
Lent 4 -- Joshua 5:9-12 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.-- Joshua 5:9
Proper 7 / Pentecost 5 / Ordinary Time 12 -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2009
They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.-- Luke 8:31
Proper 20 / Pentecost 18 / Ordinary Time 25 -- Psalm 79:1-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2009
We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us.
Advent 4 -- Hebrews 10:5-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Ch
The Ascension of Our Lord -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2009
And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church
Proper 13 / Pentecost 11 / Ordinary Time 18 -- Hosea 11:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2009
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
Advent 1 -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because
Lent 5 -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.
Christ The King / Proper 29 -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2009
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch....
Lent 4 -- Psalm 32 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me ...-- Psalm 32:4
Proper 8 / Pentecost 6 / Ordinary Time 13 -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2009
You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted
Proper 20 / Pentecost 18 / Ordinary Time 25 -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2009
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made
Christmas 2 -- Psalm 147:12-20 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2009
He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances.
The Ascension of Our Lord -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2009
And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have b
Proper 13 / Pentecost 11 / Ordinary Time 18 -- Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2009
For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things....
Advent 1 -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2009
Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.
Lent 5 -- Psalm 126 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.-- Psalm 126:5
Proper 23 / Ordinary Time 28 -- Psalm 66:1-12 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2009
Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.
Lent 4 -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us ...
Proper 8 / Pentecost 6 / Ordinary Time 13 -- Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2009
In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
Proper 20 / Pentecost 18 / Ordinary Time 25 -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2009
No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be de
Epiphany 5 / Ordinary Time 5 -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2009
Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!-- Luke 5:8
Easter 7 -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2009
One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit of divinat
Proper 13 / Pentecost 11 / Ordinary Time 18 -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2009
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated a

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Any Lazaruses On Your Front Porch? -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
This week's Immediate Word uses Luke 16:19-31 to tell how easy it is for most of us to think
The Illusion Of Human Power -- Luke 19:1-10, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 65 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2007
The mystery of the randomness of nature... we have seen so much devastating weather lately.
As Others See Us -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 98 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2007
It's easy to throw stones at distant targets.
An Unlikely Time -- Matthew 3:1-12, Romans 15:4-13, Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Advent is a time of waiting, of expectation. But what are we waiting for?
The Risk Of Being A Peacemaker -- John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10, Numbers 21:4-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God," Jesus tells us in the Beatit
The Comfort Zone -- Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, George L. Murphy, Chris Ewing, Carlos Wilton, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 4, 2005)
Marketing The Messiah -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126 -- Chris Ewing, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 11, 2005)
The Prince Of Peace In A World Of Violence -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), John 1:1-14, Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, George Reed -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Originally published for December 24-25, 2005)
Home For The Holidays? -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published November 27, 2005)
Integrity -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3, Psalm 5:1-8 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
In our very commercialized society, where it's often assumed that everything and everyone has their
The Price Of Faith -- Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29, 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
The ongoing debate over how America ought to respond to what many consider a rising tide of illegal
One Sin At A Time -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
When we hear of atrocities and other deplorable acts in our world, it is easy to imagine that we are
A Seeker's Faith -- John 6:1-21, Ephesians 3:14-21, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Psalm 14 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
From newspaper editorial pages and cable television news channels to internet "blogs" and direct-mai
What Is Truth? -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Like many other things in our culture, truth seems to be a concept that is often for sale to the hig
Nothing Hid From Its Heat -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
It's the nature of the news business that gripping human interest stories and immediate crises domin
Who Should Carry The Load? -- Mark 14:1--15:47, Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Passion Sunday - B
T
Alive Again! -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman, Carter Shelley -- Easter Day - B
Low Sunday! Slow Sunday! "oh No" Sunday! -- John 20:19-31, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35, Psalm 133 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Car-Nation And Christianity -- John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:16-24, Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Listening To God Through Bird Flu -- John 15:9-17, 1 John 5:1-6, Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
One of the distinguishing features of these first few years of the 21st century has been how much in
It's A Small World After All -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman -- Day of Pentecost - B
Media theorist Marshall McLuhan first coined the term "global village" nearly four decades ago, and
Seeds Of Disaster And Seeds Of Hope -- Mark 4:26-34, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
The American military operation last week resulting in the death of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Za
Scandal, Betrayal, Hope, Thanksgiving -- Mark 13:1-8, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
This week Stephen McCutchan will write about how the church gets through hard times by sticking toge
Living With Anger -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Psalm 130 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
The furor surrounding Mel Gibson and his outburst toward a police officer has been a major item in t
Faithing Our Fears -- Mark 7:24-37, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Psalm 125 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Fear -- and our varying responses to it -- will likely be one of the enduring legacies from Hurrican

Preaching

The Immediate Word

Any Lazaruses On Your Front Porch? -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
This week's Immediate Word uses Luke 16:19-31 to tell how easy it is for most of us to think
The Illusion Of Human Power -- Luke 19:1-10, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 65 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2007
The mystery of the randomness of nature... we have seen so much devastating weather lately.
As Others See Us -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 98 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2007
It's easy to throw stones at distant targets.
An Unlikely Time -- Matthew 3:1-12, Romans 15:4-13, Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Advent is a time of waiting, of expectation. But what are we waiting for?
The Risk Of Being A Peacemaker -- John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10, Numbers 21:4-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God," Jesus tells us in the Beatit
The Comfort Zone -- Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, George L. Murphy, Chris Ewing, Carlos Wilton, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 4, 2005)
Marketing The Messiah -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126 -- Chris Ewing, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 11, 2005)
The Prince Of Peace In A World Of Violence -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), John 1:1-14, Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, George Reed -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Originally published for December 24-25, 2005)
Home For The Holidays? -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published November 27, 2005)
Integrity -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3, Psalm 5:1-8 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
In our very commercialized society, where it's often assumed that everything and everyone has their
The Price Of Faith -- Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29, 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
The ongoing debate over how America ought to respond to what many consider a rising tide of illegal
One Sin At A Time -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
When we hear of atrocities and other deplorable acts in our world, it is easy to imagine that we are
A Seeker's Faith -- John 6:1-21, Ephesians 3:14-21, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Psalm 14 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
From newspaper editorial pages and cable television news channels to internet "blogs" and direct-mai
What Is Truth? -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Like many other things in our culture, truth seems to be a concept that is often for sale to the hig
Nothing Hid From Its Heat -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
It's the nature of the news business that gripping human interest stories and immediate crises domin
Who Should Carry The Load? -- Mark 14:1--15:47, Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Passion Sunday - B
T
Alive Again! -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman, Carter Shelley -- Easter Day - B
Low Sunday! Slow Sunday! "oh No" Sunday! -- John 20:19-31, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35, Psalm 133 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Car-Nation And Christianity -- John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:16-24, Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Listening To God Through Bird Flu -- John 15:9-17, 1 John 5:1-6, Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
One of the distinguishing features of these first few years of the 21st century has been how much in
It's A Small World After All -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman -- Day of Pentecost - B
Media theorist Marshall McLuhan first coined the term "global village" nearly four decades ago, and
Seeds Of Disaster And Seeds Of Hope -- Mark 4:26-34, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
The American military operation last week resulting in the death of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Za
Scandal, Betrayal, Hope, Thanksgiving -- Mark 13:1-8, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
This week Stephen McCutchan will write about how the church gets through hard times by sticking toge
Living With Anger -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Psalm 130 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
The furor surrounding Mel Gibson and his outburst toward a police officer has been a major item in t
Faithing Our Fears -- Mark 7:24-37, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Psalm 125 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Fear -- and our varying responses to it -- will likely be one of the enduring legacies from Hurrican

Sermon

The Immediate Word

The Tyranny Of The Quick Response -- Matthew 14:22-33, Romans 10:5-15, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Argile Smith -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2008
When faced with a crisis, our first reaction is to try to come up with a quick solution.
Be Ready: The Lord Is Coming! -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC, Stephen P. McCutchan, George Reed -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
(Originally published November 30, 2008)
God's Oil Change: From Mourning To Gladness -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126 -- George Reed, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
(Originally published December 14, 2008)
The Throne Of David -- Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-20 -- Robin Lostetter, Richard E. Gribble, CSC, Stephen P. McCutchan, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
(Originally published December 21, 2008)
Signs Of The Times -- Luke 12:49-56, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
In the Gospel lesson for this Sunday (Luke 12:49-56), Jesus chides the disciples for focusing on imm
A Far-Out Teacher -- Luke 13:10-17, Hebrews 12:18-29, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2007
With summer winding down and back-to-school planning on the minds of the young people and teachers i
No One Left Behind -- Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, Psalm 14 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2007
There have been several recent news stories about people being lost, toward whom costly rescue effor
Any Lazaruses On Your Front Porch? -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
This week's Immediate Word uses Luke 16:19-31 to tell how easy it is for most of us to think
The Illusion Of Human Power -- Luke 19:1-10, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 65 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2007
The mystery of the randomness of nature... we have seen so much devastating weather lately.
As Others See Us -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 98 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2007
It's easy to throw stones at distant targets.
An Unlikely Time -- Matthew 3:1-12, Romans 15:4-13, Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Advent is a time of waiting, of expectation. But what are we waiting for?
How's Your Iq? -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30 -- Barbara Jurgensen, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2007
According to Robert Fulghum's best-seller, everything we need to know we learned in kindergarten.
Sin: A Public And Private Affair! -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 1:2-10, Psalm 85 -- Paul Bresnahan, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2007
As recent headlines about scandalous conduct have reminded us, sin is a constant in human endeavors.
Enduring Purses -- Luke 12:32-40, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- Paul Bresnahan, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
As you are no doubt aware if you read the business pages, there has been a bit of an ongoing soap op
The Risk Of Being A Peacemaker -- John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10, Numbers 21:4-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God," Jesus tells us in the Beatit
Home For The Holidays? -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published November 27, 2005)
The Comfort Zone -- Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, George L. Murphy, Chris Ewing, Carlos Wilton, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 4, 2005)
Marketing The Messiah -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126 -- Chris Ewing, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 11, 2005)
The Prince Of Peace In A World Of Violence -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), John 1:1-14, Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, George Reed -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Originally published for December 24-25, 2005)
Answering The Call -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Acts 8:14-17, Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
In the time of year when daylight is the least, the brightest gift came to us, our Lord, Jesus Chris
Choosing Hope -- Luke 4:21-30, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C
Where do we, as a people, look for hope? Or, as a people, have we given up on hope?
Cry Out "something Is Wrong" -- 2 Corinthians 5:(14-15) 16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
In this week's epistle passage, Paul focuses on the singular importance of reconciliation: "[I]n Chr
It Is Evening... -- Mark 4:35-41, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, Psalm 9:9-20 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan, Wesley T. Runk -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
When the first storm of the 2006 hurricane season posed a threat to Florida last week, many media st
The Hope For Peace -- Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20, Titus 3:4-7, Isaiah 62:6-12, Psalm 97 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
Hope is all around us this time of year.
Just A Glimpse -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a), 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
"Moses did not know the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God." "And while he

Worship

The Immediate Word

Any Lazaruses On Your Front Porch? -- Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
This week's Immediate Word uses Luke 16:19-31 to tell how easy it is for most of us to think
The Illusion Of Human Power -- Luke 19:1-10, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 65 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Barbara Jurgensen, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2007
The mystery of the randomness of nature... we have seen so much devastating weather lately.
As Others See Us -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalm 98 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2007
It's easy to throw stones at distant targets.
An Unlikely Time -- Matthew 3:1-12, Romans 15:4-13, Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Advent is a time of waiting, of expectation. But what are we waiting for?
The Risk Of Being A Peacemaker -- John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10, Numbers 21:4-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2006
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God," Jesus tells us in the Beatit
The Comfort Zone -- Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, George L. Murphy, Chris Ewing, Carlos Wilton, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 4, 2005)
Marketing The Messiah -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126 -- Chris Ewing, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published December 11, 2005)
The Prince Of Peace In A World Of Violence -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), John 1:1-14, Isaiah 9:2-7 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, George Reed -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
(Originally published for December 24-25, 2005)
Home For The Holidays? -- Mark 13:24-37, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Originally published November 27, 2005)
Integrity -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36--8:3, Psalm 5:1-8 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
In our very commercialized society, where it's often assumed that everything and everyone has their
The Price Of Faith -- Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29, 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
The ongoing debate over how America ought to respond to what many consider a rising tide of illegal
One Sin At A Time -- Matthew 2:13-23, Hebrews 2:10-18, Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
When we hear of atrocities and other deplorable acts in our world, it is easy to imagine that we are
A Seeker's Faith -- John 6:1-21, Ephesians 3:14-21, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Psalm 14 -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B
From newspaper editorial pages and cable television news channels to internet "blogs" and direct-mai
What Is Truth? -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Like many other things in our culture, truth seems to be a concept that is often for sale to the hig
Nothing Hid From Its Heat -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Carlos Wilton, George L. Murphy, Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman, Wesley T. Runk -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
It's the nature of the news business that gripping human interest stories and immediate crises domin
Who Should Carry The Load? -- Mark 14:1--15:47, Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Passion Sunday - B
T
Alive Again! -- Carlos Wilton, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman, Carter Shelley -- Easter Day - B
Low Sunday! Slow Sunday! "oh No" Sunday! -- John 20:19-31, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35, Psalm 133 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Car-Nation And Christianity -- John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:16-24, Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23 -- Carter Shelley, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Listening To God Through Bird Flu -- John 15:9-17, 1 John 5:1-6, Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
One of the distinguishing features of these first few years of the 21st century has been how much in
It's A Small World After All -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman -- Day of Pentecost - B
Media theorist Marshall McLuhan first coined the term "global village" nearly four decades ago, and
Seeds Of Disaster And Seeds Of Hope -- Mark 4:26-34, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Carter Shelley, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
The American military operation last week resulting in the death of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Za
Scandal, Betrayal, Hope, Thanksgiving -- Mark 13:1-8, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
This week Stephen McCutchan will write about how the church gets through hard times by sticking toge
Living With Anger -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Psalm 130 -- Scott Suskovic, Stephen P. McCutchan, Thom M. Shuman -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
The furor surrounding Mel Gibson and his outburst toward a police officer has been a major item in t
Faithing Our Fears -- Mark 7:24-37, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Psalm 125 -- Thom M. Shuman, Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B
Fear -- and our varying responses to it -- will likely be one of the enduring legacies from Hurrican
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
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

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For July 6, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity for the children.

Note: You will need an older volunteer to help with this activity. One option would be to find a teenager with some physical ability. If a teen is not available, an adult could be used instead. For simplicity here, I will refer to my older volunteer as “TOM”. You will also need to select three of your younger children to serve as volunteers in the story.

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
2 Kings 5:1-14
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30
Naaman seeks healing. He travels hoping healing will come to him when he visits the king of Israel. Yet, healing does not come in that way. Rather healing comes through Elishah. Healing comes from believing and being cleansed in the River Jordan. Healing comes through Naaman’s faithfulness and through God’s grace. Psalm 30 also reminds us to seek healing; to seek God and God will heal and restore us. Do we believe that? Do we believe that God can bring healing?

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ (vv. 10-11)

When I visit your church for the first time, consider the possibility that I might be looking for a church home. I am a good-looking old guy, but I have gray hair and I dress down in the summer, so don’t be put off by my cargo shorts and tank top. Talk to me!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Damien and Ora grinned at each other in excitement. The time had come - at last! They'd been with the Leader for months and months, waiting for this moment. Not that it had felt much like training. They'd simply lived with the Leader, listening to his stories, hearing about the Kingdom, learning to get along really well with all the other people at Mission Headquarters. Now all seventy of them were ready, the spaceship had docked, and the Mission was about to begin. Ora was glad she'd been paired up with Damien again.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Stan Purdum
Carlos Wilton
(See Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle B, and Easter 3, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

Anyone who has ever had the experience of losing a friend because of some conflict or dispute, and then has had the friendship restored because of love and forgiveness, has a unique insight into the meaning of this psalm. Although the poem begins and ends with praise, there is in the middle of the poem a brief moment of confession and contrition that puts the praise portions of the psalm in an entirely different light.

April Yamasaki
A word of encouragement came from an unlikely source the other day in a television interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The former football player, wrestler, and now actor was asked about a low time in his life when he was very discouraged about his career and future.

"How did you make your way back from that?" he was asked.

The Rock replied, "You have to put yourself out there. You have to get out there and fail, and learn from your failures."

Larry D. Powell
In the summer of 1983, I participated in a ministerial exchange program sponsored by my denomination. My assignment was to a circuit of churches on the Isle of Man, a tiny island located in the Irish Sea. The months preceding the exchange included considerable correspondence with the minister on the island with whom I would exchange pastoral duties for six weeks.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
A wealthy businessman decided to take a walk and eat his lunch at the same time. He strolled by a park. There he purchased a hot dog and a soft drink. As he walked through the park two different "street people" approached him one by one. Each asked, "Can you help me? I am hungry." Each time the businessman looked straight ahead and kept walking. After finishing his lunch, he stopped and bought a chocolate eclair for dessert. As he was about to take the first bite, he was forced to jump out of the way as a young boy raced by on his skateboard. The eclair went flying and landed on the ground.

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