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William G. Carter

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A Breeze In The Dark -- John 3:1-17 -- William G. Carter -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2018
In his autobiography, actor Alec Guinness tells a story that might keep every pastor and church scho
Bread of Life -- John 6:34, 41-51 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2011
One of the things you may have noticed about the four gospels is that each, in some way, addresses t
The Meal that Stays with You -- John 6:51-58 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2011
Gene Roddenberry is widely remembered as the creator of Star Trek, one of the most successful
Dirty Fingernails, Clean Hearts -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 17-23 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2011
One thing I have noticed about church people is how they usually wash up before they go to church.
Going to the Dogs -- Mark 7:24-37 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2011
There are some Bible stories that embarrass me and this is one of them.
A Glance and a Sigh -- Mark 7:24-37 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2011
There is a scripture text that I would commend to all of us.
Testifying Among Other Shrines -- Mark 8:27-38 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2011
The tourist bus rolled into the parking lot at Caesarea Philippi.
Welcoming the Child -- Mark 9:30-37 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2011
"Hey you! Get out of here!"
For Us or Against Us? -- Mark 9:38-50 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2011
On a day like World Communion Sunday, we remember the world is much bigger than we think.
Welcome to the Household -- Mark 10:2-16 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2011
Some years ago, theologian Edward Farley raised a good question for preachers: "When we stand up on
The God Who Gives -- John 6:24-35 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2011
We had a very tasty meal.
Chew on This -- John 6:56-69 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2011
The sermon was a flop. Jesus had been invited to preach at the synagogue in Capernaum.
No Longer Damned -- Romans 8:1-11 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2004
The text for today is Romans, chapter 8, verse 1: "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who
Speaking Of The Spirit -- Romans 8:12-25 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2004
There's something you might not know about the Apostle Paul.
No Shame -- Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31) -- William G. Carter -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2004
I am very taken by what Paul says.
Still Sinners, Still Forgiven -- Romans 5:1-8 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2004
I have an announcement to make. Today's sermon is not for everybody.
At War With Myself -- Romans 7:15-25a -- William G. Carter -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2004
In a certain church, a woman was leading the congregation in the prayer of confession.
Slaves Of A Different Master -- Romans 6:12-23 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2004
Earlier this week somebody asked what the sermon was about.
Thank God, We're Already Dead -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2004
If you ever find yourself on the corner of 56th Street and Lexington Avenue in New York City, stop i
The Gifted -- 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- William G. Carter -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2004
If you ask me, a sermon should say only one thing.
Uncle Abraham -- Romans 4:13-25 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2004
I have good news for you this morning. None of you are good enough to be here.
A Name Not Taken In Vain -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- William G. Carter -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2004
In the middle of March, 1961, a minister named Duffy splashed water on my head in the middle of a Su

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The God Who Gives -- John 6:24-35 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2011
We had a very tasty meal.
Going to the Dogs -- Mark 7:24-37 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2011
There are some Bible stories that embarrass me and this is one of them.
Chew on This -- John 6:56-69 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2011
The sermon was a flop. Jesus had been invited to preach at the synagogue in Capernaum.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
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...

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Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 and Psalm 79:1-9
In the spring as farmers and gardeners prepare to plant we are looking at a summer of possibilities. Hard work, to be sure, but also potential. What will happen? What will this season be like? At summer’s end there will be no more questions. We’ll know. Maybe it was a great season, and we have canned or frozen many vegetables. Maybe the farmers have brought in a bumper crop and they got a good price besides.

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Object: This message will be based on a game you will play. See the note below.

NOTE: Ask three or more adults to come up and play the role of Simon for your group. Tell them to all speak at once, asking the children to do different things. The goal is to create a nice bit of confusion for the children to experience.

* * *

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

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hey!” Annie waved at the woman standing next to the open doorway. “Can you come here?”

The woman made her way past the other nursing home residents and stood next to Annie’s wheelchair.

“What can I do for you?”

“You look familiar.” Annie squinted at her. “Do I know your name?”

“I’m Brenda.” The woman pointed at her name tag. “I work in the kitchen and sometimes help serve the meals when they are ready.”

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The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” In our worship today let us remember the little things in our lives and ask God to help us to be utterly faithful in them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we pretend that little sins don't matter.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we imagine that you don't notice little sins.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
This poignant prayer of lament and community grief gives expression to what it feels like to suffer as a person of faith. If we believe we are truly part of God's community, then the destruction of that community -- as was the case with Israel in 587 B.C. -- becomes a time for doubt, anger, and confusion. Furthermore, if we believe we are individual members of that community, our personal suffering also creates an opportunity for a crisis of faith: "Why didn't God protect me?" Of course, it does not take a national catastrophe to raise those sorts of questions.
Kirk R. Webster
If feedback is the breakfast of champions, perhaps we would do well to examine some of our prayer habits. If you have ever heard someone use The Just Really Prayer, you know exactly what problem we are talking about.

That prayer goes something like this, "Lord, we just really thank you for this day. We come before you and just really pray for mercy. We offer ourselves to you and just really ask that your will be done in our lives. Amen." I'm thankful this particular Just Really prayer was mercifully short, unlike the next example, The Good Guilt-Based Prayer.
John W. Wurster
Another season has come and gone. Promises that were made have not been fulfilled. Good intentions haven't yielded any tangible results. Dreams have not come true. High hopes have proven to be only wishful thinking. Nothing has really changed; nothing has really improved. The time keeps moving along, but we seem stuck in the same ruts. Old routines remain, prejudices persist, dullness and anxiety continue to be constant companions. Lingering in the air is that nagging sense that things aren't quite right, not as they could be, not as they should be.
R. Robert Cueni
In the scripture lesson for today Jesus tells a perplexing parable about a thoroughly dishonest employee who was praised for his dishonesty. In this story Jesus not only seems comfortable suggesting that it is acceptable to compromise with moral failings, but our Lord appears to commend his disciples to "go and do likewise." For centuries, preachers, commentators, and scholars have struggled to make sense of this outrageous tale.

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