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The Immediate Word

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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)
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Carter Shelley, Charles Cammarata -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for December 29, 2002)
Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)
A Sword Will Pierce Your Own Soul Also -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dear fellow preachers,
Waiting For The Birth Of A Jewish Baby -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
The Message On A Postcard -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
December 5, 2004Second Sunday in Advent / Cycle A
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
One Nation Under God? Democracy And Faith In 2004 -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
With the 4th of July taking place on a Sunday this year, it would be hard for any minister to conduc
Christian Perspectives On War -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Carter Shelley -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Speaking Our Truth -- Acts 17: 22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Chris Ewing -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A
"(The Apostle Peter's) current successor," declared the newly minted Benedict XVI in his first papal
Is It Good To Be King? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, John 18:33-37 -- Carter Shelley -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
A Calendar, A Dream, A Child, And A Donkey -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
December 26, 2004First Sunday after Christmas / Cycle A
Military Might And National Idols -- Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
The Prophet's Prescription -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers
Spirit Or Spirit? -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Day of Pentecost - A
Every year Pentecost rolls around and church-school teachers rack their brains to figure out how to
The Message On A Postcard -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Who Needs Forgiveness? -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
Prepare Or Beware! -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
God Plays No Favorites -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Here at The Immediate Word, we think that no preacher should go long without saying something
A Word From The Wounded Healer To Contemporary Christians Seeking Physical And Spiritual Health -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Speaking Our Truth -- Acts 17: 22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Chris Ewing -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A
"(The Apostle Peter's) current successor," declared the newly minted Benedict XVI in his first papal
Is It Good To Be King? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, John 18:33-37 -- Carter Shelley -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
A Calendar, A Dream, A Child, And A Donkey -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
December 26, 2004First Sunday after Christmas / Cycle A
Military Might And National Idols -- Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
The Prophet's Prescription -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
Spirit Or Spirit? -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Day of Pentecost - A
Every year Pentecost rolls around and church-school teachers rack their brains to figure out how to
The Message On A Postcard -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Who Needs Forgiveness? -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
Prepare Or Beware! -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
God Plays No Favorites -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Here at The Immediate Word, we think that no preacher should go long without saying something
A Word From The Wounded Healer To Contemporary Christians Seeking Physical And Spiritual Health -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Sometimes God Is There -- So Quickly! -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Carter Shelley -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Dear fellow preachers,
Hosea: The Movie! -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Introduction and Background
Sacrifice And Service -- Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
As modern preachers choke over the choice Abraham faced and the God who asked it of him, a not dissi
What Child Is This? -- Matthew 2:13-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Living With Fear -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
My Big Fat Greek Religion -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- Carlos Wilton -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
It's Not The Economy, Stupid -- Luke 12:13-21, Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Roger Lovette -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C
Introducing the Texts
Constructing Community -- Genesis 29:15-28, Psalm 128, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
The shock of betrayal that Jacob experienced the morning after his wedding resonates all too easily
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,

Liturgy

Preaching

The Immediate Word

The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Carter Shelley, Charles Cammarata -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for December 29, 2002)
Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)
Waiting For The Birth Of A Jewish Baby -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
A Sword Will Pierce Your Own Soul Also -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dear fellow preachers,
One Nation Under God? Democracy And Faith In 2004 -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
With the 4th of July taking place on a Sunday this year, it would be hard for any minister to conduc
Is It Good To Be King? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, John 18:33-37 -- Carter Shelley -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Speaking Our Truth -- Acts 17: 22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Chris Ewing -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A
"(The Apostle Peter's) current successor," declared the newly minted Benedict XVI in his first papal
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
The Message On A Postcard -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
December 5, 2004Second Sunday in Advent / Cycle A
Christian Perspectives On War -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Carter Shelley -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
The Message On A Postcard -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Spirit Or Spirit? -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Day of Pentecost - A
Every year Pentecost rolls around and church-school teachers rack their brains to figure out how to
Military Might And National Idols -- Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
A Calendar, A Dream, A Child, And A Donkey -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
December 26, 2004First Sunday after Christmas / Cycle A
The Prophet's Prescription -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Prepare Or Beware! -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
Who Needs Forgiveness? -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Hosea: The Movie! -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
Introduction and Background
What Child Is This? -- Matthew 2:13-18, Luke 2:41-52 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Sacrifice And Service -- Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
As modern preachers choke over the choice Abraham faced and the God who asked it of him, a not dissi

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)
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Carter Shelley, Charles Cammarata -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for December 29, 2002)
Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)
A Sword Will Pierce Your Own Soul Also -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dear fellow preachers,
Waiting For The Birth Of A Jewish Baby -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Speaking Our Truth -- Acts 17: 22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Chris Ewing -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A
"(The Apostle Peter's) current successor," declared the newly minted Benedict XVI in his first papal
Christian Perspectives On War -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Carter Shelley -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
The Message On A Postcard -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
December 5, 2004Second Sunday in Advent / Cycle A
One Nation Under God? Democracy And Faith In 2004 -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
With the 4th of July taking place on a Sunday this year, it would be hard for any minister to conduc
Is It Good To Be King? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, John 18:33-37 -- Carter Shelley -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Spirit Or Spirit? -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Day of Pentecost - A
Every year Pentecost rolls around and church-school teachers rack their brains to figure out how to
The Prophet's Prescription -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers
A Calendar, A Dream, A Child, And A Donkey -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
December 26, 2004First Sunday after Christmas / Cycle A
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
The Message On A Postcard -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Military Might And National Idols -- Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
Who Needs Forgiveness? -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Prepare Or Beware! -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Sacrifice And Service -- Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
As modern preachers choke over the choice Abraham faced and the God who asked it of him, a not dissi
Sometimes God Is There -- So Quickly! -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Carter Shelley -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Dear fellow preachers,

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)
The Two Towers And The Prince Of Peace And Light -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carlos Wilton, Carter Shelley, Charles Cammarata -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for December 29, 2002)
Can We 'let Heaven And Nature Sing'? -- Luke 2:22-40, Galatians 4:4-7, Isaiah 61:10--62:3 -- George L. Murphy, Carter Shelley, Terry Cain -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
(Originally published for January 1, 2006)
A Sword Will Pierce Your Own Soul Also -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Dear fellow preachers,
Waiting For The Birth Of A Jewish Baby -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36 -- George L. Murphy -- First Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Speaking Our Truth -- Acts 17: 22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22 -- Chris Ewing -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A
"(The Apostle Peter's) current successor," declared the newly minted Benedict XVI in his first papal
Christian Perspectives On War -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 -- Carter Shelley -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
The Message On A Postcard -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - A
December 5, 2004Second Sunday in Advent / Cycle A
One Nation Under God? Democracy And Faith In 2004 -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Carter Shelley -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C
With the 4th of July taking place on a Sunday this year, it would be hard for any minister to conduc
Is It Good To Be King? -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, John 18:33-37 -- Carter Shelley -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Dead Or Alive -- Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Spirit Or Spirit? -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Mary Boyd Click -- Day of Pentecost - A
Every year Pentecost rolls around and church-school teachers rack their brains to figure out how to
The Prophet's Prescription -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers
A Calendar, A Dream, A Child, And A Donkey -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- Julia Ross Strope -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A
December 26, 2004First Sunday after Christmas / Cycle A
Being A Neighbor In A World In Crisis -- Luke 10:25-37, Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14 -- David E. Leininger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C
After the horrors of the first half of the twentieth century, many of us hoped that the human race h
The Message On A Postcard -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Military Might And National Idols -- Exodus 32:1-14, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Vacation Or Vocation? -- Genesis 12:1-9, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 33:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
It's quite traditional for anyone past the age of thirty to worry about "the younger generation" and
Who Needs Forgiveness? -- Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Dear Fellow Preachers,
Killing Pain -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- George L. Murphy -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
January 2, 2005Second Sunday After Christmas, Cycle A
All Things -- Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 148 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
There is always some news about it, though it is not always on the front page.
Prepare Or Beware! -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Carter Shelley -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's Really Scary Is ... -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A
Dear fellow preachers,
Sacrifice And Service -- Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 13, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 -- Chris Ewing -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A
As modern preachers choke over the choice Abraham faced and the God who asked it of him, a not dissi
Sometimes God Is There -- So Quickly! -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Carter Shelley -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Dear fellow preachers,
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
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

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For September 14, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A sheep stuffy or toy.

* * *

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

Did you know that Jesus traveled around and hunted for people who were doing something illegal and breaking the laws? (Let them respond.) He really did.And when he found someone who was doing something illegal, do you know what he did with them? (Let them respond.)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Our text tells us that we are skilled in doing evil (v.22). An anonymous late medieval treatise titled German Theology tells us why:

It is the nature and property of the creature to seek itself and its own things, and this and that, here and there, and in all that it does and leaves undone as desire is to its own advantage and benefit. (Varieties of Mystic Experience, p.162)

Martin Luther King, Jr. offers an alternative to this vision:
David Coffin
All three of today’s texts can be viewed as good news that God never gives up on God’s people. This is despite their resistance to repent or simple straying from the community of faith. We can observe family and loved ones at various points of their faith journey through the lens of each of these texts. Jeremiah 4 informs the people their neglect of honoring their covenant with God is about to result in disastrous consequences. Paul recalls in 1 Timothy 1 how he thought he was falling God’s will until he had his literal come to Jesus moment!

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (vv. 6-7)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus told stories to illustrate to the people God's gladness whenever anyone turned to him and chose life. There is still rejoicing in heaven whenever any one of us turns to God.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes I think I'm too insignificant for you to bother with me.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I don't bother with you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes I don't bother with other people, but only with myself.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)

The psalm writer has an interesting perspective on the origin of injustice in our world. He begins this psalm with the assertion that those who do not believe in God are "fools." He goes on to accuse them of corruption and of being incapable of doing good. Later on he writes, "Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord?" (v. 4).

Elizabeth Achtemeier
"Now it is I who speak in judgment upon them" (v. 12). Ours is a society that does not accept that as the Word of God. Many people do not believe that God judges anyone. Rather, the Lord is a forgiving God, a kindly deity who overlooks all wrong. As in the Gospel lesson for the morning, the Lord searches for the one lost sheep and returns it gently to the fold, or he hunts for the one lost coin until he finds it. God accepts the lost as they are, we think, overlooking Jesus' teaching about repentance and transformation of life.
Scott Suskovic
We usually don't spend too much time thinking about our own sinfulness. On occasion, of course, our feelings of guilt overwhelm us. We can't stop thinking about our sinfulness. If we are in that situation, we may need to talk that out with someone. Apart from times like that, we don't think much about our own sinfulness. We have ways of getting around that.

R. Robert Cueni
Back before the ways of the Taliban became common knowledge, there was a fascinating little article about how they jailed barbers when they didn't do culturally correct haircuts.1 The newspaper reported that young men in Kabul, Afghanistan, have started wearing their hair the way the actor Leonardo DiCaprio wears his. Long, not only on the sides, but so long in the front that hair can drop over the eyes. They call the style, "the Titanic," named for the blockbuster movie starring DiCaprio about the 1912 sinking of the cruise ship by that name.

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