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Children's sermon

Let Us Go Forth and Not Be Offended -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:5-10, Luke 1:46b-55 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022

For December 11, 2022:

Why Pass By? -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37, Psalm 82, Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Psalm 25:1-10 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2022

For July 10, 2022:

Missile Gap -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022

For December 18, 2022:

Hospitality -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42, Psalm 52 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2022

For July 17, 2022:

No Room? No Way! -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Psalm 96, Psalm 98, John 1:1-14 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2022

For December 25, 2022:

Brood of Vipers -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Psalm 29 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Tom Willadsen -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2022

For January 9, 2022:

When The Wine Runs Out -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11, Psalm 138 -- Christopher Keating, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2022

For January 16, 2021:

Coach Comes Calling -- Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2022

For January 23, 2022:

Bait and Switch -- Luke 4:21-30, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Katy Stenta, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2022

For January 30, 2022:

Negotiating the Power of Life -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 29 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2021

For May 30, 2021:

Walking the Line -- Mark 3:20-35, 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), Genesis 3:8-15, Psalm 138, Psalm 130 -- Christopher Keating, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2021

For June 6, 2021:

The Image of God -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34, Psalm 20 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Chris Keating, George Reed -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2021

For June 13, 2021:

Underdog? -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2021

For June 20, 2021:

Waiting for the Lord -- and People -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 130, Psalm 30, Lamentations 3:22-33 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2021

For June 27, 2021:

Playing Chess with Death -- Mark 6:14-29, Ephesians 1:3-14, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Psalm 24 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2021

For July 11, 2021:

Mending Walls -- Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, Psalm 89:20-37, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2021

For July 18, 2021:

The Love of Power vs. The Power of Love -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21, Psalm 14 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2021

For July 25, 2021:

Message or Miracle? -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Chris Keating, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2021

For August 1, 2021:

Do Not Make Room for the Devil -- 2 Samuel 19:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51, Psalm 130 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Quantisha Mason-Doll, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2021

For August 8, 2021:

Wisdom with Humility -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58, Psalm 111 -- Thomas Willadsen, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2021

For August 15, 2021:

Heading For The Exits -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69, Psalm 84 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2021

For August 22, 2021:

The Ingathering -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Psalm 147:12-20, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B, Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2021

For January 3, 2021:

Heartwork -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Katy Stenta, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, George Reed, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2021

For August 29, 2021:

Chaos Into Order -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11, Psalm 29 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Bethany Peerbolte, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2021

For January 10, 2021:

Hearing Our Siblings' Cries -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37, Psalm 125, Genesis 2:15 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2021

For September 5, 2021:

Illustration

The Immediate Word

You Want Me to Do What? -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11, Psalm 138 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2022

For February 6, 2022:

To Judge Is Human, To Forgive Divine -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38, Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2022

For February 20, 2022:

Mountaintop Metamorphosis -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a), Psalm 99 -- Christopher Keating, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2022

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There’s Bad News and There’s Good News -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Katy Stenta, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2021

For January 17, 2021:

Controlling the Narrative -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38, Psalm 19 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2021

For September 12, 2021:

And Immediately, God’s Mind Is Finally Changed -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:5-12 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021

For January 24, 2021:

Suffer The Powerless -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37, Psalm 1 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Chris Keating, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll, Katy Stenta -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2021

For September 19, 2021:

Non-Prophet Culture -- Mark 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111 -- Christopher Keating, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen, Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2021

For January 31, 2021:

The Price of Admission -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50, Psalm 124 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Quantisha Mason-Doll -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2021

For September 26, 2021:

Waiting on the Lord -- Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2021

For February 7, 2021:

The Kingdom of God Goes to School -- Mark 10:2-16, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Psalm 26, Psalm 8, Genesis 2:18-24 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Quantisha Mason-Doll, George Reed, Katy Stenta -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2021

For October 3, 2021:

Dwelling in the Mystery -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9, Psalm 50:1-6 -- Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Katy Stenta, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2021

For February 14, 2021:

Liturgy

Preaching

The Immediate Word

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Faith is a Verb -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23, Genesis 15:1-6, Psalm 33:12-22 -- Katy Stenta, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2022

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Sermon

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Worship

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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

Scoundrels

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed

For September 21, 2025:

Scoundrels by Tom Willadsen based on Luke 16:1-13.
Second Thoughts: The Lament of Jeremiah: Reflections on Human Choice and Communal Suffering by Nazish Naseem based on Jeremiah 8:18--9:1,.
Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Planting Seeds

Frank Ramirez

Well, it’s autumn, and by now the seeds we planted in the spring either took root and produced or else the weather, pests, rabbits, or our own laziness conspired to make this year’s garden less than a success. But at one point we had to get started and actually plant seeds for the future.

Jeremiah is looking back from the perspective of our spiritual well-being and laments than our spiritual harvest has all been for naught. He wonders if it is now too late for a recovery. Is there no healing, no balm in Gilead, to apply to our wounds?

Sermons Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2025)

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez

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.

CSSPlus

Masters

John Jamison

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

Shrewd Christians

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.”

“That’s right. I think we’ve met before.” Annie tapped her lips with her finger. “You have the nice smile.”

The Village Shepherd

The Potato Race

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

Proper 20 / Pentecost 15 / Ordinary Time 25

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.

Pray, Pray, Pray

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.

Changing Seasons, Constant Love

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.

Jesus' Most Perplexing Parable

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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Thomas WilladsenNazish NaseemDean FeldmeyerMary AustinKaty StentaGeorge Reed

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This Week’s Scriptures

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez