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Every once in a while...

Illustration
Every once in a while I get together with some people who used to work with me at the accounting firm where I was before I went to seminary. And every time we get together, we end up commenting that the people they have working there now just aren't the same caliber as when we were there. The idea is that when we left, we were irreplaceable. Maybe you are the same way. Think back to some job you had, or some club office you held, and at some level, you want to believe that you were irreplaceable. That might be the message we want to hear, but it's just not true.
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Proper 27 | OT 32 | Pentecost 25
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 26
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christ the King
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
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New & Featured This Week

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John Jamison
Object: This week’s object is an activity for everyone to join in.

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The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For November 17, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
1 Samuel 1:4-20
David Coffin
The sizzling, fresh aroma of bratwursts and fresh beef burgers is carried downwind to the parsonage living room of Pastor Jamie and family. For over 35 years Pastor Jamie would be rushing out to such events in this town of Gunkel. With local country and western music bands playing in the background, the community celebrates Founder’s Day of Joe and Emma Schwart-hogg. In times past, Pastor Jamie would already have ordered two sandwiches, fries and a drink and sit at a picnic table to visit with townspeople. This year however, Pastor Jamie has chosen to keep a low profile. Why?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“I wish I knew when all of this would be over,” Ben said.

“Me too.” Jill squeezed his hand from her hospital bed. “Some things we just can’t know. Remember the sermon that Pastor Tim preached last Sunday?”

“The one about the end times?” Ben rubbed his chin. “I have to admit it wasn’t the sermon I thought it would be.”

“What did you expect he would say?”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Life isn't always smooth. Jesus calls us to difficult and painful times as well as to times of joy and delight. In our worship today, let us explore something of his call.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, I don't understand how you could ever let me suffer.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, I thought that once I decided to follow you, everything would be wonderful.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jo Perry-Sumwalt
Christmas, 1979

Dear Ones:

From May 7 until June 11, 1979, it was my pleasure to spend 35 days travelling and visiting in the northwest United States, using a Greyhound Ameripass. So many events with inspirational implications happened that the desire to share some of them with you results in this letter.
James Evans
Hannah's song is probably best-known and most frequently associated in the liturgy as an accompanying reading for the celebration of the angelic visitation to Mary (Luke 1:39-57). When the text is used in this manner, Hannah serves as a type of Mary, with her song echoing themes and expressions to be found in Mary's song.

Steven E. Albertin
Introductory Drama

Characters:
Man
Woman

(Scene: The entrance to eternity. A man sits at a desk, papers before him. Woman enters. She goes to the man and stands quietly. The man looks up.)

Man: Heaven on your right -- hell on your left.

Woman: (Looking at the doors, in awe) You mean that door leads to heaven ... and that one to hell?

Man: That is correct. Please don't take too long. There are others waiting.

Woman: But ... what do I do?
Robert A. Hausman
How to have law and order without tyranny? That is the question. Israel began as a rather loosely connected tribal confederacy. The Israelite tribes were led by charismatic leaders, or judges, under the divine direction of Yahweh. They were supposed to be knit together in one harmonious unit. They would avoid the tyranny, which was the result of being governed by a king. Instead, they would have Yahweh alone as their king. It sounded good, and certainly the book of the Judges reflects moments of such peaceful unity, but reality was often quite different.

Lee Ann Dunlap
In the early years of the sixteenth century, a young adventurer named Nicolas Herman left his parents' home near Lorraine, France, to join the French army. Wounded in war, he returned home to recuperate and thus began a process of soul searching that led to Christian commitment.

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