Passion Sunday - A
Judy Sepsey
David O. Bales
Contents
"In the Arms of Love" by Judy Sepsey
"Mother of Judas" by David O. Bales
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Introducing Judy Sepsey
I heard Judy tell this powerful story of her brother's death in Vietnam at a recent Sunday school class in our church. It touched all of our hearts. Knowing that Judy is an award winning author, I asked her to write the story. She agreed to let me share it here. I know Judy's story will be an inspiration for those who are preaching on lectionary texts on Palm Sunday.
-- John Sumwalt
In the Arms of Love
by Judy Sepsey
Bryan Meadows
David O. Bales
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Upwards Motion" by Bryan Meadows
"Is It Truth?" by David Bales
What's Up This Week
As we enter the week where we commemorate the central event of our faith, it can be easy, in the world we live in, to question the truth of our faith. Our faith is assaulted constantly. It is easy to become weary. "Upwards Motion" offers insight as to how spending time in the word of God and in prayer can strengthen us to face those assaults. At times, those assaults can come even against the truth of the gospel. Did it really happen? David Bales chronicles such an occasion of doubt in "Is It Truth?" As we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, that same question is asked today: "Is It Truth?" What is our answer?
* * * * * * * * *
Upwards Motion
Bryan Meadows
Isaiah 50:4-9a
What's Up This Week
"Upwards Motion" by Bryan Meadows
"Is It Truth?" by David Bales
What's Up This Week
As we enter the week where we commemorate the central event of our faith, it can be easy, in the world we live in, to question the truth of our faith. Our faith is assaulted constantly. It is easy to become weary. "Upwards Motion" offers insight as to how spending time in the word of God and in prayer can strengthen us to face those assaults. At times, those assaults can come even against the truth of the gospel. Did it really happen? David Bales chronicles such an occasion of doubt in "Is It Truth?" As we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, that same question is asked today: "Is It Truth?" What is our answer?
* * * * * * * * *
Upwards Motion
Bryan Meadows
Isaiah 50:4-9a
John E. Sumwalt
The Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame. (v. 7)
“You should be ashamed of yourself!”
“Shame on you!”
These all too familiar words strike deep in the heart and can scar the soul. We carry the wound of shame as a body memory, like a soldier who bears a wound that never completely heals.
A touch, certain sounds and smells, the taste or sight of something associated with a shameful experience, can trigger post-traumatic shame. Some of us carry shame that does not really belong to us. Survivors of abuse often blame themselves.
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame. (v. 7)
“You should be ashamed of yourself!”
“Shame on you!”
These all too familiar words strike deep in the heart and can scar the soul. We carry the wound of shame as a body memory, like a soldier who bears a wound that never completely heals.
A touch, certain sounds and smells, the taste or sight of something associated with a shameful experience, can trigger post-traumatic shame. Some of us carry shame that does not really belong to us. Survivors of abuse often blame themselves.
Peter Andrew Smith
Peter forced himself to take another deep breath and sit back in his chair. He kept his breathing steady and felt himself start to calm down. There was a knock at his office door and his heart began to race. “Come in.”
Rose opened the door. “Have you got a moment?”
“What can I do for you?”
“I have a hard copy of the report that you asked for.” Rose handed him a stack of papers.
“Thanks.” Peter placed them on the desk. “Was there something else?”
Rose considered him for a moment. “Can I talk about something that’s troubling me?”
Peter gestured at the chair on the other side of the desk.
“I don’t like what happened at the meeting this morning.”
“It was rough.” Peter sat back in his chair. “Unfortunately, it usually is given the personalities and politics that are part of our executive meetings.”
Rose opened the door. “Have you got a moment?”
“What can I do for you?”
“I have a hard copy of the report that you asked for.” Rose handed him a stack of papers.
“Thanks.” Peter placed them on the desk. “Was there something else?”
Rose considered him for a moment. “Can I talk about something that’s troubling me?”
Peter gestured at the chair on the other side of the desk.
“I don’t like what happened at the meeting this morning.”
“It was rough.” Peter sat back in his chair. “Unfortunately, it usually is given the personalities and politics that are part of our executive meetings.”
C. David Mckirachan
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"Tidal Surge" by C. David McKirachan
"We Are Assured" by Frank Ramirez
Tidal Surge
by C. David McKirachan
Matthew 21:1-11
Through my years of ministry, I’d get to Palm Sunday and find myself grumpy, emotionally worn out, and on the edge of anger. I related it to the marathon of Lent, the classes, the special services, and the end of winter all conspiring to put me in an emotional pressure cooker. As years went by, I focused more on the journey of the Lord to Jerusalem, I began to pay attention to the pressure cooker he was in. I realized that Transfiguration was a moment when he made his decision and was affirmed in it to walk the road of sacrifice.
"Tidal Surge" by C. David McKirachan
"We Are Assured" by Frank Ramirez
Tidal Surge
by C. David McKirachan
Matthew 21:1-11
Through my years of ministry, I’d get to Palm Sunday and find myself grumpy, emotionally worn out, and on the edge of anger. I related it to the marathon of Lent, the classes, the special services, and the end of winter all conspiring to put me in an emotional pressure cooker. As years went by, I focused more on the journey of the Lord to Jerusalem, I began to pay attention to the pressure cooker he was in. I realized that Transfiguration was a moment when he made his decision and was affirmed in it to walk the road of sacrifice.
Keith Hewitt
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"God's Way" by Keith Hewitt
"All You Know" by Peter Andrew Smith
* * * * * * *
God's Way
by Keith Hewitt
Isaiah 50:4-9a
A certain style of wide-brimmed hat, when worn low on the brow of a head tilted forward at an angle of about twenty degrees, will not only shield face and eyes from sun and rain, but also from the ubiquitous surveillance cameras that ringed the federal building like an army of unblinking eyes.
This fact did not escape the notice of citizens -- like Tom -- who wished to stay off the watch lists... nor of the government, which was drafting changes to the criminal code which would make the wearing of such hats within 1,300 feet of government buildings a crime. These changes were touted in government circles as a compromise, since the original bureaucratic intent had been to ban the sale and wearing of such hats entirely.
"God's Way" by Keith Hewitt
"All You Know" by Peter Andrew Smith
* * * * * * *
God's Way
by Keith Hewitt
Isaiah 50:4-9a
A certain style of wide-brimmed hat, when worn low on the brow of a head tilted forward at an angle of about twenty degrees, will not only shield face and eyes from sun and rain, but also from the ubiquitous surveillance cameras that ringed the federal building like an army of unblinking eyes.
This fact did not escape the notice of citizens -- like Tom -- who wished to stay off the watch lists... nor of the government, which was drafting changes to the criminal code which would make the wearing of such hats within 1,300 feet of government buildings a crime. These changes were touted in government circles as a compromise, since the original bureaucratic intent had been to ban the sale and wearing of such hats entirely.
John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Palms Liturgy
Matthew 21:1-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Passion Liturgy
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 26:14--27:66
Contents
What's Up This Week
Passion Sunday Sermon Starter: "If You Could Choose a Crown" by John Sumwalt
Holy Thursday Story: "Forsaken?" by Judith Brain
Good Friday Scrap Pile: "A Day for Losers" by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
Matthew 21:1-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Passion Liturgy
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 26:14--27:66
Contents
What's Up This Week
Passion Sunday Sermon Starter: "If You Could Choose a Crown" by John Sumwalt
Holy Thursday Story: "Forsaken?" by Judith Brain
Good Friday Scrap Pile: "A Day for Losers" by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
What is StoryShare?
StoryShare is a treasure house with hundreds of good stories to share, stories which relate authentic, life-changing experiences that demonstrate the Lord's power and presence. Many are intensely personal accounts that concern visions, healing, or answers to prayers, but all bear witness to the indescribable joy, comfort and peace that come from a personal encounter with the divine. Our "Good Stories" section includes short fiction, parables much like those Jesus told.
Can I share stories that I have?
Yes, you can. You have good stories to share too, probably more than you know: personal stories, and stories from others that you have used over the years. StoryShare is always looking for stories involving personal experiences of the presence of God. Have you or someone you know heard the voice of God or been healed as a direct answer to prayer? If you have a story that you can share send it to StoryShare for review. Simply click here (storyshare@sermonsuite.com) and email your story to us.
