Third Sunday of Easter - A
John S. Smylie
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Speak the Truth in Love" by John Smylie
"Recognizing the Christ" by Sandra Herrmann
What's Up This Week
We are all called as Christians to be conformed into the image of our Lord. What are some of the ways that we can do that? One of the ways that we can become more like Jesus, as Peter demonstrated in Acts, is to "Speak the Truth in Love," as John Smylie articulates in his article of the same title. According to Sandra Herrmann in "Recognizing the Christ," we need to see Christ in our daily living, in simple actions like breaking bread with one another. Once that happens, we can begin to transform our world so that it may reflect the glory of God.
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Speak the Truth in Love
By John Smylie
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
What's Up This Week
"Speak the Truth in Love" by John Smylie
"Recognizing the Christ" by Sandra Herrmann
What's Up This Week
We are all called as Christians to be conformed into the image of our Lord. What are some of the ways that we can do that? One of the ways that we can become more like Jesus, as Peter demonstrated in Acts, is to "Speak the Truth in Love," as John Smylie articulates in his article of the same title. According to Sandra Herrmann in "Recognizing the Christ," we need to see Christ in our daily living, in simple actions like breaking bread with one another. Once that happens, we can begin to transform our world so that it may reflect the glory of God.
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Speak the Truth in Love
By John Smylie
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Frank Ramirez
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. (v. 31)
The Battle of Agincourt, which took place on October 25, 1415, should have been a massive defeat for English troops in France. After negotiations broke down over disputed territories, the English invaded France mired under the leadership of King Henry V. After initial victories, English soldiers began to die in large numbers from disease. They attempted to return to England but found their path blocked by the French. Vastly outnumbered, the English nevertheless refused to surrender, and in the ensuing battle not only defeated but massively destroyed the French forces, shifting the balance of power for a generation.
The Battle of Agincourt, which took place on October 25, 1415, should have been a massive defeat for English troops in France. After negotiations broke down over disputed territories, the English invaded France mired under the leadership of King Henry V. After initial victories, English soldiers began to die in large numbers from disease. They attempted to return to England but found their path blocked by the French. Vastly outnumbered, the English nevertheless refused to surrender, and in the ensuing battle not only defeated but massively destroyed the French forces, shifting the balance of power for a generation.
Frank Ramirez
Contents
“A Litany in Time of Plague” by Frank Ramirez
“We Had Hoped He Was The One” by C. David McKirachan
A Litany in Time of Plague
by Frank Ramirez
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. (Psalm 116:3-4)
The plague was a constant danger in the London of Shakespeare’s day. It was transmitted by fleas that were transported by rats. Unfortunately germ theory was not understood at all. Since cats, the natural enemy of rats, were believed to be in league with the devil they were often killed, allowing the disease to be spread even more easily.
“A Litany in Time of Plague” by Frank Ramirez
“We Had Hoped He Was The One” by C. David McKirachan
A Litany in Time of Plague
by Frank Ramirez
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. (Psalm 116:3-4)
The plague was a constant danger in the London of Shakespeare’s day. It was transmitted by fleas that were transported by rats. Unfortunately germ theory was not understood at all. Since cats, the natural enemy of rats, were believed to be in league with the devil they were often killed, allowing the disease to be spread even more easily.
Peter Andrew Smith
John Fitzgerald
Contents
"Burning Hearts" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Gospel of Salvation" by John Fitzgerald
Burning Hearts
by Peter Andrew Smith
Luke 24:13-35
Heather lined the basketball up with the net. She took a deep breath and made her shot. The ball was high and missed. She tried again. This time the ball hit the backboard and went toward the corner. Heather sighed and let the ball bounce away. This is useless. I can’t make a basket no matter how much I try. She made her way over to the bench in the empty community center gymnasium and slumped down.
“I shouldn’t even bother to try out for the team,” she muttered. “I’m useless and uncoordinated.”
“No,” said a voice from the side. “You just need more practice.”
Heather looked up to see the custodian holding her a push broom.
"Burning Hearts" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Gospel of Salvation" by John Fitzgerald
Burning Hearts
by Peter Andrew Smith
Luke 24:13-35
Heather lined the basketball up with the net. She took a deep breath and made her shot. The ball was high and missed. She tried again. This time the ball hit the backboard and went toward the corner. Heather sighed and let the ball bounce away. This is useless. I can’t make a basket no matter how much I try. She made her way over to the bench in the empty community center gymnasium and slumped down.
“I shouldn’t even bother to try out for the team,” she muttered. “I’m useless and uncoordinated.”
“No,” said a voice from the side. “You just need more practice.”
Heather looked up to see the custodian holding her a push broom.
John Fitzgerald
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"Saved from Violence" by John Fitzgerald
"Walking the Road Together" by Peter Andrew Smith
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Saved from Violence
by John Fitzgerald
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
We cannot escape the indictment that our culture has a love affair with violent behavior. Every day it seems there are reminders of living in a culture where innocent victims are gunned down by some deranged madman. One of America's favorite sports, football, encourages full grown men to run into each other at blinding rates of speed. Our entertainment industry pours out television programs and movies that feature sadistic plot lines of people torturing each other.
"Saved from Violence" by John Fitzgerald
"Walking the Road Together" by Peter Andrew Smith
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Saved from Violence
by John Fitzgerald
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
We cannot escape the indictment that our culture has a love affair with violent behavior. Every day it seems there are reminders of living in a culture where innocent victims are gunned down by some deranged madman. One of America's favorite sports, football, encourages full grown men to run into each other at blinding rates of speed. Our entertainment industry pours out television programs and movies that feature sadistic plot lines of people torturing each other.
Keith Hewitt
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"The Feud" by Keith Hewitt
"Two Mothering Pastors" by John Sumwalt
"A Time to Be Born Anew" by Frank Luchsinger
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The Feud
by Keith Hewitt
1 Peter 1:17-23
"So, you wish to build an airstrip."
It was a statement disguised as a question. The man who uttered it punctuated the sentence with an arched eyebrow, briefly obscured by the bandana with which he dabbed sweat from his face. He sat behind a desk that was bare, save for a lamp, an empty In/Out basket, and a green felt blotter that had seen better days. The desk was a symbol, not a working surface -- he had people to do the busy work, and no real need for a desk other than to say he was important, and to provide both a physical and psychological barrier between himself and whoever stood before him.
People like this Americano.
"The Feud" by Keith Hewitt
"Two Mothering Pastors" by John Sumwalt
"A Time to Be Born Anew" by Frank Luchsinger
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The Feud
by Keith Hewitt
1 Peter 1:17-23
"So, you wish to build an airstrip."
It was a statement disguised as a question. The man who uttered it punctuated the sentence with an arched eyebrow, briefly obscured by the bandana with which he dabbed sweat from his face. He sat behind a desk that was bare, save for a lamp, an empty In/Out basket, and a green felt blotter that had seen better days. The desk was a symbol, not a working surface -- he had people to do the busy work, and no real need for a desk other than to say he was important, and to provide both a physical and psychological barrier between himself and whoever stood before him.
People like this Americano.
John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
StoryShare
Edited by John Sumwalt and Jo Perry-Sumwalt
Easter 3 (Cycle A), April 10, 2005
Based on Revised Common Lectionary Texts:
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Deeply from the Heart"
Shining Moments: "Stranger in the Choir" by Martha Hartman
Good Stories: "Moving" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "Growing Pains" by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
Edited by John Sumwalt and Jo Perry-Sumwalt
Easter 3 (Cycle A), April 10, 2005
Based on Revised Common Lectionary Texts:
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Deeply from the Heart"
Shining Moments: "Stranger in the Choir" by Martha Hartman
Good Stories: "Moving" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "Growing Pains" 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.
