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Signs Of The Kingdom -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some signs that note only one mile from your town like "Boston, 1 Mile" and a sign th
Sin Is An Ugly Matter -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: Sin marks us.
Who Can Fill You Up? Jesus! -- John 7:37-39 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a bucket of cold water, a dipper, and some small cups
God Is Fair -- Acts 10:34-38 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a referee's shirt and whistle
Jesus Rescued Us -- Galatians 1:1-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some rescue equipment like a firefighter's net or a big rope
A Brand New World -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a used piece of furniture like a chair; some paint, sandpaper, some fresh wood, and h
What It's Like -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a fluffy bed pillow
Does That Make You A Christian? -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: We must be baptized to be effective disciples for Christ.
Keep Your Promise -- Mark 11:1-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: something that you could borrow, like a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread
How Much Is It Worth? -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: Life is more valuable than material things.
The Bread Of Life -- John 6:51-58 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: an unsliced loaf of bread
Fighting Fear -- Acts 9:13-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: none
Bad Mixed With Good -- Matthew 13:24-30 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some wheat seeds and some weed seeds
Counting Sand -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a handful of sand and a piece of paper
Jesus' Public Opinion Poll -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a public opinion poll
Clothed With Power -- Luke 24:44-53, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: The need to have God's power in our life.
The Eye Of The Needle -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a needle and your pet dog or cat
Who Is He? -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: The identity of Jesus.
What's Your Prize? -- John 6:24-35 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a bag of garbage
The Man From Ethiopia -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a shoe without shoelaces and some shoelaces, a screwdriver and a screw, a coloring bo
God's Guarantee -- 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: A Good Housekeeping seal, a guarantee
What About Heaven? -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some cutouts from construction paper of clouds, angels, harps, and a throne
How To Be A Christian -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some boards, nails and hammers, and screws and screwdrivers
God With Us -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: Jesus is God "with us."
Have A Good Marriage -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a clock

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SermonStudio

A Lesson In Mediocrity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man had a bushel of early apples, the kind that spoil easily.
Second Sunday in Advent -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
This passage is part of the larger section of Isaiah 10:5--11:16, that portrays the defeat of Assyri
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2004
Fourth Sunday After The EpiphanyFourth Sunday In Ordinary Time
The Cleansing Fire -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
An impressive moment came, in the lives of many youth, on the night at church camp when they would g
Playing The Numbers -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A woman entered a guessing game at a store to win a new refrigerator.
Christ the King -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2004
The temptation of the preacher in using these passages from Ezekiel is to lapse into a sentimental d
The Trial Of The Century -- Matthew 26:57-68 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
(Author's note: This sermon should be read as a role play based on Court TV.)
Practical Christianity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the center of the marketplace as well as on the ste
First Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 -- John R. Brokhoff -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 2:1--5 (C, RC, E)
Fifth Sunday in Lent -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
This famous vision of the Valley of Dry Bones is given to the prophet Ezekiel in Babylonia shortly a
Compose -- William H. Shepherd -- 2004
One who preaches without a net must have something memorable to say.
His Very Simple Credo -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
"To believe that there is nothing more beautiful, more profound, more sympathetic, more reasonable,
Treasure And Trash -- Matthew 13:44-52 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2004
1. Text
Humor At A Funeral -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
At the funeral of famous Senator Barry Goldwater, broadcast live on the PBS public television, the b
The Eastern Gate -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
I will meet you in the morning,Just inside the Eastern Gate;
Proper 18 -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 12:1--14 (C)
Was It Luck Or Pluck? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Some years ago, a famous Canadian ice skater, Barbara Ann Scott, won the highest honor a skater can
A Living Soul -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
"The social being without the personal being is a body without a soul;
Third Sunday in Advent -- Isaiah 35:1-10 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
This passage has many affinities with the prophecies of Second Isaiah (Isaiah 40-55), and it has oft
Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 58:1--9a (9b--12) (C); Isaiah 58:7--10 (RC)
The Dog Knew Best -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man who was an alcoholic had a dog which he loved very much.
Six Pieces Or Eight Pieces? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A guy was ordering a pizza by telephone, when the man on the phone asked: "How shall we cut the pizz
Guilt And Responsibility -- John 18:28-38 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Who killed Jesus? You may think the answer is relatively easy, but there are some complications.
Puppies Can Share, Too! -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A doctor found a little dog with a broken leg by the roadside.
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 11:1--10 (C, RC, E)

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Going Home -- John 14:1-14 -- Stan Purdum, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an elderly, faithful manGoing Home
God Suffers With Us -- Romans 14:8b -- Michael L. Sherer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For the untimely death of someone youngGod Suffers With Us
Ready Or Not, Here I Come -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Ron Lavin -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2006
When you were a child, did you play the game, "Hide and Go Seek"?
Wisdom's Delight -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 -- Stan Purdum -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2006
I have a question for you, but let me tell you right up front that it is a trick question.
Woe To The Blessed -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2006
One of my all-time favorite television programs was M*A*S*H.
Thank God We Can Change -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Clayton A. Lord Jr. -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2006
Someone once said that the only constant in life is change.
Tour Guide -- Proverbs 3:5-6 -- Wayne Brouwer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a faithful woman who was a tour guideTour Guide
Hope! -- John 14:1-6, Revelation 7:9-17 -- A. Donald Main, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a woman who died following the painful ordeal of bone cancer
When They Are Gathered At The Chancel -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
We have all witnessed this scene: the bride and groom are standing at the altar of the church surrou
Caring For Others: The Christian Vocation In The World -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2006
When Bobby Smith was a youngster, his family lived near Mrs.
The Dancing Farmer -- 2 Samuel 6:14 -- Gary W. Fehring, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a ninety-year-old who had led a full life
When The Boat Keeps Rocking -- Psalm 46 -- Robert A. Noblett, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a congregation experiencing several deaths in a brief period
Family Ties And Good-byes -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Ron Lavin -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2006
If ever we needed to strengthen the institution of family, it's today.
Choosing To Believe -- 1 Kings 18:20-39 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2006
Perhaps you recall recently when a burial box from the first century A.D.
Taking The First Step -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2006
Create in your minds, if you will, a scene where the people are gathering at a small church for wors
Building A Victorious Life -- Luke 6:39-49 -- Gary L. Carver -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2006
J.
It All Begins With Prayer -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Clayton A. Lord Jr. -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2006
Imagine you only have a short time to prepare your successor in ministry.
A Real Test Of Faith -- Romans 3:21-26; 5:1-11, Isaiah 53:2-6, Job 19:23-27 -- Joe Barone, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a Christian suicideA Real Test Of Faith
A Gift For A Friend -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Stanley C. Sneeringer, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a church member who died following a lengthy illness
The Good News Of Christ -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- John T. Ball -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2006
Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news....
Jesus Rewards The Just -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Imagine picking up the Sunday paper, opening it and reading in giant letters, Jesus Christ Will R
Touching Jesus -- Luke 24:36-40 -- Gary W. Fehring, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a country womanTouching Jesus
Death Saddens Us -- John 3:16, Psalm 90 -- Mark Ellingsen, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For an elderly shut-inDeath Saddens Us
Cured Cripples And Crabby Critics -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Ron Lavin -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2006
Have you ever been crippled by something that happened to you?
The Kindness Of Strangers -- 1 Kings 17:8-24 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2006
In 1994, a 37-year-old man by the name of Mike McIntyre decided to confront his fears and the shaky

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Homemaker
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Unity
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Fasting
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Prayer
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Change
An Open Letter To Congressional Delegation And The U.S. Secretary Of Agriculture -- Micah 6:1-8 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2001
Dear Sirs:
Slavery And Gratitude -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2000
Jenica has a ring and a photograph that are more precious to her than gold.
The Curse Of Leprosy -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2000
Leprosy is a horrendous mycobacterial disease.
The Holy Spirit, Our Guide -- John 14:23-29 -- Constance Berg -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
With God, all things are possible.
The Breath Of The Spirit -- 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2000
A retired chemist and university professor asked me to re-write a book he co-authored with his wife.
Singing Praises To God -- John 17:20-26 -- Constance Berg -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2000
A group of twenty men meet in a home in Pakistan.
Two Doctors: Two Deductions -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2000
Dr. Tom was a young internist.
One Tiny Light -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2000
It's a strange phenomenon that scientists are surely able to explain.
Zacchaeus -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2000
"Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he." So the nursery song goes.
The Wedding In Tuxtla -- John 2:1-11 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2000
Rebeca Ruiz had met Carlos Marin at a church convention.
An Angelic Child -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2000
Margo works in Pediatric Intensive Care in a large children's hospital.
The Scroll Of Wisdom -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2000
David led us the two blocks from our church to his place of worship: a synagogue.
He Knew -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Constance Berg -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
He knew. From the moment I saw his eyes looking at me -- at my body -- I knew he knew.
Not One Stone Will Be Left -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2000
Life is fragile; life is powerful. Life can be long; life can be short-lived.
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not ... -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2000
Wow! First they love Jesus just from what he has to say.
And You Shall Have A Baby -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
It was their first year in seminary. They were eager; they were anxious.
The Centurion -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2000
A centurion was a Roman soldier in charge of 100 men; thus the name "centurion." These Roman soldier
Good Enough To Be With You? -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2000
They had been pen pals of a sort for only ten months but their letters came more and more frequently
Enough To Share -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Constance Berg -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
Keith and Lois volunteer in the hospital thrift shop.
Don't Cry -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2000
Peter sat on the step, crying. His knee was skinned, his pants torn, and his pride hurt.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

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SermonStudio

Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Good Friday - C -- 2003
Theme: The Suffering ServantCall To Worship
Reading The Christmas Eve Scriptures -- Stan Purdum -- 2003
Introduction
Stand Firm In The Time Of Trial -- Luke 21:5-19 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
Gospel Lesson: Luke 21:5-19Theme: Stand Firm In The Time Of Trial
First Sunday In Lent -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Theme: Expressing Our GratitudeCall To Worship
Lazy Christians -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
Second Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13Theme: Lazy ChristiansCall To Worship
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 13:31-35 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Theme: Abram Put His Trust In The LordCall To Worship
Third Sunday In Lent -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Theme: God's MercyCall To Worship
The New Creation -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
First Lesson: Isaiah 65:17-25 Theme: The New CreationCall To Worship
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Theme: The Israelites Celebrated Passover Before Entering The Promised Land
Proper 4 -- 1 Kings 18:20-39, Galatians 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Lord Alone Is GoodCall To Worship
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
Theme: Do Not Cling To The PastCall To Worship
Proper 5 -- 1 Kings 17:8-24, Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Lord Speaks Through People Of GodCall To Worship
Holy/Maundy Thursday -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2003
Theme: The PassoverCall To Worship
Sunday Of The Passion -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2003
Theme: The Lord's Servant Is ObedientCall To Worship
Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2003
Theme: The Coming Of The Holy SpiritCall To Worship
First Sunday Of Advent -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Theme: The Promise Of A Kingdom Of Justice And RighteousnessCall To Worship
Proper 10 -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Man With A PlumblineCall To Worship
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 3:1-6 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Theme: The Coming MessengerCall To Worship
Proper 11 -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2003
Theme: The Price Of SinCall To WorshipLeader: God's faithfulness is eternal.
Third Sunday Of Advent -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Theme: The Time Is ComingCall To Worship
Proper 12 -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
First Lesson: Hosea 1:2-10 Theme: Children Of The Living GodCall To Worship
Fourth Sunday Of Advent -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Theme: God Promises A Ruler From BethlehemCall To Worship
Proper 13 -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Theme: God's Love For His PeopleCall To Worship
All Saints' Sunday -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- All Saints Day - C -- 2003
Theme: God's People Will Receive PowerCall To Worship
Proper 14 -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
Theme: How Paul Became An ApostleCall To Worship

Worship Service

Youth Resources

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In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
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170+ – Illustrations / Stories
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John Jamison
Object: A sheep or lamb stuffed animal.

Note: For the best experience, when you ask the questions, take the time to draw the children out a bit and help them come up with answers. Make it more of a conversation if you can.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Let’s get started! (Hold the sheep in your lap as you continue.)

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
For May 4, 2025:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,  singing with full voice… (vv. 11-12a)

Phillip Hasheider is a retired Wisconsin beef farmer and an award-winning author who was dead for six minutes and came back to tell about it. If you have ever thought about dying and wondered what it would be like, then Hasheider’s =Six Minutes in Eternity= is a book you will want to read.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
A medical worker is working long, hard, stress filled hours in an urban hospital setting. One day he or she is called into the administrator’s office to be terminated due to angering professionals in the upper echelon. The worker protests that it is, “My word against their word, why am I to be the scapegoat?” The administrator pulls rank! The worker is asked to turn in their badge and do not come into the premises again unless as a patient. The now unemployed medical worker still feels the calling to be a healer. So, they get a job at an alternative/natural health medicine store.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
Martin Luther believed that the story of Paul’s conversion demonstrates that there is no need for special revelation. The reformer commented:

Our Lord God does not purpose some special thing for each individual person, but gives to the whole world — one person like the next — his baptism and gospel. (Complete Sermons, Vol.7, p.271)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
I've recently spent several hours by the lakeside, for I've been in retreat this past week in the little village of Hemingford Grey, in Huntingdonshire. A great delight for me was to walk to the flooded gravel pits, sit on a bench in glorious sunshine, and watch the water birds. For me, that's a wonderful way to become very aware of the presence of God through the beauty of his created world. And sitting like that for several hours, doing nothing but watching and waiting, I can't help but absorb the peace which passes all understanding.

SermonStudio

Constance Berg
When Beth was a teenager, she lived on the streets. She smoked cigarettes and drank beer and her parents had said that she had to choose: her friends or her family. Beth chose her friends and lived from house to house and eventually in homeless shelters. She barely avoided being raped at one point. About six months of shelter-hopping was all she could take, and she found a shelter that sponsored her until she took the GED. They told her she was brilliant: she was just bored and dissatisfied with the status quo. The shelter supervisors suggested she look into community college.
James Evans
(For alternative approaches, see Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle B; and Proper 9/Pentecost 7/Ordinary Time 14, Cycle C.)

The main theme of this psalm is captured profoundly in the movement within a single verse: "Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with morning" (v. 5). Casting life experiences between light and dark is not unique or novel, of course, but the poet's treatment of these themes offers some fertile ground for reflection.

Elizabeth Achtemeier
We have three different accounts of the conversion of Saul in the Gospel according to Luke (9:1-20; 22:6-16; 26:12-18). They differ in a few minor details, but essentially they are the same. In addition, Paul writes of his conversion in Galatians 1:11-16, and in 1 Corinthians 9:1 and 15:8-9, stating that at the time of his conversion on the road to Damascus, he saw the Lord. For Paul, that made him an apostle, equal to the twelve. An apostle, in Paul's thought, was one who had seen the risen Christ and had been sent to announce that good news.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
Once in a far-off land, there was a great king whose dominion extended far and wide. His power and authority were absolute. One day, as events would happen, a young man, a commoner, committed a grave offense against the king. In response, the king and his counselors gathered together to determine what should be done. They decided that since the offense was so grave and had been committed by a commoner against someone so august as the king, the only punishment that would satisfy justice was death.

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