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Sixth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (C)
Epiphany 3 -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
This week's Matthew text takes us from Part I to Part II in the outline of Matthew that we proposed
Actions Speak Louder Than Words -- Matthew 21:28-32 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1998
"What do you think?
Proper 13 -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
We move this week from the parables of Jesus (last week's text was Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52) to Jesus
Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5:38-48 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
The Sermon On The Mount -- Matthew 5:1--7:27 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
Our outline of Matthew's Gospel presented Matthew 1:1--4:16 as Part One which introduces Jesus of Na
Nativity -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
1. Text
Proper 14 -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
Jesus is busy and active in this week's appointed text.
Eighth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 49:8-16a, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Proper 5 -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The Gospel text appointed for this week comes from Matthew 9.
The Man Born Blind -- John 9-41 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
1. Text
The Epiphany Of The Lord -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 1998
The focus in Matthew 1 was on names. Name after name after name culminating in THE Name: Jesus!
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1--19:42 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Good Friday - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Isaiah 52:13--53:12 (C, RC, E)
Raising Lazarus -- John 11:1-45 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
1. Text
Proper 15 -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
The assigned Gospel text for this week skips over a couple of sections in Matthew's story.
First Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Resurrection -- John 20:1-18 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
1. Text
Proper 16 -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
With the text appointed for this week we come to the climax of Part Two of Matthew's Gospel.
Miracle 1 Nativity -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 1998
1. Text Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 12:1-4a (C, RC); Genesis 12:1-8 (E)
Ascension -- Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1998
1. Text
Proper 17 -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1998
With this week's text we enter Part Three of Matthew's story.
Miracle 5 Ascension -- Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1998
1. Text
Third Sunday In Lent -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- E. Carver Mcgriff -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONSLesson 1: Exodus 17:1-7 (C, E); Exodus 17:3-7 (RC)
Spirit's Coming -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1998
1. Text

Sacrament

Self Help

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The Battle Of The Wisdoms -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2002
In the 1960s a favorite weekend night of entertainment for many was to attend events titled "The Bat
God Knows -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2002
It's the sort of thing that yields high ratings on television and high volume of sales of supermarke
Too Good To Be True? -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Robert A. Noblett -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
Here's the scene.
Our Hope For Years To Come -- John 1:1-18 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2002
On January 1, 2001, our world marked the beginning of a new millennium in human history.
No Salt In The City? -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2002
Last fall the phone rang in my study.
What A Resume! -- 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 -- Frederick R. Harm -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2002
If you were to visit the Library of Congress and look up Jesus of Nazareth in the card catalog of au
Double Or Nothing -- Matthew 25:27-29 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2002
The financial and investment community was uneasy as the ominous day, October 19, 1988, approached.
Lethal Weapon -- James 3:1-12 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2002
A popular series of movies has been the Lethal Weapon series.
God Is God And We Are Not, Thank God -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Linda R. Forsberg -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2002
In Twelve Step programs there is a popular saying, the origin of which is unknown: "God is God, and
Easter For Thomas, Too -- John 20:19-31 -- Robert A. Noblett -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2002
The urge to be a part of what is going on is very powerful.
Waiting And Witnessing -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Paul E. Flesner -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2002
My message this morning is about two biblical senior citizens and what we can learn from them about
Is Your Love Shy? -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2002
When I was in college my post office box was right next to a pretty little blonde's.
The Answer Waiting For A Question -- 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 -- Frederick R. Harm -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2002
A number of years ago some Christians placed bumper stickers on their vehicles stating, "Christ is t
The Ten Percent Solution -- 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2002
It is believed by many that money and religion are incompatible.
He Came By Night -- John 3:1-17 -- David G. Rogne -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2002
I came upon Jesus quite by accident.
People See Through Us -- James 2:1-10 (11-13), 14-17 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2002
A lasting contribution to American life was made by a simple business woman who turned a small baker
True Worship Turns Us Upside Down And Inside Out -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Linda R. Forsberg -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2002
"To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of
Easter Transportation -- John 20:1-18 -- Robert A. Noblett -- Easter Day - B -- 2002
The eyes of our nation have, in recent time, twice been riveted on Antarctica and the need to rescue
God Is Now Here -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Paul E. Flesner -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2002
Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr once observed that the Christmas event can only be spoken about in poetr
Have You Gone Far Enough? -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Stephen M. Crotts -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2002
When I was in divinity school some student had written graffiti on the bathroom wall.
Congratulations, You've Made The Team! -- Hebrews 12:1, 2, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Frederick R. Harm -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2002
Perhaps you remember, in high school or college, trying out for the varsity or junior varsity baseba
The Widow's Mite, The Mighty Widow -- Luke 21:3-4 -- Maurice A. Fetty -- 2002
Widows occupy a very special place in the biblical religions of Judaism and Christianity.
Missing The Point -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Paul E. Flesner -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2002
Have you ever been in a group of people where someone told a joke and everyone else laughed except y
Don't Forget What You Look Like -- James 1:17-27 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2002
A young college graduate embarked on what he hoped would be a promising career in sales.
Heaven's Applause -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Robert A. Noblett -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2002
Some words fall into the mud puddle, are never cleaned off, and become permanently tarnished by the

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Eagerly Waiting -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- John E. Sumwalt, Eileen Fink -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
In my dream, I was in my bed trying to get to sleep when I heard someone coming.
Easter 3 -- John 21:1-19 -- John Steward -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Since many of the followers of Jesus were fishermen, it made sense for Jesus to use fishing as an ex
Reasons To Live -- Mark 1:21-28 -- John E. Sumwalt, Rebecca Henderleiter -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
And the unclean spirit convulsed him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
Proper 25 -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- John Steward -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C
Norman Cousins wrote a book several years ago titled Head First: the Biology of Hope.
A Deep Peace -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jodie And Georgia N. Hunt -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
My father died suddenly, at the age of 58, while he was on business in Canada.
Easter 4 -- Revelation 7:9-17 -- John Steward -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C
Violet Asquith was once sitting next to Winston Churchill at a dinner party.
Dorothy's Story -- John 15:9-17 -- John E. Sumwalt, Dorothy Kraemer -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.
Proper 27 -- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 -- John Steward -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
One day late in the afternoon a missionary in Africa had a surprise visit.
Just Let Go -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- John E. Sumwalt, Bonny J. Bailey -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B
As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.
Easter 5 -- John 13:31-35 -- John Steward -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C
There is a special hospital in London for those whom other hospitals consider a lost cause.
Revelation -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Iris Ninis -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
...
Proper 28 -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- John Steward -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C
Sometimes people do not think that their work is very important or significant.
Overcome With Amazement -- Mark 5:21-43 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B
... he said to them, "Why do you make a commotion and weep?
Easter 6 -- John 14:23-29 -- John Steward -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
Henry Ford had a very important relationship with a man by the name of Charlie Steinmetz.
Shared Power -- Acts 8:26-40 -- John E. Sumwalt, Robert Maeglin -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
It had been a long day of meetings, and a group of scientists were returning from Manila to Los Bano
Proper 6 -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- John Steward -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C
College students are notorious for their laundry problems while away at college.
A Sign Of God's Love -- Psalm 22:1-15 -- John E. Sumwalt, Marie Regine Redig -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Epiphany Of The Lord -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- John Steward -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
Many years ago there was a play named Eagerheart.

Thanksgiving Day

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Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Few Laborers and the Disciples' Mission -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 1998
The Community Gathers To Celebrate The Season Of The Holy Spirit
The Ascension of Christ -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 1998
A Celebration Of ResurrectionInvitation to the Easter Celebration
Prayer 22 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Father Of Us All:
Prayer 23 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Ever-Present, Helping God:
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Good Friday - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Isaiah 52:13--53:12Theme: Out Of AnguishCall To Worship
Whom to Fear; Not Peace, But a Sword -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 1998
The Community Gathers To Celebrate The Season Of The Holy Spirit
Ash Wednesday -- Matthew 6:16-21 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 1998
Prior to worship, ask the congregation to bring some writings about the beginning of Lent which they
Prayer 24 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Merciful Judge And Loving Father:
First Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7Theme: Open Your EyesCall To Worship
Rewards -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1998
Celebrating The Presence Of GodInvitation to the Celebration
Bright Monday -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Bright Monday, also called Easter Monday, acknowledges the fact that God has the last laugh over sin
Prayer 25 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Source Of All Good Things:
Second Sunday In Lent -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Genesis 12:1-4aTheme: ObedienceCall To Worship
Comparison between Jesus and John the Baptist; Jesus' Thanks to the Father; Jesus' Invitation to Us -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Wayne H. Keller -- 1998
Celebrating The Presence Of GodInvitation to the Celebration
The Judgment of the Nations -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 1998
Alleluia! Alleluia!Invitation to the Celebration
Prayer 26 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Compassionate Judge:
Third Sunday In Lent -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Exodus 17:1-7Theme: With Us Or Not?Call To Worship
Ten Healed of Leprosy -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 1998
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerInvitation to the Celebration
Resurrection of the Christ -- John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Easter Day - A -- 1998
A Return To Good Friday For Those Who Want Life Without Death
Prayer 27 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Grantor Of Responsibility:
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
First Lesson: 1 Samuel 16:1-13Theme: Looking On The HeartCall To Worship
The Transfiguration of Our Lord -- Matthew 17:1-9 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 1998
Adoration And PraiseInvitation to the Celebration
Jesus' Appearance to the Disciples -- John 20:19-31 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
A Celebration Of ResurrectionInvitation to the Easter Celebration
Prayer 28 -- Haskell M. Miller -- 1998
Dear Zealous Landlord:
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
First Lesson: Ezekiel 37:1-14Theme: You Shall LiveCall To Worship

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Easter 4
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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John Jamison
Object: An old, worn-out shoe and an old banana.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Let’s get started!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
For May 18, 2025:
  • Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Chris Keating based on Acts 11:1-18 and John 13:31-35. As Peter, popes, pastors, and even pew-sitters learn, change often becomes the smokescreen that conceals deeper conflicts that keep us from loving as Jesus commanded.
  • Second Thoughts: Giving and Accepting Love by Tom Willadsen based on John 13:31-35.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Acts 11:1-18
Who do we exclude? In the days of the early church, everything was about purity, about the acts that made one a member of the Jewish community first and then a part of “the way” of Jesus. Imagine the horror among the crowds of the faithful when Peter traveled to the Gentiles, to those who did not believe in the one true God before Jesus came into the world. Yet, Peter is clear. He has had a vision and, in that vision, was declared, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” God ordains who is included, not people.
David Kalas
The old idiom claims of certain people, “To know them is to love them.” A variation on the saying might be appropriate when talking about the Lord.  Specifically, we might say that to know him is not merely to love him, but to know that he is love.

This may seem like an unspectacular statement to church folks.  I fear that we are perhaps so accustomed to the affirmation that God is love that we no longer recognize the profundity of it. Or the scandal of it.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
‘See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them and be their God;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.’ (vv. 3-4)

SermonStudio

Bonnie Bates
We continue this Easter season with the epistolary readings from Revelation. In this reading, we see the final vision of the world to come: the new heaven and the new earth, the new Jerusalem. This is also an apocalyptic vision, the vision the seer shared with us of the end of the world as we know it. This is a writing about a prophetic promise of what is to come at the end of time as we know it. John’s vision is almost complete and we may be comforted by this vision of what is to come.
James Evans
(See Christmas 1, Cycle A; Christmas 1, Cycle B; and Christmas 1, Cycle C for alternative approaches.)

The theme of this psalm is the glory of God. The praise is extravagant and unrestrained. The psalmist makes good use of repetitive themes to drive home the central message of the psalm, namely that God is worthy of praise. The psalmist, with great deliberation, leads worshipers through a litany of causes and effects that demonstrate the praiseworthiness of God.

David Kalas
Professional sports has no statistic for measuring talking. Yet talking can be an important part of the game.

We can measure how fast a player pitches or serves. We keep statistics on batting averages, shooting percentages, and quarterback ratings. We track yards-after-catch, on-base percentages, and shots on goal. We record height and weight, wins-and-losses, and times in the 40-yard dash. But we have no way of measuring a player's talking.
John M. Braaten
It is often difficult for Christians to get past the idea that those who have given themselves to the Lord should be treated a little better than the average woman or man who does not possess a living faith. In other words, there ought to be some kind of return for what you have done for God, for what you have given in time, energy and money. That doesn't sound outrageous, does it? In this "you get what you deserve" world, you really ought to be rewarded. Harmless as that sounds, it is the first step toward a theology of glory.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

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