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Worship

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A Time For Singing -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Come, let us thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
Pray That All The Peoples Of Earth May Know God -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: With my whole being I sing for joy to the living God.
Seek Wisdom -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: The way to become wise is to honor the Lord;
Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2002
First Lesson: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33
Accepting Responsibility For Our Failures -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Create in me a pure heart, O God,
When Our Leaders Fail Us -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: Be still, so God may speak to you in the silence of your heart.
Dancing For The Lord -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: The world and all that is in it belongs to the Lord.
God's Dynasty Continues Forever -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2002
Call To Worship
The Spirit Brings Life -- Acts 2:1-21 or Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2002
Call To WorshipLeader: O Lord, how manifold are your works.
Passion Sunday -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 14:1--15:47 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2002
First Lesson: Isaiah 50:4-9a Theme: Trusting The Lord Call To Worship

Drama

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Developing A Glad Attitude -- 1 Timothy 6:6-19 -- Clayton A. Lord Jr. -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2006
It always amazes me when I read about a sports figure who decides to hold out for more money.
The Promise That Won't Be Broken -- 2 Timothy 1:1-14 -- Clayton A. Lord Jr. -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2006
Paul was sitting in prison with every reason to be discouraged.
The Gospel Is Unchained ... -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2006
I went to the store to buy a new pair of blue jeans.
Itchy Ears -- 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2006
As usual, the epistle is a little more graphic than we can quite grasp.
Flying Coach To Nirvana -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2006
A good friend of mine, Bob Frederickson, is writing a travel book called Flying Coach To Nirvana.
Boasting And Praying For You -- 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2006
Recently, I was asked to give a prayer at the area chamber of commerce meeting, with these instructi
Do Not Be Quickly Shaken -- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2006
Several years ago, Lyle Schaller made the observation that ministry, once a "high status, low stress
Weary In Well Doing -- 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2006
What makes people weary is conflict.
Falling Short (Of The Glory Of God) -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Donna E. Schaper -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2006
Sam Goldwyn, the great picture maker, said of one of his movies, "I don't care if the picture makes
Whose Inheritance Is It? -- Ephesians 1:11-23 -- Donna E. Schaper -- All Saints Day - C -- 2006
The Holy Spirit gives us our inheritance.

Children's sermon

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A Christian Is -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A mind through which Christ thinks,A heart through which Christ loves,
A Pastor's Humor -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A young pastor with a sense of humor became a father; so at the county ministerial meeting he passed
A Connectional Religion -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
It is a well-known fact that a shoe store salesman won Dwight L. Moody to Christ.
A Gift Of God's Grace -- Laughter -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Humankind is never so expressive of the goodness of God as when a person is laughing.
A Good Horse: The General -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The tenth President of the United States was John Tyler.
A Kiss Of Mercy -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The well-known outstanding Christian layman and U.S.
A Lesson In Mediocrity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man had a bushel of early apples, the kind that spoil easily.
A Living Soul -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
"The social being without the personal being is a body without a soul;
A Pertinent Observation -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote:Earth crammed with Heaven,
Statue Honoring A Prison Convict -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Yes, it is in Crestline, California, and it is a composite figure with eyes of an Oriental, nose of

Stories

SermonStudio

Something's Missing ... -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1999
When Todd was four years old, he loved to play T-ball.
Memories -- Isaiah 43:18-25 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1999
Don sat at the edge of his chair and looked right past me. "I can't hear much anymore.
Forgiven And Encouraged -- Mark 2:13-22 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1999
Lee and JoAnn had foster children in their homes for years.
A Different Celebration -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Constance Berg -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 1999
In Mexico, it's not Santa Claus who delivers gifts. And it's not December 25 that is so important.
An Hour To Think -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 -- Constance Berg -- Good Friday - B -- 1999
Tim wanted to get home. It would be so good to see Meg and the children again.
Baptism -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- Constance Berg -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
"Oh, Mom, don't be silly. I don't need Erin baptized.
Every Child Has A Purpose -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Constance Berg -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
It was Alpha's eightieth birthday and the party was grand.
The Portrait -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- Constance Berg -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Paul couldn't stand it anymore. The constant ringing in his ears was deafening.
Life's Purpose -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Constance Berg -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
Holly was washing the dishes, listening to her favorite gospel quartet on tape, when two men pulled
A Blessed Harvest -- John 12:20-33 -- Constance Berg -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1999
It sounded like thunder. There wasn't a cloud in the sky that morning. The noise grew louder.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 5
28 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 6
29 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 7
22 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
21 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

SermonStudio

Schuyler Rhodes
This story about Stephen is a hard one to preach about these days. Lately, the idea of martyrdom has fallen under a bit of a cloud, don't you think? What do you think of when you hear about martyrs? In my experience, a martyr is either reduced to a psychological complex foisted off on someone who does too much for others, or it's a poor child with a dynamite vest ready to doom himself or herself and plenty of others for the sake of the cause, and the cash benefits paid to the family, after the fact. There's no question about it. The stock on martyrdom is way, way down these days.
David E. Leininger
"Christ is our cornerstone!" That motto was chosen over a century ago for the congregation I now serve. It was October 29, 1895, at 2:30 in the afternoon, that the grandparents and great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, the forebears of today's congregation, gathered outside in Pennsylvania's autumn chill to see the laying of the cornerstone of the church building that has been in use ever since.
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
Jesus Christ is the cornerstone.

First Lesson
Acts 7:55-60
The Stoning Of Stephen
Derl G. Keefer
C. Neil Strait
WORSHIP HELPS

CALL TO WORSHIP
God is ready to swoop down and rescue us from the burdens we carry and to lift the heart aches! Our God has known us since birth through old age and gray hair and He will sustain us today!

OFFERING THOUGHT
The secret of money is enjoying the opportunity of giving it away for the glory of God.

BENEDICTION
May the God who transforms disappointments to joy do that for you this week. Amen.



SERMON BRIEFS

Holiness, The Trademark Of A Holy Person
Lee Griess
The great American humorist, Will Rogers, had the reputation that he could make anyone laugh. President Calvin Coolidge, on the other hand, had the reputation that he never laughed. Want to know what happened the time those two met? Rogers was invited to visit the White House and as was the custom, the president's assistant brought Rogers into the Oval Office. As was the custom as he entered, the assistant said, "President Coolidge, this is Will Rogers. Mr. Rogers, this is President Coolidge." To which Rogers leaned forward and said, "I'm sorry.
Richard L. Sheffield
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1 NRSV).

Since everything that follows for the rest of the passage I just read from John is commentary on that, we need to hear that clearly, before we hear anything else.

This is the closest English can get to the Greek of John's Gospel: "Let not be troubled of you the heart; Believe in God, also in me believe."1

And here are the translations of others who have listened and interpreted these words for you and me:
Robert J. Elder
In the earliest experience of the church, the apostles soon discovered that their teaching and preaching duties were taking an incredible amount of energy. As the community of believers grew in numbers, and they continued in their commitment to hold all things in common, it became obvious that some details of the life of the community would need more attention than the twelve apostles themselves could give. It was decided to appoint deacons to serve the needs of the church, particularly the needs of the poor and widows who could no longer care for themselves. Seven were appointed.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Confession And Forgiveness
P: We gather for worship in the name of the one who is
the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: The journey before us is one of letting go and taking hold.
As he prepares a place for us,
let us name the sin that clings to us, that we may find release.

Silence for reflection and self-examination

P: Unbelief, hatred, revenge,
C: Lord, do not hold our sins against us.
P: Gossip, despair, deceit,
C: Lord, do not hold our sins against us.
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (Psalm 31:15-16)

One: My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.

All: Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.


Collect
 Strengthen us, Lord, in the time of testing and trial, calling to mind the example of the martyrs who died for our faith. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
George Reed
Thomas Willadsen
For May 3, 2026:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
It is hard for us, living after the resurrection, to understand how Jesus, who was clearly a mortal man, could come to be worshipped as though he were God. Since we believe that Jesus did rise from the dead, we tend to endow his ministry with a divine glow. How could the authorities not see that Jesus was, indeed, the son of God? How did they explain away his miracles? How did they ignore how the average people felt about him?
David Kalas
What do you do between Act 2 and Act 3 of a performance? That depends upon who you are.

If you are like me, then you have attended a great many more shows, plays, and performances than you have participated in. And, as members of the audience, the time between acts is an intermission -- an opportunity to stretch your legs, to use the restroom, to enjoy some refreshments.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." In our worship today, let us explore these words and find out how to reach God through Jesus.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, show me the right way to God.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, lead me into the truth about God.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, give me the eternal life which you have promised.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

Keith Hewitt
Scott Dalgarno
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Encounter in the Darkness" by Keith Hewitt
"Please Don't Forget Me" by Scott Dalgarno
"An Unwanted Gift" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
Peter Andrew Smith
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"Words of Power" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Refuge" by Keith Hewitt


* * * * * * * *


Words of Power
by Peter Andrew Smith
Acts 7:55-60

The principal looked at the boy holding the cloth up to his nose. His hair was dishevelled, his lip swollen, and his clothes bore the stains of the muddy playground. The nurse examined him but his bleeding nostrils seemed his greatest injury.

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. (Show the rubbing of the cornerstone.) Does anyone know what I'm holding? (Let them answer.) This is a rubbing of the cornerstone of our church building. (Read to them what the cornerstone says. Tell them where the cornerstone is located.) I hope that when church is over this morning you can go out and look at and touch the real cornerstone. Cornerstones are very important. Does anyone know the purpose of a cornerstone? (Let them answer.) It's important because it is at the very foundation of our building. The church building is built on top of it.
Good morning, boys and girls. (Have your road map opened as you talk. Examine the map as you greet the children.) If I wanted to take a trip to (name a familiar city in your area) but I wasn't certain how to get there, what could I use to help me? (Let them answer.) A road map! I just happen to have one here. I'm looking for my direction right now. (Point out the way to your destination.) When you go on vacation do your parents sometimes give you road maps to follow? (Let them answer.) A road map is very important when you are going places that you've never been before.

Special Occasion

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