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SermonStudio

Marriage Likened To A Wedding Cake -- Richard E. Boye -- 1997
____________ and ____________, it might be said that a Christian marriage is like the beautiful and
Hostage Crisis -- 1 Kings 19:1-18, Luke 4:14-21 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
Sweat swarmed and beaded the palms of his hands as his heart thumped and pulse escalated.
The Name Of Names -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Mark -- warlikeShirley -- bright meadowJennifer -- fair lady
Marriage Is Joy -- Kenneth H. Sauer -- 1997
(Homily for a seminarian who was being married in a service with Eucharist)
Under New Management -- 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; 7:1-11 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
I'll call him Raj to protect his identity. Some of you may know him. I knew him very well.
The Righteousness Of God -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
"Hardships -- beatings -- imprisonment --sleepless nights -- hunger -- in dishonor -- in ill repute
Witnesses -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
In a play about the crucifixion of Jesus, playwright John Masefield creates a conversation between P
One Husband's Counsel -- John M. Braaten -- 1997
____________ and ____________, what a marvelous day this is for us!
Can You Dig It? -- Genesis 26:1-31 -- Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III -- 1997
Our scripture today finds Isaac, the son of Abraham, faced with the formidable task of holding his f
Turning a Minus into a Plus -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1996
One of the finest minds in our country belongs to a man named Charles Merrill.
We Can't Contain God In Our Cups! -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1996
One morning a little girl sat at a kitchen table to eat breakfast with her mother and father.
Look How You Listen -- Mark 6:14-29 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1996
The whole of today's gospel seems to be about John the Baptist.
Turning A Minus Into A Plus -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 1996
One of the finest minds in our country belongs to a man named Charles Merrill.
Between The Parentheses -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- William G. Carter -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1996
Whenever a preacher announces a sermon text from the book of Revelation, a lot of people grow nervou
A Bad Temperament Can Kill You -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1996
Imagine, if you will, two children walking down a hallway at school.
When All Is Said And Done -- Mark 13:24-32 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
The Jehovah's Witnesses have changed their minds.
God Is Down To Earth -- John 1:1-18 -- John A. Stroman -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1996
William Barclay is convinced that John wrote the fourth gospel for the sake of this fourteenth
A Bad Temperament Can Kill You -- 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 1996
Imagine, if you will, two children walking down a hallway at school.
It Came To Pass -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1996
One of my father's favorite stories was about a Bible study class that shared their favorite Bible v
When Imagination Replaces Memory -- Isaiah 43:18-25 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1996
One of the fascinating aspects of being human is our ability to create time.
Invitation To Community -- Mark 10:2-16 -- William G. Carter -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1996
We have a problem today. Here we are, gathered at worship as the household of God.
The Highest In The Lowest -- Luke 2:1-20 -- John A. Stroman -- 1996
During a cold winter's night in Bethlehem in the Judean hills, the pains of childbirth came upo
When Imagination Replaces Memory -- Isaiah 43:18-25 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1996
One of the fascinating aspects of being human is our ability to create time.
From Singleness To Solidarity -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Zan W. Holmes, Jr. -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1996
The book of Ruth is one of the world's most beautiful stories of human solidarity in the face of tro
Pain And Promise In The Heart Of God -- Hosea 2:14-20 -- Harold C. Warlick, Jr. -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1996
One of the amazing claims of the Judaeo-Christian heritage is that God takes on the attributes of hu

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TITLES TO SPARK A SERMON -- Ralph E. Dessem
BASED ON LENTEN GOSPELSDinner Pail Messiah?Matthew 4:1-11
The Calling of the First Disciples; the Call to Repent! -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B
Pastoral Invitation
A Matter of Power -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
THE WORDS TO THE CROSS -- Ralph E. Dessem
1. The Words of the Crowd
The Peoples' Amazement at Jesus Teaching; Driving out an Evil Spirit. -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Pastoral Invitation
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
Jesus Heals Many -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B
Pastoral Invitation
The Greatest Commandment -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
Jesus Heals the Leper, and Warns Him Not to Tell Anyone -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
Pastoral Invitation
Lent 1 -- Exodus 1:8--2:25, Mark 14:12-21 -- Betty Lynn Schwab
Minister: When the hour had come, Jesus sat at table, and the
The Contrast Between Those Who Parade Their Faith, And Those Who Refuse To Call Attention to Themselves -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
Jesus Heals a Paralytic -- Mark 2:1-12 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B
Pastoral Invitation (Pastor and evangels)
Lent 2 -- Isaiah 41:8-20, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Betty Lynn Schwab
Minister: When the hour had come, Jesus sat at table, and the
Signs of the End of the Age and the Horror of That Day -- Mark 13:1-8, 14-23 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And PowerPastoral and Congregational Invitation
Jesus Eating with "Sinners," and Jesus Questioned about Fasting. -- Mark 2:13-22 -- Wayne H. Keller
Alternative Idea
Lent 3 -- Exodus 12:3-13 -- Betty Lynn Schwab
Minister: When the hour had come, Jesus sat at table, and the
Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
Epiphany -- Wayne H. Keller
EpiphanyThe Season Of The EvangelLiturgical Color: Green
Lent 4 -- Exodus 12:14-20 -- Betty Lynn Schwab
Minister: When the hour had come, Jesus sat at table, and the
Jesus and Beelzebub -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and ministers)
The Last Hours of Jesus' Life -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Good Friday - B
To prepare for Good Friday, reread the material for Ash Wednesday.
Lent 5 -- Deuteronomy 8:6-10, John 16:16-33 -- Betty Lynn Schwab
Minister: When the hour had come, Jesus sat at table, and the
Jesus Teaches With Parable -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
Celebration Through PraisePastoral Invitation (Pastor and Ministers)
The Baptism, Temptation, Preaching of Jesus -- Mark 1:9-15 -- Wayne H. Keller -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Suggestion
Maundy Thursday -- Betty Lynn Schwab
(For insertion before or after the Order of Service)

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
14 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 1
30 – Sermons
90+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For December 14, 2025:

CSSPlus

Mary Kay Eichelman
Today I have rolled out the red carpet for you.  We are not famous people, movie stars or royalty, so maybe you have not had this kind of fancy treatment. But often for very important people, red carpet is actually put down for them to walk on.

You would think Jesus, the Son of God, would have had the red carpet prepare the way before Him. Do you know what He had instead? He had a man named John the Baptist. It says in Mathew 11:19,

I will send my messenger ahead of you who will prepare your way before you.

Good morning, boys and girls. What am I holding? (Let them answer.) That's right, a loaf of bread. Did any of you eat toast for breakfast this morning? Or did any of you have wheat cereal? (Let them answer.) Bread and (name a wheat cereal) are made from wheat.

Let me ask you another question. Are any of you anxious to see what might be in some of your Christmas presents under your tree? (Let them answer.) You must have great patience to wait until Christmas when you may open them.

That's why I brought this loaf of bread this morning. I want
Leah Thompson
Object: a department store magazine/catalog (or clothing store magazine/catalog)

What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. (v. 8)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
There wasn't much that Adrian was good at, except swimming. He learned to swim when he was little more than a baby, and he loved it. When he was seven he joined a swimming club. It was there that he first met Mr Stevens, the swimming coach.

StoryShare

C. David Mckirachan
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"Truckin'" by C. David McKirachan
"Heretic or Saint?" by Frank Ramirez


* * * * * * * * *


Truckin'
C. David McKirachan
Isaiah 35:1-10

SermonStudio

Elizabeth Achtemeier
This passage has many affinities with the prophecies of Second Isaiah (Isaiah 40-55), and it has often been attributed to him. But there are differences. In Isaiah 40:3, the "way" is for the Lord, here it is for the redeemed and ransomed (vv. 9-10). In Isaiah 51:11, the reference is to the return from Babylonian exile. Here in verse 10, that context is missing, and those who are returning to Zion are the members of Israel dispersed throughout the ancient Near East. Thus, this text is probably from a time after Second Isaiah and sometime after 538 B.C.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 35:1--10 (C, E, L); Isaiah 35:1--6, 10 (RC)
Paul E. Robinson
Christmas has a way of bringing back memories. One that came to my mind as I was preparing this message was when my family would be driving home at night in the car and my father would lead us in singing a song. To all of us family members who remember those fun, cozy journeys toward home, there are many layers of meaning to the words. The song goes like this:

There's a long, long trail awinding,
Into the land of my dreams,
Where the nightingales are singing
And the white moon beams.
There's a long, long night of waiting
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: Be Patient
Message: In the meantime, God.... Lauds, KDM

E-mail from KDM to God. Subject: Be patient. Message: In the meantime, God.... Lauds, KDM.
Susan R. Andrews
It was a painful experience for both of us. Jane was a young mother about my age. She had been on the pastor nominating committee that called us to New Jersey. And we had shared much laughter and friendship through the years. She also was on the session - and that cold November night she seemed edgy and distant. I soon found out why. Following the meeting, she waited for me out in the parking lot. And after I locked the church door, she simply lit into me. "How dare you!" she said. "How dare you push your own political viewpoints down our throats, and abuse your privilege as a pastor!
H. Burnham Kirkland
Theme: Prepare The Way

Call To Worship
Leader: To those wandering in darkness,
People: Christ came as the Light of the World.
Leader: To those who are at odds with others and themselves,
People: Christ is the Prince of Peace.
Leader: To those who seek the presence of the divine,
People: Christ is Emmanuel, God with us.
All: Come, let us anticipate the advent of our Lord.

Invocation
Robert S. Jarboe
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.)

Date:

Reader A:

Reader B:

Introit
(As the introit is being sung, Readers A and B come forward and stand by the Advent wreath until the music is finished.)

Litany
Reader A: Please turn to the Advent litany in your bulletins.
(Pause as they do so.)
Let all who take refuge in God be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
O God, spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Inevitably it happens to any adult or any church leader toward the end of the year, or the time their driver's license expires. Despite the well-intended efforts to try to settle it through the mail, we end up in a long line at the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. Typically there is a little box with numbers one is supposed to take so they may be identified when the clerk calls for that number's turn in line. The wait can be very tedious. The workers and customers are both tired and anxious with each unique personal vehicle issue.

Special Occasion

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