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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 Likened To A Wedding Cake -- Richard E. Boye -- 1997
____________ and ____________, it might be said that a Christian marriage is like the beautiful and
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
Marriage Is Joy -- Kenneth H. Sauer -- 1997
(Homily for a seminarian who was being married in a service with Eucharist)
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
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!
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 -- 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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
You Are My Witness -- Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:44-53 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1996
The inauguration of Nelson Mandela as president of the Republic of South Africa goes down in the ann

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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
TITLES TO SPARK A SERMON -- Ralph E. Dessem
BASED ON LENTEN GOSPELSDinner Pail Messiah?Matthew 4:1-11
A Matter of Power -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Wayne H. Keller -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Celebrating God's Presence And Power
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
THE WORDS TO THE CROSS -- Ralph E. Dessem
1. The Words of the Crowd
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
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
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 3 -- Exodus 12:3-13 -- 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 4 -- Exodus 12:14-20 -- 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 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 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.
Maundy Thursday -- Betty Lynn Schwab
(For insertion before or after the Order of Service)
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

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Baptism of Our Lord
29 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
40 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 2 | OT 2
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 3 | OT 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Nazish Naseem
For February 1, 2026:
  • What the Lord Requires by Dean Feldmeyer. The world’s requirements are often complex and difficult. God’s requirements are simple and easy. Kinda.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the people how they could be blessed by God and experience God's kingdom. In our worship today let us explore the Sermon on the Mount.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I'm full of pride instead of being poor in spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm overbearing and pushy, instead of being meek.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm not exactly pure in heart.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
Stories to Live By: "You Fool"/ "Us Who Are Being Saved"
Shining Moments: "A Comforting Dream" by Harold Klug
Good Stories: "Mercy, Mercy" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "The Souper Bowl of Caring" by Jo Perry-Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt

Sandra Herrmann
John Jamison
Contents
"Child Sacrifice" by Sandra Herrmann (Micah 6:1-8)
"Ka-Chang" by John B. Jamison (Matthew 5:1-12)


* * * * * * * *


Child Sacrifice
Sandra Herrmann
Micah 6:1-8

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles....
-- 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Micah 6:1--8 (C, E, L)
John N. Brittain
The other day I stumbled onto a Discovery Channel show about underwater archaeology (not basket weaving). The archaeologist described the process of identifying the probable location of an underwater wreck site, the grueling work involved in beginning the process, and the same kind of methodical work that characterizes all scientific archaeology. But then her eyes twinkled as she described the joy of uncovering the first artifact, or recognizing a significant discovery. And that of course is what it is all about, the final product of discovery.
Tony S. Everett
Late one night, Pastor Bill was driving home after spending the past 23 hours in the hospital with his wife, celebrating the birth of their son. It had been a glorious day. His wife was peacefully resting. His extended family was ecstatic. His son was healthy. Surely God was in heaven and all was right with the world.

Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
When I'm teaching a class, and want to get a discussion going, I often begin with something that's called a sentence stem. I start a sentence and let the participants complete it. This morning, if I were to ask you to complete this sentence, what would you say? "Happy are those who...." What would you use to complete the thought?
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: Demands On God
Message: All these demands don't make sense, God. Lauds, KDM
R. Glen Miles
What does God want from us? The answer is simple, but it is not easy to put into practice. What God wants is you. What God wants is me. God wants our whole selves. The prophet Micah makes it fairly clear that ultimately God does not care too much about religion and the things that come with it. Religion isn't a bad enterprise. It is okay as a way of reminding us about what God wants, but in the long run being good at religion is not what God desires. What God requires is us. It is simple to understand but not necessarily the thing we would offer to God first.
John B. Jamison
It was a strange sound. Some said it was a kind of "clanging" sound, while others said it was more of a "ka-ching," or more accurately, a "ka-chang!" It sounded like the result of metal hitting metal, which is exactly what it was.

In the valley off to the west from the hillside is a steep cliff rising up the face of Mount Arbel. The face of the cliff is covered with hundreds of caves, with no good way to get to them without climbing straight up the cliff. That's why the Zealots liked them. They were safe.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Prayer Of Dedication/Gathering
P: Our Lord Jesus calls each of us to a life of justice, kindness, and humility. We pray that in this hour before us our defenses would fall and your love would be set free within us.
Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit, your mercy knows no end.
C: Amen.

Intercessory Prayers

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
We have a prejudice in favor of things complex. Not that we necessarily desire complexity, but somehow we trust it more. We figure that complexity is the prevailing reality in our world, and so we feel obliged to be in touch with it. We would love to hear that this thing or that is really quite simple, but doctors, politicians, futurists, ethicists, economists -- and even some preachers -- keep discouraging us. It's actually quite complicated, we are told, and there is no simple answer.
People tend to say in times of personal or community disaster, "God works in mysterious ways." The point they are making is that when we can't figure out any logical answer to a situation, it must be the work of God. It is one way of making sense out of an inexplicable event.
Schuyler Rhodes
In 1993 brothers Tom and David Gardner began a financial information service they named The Motley Fool. Dressed in their trademark court jester hats, the motley fools can be seen and heard offering their advice and warnings concerning the stock market on a variety of talk shows and financial news channels.

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have spent time around babies? (let them answer) Babies are so cute when they are happy but hard to please when they are upset. Babies can't talk, can they? (let them answer) So when they don't get what they want they cry. When they are hungry they cry. When they are sleepy they cry. When a stranger tries to hold them they cry. How do we know if babies are sick, hungry, or tired? (let them answer) Most of the time a baby's mom can figure out what's wrong even when we can't.
Teachers or Parents: Have the children sit on the floor and pretend that they are on a mountaintop and learning at Jesus' feet. Ask: "How is this classroom different from classrooms you have seen?" "How is it like them?" Read various portions of the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7) that they might understand (such as Matthew 7:7-11 -- prayer; 7:12 -- the Golden Rule; 7:15 -- being true). Be careful -- many parts of the Sermon on the Mount are difficult for children to understand and may lead to great misunderstanding and perhaps fear.

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