Login / Signup

SermonStudio

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Worship

SermonStudio

Epiphany 4 -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: We are blessed when we hunger for justice
Epiphany 5 -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: To a society that lives in the shadowed recesses
Epiphany 6 -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: You could have stayed in bed,
Epiphany 7 -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5:38-48 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: God would teach us to love, even the imperfect people,
Epiphany 8 -- Isaiah 49:8-16a, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: When our hearts are so heavy
Epiphany 9 -- Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31), Matthew 7:21-29 -- Thom M. Shuman -- 2007
Call To Worship One: Here is the promise:
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: We gather as the faithful of God,
Passion/Palm Sunday -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66, Matthew 27:11-54 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: Here, in this place,
Maundy Thursday -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: In remembrance, we gather All: to be with the One
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Thom M. Shuman -- Good Friday - A -- 2007
Call To Worship One: Here, in the midst of these people,

Drama

SermonStudio

Puffing And Building -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Mark 1:21-28, Psalm 111 -- John A. Tenbrook -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2002
Thespian Theological ThoughtsHe is God ... and I am not!
Can Anything Good Come From ____________? -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), John 1:43-51, Psalm 63:1-8 -- John A. Tenbrook -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2002
Thespian Theological Thoughts
Immediately They Left Their Nets And Followed Him -- Jeremiah 3:21-4:2, 1 Corinthians 7:17-23, Mark 1:14-20, Psalm 130 -- John A. Tenbrook -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2002
Thespian Theological ThoughtsImmediately!
A Pizza With Everything -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-38, Mark 1:7-11 -- John A. Tenbrook -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2002
Thespian Theological Thoughts"I truly understand that God shows no partiality."
Wilbur, The Wakeful Wise Man -- Isaiah 60:1-6, 9, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72 -- John A. Tenbrook -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2002
Thespian Theological Thoughts
Who Ya Gonna Trust? -- 2 Samuel 7:4, 8-16, Luke 1:26-38, Psalm 132 -- John A. Tenbrook -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Thespian Theological Thoughts
Evangelist Everett Everlovin -- Isaiah 65:17-25, John 3:23-30 -- John A. Tenbrook -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Thespian Theological Thoughts
The Pusillanimous Pratfalls Of Peter Patience -- Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 -- John A. Tenbrook -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Thespian Theological Thoughts
Raggedy Saints -- Isaiah 64:1-9a, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Mark 13:24-37 -- John A. Tenbrook -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
Thespian Theological Thoughts
Peter -- Rolland R. Reece -- 2002
Narrator: We do not know where Peter was on the day his Master hung from the cross.

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Sinner And The Sinned Against -- 1 Kings 17:1-24 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2009
Each of us experiences the world as both sinner and the sinned against.
On Loan From God -- 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2009
Sometimes it is hard to understand what it is in human nature that allows people to become so crass
At Points Of Despair -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2009
It seems almost inevitable that people who experience the highs of life are also going to experience
Seeing A Chariot Of Fire -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2009
I think that we are in a battle for the soul of the church.
The Naaman Syndrome -- 2 Kings 4:1-14 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2009
The healing of Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, seems to me to provide a metaphor
When God Measures The Church -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2009
We begin to hear about prophets in the Bible after Israel convinced God to let them have a king.
When The Fruit Is Spoiled -- Amos 8:1-12 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2009
When we speak of Amos today, we know that he was one of Israel's great prophets.
A Marriage Made In Heaven -- Hosea 1:2-10 -- Chrysanne Timm -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2009
This is wedding season, and with the privilege of presiding at the weddings of many couples over the
Parenting -- Not For The Faint Of Heart -- Hosea 11:1-11 -- Chrysanne Timm -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2009
Parenting is not, I repeat, not for the faint of heart.
What God Expects From Worship -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Chrysanne Timm -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2009
I heard it again at a meeting last week ... a comment about the length of the worship service.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Quail -- Numbers 11:31-32 -- Samuel J. Hahn, Scott Patton, Illustrator -- 2000
God's Abundant Provision
Rooster or Chicken -- Matthew 23:37 -- Samuel J. Hahn, Scott Patton, Illustrator -- 2000
A Call To Watchfulness
Sheep -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- Samuel J. Hahn, Scott Patton, Illustrator -- 2000
Follow The Leader
Sparrow -- Psalm 84:1-3 -- Samuel J. Hahn, Scott Patton, Illustrator -- 2000
I Know He Cares For Me
Davy -- Luke 2:10-12 -- Daniel J. Weitner -- 2000
A Children's Christmas Story
Open Access -- Romans 5:1-5 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: To demonstrate that we have access to God through Christ.
My Father's House -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: The sanctity of the church.
God Became Human -- John 1:1-18 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: To teach the incarnation.Props: Fingers and Toes.
Trinity -- John 16:12-15 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: To teach the Trinitarian nature of God.
What Do The Signs Say? -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter -- 2000
Exegetical Aim: The relationship between world disasters and our faith.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Anaphora Is Useful, Anaphora Is Memorable, Anaphora Is Biblical -- David Von Schlichten -- 2008
Anaphora is abundant, both in the Bible and in the sermon.
Grapes, Bread, The Devil, And The Cross: Biblical Images That Preach -- David Von Schlichten -- 2008
Why Don't We Use Them More?
I Love To Live The Story: Imaginative Elaboration -- David Von Schlichten -- 2008
What Imaginative Elaboration Is
Other Biblical Lessons For Creating Words Fitly Spoken -- David Von Schlichten -- 2008
This final chapter discusses several literary devices that demand a brief but incisive mention, beca
Narrative Freedom -- James Ayers -- 2007
following Jesus' pattern of creativity when the preacher tells a story
The Scriptures And The Power Of God -- James Ayers -- 2007
encountering the presence of God when the preacher tells a story
Love Songs And Love Stories -- James Ayers -- 2007
preaching psalms of praise as a story
Hurl Their Babies Against The Rocks -- James Ayers -- 2007
preaching imprecatory psalms as a story
To Make A Long Story Short -- James Ayers -- 2007
preaching multi-chapter texts as a story
What Do These Words Mean? -- James Ayers -- 2007
preaching ancient Hebrew and Greek root words as a story

Stories

SermonStudio

Mistaken Identity? -- John 20:19-31 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Mistaken Identity?
Bouch And The King -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Bouch And The King
Make Straight The Toys R Us Line -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Make Straight The Toys R Us Line
Garland, Gladness, And Glory -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Garland, Gladness, And Glory
She Gave All She Had -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
She Gave All She Had
Confidence Training -- 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2005
Confidence Training
Stars In Their Eyes -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2005
Stars In Their Eyes
He Took It All Back -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Good Friday - B -- 2005
He Took It All Back
Lord Of The Covenant -- Genesis 9:8-17 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Lord Of The Covenant
Never Alone -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Gregory L. Tolle -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Never Alone

Prayer

SermonStudio

The disruptive side of the Gospel -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme: The disruptive side of the Gospel
The exclusivity of God's inclusive reign -- Luke 13:22-30 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The exclusivity of God's inclusive reignGospel Note:
Status given versus status gained -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:Status given versus status gainedGospel Note:
The difficult demands of discipleship -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The difficult demands of discipleshipGospel Note:
Repentance as response -- Luke 15:1-10 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:Repentance as responseGospel Note:
The difficult dilemma -- riches or righteousness -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The difficult dilemma -- riches or righteousness
The sufficiency of the Scriptures -- Luke 16:19-31 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:The sufficiency of the ScripturesGospel Note:
Obedience as owed -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:Obedience as owedGospel Note:
Patient faith in times of God's apparent inactivity -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:Patient faith in times of God's apparent inactivity
Persistence in prayer -- Luke 18:1-8 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 1994
Gospel Theme:Persistence in prayerGospel Note:

Devotional

SermonStudio

Fathers And Daughters/Mothers And Sons! -- Matthew 20:20-21 -- Steven Molin -- 2008
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she
Gurgles And Giggles And Squeaks, Oh My! -- Steven Molin -- 2008
Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world.
The Greatest Gift: Yourself! -- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 -- Steven Molin -- 2008
So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of G
One Letter From A New Dad -- Philippians 1:3-6 -- Steven Molin -- 2008
I thank God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers
The Ultimate Parenting Cliché: "They Grow Up So Fast!" -- Ecclesiastes 11:9a -- Steven Molin -- 2008
Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your yout
The Worst Day Of Parenting Is Better Than ... -- Genesis 15:2 -- Steven Molin -- 2008
But Abram said, "O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of
What You Promised -- 1 Corinthians 13:4, 7 -- Steven Molin -- 2008
Love is patient, love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant ...
Is This What You Thought It Would Be? -- Romans 5:3-5a -- Steven Molin -- 2008
And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endura
Enjoying The Job That Never Ends -- Philippians 3:13-14 -- Steven Molin -- 2008
Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting wha
Easter Day -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Easter Day - A -- 2007
So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Poems

Pastoral Resources

Children's program

Pageant

Adult study

Youth Resources

Monologues

Church Programs

Meditations

Candlelighting service

Biblical Studies

Humor

Faith Development

Bible Study

Children's Resources

Self Help

Liturgy

Illustration

Spirituality

Biblical Study

Inspirational

Christian Life

Easter

Lent/Easter

Church Growth

Sacrament

Healing

Death

Funeral

Memorial

Observance

Christian

African-American History

Thanksgiving Day

Marriage Ceremony

Wedding Vow

Home Blessing

Church Anniversary

Women's Day

Men's Day

Church Leaders

Mother's Day

Gathering Prayer

Unison Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer

Intercession

Fellowship

Christian Faith

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

Richard E. Gribble, CSC
When Charlie Atlas was a teenager his parents purchased for him a dresser mirror that he placed in his bedroom. Before this, whenever Charlie needed to use a mirror, he went to the bathroom, but there he was only able to see his head and possibly his shoulders. When he got dressed up he used his parents' full-length mirror in their bedroom. Charlie was happy with his new mirror; he spent many hours in front of it.
Elizabeth Achtemeier
There is a strange belief abroad in our land at the present time, the belief that we cannot know God. Such a belief rises partly from a feeling of awe before the divine -- the feeling that God is so unfathomable, so other, so beyond our feeble understanding that we cannot possibly experience who he truly is in all of his fullness and perfection. And perhaps that is the reason that the Athenians have erected that idol "to an unknown God" that Paul encounters when he visits their city. They know that there is a god beyond them, but they cannot define him or name him.
Stan Purdum
(See Proper 23/Pentecost 21/Ordinary Time 28, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-12.)

Psalm 66 is a song of communal thanksgiving, probably composed to celebrate some national deliverance. Because of the personal language of verses 13-20, there is some speculation that this psalm was originally two hymns, but as it stands, it contains a combination of corporate and personal prayers, both appropriate in worship.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 17:22--31 (C, E, L)
Schuyler Rhodes
Are you one of those people who always has a backup plan? Do you make your commitments and focus your energies on one thing, but have an alternative in mind just in case things don't work out with the first one? You might call it "Plan B" or something else, but basically you're hedging your bets and covering yourself in case the situation goes south.
Mark Ellingsen
Jesus was still in the middle of his farewell discourse to his disciples. He was trying to comfort the despair that they were feeling when they had first heard the news (during the last supper) that Jesus would be leaving them (John 13:21, 33; 14:1). He had comforted them with the good news that he was on the way to God the Father, that in associating with Jesus, the disciples had been in fellowship with the Father (John 14:6-11). Whoever believed in him, Jesus said, would be able to do the works that he had done, even greater works (John 14:12).
Albert G. Butzer, III
Here are two statements about the world. Tell me if both of them ring true for you. The first of them is this: "The world is a beautiful place." And the second statement is this: "The world is a terrible and dangerous place." Both statements are true - don't you agree? - and yet, ironically, they seem to say the exact opposite thing. How much easier it would be to affirm one statement or the other, but not both.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
The name Robert Stroud is not one commonly heard in ordinary conversation, but this man's contribution to humanity will live on in the minds of many under a different title, "The Birdman of Alcatraz." By nature, Robert Stroud was not a congenial man. As a youth he was always getting into fights, disagreements, and various altercations. When he was only nineteen he killed a man in a barroom brawl, was convicted of second--degree murder, and was sentenced to the Federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas, since the crime was committed on Federal land.
Richard W. Ferris
In a large stone cathedral in Europe there was a grand, magnificent pipe organ. On a particular Saturday afternoon, the sexton was making one final check of the choir and organ loft high in the balcony at the back of the church. As he was making his inspection, he was startled to hear footsteps echoing up the stone stairway behind him. He thought the doors were all locked and that no one else was in the church. He turned to see a man in slightly tattered traveling clothes coming toward him.
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Acts 17:22-31
Theme: To A Known God

Call To Worship
Leader: God is a known God who continually gives us evidence of presence.
People: God is a knowable God who extends to us the hand of hope.
All: Come, let us worship God. Amen.

Collect
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Our Cities Cry To You, O God (PH437)
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (PH376, UM384, LBW315, NCH43)
Holy Spirit, Truth Divine (PH321, UM465)
There's A Sweet, Sweet Spirit (PH398, UM334)
Thy Holy Wings, O Savior (UM502)
Come Down, O Love Divine (LBW508, NCH289, PH313)
O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee (OBW492, NCH502, PH357)
My Song Is Love Unknown (LBW94, NCH222, PH76)

Anthems
Praise The Lord, Service Music, Hal Hopson, CGA, Unison 2--part

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Katy Stenta
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 10, 2026:

StoryShare

John Fitzgerald
Contents
"Reason for Hope" by John Fitzgerald

Reason for Hope
by John Fitzgerald
1 Peter 3:13-22

Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the classic Little House on the Prairie series neared an end to her
life. At this juncture she penned an essay about hope in face of the constant current of change. Here is an excerpt from that writing: 
Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Always Be Ready" by Frank Ramirez
"Looking for God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"A Gentle Profession" by Peter Andrew Smith


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
The lessons for the Sixth Sunday of Easter direct us to sermons on the great things God’s love does, appreciating in two cases this love’s cosmic character (especially leading to a stress on justification by grace). This is an appropriate theme with the festival of the Ascension in view, which celebrates Christ’s almighty power and cosmic vindication. 

Acts 17:22-31
William H. Shepherd
Schuyler Rhodes
In Garret Kreizer's novel, God of Beer (2002), the high school social studies teacher tells the class about Gandhi's assertion that if God ever came to India, he'd have to come as bread, in order to get the attention of the starving peasants. The teacher then asks the class what form God would have to take in order to get the attention of their high school. "Beer," says one student. "Yeah," another chimes in, "it's the only thing to do around here."

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.

CSSPlus

Hi there, boys and girls! How many of you have rules that you have to follow at home? (show of hands) What are some of the rules you have? (let them tell you) What about at school? Do you have rules there? What are they? (let them tell you)

Why should we even have rules? (see what they think) I think we have rules because it makes it easier for us to be together. If we are all kind to each other, we will all be happier. If there are rules, then maybe people will fight less.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL