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Friends I Love -- Mark 3:13-17 -- Shirley Jennings -- 1987
Everyone needs friends to love.
The Deaf Shall Hear -- Mark 7:31-37 -- Shirley Jennings -- 1987
Deafness is a problem that hearing children can faintly grasp.
God In A Box? -- Psalm 139:9-10 -- Shirley Jennings -- 1987
God is always near no matter where we go.
The Days Are Numbered -- Proverbs 9:11 -- Shirley Jennings -- 1987
New Year's Day gives us the opportunity to look forward to all the God-given days that are coming in
The Light Bulb -- Genesis 1:3 -- Shirley Jennings -- 1987
We can thank God that we have lights in our houses on dark winter nights.Object:
"A Scout Is ... kind" -- Ephesians 4:32 -- Shirley Jennings -- 1987
Being kind is considered important in both the Scout Handbook and the Bible.
Herod -- Matthew 2:3-8, 16-20 -- Dale S. Bringman -- 1987
Herodus Magnus! By that name, I am known.
O Christmas Tree, Part 6 -- Dale S. Bringman -- 1987
Objects: Christmas tree balls
O Christmas Tree, Part 4 -- Dale S. Bringman -- 1987
Object: A Star Ornament
O Christmas Tree, Part 5 -- Dale S. Bringman -- 1987
Object: an angel ornament
O Christmas Tree, Part 3 -- Dale S. Bringman -- 1987
Objects: Candy Canes
O Christmas Tree, Part 2 -- Dale S. Bringman -- 1987
Object: Tree Lights
A Joyful Noise -- Psalm 100:1-2 -- Shirley Jennings -- 1987
Christians are called to worship the Lord joyfully.Object:a triangle.
O Christmas Tree, Part 1 -- Dale S. Bringman -- 1987
Object: A small pine tree
A Storybook -- Mark 10:13-16 -- Shirley Jennings -- 1987
Children may be motivated to read the Bible if they are told it contains stories.
Talking to God -- Psalm 116:1-2 -- Shirley Jennings -- 1987
God listens when we pray.Object:a telephone.
Talk To A Tree -- Genesis 2:8-9 -- Shirley Jennings -- 1987
Trees are beautiful and helpful gifts from Gods.Object:
Friends At Church -- Mark 10:14 -- Shirley Jennings -- 1987
Sunday church school is a place to make friends and to bring friends.
LET JESUS FORGIVE YOU! -- Romans 3:21-28 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1976
Object:a magnifying glass, a piece of wood, and some wood filler.
MUSTARD ON MASHED POTATOES? -- Galatians 5:16-24 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1976
Object:salt, vinegar, and mustard.
God's Thermometer -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1976
Good morning, boys and girls.
DO THE TOUGH THINGS FIRST -- Romans 8:18-23 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1976
(For use on the Sunday nearest July 4)Object:a shovel and a bucket.
1,943 CANDLES ON THE BIRTHDAY CAKE! -- Acts 2:1-11 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1976
Object: candles for each child and anything else that will help to make this a birthday party.
PATTERNED AFTER JESUS -- 1 Peter 2:21b-25 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1976
Object: an office punch (hole punch) and different shapes and colors of paper.
A TERRIFIC SINGER -- 2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9 -- Wesley T. Runk -- 1976
Object:a tape recorder.

Christian

Christian Faith

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Poems

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Preaching

SermonStudio

In The Name Of God! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Christians have done (and still do) some terrible things and claimed they were
Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 or Isaiah 35:4-7a3, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2005
Revised Common Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 or Isaiah 35:4-7a3
Should The Universe Make Sense -- And Why? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Are we meant to know some of the answers to the more significant questions con
Fifth Sunday of Easter -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Carlos Wilton -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Revised Common Acts 8:26-40 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8
Exiles -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
Our story takes place on a small green-blue planet, partly covered with clouds, which circles near t
The Doorkeeper -- Mark 13:32-37 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
1. Text
When Kids Go Bad -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: What is the cause of so many of the problems our youth have today and what can
A Dangerous Way To Read Your Bible -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Unavoidably and necessarily we must "pick and choose" which passages in our Bi
An Unidentified Naked Male Running From The Scene -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Our regular examination of our relationship with Jesus and the church is proba
Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 -- Proverbs 1:20-33 or Isaiah 50:5-9a, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2005
Revised Common Proverbs 1:20-33 or Isaiah 50:5-9a James 3:1-12
Neither Peacock Nor Worm -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: On finding the delicate balance between pride and humility.
Sixth Sunday of Easter -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Carlos Wilton -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Revised Common Acts 10:44-48 1 John 5:1-6 John 15:9-17
Hope In Heaven -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
Eighty years out from earth, the ship crept between the stars.
The Good Shepherd -- John 10:11-18 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2005
1. Text
Methinks Thou Dost Not Protest Too Much -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: This sermon presents the case for Christians becoming social activists.
Skeletons In The Church Closet -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: The Church is not now, and has not in the past, been perfect.
Can You Be Trusted With Crayons And Scissors? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How great is the responsibility of being a Christian and are we ready for it?
Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 -- Proverbs 31:10-31 or Jeremiah 11:18-20, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2005
Revised Common Proverbs 31:10-31 or Jeremiah 11:18-20 James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a
Will Reverend Tortoise Ever Catch Doctor Hare? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Is there a gap between science and ethics and what are we going to do about it
Seventh Sunday of Easter -- Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 -- Carlos Wilton -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Revised Common Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19
"I'll Be Back!" -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- George L. Murphy -- 2005
Nightfall at Lod airport, 25 miles northeast of Jerusalem.
The True Vine -- John 15:1-8 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
1. Text
Noah And The Ark And Other True Stories -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How do we interpret the improbable sounding stories in our Old Testament?
The Christian And False Besmirchment -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Christians should be extraordinarily careful not to judge others on flimsy and
Is It Time To Modernize The Gospel? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Are the teachings of Jesus relevant to every age or do they need updating for

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Aprons Or Bibs -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Tony S. Everett -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2007
Potluck dinners are wonderful!
A Match Made In Heaven -- Genesis 29:15-28 -- David Kalas -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2007
One of the great privileges of being a parish pastor is the opportunity to officiate at weddings.
Christmas And The Beast -- Isaiah 40:9-11 -- William Powell Tuck -- 2007
The passage in Matthew 2:13-20 about the slaughter of children by King Herod is usually bypassed by
Always With Us -- John 14:15-21 -- Lee Griess -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
On a hot southern night, some 150 years ago, a weary slave sat before a tar-paper shack and lifted h
To An Unknown God -- Acts 17:22-31 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Are you one of those people who always has a backup plan?
Dare To Be Different -- Romans 13:11-14 -- John N. Brittain -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
A true story tells how the two sons of a ninety-year-old Fort Worth, Texas, woman were worried about
The Hungry Monkey -- Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 -- Tony S. Everett -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2007
During a meeting of the parish stewardship committee, members viewed a thirty-second video clip take
A Blessing In Disguise -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- David Kalas -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2007
I wonder how many of us here are named after someone.
Can There Be Peace On Earth? -- Luke 2:8-14, John 14:27 -- William Powell Tuck -- 2007
Two thousand years ago an angelic chorus heralded the birth of Jesus with the words, "Peace on earth
Connected To God -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Lee Griess -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2007
It's one of those stories that circulates around the internet.
Receiving The Power Of The Holy Spirit -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2007
I love this story.
Headed In The Right Direction -- Romans 15:4-13 -- John N. Brittain -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
If you don't know that Christmas is a couple of weeks away, you must be living underground.
Losers, Weepers -- Isaiah 49:8-16a -- Tony S. Everett -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2007
All of us have experienced the pain of loss in many different forms.
Do You See What I See? -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- David Kalas -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2007
In 1956, director/producer Cecil B.
Christmas Gifts -- Matthew 2:1-11 -- William Powell Tuck -- 2007
The words have been asked, will be asked, and you will respond in one way or another.
One In Faith And One In Service -- John 17:1-11 -- Lee Griess -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
A few choice words -- that's what Jesus gives us this morning -- a few choice words about our lives
Are We There Yet? -- Acts 1:6-14 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
On long family car trips, one of the favorite questions asked by children from the backseat is, "Are
Pentecost ... Again! -- 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2007
They had been waiting so long for this.
Are We There Yet? -- James 5:7-10 -- John N. Brittain -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
"Are we there yet?
I Don’t Do Windows -- Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28 -- Tony S. Everett -- 2007
For months, members of the parish property team had been having difficulty finding volunteers to cle
Sentimental Slaves -- Exodus 16:2-15 -- David Kalas -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
Let me ask you to do a little remembering today.
Gifts For A King -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12 -- William Powell Tuck -- 2007
Several years ago, some small children were helping set up a nativity scene.
Life And Forgiveness Come Easy When You're Filled With The Spirit -- John 20:19-23 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2007
It's Pentecost Sunday, a day when we celebrate the birth of the Church and the giving of the Holy Sp
Showing Up -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- John N. Brittain -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2007
We lived in Florida for a while in the 1980s and it was then that we learned about Tarpon Springs.
So, Explain It To Me -- 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2007
Trinity Sunday begins the second half of the church year.

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Giving
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Satan
Petty Concerns -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2001
Mitch loved his church.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Prejudice is the mother of ignorance and the sister of hate.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"Holiness is not a series of do's and don'ts, but a conformity to God's character in the very depths
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Discipleship
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Mother
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Christmas Wrapping
Sorry! -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Constance Berg -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2001
What if Judas hadn't betrayed Jesus? What if Judas wasn't sorry?
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A good mother is sunshine in a house.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Holiness is a bargain at any cost.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Leadership
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Worship
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world." (William Wallace)
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
The Holy Spirit is like Tide¨ soap, the deeper the stain, the deeper the cleansing.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Giving "Those who give most are least concerned about returns." (The Lunn Log)
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Self-control
A Steward Of Her Garden -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2001
Grace loves to garden and she tends her garden carefully.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Most moms are aware that happiness is a spot between too little and too much that their kids often v
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A "yes" to God is a "no" to things that hurt His Holiness.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Discipleship
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Mother
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Church
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Church Growth
Niceties Don't Sell -- 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Constance Berg -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2001
During the time of the Christian church in Corinth, a trance--like state testified to the fact that

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

First Sunday after Christmas Day -- Isaiah 61:10, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40, Psalm 148 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (from Psalm 148) Leader:
NULL -- Proverbs 11:25 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: A generous man will prosper;
The Suffering Servant -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Lights And Scriptures For Maundy Thursday
The Baptism Of Our Lord -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11, Psalm 29 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2005
Call To WorshipThis one is based on Genesis 1. Leader:
Theme: Murder Will Out Or The Butler Did Not Do It -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Bulletin Insert for Christmas Day for Year B -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12) -- Robert S. Jarboe -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Service For The Christ CandleReader A: ___________________
The Nativity of our Lord -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4, John 1:1-14, Psalm 98 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (based on John 1:1-5) Leader: In the beginning was the Word
NULL -- Ecclesiastes 5:4 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it.
A Time For All Things -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Readings For New Year's Day
Christ The King -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2005
Call To WorshipFrom Psalm 145.
Theme: Why Couldn't It Have Been Me? -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship
Bulletin Insert for Christmas Day for Year B -- John 1:1-14 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Service For The Christ CandleReader A: ___________________
Christmas Eve -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Psalm 96 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- 2005
Christmas EveProper I Isaiah 9:2-7 Titus 2:11-14 Psalm 96
NULL -- Ecclesiastes 11:1 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: Give generously,
A Parade Of Passion -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Choral Readings For Palm/Passion Sunday
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31, Psalm 133 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To WorshipA continuing celebration of resurrection. Leader:
Theme: The One Wish -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Proverbs 9:9-10)
First Sunday in Advent -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: _________________________
The Ministry Of Anointing -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful?
NULL -- Isaiah 66:1a, 2a -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: "Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool.
The Birth Of The Church -- Mary Lu Warstler -- 2005
A Service Of Hymns And Word For Pentecost Sunday
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48, Psalm 4 -- Charles And Donna Cammarata -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Call To WorshipTaken from 1 John 3:1-3 (The Message)Leader:
Theme: What I Want -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2005
Call To Worship (Psalm 34:18-19)
First Sunday in Advent -- Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.) Date: _________________________
A Basic Service Of Anointing -- Frank Ramirez -- 2005
(Share a time of visitation and prayer as previously outlined.

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
New Year's Eve/Day
13 – Sermons
40+ – Illustrations / Stories
16 – Children's Sermons / Resources
6 – Worship Resources
6 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas 2
20 – Sermons
60+ – Illustrations / Stories
12 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
12 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany of the Lord
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

Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 4-6, 2026:
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For January 4-6, 2026:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
I was only just full-grown when we set out on the journey, but I was strong and eager for adventure. And by the time we returned to our own land after many years, I was older and wiser than my age might have you believe.

Don't get me wrong. I was happy in my home, living in the paddock with my brothers and sisters and the rest of the herd, for we were well looked after. We always had food and water, and the camel master almost never beat us, even when occasionally we'd spit at him, just for fun.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Frank Ramirez
Timothy F. Merrill
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Sons from Far Away, Daughters in Nurses' Arms" by David O. Bales
"Tenting Among Us" by Frank Ramirez
"God's Resolutions" by Timothy F. Merrill


What's Up This Week
C. David Mckirachan
Larry Winebrenner
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"A Time for Everything" by Larry Winebrenner
"A Word of Hope" by Larry Winebrenner
"You Were Adopted" by C. David McKirachan
"Behold the Man" by Keith Hewitt


* * * * * * * *


A Time for Everything
Larry Winebrenner
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Henry didn't like Jack.

Oh, he loved him like a brother. He would die for his friend. But oh, the arrogance. He always thought he was right. And he would always use authority, authority of some kind, to support his claims.

SermonStudio

Mark Wm. Radecke
This season, the boundaries of darkness are pushed back. A light shines in the darkness and the darkness is powerless to extinguish it.

Darkness has always been a potent metaphor for those things in life that oppress and enthrall us, frighten and intimidate us, cause us worry and anxiety and leech the joy from our lives.

We know darkness in our physical lives when illness is close at hand, when we lack the basic necessities of life -- food, shelter and clothing.
Paul E. Robinson
Early in January in northern Canada the sun peeks above the horizon for the first time after six weeks of hiding. An important dawn for Canada. Imagine how the lives of people in the northern latitudes would be different if they got used to the darkness and never even expected that a dawn would ever lighten their horizon again.
John N. Brittain
We lived in Florida for a while in the 1980s and it was then that we learned about Tarpon Springs. Not a large city, it has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any place in the US. This dates back to the 1880s, when Greek immigrants moving into the area were hired as sponge divers, a trade they had plied back in the old country. Today Tarpon Springs' main claim to fame is the Greek Orthodox Church's Epiphany celebration, which is held every January 6, with the blessing of the waters and the boats.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
Early January always feels like a fresh start. The Christmas whirlwind has settled down. We still have a fighting chance to keep our resolutions for the new year. Cartoons always depict the New Year as a baby, full of possibilities and innocence. We hope that with a new year we can leave the baggage behind us, stretching toward a brighter future.

Stephen M. Crotts
Many things are written with all of the excitement of some fresh truth recently received. Other things are written from anger. And there is much these days in any pastorate to make one mad. Still other messages are delivered from depression. I'm convinced that the majority of preachers I know are over the edge into burnout. And what of this particular study? Where am I coming from? Today, I'm writing from a broken heart, a heart shattered by a fallen comrade.
William B. Kincaid, III
Did you notice that bad things did not stop happening through the holidays? And is any warning necessary that bad things will happen in every season of this year? Surely there is better news than that, but we ought to be honest about the bad news. Not even the holidays generate enough good will to stop people from blowing up airplanes and destroying people's reputations and abusing children and selling drugs to teenagers and gunning down their neighbors.
Robert A. Beringer
"So, what's new?" he asked. It happens all the time. You meet someone on the street you have not seen for awhile. "What's new?" "Oh, nothing much, really.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

When to accommodate and when not to accommodate? That's the question we face today. Most likely, the minds and hearts of our congregations will be focused on the new year. They will have just celebrated the advent not only of a new year but in this case a new millennium. With all the hype about the year 2000, our attention will doubtless be engrossed in the calendar. On the other hand, today is also an important liturgical celebration of the naming of Jesus. It provides us opportunity to acknowledge the importance of that name which has become sacred in our tradition.
Mark J. Molldrem
Schuyler Rhodes
These are the longest hours of darkness. Although the winter solstice is passed, the darkness lingers for many more weeks. The season becomes a symbol for the longing of the human spirit to "see the light." It becomes difficult to catch sight of the light, however, when so many shadows lurk at every turn of a corner we make. We claim to be an enlightened people; yet settle for clap-trap on television and spend countless hours absorbing it like a sponge under a dripping faucet. We call athletes heroes for nothing more than being good at what they do.
Cathy Venkatesh
In many countries, January 6 is a public holiday with parades, parties, and festivities celebrating the visit of the wise men. For some Christian churches, the main celebration of Christ's incarnation occurs on this day. But in the United States, Monday, January 6, 2014, is nothing special in the public sphere. For most of us, this day marks the beginning of our first full week back at work or school after the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

CSSPlus

Teachers: Most youngsters (and many adults) have a misconception of the wise men. The Bible does not state that the wise men visited Jesus at the manger. Even so, our tradition of gift giving at Christmas may relate to the wise men's gifts. The church celebrates the arrival of the wise men's visit to Jesus 12 days after Christmas. This event is called "Epiphany."

Take a moment to explain to your students the significance of Epiphany, the wise men, and Jesus. The lesson from Matthew states three gifts that the wise men gave Jesus: gold, frankincense and
Today we are going to be like the wise men from the East who looked for baby Jesus. They were told the wonderful story about a promised Messiah who would save the world. He was the "king of the Jews" and would be king of all people. They traveled a great distance. They wanted to see the baby. They had to see the baby! So they left and ended up in Jerusalem. There they asked about the promised king.

The man who was king became very jealous. Even though they were looking for a spiritual king -- a king of our hearts, minds,
Teachers or Parents: Have an Epiphany pageant to close off the Christmas season and the twelve days of Christmas with the children of your church. Have people stationed in various parts of the home or church building where you might go to ask the question, "Are you the Messiah?" They will, of course, say, "No." The first group might add, "Look for the star." Involve as many children as possible. Let them ask the question. Let them get into the role of wise men from the East. Help them relive the story and see that Jesus is more than king of the Jews or king of

Special Occasion

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