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Worship

SermonStudio

Second Sunday In Advent -- Malachi 3:1-4 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- 2006
Second Sunday In Advent For Malachi 3:1-4
Second Sunday In Advent -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- 2006
Second Sunday In Advent For Luke 1:68-79
Second Sunday In Advent -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- 2006
Second Sunday In Advent For Philippians 1:3-11
Second Sunday In Advent -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- 2006
Second Sunday In Advent For Luke 3:1-6
Third Sunday In Advent -- Zephaniah 3:14-20 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- 2006
Third Sunday In Advent For Zephaniah 3:14-20
Third Sunday In Advent -- Isaiah 12:2-6 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- 2006
Third Sunday In Advent For Isaiah 12:2-6
Third Sunday In Advent -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- 2006
Third Sunday In Advent For Philippians 4:4-7
Third Sunday In Advent -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- 2006
Third Sunday In Advent For Luke 3:7-18
Fourth Sunday In Advent -- Micah 5:2-5a -- Robert S. Jarboe -- 2006
Fourth Sunday In Advent For Micah 5:2-5a
Fourth Sunday In Advent -- Luke 1:46b-55 -- Robert S. Jarboe -- 2006
Fourth Sunday In Advent For Luke 1:46b-55

Drama

SermonStudio

It Used To Be The Two-Bottom Plow -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
Nothing hampers the move of God in a congregation more than the rigidity to religious traditions
The Ugly Duckling -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
This play may be presented as a unit, or divided up into Scene 1 and Scene 2 on consecutive Sunda
Through The Back Door -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
When Christians pray, the forces of evil tremble.
A Call To Worship -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
This drama, to be used at the beginning of the worship service, brings back into focus the real r
It's Called Forgiveness -- Matthew 6:14-15 -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
In the family of God, forgiveness is a command, not a choice.
When God Has Other Plans -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
Yielding to the plan of God for one's life is often difficult.
The Color Of Diversity -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
Diversity in life, especially in the body of Christ, is something to be welcomed and nurtured.
The Insignificant Valentine -- Karren Boehr -- 2000
The small, insignificant things people do in life often carry more impact than they realize.
Watch! -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Robert F. Crowley -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
The second advent of Christ and the doctrine of the elect.Summary
The Boss -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Robert F. Crowley -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 1999
Theme

Sermon

SermonStudio

On Not Giving Up -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- April Yamasaki -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2009
A word of encouragement came from an unlikely source the other day in a television interview with Dw
For All The Saints -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- April Yamasaki -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2009
What picture comes into your mind when you think of a saint?
Sing Praise -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- April Yamasaki -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2009
Theologian Karl Barth was once asked to sum up his life's work.
When God Adds Insult To Injury -- Colossians 2:6-15 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2009
So many things separate Christians into groups: denominations, different ways of practicing the sacr
Killing What Is Already Dead -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2009
Every pastor has had this experience.
The Assurance Of Things Hoped For -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2009
In the movie, Cast Away, Tom Hanks' character, Chuck, is stranded on a desert island in the P
Running With Perseverance -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2009
United Methodist Bishop, Robert Schnase, tells of his hobby as a "serious runner." He reports that p
God As A Consuming Fire -- Hebrews 12:18-29 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2009
Every pastor sees the damage that is done to people by too heavy an emphasis on God's judgment.
The Unchanging Christ In A Changing World -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2009
When we come to church, we usually do not come primarily to learn about doctrine.
From Slave To Brother -- Philemon 1:1-21 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2009
We often shortchange love.

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Differences -- John 7:24 -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1999
"I've brought some flowers today.
Inextinguishable Light -- Matthew 5:10 -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1999
"This morning I'd like you to help me understand the last of the Beatitudes.
What Is This? -- Exodus 16:13-15 -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1999
"I've been thinking about the word 'providence' all week. Have you ever heard that word before?
"Forgive Us Our Debts" -- Matthew 6:12 -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1999
As I greet the children this morning, I pull several rubber bands out of my pocket.
Help! -- Acts 16:9 -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1999
Visual Aid: None.
Helping Hands -- Matthew 14:16 -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1999
It's one of those Sundays on which I have decided to risk doing something different with the childre
In Praise Of God -- Psalm 95:1 -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1999
On this particular Sunday the children's choir, the youth bell choir, and the adult chancel choir ar
Light -- John 12:35 -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1999
To explore this text with the children I have brought a camera with fairly high-speed film in it.
Amazing Grace -- 1 Peter 3:15b -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1999
As the children note the blank sheet of white paper I have placed on the floor in front of them I as
A Basket Of Angels -- Matthew 28:2-3 -- B. Kathleen Fannin -- 1999
It is Easter.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Second Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day With Jesus, wonders never cease.
Third Sunday After The Epiphany -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day
Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day When Jesus calls, the only thing to do is follow.
Sixth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day
Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day Forgiving requires a very special sort of forgetting.
Eighth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 55:10-13, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Luke 6:39-49 -- Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day
The Transfiguration Of Our Lord -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Carlos Wilton -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
Theme For The Day Those who have encountered God are a beacon to others.
Proper 11 / Pentecost 6 / Ordinary Time 16 -- Psalm 52 -- James Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2006
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against th
Proper 12 / Pentecost 7 / Ordinary Time 17 -- Psalm 85 -- James Evans -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2006
(See Advent 2, Cycle B, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 8-13.)

Stories

SermonStudio

Still Learning Not To Wobble -- Psalm 32 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
God does not die on the day when we cease to believe in a personal deity, but we die on the day when
Born Again -- John 3:1-17 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
Kathy Raines
Water Sign -- John 4:5-42 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
Anne Sunday
The Gift Of Myself -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
Jim Eaton
The Wandering Eye -- Romans 8:6-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
Paul Calkin
Forsaken? -- Psalm 22 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2004
Judith B. Brain
Wrapped In Pentecost -- 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2004
Kate Jones
A Light To My Path -- Psalm 119:105-112 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2004
Linda Willis Harper
A Father's Love, A Mother's Good-bye -- Romans 8:12-25 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2004
R. Ellen Rasmussen
Praying: Even When You Can't -- Romans 8:26-39 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2004
Pamela J. Tinnin

Prayer

SermonStudio

God's unauthorized helpers -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: The first of the loosely related sayings contained here speaks
Is it lawful, Lord? -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: From the beginning of creation the ideal of marriage is for a
The threat of wealth to discipleship -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1993
Gospel Note:
Spiritual blindness and discipleship -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: For his last report of a healing prior to Jesus' dramatic and
The threshold of the Kingdom -- Mark 12:28-34 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: Neither the singling out of a commandment nor the juxtaposing
Self-serving versus self-giving -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: Mark's juxtaposing of what were, no doubt, two independent
The cosmic coming of the Son of man -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: This passage, near the conclusion of the so-called "little
Restrictive religion versus redemptive righteousness -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: In the two incidents recorded here, both related to Sabbath-
A madman with a mysterious ministry -- Mark 3:20-35 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: This interesting passage is an example of a pericope (on
The growing reality of the Kingdom of God -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Dennis Koch -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1993
Gospel Note: Mark probably connected these two originally independent "seed

Devotional

SermonStudio

Proper 10 / Pentecost 8 / OT 15 -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2007
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snat
Proper 11 / Pentecost 9 / OT 16 -- Genesis 28:10-19a -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2007
... Surely the Lord is in this place -- and I did not know it! -- Genesis 28:16
Proper 11 / Pentecost 9 / OT 16 -- Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2007
You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
Proper 11 / Pentecost 9 / OT 16 -- Romans 8:12-25 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2007
We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now....
Proper 11 / Pentecost 9 / OT 16 -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2007
He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the g
Proper 12 / Pentecost 10 / OT 17 -- Genesis 29:15-28 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2007
... What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel?...
Proper 12 / Pentecost 10 / OT 17 -- Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2007
O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples.
Proper 12 / Pentecost 10 / OT 17 -- Romans 8:26-39 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2007
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according t
Proper 12 / Pentecost 10 / OT 17 -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2007
"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." -- Matthew 13:51
Proper 13 / Pentecost 11 / OT 18 -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2007
Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with Go

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
30+ – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 3
26 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
30+ – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Easter 4
27 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20+ – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
For April 12, 2026:

StoryShare

Keith Wagner
Contents
"Spiritually Speaking" by Keith Wagner
"Living With More Power" by Keith Wagner


Spiritually Speaking
by Keith Wagner
Psalm 16
Alex A. Gondola, Jr.
Keith Hewitt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"When through Fiery Trials" by Alex Gondola
"Tracks" by Keith Hewitt


What's Up This Week

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Thomas had never seen his friends so excited. Peter's eyes were shining, and he could hardly contain his impatience. John was always quieter than Peter, but even he seemed full of barely suppressed eagerness. They were both tugging at Thomas, while at the same time dancing round him.

Thomas reluctantly agreed to go to the cave with them, although he continued to think they were mad. "If there was nothing there last week, how can it have changed now?" he kept asking.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
This psalm is a song of confidence and trust, and the first-century church found in it a prophecy of the Resurrection. Peter, in his Pentecost sermon, quotes verses 8-11 (Acts 2:25-28), applying them to the risen Lord. Thus, its designation as the responsorial psalm for Easter 2.

The psalm falls easily into three divisions: verses 1-4, there is no good apart from God; 5-8, the Lord is my portion and my counselor; and 9-11, there is joy and life with God.
John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 2:14a, 22--32 (C, E)
According to God's plan and David's prophecy, Jesus was raised from the dead. This pericope is a part of Peter's Pentecost sermon. It is a sample of the early church's preaching, as Luke understood it, summarized in the crucifixion, resurrection, and fulfillment of prophecy. Peter emphasizes that what happened to Jesus was according to God's plan. He quotes Psalm 16 as a prophecy by David of the resurrection which was fulfilled. The disciples are witnesses to the fulfillment because of their encounters with the risen Lord.
Tony S. Everett
So, here we are just over one week after Easter Sunday. Vigils are finished. Sunrise services are over. Dishes from the youth breakfast have been washed and put away. Brass and tympani fanfares have concluded. Flowers on the cross have begun to wilt and blow away. Fewer pews are filled.
Richard L. Sheffield
What the disciples of Jesus reported to their fellow disciple Thomas they had seen seemed unbelievable. And Thomas didn't believe it! They said they saw Jesus alive. Well, Thomas saw him alive until late the previous Friday afternoon when Thomas saw him dead. It was now Sunday afternoon -- and to what they said they saw, Thomas' response was, "Seeing is believing," and until I see something different from what I have already seen, I will not believe a word of what you say.
Albert G. Butzer, III
Several years ago the Episcopal Church launched a creative and clever advertising campaign. One of their ads pictured a young man with a frustrated look on his face because someone had put a heavy piece of tape across his mouth. His mouth had been taped shut; he was unable to speak. The caption, which accompanied the picture, said this: "The problem with churches that have all of the answers is that you can't ask questions."
Harry N. Huxhold
The United States of America has earned the reputation of being the most violent culture in the world. That really is an oxymoron. How can one speak of culture as being violent? Yet the problem of violence is so widespread in our nation that Gavin De Becker, an authority on violence, notes that we are a nation with more firearms than adults, and twenty thousand guns enter our commerce every day. His book, The Gift of Fear, is about our fear which furnishes us survival signals to protect us from violence. We should not be shocked that anyone is capable of violence.
Bill Mosley
The great luxury liner was on fire, but no one knew it. Deep in the hold, near the engine room, hundreds of tons of coal were stored. Coal--powered ships used to carry the coal in a watered--down state. But this ship was new, and very big; bigger than any ship ever built, or had ever sailed. So even though the coal was watered for safety, the enormous amount meant that there were dry spots. A fire smoldered undiscovered deep in the coal supply, and when it was discovered, a fire--fighting crew was sent to quench it. They worked for days, even weeks, and couldn't put it out.
B. David Hostetter
CALL TO WORSHIP
Bless our God who has given us counsel.
Come to worship with exulting heart and rejoicing spirit.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
I Danced In The Morning (UM261, PH 302)
Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! (CBH 272)
Jesus, The Very Thought Of Thee (NCH507)
We Live By Faith And Not By Sight (NCH256, PH398)
O Sons And Daughters, Let Us Sing (NCH244, PH116, 117)
Breathe On Me, Breath Of God (CBH356, UM420, PH316)
These Things Did Thomas Count (NCH284)
When In The Night I Meditate (PH165)

Anthems
From the Messiah: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth, G. F. Handel
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (Acts 2:32)
 This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.


Collect
 We lift up our eyes to you Lord, after the despair of the cross. We follow the path from the empty tomb to see you risen and walking among us! We praise your name in victory! Amen.


Prayer Of Confession

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Fresh air is precisely what many people feel they never get in church. Many recall the experiences of former times when the air was stodgy and stuffy. In some communities of faith the air is still a bit stifling, and so when invited to worship, the response is often, "Been there. Done that."

Yet our lessons are full of the freshness of spring, bringing life and vigor to what had been dormant, as though frozen in winter and refusing to thaw.

Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Wayne Brouwer
One of my good friends died last year. He had reached a good age and was mostly ready to go. In fact, he once told me he had more lives than the proverbial cat's nine. On too many occasions, because of cancer and accidents and blood diseases, doctors had written him off. Yet, like the Energizer bunny, he kept going and going and going....

CSSPlus

Good morning, boys and girls. This morning we read from the Bible about a special meeting between Jesus, who had been resurrected a week earlier, and his disciples. All of the disciples believed the resurrection except Thomas, who had not been in the room when Jesus met with the disciples a week earlier. Thomas had heard about it but didn't believe. He said that unless he saw for himself the wounds in the hands and side of Jesus, he would not believe.
Good morning, boys and girls. What does this sign mean? (Let them answer.) It is a question mark. When you see it that means someone is asking a question. Sometimes it means that someone doesn't believe what you are saying. That means the person is doubting you. It's a very common thing to have doubts about something. If one of you told me that you don't like to play with toys, I'd say, "I'm not so sure about that. I doubt it. I'll bet you really like to play with toys." If one of you told me that you didn't like candy, I would say, "I'm not so sure about that. I doubt it.

Special Occasion

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