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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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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
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

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