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SermonStudio

Proper 12 -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeThe resurrected Christ becomes a physical presence in the world again.
Proper 13 -- Hosea 11:1-11 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Few passages in the Old Testament are more important than this one, because it sets forth central un
John W. Wurster -- 2003
Luke 7:1-10Proper 4Pentecost 2Ordinary Time 9Miracle Seven
Second Sunday after Epiphany -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2003
For those who like to preach from all three lectionary texts, the stated readings for this Sunday co
Proper 7 -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 13 -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Ash Wednesday -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus and his disciples move toward Jerusalem and the cross.
Proper 14 -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
In the popular piety that so dominates American religious life, there is the saying that "God hears
John W. Wurster -- 2003
Luke 7:11-17Proper 5Pentecost 3Ordinary Time 10
Third Sunday after Epiphany -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2003
We live in a society in which right and wrong have become largely a matter of personal opinion.
Proper 8 -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 14 -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
The Baptism Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2003
Seasonal Theme
Proper 15 -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2003
This passage is famously known as Isaiah's "Song of the Vineyard." It begins with the prophet singin
John W. Wurster -- 2003
Luke 9:28-36Transfiguration Of The LordMiracle Five
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2003
We modern-day Christians are not called to be prophets in the Old Testament sense of the term.
Proper 9 -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Proper 15 -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Luke 12:49-56 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Corpus Christi -- Genesis 14:18-20, Luke 9:11-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 2003
Theme For The Day
Proper 16 -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2003
You and I and all persons in our day are not prophets in the Old Testament sense of the word.
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13) -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2003
We use the word "holy" a lot.
Reformation Sunday -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2003
Theme For The Day
Proper 16 -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2003
Seasonal ThemeJesus' acts of compassion and teaching ministry.
Christ The King -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2003
Theme For The DayChrist is our king and calls us to a loyal citizenship in his kingdom.

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

The Underlying Mercy -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Stan Purdum -- 2005
The Underlying Mercy
Jesus -- The Bread Guy -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2005
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is often the "Bread Guy." Here he is different from the Jesus of Matthe
Worship! -- Luke 1:26-56 -- Michael L. Ruffin -- 2005
"My soul magnifies the Lord," Mary said, and I think that she meant it.
Apostolic Instruction -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Saint Paul is "on a roll!" He keeps on coming with what he expects of the followers of Christ, as he
Gift Of Positive Thinking -- 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2005
For generations the "power of positive thinking" has been touted throughout our land.
Really Believing In The Resurrection -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- David T. Ball -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Apparently the early New Testament followers had difficulty believing in the resurrection.
An Odd Couple -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2005
An Odd Couple
Resisting Jesus -- John 6:51-58 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2005
Sometimes people have difficulty understanding Jesus, or say they do.
What's So Amazing About Grace? -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2005
What's So Amazing About Grace?
Making Disciples -- 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2005
The fruit or lack of it in our ministries is ever before us.
Thanksgiving And Thanksliving -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Donald Charles Lacy -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Don't you just love times of thanksgiving?
Dave, Tell Me About The Cross -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- John T. Ball -- Good Friday - B -- 2005
Dave, having just finished seminary, and before leaving for doctoral studies on the west coast, drov
Those Other Sheep -- John 10:11-18 -- David T. Ball -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Sometimes a familiar scriptural text begs for our attention. We may have read this text many times.
Being Good ... For Nothing -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2005
If I were to ask you to complete the sentence, "You know it is going to be a bad day when ..." how w
The Unsuccessful Jesus -- John 6:56-69 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2005
John 6:56-69 is a great passage from John's Gospel.
No More Camping Out -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
I wanted to see if we could get a show of hands today.
Listening To Minority Voices -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- John T. Ball -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
The endurance of humanity and even the whole cosmos could depend upon giving a serious listening of
Nothing But Plunging In -- John 15:1-8 -- David T. Ball -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
Commenting on our lection, John 15:1-8, a great American preacher wrote, "There is nothing for it bu
With Friends Like These ... -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- 2005
With Friends Like These ...
Time For A Minimalist Faith -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2005
Some years ago, a San Francisco author who often worked as a stevedore on the city's docks, wrote,
Claiming A Do-Over Faith -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
What do you think of when you hear the word "jubilee"?
Abraham: The Near Death Of God's Promise -- Romans 4:13-25 -- John T. Ball -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Since Dr.
The Power Of Jesus' Death -- John 15:9-17 -- David T. Ball -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
There is an old saying that nothing is inevitable except death and taxes.
From Silence To Sight -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2005
Playwright Neil Simon has written a comedy, God's Favorite, based on a contemporary Job, a ty
A Healing Ministry For The Modern Church -- Mark 7:24-37 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2005
The mission and ministry of Jesus was preaching, teaching, and healing.

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Encouragement -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Constance Berg -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1999
Words are important. They start wars, create unions, and touch our emotions.
Hurt -- 1999
Pastor David Rowe points out: "There is an old African proverb which says it doesn't matter whether
What Limits? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
We humans possess an aggressive instinct. We are killer apes. Man is a promiscuous creature.
Courage -- 1999
Barbara Lundblad at an ELCA Assembly said: "The reason they tie mountain climbers together is to kee
Cross -- 1999
With the neighbor's financial help, we were able to cut down two huge eucalyptus trees which had die
Parenthood -- 1999
Letty Cottin Pogrebia in Growing Up: "Don't be the man you think you should be, be the father
Seeking -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Truth sought and found. Truth elusive. Truth is relative. Truth is an illusion. Truth monopolies.
Dance Of Gratitude -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1999
Anna dances. Ever since she was cured of a childhood disease, she has danced.
Hymn -- 1999
I was in our car, stopped at a traffic light in Berkeley.
Flawed Humans? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
I'm a far more suggestible individual, Leon, than I would like to admit.
Danger -- 1999
At a very busy intersection today someone had hit the barricades where road work was being done.
Pastor -- 1999
In my childhood my pastor, Christian Wessel, was like a father to me. I adored him.
"The Mysterium Tremendum"? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Early on, Leon, selecting sociology as a major area of study presented me with indications that my i
Bartolome de las Casas, Missionary -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1999
Professor Bob Corbett celebrates and laments the work of Bartolomé de las Casas.
Illusion -- 1999
One time Carol Jarrett of Tiffin, Ohio, had a surprise birthday party for her husband, John.
Questioning -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
A plaque showing a young boy curiously, questioningly bent over examining an object on a beach with
Destruction -- 1999
A market sign over a shopping mall all boarded up: "This construction killed us." A new four-lane hi
Peace -- 1999
At the Augustana-Hochschule (Seminary) in Neuendettelsau, Germany, I was told that the facilities no
Alive In Christ -- 1999
Dave Carlson of Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines tells of importing live fish by plane.
Miracles -- John 6:1-21 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1999
Some people have spent countless hours trying to explain how Jesus could possibly have fed 5,000 men
Impersonation -- 1999
The Ledger-Dispatch of Antioch, California, told a fascinating story of deception and imperso
A Tragic Species? -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
Financial advisors caution people about putting all their investments in one source and many individ
Whistling In The Dark -- Noel Francisco -- 1999
There have been some humorous eye-catching drawings made of boys walking past a cemetery after dark,
Devil -- 1999
I preached in Wozi, Liberia, one night through an interpreter into the Loma language.
Peacemaker -- 1999
I saw on the news tonight Bishop Tutu dressed in a purple cassock wading into a rioting crowd in Sou

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 29 (Christ The King) -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2001
Theme: The Good ShepherdCall To Worship
Tenebrae For Modern Times -- Marie A. Asner -- 2001
Welcome The CongregationChoral Introit(Suggestions)
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany -- Isaiah 49:8-16a -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2001
Theme: God Of Comfort And CompassionCall To Worship
The Holy Trinity -- Psalm 8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2001
Theme: Jesus, The Light Of The WorldCall To Worship
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Psalm 16:5-11 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 24 -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2001
Theme: An Example To OthersCall To Worship
First Sunday Of Advent -- Psalm 25:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Second Sunday In Lent -- Psalm 121 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
I Am The True Vine -- Gail Gaymer Martin -- 2001
(Family and friends are called to silence for the opening of the prayer service.)
Proper 16 -- Romans 12:1-8 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2001
Theme: Unity In DiversityCall To Worship
Proper 8 -- Psalm 13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 29 (Christ The King) -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2001
Theme: Spirit Of WisdomCall To Worship
Closing The Distance -- Luke 15:20b -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
When my daughter Emma was two years old, she was observing me getting robed up for Sunday worship.
Eighth Sunday After Epiphany -- 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2001
Theme: Stewards Of GodCall To Worship
Proper 4 -- Genesis 6:11-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2001
Theme: FaithCall To Worship
Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2001
Theme: Christ For The WorldCall To Worship
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Theme: Call To RepentanceCall To Worship
Proper 24 -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2001
Theme: Give God His DueCall To Worship Leader: We are God's people.
Second Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: The Peaceful KingdomCall To Worship
Third Sunday In Lent -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Theme: Is God With Us?Call To Worship
Child Of God, Heir To The Kingdom -- Gail Gaymer Martin -- 2001
(Family and friends are called to silence for the opening of the prayer service.)
What a dramatic God we serve! -- Janet Burton -- 2001
Drama is all about us. Human history is the great drama of God, carried out on a planet-size stage.
Proper 16 -- Matthew 16:13-20 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2001
Theme: On This RockCall To Worship
Proper 9 -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
Theme: Love And MarriageCall To Worship

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Epiphany 4 (OT 4)
28 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 5 (OT 5)
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 6 (OT 6)
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
35 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A sign that says, “The Home of Jesus!” (Click here to download the sign I used.)

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The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For February 2, 2025:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. (vv.8-10)

I, John Sumwalt, believe in God! It’s the reality in which, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “I live and move and have my being.”

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Imagine an aging church leader or preacher who has seen one technology tool after another change the face of how messages of fait are communicated. It started with the chalkboard, overhead plastic sheets on a projector to now various forms of computer software programs off a laptop onto a screen. With all the modern technology changes going at increasing megabytes per second, is God’s Word still as accurate and effective as in times past?
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Jeremiah 1:4-10
There are plenty of things in contemporary American society which could use a prophetic voice to challenge them. We think of all the ugliness in our public discourse and on the net. There is the rising tide of anti-semitism. Reuters reported a 268.1 times wage gap in 2023 between the salary of the median employed worker and CEO pay. Racism is hardly vanishing given legislation passed in a number of state legislatures against teaching Critical Race Theory. John Calvin well described an important aspect of the sort of prophecy we need. He wrote:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The story of the presentation of Jesus in the temple is strong on two 'bit-part' characters, Simeon and Anna, both of whom are old, and neither of whom has any other mention in the Bible. This story is an imaginary biography of Anna.

SermonStudio

Schuyler Rhodes
Most people, at one time or another, have had the regrettable experience of needing refuge. Untold millions around this war-ripped world are literally refugees, whose lives are shattered as they are uprooted and left bereft of home, family, and any visible means of sustenance. Countless women around the world suffer from the brutality of abuse by their male partners and are in need of refuge. Each day the numbers of homeless poor on the streets of America grows and grows. They, too, need refuge.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
During the 56 years of his life, Adolf Hitler did incredible harm and was responsible for the death of millions of people. Yet in all of the horror that he unleashed, there were pinpoints of light and nobility. One German soldier, Private Joseph Schultz, was one of those pinpoints.

Derl G. Keefer
Jeremiah had a task, a vision, and a promise from God. The prophet Jeremiah had a call from God to preach his word to a people needing to hear from God. His call has been duplicated multiple times over the centuries.
J. Ellsworth Kalas
David Kalas
In the church, most of us think of Epiphany simply as a season on the church calendar, and sometimes as a season we don't understand too well. We may recall that we are celebrating particularly the revealing of Christ to the Gentile world, via the Wise Men, but not much more.

The dictionary, however, adds further dimension to the word, listen: "a sudden, intuitive perception ... into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience."

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