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Proper 24 -- Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2003
The lectionary has included two separate oracles in this reading, verses 27-30 and verses 31-34.
The Prodigal Sons -- Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
1. Text
Second Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2003
Seasonal Theme
Proper 25, Reformation Sunday -- Joel 2:23-32 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2003
The lectionary sometimes begins a reading in the middle of one oracle and adds to it another.
The Good Samaritan -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2003
1. Text
Third Sunday After The Epiphany -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2003
Seasonal Theme
Proper 27 -- Haggai 1:15b--2:9 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2003
A cynic once remarked that Jesus came preaching the Kingdom of God, and what he got was the church -
A Midnight Friend -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2003
1. Text
Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- 2003
Seasonal Theme
Proper 28 -- Isaiah 65:17-25 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2003
This text forms the last portion of the long judgment-salvation oracle that is contained in Isaiah 6
The Rich Fool -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Dallas A. Brauninger -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
1. Text
Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2003
Seasonal Theme
Proper 6 -- 1 Kings 21:1-21a -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2003
Israel in the Old Testament and the Christian Church are both understood in the scriptures to be the
First Sunday After Christmas -- Derl G. Keefer, C. Neil Strait -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2002
WORSHIP HELPSCALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 148 adapted)
Sunday Of The Passion -- Derl G. Keefer, C. Neil Strait -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2002
WORSHIP HELPSCALL TO WORSHIP
What Do Your People Expect From You? -- Derl G. Keefer, C. Neil Strait -- 2002
Every pastor is anxious to know what his/her people expect from him/her.
The Good Grocer -- Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-13 -- Richard Carl Hoefler -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2002
Most of us remember from our nursery rhyme days a little old lady by the name of Mother Hubbard.
Third Sunday After Pentecost -- Derl G. Keefer, C. Neil Strait -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2002
WORSHIP HELPSCALL TO WORSHIP
The Woman Who Attempted To Steal A Miracle -- Mark 5:21-43, Mark 5:25-34, Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8:40-56 -- Richard Carl Hoefler -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2002
The Woman With An Issue Of Blood
Fourth Sunday After Pentecost -- Derl G. Keefer, C. Neil Strait -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2002
WORSHIP HELPSCALL TO WORSHIP
The Man Who Stormed The Kingdom Of God With Violence -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Richard Carl Hoefler -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2002
The Healing Of The Leper
Fifth Sunday After Pentecost -- Derl G. Keefer, C. Neil Strait -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2002
WORSHIP HELPSCALL TO WORSHIP
The Miracle Of Forgiveness -- Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:1-8 -- Richard Carl Hoefler -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2002
The Healing Of The Paralytic
Sixth Sunday After Pentecost -- Derl G. Keefer, C. Neil Strait -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2002
WORSHIP HELPSCALL TO WORSHIP
Does Jesus Live Here? -- Mark 1:29-34, Matthew 8:14-17 -- Richard Carl Hoefler -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2002
The Healing Of Peter's Mother-In-Law

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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
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,
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.
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.
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.
Heaven Can Wait -- John 17:6-19 -- David T. Ball -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2005
In a popular Hollywood movie starring Warren Beatty, Beatty plays a quarterback destined to lead the
A Level Playing Field For God -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
A Level Playing Field For God
Finding Our Salvation In Today's World -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- John T. Ball -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
One of Louis Armstrong's vocal hits went like this:
Risking Relationships That Redeem -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- 2005
Fried green tomatoes were the house specialty at the Whistle Stop Cafe in Alabama during the 1930s.
Generosity As The Clue To Life -- Mark 8:27-38 -- John T. Ball -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2005
All the great founders of our religious traditions offer secrets to the good life.
Economic Justice, Facing The Issue -- Matthew 6:31-33 -- 2004
For years, they had all been hearing that our world's economic system is working in a way that makes
Light Is As Light Does -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Richard W. Ferris -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
If you saw the movie, Forrest Gump a few years back, you will remember how Forrest always had
Influence! -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2004
If you think a mosquito is small and has little influence, try sleeping in a hot room at night with
Shalom Shattered -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2004
It's art class.
The Letter To Smyrna -- Revelation 2:8-11 -- Bill Mosley -- 2004
About 35 miles north of Ephesus is Smyrna. It's called Ismir, Turkey, today.
Going For The Goal In Football And Faith -- Hebrews 12:1-3, 12a -- 2004
I caught the title out of the corner of my eye while wandering through a bookstore.
Reevaluating Our Mission For Christ -- John 17:1-11 -- Richard E. Gribble, CSC -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
Once there was a village with a chief who had three sons, each of which possessed a special talent.
Adam And Evie -- Genesis 2:15-17 -- 2004
(A story sermon with dialogical parts that can be read by a pastor and two or more church members.)
Enjoy The Scenery -- Romans 8:6-11 -- Richard W. Ferris -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
Some of us can remember the days before interstate highways and massive traffic slowdowns when a lei
What If The End Is Near? -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- George L. Murphy -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2004
Someone handed me a note at the door of the church building a few Sundays ago.
Forgiveness And Reconciliation At Last! -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2004
It happened to a rural Lake County, South Dakota, Lutheran church in August of 2000.

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Harry's Legacy -- John 20:19-31 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Harry was a quiet, gentle, kind-hearted man who daily demonstrated his concern for people.
Missed Out -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 1998
Have you ever missed an opportunity that you were later sorry you neglected to act on?
Life From Death -- Rick's Discovery -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Rick asked the pastor if he could say a few words to the congregation on Sunday.
Not At My Church! -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 1998
For years George had been complaining that the attendance was down at the church he had attended all
The Joy Of Bible Study -- Acts 2:42-47 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Patty longed to study and gain a better understanding of the Bible.
The Word From God -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1998
The initial impression persons have when meeting Kurt for the first time is of his positive outlook
Bruce's Integrity -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
No one was expecting the announcement that Bruce would retire after many years serving on the state
Broken Promises -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1998
Frank was fortunate.
If Only I Had Known! -- John 14:15-21 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
Diane, by her own admission, was a difficult teenager who often gave her mother a tempestuous time.
Julie's Love Shines Through -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 1998
One warm evening, within sight of her house, Julie found herself in a difficult position, a complete
The Cookout -- John 17:1-11 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1998
When Steve and Jan moved into their new home in a new neighborhood, it seemed like a dream come true
Angie's Grand Adventure -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 1998
Eight-year-old Angie and her family were visiting friends in suburban Washington DC.
Vacation Of A Lifetime -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Timothy J. Smith -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1998
Phil and Paula, along with their four young children, planned a two-week vacation in the western sta
Because We Care -- Matthew 25:14-30 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1998
The man sat in the waiting room of the doctor's office all by himself.
Day On -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 1998
Early in January the students in Ms.
"One Bodacious Party" -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 1998
Doug enjoyed partying with his friends.
The Memorable Meeting -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 1998
The church meeting erupted in contention over, of all things, a new piano.
The Visit -- Genesis 18:1-15 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 1998
It was a "go nowhere" sort of a job. The job itself was fun, working part-time during high school.
Send In The Clowns -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1998
It certainly was a risky thing to do -- to invite clowns to participate in the worship service.
Noelle's Summer Vacation -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 1998
Noelle was an attractive strawberry blond who grew up in southern California.
TALK The Walk -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1998
A group of mothers has been meeting once a month to pray for their children, as well as for other st
God's Direction -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 1998
If it's true that our family of origin defines who we are from the moment of our birth, then Marvin
Reconciled -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 1998
No one could remember when the trouble between Mark and Sue began.
Trek Of The Cross -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Good Friday - A -- 1998
It was easy to miss the small town nestled between the mountains.
Stealing Candy -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Timothy J. Smith -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 1998
Mark was one of those teens that other kids wanted to be with; at the same time parents strongly enc

Thanksgiving Day

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Wedding Vow

Women's Day

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Love Sometimes Wears A Towel -- Matthew 20 and John 13 -- Janet Burton -- 2001
A Foot Washing Settles The Dust
Wednesday Lent 3 -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
Welcome to worship this evening. Tonight, we will hear again from Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son.
Baptism Of Our Lord (Epiphany 1) -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2001
Theme: A Light To The NationsCall To Worship
Third Sunday Of Easter -- Psalm 116 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Third Sunday Of Advent -- Isaiah 35:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: The Pageant Of The Lord's ComingCall To Worship
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Theme: The Lord Looks On The HeartCall To Worship
Proper 17 -- Matthew 16:21-28 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2001
Theme: The Cross And Self-DenialCall To Worship
Proper 9 -- Psalm 72:1-17 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance Jesus said: "Anyone who comes to me I will never drive away."
Reformation Sunday -- Romans 3:19-28 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2001
Theme: Justified By FaithCall To Worship
Rescue By Angels -- Acts 12 -- Janet Burton -- 2001
Peter Escapes From Herod's Jail
Wednesday Lent 4 -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
Welcome to worship this evening. Tonight, we will hear again from Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son.
Baptism Of Our Lord (Epiphany 1) -- Acts 10:34-43 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2001
Theme: The Good News For EveryoneCall To Worship
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 2:42-47 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Theme: Life Among The BelieversCall To Worship
Wednesday Lent 5 -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
Welcome to worship this evening. Tonight, we will hear again from Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son.
Baptism Of Our Lord (Epiphany 1) -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2001
Theme: The Baptism Of JesusCall To Worship
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Theme: When We Suffer UnjustlyCall To Worship
Third Sunday Of Advent -- James 5:7-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Theme: Patience In SufferingCall To Worship
Fourth Sunday In Lent -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2001
Theme: Living As Children Of LightCall To Worship
Proper 17 -- Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Proper 10 -- Genesis 25:19-34 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2001
Theme: PatienceCall To Worship
Reformation Sunday -- John 8:31-36 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2001
Theme: True DisciplesCall To Worship
A Night To Remember -- Acts 16 -- Janet Burton -- 2001
Six Memories Of Philippi
The Prodigal Son: "Sunrise Or Sunset?" -- Luke 15:11ff: -- David R. Mattson -- 2001
(Setting: man dressed in Middle Eastern attire.
Baptism Of Our Lord (Epiphany 1) -- Psalm 29 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2001
Words Of Assurance
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- John 10:1-10 -- H. Burnham Kirkland -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2001
Theme: The Good ShepherdCall To Worship

Worship Service

Youth Resources

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
14 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 1
30 – Sermons
90+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For November 30, 2025:
  • Time Change by Chris Keating. The First Sunday of Advent invites God’s people to tell time differently. While the secular Christmas machine keeps rolling, the church is called to a time of waiting and remaining alert.
  • Second Thoughts: What Time Is It? by Tom Willadsen based on Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
According to Martin Luther our thanksgiving is brought about only by justification by grace:

But bringing of tithes denotes that we are wholly given to the service of the neighbor through love…  This, however, does not happen unless, being first justified by faith. (Luther’s Works, Vol.9, p.255)

The Reformer also wants us to be happy, what with all the generous gifts we have been given.  He wrote:
Wayne Brouwer
A schoolteacher asked her students to make a list of the things for which they were thankful. Right at the top of Chad’s list was the word “glasses.” Some children resent having to wear glasses, but evidently not Chad! She asked him about it. Why was he thankful that he wore glasses?

“Well,” he said, “my glasses keep the boys from hitting me and the girls from kissing me.”

The philosopher Eric Hoffer says, “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings!” That’s true, isn’t it?
William H. Shepherd
Christianity is, among other things, an intellectual quest. The curriculum to know God truly. The lesson plans interact creatively with other aspects of faith: worship is vain if not grounded in truth, while service is misguided if based on faulty premises. While faith certainly cannot be reduced to knowledge, it cannot be divorced from it, either.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (v. 6)

We just received word about the passing of our friend, Rosmarie Trapp. We had lost touch with her in recent years, so I was shocked when I stumbled onto her obituary in The New York Times from May 18, 2022.
David E. Leininger
John Jamison
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Reason for the Season" by David Leininger
"Time's Up" by John Jamison


What's Up This Week

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: The activity for this message is the Be Thank You! game.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Rosemary was 33 years old. She'd been married to James for four years and they had two children, Sam who was two and the baby, Elizabeth, who was just three weeks old. Apart from the baby blues and extreme fatigue, both of which got her down a bit when James was at work, Rosemary was happy. They had recently moved to the London suburbs and James commuted each day by train.

SermonStudio

Carlos Wilton
This brief psalm is among the most familiar in the psalter, but that is primarily because its verses have been excerpted in so many hymns and liturgical texts. There is something to be gained from looking at Psalm 100 in its entirety, and trying to recover its ancient liturgical context.

James Evans
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (v. 6). What better way could there be for us to begin the Advent season than by focusing our prayers on peace? The word, shalom, translated "peace," means much more than the mere absence of conflict. And of course, it is not only Jerusalem that is in need of peace; the whole world needs the shalom that the psalmist dreams about. So perhaps we should expand the breadth of this prayer, and deepen it with our awareness of the various meanings of the Hebrew idea of peace.

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 2:1--5 (C, RC, E)
Tony S. Everett
A popular skit at church camps involves about a dozen folks lined up side-by-side, looking anxious and frustrated facing the audience. Each person rests a left elbow on the right shoulder of their neighbor. Then, from left to right, each member asks, "Is it time yet?" When the question arrives at the end of the line, the last person looks at his/her wristwatch and responds, "No." This reply is passed, one-by-one each with bored sighs, back to the first questioner. After a few moments, the same question is passed down the line (left elbows remaining on the right shoulders).
Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
Just a few days before writing this message, I conducted a memorial service for a 60-year-old man who was the picture of health until three months before his death. He was active, vibrant, only recently retired, and looking forward to years of good life with his wife and family and friends. Nonetheless, pancreatic cancer had done its work, and quickly, and he was gone. It was the general consensus that it was too soon for his life to end; he was too young to die.
John W. Clarke
In this the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus begins to withdraw to the east side of the Sea of Galilee. He has fed the 5,000, and he has walked on water. The press of the crowds had become all consuming and he needs some solitude to prepare himself for what lay ahead. Considering that the crowds that followed him more than likely knew of the feeding of the 5,000, and some may even have heard of the miraculous walking on water, it is difficult to explain why in these verses, they would doubt anything he had to say -- but they do.
Robert R. Kopp
My favorite eighth grader just confessed his aspiration for becoming President of the United States.

When I foolishly asked the inspiration of his lofty goal, he replied, "Bill Clinton." Then my hormone-raging adolescent proceeded to list perceived presidential perks that have nothing to do with God or country.

My prayer list has been altered.

And my attitude about prayer in public schools has changed too.

I used to be against prayer in public schools.
John E. Berger
Thanksgiving, according to one newspaper columnist, has kept its original meaning better than any other holiday. That original meaning, he wrote, was family reunions around large dinner tables.

In contrast, Christmas has changed into Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Easter has come to emphasize new spring clothes and the Easter bunny. Even our national holidays -- Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day -- have become cook-outs and summer travel get-aways.
Mark Ellingson
Thanksgiving: How do we say thanks authentically and not lapse into the platitudes so often associated with this holiday? There are several dangers associated with the holiday. Ever since it was instituted as a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln, and even before when various state governors instituted it in their states, Thanksgiving has not been a strictly Christian holiday. There has been a lot of nationalism and self-congratulations associated with this day. What is the distinctively Christian way to give thanks to God for all the good things that we have?

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