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Worship

SermonStudio

NULL -- Deuteronomy 8:18 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: But remember the Lord your God,
NULL -- 1 Samuel 7:18, 19b -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: "Who am I, O Sovereig
NULL -- 2 Kings 12:4 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: Joash said to the priests, "Collect all the money that is brought as sacred offerin
NULL -- 1 Chronicles 29:14 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: "But who am I and who are my people that we should be permitted to give anything to
NULL -- 1 Chronicles 29:16, 17 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: O Lord our God, all of this material that we have gathered to build a temple for yo
NULL -- 2 Chronicles 31:10 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: And Azariah the chief priest, from the family of Zadok, answered, "Since the people
NULL -- Ezra 3:3 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundati
NULL -- Nehemiah 10:32 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister and Congregation: "We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a
NULL -- Nehemiah 10:39 -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: The people of Israel, including the Levites, are to bring their contributions of gr
NULL -- Esther 4:13b, 14b -- Leon Collier -- 2005
Minister: "Do not think that because you are in the King's house you alone ... will escape.

Drama

SermonStudio

Let's Have A Fruitful Christmas Season -- May Dembowski -- 1996
Running Time Twenty-five minutes (including one two-minute break)
Mary: After The Angel -- Arlys M. Winkler -- 1996
Notes
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room -- Suzanne E. Fisher -- 1996
Speaking Parts Large Mouse Named Moose Friend Mouse Named Moe
Mothers Of The Bible -- Lynda Pujado -- 1995
PreludeOpening HymnCall To Worship
Elizabeth -- Luke 1:5-25, 57-80 -- Lynda Pujado -- 1995
Toward the end of my life, I became sad and disillusioned. I am Elizabeth.
Hagar -- Genesis 16, 21:9-21 -- Lynda Pujado -- 1995
I am Hagar, mother of Ishmael.
Sarah -- Genesis 20, 21, 22 -- Lynda Pujado -- 1995
I am a beautiful woman, don't you think so? (Bows) I always have been. My name is Sarah.
Moses' Mother -- Exodus 2:1-10 -- Lynda Pujado -- 1995
You would probably call me a murderess. I don't care. I had to do what I did.
Rahab -- Joshua 2, 6 -- Lynda Pujado -- 1995
I am Rahab, a woman from Jericho.
Deborah -- Judges 4, 5 -- Lynda Pujado -- 1995
You might be disturbed about me, a woman, having done what I did for the country of Israel.

Sermon

SermonStudio

Can Anything Good Come Out Of Our Town? -- John 1:43-51 -- Robert J. Elder -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2008
Well, good, old Nathaniel. In a way, he's the mystery disciple of the New Testament.
Time's A-Wasting -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Robert J. Elder -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2008
Just when everything seems as normal as can be ...
Can Teach, Can Do -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Robert J. Elder -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2008
Every time I have ever studied this passage with other people, it seems to me that we have been all
Spiritual Gifts: God's Gift Of Fulfillment -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- Scott Suskovic -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Now you have every spiritual gift you need. -- 1 Corinthians 1:7 (NLT)
They Call It Grace -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Scott Suskovic -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not w
The Fred Factor -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 -- Scott Suskovic -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of G
But Is It True? -- Romans 16:25-27 -- Scott Suskovic -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Chr
The Missing Piece -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Scott Suskovic -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2008
He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself
The Fullness Of Time -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Scott Suskovic -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2008
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in
It's God's Will? -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Scott Suskovic -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
...

Children's sermon

SermonStudio

Symbols Of Easter -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1996
Purpose: To understand why the date of Easter changes from year to year and to think about what that
A Lesson From A Mirror -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1996
Purpose: To encourage children to be willing to accept help.
Riding A Train -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1996
Purpose: To help children understand why we need rules and regulations; and why they should be follo
Bubbles -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1996
Purpose: To learn that making certain choices in life can make a difference in what happens to us.
Freedom -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1996
Purpose: To help the children understand the nature of freedom.
What Is Work? -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1996
Purpose: To help children understand the nature of work.
What Do You Do When You Are Lost? -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1996
Purpose: To help children understand that they should seek help when they feel the need for such sup
Beware Of Imitations -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1996
Purpose: To remind children not to accept imitations as something real.
The Lesson Of ''O'' -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1996
Purpose: To remind children that the good life requires the presence of God; and with God, we will l
Don't Worry -- Kenneth A. Mortonson -- 1996
Purpose: To help children exert some personal effort when faced with a problem.

Worship Service

Preaching

SermonStudio

Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17 -- Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2006
(See Proper 14/Pentecost 12/Ordinary Time 19, Cycle A, for an alternative approach to vv.
Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17 -- Psalm 128 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2006
This Psalm is difficult to preach in our modern culture, because of the central section (vv.
Proper 13/Pentecost 11/Ordinary Time 18 -- Psalm 17:1-7, 15 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2006
This psalm belongs in the category of "personal lament," which means it probably was not used for co
Proper 14 / Ordinary Time 19 -- Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2006
(See Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17, Cycle A, for an alternative approach to 105:1-11, 4
Psalm 133 - Proper 15 / Ordinary Time 20 -- Psalm 133 -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2006
This little gem of a psalm celebrates the joy of unity among comrades in the faith.
Proper 16/Pentecost 14/Ordinary Time 21 -- Psalm 124 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2006
(See Proper 21/Pentecost 19/Ordinary Time 26, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)
Proper 17 / Ordinary Time 22 / Pentecost 15 -- Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b -- Carlos Wilton -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2006
This is a psalm of salvation-history.
Proper 7/Pentecost 5/Ordinary Time 12 -- Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2006
Some psalms display a clear context, a human situation that has led to the writing of the hymn.
Proper 8 / Ordinary Time 13 -- Psalm 13 -- Stan Purdum -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2006
This psalm is an individual lament with which almost every Christian can identify, for almost all of
Proper 9/Pentecost 7/Ordinary Time 14 -- Psalm 45:10-17 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2006
(See Proper 17/Pentecost 15/Ordinary Time 22, Cycle B, for an alternative approach, emphasizing v

Stories

SermonStudio

Maggie -- Luke 8:1-3 -- Andre Papineau -- 2002
Seven devils? One devil is plenty. Two is more than enough. But seven?
Risen -- Matthew 13:33 -- Andre Papineau -- 2002
Her friends called her Prissy and on occasion they affectionately referred to her as Miss Prim and P
Fishers -- Mark 1:19-20 -- Andre Papineau -- 2002
Poppa Zebedee approached his sons one day.
Pearlie -- Matthew 13:45 -- Andre Papineau -- 2002
"I'm not easy. I come at a price.
High Hopes -- Matthew 20:20-21 -- Andre Papineau -- 2002
She wasn't literally a stage mother, but Leena had shown most of the symptoms.
The Treasure -- Matthew 13:44 -- Andre Papineau -- 2002
He was ecstatic! Had this happened to him? Maybe he was dreaming. But no.
Winner -- Mark 8:27-29 -- Andre Papineau -- 2002
"He's a real winner. He's our boy!" Peter blurted.
Tradition -- Luke 1:57-6 -- Andre Papineau -- 2002
Liz and Zech's relatives and friends had gathered in the living room.
A Fish Story -- Matthew 13:47-48 -- Andre Papineau -- 2002
They had been dragged into a room which appeared to be an antechamber to a larger room.
Tree Climber -- Luke 19:1-3 -- Andre Papineau -- 2002
"Here I go again, climbing a tree." That was Zacchaeus' line throughout his life.

Prayer

Devotional

SermonStudio

Advent 1 -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the
Advent 2 -- Isaiah 11:1-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire o
Advent 2 -- Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king's son.
Advent 2 -- Romans 15:4-13 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in
Advent 2 -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near ...
Advent 3 -- Isaiah 35:1-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom ...
Advent 3 -- Luke 1:47-55 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. -- Luke 1:50
Advent 3 -- James 5:7-10 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord.... -- James 5:7
Advent 3 -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
... Are you the one who is to come or are we to wait for another? -- Matthew 11:3
Advent 4 -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- Stephen P. McCutchan -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.

Poems

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Thanksgiving Day

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Home Blessing

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Women's Day

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Mother's Day

Gathering Prayer

Unison Prayer

Thanksgiving Prayer

Intercession

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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

Frank Luchsinger
Huckle the Cat and his school teacher Miss Honey the Bear, Bananas Gorilla, Captain Salty, Pig Will and Pig Won't, Sergeant Murphy the Police Dog, and my favorite, Lowly the Worm; if you know these names then you are familiar with the work of Richard Scarry, author and illustrator of children's books, who passed away in '94 at age 75. Scarry wrote over 250 books, which in thirty languages have sold over 100 million copies. He said, "The greatest compliment I can receive is to be told that some of my books are held together with more Scotch tape than there is paper in the original book.
David E. Leininger
We reflected earlier on Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and its assertion that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and were parents of a daughter. True, there is nothing at all in scripture to back up such a claim, but can you imagine what kind of parent Jesus would have been?
Constance Berg
Pastor Wallace was loved by many, many people. He had come to a rural, agricultural area and stayed for 41 years. He and his wife Bea had four children, three of whom would become pastors themselves. The fourth was a missionary teacher in Madagascar. Pastor Wallace's second and last call was to another rural church he started only thirty miles away. He stayed fifteen years. His reputation was tough but fair; disciplined but compassionate; strong but just.
Jerry L. Schmalenberger
Seasonal Theme
Jesus out of the grave and alive and with us.

Theme For The Day
We are prayed for by Jesus that we might be unified with each other and with our God. A summary of the Season of Easter.

First Lesson
Acts 1:1-11
Return To The Upper Room
Stan Purdum
At first reading, this psalm presents a scattering of themes. Some scholars think it was not a psalm at all, but a listing of headings to a number of liturgical pieces. Most, however, see in Psalm 68 the underlying theme of the victory and reign of God, the Divine Warrior -- the God who was with the people of Israel in the wilderness (v. 7). Psalm 68 calls the kingdoms of the world to acknowledge that God is the warrior king who reigns over all. It presents God as the power and strength of the chosen people.
Carlos Wilton
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary. See The Ascension Of Our Lord, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)

The brief Psalm 93 seems archaic, from the standpoint of our culture. The Lord is enthroned, here, as a cosmic king. The accoutrements of royalty are front and center: the robe of majesty, the girding-on of strength (suggesting a royal broadsword), the throne, the royal decree. Its message, loudly declared from the first verse onward, is simplicity itself: the Lord reigns!
George M. Bass
The church year theological clue
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Acts 1:1--11 (C, RC, E, L)
David O. Bales
In 1936, near the beginning of the Spanish Civil War one horrible center of fighting was the Alcázar fortress near Toledo. In the middle of horrific fighting, however, every day the firing stopped twice in order to allow a blind beggar to tap his way on the street between the firing lines. We can imagine how welcome those few minutes were to the men on both sides. They probably hoped that the blind man walked slower to give them a few more seconds of peace. Then the reprieve ended and the slaughter again engulfed the two armies that were struggling to kill each other.1
Schuyler Rhodes
I love this story. It doesn't matter how many times I hear it, or how it's told, it never fails to grab me in a new and different way. It's really an incredible tale. And by incredible I mean just that. Without credibility! Who could actually buy a story like this? The disciples, cowardly and virtually faithless, abandoned the Master and scattered in the chaos of his arrest and execution.
Lee Griess
It's one of those stories that circulates around the internet. I don't know if it's true or not but it's so interesting that I have to share it with you. It seems that a woman came home to find her husband in the kitchen, shaking frantically with what looked like a wire running from his waist toward the electric outlet in the wall. Intending to jolt him away from the deadly electricity, she grabbed a piece of wood that was leaning by the back door, and gave him a good whack, breaking his arm in two places. It was a shame. He was not being electrocuted at all.
Richard L. Sheffield
I want to take the text seriously this morning. It would be easy not to, because Luke's story of the ascension of Jesus is not easy no matter how you take it. For you and me, twenty centuries later, this story may be very hard to take very seriously.

Our take on the ascension of Jesus might be on the order of liturgy as lift-off: Jesus being lifted up to the Air Force song: "Off we go into the wild blue yonder, climbing high into the sky!"

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 17, 2026:
  • When Jesus Prays by Chris Keating. Jesus’ high priestly prayer is rooted in the authority of God’s love, and not from a posture of authoritarian control. It is a prayer that the disciples might dwell in the abundance of eternal life by abiding in the love and unity Jesus has offered.
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Nazish Naseem
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
For May 17, 2026:
  • When Jesus Prays by Chris Keating. Jesus’ high priestly prayer is rooted in the authority of God’s love, and not from a posture of authoritarian control. It is a prayer that the disciples might dwell in the abundance of eternal life by abiding in the love and unity Jesus has offered.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus prayed for us all, that we might be protected and united. In our worship today let us explored what it means to be one just as Jesus and the Father are one.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes we are more ready to criticise other Christians than to be united with them.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we get hung up on small details instead of seeing the big picture.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we are too selfish to open up and welcome other people.

StoryShare

Argile Smith
Charles D. Reeb
John S. Smylie
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Wayne's Deployment" by Argile Smith
"In The Event of Power Failure" by Charles D. Reeb
"Where's the Finish Line?" by John Smylie


What's Up This Week
John E. Sumwalt
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"The God of All Grace" by John Sumwalt
"Keeping the Word" by Frank Ramirez


* * * * * * * *


The God of All Grace
by John Sumwalt
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.
-- 1 Peter 5:10

CSSPlus

Cynthia E. Cowen
The Point: Jesus has the authority to give eternal life.

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