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Testing And Quarreling -- Matthew 21:23-32, Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2014
Contents"Testing and Quarreling" by Sandra Herrmann
The Salt Tax And The Light Of The World -- Matthew 5:13-20, Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Psalm 112:1-9 (10) -- Sandra Herrmann -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2014
Contents"The Salt Tax and the Light of the World" by Sandra Herrmann
Having A Stake In The Harvest -- Matthew 5:21-37, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez, C. David Mckirachan -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2014
Contents"Having a Stake in the Harvest" by Frank Ramirez
Relief For The Stiff Neck -- Matthew 22:1-14, Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 -- Keith Wagner -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2014
Contents"Relief for the Stiff Neck" by Keith Wagner
Patience In Faith -- Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Psalm 2 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2014
Contents"Patience in Faith" by Peter Andrew Smith* * * * * * *
Within Sight Of The Promised Land -- Matthew 22:34-46, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2014
Contents"Within Sight of the Promised Land" by Frank Ramirez
Repentance And Renewal -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Psalm 51:1-17 -- John Fitzgerald, C. David Mckirachan -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2014
Contents"Repentance and Renewal" by John Fitzgerald
The Fortress -- John 8:31-36, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, Psalm 46 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2014
Contents"The Fortress" by Sandra Herrmann* * * * * * *
Words, Words, Words -- John 3:1-17, Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Psalm 121 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Contents"Words, Words, Words" by Frank Ramirez* * * * * * *
Spilled Milk -- Matthew 21:33-46, Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Psalm 19 -- Frank Ramirez, John Fitzgerald -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2014
Contents"Spilled Milk" by Frank Ramirez
How The Snake Fooled The Woman -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- Sandra Herrmann, Keith Hewitt -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Contents"How the Snake Fooled the Woman" by Sandra Herrmann
Wayward Child -- Matthew 22:15-22, Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Psalm 99 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2014
Contents"Wayward Child" by Keith Hewitt "Coat Racks" by C. David McKirachan
Miracles Of Sight -- John 9:1-41, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23 -- Keith Wagner -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Contents"Miracles of Sight" by Keith Wagner
Keep Your Eyes Open -- Matthew 25:1-13, Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
Contents"Keep Your Eyes Open" by Frank Ramirez* * * * * * *
Resurrecting The Unknown -- John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, Psalm 130 -- Frank Ramierz, John Fitzgerald -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
Contents"Resurrecting the Unknown" by Frank Ramierz
Seeking The Lost -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
Contents"Seeking the Lost" by Peter Andrew Smith* * * * * * *
Learning Humility -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2014
Contents"Learning Humility" by Sandra Herrmann
A Song Of Rejoicing -- Matthew 25:14-30, Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Psalm 123 -- Sandra Herrmann, Keith Wagner -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
Contents"A Song of Rejoicing" by Sandra Herrmann
Living The Song Of The Servant -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- Keith Wagner, C. David Mckirachan -- Good Friday - A -- 2014
Contents"Living the Song of the Servant" by Keith Wagner
Thanksgiving Bible -- Luke 17:11-19, Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Psalm 65 -- Frank Ramirez, C. David Mckirachan -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2014
Contents"Thanksgiving Bible" by Frank Ramirez
A Change Of Perspective -- John 20:1-18, Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Easter Day - A -- 2014
Contents"A Change of Perspective" by Peter Andrew Smith
God's Way -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Keith Hewitt, Peter Andrew Smith -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2014
Contents"God's Way" by Keith Hewitt "All You Know" by Peter Andrew Smith
Guilt -- John 20:19-31, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 16 -- Keith Hewitt -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Contents"Guilt" by Keith Hewitt* * * * * * *
Saved From Violence -- Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- John Fitzgerald, Peter Andrew Smith -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Contents"Saved from Violence" by John Fitzgerald
Fear Not -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- C. David Mckirachan -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2014
Contents"Fear Not" by C. David McKirachan * * * * * * *
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 19
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 20
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 21
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
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New & Featured This Week

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John Jamison
Object: I had the youngest children in the group participate. When I came to the part of the story where Jesus asked the little children to come to him, I had the youngest come and sit closest to me. If you think it is possible with your group, when you ask how little children act when they receive a gift, actually ask your youngest children what they think the answer is. Do the same with the older children when you ask about how older people act.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For October 6, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
I heard a sad story today about a pastor whose church essentially had to close as a result of a scandal surrounding his associate. The pastor himself knew nothing about his associate’s behavior, he was as blindsided by it as the rest of the church family was. But it led to such disruption and division in the church, that they shuttered their doors. And now, a friend told me, that innocent pastor is looking for a new ministry, but he carries with him this black mark that he doesn’t deserve.
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Job 1:1; 2:1-10

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels.  But someone has testified somewhere, ‘What are humans that you are mindful of them or mortals that you care for them? You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor’ (vv. 5-7)

Angels are popular in American culture.

SermonStudio

Christopher Keating
Copied on the front of the bulletin were verses from Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem, “Charged with Grandeur.” A globe was placed on a table near the front, emphasizing human’s place in the world. Video footage from NASA accompanied the sermon in order to reinforce how we are called to claim our vocation as stewards of creation. Images of an old car and glimpses of the Earth from space were also used as visuals.
Robert G. Beckstrand
Vindicate me, O LORD,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
Prove me, O LORD, and try me,
test my heart and mind.
For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in faithfulness to you.
-- Psalm 26:1-3

Theme: A pledge of, and a plea for, loyalty

Outline
1-3 -- He pleads for God to give recognition to his integrity and single-hearted devotion.
4-8 -- Evidence of this is in his past conduct and his present joy in worship.
Wesley T. Runk
Object: a clock

Mark Ellingsen
Theme of the Day
Reflections on the love of God.

Collect of the Day
Addressing the sovereign God who created us to live in loving community, petitions are raised by the faithful to be formed in faith to trust like children and so reflect Christ's image. Justification and Sanctification are again emphasized.

Psalm of the Day
Psalm 26
* A prayer for deliverance from personal enemies; a lament traditionally attributed to David.
Donna E. Schaper
We find Job on the edge of town, his money gone, his children dead, picking at his innumerable sores and scabs. In the Joni Mitchell version of his sorrow, Job speaks of how the children of the wicked frisk like deer while his are dead and gone. In her version, we are also told that Job sees the diggers waiting, leaning on their spades, at the site of his grave. Job's three friends, Eliphas, Bildad, and Zophar show up to comfort him but they do so in a way that only pours iodine on his wounds. God is just, they say, therefore, Job must have done something wrong.
John R. Brokhoff
Robert W. Stackel
When William Jennings Bryan went to the father of the young woman whom he loved to ask her hand in marriage, he remembered that the father was a strong religious believer, so he quoted a proverb of Solomon from the Bible: "He who finds a wife finds a good thing." But the father surprised him by responding with a quote from St.
William G. Carter
We have a problem today. Here we are, gathered at worship as the household of God. Through baptism we belong to a worldwide community of faith. Each time we gather, we have an opportunity to pray together and recommit ourselves to peace. Now that we are here, we have to deal with a troublesome and potentially divisive text from the Gospel of Mark. Some Pharisees put Jesus to the test by asking him what he thought about divorce. His response, in turn, has always put a peace-loving church to the test.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, "What God has joined together, let no one separate." In our service today, let us consider our responsibilities to the whole of creation.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, we have not always cared about our environment.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, we have not always taken our responsibilities to animals seriously.
Christ, have mercy.

Special Occasion

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