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The Cornerstone -- Luke 14:1-14, Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Contents"The Cornerstone" by Sandra Herrmann "The Wall" by Sandra Herrmann
The Nature Of Grace -- Matthew 20:1-16, Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2014
Contents"The Nature of Grace" by Peter Andrew Smith
Where's Christmas? -- Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8 -- C. David Mckirachan, John Fitzgerald -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
Contents"Where’s Christmas?" by C. David McKirachan
We Are Never Alone -- John 14:15-21, Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Psalm 66:8-20 -- Keith Wagner -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Contents"We Are Never Alone" by Keith Wagner
Tea And Crumpets Committee -- John 10:1-10, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Psalm 23 -- C. David Mckirachan, Keith Hewitt -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Contents"Tea and Crumpets Committee" by C. David McKirachan
The Outer Limits -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 47 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2014
Contents"The Outer Limits" by C. David McKirachan
The Right Season -- Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 8 -- John Fitzgerald -- New Year's Day - A -- 2014
Contents"The Right Season" by John Fitzgerald* * * * * * *
Looking In Faith -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Peter Andrew Smith, John Fitzgerald -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Contents"Looking in Faith" by Peter Andrew Smith
A Planet-Sized Wind -- John 20:19-23, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2014
Contents"A Planet-Sized Wind" by Frank Ramirez* * * * * * *
Conversation On A Winter’s Night -- Matthew 2:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Keith Hewitt -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2014
Contents"Conversation on a Winter's Night" by Keith Hewitt
The Inner Struggle -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Psalm 45:10-17 -- John Fitzgerald, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2014
Contents"The Inner Struggle" by John Fitzgerald
Wearing Masks -- Matthew 5:1-12, Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3 -- John Fitzgerald -- All Saints Day - A -- 2014
Contents"Wearing Masks" by John Fitzgerald* * * * * * *
Conflicts And Blessings -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Psalm 119:105-112 -- Keith Wagner, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2014
Contents"Conflicts and Blessings" by Keith Wagner
Growing Beyond Success -- Luke 23:33-43, Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 1:68-79 -- C. David Mckirachan, Keith Hewitt -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2013
Contents"Growing Beyond Success" by C. David McKirachan
Celebrating The Bounty Of God -- John 6:25-35, Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, Psalm 100 -- Sandra Herrmann, Keith Wagner -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2013
Contents"Celebrating the Bounty of God" by Sandra Herrmann
Witnessing To The Truth -- John 20:19-31, Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, Psalm 118:14-29, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Contents"Witnessing to the Truth" by Peter Andrew Smith
In Days To Come -- Matthew 24:36-44, Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Psalm 122 -- Peter Andrew Smith, John Fitzgerald -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Contents"In Days to Come" by Peter Andrew Smith
Off The Wagon -- John 14:8-17 (25-27), Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- C. David Mckirachan, Keith Hewitt -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2013
Contents"Off the Wagon" by C. David McKirachan "7C" by Keith Hewitt
The Tree -- Matthew 3:1-12, Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Contents"The Tree" by Keith Hewitt "Think Like a Bee" by Frank Ramirez
A Christmas Reminder -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- John E. Sumwalt, C. David Mckirachan -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Contents"A Christmas Reminder" by John Sumwalt
Bringing Up Ziva -- John 16:12-15, Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, Psalm 8 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2013
Contents"Bringing Up Ziva" by Sandra Herrmann
Arms Of Stone -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Psalm 96 -- Keith Hewitt, Sandra Herrmann -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
Contents"Arms of Stone" by Keith Hewitt
Following The Leader -- Luke 7:1-10, 1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39, Galatians 1:1-12, Psalm 96 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2013
Contents"Following the Leader" by Peter Andrew Smith
World Saver -- Luke 22:14--23:56, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Keith Hewitt, Sandra Herrmann -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
Contents"World Saver" by Keith Hewitt "Maybe" by Sandra Herrmann
Protecting The Good -- Matthew 2:13-23, Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Psalm 148 -- John Fitzgerald -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2013
Contents"Protecting the Good" by John Fitzgerald* * * * * * *
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 19
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Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 21
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CSSPlus

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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