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Knowing No Limits -- Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 12 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
Contents"Knowing No Limits" by Frank Ramirez
Standing Up To The General -- Mark 9:30-37, Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Psalm 1 -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Contents"Standing Up to the General" by Frank Ramirez
Family -- Mark 9:38-50, Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Psalm 124 -- C. David Mckirachan, Lamar Massingill, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Contents"Family" by C. David McKirachan
Listening For God -- John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Larry Winebrenner -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2012
Contents"Listening for God" by Peter Andrew Smith
On Level Ground -- Mark 10:2-16, Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Psalm 26 -- Keith Hewitt -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2012
Contents"On Level Ground" by Keith Hewitt
We Get Ashes? -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Psalm 51:1-17 -- C. David Mckirachan, Lamar Massingill -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2012
Contents"We Get Ashes?" by C. David McKirachan
Ministers Are Not Messiahs -- Mark 10:35-45, Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c -- Lamar Massingill, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2012
Contents"Ministers Are Not Messiahs" by Lamar Massingill
Cousins -- Mark 1:9-15, Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Psalm 25:1-10 -- Keith Hewitt, John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Contents"Cousins" by Keith Hewitt "A Crying Shame" by John Sumwalt
The Flower -- Mark 10:46-52, Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22) -- Keith Hewitt, Peter Andrew Smith, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
Contents"The Flower" by Keith Hewitt
The Test -- John 2:13-22, Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Contents"The Test" by Keith Hewitt "Glory Days" by C. David McKirachan
The Flower -- John 8:31-36, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, Psalm 46 -- Keith Hewitt, Peter Andrew Smith, C. David Mckirachan -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Contents"The Flower" by Keith Hewitt
A Place Of Healing And Hope -- John 3:14-21, Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 -- Frank Ramirez, Lamar Massingill -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Contents"A Place of Healing and Hope" by Frank Ramirez
The Flower -- John 11:32-44, Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 24 -- Keith Hewitt, Peter Andrew Smith, C. David Mckirachan -- All Saints Day - B -- 2012
Contents"The Flower" by Keith Hewitt
Amazing Grace -- Mark 14:1--15:47, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Lamar Massingill -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2012
Contents"Amazing Grace" by Peter Andrew Smith
How Sharp Are Your Knives? -- Mark 12:28-34, Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Psalm 146 -- C. David Mckirachan, Lamar Massingill -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Contents"How Sharp Are Your Knives?" by C. David McKirachan
Questions For Lunch -- John 12:20-33, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Contents"Questions for Lunch" by Keith Hewitt
From The Redemption Of A King To A King Of Redemption -- John 18:33-37, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Zan W. Holmes Jr., David O. Bales -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Contents"Render Unto Caesar" by Frank Ramirez
Regrets -- 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 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
Contents"Regrets" by Keith Hewitt "Incarnation" by C. David McKirachan
Render Unto Caesar -- Matthew 6:25-33, Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Psalm 126 -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Zan W. Holmes Jr., David O. Bales -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Contents"Render Unto Caesar" by Frank Ramirez
Incarnation -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
Contents"Regrets" by Keith Hewitt "Incarnation" by C. David McKirachan
Threading The Needle -- Mark 10:17-31, Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Psalm 22:1-15 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2012
Contents"Threading the Needle" by Frank Ramirez
Advent: Hope And Expectation -- Luke 21:25-36, Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Psalm 25:1-10 -- Lamar Massingill -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Contents"Advent: Hope and Expectation" by Lamar Massingill
Back From The Dead -- John 20:1-18, Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Contents"Regrets" by Keith Hewitt "Incarnation" by C. David McKirachan
The Message Of A Joy-Filled Spirit -- Mark 6:14-29, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Psalm 24 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Lamar Massingill -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2012
Contents"The Message of a Joy-Filled Spirit" by Peter Andrew Smith
The Mother Lode -- Luke 3:1-6, Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 1:68-79 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Contents"The Mother Lode" by Frank Ramirez
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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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