Login / Signup

StoryShare

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Illustration

Stories

StoryShare

Sacrifices -- Luke 2:41-52, 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Psalm 148 -- Keith Hewitt -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2012
Hannah held the bundle in the palm of one hand and carefully opened the folds of coarse linen that c
Renewed By Day -- Mark 3:20-35, 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15), 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1, Psalm 130 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Gregory L. Tolle -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2012
Contents"Renewed by Day" by Peter Andrew Smith
Crossroads -- Mark 4:26-34, 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Psalm 20 -- Keith Hewitt, Lamar Massingill -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2012
Contents"Crossroads" by Keith Hewitt
How The Mighty Have Fallen -- Mark 5:21-43, 1 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Psalm 130 -- John E. Sumwalt, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
Contents"How the Mighty Have Fallen" by John Sumwalt
What's Your Theme? -- John 6:1-21, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, Psalm 14 -- C. David Mckirachan, Lamar Massingill -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
Contents "What's Your Theme?" by C. David McKirachan
The Plot -- John 6:24-35, 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Keith Hewitt -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
Contents"The Plot" by Keith Hewitt
The Best Defense -- John 6:56-69, 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, Psalm 84 -- C. David Mckirachan, Lamar Massingill -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
Contents"The Best Defense" by C. David McKirachan
Civility -- John 6:34, 41-51, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, Psalm 130 -- Lamar Massingill, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
Contents"Civility" by Lamar Massingill
The Bread Truck -- John 6:51-58, 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, Psalm 111 -- Keith Hewitt, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
Contents"The Bread Truck" by Keith Hewitt
Credit Where Credit Is Due -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Contents"Credit Where Credit Is Due" by Frank Ramirez
Two Men -- James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Keith Hewitt, Lamar Massingill -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Contents"Two Men" by Keith Hewitt
Mind Your Thumbs -- Mark 8:27-38, Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Psalm 19 -- Peter Andrew Smith, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
Contents"Mind Your Thumbs" by Peter Andrew Smith
Your Choice -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- Frank Ramirez, Craig Kelly -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Contents"Your Choice" by Frank Ramirez "The Trial" by Craig Kelly
Jerry Springer -- Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Genesis 29:15-28, Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 105:1-11, 45b -- C. David Mckirachan, Larry Winebrenner, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2011
Contents"Jerry Springer" by C. David McKirachan
Any Where But There -- John 3:1-17, Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Psalm 121 -- C. David Mckirachan, John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Contents"Any Where but There" by C. David McKirachan
The Prisoner -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28, Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Psalm 133 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2011
Contents"The Prisoner" by Keith Hewitt "Heavenly Talkback" by Frank Ramirez
The Christian Liar -- John 9:1-41, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, Psalm 23 -- Sandra Herrmann, C. David Mckirachan -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Contents"The Christian Liar" by Sandra Herrmann
Nice Feet! -- Matthew 14:22-33, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b -- C. David Mckirachan, David O. Bales -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
Contents"Nice feet!" by C. David McKirachan
6248 -- John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, Psalm 130 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Contents"6248" by Keith Hewitt "Sky Show" by Frank Ramirez
Gilly, A Diligent Leader -- Matthew 16:13-20, Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Psalm 124 -- John E. Sumwalt, Sandra Herrmann, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2011
Contents"Gilly, a Diligent Leader" by John Sumwalt
In The Arms Of Love -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Judy Sepsey, David O. Bales -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2011
Verbs And Nouns -- Matthew 16:21-28, Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b -- C. David Mckirachan, Larry Winebrenner, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2011
Contents"Verbs and Nouns" by C. David McKirachan
Get Your Boots On -- 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 -- C. David Mckirachan, Larry Winebrenner -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2011
Contents"Get Your Boots On" by C. David McKirachan
The Mercy Seat -- Matthew 18:21-35, Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Psalm 114 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
Contents"The Mercy Seat" by Keith Hewitt
The Garden At Twilight -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- Keith Hewitt -- Good Friday - A -- 2011
Contents"Get Your Boots On" by C. David McKirachan
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
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
and more...
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
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)

New & Featured This Week

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

Wildcard SSL