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In Plain Sight -- Matthew 21:23-32, Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13, Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
Contents"In Plain Sight" by Peter Andrew Smith
No Respecter Of Persons -- John 20:1-18, Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Craig Kelly, Peter Andrew Smith -- Easter Day - A -- 2011
Contents"No Respecter of Persons" by Craig Kelly
Gentlemen's Game -- Matthew 21:33-46, Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- C. David Mckirachan, Larry Winebrenner, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2011
Contents"Gentlemen's Game" by C. David McKirachan
These Christians And Their Money -- John 10:1-10, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Psalm 23 -- David O. Bales, Larry Winebrenner -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Contents"These Christians and Their Money" by David O. Bales
American Idols -- Matthew 22:1-14, Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
Contents"American Idols" by Keith Heweitt
An Imperishable Inheritance -- John 20:19-31, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 16 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Contents"An Imperishable Inheritance" by Frank Ramirez
Glorious -- Matthew 22:15-22, Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Psalm 99 -- Craig Kelly, David O. Bales -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Contents"Glorious" by Craig Kelly "All This Over a Coin?" by David O. Bales
The Feud -- John 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Keith Hewitt, John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Contents"The Feud" by Keith Hewitt "Two Mothering Pastors" by John Sumwalt
Loving Neighbors, Killing Neighbors -- Matthew 22:34-46, Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 -- John E. Sumwalt, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
Contents"Loving Neighbors, Killing Neighbors" by John Sumwalt
Words Of Power -- John 14:1-14, Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Hewitt -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Contents"Words of Power" by Peter Andrew Smith "Refuge" by Keith Hewitt
Lost -- John 8:31-36, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, Psalm 46 -- Keith Hewitt, Larry Winebrenner, Peter Andrew Smith, Constance Berg, Sandra Herrmann -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
Contents "New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann "Lost" by Keith Hewitt
You Are Witnesses -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 47 -- Keith Hewitt, Larry Winebrenner, Sandra Herrmann -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2011
Contents "Ascension" by Keith Hewitt
I Tertius, The Writer Of This Letter -- Matthew 18:15-20, Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, Psalm 149 -- David O. Bales, Craig Kelly -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
Contents"I Tertius, the Writer of this Letter" by David O. Bales
The God Of All Grace -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Contents"The God of All Grace" by John Sumwalt
So What Is It Anyway? -- Matthew 20:1-16, Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
Contents"So What Is It Anyway?" by Frank Ramirez
Rauch -- John 20:19-23, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- C. David Mckirachan, David O. Bales -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2011
Contents"Rauch" by C. David McKirachan "Claustrophobia" by David O. Bales
Lost -- Matthew 23:1-12, Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 -- Keith Hewitt, Larry Winebrenner, Peter Andrew Smith, Constance Berg, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A, All Saints Day - A -- 2011
Contents "New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann "Lost" by Keith Hewitt
God, Faith, And Science Fairs -- Matthew 28:16-20, Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Psalm 8 -- Craig Kelly, Keith Hewitt -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2011
Contents"God, Faith, and Science Fairs" by Craig Kelly
Standardized Testing -- Matthew 10:40-42, Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Psalm 13 -- C. David Mckirachan, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
Contents"Standardized Testing" by C. David McKirachan
Hope Does Not Disappoint -- John 4:5-42, Exodus 17:1-17, Romans 5:1-11, Psalm 95 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Keith Hewitt -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Contents "Hope Does not Disappoint" by Peter Andrew Smith
The Girl In 410 -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Psalm 45:10-17 -- Keith Hewitt, Larry Winebrenner -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2011
Contents"The Girl in 410" by Keith Hewitt
The Bubble -- Matthew 25:1-13, Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Psalm 78:1-7 -- Keith Hewitt, Craig Kelly -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
Contents"The Bubble" by Keith Hewitt "Tell Me a Story" by Craig Kelly
All Earthly Fathers -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- David O. Bales, Sandra Herrmann, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
Contents"All Earthly Fathers" by David O. Bales
The End Of What? -- Matthew 25:14-30, Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Psalm 123 -- David O. Bales, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2011
Contents"The End of What?" by David O. Bales "The Aqueduct" by John Sumwalt
Restoring The Birthright -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Psalm 119:105-112 -- Frank Ramirez, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
Contents"Restoring the Birthright" by Frank Ramirez
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 19
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Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 20
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180+ – Illustrations / Stories
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2 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 21
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
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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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