Mark Ellingsen, a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), has been a professor of Church History at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1993. He graduated magna cum laude from Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania) and Yale University, from which he received three master's degrees in divinity, arts, and philosophy, as well as his Ph.D. He has authored 26 books including his latest, Dialoguing With Critical Race Theory: Constitutional and Christian Links (Vernon Press). He and his wife have three grown children. When he is not writing or teaching, Ellingsen enjoys discussing politics, sports, and playing guitar.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 26
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christ the King
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
18 – Sermons
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
17 – Children's Sermons / Resources
12 – Worship Resources
17 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
110+ – Illustrations / Stories
17 – Children's Sermons / Resources
12 – Worship Resources
17 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
New & Featured This Week
CSSPlus
John Jamison
Object: A heavy coat for one of the children to wear. Make it as heavy as possible by adding rocks, bags of rice, or other heavy objects in the pockets. For more fun, also have a few extra heavy things you can give the child to hold or put on to wear. When you select the child to wear the jacket, select one for whom the jacket will feel pretty heavy. Select a second child to be the “friend” in the story.
* * *
Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Let’s get started!
* * *
Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Let’s get started!
John Jamison
Object: A colorful flower like a Bird of Paradise or something with an interesting-looking blossom. If you are not near a florist, many grocers have flowers like these available. Just change the name of the flower in the message as you talk about it.
* * *
* * *
The Immediate Word
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
For December 1, 2024:
- How Do We Reconcile This? by Katy Stenta based on 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13.
- Second Thoughts: Prepare Ye, Prepare Ye! by Mary Austin based on Luke 21:25-36.
- Sermon illustrations by Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Chris Keating.
- Worship resources by George Reed.
StoryShare
John E. Sumwalt
People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. (v. 26)
Ernie Vohland was the baker in Montello, Wisconsin, when, fresh out of seminary, I was appointed to serve as pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in 1978. He was one of the first people I met on Sunday morning, and later at Leone’s Bakery when I stopped in for sweet rolls the next day. Ernie wouldn’t let the new preacher pay.
Ernie Vohland was the baker in Montello, Wisconsin, when, fresh out of seminary, I was appointed to serve as pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in 1978. He was one of the first people I met on Sunday morning, and later at Leone’s Bakery when I stopped in for sweet rolls the next day. Ernie wouldn’t let the new preacher pay.
Frank Ramirez
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? (v. 25)
Did you ever think about the word “earworm?” The very idea of a literal earworm, some sort of parasite caught inside your ear is such a disturbing image I hate to even think of it. I apologize, but if you some of you need to get the wiggles out go ahead and shake your shoulders a bit.
Did you ever think about the word “earworm?” The very idea of a literal earworm, some sort of parasite caught inside your ear is such a disturbing image I hate to even think of it. I apologize, but if you some of you need to get the wiggles out go ahead and shake your shoulders a bit.
Emphasis Preaching Journal
Bonnie Bates
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 33:14-16
God proclaims that the promises made to Israel will be kept. It brings to mind the question, “How good am I at keeping promises?” Do I blithely make a promise and then forget about following through? Do I make a few promises and diligently keep every single one? Do I avoid making promises, so I don’t have to keep them? I’m not sure in which category I fit and maybe the category changes from day to day and circumstance to circumstance.
God proclaims that the promises made to Israel will be kept. It brings to mind the question, “How good am I at keeping promises?” Do I blithely make a promise and then forget about following through? Do I make a few promises and diligently keep every single one? Do I avoid making promises, so I don’t have to keep them? I’m not sure in which category I fit and maybe the category changes from day to day and circumstance to circumstance.
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Joel 2:21-27
Andrena Sawyer once wrote, “God’ s restoration will go beyond what was, to set a new standard for what is good.” Restoration and renewal are important concepts for us as human beings.
Andrena Sawyer once wrote, “God’ s restoration will go beyond what was, to set a new standard for what is good.” Restoration and renewal are important concepts for us as human beings.
Frank Ramirez
Thanksgiving is one of the most blessed, most anticipated, and most dreaded holidays on our calendar. The expectations are so high, and oftentimes we’re the ones setting the bar against which we measure ourselves. In the midst of giving thanks, these three scriptures give us a different perspective.
Joel 2:21-27
Joel 2:21-27
SermonStudio
Mary Austin
As this Advent season begins, what have you promised yourself about the holidays this year? Are you vowing to have a simpler Christmas? Planning to make time for some activity you love, or time with beloved people?
What promises are ahead for your family? Do you know some kids who are waiting eagerly to see what Santa will bring? Adults who are waiting eagerly to collapse, and finally get some rest? People who find this time of year hard, and are just hoping to get through it?
What promises are ahead for your family? Do you know some kids who are waiting eagerly to see what Santa will bring? Adults who are waiting eagerly to collapse, and finally get some rest? People who find this time of year hard, and are just hoping to get through it?
Wayne Brouwer
"Screw your courage to the sticking-place," says Lady Macbeth to her doomed husband in Shakespeare's tragedy, "and we'll not fail." But fail they do and no amount of courage in the world can save them or turn them into heroes.
Courage is a funny thing. It's a bit like happiness: the more you seek it, the more you demand it, the more you try to call it up, the less it shows its face.
Courage is a funny thing. It's a bit like happiness: the more you seek it, the more you demand it, the more you try to call it up, the less it shows its face.
Richard A. Jensen
It had been a tough week for Glenda Kruse. Glenda was a real estate agent and she had sold only one home during the entire month of November. She was getting desperate. She had to make a living after all.
James Evans
There is perhaps no greater challenge to the life of faith than suffering. There is an implicit expectation that God, who is strong and loving, will protect those who are weak. When tragedy befalls the innocent, it is hard not to wonder about God's strength or goodness, or both.
Stephen M. Crotts
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on it. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by being anxious add one cubit to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing?
Mary S. Lautensleger
In the parable of The Giving Tree, a young boy would gather his favorite tree's leaves on mild autumn afternoons. He fashioned them into a crown for his head and played king of the forest. The tree was fun to climb, and he loved to eat its delicious apples. The boy enjoyed swinging from the tree's branches, and discovered a shady resting place beneath those same branches on hot summer days.
John A. Stroman
Joel informs the people of Judah that God has willed that humankind should have abundant life. This abundant life is characterized by good relationships with others, with all of God's creation, as well as the land and all its creatures. He points out that this abundant life of relationships is possible by first having a harmonious relationship with God. The prophet warns Judah if they desert God, making God unnecessary, and turn to other sources for life, then Judah is faced with hopelessness and the threat of annihilation.
Harold C. Warlick, Jr.
A minister held an administrative position in a major university in a large city. Part of his responsibility was overseeing the program for minority students in that school. The counselor for minority students and the faculty members teaching and working with minority students were under his supervision. The program had not been well run, so prior to his arrival the school had terminated the entire staff. He had to employ a new part-time director for the program.
The Village Shepherd
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
As we enter the dark season of Advent, representing the darkness of the world before the light of Christ came at Christmas, let us hold before God any darkness and suffering we ourselves experience, whether at school or at work or in our home lives. (Pause for a few moments silence.) Let us remember that Jesus Christ takes our darkness and suffering and transforms it for us.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, darkness can be scary. When we are afraid, Lord, have mercy.
As we enter the dark season of Advent, representing the darkness of the world before the light of Christ came at Christmas, let us hold before God any darkness and suffering we ourselves experience, whether at school or at work or in our home lives. (Pause for a few moments silence.) Let us remember that Jesus Christ takes our darkness and suffering and transforms it for us.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, darkness can be scary. When we are afraid, Lord, have mercy.
