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Arley K. Fadness

Arley K. Fadness is a retired ELCA pastor who has served numerous Lutheran parishes in South Dakota and Minnesota. He is currently a member of Custer Lutheran Fellowship in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. Pastor Fadness is a congregational consultant who coaches churches in visioning processes, and he also conducts leadership retreats and workshops on “Finding Your True Flair.” A graduate of Augustana College, Luther Theological Seminary, and McCormick Theological Seminary, Fadness is the author of several CSS titles, including Blueprints For Advent and Christmas, Blueprints for Lent, Six Spiritual Needs in America Today, Holy Moses, Hey Joseph!, and Where’s Noah? He is also a contributing author to Sermons on the First Readings (Series I, Cycle A).
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Children's sermon

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Together We Love -- John 17:20-26 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2019
“I ask...that they may be one, as we are one...so that the world may know that you have
Heavenly Help Is On The Way! -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Arley K. Fadness -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2019
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you foreve
Forever Bread -- John 6:25-35 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2019
“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life.
Hello, Holy Spirit Of Truth -- John 16:12-15 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2019
“When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...”
'I'm Hungry' -- Jesus -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Arley K. Fadness -- New Year's Day - C -- 2019
“...Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of
Wild Man Healed -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2019
So he went his way, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
Discovering Jesus: Eee - pif - on - eee -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2019
“On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and
Staying Focused -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2019
“When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
You Are the Treasure -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Arley K. Fadness -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2019
“You are my Son, The Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (v. 22)
Green Is For Going -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2019
“Go on your way, see I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.”
Mercy, Mercy -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2019
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man....He said, 'the one who sh
A Surprising First Sign! -- John 2:1-11 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2019
“Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory...”
M & M Sisters -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2019
“...there is need of only one thing.
A Surprising First Sign! -- John 2:1-11 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2019
“Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory...”
"Talk to Me" —God -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2019
“Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” (v. 1b)
Purpose -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2019
“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (v. 21b)
Coloring a Story -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2019
“all spoke well of him....they were filled with rage.” (vs. 22, 28)
Toys And More Toys -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2019
“Take care!
No Fish? Go Fish... -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2019
“...from now on you will be catching people.” (v. 10b)
Things I Love the Most -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2019
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”(v. 34)
Love Your Enemies -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2019
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you....” (v. 27)
Fire! -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2019
“Jesus said, ‘I came to bring fire to the earth,’...” (v. 49a)
Time Out! -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2019
“And ought not this woman….be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?”
Ah Ha, I Get It! -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Arley K. Fadness -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2019
“This is my Son, my chosen: listen to him!” (V. 35b)
The True Place Of Honor (Chanticleer Be Gone!) -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2019
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind.”

Drama

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A Prince Is Born In Egypt -- Exodus 1, Exodus 2:1-10 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2007
Lent 1 Drama Characters Narrator
The Call To Moses -- Exodus 2:11--4:17 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2007
Midweek Lent 2 DramaCharacters Narrator Moses
Deliverance! -- Exodus 7-12 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2007
Midweek Lent 3 DramaCharacters Paulo (the producer)
Wilderness Wanderings (Photos In The Desert) -- Exodus 15-16 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2007
Midweek Lent 4 DramaCharacters Photographer Moses
The Ten Commandments (Ten Friends Of The Covenant) -- Exodus 19:9-20 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2007
Midweek Lent 5 DramaCharacters Voice Of God (offstage)
News From The Desert Times (The Golden Calf Incident) -- Exodus 32 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2007
Midweek Lent 6 DramaCharacters
Shalom Unravels -- Genesis 37:1-36 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2005
CharactersNarratorBilhahJoseph (teenager)
I'm Alive -- John 20:1-18 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2005
On February 27, 1991, Ruth Dillow was at her home in Chute, Kansas, when she received the news from
Jesus, Our Shalom -- Ephesians 2:13-14 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2005
In a few moments through word and song, we re-live Jesus' last six hours.
Sample Bulletin For Lent -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2005
Lenten Vespers"Hey Joseph!"Prelude
Sample Bulletin For Maundy Thursday -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2005
Lord's Supper --Living TableauPrelude"Sweet Hour Of Prayer"
Jesus, Bread Of Life -- John 6:35, 41, 48, 50, 51, 58 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2005
"I am the Bread of Life" -- JesusThere it sits.Golden brown. Unsliced.
Joseph And Mary In The Garden -- John 20:1-18 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 2005
CharactersJoseph Of ArimatheaMary Magdalene

Sermon

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Veni, Spiritus Sanctus, Veni -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Arley K. Fadness -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2009
On this Pentecost Sunday, as we celebrate the birthday of the church, I want to teach you a simple a
Holy, Holy, Holy -- John 16:12-15 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2009
On this festival, The Holy Trinity, we celebrate one of the great treasures and mysteries of the chu
Amazing Faith -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2009
Twice in Jesus' ministry, Jesus is flabbergasted.
Sit Up And Speak! -- Luke 7:11-17 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2009
The telephone rang in my office one day, and a mother, a member of my parish, blurted out, "Oh, past
The Forgiven Love A Lot! -- Luke 7:36--8:3 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2009
One day it became obvious that I needed to tell my two daughters, Soon Ah and Rebekah, this story --
Liberating The Possessed -- Luke 8:26-39 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2009
He is a tortured man! His hair is tossed and tousled.
Appointed And Sent! -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2009
The wheat harvest was glorious that year on our farm in South Dakota.
Checked The Ditch Lately? -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2009
We were driving west on Highway 16 from Custer to Newcastle, Wyoming, when Pam and I spotted this ma
Sister Act(s) -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2009
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan.
Keeping The Main Thing The Main Thing -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2009
They were 5,000 feet in the air in a two-seat Cessna when suddenly the pilot slumped over.
When Jacob Got A Vision -- Genesis 29:15-28 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2004
The storyteller is talking about great men and women of vision.
An Incredible Encounter -- Genesis 32:22-31 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2004
Jacob sends presents to brother Esau in the hope of finding favor with him.
Shalom Shattered -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2004
It's art class.
Can You Hear Me Now? -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2004
A cell phone commercial asks, "Can you hear me now?" The assumption is that one can hear any place,
Bloody Lintels -- Broken Bread -- Exodus 12:1-14 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2004
Two Russian surgeons and an anesthetist took turns lying on an operating table beside a critically-i
Grace For A Complaining People -- Exodus 16:2-15 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2004
Bob Hope died in 2003 at age 100.
Free Living Water For All -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2004
Travelers near the Badlands of South Dakota were surprised and intrigued in 1936 to see a sign which
Ten Friends Drive Us To The Promise -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2004
"One day last spring, something memorable happened at Carleton University (in Ottawa, Ontario, Canad
A Deliverer Is Born -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2004
The River Nile is the longest river in the world, snaking 4,160 miles from Burundi, Africa, to the M
Forgiveness And Reconciliation At Last! -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2004
It happened to a rural Lake County, South Dakota, Lutheran church in August of 2000.
Saved (Again)! -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- Arley K. Fadness -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2004
Lawrence Henry was 88 years of age when he shared with his family the only sermon he ever preached.
The Need to Believe that Life Is Meaningful and Has Purpose -- Luke 18:18-30 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
The Need for a Sense of Community and Deeper Relationships -- John 15:13-17 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
The Need to Be Appreciated and Respected -- Mark 1:10-11 -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
The Need to Be Listened to and Heard -- Luke 8:8b -- Arley K. Fadness -- 1997
Worship Aid
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
36 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
3 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
27 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
3 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

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For December 22, 2024:
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Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
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For December 22, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
Not many things are quite as common — and, for that matter, quite as predictable — as the sunrise and the sunset. Yet that does not make them less spectacular, does it? We still find ourselves struck by their beauty. So much so, in fact, that at times we try to take pictures in order to capture what we are seeing and experiencing. Or, if others are nearby, we call some family member over to the window in order to share the beauty of the view with someone we love.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Micah 5:2-5a
Phillips Brooks wrote the hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” in 1868. The song began as a poem he’d written for the Sunday School of his church, The Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia. Brooks found the inspiration for this hymn after the Civil War, during a year abroad (1865-66) in Europe and the Holy Land. While traveling, he wrote to the children of his parish about visiting Bethlehem on Christmas Eve.

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
Then I said, ‘See, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).

If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t miss a super hero movie, you know that every one of them has an origin story. Bruce Wayne, for instance, witnessed the senseless murder of his parents when he was a child, which is why as an adult he was not only intent on fighting crime but also to instill in criminals the traumatic terror he experienced as a child, and that is why he donned the character of the Batman.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A small bag of potato chips. This message includes role-playing. Depending on your group of children, you can either select your players yourself or ask for volunteers when you need them. You will want one girl to be Mary, another to be Elizabeth, and two more children to be the people in town.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! But instead of just hearing the story,

SermonStudio

Susan R. Andrews
We Protestants don’t know what to do with Mary. Because the doctrines of the Catholic church have turned Mary into a sweet passive icon of virginal purity, we Protestants have been content to leave her out of our gallery of biblical saints — except of course, for her obligatory appearance in our Christmas pageants.
James Evans
The recurring phrase, "let your face shine" (vv. 3, 7, 19), offers an interesting opportunity to reflect on the meaning of God's presence in our world. This reflection takes on a particular significance during the Advent season.

Mary S. Lautensleger
The name Johann Sebastian Bach has been familiar in church music circles for many years. Bach inscribed all his compositions with the phrase, "To God Alone The Glory." Professor Peter Schickele of the fictitious University of Southern North Dakota discovered an obscure relative, P.D.Q. Bach, known as the most bent twig on the Bach family tree. The name Bach had always been associated with fine music until P.D.Q. appeared on the scene. This fabled genius, P.D.Q.
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night. This night with its carols and candlelight, inhaling an atmosphere of poinsettia and pine, and exhaling the promise of peace. What is it about this night that so captivates our souls, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.

Some are here because they are believers, faithful followers of the Christ. You are here to celebrate the nativity of your Lord. In the name of the Christ you worship and adore, I bid you a joyful welcome.

Harold C. Warlick, Jr.
The university chaplain was late for a meeting. He roared down the interstate through a sparsely populated area of his state. He was traveling ten miles per hour over the speed limit. As the blue light from the highway patrol car flashed in his rearview mirror, the churning in his stomach was exceeded only by his anger at his foolishness. Putting on his best professional face and a humble demeanor, he gave the officer the requested information and jotted in his date book the time and location of his court appointment.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Christmas is nearly here! In our worship today let us reflect the joy and happiness of Mary in the way in which we too greet the birth of our Saviour.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are longing for your birth.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we wait to greet you with clean hearts.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we welcome you -- make us right with you.

Lord, have mercy

 Reading:

 Luke 1:39-45

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