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John S. Smylie

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The Elephant In The Living Room -- Mark 8:31-38 -- John S. Smylie -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
There are times when we do everything we can to avoid the obvious.
The Perfect Blemish -- John 2:13-22 -- John S. Smylie -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
When we think of the Lord Jesus, we tend to think of what he has done for us.
The Serpent -- John 3:14-21 -- John S. Smylie -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
Growing up in the northeast, I didn't have a lot of exposure to snakes.
We Wish To See Jesus -- John 12:20-33 -- John S. Smylie -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
"Sir, we wish to see Jesus" (v. 21).
Disintegration And Reintegration -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- John S. Smylie -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2008
Today's reading is the longest assigned reading that we have the entire year.
For The Life Of Betsy D. I. Smylie -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- John S. Smylie -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2008
For many thousands of years, men and women of myriad tongues and races have gathered underneath the
Looking For Jesus? -- John 20:1-18 -- John S. Smylie -- Easter Day - B -- 2008
The Lord is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!
Speaking Peace -- John 20:19-31 -- John S. Smylie -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2008
On the evening of that day, that first Easter Day, the disciples were gathered together, but as yet
The Five Senses -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- John S. Smylie -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2008
In the gospel text there is an opportunity to meet Jesus, using every one of our senses.
Fred And Barney -- John 10:11-18 -- John S. Smylie -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2008
I grew up in the suburbs, in a community outside of lower Manhattan.
The Little Golf Club -- John 15:9-17 -- John S. Smylie -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2008
Our Lord's new commandment, to love one another as he has loved us, is easier said than done.
The Logical Conclusion -- Luke 24:44-53 -- John S. Smylie -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2008
For several years, I had the privilege of serving a congregation in upstate New York.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words -- John 17:6-19 -- John S. Smylie -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2008
Actions and words are both important, but sometimes actions do speak louder than words.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! -- Mark 1:9-15 -- John S. Smylie -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
Mark doesn't waste any time getting us involved in the beginning of our Lord's ministry.
Clearing Out The Pipes -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- John S. Smylie -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2008
Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent, is a time when we have an opportunity to squarely fa
Silence And Darkness -- John 18:1--19:42 -- John S. Smylie -- Good Friday - B -- 2008
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Weed And Feed -- John 15:1-8 -- John S. Smylie -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2008
I think some people are natural-born gardeners.

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Silence And Darkness -- John 18:1--19:42 -- John S. Smylie -- Good Friday - B -- 2008
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
The Perfect Blemish -- John 2:13-22 -- John S. Smylie -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2008
When we think of the Lord Jesus, we tend to think of what he has done for us.

Stories

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Where Have All The Churches Gone? -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- John S. Smylie, David O. Bales -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2022
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
X Games -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32 -- John S. Smylie, David O. Bales -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Note: This installment was originally posted in 2007.Contents
A Sacrifice Of Thanksgiving -- Mark 13:1-8, 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -- John S. Smylie, John E. Sumwalt, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving" by John Smylie
Reasons For Rules -- John 2:13-22, Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Larry Winebrenner, Craig Kelly, John S. Smylie -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Reasons for Rules" by Larry Winebrenner
The Roots Of Love -- John 15:9-17, Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, Psalm 98 -- Larry Winebrenner, John S. Smylie, Keith Hewitt -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Roots of Love" by Larry Winebrenner
Five Days Old -- Mark 9:30-37, Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Psalm 1 -- John S. Smylie, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2009
Contents What's Up This Week "Five Days Old" by John Smylie
Housing Crisis -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Psalm 89:20-37 -- John S. Smylie, Larry Winebrenner, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Housing Crisis" by John Smylie
Get Up And Go -- John 3:1-17, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121 -- Frank Ramirez, John S. Smylie -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Get Up and Go" by Frank Ramirez
Bones -- John 11:1-45, Romans 8:6-11, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130 -- John S. Smylie, Argile Smith, Keith Hewitt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Bones" by John Smylie
Speak The Truth In Love -- Luke 24:13-35, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- John S. Smylie, Sandra Herrmann -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Speak the Truth in Love" by John Smylie
Wayne's Deployment -- Luke 24:44-53, Ephesians 1:15-23, Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47 -- Argile Smith, Charles D. Reeb, John S. Smylie -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Wayne's Deployment" by Argile Smith
Wayne's Deployment -- John 17:1-11, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- John S. Smylie, Argile Smith, Charles D. Reeb -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Wayne's Deployment" by Argile Smith
Be Joyful -- Luke 17:11-19, Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Psalm 65 -- John S. Smylie, Craig Kelly, David O. Bales, Keith Hewitt -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Be Joyful" by John Smylie
Be Joyful -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 100 -- John S. Smylie, Craig Kelly, David O. Bales, Keith Hewitt -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Be Joyful" by John Smylie
The Gift Of A John The Baptist -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Psalm 126 -- David O. Bales, John S. Smylie -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week
The Fifth Gospel -- Matthew 23:1-12, Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 -- John S. Smylie, Keith Hewitt, Bryan Meadows, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A, All Saints Day - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "The Fifth Gospel" by John Smylie
Artist At Work -- John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Craig Kelly, John S. Smylie -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Artist at Work" by Craig Kelly
Housewarming Warning -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52 -- David O. Bales, John S. Smylie -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Housewarming Warning" by David O. Bales
The Boy Who Always Told The Truth -- Luke 13:10-17, Hebrews 12:18-29, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, John S. Smylie -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
And Jesus Will Be Our Friend -- John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4b-8, Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 118:14-29, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Frank R. Fisher, John S. Smylie, Constance Berg -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
The Inexplicable Molly -- John 14:23-29, Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, Psalm 67 -- Scott Dalgarno, Argile Smith, David O. Bales, John S. Smylie -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C
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The Inexplicable Molly -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 47 -- Scott Dalgarno, Argile Smith, David O. Bales, John S. Smylie -- Ascension of the Lord - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Inexplicable Molly" by Scott Dalgarno
E-Mails To Home: What If Paul Had An E-Mail Account? -- Luke 7:11-17, Galatians 1:11-24, 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24), Psalm 146 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, John S. Smylie -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Comfortable Clothes -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a), 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99 -- John S. Smylie, Frank R. Fisher, Ron Lavin -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Transforming Light" by John Smylie
Ashes For Remembering -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a), 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99 -- John S. Smylie, Frank R. Fisher, Ron Lavin -- Ash Wednesday - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Transforming Light" by John Smylie
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Epiphany 2 (OT 2)
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
39 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 3 (OT 3)
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
35 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Epiphany 4 (OT 4)
28 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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Object: A piece of paper for each child. The pieces of paper should be the size of typing paper or larger.

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For January 19, 2025:

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Isaiah 62:1-5
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Isaiah 62:1-5
The proclamation of Isaiah reminds the people of Israel that they are not forsaken. They are, in fact, blessed by God. God celebrates them, vindicates them, renews and restores them. What joy there must be in this prophecy. Can you imagine being seen as forsaken and abandoned for centuries and knowing yet, that God is going to free you, vindicate you, bless you, and proclaim to the world that you are God’s beloved?

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord. (vv. 5-6)

It happened twenty years ago a few days after the death of Eli, our beloved West Highland Terrier. We were missing him fiercely as we were putting away dog toys and discovering hidden chewy bones. My wife, Jo, remembers:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

 At the wedding at Cana in Galilee, Jesus provided best quality wine for all the guests. We are his guests at his table today and he provides best quality wine for us. In our worship today let us enjoy all that Jesus provides for us.

Invitation to Confession:

 Jesus, sometimes we reject your wine.
Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we fail to appreciate the quality of all that you give us.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
If we wanted to give a name to this psalm, we might call it "A Song of Exuberant Praise." The psalmist is unrestrained in voicing his praise to God. And the list of things for which God is praised is impressively exhaustive. Within the scope of five short verses, God is praised for steadfastness, faithfulness, righteousness, judgment, and salvation. These divine qualities affect not only human existence but also extend to the heavens, clouds, mountains, the great deep, and even animals.

Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
With Jesus, wonders never cease.

Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 62:1-5
So Shall Your God Rejoice Over You
Tom M. Garrison
It had been a standard practice, in years past, that the most popular month for weddings was June. The idea of someone being a June bride was without doubt not just normal, but expected. As our society has moved in so many directions, it has become the case that June no longer holds the fascination as it once did. We do know that weddings are always the source of much anticipation and, at times, problems.

Harry N. Huxhold
David Donald's biography of Abraham Lincoln is a special effort to help us feel along with Mr. Lincoln the thoughts of his heart and mind as he aspired to the presidency. Mr. Lincoln had an earnest desire to be of special service to the nation he knew was in deep trouble. One senses the compassion he had for all the people. He also recognized that the people could survive only as one nation. No one knew better than he that not everyone would agree with his purpose and will in leading the people.
Steven E. Albertin
The miracle that Jesus performed at the wedding at Cana in today's Gospel is recalled in the prayer that begins the Rite of Marriage in the Lutheran Book of Worship:

Eternal God, our creator and redeemer, as you gladdened the wedding at Cana in Galilee by the presence of your Son, so by his presence now bring your joy to this wedding. Look in favor upon __________ and __________ and grant that they, rejoicing in all your gifts, may at length celebrate with Christ the marriage feast which has no end. Amen.

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