Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 301 to 325 of 1089 results

Mark 8:31-38

Sermon

Elaine M. Ward

... the molten lead and iron were prepared, the little girl was thrown into the fire. At last the bell maker succeeded. The bell, called the Emille Bell, made a sound more beautiful than any other. When it rang, most people praised the art and the artist that had created such a beautiful sound. But whenever the mother whose child had been sacrificed heard it, her heart broke anew. Her neighbors, who knew of her sacrifice and pain, could not hear the beautiful tone without pain either. Only those who understand ...

302. Pentecost: From Confusion To Communion In Christ

Sermon

Alex Gondola

... over here." Another architect responds, "No, I say it belongs over there!" "Yeah? Well, what do you know? I've worked here longer" "So what! I've got more talent in my little finger than you've got in your whole body!" Then the bookkeeper pipes in, "You artistic types will be the end of this project. Didn't you read my memo? I've been keeping accounts, and you've overspent on parapets." And a bricklayer, who's working nearby, takes it all in and thinks to himself, "Executives! What we really need is a ...

303. Prayers for the Sundays After Easter

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

... , we've started to grumble. We try to rake them when they are dry and they crumble into little pieces. If we rake them when they are wet they cling to the grass or to our rakes. We've forgotten the shade they provided when they were green, or the artist's palette they became when they were orange, yellow, and red. Now they cause us work so we grumble. The truth is that this leaf dropping is a necessary part of the tree's life cycle that leads to the budding of its branches next spring. But the trees now ...

304. All Creation Yawns

Romans 13:8-14

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... own goals involuntarily trampled the lives of others. In his last play, titled When We Dead Awaken, the renowned sculptor, professor Rubeck, has returned to his home country, Norway, after years abroad. His fame and success have brought him no happiness. His greatest artistic triumph was a modeled self- portrait titled Remorse for a Ruined Life. He has sacrificed everything for his art -- the love of his youth and his idealism. In the end his art has been betrayed by the relinquishing of these as well. The ...

305. Uncovering Cover-Ups

John 15:18--16:4

Sermon

Maurice A. Fetty

... great admirers of J. Edgar Hoover, head of the F.B.I. But recent books and articles have uncovered a variety of behaviors and improprieties which would have greatly offended my dad. John F. Kennedy lauded Thomas Jefferson when, at an assemblage of artists, actors, authors and musicians in the East Room of the White House, he remarked that there probably had never been such a gathering of talent in the East Room, except possibly when Thomas Jefferson dined alone. Yet recent books have suggested improprieties ...

306. When God Asks The Unreasonable

Genesis 22:1-19

Sermon

R. Robert Cueni

... of the George Keller family in Seattle, Washington. A serial arsonist was terrorizing the city. George Keller followed the newspaper accounts carefully and concluded the psychological profile fit his son, Paul. That didn't mean much until the newspaper ran the police artist's rendering of an eyewitness who saw a man running from the location of one of the fires. That drawing looked like his son, Paul. The Kellers worried, thought and prayed long and hard. They concluded that they would go to the police ...

307. The Face Of God

Isaiah 55:1-13

Sermon

Steve Burt

... set-up. It seems that the stranger may have had the power to defeat Jacob at any time during the night, but he chose not to, at least not until morning. And then he did it with relative ease, as if he were some cross between a Kung Fu artist and an acupressurist. Maybe the unknown wrestler did it so that Jacob would realize that, though he'd almost won, all his cleverness, his strength, his desire to win wouldn't be enough. Maybe he did it to show Jacob what true defeat was. Whatever the case, Jacob refuses ...

308. Epiphany Of Our Lord

Mt 2:1-12 · Eph 3:1-12 · Is 60:1-6, 9 · Ps 72

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... to bow the knee to their gods. They, too, are foolish because their journey leads nowhere but the grave. Not theologically correct. When you really delve into the lovely story of the visitation of the Magi, which has inspired numerous artistic renditions, the implications become somewhat disturbing. These Magi were a priestly class from Media and Persia, functionaries of the Zoroastrian religion. Their belief system was not theologically correct; for starters, they believed in two gods -- one good and the ...

309. I Am The Real Vine

Sermon

Ronald Lavin

... God the center means abiding. As the song says, "Abide with me, fast falls the eventide...." Time is running out. Abide. Night is drawing near. Abide. Death is coming. Abide. That's all true enough, but it isn't big enough. A master artist was teaching his students how to paint. They were hesitant, lacking in confidence. One student brought his painting to the master for review. It was a good painting, but lacked something. "Amplius, amplius, amplius," said the master, "make it bigger." Abiding in Christ ...

310. Turning A Minus Into A Plus

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

Harold Warlick

... bulb. The light bulb was perfected by a deaf man. Next we might have turned on a radio to listen to the news or some music. The radio was invented by a hunchback. If we listened to contemporary music we might have realized that three of the eight most popular artists are blind. If we grabbed a quick bite to eat in a fast-food place or in a supermarket we most likely enjoyed a symphony written by a classical composer who was stone deaf at the time he wrote it. Finally, if we rushed to class or the library to ...

311. The Power Of A Rumor

Mark 2:1-12

Sermon

John A. Stroman

... a truck stop and people and cars were everywhere. It was obvious that something was happening and my first thought was that a serious accident had occurred. As I arrived on the scene I noticed two large tractor-trailers and the signs on the side read, "United Artists." As I got closer I saw cameras and technicians, and I knew it was a movie set. Then my wife exclaimed, "There is Kenny Rogers!" Sure enough, there he was with his silver-gray hair, plaid shirt and blue jeans, standing in the middle of the set ...

312. He Shepherds Us!

John 10:1-21

Sermon

Harry N. Huxhold

... back up what love he holds for us. He was able to lay down his life for us and take it up again. That is power to be sure. It was also the greatest love ever demonstrated in the world. It is out of that love that he shepherds us. Artists have attempted to paint this for us. Most of them have painted a beautiful, pastoral scene for us. What we need is the picture of the rugged Shepherd who is bloodied in his battle for us, but who also shows the serenity of his confidence and the warmth of his ...

313. Ash Wednesday

Mark 1:1-8

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... with the sin and suffering of other people? Did Jesus choose baptism as an example for others to follow? Just why did Jesus submit to John's baptism? Follow this monologue with the reading of the gospel lesson. Visuals Recruit the congregation's textile artists to make a huge banner composed of three panels. The panel on the left shows John the baptizer stooping down to untie the sandals of Christ. The middle panel shows Christ, with one foot extended to John and the other foot standing in the Jordan ...

314. Second Sunday of Easter

John 20:19-23

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... simple interpretation of the lesson as it is read. This person could show the marks in his hands and side. (Let these be seen in the worshipers' minds. Don't try to use makeup to imitate Jesus' real wounds.) Visuals Purchase charcoal art markers from a local artist supply retailer. Then, as the worshipers enter the sanctuary, mark a cross on the back of both their hands. Tell the people that these marks are to remind them of the wounds Jesus had in his hands, and his feet, and his side. Anthems and Special ...

315. Third Sunday of Easter

Luke 24:36b-48

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... him and know that the flesh and bones of his body were again full of life. Jesus really did rise from the grave, and that is the good news for us." For an extra touch this special greeter could be eating something (dried fish?). Visuals Have the most artistic person in the congregation work with someone who is good at sewing. Ask these two people to make a huge banner with a bigger-than-life Jesus holding out his hands to the worshipers. The figure should be as realistic as the two people can make it. Add ...

316. Second Sunday after the Epiphany

John 1:43-51

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... The second can portray Philip calling Nathanael with the words, "Come and see." Arrange a large display of flowers with a toy ladder worked into the middle of it. Place several angels (perhaps from the Christmas decorations) on the ladder and in the flowers. Have an artist work with the words "You will see greater things than these" to create an interesting bulletin cover or a banner, in the way he draws the letters and words on the page or banner. Anthems and Special Music Come, Follow Me Day by Day -- M ...

317. Forgiven and Healed

Mark 2:1-12

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... their hands to a mat holding a man being lowered into the middle of the banner. Jesus and other figures can be sitting at the bottom of the banner, and can be looking at the approaching man. Use the banner itself to represent the house. Ask an artistic person to prepare a black-line sketch to be copied for a worship bulletin cover. The sketch should show a leaping figure holding a rolled mat over his head. The words "Your sins are forgiven" are added to finish the bulletin cover. Anthems and Special Music ...

318. Holy Thursday / Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... of the "disciples" at the table serve the communion elements to the rest of the congregation, who file up to the table to receive it. After the people at the table have all had their feet washed, then they receive the elements. Visuals Ask an artist in the congregation to prepare two life-size silhouettes from cardboard cut-outs. The silhouettes should be of Peter and Jesus, where Jesus is washing Peter's feet. An alternative to cardboard cut-outs would be to project the silhouettes onto a sanctuary wall ...

319. Our Souls Will Never Be Hungry Again

John 6:25-59

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... for those not yet biblically literate, have a group present a short reenactment depicting God giving manna to the Israelites (Exodus 16). Do this before reading the gospel lesson so that people understand the reference to this event in the lesson. Visuals Challenge the best artist in the congregation to provide a sketch of Jesus' face. Frame this sketch with the words, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." Use this for a worship ...

320. August 7-13

John 6:25-59

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... to the arrangement to remind worshipers that the bread Christ gives is his flesh. If sculpted loaves are not available, then real loaves of bread can be used. Real loaves could be used in the celebration of holy communion. ___ Ask one of the congregation's textile artists to prepare a banner showing an open Bible and the words, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven." Anthems and Special Music Be Not Afraid Bread of Life Eat This Bread Ego sum panis vivus (Bread of the Living) Halleluya I Am the ...

321. Hearing the Difficult News

Mark 9:30-37

Bulletin Aid

Robert D. Ingram

... choose. Let them draw children with Jesus, pictures of their church building, pictures of people worshiping at the church, or whatever they please. (Remember, though, that each child will probably need to color several bulletins.) And do not forget to let the young artists sign their masterpieces, so that the children and adults can enjoy talking about the pictures after the worship service. Attach a red rose to the cross in the sanctuary to draw attention to Christ's prophecy of his being killed. If the ...

322. Taking Christ's Side

Mark 9:38-41

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... as well. In any case, it would be a lot lighter to carry into the sanctuary. Set the millstone in the front of the sanctuary. It could even be leaning against something. Put some flowers next to the millstone to draw the worshipers' eyes to it. Ask an artistic youth in the congregation to prepare a Picasso-like banner of hands, feet, eyes and the flames of hell. Perhaps the "worm" that never dies could even be worked in. This banner could be made from a single piece of fabric and the youth could use fabric ...

323. What Must We Do?

Mark 10:17-31

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... use their money to make more money for helping the poor. The pastor could respond that Jesus gave this command not for the benefit of the poor, but so that the wealthy man could have treasure in heaven. Visuals This might be a good time for one or more artists in the congregation to prepare a large mural to be hung in the sanctuary. On the left side of the mural they can portray a wealthy man (or woman, or couple) in the process of selling everything he owns. An auction would be one way to picture this. On ...

324. Only the Birth Pangs

Mark 13:1-31

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... Give these descriptions to various people in the congregation. Have these people stand up and read these descriptions from their pews. These can be used either to introduce the sermon or to provide illustrations for the sermon. Visuals Gather your congregation's textile artists. Challenge them to make four banners depicting: (1) the Jerusalem temple broken into a heap of stones; (2) a war; (3) an earthquake; and (4) a famine. Ask the church's youth group to construct a cardboard replica of the temple for a ...

325. MAY 29-JUNE 4

Mark 2:1-12

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... a man with a "withered hand." If words are desired, one banner could read "The sabbath," and the second banner, "is for humankind." Wheat and a loaf of bread could be worked into a floral arrangement for use in the sanctuary. Ask one of the artistic people in the congregation to prepare a worship bulletin cover. It could be a creative arrangement with caligraphy to print the words, "The sabbath was made for humankind." Small people figures could be shown dancing around the letters of the words. Anthems and ...

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