Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3476 to 3500 of 5000 results

3476. The Circus and My Faith

Ps 139 · Mt 22:37

Sermon

Robert Noblett

The Bible admonishes us to love God, but it also embellishes on the point. It admonishes us to love God with all the heart that we have, all the soul that we have and all the mind that we have. Our intent in these pages is to land on the third dimension of our love for God, our willingness to love God with our minds. That may strike some as a bit unusual - loving someone with our mind (we usually love with our hearts), but then loving God is a different matter than loving our spouses or our children. ...

3477. The Therapy of Song

1 Samuel 16:14-23, Exodus 15:1-21, Psalm 5:1-12

Sermon

Robert Noblett

Those of us who make our homes in an urban area are certainly familiar with the whole flood of billboards that populate just about every available place - so much so, that we take them for granted. But every so often we come across one that catches our eyes because of its unusualness. Driving through downtown Boston during the rush hour a while back, I was attracted to one in front of an apartment building which did little to reassure me at the moment. It read: "If you lived here, you’d be home by now!" ...

3478. Are You Still Frightened of the Dark?

Genesis 1:1-5 · John 1:4-5 · Psalm 139:11-12

Sermon

Robert Noblett

Children go through a period when they are frightened of the dark. They are convinced that there is a robber inside their clothes closet. They are sure there is some kind of ethereal character lurking about in the basement. Beyond a doubt, they are of the conviction that there is a ghost-like essence biding time beneath their bed. Children usually outgrow that stage, but occasionally you find those who don’t, and they carry this fear of the darkness into their adult lives. In one of my former congregations ...

3479. Leah

Genesis 49:29--50:14

Sermon

Warren Thomas Smith

An elderly woman of keen mind and understanding heart stood gazing at Whistler’s portrait of his mother. "It’s a remarkable painting of a lovely lady," murmured the viewer, "but there is too much peace and calm to be the likeness of a real mother." To be sure, serenity and tranquility are marked qualities of motherhood, yet there has been far more sorrow, pain, and discord in the long history of women than the pacific sweetness of "Mother Machree" would indicate. Ours is a world which traditionally has not ...

3480. IN THE BEGINNING ... THERE WAS LOVE ...

Drama

Marcia Millerf

This is a fantasy of one person becoming aware of another. It is considered biblical because at one time there was that first encounter. At the same time it must be remembered that each one of us has had that same first encounter; a time when we must admit there are other needs in the world beside our own personal needs, desires, and wants. The costuming for this play must be at the simplest level - black leotards and tights. The stage setting is also simple. On stage there are two tower-like structures ...

3481. THE WITCH OF ENDOR

Drama

Marcia Miller

This is a play about necromancy, the art of communicating with the dead to predict the future. The actual story appears in 1 Samuel 28:7-25. But the period of history is not important, in that witchcraft has remained more constant than other religions throughout the ages. Costuming should be simple. The Witches should be in the traditional dark (black) colors, whereas Saul and his aides should be in bright reds, purples, and blues. Saul is not dressed as a king or a soldier, but as a peasant. When Samuel ...

3482. A STORY OF THE FIERY FURNACE

Drama

Marcia Miller

The story of the four men in the fiery furnace is told in Daniel 3. This is a fairly accurate re-creation of those facts. On the back wall of the stage area is a large, perspectively-drawn poster of a golden statue. It should give the appearance of being in the plains area. Daniel 3:1 tells us that this god was 90 feet high and 9 feet wide. On either side of the poster is a pylon or pillar, making a window effect. Between the two posts is the throne of Nebuchadnezzar. If possible, there should be a step ...

3483. Nicodemus

John 3:1-21

Sermon

The Chevy Nova was a relatively successful American car for many years. Encouraged by U.S. sales, Chevrolet began to market the American Nova throughout the world. Un-fortunately, the Nova did not sell well in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Additional ads were ordered, marketing efforts were stepped up, but sales remained stagnant. Sales directors were baffled. The car had sold well in the American market; why wasn’t it selling now? When they discovered the answer, it was rather embarrassing: ...

3484. The Guy With The Donkey

Matthew 21:1-11

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

There is an old story about a pastor who was having problems and decided to leave the ministry. But he ran into trouble finding another job. Finally, in desperation, he took a job at the local zoo. The gorilla had died, and since it had been the children's favorite animal, the zoo officials decided to put someone in a gorilla costume until a real replacement could be found. To the minister's surprise, he liked the job. He got lots of attention and could eat all he wanted. There was no stress--no deadlines ...

3485. Rejoice!

1 Peter 2:4-12

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Let us come together and rejoice in the Lord! People: For Christ was raised from the dead and lives with us forever! Leader: And because He lives, we also are heirs to life eternal in Christ. People: Then let us share God's love with all who will hear and accept it! Leader: And let us lift our voices in joyful praise and song! All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, through Your mercy and grace You have taken our rejection and turned it into a message of hope and love. ...

3486. A Matter of Life and Breath

John 20:19-23

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

Pentecost I On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If ...

3487. Sinner to Saint

Matthew 9:9-13

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. [Matthew 9:9] "You’ve come a long way, Baby" is an expression used by a popular cigarette commercial. You are shown a 19th century girl who is hiding her smoking with embarrassment. In contrast there is a 20th century girl openly, proudly smoking a cigarette. Indeed, women smokers have come a long way from public displeasure to acceptance. To become a saint, a ...

3488. Jesus ... Who?

Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." [Matthew 16:13-16] Supplementary text: Matthew 17:1-9 When Jimmy Carter first started campaigning for the presidency in 1976, the slogan in some parts of the ...

3489. Mary of Bethany and Jesus’ Mother

Drama

Jon Joyce

Setting Imagination - in the actresses and in the audience - is the only requirement for a setting for this drama. The scene is Jerusalem, a city crowded with pilgrims attending the Festival, not far from the Temple, which is the center of Festival activity. A bench or two shall be provided, stage left, for the women to sit upon during part of their conversation. You may wish to use extras to show the audience there is a crowd in the city, although the dialogue will tell them that. If you do use extras, ...

3490. Mary Magdalene, Stephanus, and Lucia

Drama

Jon Joyce

Setting Night on a Jerusalem street. Properties may include background painting of a first century building in front of which Mary Magdalene is standing when she encounters Stephanus and Lucia. Normally, no properties are required other than the audience’s imagination. Costumes Mary: flowing robe of black and white. Veil of same material, white, to cover hair. Sandals. A sparkling ring or two on her hands. Stephanus: simple white toga, sandals. Lucia: long, simple dress of bright colors. She may wear ...

3491. Claudia Procula, Peter, and Centurion

Drama

Jon Joyce

Setting Near Golgotha, but far enough away from the three crosses that there are few people. The background may show the three crosses and some observers, if you want to paint a backdrop. Cast and Costumes Centurion: knee-length white or tan robe; at the bottom of the robe is a four-inch decorative hem of bright colors. He carries a small sword, sheathed at his left side. Sandals. If available, he also wears a Roman helmet. If a Roman soldier’s outfit is available from a costumer, it would be ideal. Peter ...

3492. Annas, Caiaphas, and Judas

Drama

Jon Joyce

Setting The setting is a dual one, the differentiation most easily left to the audience’s imagination, unless you wish to construct a door to admit Judas to the room in the high priest’s palace where the encounter takes place. The outdoor half of the set is at stage right and may be marked with a palm tree or other foliage appropriate for spring in Israel. The indoor set, at stage left, is a beautifully appointed room in Caiaphas’ palace. This set requires three or four chairs, a cocktail or coffee table ...

3493. The Deeper Meanings of The Christian Faith by Dr. Bryant M. Kirkland

Romans 8:18-27

Sermon

Leonard Mann

I would like to talk with you about the meaning of Christianity. I took seriously the assignment that was given to me. I studied about Paul’s sermon at Mars Hill where he stood up in the great place of debate and spoke so eloquently that the people said, "Tell us what is the meaning of this Jesus and the resurrection that you proclaim." I have tried to work out this message mindful of what I imagine are your thoughts, my own thoughts, and the troubled thoughts that are characteristic in this modern period ...

3494. Men of Distinction

Acts 11:19-30

Sermon

Allan J. Weenink

For a number of years nearly every magazine carrying advertising showed handsome men in various prestige poses and labeled them "Men of Distinction." They were usually found in an elegant setting of impeccable decor, dressed stylishly, and bearing all the distinguishing marks of affluent, successful men of the world. There was a thoroughbred kind of casualness in the demeanor and an aura of "we have arrived." The ads had a compelling quality. The subliminal message fairly screamed that if one used the ...

3495. To Be Perfectly One

John 17:20-26

Sermon

Allan J. Weenink

One of the most meaningful experiences of my life took place in the Philippines. In the remote village of Lubuagan, high in the mountain provinces of northern Luzon, is a small mission school of some 250 students. The school and its sister church are on the main highway to Manila, which at this point is a narrow, treacherous dirt road, built on a mountain ledge. This little town literally clings to the mountains. It is half surrounded by graded rice terraces which give the impression of a thousand ...

3496. When The Cheering Stopped

Matthew 21:1-11

Sermon

Brett Blair

Some years ago a book was written by a noted American historian entitled “When The Cheering Stopped.” It was the story of President Woodrow Wilson and the events leading up to and following WWI. When that war was over Wilson was an international hero, There was a great spirit of optimism abroad, and people actually believed that the last war had been fought and the world had been made safe for democracy. On his first visit to Paris after the war Wilson was greeted by cheering mobs. He was actually more ...

3497. A Paper Bag Is Worth a Lot

Matthew 8:1-4

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: A paper bag and bunch of fruit - a dozen apples or oranges or anything that a child would have trouble holding in his hands. Good morning, boys and girls. How much are you worth? Has anyone ever asked you how much you are worth? [Let them answer.] It isn’t the kind of question that very many people ask one another, but people like to know how much they are worth to other people. Sometimes we think we are worth a lot to some people and not very much to others. There was a man who came to Jesus one ...

3498. The Riddles of Jesus

Luke 8:1-15

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: A medical prescription. Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you like riddles or secret codes? [Let them answer.] Almost all of you. It’s fun to work out riddles or codes because you feel like you know a secret. Jesus used to tell parables to the people and sometimes they understood the parable and sometimes they did not. Do you know what a parable is? [Let them answer.] A parable is a story about someone or something that could happen but hasn’t happened. It is a pretend story. Jesus used to ...

3499. Tell-Tale Fingernails

Matthew 6:25-34

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: Some fingernail clippings, or any sign of some nervous habit. Good morning, boys and girls. I brought something with me this morning that I know you have never seen anyone carry with him before. I have these things in a small box, and I am going to show you what they are in a minute. They have to do with worry, or being nervous. Can you imagine what they might be? What do some people do when they are nervous? [Let them answer.] I am going to open the box now, and I want you to take a good look and ...

3500. VIP

Luke 1:39-45

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: A large chair with a big ribbon and the letters VIP written on the ribbon. Good morning, boys and girls. Today I have something for you to see that will be impressive. First of all I hope that you have noticed this beautiful chair that I have taken the trouble to bring in and put in this place of honor. It is a lovely chair and quite unusual. Is there anyone here who has a chair that looks exactly like this one in his home? I should hope not, because this is a very special chair. Let me show you ...

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