Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3876 to 3900 of 4943 results

3876. While This House Lies In Ruins

Haggai 1:1-15

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... derived from, in the phrase from John 1:14: "And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us." God's word became flesh and tented, or camped out, among us. There is an element of roughing it inherent in the incarnation, and the suggestion that we should continue to rough it during our pilgrimage on this earth. When David was all on fire to build the first temple, God sent him the message just to slow down and wait a generation. And after Solomon had it built, so beautiful that it became the stuff of legend ...

3877. Is There Any Seed Left In The Barn?

Haggai 2:19

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... happened to the holiday, while brooding over the ominous arrival of the new year. Not a pretty sight, is it? The church calendar knows nothing of this frenetic holiday. For Christendom, Christmas is a season that begins with the first Sunday of Advent and continues through the Feast of the Magi, known as Epiphany (January 6). Each week has a different focus for celebration and worship. In many countries gifts are given on December 6 or January 6, and many of the days in between. To cease singing Christmas ...

3878. Thanksgiving for Our Land

Deuteronomy 8:1-20

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

... People: But we have grown prosperous and not all remember God's gifts. Leader: Then let it begin with us and let us give thanks to our loving God. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, You have blessed this land with abundance and You will continue if we will remember You are our God. Lord, we open our hearts to worship You and give You our loving thanks. In Christ we pray. Amen. Prayer Of Confession Lord, as our nation has become great and strong we seem to be forgetting who has given us our ...

3879. The Season Of Renewal

Mark 1:1-8

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... ones" (Charles F. Kettering). True for you? MUSIC POSSIBILITIES (In Addition To Those Already Suggested) Music for Preparation and Dismissal Medley of Epiphany hymns. Study the Epiphany section of your hymnbook. Some Epiphany hymns are also Christmas carols. Continue using these hymns and carols throughout the Epiphany Season; the mass media will not interfere with your educating the congregation during this season. Response to the Proclamation "Pass It On" Response to the Offering (Doxology) Chorus only ...

3880. The Season Of Expectancy

Mark 13:1-31, Mark 13:32-37

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... . Prayer following the Offering By your spirit, move us from our "slugdom" to your "squirreldom." Charge to the Congregation Are you any more ready now for the Christ-event than when you entered the sanctuary today? What are some specific ways that you will continue your readiness? Bring your ideas to share next week. Carry this thought with you: "To pray is to expose the shores of your mind to the incoming tide of the Holy Spirit" (Ralph Sockman.) So, what's your intent for this Advent? BLESSING Meditation ...

3881. Easter Day

John 20:10-18, John 20:1-9

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... the theme of Jesus' crucifixion, for those who expect to experience the joy of Easter without the horror of Good Friday. In no way will we experience life without death, resurrection without crucifixion. A Return To Good Friday, Which At The Time, Appeared Bad Continue to keep the cross and communion table wrapped in the daily newspaper. Have a dead "Jesus" simulated on the old rugged cross as people arrive. Have the musicians play, "Christ Lay in the Bonds of Death" by J. S. Bach. For the especially ...

3882. The Season Of The Resurrection

Luke 24:36-49

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... in the Beginning, Did Not Believe it, Because of Joy and Amazement. Listen carefully to verse 41. Pastoral Invitation In the name of the one who lived and died and who lives again, welcome to the third Sunday in Easter. Yes, on the church calendar, we continue in the season of Easter. So, rejoice! As we begin, consider these questions: (1) Why have you come?" (Thirty seconds of silence.) (2) What do you expect to happen to you, through you?" (Thirty seconds of silence.) (3) "Have you come as spectators or ...

3883. The Season Of The Evangel: Epiphany 2

John 1:43-51

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... we are. We have come today to celebrate our calling in Christ. People: I invite you to be honest during, and beyond, worship. I invite you to be open to God's Word, Jesus the Christ. Leader: We are honest; we are open to God's Word. People: We continue to praise God, the Evangel, as God's evangels. And all the people said, (your favorite praise word)! Hymn "From a Distant Home." (Introduce a new hymn each month; use it no less than four weeks; remember that most worshipers will be present no more than twice ...

3884. The Calling of the First Disciples

Mark 1:14-20

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... , speak, sing, shout praises with thanksgiving, for the joy of our calling as Christ's evangels. Hymn: "From a Distant Home." (Remind the people that this is our hymn of the month for the first half of Epiphany.) Prayer of Praise In this prayer, continue to focus on God, the Evangel. Perhaps someone in the congregation would be willing to prepare the prayer. Do ask well in advance. And remember, children and youth also are members of the church. Acts of Confession Jesus said, "Repent, and believe the Good ...

3885. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

Theme: Jesus Again Continues the Bread of Life Theme; This Time People Argue Among Themselves. Note: The idea for this celebration of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper comes from a sermon by Henry E. Kolbe, a United Methodist clergyman (now deceased). The sermon was printed in The Pulpit magazine (July-August, 1966). ...

3886. Jesus Teaches the Essence of His Being

John 6:60-71, John 6:25-59

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... ," said Jesus, "has seen the Parent, the Child, the Spirit." People: We praise the name of God, the Parent, the Child, the Spirit! Yes, we do! Hymn of Praise "O God of Every Nation" Prayer of Praise God, Parent, Child, Spirit, we thank you for your continuous invitations to come on down. We praise you for Isaiah's powerful call, "Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and those who have no money, come, buy and eat; yes, come buy wine and milk without money and without price." (Wrestle with that statement ...

3887. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

Mark 10:46-52

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... , or beyond it, God keeps showing it to us, and keeps waiting for us to respond. So, rejoice! How will you offer your praise, as persons who have heard and seen the Good News? Response "God Be In My Head" Prayer of Praise Invite the congregation to continue the call to worship with prayers of thanksgiving for the Spirit's helping them to see the Good News. Hymn of Praise "Sing Praise to the Lord" ACTS OF CONFESSION Call to Confession Consider, silently, and write down those times when you saw the truth, and ...

3888. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

Mark 2:1-12

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... rules, as did the Older Testament folks. (2) We do need a day of rest, and for worship; weekends often leave us more exhausted than refreshed. (3) God, throughout scripture, takes the Sabbath extremely seriously. Celebration Through Thanksgiving And Intercession Continue to invite people to share their joys and concerns; and encourage them to consider the theme for the day. CELEBRATION THROUGH COMMITMENT Stewardship Challenge The important question is not, "Do I want to attend worship, to use the Lord's ...

3889. The Season Of The Holy Spirit

Mark 3:20-30

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... . Hymn of Praise "Blessing and Honor" CELEBRATION THROUGH CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Introduction to the Act of Confession In a sense, we live at the extremes of one world. On the one hand, if we are at all sensitive to Christ's presence in our lives, we continually pray, "Lord, have mercy." For the next three minutes, I invite us to consider those times this past week when we were aware of God's mercy. Write them down. Following the silence, offer a prayer thanking God for mercy. Response "Have Mercy on Us ...

3890. Advent 1

1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Isaiah 63:7--64:12, Mark 13:32-37, Mark 13:1-31

Sermon Aid

E. Carver McGriff

... 1-9 (E) Paul begins his letter by complimenting the recipients for their confirmation of the "testimony to Christ" evident among them. He reminds them that the "spiritual gifts" they have received are just that -- gifts. God has been gracious to them and will continue to be so, because they were "called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." This is interesting since we know that the Corinthian people had something of a reputation as carousers and rabble-rousers. One has to believe that God ...

3891. Advent 2

Mark 1:1-8, 2 Peter 3:1-18, Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon Aid

E. Carver McGriff

... . Hatred is replaced by love and understanding. Destructive habits beyond our control start to lose their power over us. Now we want to be a different person, and it's only natural that we want the same for those whom we love as well. That article continues, however. John Reaves had heard Patty tell of the change in her life because of Jesus. One day he woke up in jail, sharply aware of the way he had ruined his life. And, he accepted Christ. The article quotes Reaves as saying that though his addiction ...

3892. Advent 3

John 1:1-18, John 1:19-28, Isaiah 61:1-11, Isaiah 65:17-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Sermon Aid

E. Carver McGriff

... . Not false modesty. Not "pardon me for living." Just simple understanding and acceptance of who and what we are and are not. I occasionally have lunch with the pastor of an enormous church. You'd never know it from him though. He continually shows interest in other pastors and their work, never seeming the slightest bit interested in impressing anyone. We preachers know that such genuine lack of self-importance is not terribly widespread. It's good human relations, in fact. Maybe John was popular, not ...

3893. Advent 4

Luke 1:26-38, Romans 16:1-27, 2 Samuel 7:1-17

Sermon Aid

E. Carver McGriff

... . Great responsibility lies before the clergy and the seminaries. But much also rests with congregational members who must be willing to, as old Fosdick once put the matter, "be part of the solution, not part of the problem." One thing which won't change: prayer. It will continue to be the means by which we find our way in a new day, and the means by which we march together in love. Romans 16:25-27 · Doing What Is Right Theme: Paul himself is a good example of this -- standing up for what one believes ...

3894. All Saints

Isaiah 25:1-12, Revelation 21:1-27, John 11:38-44, John 11:17-37

Sermon Aid

E. Carver McGriff

... things we have worked so hard to acquire. And if Jesus told the truth, we will one day look back from a lovely new world and remember with a smile the things we left behind. 1. The Bible promises life after death. 2. That life will probably be one of continued growth and discovery. 3. It may be for everyone, but those who have learned to give and receive love in this life will have an immediate advantage. 4. Someone has said that only when a person is not afraid to die is he not afraid to live. In other ...

3895. Gifts of Lent V: A Soldier Gives His Wine

Matthew 27:45-56

Drama

Donald Neidigk

... , keeping the crowds away from the victims lest some distraught relative or wife create an embarrassing situation. Even I, hardened by years of combat, was shocked by the hatefulness of that crowd. They had gotten what they wanted. Their king was dying and yet they continued to scream their insults at him. But Jesus seemed unaffected. My soldiers and I, standing as we were so close to the crosses, heard every word each condemned man uttered. Two of them swore at us, as I would probably have done. But Jesus ...

3896. On Getting Out Of The Way

Luke 3:1-20, Luke 3:21-38

Sermon

Charles H. Bayer

... later. "I am not even worthy to untie his shoes," John said. "Don't think too highly of me. I don't want you to remember me. I want you to see the Messiah, the Christ, the one God is sending to rescue you." "I baptize you with water," he continued, "mine is just a physical symbolic act. All the water in the Jordan River can't save you. But one is coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The real baptism, conversion, salvation, hope is not in me; it is in Jesus." Shortly thereafter ...

3897. All Creation Yawns

Romans 13:8-14

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... clock lifted very closely to her eyes, "Noooo!" she shouts and begins to jump up and down, both feet pounding on the floor. One after another she takes books from the shelves and hurls them across the room. Dorm residents gather in the doorway as the commotion continues until the sea of curious bodies is parted as the girl's roommate rushes to her aid, "Sue, Sue, what are you doing?" "I can't believe it! I slept through my final," she exclaims, hoisting her clock over her head as if it has succumbed to ...

3898. Moving At The Speed Of Light

Ephesians 3:1-13

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... teenage daughter Ida assumed responsibility for the light. Each day included cleaning the reflectors, trimming the wick, and filling the oil reservoir at sunset and midnight, along with providing for her father's care. With long and demanding tasks, Ida was unable to continue her schooling, but daily delivered her siblings to class, whatever the weather, by rowing the 500 yards to the mainland. In the mid-1800s, it was unusual to see a woman maneuvering a boat, but Ida became well skilled and well known for ...

3899. Moving At The Speed Of Light: At The Jordan

Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

Peter had long practiced a religion which required the separation of Jews and Gentiles, and following Christ's ascension Peter continued to be a practicing Jew. Through the example of Christ, Peter began to think differently about those who were considered ritually unclean and unacceptable to God. Earlier in Acts 10, Peter has been staying in Joppa in the home of one who practiced an "unclean" profession, Simon the Tanner. From ...

3900. Moving At The Speed Of Light: Jerusalem: What Word Would You

1 Corinthians 1:18--2:5

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

... and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome," those who come from the land of wisdom and those from the hallways of earthly power. Paul continues: "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, the cleverness of the clever I will thwart." So to those who come from afar, what would you say? Omni magazine asks the question: "If an alien landed in your backyard, what ...

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