Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3926 to 3950 of 4972 results

3926. Proper 13 & Pentecost 11

Matthew 14:13-21, Nehemiah 9:1-37, Exodus 12:1-30, Romans 8:28-39, Isaiah 55:1-13

Sermon Aid

... a cry to God for help in escaping the wrath of one's enemies. The reading spells out God's directions for the Passover, which will take place as God sends the final plague to soften Pharaoh's heart and convince him to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt. Its content makes it appropriate for many Sundays of the year, especially for some of the Sundays of Lent and Easter. It functions more as a gradual than a responsory, in that it is thematically compatible with the Romans 8 reading for the day. THE READINGS ...

3927. Proper 18 & Pentecost 16

Ezekiel 33:1-20, Psalm 119:1-176, Psalm 95:1-11, Psalm 115:1-18, Exodus 19:1-25, Romans 13:1-7, Romans 13:8-14, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 18:15-20

Bulletin Aid

... have been given this "better way" by Jesus. And most would be healthier if they accepted Jesus' teaching about relationships within the congregation. In too many congregations, such disputes and disagreements are never settled; if they are severe enough, those involved often leave the congregation and move to, or even start, another church. The better way is God's way, because it is founded on love for one another, in the name of Christ. 3. To follow Jesus' dictum means that two things will happen ...

3928. All Saints' Day

Revelation 7:1-8, Isaiah 26:1-21, 1 John 2:28--3:10, Revelation 21:1-27, Matthew 5:1-12, Psalm 24:1-10, Psalm 149:1-9, Psalm 34:1-22

Sermon Aid

... 5:1-12 - "Saints Alive." It took me nearly eight years before I think I began to understand what All Saints' Day is about. Some twenty-five years ago, my wife, children, and I spent six weeks traveling in Europe in conjunction with a sabbatical leave from seminary teaching. In Edinburgh, we had seen a painting of St. Sebastian, bound to a pillar, awaiting death by the archers' arrows. In museum after museum on the continent, we saw additional paintings of Sebastian, most of which depicted him with arrows ...

3929. Three Arrows

1 Samuel 20:1-42

Sermon

... in a field. In this meeting under the open sky they were safe from the prying ears of spies. They met to reaffirm their covenant of friendship, and devised a test to see if David should continue in Saul’s court. David suggested to Jonathan that he leave the king’s table for a few days. Israel’s kings usually ate with only their closest advisors. In Saul’s case, he dined with his son Jonathan, his general Abner, and his lyre player, David. No women were allowed at his table, as is still the custom ...

3930. Promising Words

2 Samuel 7:18-29

Sermon

A photo album is a magic carpet ride into the realm of memory. Like leaves of October tinted with the auburn and golden hues of autumn, snapshots are colored with the rich pastels of previous events. Saturday Review editor Norman Cousins has written of his feelings about snapshots in his book, Human Options, A man (woman) comes to know himself through the pictures he takes ... ...

3931. Faces of the Nation

2 Samuel 19:9-43

Sermon

... for granted the love and support handed to us. We forget that, when the chips are down and we are going down for the count of ten, we are not alone. We have our family; we have our church, and we have a friend named Jesus who shall never leave our side. Soon leaders from the quarreling tribes decided to form a delegation and come to David at Gilgal. They had learned that the price of forgiveness was cheaper by the dozen. They had patched up their hates and jealousies in their need to sew a seamless robe of ...

3932. A Most Amazing Night

Luke 2:1-7

Sermon

... earnestly about the danger this child poses to the world and the danger He faces from the world. Maybe even the beams from the stable form the shadow of a cross over the infant Jesus! Mary sees the Wise Men look at her deeply, and then they leave. Are they offering her their blessings or their sympathy? We have no pictures of Mary, so we don’t know what she looked like. But she has become a universal woman these last 2,000 years. European artists have made her look European. African artists have made ...

3933. Stop, Look, and Listen

Hebrews 10:20

Children's Sermon

... us. Just as we use water to wash ourselves, the water used in baptism shows us how God washes away our sins. Then God gives us a "squeaky clean" life. One question that you children might be asking is, "Why did God use water for baptism? Why not sand or leaves or even ice cream?" I imagine God used water because there's more of it than anything else on our planet. Also, each of us is like a walking water tank; nine out of ten parts of us are made up of water. So water is pretty important for life ...

3934. Baptism of our Lord

Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29:1-11

Bulletin Aid

... the role of the Christ as a Suffering Servant of your divine will for world justice, probably because we fear in our hearts that we might have to swallow our pride and follow his way to the cross. Forgive us, we pray, and give us the courage and strength to leave our comfortable Christianity for a mission more in keeping with his teaching and example. In his name we pray. Amen

3935. Lent 2

Genesis 12:1-8

Bulletin Aid

Theme: God's outlandish promises Exegetical note: This passage, which begins the Abraham narratives of Genesis, shows the great patriarch leaving his land in obedience and response to God's call and outlandish (but nonetheless eventually fulfilled!) promises, thereby setting into motion the history of the people of God - not only (as it turns out) the Israel that derived directly from him, but the New lsrael, the Church, in which the ...

3936. Easter 4

Acts 2:42-47

Bulletin Aid

... prayer. In the name of our brother Christ Jesus we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession God of healing love, we confess with shame how little we as your people reflect the kind of spiritual community portrayed in scripture as the ideal for the Church, and how broken we leave the body of the Christ as a result of our selfishness and pettiness. Forgive us, we pray, and fill us with your Spirit of love and harmony. Teach us to look beyond our narrow self-interests and toward the image of your coming Reign, in which ...

3937. Proper 11

Psalm 103:1-22, Exodus 3:1-22

Bulletin Aid

... ): on the one hand, Moses is drawn to the burning bush and has to be warned not to go near; on the other, he is afraid to look at God and hides his face. The whole incident, therefore, bespeaks the majesty and the mystery of God that leaves humans awestruck and wanting more. Call to Worship Leader: Let all that is within us bless God's holy name! People: LET US REMEMBER GOD'S BENEFITS IN OUR VERY SOULS! Leader: For God forgives and heals and redeems! People: GOD IS LOVING AND MERCIFUL AND GOOD! (based ...

3938. Advent 1

Matthew 24:36-51

Sermon Aid

... explore and think. Then, you may want to print this prayer after some time of private introspection: Our God, we tend to minimize the importance of readiness. It makes so little difference, we seem to think, if we're ready or not. There's always tomorrow. We leave it to others in our households to do what we should be doing to keep alive and strong our faith. We alibi, we neglect, we do everything but live our faith. Through the in-dwelling presence and power of your Spirit make us aflame with faith. Make ...

3939. Advent 2

Matthew 3:1-12

Bulletin Aid

... the devil portrays hellish glee. The many chess players who had witnessed the painting readily agree that the face of Faust told the true story of checkmate and hopelessness. One day, however, there stood in the gallery a great master of the game. He refused to leave the room, fascinated and absorbed as he were with the facial expression of the two players and with the game on the board. Other visitors came and went, but he stayed to study. Suddenly the master shouted, "It's a lie! The king and the knight ...

3940. Epiphany 5

Matthew 5:13-16

Sermon Aid

... more real to us than God?" (source unknown) Charge to the Congregation One pastor did this: Centered the charge around how we would act if we thought that we would never be found out. Keep the focus of salt and light before the people as they leave the sanctuary. Planning for Your Congregation I. Other Scriptures Psalm 112 Isaiah 58:3-10 1 Corinthians 2:1-11 II. Suggested Hymns "Praise the Lord, His Glories Show" "Be Thou My Vision" "I Am the Light of the World" III. Other Music Possibilities Music for ...

3941. Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17

Bulletin Aid

... is laid in the tomb. Organ only: "By the Babylonian Rivers" (Hymn for those in captivity) Based on Psalm 137:1-4 Charge to the Congregation by the pastor, concluding with, "O God, what's going to happen to us, now?" Conclude with "Taps" on the bugle, as the congregation leaves in silence.

3942. The Resurrection of Our Lord

John 20:1-9

Sermon Aid

... Introit: (An exhultant "hosanna" piece) Response to the Proclamation: Choir "It Is A Great Day of Joy" Offertory: "Rejoice Ye Christians" Choral Response to the Benediction: "Amen Chorus" from "Lillies of the Field" (Ask the people to sing as they leave.) Music for Dismissal: "Carillon For a Joyful Day" IV. Bulletin Cover and Symbols (Perhaps you will want to order an Easter bulletin.) V. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments) Ushers Banners Posters Candlelighters Flowers Greeters Hosts/Hostesses Name-tags

3943. Pentecost

John 20:19-23

Sermon Aid

... these to identify the parts of worship: Celebrating The Presence of God Alleluia! Alleluia! Celebrating The Act of Forgiveness We Receive New Life! Celebrating The Word We are Listening! Celebrating Our Gifts We Are Accountable! Celebrating Our Departure We Leave for Ministry! Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration One pastor did this: He invited the people who brought their symbols of the Holy Spirit to share them with the congregation. Continue with this litany between pastor and ministers: Pastor: Who ...

3944. Proper 7

Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon Aid

... " Response to the Scripture: Adult Choir "Blessed Are You" Response to the Children's Message: "Beyond a Dream" Offertory: "Pastorale" Doxology: Traditional words to the tune of Lasst Uns Erfreuen L.M. with Alleluias Music for Dismissal: "Put Your Hand in the Hand" (Ask the congregation to sing as they leave, and to grasp each other's hands.) IV. Bulletin Cover and Symbols V. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments): Ushers Banners Greeters Posters Candlelighters Flowers Hosts/Hostess Name-tags

3945. Proper 8

Matthew 10:1-42

Sermon Aid

... for you and one another. Come and possess us so that our wills may be obedient to your will for us. Show us the futility of trusting in pride, position, or power. And then give us the gift of the Holy Spirit, so that we may leave here filled with yourself and free to serve others in your love, that unmerited, undeserved, unearned gift of yours to us. Act of Recognizing our Humanness and Receiving New Life Consider this: Introduce the confession with this idea from Scott Peck, who suggests that evil (sin ...

3946. Proper 9

Matthew 11:25-30

Sermon Aid

... unknown source: "People are funny [strange]. They spend money they don't have, to buy things they don't need, to impress people they don't like." No wonder we remain weary, rather than restful. Charge to the Congregation Suggestion: Martin Luther recommended saying to the devil, "Leave me alone; I'm baptized." What would happen in our lives this week if that became our motto. Would God break through and reveal some new things to us? Would we begin to believe that God's yoke is easy and God's burden is light ...

3947. Proper 14

Matthew 14:22-36

Sermon Aid

... to focus on the ways we trust each other. Yes, sometimes we are disappointed; sometimes we disappoint. We break trust. It's okay to begin again. In Christ, however, we never shall be disappointed. Stewardship Challenge Suggestion: for the Stewardship of Trust: Some people leave the church when their trust has been broken; some (most) continue to stay, because they recognize that all of us break trust with God, with each other, over and over. We have the choice, as Peter did, to trust, or not to trust ...

3948. Proper 16

Matthew 16:13-20

Sermon Aid

... , or, have you only joined the church? Have you renewed yourselves to his grace and mission recently, or, have you only thought about doing so. Are you willing to make or renew that act today? If so, speak to me or to one of the church officers before leaving the church building today." Planning for Your Congregation I. Other Scriptures Psalm 95 Psalm 138 Exodus 17:1-7 Exodus 6:2-8 Isaiah 22:15, 19-23 Romans 11:33-36 II. Suggested Hymns "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" "We Are Jesus' People" III. Other Music ...

3949. A Glory Revealed by Abiding

John 8:31-41

Sermon

... are an ever-present danger. They are defeated, but will try to press their lost cause on us, and, if possible, ensnare us anew and try to put their tyranny and lies over us again. We cannot resist their pressure on our own, any more than withered leaves in the fall can resist a cold north wind. Let us abide in Christ’s Word, and remain freeborn children. Jesus said, "If you abide in my Word, you will know the truth." As we read, study, ponder, question, and argue with the Scriptures, especially the New ...

3950. A Glory Revealed in the King

John 12:12-19

Sermon

Charles M. Mountain

... dead. Show me your strange glory through your Word this Holy Week. Help me to believe it. Help me to understand it. To you alone, the King, be glory and honor and power and blessing forever and ever. Amen7 Suggested Hymns: "Ride On, Ride On in Majesty" "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne and Thy Kingly Crown" 1. John 1:49. 2. See John 6:15. 3. W. D. Davies, "The Johannine ‘Signs’ of Jesus," in A Companion to John, edited by Michael J. Taylor (Alba House: New York, 1977), p. 112. 5. To be sure, Jesus is at work ...

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