Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4026 to 4050 of 4490 results

4026. Easter Sunday

John 20:1-9

Bulletin Aid

H. Burnham Kirkland

Call To Worship Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Glory and honor, dominion and power be to God for ever and ever. Christ is risen! Alleluia! Invocation God of life, the women came to the tomb on the first day of the week, hands laden with the spices of sadness. So we come this morning, hearts broken by the sin of the world. You met them in resurrection power, and sent them running down the path to tell others that the tomb was empty. Meet us this morning in our songs and story, in scripture and ...

4027. Talk Show II

John 11:45-57, John 11:38-44, John 11:1-16

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: Everyone has to obey the voice of Jesus sooner or later, so you might as well do it while you can rejoice about it. Summary: This is a TV talk show featuring Mary, Martha and Lazarus and a lively discussion about Lazarus' death and Jesus bringing him back to life. Playing Time: 3 minutes Place: A TV studio Props: None Costumes: Contemporary, appropriate for a talk show Time: Today Cast: Phil Dennehy -- talk show host Lazarus -- the person Jesus raised from the dead Mary -- his sister Martha -- his ...

4028. Amazement at Jesus' Teaching

Mark 1:21-28

Sermon Aid

Wayne H. Keller

Liturgical Color: Green Theme: The Peoples' Amazement at Jesus Teaching; Driving out an Evil Spirit. THE COMMUNITY GATHERS Pastoral Invitation Once more, plus four more Epiphany Sundays, we celebrate the Presence and Power of the Evangel. Because God has called us, because God is present with us, worship then is never an obligation, a duty, a requirement. It is, rather, an invitation to examine our faith. It is not a rule of safety; it is an adventure of the spirit, a flight after the unattainable. So, are ...

4029. The Narrow Gate

Luke 13:22-30

Sermon

John G. Lynch

One long, shadowy afternoon, when the light was more smoke than light, a young American of Russian descent wandered along a canal in Leningrad, searching for the Palace of Prince Yarosof, where the monk Rasputin had been killed. Leningrad in winter is not a cheery place. The sun rises late in the morning and sets about 4 p.m. Daylight, always weak and wintry, never rises above a sinister haze. In that light Alex sought his narrow door. He didn't realize quite what he was seeking. Only when he found it did ...

4030. Grapes Of Wrath Or Grace?

1 Kings 21:1-29

Sermon

Barbara Brokhoff

A musician in a camp meeting where I preached wrote a country-gospel song titled, "Sin Will Take You Farther Than You Want To Go and Keep You Longer Than You Want To Stay." Nineteen words is a tad long for a song title, but it does state a succinct and compelling truth: sin will get you in serious trouble. In this lesson, Ahab is king and is married to the wicked, Baal-worshipping Jezebel, and covets the vineyard belonging to a worshipper of God named Naboth. Ahab had plenty of property of his own, but he ...

4031. You Can Be Well Fed

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Sermon

Michael B. Brown

I used to serve as pastor to a delightful young woman who was a physiologist. A committed health nut, she probably weighed all of 90 pounds soaking wet. She ran about five miles per day and actually seemed to enjoy counting fat grams. Though a truly charming young lady, she was not much of a realist. I note that because one of her goals was to make me as skinny as she was. Following a trip to a church conference at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, I made the mistake of telling her that I had stopped at the ...

4032. Lent 2

Philippians 3:12-4:1, Genesis 15:1-18, Luke 13:31-35, Jeremiah 26:1-24

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Yahweh makes a covenant with Abraham who is promised a son and a land. This passage is one of several accounts of Yahweh's covenant with Abraham. It is noteworthy that Yahweh came to Abraham with a covenant proposal. Yahweh comes to Abraham as a shield (v. 1) and thus Abraham has no need to fear being in Yahweh's holy presence. In this account, Yahweh promises Abraham three tremendous blessings: a son, a nation, and a country. The covenant is made legal and ...

4033. Advent 3

Luke 13:1-9, Exodus 3:1-22, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Isaiah 55:1-13

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Isaiah 55:1-9 Yahweh will have mercy on all sinners who come to him. This lection is in the last chapter of Deutero-Isaiah. It is a fitting and beautiful invitation to the Exiles in Babylon to return to Yahweh. If they return, they will receive the mercy of forgiveness. Lesson 1: Exodus 3:1-15 Moses is called to deliver God's people from bondage in Egypt. While tending his father-in-law's sheep, Moses is called by Yahweh to return to Egypt to lead out his oppressed people. First Yahweh ...

4034. Christmas Eve

Lk 2:1-20 · Tit 2:11-14 · Isa 9:2-7 · Ps 96

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Isaiah 9:2-7 A child is born whose name is wonderful and whose government is characterized by permanence, justice, and righteousness. The people of Isaiah's day were in darkness. Assyria had just taken Zebulon and Naphtali to captivity in 734 B.C. Out of this darkness the people see a light of God's promise of a messianic king, a son of God. This produces great rejoicing. His royal names define his character: wisdom, courage, fatherly concern, and peace. His government will be ...

4035. Reformation Sunday

Jn 8:31-36 · Jer 31:31-34 · Rom 3:19-28

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

THE LESSONS Lesson 1: Jeremiah 31:31-34 The promise of a new covenant. Lesson 2: Romans 3:19-28 Justification by grace through faith, not works. Gospel: John 8:31-36 Jesus' disciples know the truth which frees. Hymn Of The Day: A Mighty Fortress Theme For The Day: Salvation: The Work Of God Gospel -- God gave Christ to set men free from sin. Lesson 1 -- God promises a new covenant of forgiveness. Lesson 2 -- God justifies the sinner by grace through faith. Several themes can be found in today's lessons: ...

4036. Christmas 1

Hebrews 2:5-18, Colossians 3:1-17, 1 Samuel 2:12-26, Luke 2:41-52

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Hannah gives her first child, Samuel, to the service of Yahweh under the high priest, Eli, at Shiloh where Samuel grew physically and spiritually. Samuel was the answer to Hannah's prayer for a child. When she weaned him, she took him to Eli at Shiloh to serve Yahweh permanently. Each year when Hannah came to worship, she brought Samuel a handmade robe. The little lad, wearing a linen apron-like vestment, an ephod, ministered to Yahweh. In this service Samuel ...

4037. Low In The Grave He Lay

Isaiah 25:1-12

Eulogy

Barbara G. Schmitz

The past two days are two of the most solemn days in the Christian year. For yesterday, on Good Friday, Christians commemorated Jesus' death. Later that evening, Jesus' body was taken down from the cross, anointed with oil, and wrapped in linen. Then it was placed in the tomb, and a large rock rolled across to seal it. Today, Holy Saturday, is the day that Jesus "lay low in the grave." Jesus' disciples were heartbroken. Their friend was gone: dead. No more miracles. No more healings. No more stories. No ...

4038. Advent 2

Luke 3:1-20, Luke 1:67-80

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

Call to Worship Get the road ready for the royal visit: make a straight path for Christ to travel! The winding roads must be made straight and the rough places smooth. All humanity shall see God's salvation. Prayer of Confession Holy God, Messenger of the new covenant, flaming Spirit, we confess that we are sinners and cannot worship you worthily except as we are purified and cleansed of our sins. Let your Holy Fire refine our characters not merely our appearance, so that our very natures can become true ...

4039. Christ the King

Jeremiah 23:1-8, Luke 1:67-80, Colossians 1:1-14, Colossians 1:15-23, Luke 23:26-43

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

Call to Worship Follow Christ into the way of peace, for by the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high has broken upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Prayer of Confession God of the whole universe, we confess that we often forget your concern for everyone and everything because we are so attentive to ourselves, our own families, our own congregation, our own denomination, our own country. Forgive such narrowness that ignores the magnitude of your ...

4040. Lent 5

Philippians 3:1-11, Psalm 126:1-6

Sermon Aid

B. David Hostetter

CALL TO WORSHIP Cease dwelling on days gone by and brooding over past history. Worship in expectation that God will do new things and that now they may break from the bud into flowers and fruit. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God for all seasons, we confess that we would rather live in the glorious days of the past than risk the uncertain outcome of the future. We would rather leap ahead to the day of resurrection than undergo our share of the sufferings of Christ. Forgive our zeal for honors and our reluctance to ...

4041. Proper 7

Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:15-25, Galatians 3:26--4:7, Psalm 43:1-5, Psalm 42:1-11, 1 Kings 19:1-8

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

CALL TO WORSHIP Come to God's dwelling as to a beacon on a holy hill. Let God's light and truth lead you. Come to the altar of God, to offer your joyful praise with heart and voice and instruments of music. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Living God, you hear as well as speak, you feel as well as act. We are sometimes aware of hurting the feelings of our closest friends, but rarely do we consider that our bad behavior breaks your heart. We are too often like thoughtless children whose actions bring disgrace to the ...

4042. Advent 4

Luke 1:46-56, Luke 1:39-45

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Note This reading combines Luke's dramatic narrative of Mary's visit to Elizabeth and his lyrical "Magnificat." Central to both is the affirmation, on Elizabeth's lips as well as Mary's own, of the blessedness of the mother-to-be. Noteworthy, however, is the insistence that Mary's blessedness is not inherent, but derives from God's actions toward her in the Incarnation. After all, the adjective "blessed" is really a passive verb form, and thus itself points to God's gracious, saving agency. ...

4043. Proper 26

Luke 19:1-10

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Note Whatever the historical veracity of the Zacchaeus story, it does depict Jesus' well-documented habit of associating with sinners and outcasts. That behavior pattern in general and this narrative in particular point to God's grace, which breaks through human sin and guilt "to seek and to save the lost." Likewise, Zacchaeus' resulting act of extraordinary restitution to those he had wronged reflects the proper place of works as a gracious response to that prior divine grace. Liturgical Color ...

4044. Corpus Christi

Jn 6:51-58 · 1 Cor 10:16-17 · Deut 8:1-20 · Ps 116

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16 Deuteronomy came to light in the seventh century, during the reign of King Josiah, who instituted a religious revival. It comes in the form of discourses from the mouth of Moses, which bring to mind the goodness of the Lord in leading them through the wilderness and into the promised land. The people are called to respond to God's goodness by ratifying the covenant and serving the Lord. In this text, Moses exhorts his people as they are about to embark ...

4045. Proper 15

Mt 15:10-28 · Rom 11:13-15, 29-32 · Gen 45:1-15 · Is 56:1-7 · Ps 133

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Genesis 45:1-15 Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, who have come to Egypt to secure food during the famine. Rather than seeking revenge, he sees God's gracious hand in his brothers' treachery. Joseph openly wept for joy and reveals his plan to provide for his entire family in Egypt. This ends the cycle of stories from Genesis. Old Testament: Isaiah 56:1-7 The prophet foresees a time when foreigners would be included in God's covenant. God's holy temple will be a house for all ...

4046. Justified By Greed: Biography of a Pharisee

Micah 5:1-4, Zechariah 9:9-13, Isaiah 9:1-7, Matthew 27:45-56, Mark 15:33-41, Luke 23:44-49

Drama

Lynda Pujad

Monologue Of A Pharisee For Lent Or Good Friday A Pharisee boldly comes on stage and discusses his adamant position against the person of Jesus Christ. The crucifixion, which he helped to instigate, has occurred. The resurrection has not. Let me tell you, I wasn't pleased at all about this carpenter's son called Jesus doing the things he was doing. It was wrong. We Pharisees have our rules and regulations concerning every facet of life. We have hundreds of rules so we can remain pure and I know them all ...

4047. Will We Enjoy Heaven?

Jonah 3:1-10

Sermon

Harold Warlick

Many characters in the Bible prove identifiable in our contemporary world. As we sit here today on the downhill side of winter and contemplate the meaning of our lives, one biblical character especially leaps out at us: the prophet Jonah. Most of us associate Jonah with being swallowed by a legendary whale or giant fish. The book of Jonah, however, is actually a poignant parable about the relation of Israel to other nations. The book skillfully and forcefully calls Israel back to her universal mission of ...

4048. Grapes And Donuts

John 6:1-15

Children's Sermon

B. Kathleen Fannin

Object: A picnic basket containing a tablecloth, paper napkins, grapes, donuts, a plate, and a bowl. Lesson: I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever. Theme: Communion; friendship; love. As the children gather I place a rectangular basket on the floor. To begin our discussion, I ask, "What kind of basket is this?" "It's a woven basket." "Yes, it is woven," I agree. Then, in an effort to get them to think about what its use might be, I ask, "What do you ...

4049. Where Does God Live?

Acts 17:24-28

Children's Sermon

B. Kathleen Fannin

Object: A 3-foot x 5-foot (i.e., large) world map and a passport. Lesson: Community; relationships; God's presence; love. As the children seat themselves on the chancel steps, I spread out a map of the world on the floor in front of them. "Oooooooooooooooh!" comes their response as the map's features are revealed. "It's pretty!" Mary exclaims. "Yes, it is pretty, Mary," I answer. "There are lots of different colors to help us see where all the different countries are. Can any of you show us where we live ...

4050. Feeding the 5000

Mark 6:30-44

Sermon Aid

Richard A. Jensen

In her outline of Mark's Gospel, Mary Ann Tolbert presents Mark 6:35--8:21 as a unit of material. The next unit she identifies is 8:22--10:52. She suggests that both units of material can be read as the unfolding of the hardness of the hearts of the disciples. In the section of 6:35--8:21 Jesus feeds the multitudes two times (6:30-44; 8:1-9). Following each feeding story Jesus gets in the boat with his disciples (6:45-52; 8:14-21). (We have looked at these boat stories in chapter 14.) What we see in the ...

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