Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 4626 to 4650 of 5000 results

4626. Searching: MySpace

Hebrews 11:8-13

Sermon

John E. Harnish

I know I don't need to explain "MySpace" to graduates and Confirmands, but bear with me for the sake of the adults. "MySpace" is a website filled with over 70 million interactive, personal webpages and blogs. It's something like the old-fashioned personal pages in the newspaper (when news came on paper), but it's more like 70 million personal diaries, all hung out there for the world to read. Not all of it is innocent, however, as the story in yesterday's Free Press reminds us. They ran the story of a 16- ...

4627. From the Tomb

John 20:1-18

Sermon

John E. Harnish

None other than my good friend David Crumm reported on the front page of Friday's Free Press: "Christians Reach Beyond Easter Uproar to Find Hope." He writes: "Easter, Christianity's cornerstone, is at hand and nearly 200 million Americans say they plan to go to church. But the central meaning of the holiday is more hotly debated than at any other time in American history." David refers to The Da Vinci Code (and by the way, he will be with us the night of our Da Vinci Code theater party), the buzz about ...

4628. Toward the Cross

Luke 19:28-44

Sermon

John E. Harnish

Bethpage. Little has changed since the days of Jesus. It still sits perched on the rugged ridge of the Mount of Olives. If you look back down the narrow path, you can see the equally small village of Bethany and the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus where Jesus turned for respite and retreat in preparation for the week ahead. If you look ahead across the narrow valley, you can see the city of Jerusalem surrounded by its ancient walls. Today the "Dome of the Rock," a holy site for Moslems, dominates the ...

4629. Are You Ready for the Journey?

Mark 8:27-9:1

Sermon

John E. Harnish

It all begins with one emperor penguin jumping out of the water and doing a belly splash onto the ice. Then he rises on his little web feet and the rich, resonate voice of the narrator says: "Like most love stories, it begins with an act of utter foolishness. Each year at about the same time, the emperor penguin will leave the comforts of his ocean home and embark on an incredible journey. Though he is a bird, he won't fly. Though he lives in the ocean, he won't swim. For the most part, he will walk. But ...

4630. When Religion Becomes a Laughing Matter

Genesis 18:1-15

Sermon

John E. Harnish

This is not how we usually think of worship (image of newspaper ad): "The splitting of the gut, the slapping of the thigh, and the peeing of the pants." But if the topic is Sarah and Abraham, it makes perfect sense. I can't do better than to share Frederick Buechner's description of the scene: The place to start is with a woman laughing. She is an old woman, and after a lifetime in the desert, her face is cracked and rutted like a six-month drought. She hunches her shoulders around her ears and starts to ...

4631. Our Logo the Cross

Matt 16:21-28, 27:32-44; Mar 15:21-32; Lu 23:26-43; Jo 19:17-27

Illustration

Brett Blair

Marketing experts are always quick to tell start-up businesses how important it is to develop a corporate logo. "Brand identity" they call it. Think about it. One symbol can readily identity a billion dollar organization. The ultimate goal of any designer when creating a logo is to develop a mark that identifies the company but also persuade viewers to respond in a specified manner. Logos. So what makes a good logo? Here are the five things that most marketing agencies agree makes a good logo: Simplicity. ...

4632. Even in the Grocery Store

Matthew 18:15-20

Illustration

The Washington Times carried a story many years ago about Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. According to this newspaper article, Dr. Rice once described to a Sunday school class at National Presbyterian Church in Washington, how she had drifted from her Christian faith and how God reached out and brought her back: "I was a preacher's kid," says Dr. Rice, "so Sundays were church, no doubt about that. The church was the center of our lives. In segregated black Birmingham of the late 1950s and early 1960s ...

4633. Apostolic Instruction

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

Saint Paul is "on a roll!" He keeps on coming with what he expects of the followers of Christ, as he has nurtured them. It is as though in a breathtaking fashion he wants to be sure his dear people are instructed properly. The words ring with excitement. Today's readers also feel the holy heat that is generated. The words are not theologically demanding as the same found in some of the passages from both Galatians and Romans. The elementary way we can experience the passage is very helpful. In short, it is ...

4634. Training for a Purpose

Titus 2:11-14

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

Some years ago, many of us, like others before and after, went through basic training or boot camp. It was a time to get thoroughly acquainted, usually with either the army or navy. It was also a time of endurance. The hardened and veteran men of years' experience sought to teach us the elementary principles of living in the military. The "old salts" in the navy used to delight in bringing us down several notches. This was their method of clearing away obstructions to the teaching they were providing. Was ...

4635. Precious and Privileged Children

Galatians 4:4-7

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

The remarkable world of children has always fascinated me. Their naturalness and innocence — in particular — thrills me and serves as a reminder of the intended relationship between us and our Father. Even more, when they are pouty and sometimes destructive, there is a genuineness about them that is so winsome. Regardless of our attainments, we never seem to rise above the fact we are simply the Father's boys and girls. The great and the less than great are called to admit to this eternal verity, in time. ...

4636. Being Single-minded

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

The Second Coming of Christ was much in the thoughts of the ancient church. Saint Paul was no exception, as his letters often indicate. Time was growing short and soon the present form of this world would be passing away. The expectation must have been both thrilling and somewhat ominous for Christ's people. There is a particularity about the events coming soon after our Lord's Ascension and the Day of Pentecost. A single-mindedness is virtually demanded. It all has to do with a single God/man they knew ...

4637. Looking Out for Others

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Sermon

Donald Charles Lacy

Being able to synthesize in such a way that harmony can be the outcome is among the many things the Apostle Paul does well. The often-pesky church at Corinth desperately needed such a skill, written and practiced in charity. To follow his inspired advice comes as a gift to all of us, 2,000 years ago or today. The individualistic Christianity, largely the work of Protestants, has been and is both a bane and balm, for us. To do our own thing is commendable and perhaps essential but it can prove utterly ...

4638. Like a Child

Hebrews 4:1—5:10

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

Angela was still a pre-schooler the Christmas Grandpa Harvey got her the red Radio Flyer wagon, and by summer it had become a popular item in the family's backyard. When her younger sister learned to toddle along sometime later they made a game of pulling each other, often with the help of Mom or Dad. As is known to happen with siblings, one afternoon the cooperative play turned competitive, then became a heated argument. And so it was that Angela informed her little sister in a physical way that this was ...

4639. Power and Compassion

Hebrews 5:1-10

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

Many of you may remember from your grade school days a novel by Mark Twain titled, The Prince and the Pauper. It has been adapted in various forms of Disney productions and even a few cartoon tales. The Twain story begins with two boys with identical features — one a spoiled royal heir, and the other a street urchin surviving on his wits. By chance they meet. The pauper is enamored with the fineries of the palace, while the prince envies the pauper's freedom to come and go as he chooses. Eventually, they ...

4640. Grace to You, and Peace

Revelation 1:4b-8

Sermon

Lee Ann Dunlap

The weeklong pastor's training event was about halfway through its course and the pastor coordinating the event was enjoying her break with a leisurely stroll across the grounds. But what began as a beautiful leisurely spring day soon turned somewhat anxious when she returned to her room and found a message taped to her door, "Call the bishop's assistant as soon as possible." She spent part of the afternoon playing phone tag between class sessions. "Whatever could it be?" she pondered. The week was flowing ...

4641. The Danger within Us

Matthew 18:21-35

Illustration

Stephen M. Crotts

French author Victor Hugo has a short story titled, "93." In the midst of this tale a ship at sea is caught in a terrific storm. Buffeted by the waves, the boat rocks to and fro, when suddenly the crew hears an awesome crashing sound below deck. They know what it is. A cannon they are carrying has broken loose and is smashing into the ship's sides with every list of the ship. Two brave sailors, at the risk of their lives, manage to go below and fasten it again, for they know that the heavy cannon on the ...

4642. Sounds Great, But We’re Busy

Psalm 126:1-6, Isaiah 40:1-11

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship One: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. All: Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." One: The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. All: Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. One: May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. All: Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall ...

4643. Get Carried Away!

Luke 24:44-53

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. He was taken from our midst yet dwells visibly in our lives of service and sacrifice. Collect Lord Jesus, you are risen and now sit at the right hand of the Father. With you watching we will renew our commitment to the work of the kingdom with energy and love. Amen. Prayer Of Confession Lord Jesus, had you not been taken from among us we might still be huddled in Jerusalem, unable to leave you who once was crucified but now is raised from the dead ...

4644. I Had No Idea

Acts 3:12-19

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship One: You who are gathered, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have done anything? All: The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus. Collect Who is that? Lord of life, is that you? The misshapen stone, beaten and battered, holding up your church from your cornerstone place. That's a lot of weight, Lord. Can I help you, can I carry the cross, can I bear the weight ...

4645. Plot Complications

Mark 5:21-43

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship Come, God's people. Shed your doubts. Hear the words of Jesus: "Do not fear, only believe." Collect Present God, we believe you are absent in our pain and suffering. Call us, and carry us, create in us a pure and believing heart. Around the world we are all calling to you. Hear us. Hear me. Heal us. Heal me. Amen. Prayer Of Confession We believe in the God of healing, the God who wills our wholeness, the God who sustains us when the world derides us. We believe despite our fears. Amen. ...

4646. Real Peace, Lasting Peace

Ephesians 2:11-22, Psalm 23:1-6

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship (Unison) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely ...

4647. Life In A Dead End

Ruth 1:1-22

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship One: Life is filled with sorrows. All: Yet our destiny is joy. One: Come, God's joyful people, gather as one in the joy of Christ Jesus. All: We come, to adore God. Collect Gracious Lord, giver of all joy, we pray together than you will abide in our midst. All of us bear the marks of pain, our wounds of greater or lesser severity. All of us have carried the cross for a greater or lesser distance. All of us have been wounded by life in greater or lesser measure. Yet, when we are gathered ...

4648. Bringing In The Sheaves

Mark 13:1-8

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship One: May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. All: Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. (Psalm 126:5-6) Collect Lord of creation, you sustain us with your breath from birth until death. You walk beside us whatever betide us. Lord of elation, your joy is forever. The world disappoints us. You? Never! Through darkness and doubt we follow your light And pray you will guide us to stand in your sight. Amen. ...

4649. Fairness

Matthew 20:1-16

Illustration

George E. Thompson

We are shocked by the message of the parable of the workers in the vineyard, for it goes against the grain of our natural expectation. It mocks our logical sense of justice. Perhaps we are more drawn to the message of the Norwegian writer Jens Peter Jacobsen in his novel Niels Lyhne, which tell about a man who rejected God. As he grew older, he secretly desired the peace of faith, but he refused to come to God weak-kneed toward life's ending. Fate had been harsh to him, with death visiting those whom he ...

4650. Sadness in the Heart of God

Matthew 20:1-16

Illustration

John Claypool

There is a Jewish parable that both parallels and illumines Jesus' story, and it has helped to clarify my understanding greatly. This one is about a "farmer who lived in Poland. For generations before him, his family had been very poor. One night he was awakened by an angel of the Lord, who said: "You have found favor in the eyes of your Maker. He wants to do for you what he did for your ancestor Abraham. He wants to bless you. Therefore, make any three requests that you will of God, and he will be pleased ...

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