Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: thirstiness, dryness, parched, craving, strong desire, longing, yearning, avidity, hunger, voracity, keenness, eagerness, lust, appetite, passion, love, crave, want, covet, desire, hunger for/after, lust for/after, hanker for/after, have one's heart set on

Antonyms: aversion, distaste, apathy, dislike, hatred, antipathy, disgust, disregard, abhorrence, acrimony, wet, animosity, animus, antagonism, bad feeling, bitterness, be averse to, detestation

Showing 926 to 950 of 2173 results

926. Lent 3

Luke 13:1-9, Psalm 63:1-11

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsively) Seek the Eternal One who may be found. Call upon God while the Spirit is near; forsake wicked ways, and unrighteous thoughts; return to the Eternal One, who will have mercy on you, and to our God, who will abundantly pardon. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Holy God, how exalted are your ways! Holy Savior, how sinless is your life! Holy Spirit, how pure is your nature! Whatever progress we have made along the road of righteousness we are far behind the advance of your Son Jesus. Continue ...

927. Everyone Is Searching

Mark 1:35-39

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

Instrumental Meditation Words Of Preparation: from Deuteronomy 4:29; James 4:8, 10. "If with all your hearts ye truly seek me, ye shall surely find me;" thus saith our God. "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." (KJV) The Prayer Of Invocation: Almighty God, author of eternal light: Illumine our hearts by the light of your grace, that our lips may praise you, that our lives may bless you, and that our worship may glorify you; through ...

928. And Now, We Thank You, Our God

1 Chronicles 29:1-9

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

Meditation Music: "For All The Blessings Of The Year" (May be effectively used as a vocal solo) Words Of Preparation: Psalm 100:4-5 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the Lord is good: his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Hymn: "Come, Ye Thankful People Come" A Prayer Of Thanksgiving O our God, we praise you, and we give our heart-felt thanks to you for all your bountiful providence, with all the ...

929. Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-11, Matthew 6:1-4, Psalm 51:1-19, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2, 2 Corinthians 6:3-13, Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:19-24

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

CALL TO WORSHIP Take joy in your salvation and be willing to obey God as the Spirit prompts you. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God above all, you have created us from the ground up and in Christ came to our turf, to show us again that the earth is yours and you have made all things to be good. Your own Spirit infused life into the lifeless so that the human race should be distinct not in its physical properties but in its ability to control behavior individually and socially. Forgive our lack of self-control and ...

930. Proper 13

John 6:25-59, Psalm 51:1-19

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

CALL TO WORSHIP Come into God's presence with a clean heart, with a new and right spirit, indeed in the discipline of the Holy Spirit from me. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Giver of manna, Breaker of bread, Creator of the new, it is true that we still do what we have not learned from Christ. We can be hardhearted when we should be forgiving. We can be selfish when we should be willing to share. We can be greedy and complaining when we have enough to get by. We can be as unscrupulous in our dealing as if we did not ...

931. Proper 24

Job 38:1--41:34, Psalm 104:1-35, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, Mark 10:35-45

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

CALL TO WORSHIP Set your love on God who answers when you call for help in the time of trouble. Enjoy the fullness of salvation by the Most High. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of all life, we confess that we desire your will for us to be pleasure and prosperity. We have great difficulty accepting suffering as anything but evil, and we reject it as if it were beyond your power to redeem. Forgive our doubts and our unwillingness to serve you and others to the point of pain. In this we are unlike your Son and Mary ...

932. Proper 6

1 Samuel 15:1-35, Psalm 20:1-9, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2, 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

CALL TO WORSHIP Come to Christ the great story teller and he will teach you in public and in private the meaning of life. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of here and there, Judge of now and then, though you are beyond our line of sight and we must walk by faith, we believe that you are always aware of us and what we do. We know we are on trial, being tested, our conduct under your scrutiny. We confess that our behavior is neither as good nor as bad as it might be. We are not as ambitious for your acceptance as we ...

933. Proper 8

Luke 9:57-62, Galatians 5:16-26, 1 Kings 19:9-18, Psalm 16:1-11, Luke 9:51-56

Sermon Aid

George Bass

THEOLOGICAL CLUE Three days from the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, in 1992, the minor festival of Mary Magdalene will be observed in many churches around the world. Some people will remember her as a woman who was converted from a sinful life of prostitution to a faithful and devout disciple of Jesus Christ. (Most Lutheran churches in the United States did not celebrate her "day" until the appearance of The Lutheran Book Of Worship, with a revised calendar, in 1978.) Others will remember her for her ...

934. First Sunday in Advent

Romans 13:11-14

Bulletin Aid

Second Lesson: Romans 13:11-14 Theme: Living in the Light of Christ Call to Worship Pastor: As winter sets in, the days are shorter and we live in more darkness. People: Sometimes we feel that life has its wintertime, too, in which darkness steals the light by which we live. Pastor: Then you can rejoice! For darkness turns to light as we make ready for the advent of Christ, the Light of the world! People: We want to cast off the works of darkness in our lives, and put on the armor of Christ our light! ...

935. Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17

Bulletin Aid

Theme: The cleansing crucifixion Exegetical note John's account of the Last Supper differs from the Synoptics in placing it on the day before the actual Passover meal and in recounting a footwashing, an act that for the evangelist symbolically entwines two principal symbolic themes: cleansing and mutual submission. The former of these appears to refer mainly to the import of Jesus' crucifixion for the disciples, while the latter bespeaks the attitude that the disciples should display to one another. Call ...

936. Salvation as Personal Experience

Romans 9:30--10:21

Sermon Aid

T. A. Kantonen

Thus far we have studied Paul’s doctrine of salvation in objective terms. Salvation is the work of divine grace, centering in the atoning death of Christ on the cross and bringing about a change in the relation of mankind to God, a change described as redemption, justification, and reconciliation. We turn now to the subjective and personal aspect of salvation, to Paul’s answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" Faith When this question was asked by the Philippian jailer, Paul replied, "Believe ...

937. The Good News Brings Hope

Colossians 1:1-14

Bulletin Aid

H. Burnham Kirkland

Call To Worship Leader: Faith in Christ Jesus brings with it love for all God's people. People: Our faith and love are based on the hope offered to us by the Good News we received from Jesus Christ. Leader: Let us not cease praying for one another and asking that we may be filled with the knowledge of God's will; People: so that we may lead lives worthy of the Lord. Leader: Come, let us worship God. Collect O God, you have saved us from the power of darkness and made us a part of the kingdom of Jesus ...

938. Advent 2

Matthew 3:1-12, Romans 14:1--15:13, Isaiah 11:1-16, Psalm 72:1-20

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS The future looms large during Advent. We are, after all, entering into a sacred time of hope when we look with expectation toward the consummation of our salvation. If, however, we become too preoccupied with our future, we may miss the salvific work of God in our present lives, which actually grounds our Advent faith. Our Old Testament texts for this Second Sunday of Advent confront us with this danger. Both are messianic texts that soar to breathtaking heights in envisioning the ...

939. Proper 9

Psalm 45:1-17, Romans 7:7-25, Matthew 11:25-30, Matthew 11:1-19, Genesis 24:1-67

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS Genesis 24 is the story of how the servant of Abraham searches for a wife for Isaac in Mesopotamia and finds Rebekah. Psalm 45:10-17 is the second half of a Marriage Song that focuses on the bride. Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 - "A Story with Many Heroes" Setting. In many ways the testing of Abraham in Genesis 22 (the lectionary lesson for last week) concludes the Abrahamic cycle of stories in Genesis even though his death is not recorded until Genesis 25. The story of Abraham began ...

940. Proper 15

Genesis 45:1-28, Matthew 15:21-28, Romans 11:1-10, Romans 11:25-32, Psalm 133:1-3

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS In Genesis 45, Joseph provides his brothers with a theological interpretation of the events that have befallen him, while Psalm 133 celebrates kinship. Genesis 45:4-20 - "The Power of the Promise" Setting. Scholars have long since noted how different in character the Joseph stories are from the other ancestral stories. The sharpest point of contrast is the absence of God as a central character in the Joseph stories. God does not appear as a visitor at mealtime, does not talk directly to ...

941. Proper 23

Psalm 106:1-48, Philippians 4:2-9, Matthew 22:1-14, Exodus 32:1-33:6

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS Exodus 32:1-14 is the story of the golden calf. Psalm 106:6-8, 19-23 is a historical summary that recounts this event in poetic terms. Exodus 32:1-14 - "The Power of Petition: Part 1" Setting. Last week we noted how the account of Israel at Mount Sinai actually lasted for 72 chapters in the Pentateuch (Exodus 19; Numbers 10) . Exodus 19-34 is frequently separated out as a distinct unit within the account of revelation at Mount Sinai, because it presents a self-contained story in three ...

942. Prophecy of Scripture

2 Peter 1:12-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

1:12–15 · Purpose Statement: The purpose of the letter is testamental (similar to the purpose of other biblical [e.g., Gen. 49:1–28; Deut. 33:1–29] and extrabiblical testaments [e.g., the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs])—namely, that after his death the addressees will have a written record of Peter’s teaching and so always be able to remember it. The reason this is necessary is that (1) Peter is mortal (he refers to his mortal body as a tent, as Paul does in 2 Cor. 5:1, where the resurrection body is ...

943. The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

Matthew 16:5-12

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

16:5–12 Leaving behind the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus and his disciples go across the lake. Jews traveling in predominantly gentile territory would take their own bread in order to avoid eating food that was not ceremonially clean. On this occasion the disciples had forgotten to take bread. Jesus warns them to be on their guard against the yeast (leaven) of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Discussing this remark among themselves, they conclude that Jesus must be talking about their failure to bring an ...

944. Second Sunday of Advent

John 4:1-26, Isaiah 51:1-16

Bulletin Aid

Heth H. Corl

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 51:5; John 4:7-26 THEME: God's Presence in the Midst of Our Anxieties CALL TO WORSHIP Pastor: Don't let this short Advent season be a superficial happiness soon to fade away. Face the difficulties in life; but let God come and help you face them. People: I feel that way on Sunday morning. But it's so hard during the week to know God is beside me. Pastor: Perhaps that is as close as you let God get to you. If you let Him live in you, it would be harder for you to walk away from Him. People ...

945. Soul Food

Luke 9:10-17, Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, John 6:1-15

Sermon

Lori Wagner

“I am the Bread of Life.” (John 6:35) Prop: a puppy or kitten; recipe for barley flat bread I have with me a little friend today [allow for the oohs and aahs]. Who would like to come and pet him? I know last Sunday was World Animal Sunday. But every Sunday should be World Animal Sunday, our pets are such an important part of our families. [No rushing, give people time … especially children to come up front or walk about the congregation with him….allowing people to see him and touch him. Consider letting ...

946. The Bread Of Life

John 6:25-59

Bulletin Aid

H. Burnham Kirkland

Call To Worship Leader: Praise the Lord, my soul! Praise his holy name! People: Praise the Lord, my soul, and remember how kind he is. Leader: He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. People: He blesses me with love and mercy. He fills my life with good things. All: Praise the Lord, all his creatures. Praise the Lord! Collect O Lord, we gather to thank you for the many ways in which you have blessed us. We thank you for parents who labor to build strong character in their children; for teachers ...

947. Proper 28

Judges 4:1-24, Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11, Psalm 123:1-4

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS Judges 4:1-7 are the opening verses of the story of Deborah the prophetess and judge. Psalm 123 is a cry to God for help Judges 4 - "Faith in a Topsy-Turvy World" Setting. The book of Judges consists of a series of short stories that follow a set four-part pattern in which (1) Israel sins, (2) God judges or punishes Israel by having a neighboring nation threaten them, (3) Israel cries for help out of their situation of need, and (4) God raises up a savior in the form of a judge, who ...

948. Sweet Vine

John 15:1-17

Sermon

Lori Wagner

The season is nearing for planting. Those of you who plant gardens or farms know that it’s vitally important to plant well, tend well, and prune well for the best yield and the best crops. Grapes can be especially finicky to manage. There are many vineyards. But only a selection of grapes yield the best wines. Why? For those of you who aren’t growers…. let’s come at this another way. In today’s world, our young people are killing their peers at an alarming rate. While many are quick to blame parents, ...

949. What Are You Doing With The Rest Of Your Life?

1 Peter 4:1-11

Sermon

Clement E. Lewis

Instrumental Meditation Words Of Preparation: from Psalm 90:1-2, 10, 12 (NRSV) Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong. So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Hymn: "O For A Closer Walk With God" A Prayer: O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to ...

950. The Temptations Of Christ And Our Temptations

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon

Mark Ellingsen

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil ... And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to becomes loaves of bread (Matthew 4:1-3)." Some of the worst temptations seem to come when you are alone, do they not? Of course we are tempted by individuals and sometimes by the crowd. But even in those instances the struggle that their temptations occasion happen in us. Consequently even on those occasions we face the temptation ...

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