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 1001 to 1025 of 2173 results

1001. Wedding: Older Couple, Previously Married

Bulletin Aid

Derl G. Keefer

The Prologue Pastor: God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make a helpmeet for him" (Genesis 2:18 KJV). So from the beginning of human history man and woman have shared life together as helpers and companions. (Groom) and (Bride) are together because God wants them together. They have prayed and sought His will in this important matter of the heart. There is an old saying that, "A man times a wife is equal to four." They are together because the life of each is completed in the other. ...

1002. Easter 5

Jn 13:31-35 · Acts 11:1-18; 13:44-52; 14:21-27 · Rev 21:1-6 · Ps 148

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Epistle: Acts 11:1-18 ; 13:33-52; 14:21-27 Peter reports the acceptance of the Gospel by the Gentiles. To understand this pericope, one needs to read chapter 10 concerning Peter's preaching to a Roman centurion and his household in Caesarea. The news of Peter's preaching to these Gentiles and their acceptance of the Gospel apparently came to the ears of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. When Peter explained what happened, the Jewish Christians praised God for admitting Gentiles into the Kingdom. ...

1003. Advent 1

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

Sermon Aid

Wayne B. Keller

Theme: Signs of the end - The return of Christ symbolized by the fig tree. Liturgical Color: Green THE COMMUNITY GATHERS Consider this: Welcome to the party! How have you prepared for this party today? How we prepare for this weekly party will determine partly, how we prepare for the final one. The Scripture gives us signs; God gives us Spirit; the Church gives us symbols. Continue with this litany between pastor and people: Pastor: Here is God's Word to us. Don't get stuck in the past; Update your faith. ...

1004. ADVENT 1

Isaiah 2:1-5

Bulletin Aid

First Lesson: Isaiah 2:1-5 Theme: Peace in God's Kingdom Call to Worship Pastor: Peace is the gift God offers to our world. But only those who walk in his paths shall find it. People: We have come to the Lord's house; that he may teach us his ways, and that we may walk in his paths. Pastor: If we will walk in his paths, he will teach us to turn our acts of violence into expressions of peace. People: We do not want to learn the way of war. May the peace of God be our way of life. Collect O gracious Father, ...

1005. Second Sunday in Advent

Romans 15:4-13

Bulletin Aid

Second Lesson: Romans 15:4-13 Theme: Scripture was written that we might have hope Call to Worship Pastor: God inspired men of old to record his Word, that we might have hope. People: Our hope is in Christ, who came in fulfillment of God's promises in his Word. Pastor: Our hope continues to grow because Christ has assured us that our future is also in God's hands. People: We commit ourselves to study God's Word, that hope may continue to grow in us. Collect Eternal God, you who are true to your promises ...

1006. Proper 11

Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43

Bulletin Aid

Call to Worship Pastor: Our Lord's church is flesh and blood - people who are working to bring his Kingdom on earth. People: Some people in the church do not seem to be much concerned about being Christians. Pastor: Some may not be Christians. But God will deal with them in his own way, in his own time. People: May God help us be true Christians; so we can help, rather than hinder, the ministry of his church. Collect Almighty God, who, in the Final Day, will separate non-believers from those committed to ...

1007. Proper 12

Matthew 13:44-46, Matthew 13:47-52

Bulletin Aid

Call to Worship Pastor: No greater value can be placed on anything than the Kingdom of Heaven. And it is offered to each of us! People: There is no comparison of God's Kingdom with anything of earthly value. Pastor: But if we value earthly things too much, we may lose the Kingdom. The choice is ours. People: We want more than anything in the world to be in God's Kingdom. May God help us keep our priorities in order. Collect O God our Father: You have put within our reach the blessings of your Kingdom, more ...

1008. Proper 17

Exodus 19:1-25

Bulletin Aid

First Lesson: Exodus 19:1-9 Theme: God's call to be holy Call to Worship Pastor: All creation belongs to God, and all people. People: But many people do not know God; and many others do not love him as they ought. Pastor: Many reject or ignore God, because he calls his people to live holy lives. People: We do not want to be self-righteous. But we desire to be more holy in accordance with God's will. Collect Holy Father, who calls your children to be holy: Give us the inspiration of your Spirit; that we may ...

1009. Proper 18

Romans 13:1-7

Bulletin Aid

Second Lesson: Romans 13:1-10 Theme: Let love be sincere Call to Worship Pastor: God's love is genuine and self-giving. He expects our love for one another to be just as real. People: We are brothers and sisters in Christ, and need to share our faith and love with each other. Pastor: Our love should also be just as real for those who abuse us; for they too, are God's children. People: May our lives become instruments of God whereby he can bring peace and joy to our world. Collect Eternal God, our heavenly ...

1010. Proper 18

Matthew 18:15-20

Bulletin Aid

Call to Worship Pastor: We are persons with human nature. And therefore we sin against each other from time to time. People: It is difficult to relate to persons when they offend or abuse us. Pastor: But our Christian duty is to go to them in love, showing how they have hurt us. People: May God help us to be that honest with one another, giving strength to our Christian fellowship. Collect Father in heaven, who directs your church to be a corrective enabler, when we sin against one another: Give us ...

1011. Proper 20

Exodus 32:1-33:6

Bulletin Aid

First Lesson: Exodus 32:1-14 Theme: God expresses mercy when we deserve wrath Call to Worship Pastor: Israel's sin of idolatry with the golden calf was a real test of God's mercy. People: We are amazed when we read of God's patience with Israel during their journey to the promised land. Pastor: His mercy with us is no less marvelous when we think of how we try his patience with our sinning. People: We thank God for his Son who intercedes on our behalf, bringing us mercy that is greater than our sins! ...

1012. Proper 20

Matthew 20:1-16

Bulletin Aid

Call to Worship Pastor: The heavenly reward God promises to his children is not a reward we earn by good works. People: We could never become righteous enough to make up for past sin, or to be worthy of heaven. Pastor: God's love is given, then, not in proportion to our righteousness, but simply because he is love People: We thank God for loving us. May we never become jealous over his love to others who may seem less deserving than ourselves. Collect Gracious Father, who desires to forgive all sinners ...

1013. True Riches

1 Timothy 6:3-10

Bulletin Aid

H. Burnham Kirkland

Call To Worship Leader: The Lord Almighty is our God; in him do we trust. People: He will cover us with his wings; we will be safe in his care. All: Thanks be to God! Collect O Lord, we do not pray for riches, for you supply all our needs. As we run the race of faith, help us to cast off all temptations that weigh us down so that we might achieve the goal of eternal life. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Prayer Of Confession God of mercy, we stand in need of your forgiveness. We are ...

1014. Joy in the Journey

119:129-136

Sermon

Michael Milton

This section contains seven of the eight words used to refer to the Law in Psalm 119. Each line of this section begins with the Hebrew letter Pe, though each is a different word. Yesterday my son, as he often does, read cartoons to me. One was Dennis the Menace. Dennis is kneeling beside his bed, devoutly gazing toward heaven, saying his prayers. The caption read, “You’ll be glad to know that I only broke three-ana-half commandments today.” Only three-ana-half! Way to go, Dennis! Well, the cartoon is funny ...

1015. Children in the Arms of a Loving God

Mark 10:13-16

Sermon

Michael Milton

I came across some other wonderful prayers of children, which reveal their authentic way of coming to God. Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms. It works with my brother. —Larry I didn’t think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool. —Eugene Are you really invisible or is that just a trick? —Lucy Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident? —Norma Instead of letting people die and having to make ...

1016. Christmas 2

Jn 1:1-18 · Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 · Jer 31:7-14 · Eph 1:3-19 · Ps 147

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:7-14 Yahweh promises to rebuild the nation of Israel. God's word is one of hope through restoration of the exiles to their homeland. Previously Jeremiah had the unpleasant task of giving God's word as a message of doom, destruction, and exile. Now, God has him give a message for the period after the Babylonian captivity. Through Jeremiah, God has a word of hope by promising the gathering and returning the exiles to Zion. Epistle: Ephesians 1:3-14,15-19a In Christ God ...

1017. Lent 1

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Psalm 32:1-11, Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-19

Bulletin Aid

Amy C. Schifrin

Order For Confession Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen. Leader: The tempter comes with a seductive sweetness in his voice. The tempter comes promising us the world. The tempter comes, and without you, dear Jesus, we are defenseless. How has the tempter come to you in these days? Let us remember now, that his deadly spell might be broken and life restored. Silence for reflection and confession Leader: By the power of the one who alone conquers evil, your ...

1018. The Faith of a Saint

Luke 6:17-26

Sermon

King Duncan

There is a time-honored story about a man who walked into a bookstore to return a purchase. “It’s a Bible,” he said, handing it to a clerk at the cash register. “Was it a gift?” asked the clerk. “No, I bought it for myself,” he said, “and I made a mistake. “Didn’t you like the translation?” asked the clerk. “Or the format?” “Oh no,” the man said, “the format was clear and the translation was fine. I made a mistake.” The clerk said, “Well, I need to write down a reason for the return.” “In that case,” said ...

1019. Waking the Giant

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

King Duncan

In 1811, Napoleon Bonaparte was at the height of his power as a military and political leader. On one occasion he called together all of his commanding officers. Their purpose was to review and assess his conquests. He stood before a huge map and pointed to spots marked on the map, highlighting his victories over fallen foes. There was one spot on the map, however, that caused him to pause and issue a solemn warning. “Here lies a sleeping giant,” said Napoleon. “Don’t awaken him. He will shake terribly the ...

1020. A Personal History

John 18:1—19:42

Sermon

David J. Kalas

A junior high school student sits down with his world history textbook, and he wonders what all this stuff has to do with him. Clearly, people like Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, Charlemagne, and Napoleon had a great impact on the world in which they lived, but what do the Rubicon and Waterloo have to do with that thirteen-year-old American boy? When he gets to senior high school, that same student may find a greater sense of relevance in his American history textbook. It is easier for him to see the ...

1021. Personal History

John 18:1-11

Sermon

David J. Kalas

1022. Michael Corleone and the Widow

Mark 12:38-44

Sermon

King Duncan

Many of you have seen the award-winning motion picture from the 1970s, The Godfather. A chilling film, it is about an aging patriarch of an organized crime family who transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son, Michael. We see as the film goes along what this responsibility and the power that goes with it does to Michael’s soul. The closing scene of The Godfather is particularly memorable. No, it is not the horse’s head discovered by a Hollywood producer in his bed. What an awful ...

1023. Solomon’s Death

2 Chronicles 9:29-31

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

Solomon’s Death: This final episode presents—in the usual fashion—a summary of Solomon’s reign as well as a note on his death, burial, and succession. For this description the Chronicler makes use of the Deuteronomistic version in 1 Kings 11:41–43. 9:29–31 Whereas the source text in 1 Kings 11:41 refers the reader to “the book of the annals of Solomon” for more information on “the other events of Solomon’s reign—all he did and the wisdom he displayed,” the Chronicler’s version differs considerably. The ...

1024. The Song of the Vineyard

Isaiah 5:1-7

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

Judgment Missed and Demonstrated: In length and theme chapter 5 pairs with chapter 1 and closes a bracket around 2:2–4:6. Chapter 5 comprises a mock love song; a series of woes that will be completed in 10:1–4; and a warning about Yahweh’s outstretched hand that will continue in chapter 9. In contrast to 1:1–2:1 and 2:2–4:6, no positive note is struck at the beginning or the end. Chapters 1–5 come to a close as bleak as their opening. Rebellion and darkness ultimately bracket them. 5:1–7 The chapter opens ...

1025. Pop Verses: Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5-6

Sermon

Charley Reeb

Today I conclude our series “Pop Verses.” I hope it has been a useful and inspiring series for you. For the last few weeks we have looked closer at some of the most popular Bible verses. We have discovered why they are so popular and how they apply to our lives. If I did not cover your favorite verse or passage, email me and let me know. I have a feeling I will do a sequel to this series. So, if there is a verse you love and you would like to hear a message on it, let me know. It might make the sequel! Our ...

Showing results