Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1476 to 1500 of 5000 results

1476. Begging For Mercy

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Drama

Pamela Urfer

Cast: Narrator Rich Man 1st Beggar (male) 2nd Beggar (female) 3rd Beggar (either, non-speaking part) Voiceover Length: 10 minutes The NARRATOR is seated on the middle stool of five. While he is speaking, the RICH MAN wanders on stage and takes the stool next to the NARRATOR. NARRATOR: (To the audience) Once upon a time there was a rich man. RICH MAN: (Interrupting) Not rich, really. Just comfortable. NARRATOR: (To the RICH MAN) Would you say "well-off"? RICH MAN: Well ... NARRATOR: (To audience) Once upon ...

1477. Thanks, Dad

Exodus 20:1-21

Children's Sermon

Teresa L. Major

Object: None. Lesson: Father's Day is a time to thank Dad. Text: Exodus 20:12 There are many special days in a year and today is one of those days. Who knows what today is? (Children respond.) Today is Father's Day. We take time today to thank our fathers for all they do. I know some boys and girls don't have fathers; that might make you feel sad today, but if you don't have a father, you can thank someone who is like a father to you. This morning, I want to tell you a story about my father. This is a true ...

1478. Look, The Morning Star

2 Peter 1:12-21

Sermon

Richard Hasler

In the early morning hour Owen Rodericks prepares to take his first ride as a coal miner deep into the dark ground beneath him. The cage suddenly shoots to the surface with a jerk. The gate opens and in seconds he is jammed in with ten other men. A bell rings, and the cage plunges over 300 feet into the mine. Gasping for breath, Owen leaves the cage and staggers along through the darkness. His miner's lamp attached to his cap is the only light penetrating the darkness all around him. In these narrow ...

1479. Veiled Glimpses of God's Glory

Exodus 33:12-23

Sermon

Robert S. Crilley

I've read that in one of Von Schlegel's avant-garde plays, the curtain rises to show the dimly-lit interior of a theater. There on the stage sit a group of people waiting for a curtain to rise. A ripple of amused laughter washes across the auditorium at the obvious irony of watching actors engage in the very activity which had occupied the audience only moments earlier. However, when this second curtain is lifted, it displays still another group sitting in front of yet another curtain. People begin to grow ...

1480. Sometimes, You Gotta Get Your Feet Wet First

Joshua 3:1-4:24

Sermon

Robert S. Crilley

It doesn't happen often (although I'm always delighted when it does), but every once in a while, as I attempt to wrestle a sermon from the weekly text, a single phrase will seem almost to leap off the page, claim my attention, and demand to be preached. And so it was with this tiny phrase nestled in verse 15 of the third chapter of Joshua: "... and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the edge of the water ..." (Joshua 3:15b). Now, I'll admit, this might initially appear a rather mundane ...

1481. Two-and-a-Half Cheers For Hypocrites

Matthew 6:1-2, Matthew 6:5-6, Matthew 6:16

Sermon

Thomas Long

It is difficult to find anyone who has a kind word to say about hypocrites. Nobody likes a hypocrite; no one wants to be around one; the last thing one would want to be called is a hypocrite. Hypocrites are, by definition, deceptive, two-faced and treacherous. If discovered, hypocritical politicians are defeated at the polls, hypocritical friends get dropped and hypocritical preachers lose the trusting ears of their congregations. It may well be that our age is particularly tough on hypocrisy. In some ways ...

1482. Good News, Bad News, Good News

John 13:1-17

Sermon

Thomas Long

I forget now whether it was a famous football coach, a former president, or a positive-thinking teacher who put on his wall the motto, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" -- probably all three of them. In any case, I am aware of the fact that there are some people who pride themselves on being able to get motivated in tough situationns, to face head-on the tough issues. "Give it to me straight, Doc," they say to the surgeon, "I can handle it." They sign up for courses from the roughest ...

1483. Professor Of Paradox

Matthew 13:47-52, Matthew 13:44-46, Matthew 13:31-35

Sermon

Roger G. Talbott

Once upon a time, a strange old man came to a small village. He carried a mixing bowl and a wooden spoon. This sight was odd enough to cause the people of the village to notice what the old man did next. The old man took the bowl to the plowed field next to the village and he put some dirt into the bowl until it was about half full. Then he went to the village pump and filled it with water to about an inch below the brim. Then the old man sat down on a rock next to the pump and began to stir the water into ...

1484. Demon-Possessed Child

Matthew 15:1-20, Matthew 15:21-28

Sermon Aid

Dallas A. Brauninger

First Point Of Action After the miracle of walking on the water (see Cycle A, Miracle 8), Jesus leaves the land of Gennesaret and goes to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Second Point Of Action A Canaanite woman from that region comes out and shouts at Jesus for mercy because a demon torments her daughter. Third Point Of Action Jesus ignores her. Fourth Point Of Action When the disciples urge Jesus to send the persistent woman away, Jesus tells them God sent him only to save the lost sheep of the house of ...

1485. Seeing The Unseeing

John 9:35-41, John 9:13-34, John 9:1-12

Sermon

David Belgum

Sing along with me: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I'm found; Was blind, but now I see. This plaintive spiritual song is a favorite among the elderly and nursing home residents at chapel time, those for whom physical eyesight is waning and for whom spiritual sight is increasingly significant. I think many believe it is a Negro spiritual, maybe because of its haunting melody. Actually it was written by John Newton, who was part of the revival of the ...

1486. Let It Go!

Mark 8:31-38

Sermon

Elaine M. Ward

Long ago there was an ancient bell that was famous for its beautiful tone. It had been commissioned by the king. The king's advisors had told him that making a huge temple bell would secure the nation from foreign invasion. The specialist who cast the bell had produced several failures until he concluded that the only way to produce a great bell was to sacrifice a young maiden. Soldiers were sent to find and fetch such a young girl. Coming upon a poor mother in a farm village with her small daughter, they ...

1487. "Unless A Grain Of Wheat ..."

John 12:20-33

Sermon

Elaine M. Ward

Moon had a message for man and woman and called Insect to come and carry the message to earth. The message of Moon was, "As I die and in dying, live, so you in dying will live also." Insect took the message of Moon to earth and on the way met Hare. "Where are you going?" asked Hare. "I have a message from Moon to man and woman. Moon said, 'As I die and in dying, live again, so you in dying will live also.' " "Insect, you are so slow. Let me take it," insisted Hare. Insect gave the message to Hare. Hare ran ...

1488. Affirming The Ash Heap

Job 2:1-10, Mark 8:31--9:1

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

Every thinking person knows that he or she lives every minute on the brink of disaster. Life is transitory, perilous, potentially horrible. Every observant person realizes that all too often someone in his or her circle of acquaintances goes through a season of great, sometimes completely overwhelming, distress. There is hardly any one of us who has not had a family member or a friend suffer the destructiveness of cancer. Many of us know families whose lives have been torn apart by an automobile accident. ...

1489. Prayers for Epiphany

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

Epiphany We wonder, our heavenly Ruler, about the three wise men who brought gifts of frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child, some months or years after his birth. What a presence they must have made in Bethlehem. Did the commonplace appearance of the Holy Family's home cause them to think they might have come to the wrong place? Did they wonder about the plainness of the friends of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus? Perhaps they stepped outside their abode to recheck the position of the guiding star. Did these ...

1490. Ananias And Sapphira, Liars

Drama

Peter C. Garrison

Ananias and Sapphira's problem isn't so much that they had money and didn't give it to the church, but that they lied to God. Remember, money is not the root of all evil; the love of money is ... (Note: Verse 11 contains the first reference to the followers of Christ being called a "church' or ekklesia: the called out/chosen ones.) (Please read Acts 4:32--5:11) Ananias And Sapphira Ananias has just been carried out dead. Joseph of Cyprus (the Levite who sold his field and gave the proceeds to the church) ...

1491. A Widow's Plight

Luke 18:1-8

Drama

Karren Boehr

Theme: Persistent Prayer Availeth Much Note: This play is written in three parts. For maximum effect, it is meant to be sprinkled about the worship service at three different times and in three different locations. Setting: A busy Judean street Characters: 1st Judge: A distinguished man who carries himself with authority 2nd Judge: Companion to the 1st Judge Woman: A poor widow, persistent, desperate Costuming: Traditional Judean dress Props: Scrolls for judges (optional) Scene I (TWO JUDGES enter from ...

1492. That Heavenly Call

Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38

Drama

Karren Boehr

Theme: Mary and Joseph -- Accepting God's Call This four-part drama may be presented as a unit or as individual scenes. Written to portray Mary and Joseph's calling as very personal and self-sacrificing, this wonderful story is placed in a setting to which a modern congregation can relate. This series may be utilized as a preparation for Christmas: one segment per Sunday during Advent, or sprinkled throughout the year and culminating near the holiday season. Scene I: Luke 1:26-33 Setting: Modern Nazareth ...

1493. Who Is God?

Matthew 16:13-20

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: There are many false gods. Finding God isn't easy but it is worth the search. Summary: Two people are talking about God and each gives several views. "God" is watching from above. Jesus enters and exposes "God" as a fraud and offers the two a real relationship with God. Playing Time: 6 minutes Setting: A neutral acting space Props: Ladder Policeman's cap Glasses Ruler Santa Claus cap and beard Gray beard Menu Stuffed lamb Halo Crutch Lemon Box Magnifying glass Costumes: Contemporary Time: The ...

1494. The Word Of The Lord Came To The Prophet Haggai

Haggai 1:1-15

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.... -- Haggai 1:1 Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak set out to rebuild the house of God in ...

1495. Yes, It Becomes Unclean

Haggai 2:11-17

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests for a ruling: If one carries consecrated meat in the fold of one's garment, and with the fold touches bread, or stew, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does it become holy? The priests answered, "No." Then Haggai said, "If one who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?" The priests answered, "Yes, it becomes unclean." Haggai then said, So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, says the LORD; and ...

1496. God's Promise Fulfilled

Isaiah 42:1-9

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Let us gather together all who would serve the living God. People: For God has called the nations and sent us a redeemer. Leader: Christ walked among us and was found perfect in the eyes of God. People: In Christ God's Holy word was made full and hope is returned to all. Leader: Then let us carry the good news to all the nations for all to hear! All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, in Your wisdom and love You gave us a Savior to restore light and hope to our dark and ...

1497. Gifts of Lent III: A Family Gives Their Home

Luke 22:7-38

Drama

Donald Neidigk

Dramatic Monologue Are you bothering me? No, not at all. I come here often to reflect and pray. It's quiet in here, isn't it? Here the noise and bustle of the old city seem so far away. I was hoping you would come. Mary of Bethany said you might stop by. I see you had no trouble getting through the heavy oaken gate to the courtyard, and then up the staircase to this room. It hasn't always been that easy. There were times when that gate was locked against our enemies. Not that locking it would really have ...

1498. Gifts of Lent VII: Joseph Gives His Tomb

John 19:38-42

Drama

Donald Neidigk

Dramatic Monologue Welcome to my store! I'm Joseph of Arimathea. You're not interested in shopping today? No problem! Let's just sit and talk for a while. My shop's not busy and there's nothing I like better than telling others about my Lord. I haven't always been such a bold disciple of Jesus. My friend Mark says I "boldly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body." But let me assure you, I was as frightened as anyone on that Friday when Jesus was crucified. As a matter of fact, even though I'm the one who ...

1499. Moving At The Speed Of Light: In Corinth Or Cana?

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Sermon

Frank Luchsinger

It is hard to know what more can be said about marriage. Weddings are stressors. The planning, the showers, the many opinions, the money, the lists, the social pressures ... who can survive a wedding? The summer before my teenage bride and I were wed in our September nuptials, we worked as lifeguards at a local swimming pool, making buckets of money. We were between our sophomore and junior years in college and had all the worldly possessions that one would expect from two who had partially furnished two ...

1500. Passion Sunday

Isaiah 50:1-11, Luke 22:14--23:56, Philippians 2:1-11

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Isaiah 50:4-9a Yahweh's servant faces suffering confident of his help. This pericope constitutes the third of the four Servant Songs in Isaiah. Yahweh's servant hears his voice and is therefore fortified with determination to suffer mental agony in terms of ridicule, false accusations, humiliation, and shame. He suffers confidently because he believes Yahweh will vindicate, help, and pronounce him innocent. Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11 Jesus' humiliation and God's exaltation of him ...

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