Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1526 to 1550 of 5000 results

1526. Bread for the Party (Bread of Life I)

John 6:1-15

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

Our text is St. John’s version of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. This pericope reminds me of the child who was asked to name his favorite Bible story. The child replied, “The one with the boy in it who loafs and fishes.” I am convinced that Jesus was not loafing. He and the Twelve had tried to sneak to the mountain beside the lake for a mini “R & R,” after much work, but when the people mushroomed around him, he gave up on “resting” and returned to ministering. Jesus was then, and is now, “fishing” for ...

1527. Making the Mystery Work for You

John 3:1-21

Sermon

Charles R. Leary

It’s Trinity Sunday: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Enough said? Don’t leave me. I promise you, I won’t deliver a lecture expounding on what belongs only in the classroom for theologues. I do want to tell you a brief story. A man in a certain parish was only seen in church one Sunday a year. No, it was not Easter. It was Trinity. One leading lay person had restrained his curiosity year after year. He could not contain it any more. He approached the man and said, “I have noticed that ...

1528. God’s Flowing and Our Ebbing

Isaiah 6:1-13

Sermon

Robert Noblett

My family and I have spent several enjoyable vacations on the Atlantic Ocean, both at Cape Cod and along the rockbound coast of Maine. Always we have enjoyed the beaches and the pastimes attendant to them. One perennial pastime is the building of sand castles, and I well remember our children building them close to the sea’s edge and how, with tidal changes, the parameters of the ebbing and flowing would be altered, often allowing the ocean to become increasingly bold in assailing what the children had so ...

1529. Here They Come, Singing

Jeremiah 30:1--31:40

Sermon

John R. Brokhoff

When six nations of eastern Europe were freed from the domination of totalitarian Communism in 1989, there was wild celebration by the people in the streets. They sang, they shouted, they marched, they danced in the streets, they laughed, they hugged each other. This was the happiest time of their lives. They were freed from decades of living under uncompromising dictatorships. Now they could speak out openly about how they felt, and they could march and shout their protests to a hated regime. It was a ...

1530. Changing The Rules

Mark 7:1-23

Sermon

Robert Salzgeber

When I was a camp director the rules of long established and understood games were constantly being changed in order to incorporate a larger sphere of players. For the same reason Jesus said, "You have a clever way of rejecting God's law in order to uphold your own teaching." Jesus had a knack for constantly changing the rules of the game of life in order to incorporate a larger sphere of people in his kingdom net. One such game where the rules were often changed was volleyball. Volleyball is a well- ...

1531. We Interrupt This Service

John 1:1-18

Sermon

Thomas Long

It was question and answer time at the worship workshop. Pastor and Author Thomas Long had been speaking on the theme of worship all morning to a group of people gathered in a church fellowship hall in a suburban neighborhood in Indiana. Dressed in sweatshirts and jeans, they had given up a Saturday of golf and gardening to sip coffee and listen politely as he rambled through discussions of Vatican II, Calvin's view of the Lord's Supper, the pros and cons of children's sermons, the development of the ...

1532. Tying Up A Strong Man

Mark 3:20-30, 1 Samuel 8:1-22, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18, Mark 3:31-35, Psalm 138:1-8

Sermon Aid

William E. Keeney

Mark's gospel account very quickly gets into the conflict that will eventually culminate in the death of Jesus. Despite, or because of, Jesus' works which aroused wonder and amazement in the multitudes, opposition also arose. Any activity so extraordinary upset the status quo. His popularity threatened the authority and leadership of the official religion. They had to try to put it down before it got out of hand. Even the friends and family of Jesus were concerned about him. How often do people try to ...

1533. The Healing Of Simon Peter's Mother-In-Law

Mark 1:29-34

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

WHAT'S HAPPENING The Gospel called Mark wants to set a tone of direct action and quick response in this story. Mark shows an absence of dragging feet and suggests a sense of urgency. Jesus gets things done. From Mark's perspective, whatever happens around Jesus, the response is always immediate. "Immediately" is a favorite action word in the first chapter of Mark. After the baptism of Jesus, the Spirit immediately drives him out into the wilderness (Mark 1:12). When Jesus calls Simon and Andrew to be ...

1534. Stilling The Storm

Mark 4:35-41

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

WHAT'S HAPPENING? First Point Of Action: In the evening, Jesus wants to leave the crowds and cross to the other side of the lake. The disciples take Jesus in the boat. Several boats accompany them. Second Point Of Action: A storm rises and swamps the boat. Jesus sleeps through it all until the frightened disciples wake him. Third Point Of Action: Jesus speaks to the wind and to the sea. The storm stops. Jesus speaks to the disciples. Fourth Point Of Action: The disciples respond with awe and wonder. ...

1535. Ascension Day

Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:36-49, Luke 24:50-53, Mark 16:1-20, Ephesians 1:15-23

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: The crucified and risen Jesus has ascended to the Father. His disciples are to wait for empowerment from the promised Holy Spirit. COMMENTARY Lesson 1: Acts 1:1-11 (C, RC, E) The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts are the only two books in the Bible addressed to an individual (Theophilus). In this introduction, Luke informs Theophilus that he is taking up where his gospel ended. The Gospel of Luke concludes with the witness to the resurrected Christ and Acts begins by putting to a close this forty- ...

1536. Proper 9

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, Mark 6:1-13, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Theme: God gives us the authority to bring in his kingdom through our strengths and our weaknesses. COMMENTARY Old Testament: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 David first serves as king of Judah, with his capital at Hebron, for a period of seven years. The leaders of the northern tribes of Israel come to him at Hebron and they agree to make him king over the northern tribes. David's army captures the city of Jerusalem from its inhabitants and it becomes the capital of the united kingdom. David reigns as king of Israel ...

1537. Easter 2

John 20:19-31, Acts 4:32-37, 1 John 1:1--2:2

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Epistle: Acts 4:32-35 Call To Worship Leader: The Lord is merciful and the Lord is wonderful and great! People: For we have been called to be children of the living God. Leader: In Christ we have been adopted as family to care for each other. People: And to reach out with caring and love to our neighbors. Leader: Let us celebrate together in song and praise the lordship of Christ. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, we are so grateful You have opened the door for us to be a part of Your ...

1538. The Name Of Names

Ephesians 1:15-23

Sermon

Mark J. Molldrem

Mark -- warlike Shirley -- bright meadow Jennifer -- fair lady Jeffrey -- God's peace Jesus -- God saves What's in a name? Ever since God gave Adam the privilege of naming all the creatures, humankind has had a fascination with names. Names are important. Parents take great care when they select a name for their baby. They know the name will be with this new person for a lifetime and will identify him or her to other people. We look at the panorama of history and give different names to the ages: Ice Age, ...

1539. Show Us The Father

John 14:5-14

Sermon

Alexander H. Wales

This morning, I would like to take you on a little journey with your imagination to meet someone who is a vital part of the Christian story of faith. He appears in this morning's Gospel lesson, and I believe that he offers us a unique perspective upon our Pentecost celebration. So, close your eyes and let this person tell you about what he experienced. "I didn't mean to get Jesus so mad at me that night. It had been an exhausting evening and I didn't mean to push. By the way, my name is Philip, and I am ...

1540. The Pageant

Luke 2:8-20, Luke 2:1-7

Drama

Jerry Eckert

[Comment: Emmanuel Church in Horicon was nothing like Faith Church, Milwaukee. There was talent galore, except, it appeared, in theatrical skills. Only one person in the church was active in a community theater and no one seemed to think it should be part of church life. There was no stage in the fellowship hall and the sanctuary was not particularly conducive to plays because there was no lighting except the normal room lights, which gave little flexibility for variations. There was a resistance to ...

1541. Sermon In A Word

John 20:10-18, John 20:1-9

Drama

Jerry Eckert

Comment: "The Disciples' Tenebrae" was a perfect set-up for the sunrise service. As people entered the church Easter Sunday, the worship room was bare of decorations. The rough cross made of old Christmas tree trunks still stood at the front of the church, draped with the black cloth from the Maundy Thursday service three nights before. There were no lights on in the church. All was very quiet as the people gathered. To begin the service, the liturgist went up to the cross, pulled the black cloth off of it ...

1542. Poolside Blessing: Monologue of a Paralytic

John 5:2-16

Drama

Dr. Raymond Bailey

Theme: We sometimes follow routines that are a substitute for a living. Instead of having a life of our own, we give up and become passive. In fact, that passivity can be a deceptive and manipulative style of control. Jesus' question to the paralytic by the pool was, "Do you want to be healed?" Do you want to get a life, or is life as you now live it a means of avoidance and control that you find too comfortable to give up? Setting for the Sermon Monologue: The scripture is a lectionary reading. How does ...

1543. A Lady With A Listening Ear · Mary Of Bethany

Luke 10:38-42

Sermon

Gordon Pratt Baker

There are as many ways to witness as there are witnesses. Not everyone can be like Andrew, who never met a stranger, or Peter, whose eloquence brought thousands to Jesus. (Acts 2:14-42) But one thing is sure. Each of us has a witness to bear. I For Mary of Bethany the witness took the form of the hours she spent at Jesus' feet. It was an act of devotion the very sight of which must have spoken as tellingly to her neighbors as anything she might have said to them. It was not that she would have been content ...

1544. The Return Of The Lost

Luke 15:1-7

Sermon

Donald Dotterer

Let us pray: Gracious and eternal Father, today we come seeking to understand your purpose and your will for our lives. Help us to know that although we seek you, you have sought us first in love. Lord, grant us wisdom in these moments. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. One of the most common complaints that I hear about the medical profession is that many doctors are too detached from their patients. People tell me that doctors don't have time to listen to them because they are so anxious to get on to the ...

1545. Your Journey Of Life - A Wedding Ceremony

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Sermon

Mark P. Zacher

For An Older Couple, Both Widowed Ecclesiastes 4:9-121 Corinthians 13; John 15:9-12 Family and friends of the bride and groom and especially you -- __________ and __________ -- on this your wedding day: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. The journey of life for both of you has taken some rather unexpected turns and detours. The path and the road has perhaps not gone exactly the way that you planned a number of years ago. But, because of the rough ...

1546. There Is No Condemnation

Romans 8:18-27

Eulogy

Deborah D. Steed

Suicide During Lent On behalf of the ____________ family, I want to thank you for being here today to remember ____________ and give thanks to God for his life. Death draws us together within a web of common, sometimes conflicting, feelings. Your presence and support are vital to this family and will be for some time to come. Let us pray: Gracious God, gather us together under the banner of your Word. Pierce our darkness with your light. In the name of Christ our Lord. Amen. Yesterday, after the 11 a.m. ...

1547. Who Was the One Who Died?

Mark 15:33-41

Sermon

R. Sheldon MacKenzie

On Thursday evening, in the darkness of an olive orchard. Jesus had asked for the support of his disciples. In particular, he had asked for the support of Peter, James and John while he went a little distance away. He went off to pray for relief from the necessity to drink from the cup of suffering he could see before him. They seemed to do as he had asked them, when in fact they were indifferent to his request. They were tired from the events of the day, and so they took the opportunity to have a sleep. ...

1548. The TV Revolution

Sermon

Michael Rogness

As the dominant medium of social expression, television is pervasive in a profound way that we seldom recognize fully. Because most of us get most of our information about the society most of the time from television, it becomes the primary social fact of our lives.2 -- James Monaco Preaching Today While visiting many congregations I am constantly astonished to hear how much complaining there is about preaching. Faithful churchgoers find themselves wondering, "What's happened to good preaching?" "Where ...

1549. Words As Images

Sermon

Michael Rogness

... we are addressing a generation accustomed to acting primarily on visual stimuli ... In our modern age the preacher must therefore translate the biblical message into one that awakens all the senses, into words that cause a congregation also to see and feel and smell and taste. Otherwise the people listening may never hear the words in which the gospel is framed.15 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier The printed word communicates by a line of thought. Television communicates by images. Clearly we must use language ...

1550. The Wonderful Mystery Of The Christian Religion

1 Timothy 3:1-16

Sermon Aid

Clement E. Lewis

Instrumental Meditation The Call To Worship: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Come, walk in the way of the Lord with songs of gladness and joy. Amen. Hymn: "My Savior's Love" Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:14-16 (NRSV) I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ...

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