Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: touch, feel, sense of touch, tactile sense, tactility, contact, using one's hands, sensation, sense, suspicion, sneaking suspicion, notion, inkling, hunch, fancy, apprehension, presentiment, premonition, foreboding, love, care, affection, fondness, tenderness, warmth, warmness, emotion, sentiment, emotional state, compassion, sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling, understanding, concern, solicitude, solicitousness, tender-heartedness, brotherly love, sensibilities, sensitivities, self-esteem, ego, pride, opinion, belief, view, impression, intuition, instinct, estimation, guess, theory, hypothesis, thought, way of thinking, point of view, atmosphere, ambience, aura, air, mood, climate, character, overtone, undertone, tenor, spirit, quality, flavour, colour, aptitude, knack, flair, bent, talent, gift, skill, art, trick, faculty, ability, propensity, inclination, sensitive, warm, warm-hearted, tender, tender-hearted, caring, soft-hearted, sympathetic, compassionate, empathetic, responsive, receptive, intuitive, thoughtful

Antonyms: bad feeling, acrimony, animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, aversion, bitterness, detestation, disgust, dislike, disrelish, enmity, friction, grievances, grudges, hatred, hostility, loathing, malevolence, malice

Showing 1726 to 1750 of 1913 results

1726. 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

How superstitious are you? Even if you claim to be beyond the pull and pale of alluring sirens and ominous omens, it is hard to escape their influence altogether. Be honest: everybody takes note, whether or not they take seriously, Friday the 13th. Be honest: we notice black cats when they saunter in front of us — not so much the tabbies or calicos. Be honest: after two pieces of bad news, we brace ourselves for a third. Of course, it is just plain sensible not to walk underneath a ladder. As little or as ...

1727. Liberating the Possessed

Luke 8:26-39

Sermon

Arley K. Fadness

He is a tortured man! His hair is tossed and tousled. His beard appears shaggy and matted with debris. His eyes stare saucer-like and hypnotic, betraying his clueless and clotheless dilemma. He beats and cuts himself with sharp rocks until blood flows, clots, and flows again. Blue bruises dot his skin like a leopard's spots. He lives in the cemetery. Imagined or real zombies are his friends. Gerasene citizens try to contain him, but their shackles and chains crack and break by his strange and superior ...

1728. Sister Act(s)

Luke 10:38-42

Sermon

Arley K. Fadness

Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the Good Samaritan. Luke positions the Good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The Good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God." Meet the two M & M sisters — Mary and Martha. They are two peas in the same pod and yet so ...

1729. God's Picture

John 1:10-18

Sermon

David E. Leininger

An old story has it that a little boy was feeling very lonesome for his father. His dad was away from home on business a great deal, and as much as they might have wished it otherwise, there were special family times when it was not possible to be together. One of those times was the boy's birthday — the father was simply not able to break away from a business trip out of town. Of course, he had sent a card and a lovely present. He had even called to wish his boy the best of the day, but that was no ...

1730. Choosing a God

1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39

Sermon

David E. Leininger

For sheer drama, there is little in fact or fiction that can surpass the stories of Elijah in 1 Kings. For interesting characters, unusual twists of plot and action, for excitement and adventure, one would be hard-pressed to find anything more entertaining. Elijah could star in an incredible mini-series. The Bible gives little background on this majestic prophet other than to mention his hometown, Tishbe in Gilead on the eastern side of the Jordan. We are abruptly introduced to him in 1 Kings 17 as he ...

1731. Epiphany 3

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19:1-14, Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Call To Worship Leader: Welcome! Together we’ll explore ancient stories about a public reading, the awesomeness of Creation, satisfying life together, and we will claim our God-given abilities. People: We’ve come to thank God for the Holy Spirit, for the wonders of nature, and for the gifts given to humankind. And we’ve come to ask for help in the rough, dark spots of our journey. Leader: Then let our conversations and our songs acknowledge Divine Presence; let our activities express our needs and joys. ...

1732. Epiphany 7

Genesis 45:3-11, 15, Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40, Luke 6:27-36, 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-50

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Call To Worship Leader: Greetings! The year is not quite so new. But we’re glad for the breath of life and for the opportunity to gather in this place. People: We enjoy being together and we anticipate hearing God and responding with music, silence, and words. Leader: Here we learn the teachings of Jesus, and we can practice them with each other. People: It’s easy to love one another here; it’s easy to share our money and our clothes, our food and our homes. Leader: It’s not so easy, though, to practice at ...

1733. Good Friday

Psalm 22:1-31, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, John 18:1-11, Hebrews 10:16-25

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Consider opening the sanctuary from noon until 7:00 p.m. so people can stop by on their way home from work, with fifteen- to thirty-minute “services” at noon, 3:00, and 6:00. Another option is to read one scripture and sing one hymn at the top of each hour. Deacons, Stephen Ministers, Elders, and other leaders may wish to schedule themselves to “cover” a block of time so attendees are not alone with the Good Friday experience. Have available copies of the Celtic knot from the book cover and the hands found ...

1734. Proper 10

Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Psalm 25:1-10; 82:1-8, Amos 7:7-17, Luke 10:25-37, Colossians 1:1-14

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Call To Worship Leader: It’s a good morning! Are you awake? Are you ready to sing? People: Ah, yes. We are thankful for life and we express our gratitude to the living God! Leader: We have called to God many times and the Holy One has sustained us and restored us to hopefulness. People: With music and dance, with words and silence, we thank God for divine goodness among us! Prayer Of Thanksgiving Holy One — sometimes your presence among us is so subtle, we almost miss you. Stretch our imaginations till we ...

1735. Proper 13

Psalm 107:1-9, 43, Hosea 11:1-11, Luke 12:13-21, Colossians 3:1-11

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Call To Worship Leader: This is a good place to be this morning. The world goes on around us while we are in sanctuary. Here, together, we know that evil and good exist in our global village yet we choose to rest a while, giving our psyches and bodies a chance to be tranquil. People: Sometimes we feel like the philosopher in the biblical essay, “Ecclesiastes,” thinking that “everything is useless.” We work hard and have little to show for it. The sun rises and sets; the wind blows round and round; rivers ...

1736. Reformation Day

Psalm 46:1-11, Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 8:31-41, Romans 3:19-28

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

Call To Worship Leader: It’s Sunday again! As before, we gather here because we believe that truth sets us free. We are followers of Jesus and children of God. People: In Christ, we are set free from the power of sin. Leader: The Holy One promises to write divine law in our hearts and to be our God. People: We will be forgiven and freed from guilt. Leader: This is cause for rejoicing! Let us sing beautiful words, praising God! Thanksgiving Prayer Living God — what a day! Autumn is everywhere! And we are ...

1737. Christmas Eve

Psalm 96:1-13, Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-7, Titus 2:11-14

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

If there are children in the congregation and adults who enjoy “performing,” invite them ahead of time to pantomime the Luke 2 story. (Everyone can wear slacks and a turtleneck shirt.) Designate the lead adult angel (Gabriel), lead adult shepherd, adult Mary, and adult Joseph several weeks prior to Christmas Eve. Since there is no rehearsal, ask the lead characters to arrive fifteen minutes early in costume and go over space, props, and costumes for other participants. Masking tape on the floor, labeled ...

1738. Finding Redemption in the Midst of Judgment

Malachi 2:17--3:5

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

A vase shatters, brushed by a careless elbow; a toy breaks, handled roughly by young fingers; and fabric rips, pulled by strong angry hands. Spills and rips take time to clean up, effort to repair, and money to replace, but far more costly are shattered relationships. Unfaithfulness, untruths, hateful words, and forsaken vows tear delicate personal bonds and inflict wounds not easily healed. Most tragic, however, is a broken relationship with God.1 Malachi understood all too well the tragedy of a broken ...

1739. Cracking the Code

Revelation 1:4-8

Sermon

Steven E. Albertin

Have you ever seen one of those prison break movies? They all seem to follow a formula. You are introduced to the hero. You learn his name. He has been unfairly incarcerated. He is depressed and dejected. He believes that there is no way out from his life behind bars. Until one day a secret is revealed to him. It changes his life. There is a secret, hidden group of prisoners that is planning an escape. A tunnel is being dug under the walls. It soon will be completed. Those strange clanking sounds on the ...

1740. Freedom Calling

Galatians 5:1-15

Sermon

April Yamasaki

Free! No obligation, no sales person will call! Free! Don't miss this opportunity! Free! Two sets for the price of one! In the world of advertising, something is free if you don't have to pay for it; if there's no money down, no payments to make; if you get something for nothing — or at least two for the price of one! Galatians 5:1, 13-25 describes a different kind of freedom. It isn't free in the sense of no cost — in fact, this freedom was purchased at the great cost of Jesus' own life. It isn't ...

1741. The Winning Word

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

Tom Barnard tells of his great love for sports stories, especially where an athlete survives an ugly situation and is honored for his or her lifetime achievements. One of those celebrations occurred on baseball's opening day, 2008. It happened to William Joseph "Bill" Buckner, a former major league baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, California Angels, Kansas City Royals, and the Boston Red Sox. Accompanied by a loud, standing ovation prior to the start of the Red Sox home opener ...

1742. Lessons From a Hurricane

Jeremiah 17:5-10

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

It developed as a tropical wave leaving the coast of Africa on September 9, 1989, and within a few days became a Category 5 hurricane. In its path were Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The aftermath of that violent upheaval of nature was 82 dead and 56,000 people homeless. Mark Lewis and his family were living on the island of St. Croix when Hurricane Hugo struck. He and his wife, Angela, took their two daughters into the shower stall of their bathroom and ...

1743. That’s Why We Call It Good

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

Sermon

David J. Kalas

At the end of the day, God saw that it was good. Indeed, that is the recurring refrain in the story of creation. For at the end of each day, God saw that it was good. Modern minds may like to quibble about the science of the creation account in scripture, but no one can dispute the beauty of it. Phase by phase, the beauty unfolds. When the curtain opens on the mysterious pre-creation scene, it is a frightening blackness. We read of both chaos and emptiness, and all of it in the midst of an enveloping, ...

1744. The Joy of the Lord

Nehemiah 7:73b--8:18

Sermon

King Duncan

There is an ancient Egyptian myth which says that, after death, every individual is confronted with two questions that have to be answered honestly. First, did you find joy? And second, did you bring joy? Evangelist Billy Graham says that “Joy is one of the marks of a true believer. This is not a gushy emotion or a forced grin, but the security of knowing God’s love.” Graham tells about a news story concerning soldiers in the Persian Gulf years ago watching videotapes from their families back home. In a ...

1745. When We're Estranged from God

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sermon

King Duncan

It’s an old story, but it bears repeating. An armed robber accosted a French priest on a dark, back street in Paris and demanded his wallet. As the priest opened his coat to reach for his wallet, the thief caught sight of his clerical collar, and immediately apologized. “Never mind, Father, I didn’t realize you were a priest. I’ll be on my way.” The priest was relieved, of course, and good-naturedly offered the man a cigar. “No, thank you, Father,” the robber said, “I gave up smoking for Lent.” (1) One of ...

1746. Cure for an Aching Back

Luke 13:10-17

Sermon

King Duncan

One Sabbath day, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue. A woman was there who was severely disabled. Her body was all bent over so bent over that her head was nearly even with her waist. Dr. Luke tells us she could not straighten up at all. That strikes me as an unbelievably sad situation. Forgetting the pain and the inconvenience of not being able to straighten one’s body, imagine what that would do to your self image. Imagine not just the physical pain, but the emotional pain of this kind of obvious ...

1747. Spirit-Direct

Acts 10:23b-48

Sermon

Timothy J. Smith

“Growing up,” Valerie recalled, “I was involved in many of my church’s activities for children.” Recently she returned to her home church and attended an adult Sunday school class with her parents. The class included members who were active in the church while she was growing up. Many of them greeted her and reminisced about her childhood. A man stood up during the announcements and said, “We’d like to welcome Valerie to our class. Remember,” he added, “we helped train and teach her.” After this experience ...

1748. When God Tests Us

Exodus 32:1-33:6

Sermon

Argile Smith

When we get nervous about the unknown, we can make mountains out of mole hills. But we aren’t by ourselves. Loads of people down through history have made the same mistake. Take the Israelites, for example. God had delivered them from Egyptian bondage through a series of mystifying miracles at the hand of Moses. Then Moses led them on a three-month journey to Mount Sinai. There God called Moses to the top of the mountain for a meeting with him. Soon Moses came down from the mountain with the Ten ...

1749. Praying In Jesus' Name

John 14:5-14

Sermon

David O. Bales

It’s good to be with you in worship. I appreciate the invitation to preach. I especially appreciate having a worship leader directing me around the chancel, because worship is done differently in different denominations — even within denominations. When you visit a different church, you don’t always know what to expect. My wife and I visited here two years ago. I, ever eager to hear the sermon, chose to sit near the front, not realizing that no one would sit in front of us and you all know how you take ...

1750. In the Shadow of His Brother

John 1:35-42

Sermon

King Duncan

A priest at a parochial school, wanted to point out the proper behavior for church. He was trying to elicit from the youngsters, rules that their parents might give before taking them to a nice restaurant. “Don’t play with your food,” one second grader cited. “Don’t be loud,” said another, and so on . . . “And what rule do your parents give you before you go out to eat?” the priest inquired of one little boy. Without batting an eye, the child replied, “Order something cheap.” (1) Some of you with children ...

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