Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1876 to 1900 of 1967 results

1876. A Tattoo for the Heart

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

(A meditation for Ash Wednesday) 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,” he said. “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 ...

1877. With Challenge And Invitation

John 10:1-10

Sermon

April Yamasaki

Jesus loved to tell stories. In his preaching and teaching, a man traveling on the road became the focal point in a lesson on being a good neighbor. A wayward son welcomed home by his father taught a lesson about God’s love and forgiveness. Over and over, Jesus used vivid images to express his own identity: I am the light of the world. I am the true vine. I am the Bread of Life. In our scripture reading for today, Jesus told another story to communicate his identity and mission. Shepherds and sheep would ...

1878. A New Creation in Hope

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Sermon

Bonnie Bates

In Christ, we are a new creation. We, each of us, have been transformed and we need to look at the world, not from the human, but from the divine perspective. What does that mean to you? Paul saw the coming of Christ as the new act of creation. Just as in Genesis, God dramatically spoke creation, our world, into being. The coming of Christ was a new creation that freed humans from bondage and moved us into the light of life. Christ was and is the new beginning of our lives in relationships to God. What was ...

1879. The Rhythm of Your Heart

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

Lori Wagner

What kind of music moves you? Take a moment and think of that tune or that song that completely captivates you, softens your heart, reduces your stress, entirely engages you in that moment, immerses you in bliss. Much like the sound of the waves crashing from the ocean onto the rocks, certain sounds, certain waves, certain frequencies resonate with us, entirely changing our focus, our mood, and our spiritual awareness. Psychologists now know, music also changes our brain. Studies show in fact that those ...

1880. Glowworms

Revelation 7:9-17

Illustration

William Manchester

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, 'Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?' I said to him, 'Sir, you know.' And he said to me, 'These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.' " (vv. 13-14) Violet Asquith was once sitting next to Winston Churchill at a dinner party. She said that he sat there for a long time and said very little. She reported that he seemed to be in deep thought. Then ...

1881. Leveling the Landscape

Luke 3:1-20

Sermon

Charles H. Bayer

The road to the manger is not an Interstate. Nor is the journey sentimental. The path is decorated neither with candy canes nor red-nosed reindeer. There are no shortcuts. The Advent journey begins in a darkness so deep you can see the stars. From there it leads by the Jordan River and its stern prophet, John. If we could only get to the babe without having to hear the Baptist cry, "Repent!" But we cannot see Jesus without first hearing John. Repentance is hard unChristmasy stuff. This strange man, dressed ...

1882. The Eighth Meal

Sermon

Robert F. Scott

Supper Of DesireLuke 22:7-20 Worship Focus A plate of matzoth (for this was the Passover, the feast of unleavened bread) and a chalice. A Litany For The Eighth Meal Leader: Gracious God, we gather in remembrance of the Passover Jesus shared with his disciples. People: We remember that night. Leader: We remember that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as a sign of his love for them. People: We remember the many signs of his love for us. Leader: We thank you for the broken bread, the symbol of Jesus' ...

1883. Creation's Fallen Nature

Genesis 3:1-24, Genesis 2:4-25

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Let all who would worship the Lord gather this day for worship! People: For just as Adam and Eve, we too have sinned and disobeyed the Lord. Leader: Yet in Christ we have been washed clean; in Christ we are forgiven. People: Let us come now and sing praise for God's mercy, grace and love! Leader: For in the Garden we first sinned and through the Cross we are saved. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, in this season of Lent You would call us to examine our lives and ...

1884. Uzziah is Dead!

Isaiah 6:1-13

Sermon

Donald Zelle

Those who look to this well-known Old Testament lesson for some new insight on the interrelatedness of the Persons of the Godhead, look in vain. There is nothing here that especially commends this text for Trinity Sunday. However, there is much for our consideration. "In the year that King Uzziah died ..." These opening words may seem incidental to the rest of this autobiographical account, but they are not. They fix the time of this spiritual experience. In this, they give us a particular historical ...

1885. Who Was That Masked Man?

Luke 10:25-37

Sermon

Alexander H. Wales

"I just knew it was going to be that kind of a day! I got started late. The people I was traveling with decided to go on without me. My donkey came up lame. And the beggar at the gate of the city warned me that the road to Jericho could be a dangerous place. "But I had to go. I was already behind schedule, and you know how those things go. I was supposed to be in Tarsus by the end of the month. I hadn't seen my family in weeks. So, I did what I knew I shouldn't do and headed for Jericho. I wasn't more than ...

1886. The Shortest Distance

Proverbs 4:26-27

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

Purpose: To encourage children to stick with a task until it is finished. Materials: Two pencils or sticks and a piece of string; the ends of which are tied to the two sticks. Lesson: With the help of these two pencils (or sticks) and this piece of string tied between them, we can see proof of the fact that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The length of the cord is fixed and as we hold the two points as far apart as possible, we see that a straight line is formed. If I move the ...

1887. Proper 22

Mark 10:13-16, Mark 10:1-12

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

Call to Worship (responsively) Sing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and tell all God's wondrous deeds. Love the house in which we pray, and the place where we give God glory. Prayer of Confession God unlimited, God self-limited, God extending our limits, surely you do not expect us to accept suffering without complaint! We are frustrated with illnesses that rage on, keeping us from doing the things that bring us satisfaction and recognition. Long nights and months of futility seem such a waste to us. Too ...

1888. Where Have All the Shepherds Gone?

Mark 6:30-44

Sermon

James Weekley

Have you ever seen a shepherd in living color? Near our home in Southern California several years ago, we would occasionally observe this rare phenomenon on grassy hillslopes of the San Gabriel Mountains. The sheep looked the part, except their wool coat didn't have that washed-in-Tide appearance. The shepherd wore boots, blue jeans, and a Texas straw hat. With a two-way transistor radio strapped to his belt, he could communicate to his wife that he'd be home by six. Such a description is a far cry from ...

1889. God's Friends

Romans 5:11

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: friendship bracelet (three strands of embroidery floss longer than your wrist - braided together, knotted at each end, tie it around your wrist, tightly enough so you can't slip it off - worn by both boys and girls) Good morning, boys and girls. I have something special on my wrist this morning. Do you know what it is? (Show them and let them try to guess.) It's called a friendship bracelet. Some children make them for their friends, and then the friend ties it on his or her wrist so it won't fall ...

1890. God Promises Abraham And Sarah A Son

Genesis 18:1-15

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

Suggestions: Use as an anthem. * = optional stopping point 4 readers - 3 men, 1 woman Key: 1 = storyteller 2 = Abraham 3 = person representing three men 4 = Sarah 1: The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, 2: "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little ...

1891. The New Covenant

Ephesians 2:1-10

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Let any who would know the living Christ come and worship this day! People: But may we as sinners enter into the house of the Lord? Leader: In Christ we were given the New Covenant. Even sinners may enter. People: But how can sinners enter into the presence of the Lord God Almighty? Leader: In Christ, God has washed away our sin and made us each one clean. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, in Christ You have given us a New Covenant beckoning us to come home just ...

1892. Children All Are We

John 3:1-21

Children's Sermon

Brett Blair

Exegetical Aim: What it means to be born again. Prop: A baby doll (life size) or if possible prearrange to have an actual newborn ready to be used in the Children's Sermon. Lesson: Good morning! (response) I have someone very special with me this morning. It's a baby. His her name is ________. Why are babies so special? (response) Those are all good reason's babies are so special. But you know something; they sure does take a lot of work to care for one. Can you tell me some things that babies need? What ...

1893. The New Covenant

Ephesians 1:1-14

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call to Worship Leader: Let any who would know the living Christ come and worship this day! People: But may we as sinners enter into the house of the Lord? Leader: In the Blood of Christ came the New Covenant. Even sinners may enter! People: But how can sinners enter into the house of Almighty God? Leader: In Christ, God has washed away our sin and made us each one clean. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, in Christ You have given us a New Covenant, calling to us to come home just as the ...

1894. Prayer

Matthew 7:15-23

Bulletin Aid

Who'd build a house on sand? Or in a creek bed? (Or over an old mine? - That's different!!!) I wouldn't want one in a flood plain either But I suppose sometimes there's no choice! Of course I'd build on rock! On a solid foundation! (Rock's easy to find here - Just dig down six inches!) But then, how many houses will I ever build? Maybe Jesus wasn't giving construction advice! Build my life on a solid foundation? I hope so! Christian values American values Human values A faith founded on The Rock That can't ...

1895. Parable of Obedience

Proverbs 22:1-16

Illustration

Peter was a little boy who was much pampered by his mother and usually got his way by crying. Herbert was in the same class in school, but his strict mother insisted that he obey at once and that he do chores around the home. He always washed and dried the dishes. I had them both in my swimming classes. When Peter left home his mother cautioned, "Please don't drown, Peter, you are the only thing I have," while Herb's mother said, "You do exactly what you are told to do." Peter, in fear, would never let go ...

1896. Prayer in a Pinch

Matthew 14:22-36

Sermon

Did Jesus pray when he was "in a pinch"? Have you ever thought about that? You probably have done such praying in the middle of a family crisis, or facing a decision, which could change your life, or feeling overwhelmed by the world's problems - or even getting into a spot because you did not do your homework. In any one of these instances, you may have prayed, "God, have mercy!" Even people who have a reputation for being non-religious will utter a prayer in a pinch or a jam, and so there is the line, " ...

1897. Easter 3

Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23

Bulletin Aid

First Lesson: Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Theme: Peter preaches repentance and baptism Call to Worship Pastor: If we were to be honest in our confessions, our sins would accuse us of being enemies of Christ. People: Sin has possessed us, but we long to be set free in order to love and serve our Lord. Pastor: The church continues to proclaim God's eternal truth: Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus. People: We believe in Jesus; and are convinced he will forgive us, and enable us by the Holy Spirit to be ...

1898. The Promise of Light

Isaiah 60:1-22

Sermon

During the 1960-61 academic year I was a first-year seminarian at Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut. It snowed that winter the week before Christmas vacation. When we left in mid-March for spring break we had not seen the ground clear of snow since early December. There was a period of two weeks in January-February when the temperature never got above zero. The winter was cold, dark, dreary, and depressing for me. Being from Concord, North Carolina, I had never experienced so much snow at one ...

1899. Gratitude and Praise God’s Mercy

Titus 3:1-11

Bulletin Aid

Call to Worship Leader: When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us because of his mercy. Congregation: Praised be God’s mercy. We are not saved by our position in society. Neither are we saved by our intellect or our talents. We are saved by God’s steadfast mercy. Leader: He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. Congregation: Praised be God’s Spirit who convicts us of sin and leads ...

1900. Servants Are Important

Mark 10:43

Children's Sermon

Object: A baseball bat. Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to talk about servants and how they can become great. There aren't many servants today like there were a long time ago. Long ago there were people who worked for other people in their homes and lived where they worked. They waited on tables, took care of the gardens, did the cooking, and washed the clothes. Today there are not many people who have servants like that, and so it is hard for us to understand what a servant really does. ...

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