Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 176 to 200 of 4508 results

Bulletin Aid

First Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6 Theme: God's glory is seen as a light Call to Worship Pastor: We have seen God's glory revealed in his only. begotten Son, our Savior. People: God's revelation in Christ is indeed a light that shines in our darkness. Pastor: What a marvelous gift God has given to our world. Let us rejoice and sing his praises! People: Our hearts thrill and rejoice as we come to worshi...

177. Wise Men Worshiping Christ

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Note Why are they called "wise?" The wise men were more than men who studied the stars. History has called them wise men because they made a quest for God. Today, people are wise if they seek God in Christ. The foolish seek other gods Ä power, prestige, possessions. In addition, wise men follow guidance. They saw a result of humble acceptance of guidance, they reached the Christ-child, wise...

178. The Season Of The Evangel

Bulletin Aid

Wayne B. Keller

Theme: The News of Birth; the fear of Herod; the coming of Wise Men - An announcement of the gospel for the world. Call to Worship Suggestion: God is the God of the universe, even that part of the universe that we don't know, don't care about, don't like. Invite the people to expand their appreciation for the world by placing pictures around the sanctuary which speak of God's whole world. Ask th...

179. Epiphany

Bulletin Aid

Theme: A Christ for all nations Exegetical note Matthew here artfully pieces together elements drawn from specific Old Testament texts (foreigners drawn to a divine light and bringing gold and frankincense from Isaiah 60:1-6; foreigners bearing gifts and paying tribute to a new king from Psalm 72; Bethlehem from Micah 5:2), in order to express the common belief that the salvation under the Messia...

180. A Christ for All Nations

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Notes Matthew here artfully pieces together elements drawn from specific Old Testament texts (foreigners drawn to a divine light and bringing gold and frankincense from Isaiah 60:1-6; foreigners bearing gifts and paying tribute to a new king from Psalm 72; Bethlehem from Micah 5:2), in order to express the common belief that the salvation under the Messiah would apply to all nations. Later ...

181. Beyond Nativity

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

Gospel Notes The enigmatic and eccentric figure of John the Baptist is rich and colorful in this passage and elsewhere in the New Testament, but for this Sunday the real focus of attention should be the coming One whom he proclaims. In this regard, it is noteworthy that the "coming" to which John refers is not Jesus' birth but his ministry, a helpful reminder in this season that the advent we cele...

182. The Epiphany Season

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

Epiphany Through The Centuries After Easter, Epiphany is the second oldest season in the church year and was celebrated on January 6th by churches in Asia Minor as early as the second century. Epiphany celebrated both the birth and baptism of our Lord. This date was picked because it was the festival of the sun god. Instead of celebrating the birth of the sun god, the church lifted up the birth of...

183. Epiphany

Sermon Aid

Russell F. Anderson

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1-6, 9 The light of God's glory has been shed on the chosen nation and all the people who live in darkness will be drawn to the light, together with Israel's scattered citizens. Their neighboring realms will pour their wealth into Israel gold and frankincense. Epistle: Ephesians 3:1-12 The mystery of the gospel, withheld from former generations, has now been r...

184. Star Miracle

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

Today's society is a star-saturated society, or should we say star-crazy society? Since we seem to know all about our Earth and face no more earthly frontiers, we have turned our attention to extra-terrestrial bodies. We are interested in the stars: their size, temperature, and whether life exists on them. In 1989 Time magazine had a feature article on the sun, an "ordinary" star 96 million miles...

185. Epiphany

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 1. The sermon might focus on the wise men. Why are they called "wise"? As in the Gospel lesson for the day, the wise men were more than men who studied the stars. History has called them wise men because they made a quest for God. Today, men are wise if they seek God in Christ. The foolish seek other gods power, prestige, possessions. In addition, wi...

186. The Epiphany of Our Lord

Sermon Aid

Liturgical Color: White Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 Theme: The coming of the Magi - the universality of the Good News Pastoral Invitation to the Celebration Consider this: We consider the universality of the gospel for the whole world. At the beginning of worship, think about the people who don't have the Good News, and about those who, we believe, do not deserve to have the Good News. Recognizing ...

187. Epiphany

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

First Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6 Theme: A glorious light for all nations Exegetical Note Speaking in a post-exilic context, Trito-Isaiah here strikes a note of universal salvation by declaring to Jerusalem that because the glorious light of Jahweh has risen to shine upon it, henceforth the nations of the world - and their riches - will be drawn to the holy city. Call to Worship Leader: Arise! Shine!...

188. Epiphany

Sermon Aid

THEOLOGICAL CLUE The Epiphany was originally a unitive festival, an observation of Jesus' birth, his baptism, and the first miracle he performed at Cana; Coelius Sedulius' fifth century hymn, "When Christ's Appearing Was Made Known," (Hymn 85, LBW) illustrates this three-fold nature of the Epiphany. Twelfth Night now concludes the Christmas season, the First Sunday after the Epiphany commemorates...

189. Epiphany

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

Call to Worship Give homage to the Christ. Bring him your treasures and offer him your gifts. Prayer of Confession God of justice and peace, for some of us it is difficult to determine whether we are among the oppressors or the oppressed. We declare our belief in justice, but are concerned mostly for our own rights and not always for the rights of others. Your anointed One comes to help those who...

190. Epiphany

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

THEMES Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1-6: The light of God's glory has appeared. Epistle: Ephesians 3:1-12: The gospel is for all, including Gentiles. Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12: The visit of the wise men. PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 1. The sermon might focus on the wise men. Why are they called "wise?" As in the Gospel lesson for the day, the wise men were more than men who studied...

191. Melchior Reminisces

Drama

Edward G. Hunter

A Dramatic Monologue My name is Melchior. I am one of the astrologers that came to Bethlehem several years ago in search of the new-born King of Israel. I am from Persia, and am in the court of the King of Persia. We, as magi, study the stars and are convinced they foretell the destiny of individuals and nations. My brethren and I are deeply religious, also, and believe that the Great God of the...

192. God, The Son

Drama

Jerry Eckert

[Author's Note: I spoke earlier of having someone in mind as I wrote a part. For the second sermon of a series on the Trinity, I decided to interview John the Baptist. In the congregation was a young man who weighed about 240 pounds, most of it muscle. He had a very large, full, nearly black beard. Although he is a gentleman in every respect, he is able to hold his own in a car repair shop and on ...

193. The Last Wise Man

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: Don't waste your time searching for a false king. Find and worship the real King -- Jesus. Summary: One of the wise men who visited and worshiped Jesus tells the story. (A monologue) Playing Time: 3 minutes Place: Your church Props: None Costumes: Chaldean, first century Time: Now Cast: JETUR -- a Chaldean JETUR: (ENTERS DRESSED IN ROBES APPROPRIATE FOR A MAN OF HIS STATION) I am af...

194. It's Hell, I Say: Herod Speaks

Drama

Dr. Raymond Bailey

Theme: I regret the insensitive way I spent my life. I do wish for you to understand me, through my times and the culture that shaped me and my decisions. Setting For The Sermon Monologue The sermon was used on the first Sunday after Epiphany. Epiphany is the season that recognizes the first revelation of Christ to the Gentiles (Magi). Whereas, in Advent we look forward to the coming of Christ, E...

195. The Star - Conversations

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

Characters Interviewer Wise Person from the East Second Wise Person Bystander Herod Interviewing One Among The Wise Ones From The East Interviewer: If stars could speak, I would ask this star many questions. However, as one among the wise ones from the East, you might have some answers for us. I am curious about the four roles of the star in this story. Wise Person from The East: Tell me about ...

196. Letting God

Drama

Pamela Urfer

Cast: Mary, Joseph, three Shepherds and three Kings. The shepherds may be of either gender. Length: 15 minutes MARY and JOSEPH are seated together on stage. There are three other stools near them, two on MARY's right and one on JOSEPH's left. There is a cradle on the floor next to them. MARY: Joseph, I want to tell you how grateful I am that you were with me during the birth of the child. I rea...

197. Looking At A Crown

Children's Sermon

Thomas A. Pilgrim

Object: A crown or coronet, either a Chrismon ornament or one from home. Good morning. I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas. Here we are now on the Sunday after Christmas. We have come through the Advent season. Then we came to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. And now Christmas is here. We celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is our newborn King. We are told that when he wa...

198. The Twelve Days of Christmas

Children's Sermon

Shirley Jennings

Object: A cassette tape or record of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and a December and a January calendar. Lesson: Epiphany is celebrated on the twelfth day after Christmas. Today is a special day called Epiphany. Have you ever heard that word, "Epiphany," before? Epiphany is the twelfth day after Christmas. You may know the song about the twelve days of Christmas. I’m going to let you hear the ...

199. Keep Looking For Jesus

Children's Sermon

Wesley T. Runk

Object: Items used in a search such as map, flashlight, dog leash (bloodhound), magnifying glass. Good morning, boys and girls! Today I need some help. I want to begin a search for a missing child. I have looked around my house, and I have found these things which I hope will help me in my search. How many of you have ever had to look for something and you didn't know where to look? (Let them ans...

200. He Was Afflicted

Children's Sermon

King Duncan

Object: Bring a crown for each child. Either make them out of construction paper of perhaps "Burger King" will give you some for this story. Today's lesson in the Gospel is about the wise men. Who can tell me about the wise men? How many were there? What did the wise men follow? That's right! The wise men understood the prophecies about Jesus and followed the star to find him. King Herod heard th...

Showing 176 to 200 of 4508 results