Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 2026 to 2050 of 4681 results

2026. Epiphany 2

John 1:29-34

Bulletin Aid

... Leader: Behold the Child of God! People: WHO BAPTIZES WITH GOD'S SPIRIT! Leader: Behold the Lamb of God, People: WHO TAKES AWAY THE WORLD'S SIN! Collect Glorious God, you have given us a wonderful and redemptive gift in the person of Jesus. Teach us to bear witness to him: that, like the Baptizer of old, we may deliver to all who will hear a testimony of unequivocal and unambiguous certainty, so effective and compelling that others will be unable to ignore or resist him. In his name we pray. Amen Prayer of ...

2027. Last Sunday after the Epiphany

Matthew 17:1-13

Bulletin Aid

... idea of God's presence being signified by a cloud (albeit a bright one!) has much Old Testament precedent (e.g., Exodus 24:15-18), and here provides a marvelous contrast with the sun-like radiance of Jesus. It is noteworthy that the disciples here cannot bear either the sight or the sound of the awesome "enclouded" God (v. 6) but the God whom Jesus radiates (versus reflects) they may behold directly (v. 8). Call to Worship Leader: Jesus Christ is the Light of the world! People: JESUS CHRIST IS THE MANIFEST ...

2028. Lent 1

Genesis 2:4-25

Bulletin Aid

... representation of the process by which every human comes to self-awareness of alienation from God. Call to Worship Leader: Out of our depths we lift our voices to God! People: MAY GOD HEAR AND LISTEN! Leader: If God should number our inquities, who could bear it? People: BUT GOD IS FORGIVING, AND HEEDS OUR CRIES FOR MERCY! (based on Psalm 130) Collect Great Creator God, you made us in your image and after your likeness to grow in godliness. Give us the strength of your Spirit: that, thus empowered, we ...

2029. Lent 1

Matthew 4:1-11

Bulletin Aid

... God, you have created us above all creatures with a wonderful consciousness of ourselves and a marvelous potential for spirituality. Help us to seek and find our identities in you and your Word: that, properly centered, our lives may become holy, godly, and worthy to bear the name of the Christ, in which we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Holy God, it pains us to confess just what messes our lives are as a result of our self-centeredness, and how futile and frivolous our many efforts at self-definition and ...

2030. Lent 2

John 3:1-21

Bulletin Aid

... the very sight of which cured the Israelites of snake bite. The implication that merely beholding the crucified Christ cures sin points to the inspiring power of the cross. Call to Worship Leader: Sisters and brothers, let us speak of what we know! People: LET US BEAR WITNESS TO WHAT WE HAVE SEEN! Leader: God loved the world enough to give a Son! People: THAT ALL OF GOD'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS SHOULD HAVE ETERNAL LIFE! Collect Almighty God, you loved the world enough to send a son, who loved the world enough ...

2031. Len 5

Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 116:1-19

Bulletin Aid

... benefits of your Christ or the revitalizing action of your Spirit. Forgive us, we pray, and fill us with life anew. Help us to overcome all of the death.dealing tendencies and traits in our individual, family, social and political lives, and make us agents of your living and life-bearing gospel. In the name of the Bread of Life we pray. Amen

2032. Lent 6

Mt 26:14--27:66 · Php 2:5-11 · Isa 50:4-9 · Ps 31

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... in service to you, and to do instead works and deeds of self-service and self-enrichment. Forgive us our inconstancy, we pray, and set our sights so firmly on the image of your coming Reign that we shall never falter or fail in fulfilling our duties as those who bear the name of the crucified Christ. In his spirit and name we pray. Amen

2033. Wednesday in Holy Week

Hebrews 12:1-13

Bulletin Aid

... of everyday life overtake and defeat us, and to allow the message of the cross that salvation comes by struggle and suffering to fade from our minds. Forgive us our lack of perseverance and endurance, O God, and bestow upon us the strength of your Holy Spirit, which alone can bear us to an eternal victory and everlasting prize. In the name of the crucified Christ we pray. Amen

2034. Good Friday

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

Bulletin Aid

Theme: The suffering substitute Exegetical Note This Fourth Servant Song is not without its difficulties, not the least of which is the identity of the servant (the prophet? the Messiah? Israel?). In any case, the Servant is innocent, and yet bears all these afflictions and those of all others as well, to their redemption. Whether or not this passage predicted Jesus' Passion, or shaped his attitude toward it, since the early Church, Christians have seen in it the 9ssence of that event. Call to Worship ...

2035. Easter 7

1 Peter 4:12-19

Bulletin Aid

... it; and that we instead serve your gospel only when our lives and livelihoods, our comforts and convenience, and our properties and priorities are not at stake. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us to rejoice in whatever sufferings our ministry brings, in the confidence that, whatever we have to bear or forfeit in this life for the Christ's sake will pale before the victories and joys of your coming Reign. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen

2036. Trinity

Deuteronomy 4:32-40, Psalm 33:1-22

Bulletin Aid

... and stand above it now as its Holy Other. Convince us again of your abiding care for and presence in the world: that, knowing that you are indeed active in its history and among its people, we may cooperate with you in bringing your majesty and mercy to bear. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Most caring Creator, we confess that we sometimes treat you as aloof from the world and far removed from everyday life, for imagining you as distant, we feel free to keep the world at arm's length as ...

2037. Proper 9

Romans 7:7-25

Bulletin Aid

... Christ, the snare is broken, and we are set free! People: OUR HELP IS IN GOD, WHO MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH! Collect Eternal God, you have recognized the overwhelming power of sin in our lives and have overcome it in the person of Jesus. Bring your mercy to bear on us: that, touched by your exceeding grace, we may gain control over every evil that would separate us from you. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Merciful God, we confess that, like Paul before us, we stand powerless in the ...

2038. Proper 17

Exodus 19:1-25, Psalm 114:1-8

Bulletin Aid

Theme: Being borne on eagle's Wings Exegetical Note One of the most striking images of God in the Pentateuch appears in this passage: God is (like) an eagle, who bears the chosen people out of captivity and to God's very self. This underemployed image certainly "works" for both the people of the old covenant and those of the new as well. Call to Worship Leader: Let the earth tremble before the presence of God! People: LET THE MOUNTAINS QUAKE ...

2039. Christ the King

Ezekiel 34:1-31, Psalm 23:1-6

Bulletin Aid

... and keep us righteous: that, whenever the time comes for your discernment, we shall be worthy to stand with your saints as faithful servants of you and Christ Jesus. In his name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Everloving God, we confess that we who bear the name of the Christ often treat one another unfairly and deal with each another unjustly, rather than as members of your holy family and brothers and sisters of Jesus. Forgive us, we pray, and implant your Spirit of love and righteousness in us. Make ...

2040. Ascension Sunday

Matthew 28:16-20, Luke 24:50-53

Sermon Aid

... this week to what our silence means. Planning for Your Congregation I. Other Scriptures Psalm 47 Psalm 110 Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians1:15-23 II. Suggested Hymns "The Friends of Christ Together" "Lord Jesus Christ, Our Lord Most Dear" "We Bear the Strain of Earthly Care" "Clap Your Hands" III. Other Music Possibilities Music for Preparation: "Pastorale" Response to the Good News: "Songs of Immortal Praise" Offertory Violin and Flute: "Grave and Allegro" Response to the Benediction: "Lilies of the Field"; "Amen ...

2041. A Glory Revealed by Abiding

John 8:31-41

Sermon

... text we are exhorted to abide in, live in, sink our roots deeply into Jesus’ Word, and thereby remain united to Christ himself. In John 15 we also read, "I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him, he it is who bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." And later in the same chapter: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you, abide in my love." If we could only see clearly that apart from Christ we can do nothing! He is the Alpha and ...

2042. A Glory Revealed as Eternal Life

John 5:16-30

Sermon

... He had no need to suffer and die for his own sake. He was sinless and therefore did not have to die, for death only has power where there is sin. Nonetheless, Jesus did die. He willingly submitted to Death for our sakes. He became the spotless Lamb of God, bearing our sin into the wilderness of Death, there to perish alone. Even in Jesus’ case, it seemed that Death had the final say. But when God raised him on the third day, it was God, the Author of Life, who had the final word. And that word was and is ...

2043. "Good Friday People In An Easter World"

Mark 15:37-47, Mark 16:1-6

Sermon

... the Son of God." The resurrection is like the light bulb flashing on in the brain, the "ah-ha!", the "yes, of course!" to let others see what Good Friday people already knew. The resurrection is the bridge from the cross to a future of cross-bearing. That future is open to all, not just to the insiders, the experts in faith, those who have experienced a miracle. For the insiders, the disciples and friends, they all ran away before the cross. They left Good Friday people, people just like us: normal people ...

2044. True And False Prophecy

Mark 14:27-31

Drama

... but before his execution. Background: This drama was originally titled "The Lies That Served God’s Purpose." Here are two men of seemingly opposite perspectives about Jesus, but neither of them realizes the full truth of Jesus’ words, and both of them will bear false witness against him in order to protect themselves or their interests. At the same time, whether out of hatred or love, both men prove to be prophetic in much of what they say about Jesus, albeit unknowingly. This is especially true in ...

2045. My God, My God, ... Why?

Mark 15:33-41

Drama

... of Arimathea is seated under the back lights which have cast the cross and the two other witnesses in silhouette. Each character speaks in turn, but oblivious to the others. Text: Mark 15:33-47 Cast: Centurion, a strong-looking man whose bearing suggests leadership and confidence. Mary Magdalene, dressed darkly. She has been a close follower of Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea is a wealthy, dignified, learned and pious individual. He is a wise elder who can look at an event from different perspectives. Mark ...

2046. The Fashioning of Christians

Ezekiel 36:1-38

Sermon

... form of an inward and invisible grace.25 The sacraments are outward and visible forms of an inward and invisible grace. We hope! There’s nothing magical about them - although they are full of mystery. There’s nothing automatic about how they work, yet they bear Christ’s promise. There are no guarantees with sacraments - yet they are means of grace for those who receive them in faith. In conclusion, I wish to share a couple of stories with you. The first one comes from my seminary days. At Princeton ...

2047. A Zealot’s Greatest Battle

Drama

... Golgotha, in dawn’s light on the first Easter morning. Lighting gets gradually brighter as story unfolds. Matthew (Walking onto dimly lit stage, grimaces as he looks at center cross) When you are up close, it seems so much bigger. (Looks away) I can’t bear to look at it! The Romans have certainly been successful in propagating fear through the use of this torturous death instrument. (Sits down) I wonder ... could that be one of the reasons that I, at one time, sided in with Rome ... fear? (Looks up at ...

2048. Death: Commonality Explored

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Sermon

... of money in someone’s pocket. To accept oneself is not to deify oneself. We dare not confuse the Creator and the created! The bottom line is, we do not belong to ourselves, but to Christ. He reminds us: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4) The Apostle Paul helps us to get this in perspective when he says, "I can do all things in him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) There is more to ...

2049. Loyalty: Imperative Ingredient

Ruth 1:1-22

Sermon

... Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council, aids us at this juncture. It maintains: "The Spirit guided each stage of the development of the early church. In every age, as the Paraclete, he reminds us of all that Jesus said, guides us into all truth, and enables us to bear witness to salvation in Christ." Our blessed Lord, in Matthew 10:37-38, claims us on his terms: "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me ...

2050. Salvation: Authentic and Powerful

Amos 5:18-27

Sermon

King Duncan

... being just to one another can we make our lives acceptable to you." In the same book, we also read, "May He whose spirit is with us in every righteous deed, be with all men and women who spend themselves for the good of humanity and bear the burdens of others who give bread to the hungry, clothe the naked, and take the friendless into their homes." A scholar in the Jewish-Christian dialogue, John T. Pawlikowski, in Sinai and Calvary, offers this assisting insight: "So the prophets were not anti-liturgical ...

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