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 2026 to 2050 of 4456 results

2026. Praising God on an Oatmeal Box

2 Samuel 6:12-23

Sermon

John E. Harnish

It seems my little jaunt into English grammar, and especially the proper placement of prepositions, produced more response than almost anything I have written in Steeple Notes. I suppose that, in itself, is amazing. Several of you sent me Winston Churchill's famous quotation: "This is a situation with which I will not put up." But the best one came from a couple of my Wednesday morning Arbon Dennis buddies. It's the story of the little girl, already in bed, who berated her father when he came to read to ...

2027. Claiming a Do-Over Faith

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

What do you think of when you hear the word "jubilee"? If you're like me, the first thing that comes to mind is sales. There's the big sales jubilee at the Chevy dealer, or the jubilee marathon sale of freezers and refrigerators at the local Sears. Those are just the things that come to my mind, but there are quite a few things that bear the jubilee label. Let me just list a few that came from recent search on the Internet. There is the annual Calaveras County Jumping Frog Jubilee in Angels Camp, ...

2028. No More Camping Out

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

I wanted to see if we could get a show of hands today. Are there any folks here who went through a "nomadic period" in their lives? Did any of you ever enter a time in your life when you sort of camped out? A time when you were unsettled or on the move? Maybe you stole some nights on a friend's couch. Perhaps you were on the road for a while, or maybe you just wandered about for a time, trying out different places and new experiences. I know that it happened to me. For a number of years I lived a nomadic ...

2029. Time for a New Wardrobe

Isaiah 61:1—62:12

Sermon

Schuyler Rhodes

I am betting that at least one of us gathered here today got the gift of new clothing for Christmas. This is a safe assumption. How many of us, over the years, have torn open packages of argyle socks or paisley shirts? How many of us have gazed into a box to discover slacks and skirts, blouses and vests; sweatshirts and pajamas, all of a dizzying array of colors and styles? When I was a boy, clothing was a staple for Christmas gifts, because there was little available cash for frivolities like toys or ...

2030. God's Workmanship

Ephesians 2:1-10

Sermon

King Duncan

Not too long ago a listener called a disc jockey while he was on the air at a local radio station to ask about an upcoming lunar eclipse. “The eclipse can be seen at 1:30 in the morning,” the DJ told the caller. “That late?” the caller snapped. “Why can’t they schedule these things earlier so kids can enjoy them too?” (1) I wonder who at the station she thought was in charge of scheduling lunar eclipses? A mother tells about her precocious six-year-old in his first day of parochial school. His teacher made ...

2031. Stilling Storms

Mark 4:35-41

Sermon

King Duncan

A mother was out walking with her 4 year old daughter. The child picked up something off the ground and started to put it into her mouth. The mother took it away and said “Don’t do that!” “Why not?” asked the child. “Because it’s on the ground,” said her mother. “You don’t know where it’s been. It’s dirty, and it’s probably loaded with germs that could make you sick.” The child looked at her mother with total admiration and said, “Mommy, how do you know all this stuff? You’re so smart.” The mother said, “ ...

2032. Easter 7

Psalm 68:1-35, John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-19

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter - Psalms 68:1-10, 32-35 First Lesson - The clouds are a curtain brought down on the end of the final act of the earthly drama of Jesus of Nazareth. Acts 1:6-14 Second Lesson - Peter holds out the hope for us that after the ordeal of suffering will come exaltation as experienced by Jesus. 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Gospel - This climactic prayer of Jesus is for the unity of the apostles and the church to come. John 17:1-11 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you ...

2033. What Is Your Name?

Genesis 32:22-32

Sermon

Mike Ripski

Sometimes things don’t work out the way they should. Then, again, maybe they do. Esau and Jacob This seems especially true with regard to twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau was born first, hairy, ruddy, red complexioned. Thus he was named Esau. Esau relied on his brawn rather than his brain. Had his name been based on who he was instead of how he looked, his name should have been "Easy-Going," "Laid Back," or even "Slow." His was not a Type-A personality. He had no desire to be his class’ President and ...

2034. Broken Pieces

Matthew 1:3, 5, 6

Sermon

James Merritt

Whether you are rich or poor, black or white, Jew or Gentile, male or female, there is one thing every single person on this earth has - we all have family trees, genealogies, ancestors and if we live long enough descendants, but family trees represent more than babies and bloodlines. They represent a mosaic. Remember the definition of mosaic? mosaic (mo-za'ik) n. 1. A picture or decoration made up of diverse, multi-colored small pieces. In reality, that is what a family tree is - a picture of a family ...

2035. Home at Last

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

Sermon

Mary S. Lautensleger

One of the more colorful eras of our country's past is the old Wild West. We can visualize cowboys chasing stagecoaches over rough, barren terrain, and sheriffs swaggering down dusty main streets. Towns sprang up virtually overnight around regions rich in natural resources such as lumber, borax, silver, and especially gold, the glitter that inflamed a continent. These thriving little communities "out west" revolved around a general store, blacksmith shop, livery stable, prospectors' office, saloon, jail, ...

2036. Every Kiss Begins with K

Luke 3:1-20

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

We’re still in Advent, but who can resist singing Christmas carols? They are either fun, boisterous and bouncy. Or they are sentimental and sweet. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Deck The Halls” fit the fun, boisterous and bouncy theme. “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night” fit into the sentimental and sweet category. Although I do admit that as much as I love Christmas music, by about now in the Advent season I start identifying with the 17th century English poet John Donne ...

2037. A Cloud Of Witnesses

Hebrews 12:1-3

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Last week was actually All Saints Sunday and because of our Stewardship Campaign we kind of set it aside. But, I think it is an important Sunday in the life of the Church and in our personal Journey of Faith so we're going to celebrate it today. All Saints Sunday is a day to remember those people who have been a major influence in our life of faith. If we put it in terms of our Running on Faith study, we might think of these people as the Road Signs along the way for all of the individual saints in our ...

2038. Is There Room For A Prophet?

Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 3:1-6

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

After some last-minute Christmas shopping with her grandchildren, Grandma was rushing the kids into the car when four-year-old Jason said, "Grandma, Susie has something in her pocket." He reached in and pulled out a new red barrette. Though she was tired, Grandma knew it was important for Susie to take the barrette back to the store, tell manager what she'd done, apologize and then put the item back where she had found it. So, they did just that. Later, they stopped for a few quick groceries and at the ...

2039. Discover the Meaning of Christmas

Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

Did you know that the celebration of Christmas is one of the biggest seasons of the year in Japan? It's odd because Japan's population only has about ½ to 1% of the people who are Christians. Yet, they love Christmas. It's not a national holiday like it is here but they still decorate their houses with lights, most homes will have a Christmas tree. But for them it is all focused on the consumer side. It's a time simply for parties and celebrations. The Japanese remind me of a young family I read about who ...

2040. Where do You Live?

Romans 14:1-12

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

In the irreverent comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, which is a send up of the King Arthur tales, there is a scene where one of the knights, Sir Bedevere is confronted by a group of villagers. It seems they have gripped one of the local women and claim she is a witch. It's very obvious that her long crooked nose is fake and has been tied on and she's been dressed up to look like a witch. Sir Bedevere questions the evidence and the people confess that they made it all up. But they still want to burn ...

2041. Dare To DV8

Romans 12:1-8

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

In 17th century Italy, in the town of Cremona, there lived a young boy named Antonio. Cremona was was famous for its music. And of all the things in the world that Antonio wanted he wanted to be able to make music. Unfortunately, he couldn't sing or play an instrument. His voice was high and squeaky, so he wasn't welcome in the Boys' Choir. When he took violin lessons, the neighbors complained so much they persuaded his parents to make him stop. Still, Antonio wanted to make music. Because he couldn't sing ...

2042. Why Should I Read The Bible? (Series: Real Faith for Real People)

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

A cartoon in the New Yorker magazine portrays a man making an inquiry at a large metropolitan bookstore. The clerk begins tapping on her computer, spelling out the word B-I-B-L-E. “Yes,” said the clerk, “we have it. You will find it in the self-help section of the store.” Sometimes I wonder if that cartoon is all too true. Have we who read the Bible reduced the Bible to nothing more than another book in the self-help section? When we ask new members to affirm their faith in the scriptures as found in the ...

2043. Follow Your Mentors (Series: An Invitation to Christian Discipleship)

John 14:15-31

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

The famous preacher and poet, John Donne said nearly 500 years ago, “No man is an island; no man stands alone. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. Any man’s death diminishes me.” When God Almighty created the world and everything that is in it, he failed to get it just right the first time around. He who made the beasts of the field and the birds of the air discovered Adam lacked a suitable helper. The Lord God said to himself, “It is not good for man to be alone, I will make a helper ...

2044. What to Do When You Are in a Fix

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

Have you heard of the preacher who returned for an anniversary celebration at the church where he had been the pastor twenty years before? He was greeted by one woman and immediately asked her about her husband. “And how is Bill?” “Oh,” she said, misty-voiced, “Bill is in heaven.” “In heaven? I’m sorry!” but that didn’t sound right. “I mean —I’m surprised!” — but that was no better. “I mean — I’m happy!” Well, that preacher was in a fix, and that’s what I want to talk about today. But to talk about it at a ...

2045. Who Are We Waiting For?

Isaiah 40:1-31

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

How would an 11 year old talk about God? Often that which is humorous, trite, even irreverent will move us to deep insight — at least challenge us to more serious thinking. I hope such will be the case for you as it was for me when I read what an 11 year olds girl wrote about God had obviously been watching a lot of television, for she wrote: “God is like a Ford: He has a better idea. God is like a Coke: He’s the real thing. God is like Pan Am: He makes the going great. God is Bayer aspirin: He works ...

2046. Simon

Mark 15:21-32

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

It’s a common expression. When good fortune comes our way over which we have no control, about which we really did nothing, we say, “I was in the right place at the right time.” We hear it all the time about people who have made a lot of money, without a lot of effort: “He was in the right place at the right time.” We say a similar thing when the unwanted happens to us. “I was in the wrong place at the right time.” Some of us feel that’s the story of our life — being in the wrong place at the right time. ...

2047. Hearing the Questions of Children

Genesis 22:1-14

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

David Harju, a senior at Centennial High School, took the SAT test and scored a perfect 1600 on it this Spring. How did David feel about it? “Ecstatic,” said Tennessean staff writer, Barbara Moore.[1] The Old Testament story we step into today is the life and death test of one man’s faith and obedience. Father Abraham feels directed by God to sacrifice his only son as an act of worship on Mt. Moriah. Suddenly, this boy who has brought laughter to a couple in their elder years, is surrounded by a trail of ...

2048. The High Price of Short Cuts

Luke 12:13-21

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

In Tennessee Williams’ play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Big Daddy and his son, Brick, are in the basement sorting through stuff while the other children are upstairs arguing about the family inheritance. Big Daddy says to Brick, “You know what I’m going to do before I die? I’m going to open all these boxes.” Then, realizing he doesn’t have enough time left for that task Big Daddy says, “There’s one thing you can’t buy in a fire sale or any other market on earth. That’s your life. You can’t buy back your life ...

2049. The Down Side of Christmas

Matthew 2:13-18

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

‘Twas the day after Christmas When all through the place There were arguments and depression— Even mom had a long face. The stockings hung empty; And the house was a mess. The clothes didn't fit; Dad was under stress. The family was irritable; The children were not pleased. The instructions for the swing set Were written in Chinese. The bells no longer jingled; And no carolers came around. The sink was stacked with dishes; And the tree was turning brown. The stores were full of people Returning things that ...

2050. Ruth: The Problem of Grief

Ruth 1:1-8, 16-18

Sermon

J. Howard Olds

It's a love story that would make Danielle Steele blush. It's full of sex and seduction. It has dead ends and new beginnings. It deals with grief and explores commitment. It's the story of Ruth. It takes place during the period of Judges. You can read it in about 15 minutes. But before you dig in let me glean a lesson or two about life that is worth taking with you. The Book of Ruth teaches us that: I. LIFE IS FILLED WITH DETOURS DETOUR AHEAD—don't you hate that sign when you are traveling somewhere? They' ...

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