Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 2276 to 2300 of 4963 results

2276. Faith and Fear

1 Peter 1:13-2:3

Bulletin Aid

... you have confidence in God! People: Through Him we have faith and hope! Collect God of majesty, you have ransomed us from sin in Christ Jesus. Let us not now be conformed to this world: that, aware of the darkness and evil that still surround us, we may remain mindful of their power and resistant to their influence until your Reign comes in its glory. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession God of mercy, we confess that we often live with a false sense of confidence as a result of our faith; that ...

2277. Easter 5

John 14:1-4

Bulletin Aid

... FIRM-FOOTING, HOWEVER TROUBLESOME OUR PATHS! Collect God of every moment, you have guaranteed your Church the ongoing presence of the Christ through the power of your Spirit. Sensitize us to the movements of this Comfortor: that, invigorated by its energy, we may become and remain the Body of the Christ at work in the world. Amen Prayer of Confession God of the eternal now, we confess that we often find a misplaced comfort in the remoteness of the Christ, and use his apparent absence from this earth and the ...

2278. Easter 6

Acts 17:16-34

Bulletin Aid

... to Worship (based on Psalm 66) Leader: Let all the earth make a joyful noise unto God! People: LET ALL THE WORLD SING THE GLORY OF GOD'S NAME! Leader: For great is God's power! People: AND WONDROUS ARE GOD'S DEEDS! Collect Most exalted God, you have not remained aloof but drawn close to us in the person of Jesus. Make your presence felt as well in the power of your Holy Spirit: that, feeling you near, we may be both comforted and coaxed to do your will. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen Prayer of ...

2279. Proper 6

Romans 5:1-11

Bulletin Aid

... IS WITH US; THE GOD OF JACOB IS OUR REFUGE! Collect Most holy One, you reconciled us to yourself through Jesus while we were yet sinners. Deal with us graciously now and forever: that, despite our faults and failings, we by your grace may be and remain children of yours and brothers and sisters of the Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession God of mercy, we confess our utter sinfulness, which resides beneath our many wicked acts within our very natures as a part of our human condition; we ...

2280. Proper 10

Exodus 2:11-25

Bulletin Aid

... KNOWS OUR HEARTS AND FREES OUR SPIRITS! Collect Holy God, you have time and again taken rootless people with no identity and made them effective servants of you and your will. Do likewise with us: that, despite our faults and limitations, we may become and remain instruments of your grace. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession God of boundless love, we confess that we use our humble stations in life and our limited talents as excuses to avoid serving you. We ignore your call and watch and wait ...

2281. The Unassailable Power of God's Love

Romans 8:28-39

Bulletin Aid

... face its challenges and catastrophes, its troubles and trials, and its hardships and horrors with only our own limited strength to see us through. Forgive us, we pray, and convince us again of the unassailable power of your love, which alone can face even the threat of death. Be and remain our ally in all of the struggles of life, and make us victors at last after the example of the Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen

2282. Proper 21

Mt 21:23-32 · Php 1:1-3 · Ex 17:1-7

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... : Matthew 21:28-32 Theme: Religiousness that resists grace Exegetical note RSV and NEB give two very different versions of this passage, reversing, in effect, the sons' responses and, accordingly, changing the crowd's reply to Jesus' question. The point, however, remains the same: outcasts are far more ready to accept God's coming Reign than are the overtly religious, ostensibly because the latter's self-righteousness prevents them from responding to God's graciousness. Call to Worship (based on Psalm 99 ...

2283. Proper 27

Matthew 25:1-13

Bulletin Aid

... is not yet finished! People: THE REIGN OF GOD IS NOT YET ESTABLISHED! Collect Holy God, your scriptures give us hope for the coming of both your Reign and the Christ. Guide us now in the meantime: that, inspired by these future prospects, we may remain prepared for their arrival and preoccupied with our task to realize their glories in our own ministries. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Heavenly God, we confess that we often let the prospects of the dawn of your Reign and of the arrival ...

2284. Proper 28

1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11

Bulletin Aid

... at hand, and to engage in speculation about "the times and the seasons." In response, Paul reminds them of the words of Jesus about that day coming "like a thief in the night," an image that he uses to contrast them as "day people," who should remain wakeful and sober, and who should - instead of engaging in idle speculation - give each other moral support. Call to Worship Leader: Let the household of faith be glad! People: LET THE PEOPLE OF GOD REJOICE! Leader: For God's coming Reign is at hand! People ...

2285. Advent 1

Matthew 24:36-51

Sermon Aid

... ." Response to the Assurance of Pardon: "You are the Lord, Giver of Mercy" Response to the Proclamation: "Praise Ye the Lord of Hosts" Offertory: "In Dulci Jubilo" Doxology: "Praise God from whom all Blessings Flow" Music for Dismissal: Medley of Advent hymns (occasionally, ask the people to remain throughout the postlude) IV. Bulletin Cover and Symbols V. Lighting of the Advent Candle VI. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments): Ushers Banners Posters Candlelighters Flowers Greeters Hosts/Hostesses Name-tags

2286. Baptism of Our Lord

Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon Aid

... ," before they place their money in the offering plate. Remind them that their money represents their response to their baptism. Charge to the Congregation Consider this: We receive the kingdom as if it all depended on God, as if it cost us nothing. We remain in the kingdom, as if it all depended on us, as if it cost us everything. The kingdom has no cheap accommodations. The kingdom does have free accommodations - as we discovered when baptized in the name of the parent, child, and Spirit. Planning for ...

2287. Epiphany 2

John 1:29-34

Sermon Aid

... it." Jesus is always asking us to give our lives away - for the right reasons/causes. God's grace disturbs us, pushes us to change - to get out of the slavery of Egypt into the uncertainty of the Exodus, to select priorities which have eternal value, to remain dissatisfied with the status-quo. The person who loses his/her life for Christ's sake and the gospel's will find it - in the name of God the Creator, Liberator, Sustainer. Planning for Your Congregation I. Other Scriptures Psalm 40:1-12 Isaiah 49:1-7 ...

2288. Epiphany 8

Matthew 5:21-26, Matthew 5:27-30, Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 5:33-37, Matthew 5:38-42, Matthew 5:43-48

Sermon Aid

... : "Chamconne" Response for the New Testament Reading: Choir "The Prayers I Make" Offertory: "Whither Shall I Flee" Following Benediction: "Jubilate Chorus"; "Now on Land and Sea Descending" Music for Dismissal: Medley of Epiphany Hymns (Invite the congregation to remain and to listen to the Epiphany Hymns, as a way to solidify and to conclude this season.) IV. Bulletin Cover and Symbols V. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments): Ushers Banners Posters Candlelighters Flowers Greeters Hosts/Hostesses Name-tags

2289. Getting Off Of The Mountain

Matthew 17:1-13

Bulletin Aid

... as we wash the dishes, as we help someone across the street, as we select decent reading material, as we visit a lonely person, as we meet our daily responsibilities. A hymn for the Transfiguration puts it this way: "'Tis good, Lord, to be here. Yet, we may not remain. And since thou bidst us leave the mount, come with us to the plain." Consider one, or several, of the following hymns: "O God of Light, Your Word, a Lamp Unfailing" "O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright" "Be Thou My Vision" "We Thank Thee Lord ...

2290. Lent 4

John 9:1-12

Sermon Aid

... a question of being served; it is a question of whom shall we serve, ourselves or others? You may want to print this prayer for the Christian saints to pray together, either verbally or silently: Almighty God, who loves us as we are, so that no one of us need remain as we are, we praise you for the gift of life. It's good to be alive! We know that we are infinitely loved in spite of what we have been or said. We feel love and acceptance for ourselves; we know that we are to love as we have ...

2291. Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-11

Sermon Aid

... penalty for perjury is heavy ... I ask you once again, did you know Jesus of Nazareth? Answer: All right, yes, I did. Question: In fact, you knew him intimately, is that not correct? Answer: Yes, although now I'm not so sure. Question: But the fact remains you knew him. Answer: Yes. Question: Were you his follower? Answer: Yes. Question: So you were with him in Jerusalem when he died? Answer: No! I had nothing to do with it! Question: So you knew he was crucified. (Objection!) Answer: Yes. Question: How did ...

2292. Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17

Bulletin Aid

... the congregation to walk slowly toward the cross during the singing of the hymn.) II. Meditation: Jesus is nailed to the cross. (Silence, while someone pounds nails into a board.) III. Meditation: Jesus dies on the cross. Hymn: "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" (Remain seated.) (Based on medieval Latin poem Paul Gerhardt, 1656 Trans. by James W. Alexander, 1803) IV. Meditation: Jesus is laid in the tomb. Organ only: "By the Babylonian Rivers" (Hymn for those in captivity) Based on Psalm 137:1-4 Charge to the ...

2293. Proper 4

Matthew 7:15-23

Sermon Aid

... and Ye Shall Find" "Jesus Shall Reign" III. Other Music Possibilities Music for Preparation: "Chaconne" Response to the Prayer of Pardon: Adult Choir "My Soul Doth Rejoice" Offertory: "Benedictus" Music for Dismissal: Medley of Dedication Hymns (You may want to ask the congregation to remain and to read the words as the organist or pianist plays the music.) IV. Bulletin Cover and Symbols V. Miscellaneous Details (Assignments): Ushers Banners Greeters Posters Candlelighters Flowers Hosts/Hostess Name-tags

2294. Proper 6

Matthew 9:35-38

Sermon Aid

... and Receiving New Life Suggestion: Introduce the confession with these words, to confess our sins means "to cut them out." Be aware of which sins you are willing to cut out in the following prayer: "Almighty God, who loves us as we are, so that not one of us need remain as he/she is, we praise you for the gift of life. It's good to be alive. We know that we are loved infinitely in spite of what we have been or said. That we are to love as we have been loved. You have granted us your own ...

2295. Proper 9

Matthew 11:25-30

Sermon Aid

... of the soul." (source unknown) Stewardship Thought One pastor used this quote from an unknown source: "People are funny [strange]. They spend money they don't have, to buy things they don't need, to impress people they don't like." No wonder we remain weary, rather than restful. Charge to the Congregation Suggestion: Martin Luther recommended saying to the devil, "Leave me alone; I'm baptized." What would happen in our lives this week if that became our motto. Would God break through and reveal some new ...

2296. Proper 23

Matthew 22:1-14

Sermon Aid

... Now, during a period of extended silence, ask the people to think about, pray about, those "harmless" things which get in the way of obedience to Christ. Introduce the Act of Pardon with words similar to these: if you knew that you had only sixty seconds of life remaining, what would you say to the person next to you, or to the person most important to you?" Give people an opportunity to do so if they choose. If they choose not to speak, ask them to enact this response when they go home, through a letter or ...

2297. A Glory Revealed in Liberty

John 8:31-41

Sermon

... ."8 In Jesus, God provided for us all a new Exodus, a way to enter the promised liberty his death and resurrection have won for us. And only Jesus could have done this. Only he has the authority, and the right to do it. He said, "The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does. If the Son sets you free, you will be really free." We’re dealing with not just "any old body" when we relate to Jesus. He is the Son of God, the Lord and co-creator of all things. As the Son, he ...

2298. A Glory Revealed as Eternal Life

John 5:16-30

Sermon

... that he provided a way for us to pass from the tyranny of Death to the Kingdom of Life, the rule of God’s own beloved Son. John said of Jesus, "In him was life and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4). Jesus was and remains full of life. All that he did or said brought life: His touch healed; his word of forgiveness brought liberation, his prayers brought the dead back to life; his teachings enlightened sin-benighted minds; all his dealings with others was an expression of love. Even his rebukes were ...

2299. Three Secrets of A Life Well Lived

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Sermon

Brett Blair

... faith. It is easy to lose your faith in the bad times, but it is just as easy to lose faith in the good times. In bad times you feel deserted, in good times you feel as if you don’t need God. So the bottom line is: have we remained constant through the good and the bad, feast and famine In the 60’s, the phrase “keep the faith” became somewhat of a period cliche. Those words must mean more to us than a motto. They go to the very heart of our belief in the one who created us ...

2300. The Most Beautiful Sacrifice

Mark 14:1-11

Drama

... his head. The nard oil ran down his hair and through his beard and onto his shoulders and robe. With the first drops, the entire room was filled with the aroma! How magnificent it was. It turned a lot of heads, I’ll tell you! Jesus remained still and silent. But how people gasped and stared, and buzzed and bickered ... A MAN IN THE CONGREGATION: (Stands up and interrupts her description with a loud complaint) You know very well why they were shocked, too! You are talking about incredible waste here: 300 ...

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