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 2451 to 2475 of 4962 results

2451. Be Prudent or Productive?

Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... the resurrection business. In the parable of the “talents” given to the three servants, the master anticipates a “return” on that which he “invests” with his three servants. The master expects these servants to risk what he has given them in the hope that they will be able to increase its value, add to its numbers. The master advocates risky behavior, and rejects the “safe” approach that is offered by the third servant. America considers itself the kingpin of capitalism. Our economy is built ...

2452. Prophesy Your Way Forward

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... Year. Epiphany Sunday should be about new expectation. New possibilities. New promises. The “magi” in Matthew’s gospel perfectly embody the hopes and dreams of a truly “new” year. They strike out on a new path, to new lands, with no defined ... few pounds, a year when we will definitely have to pay our taxes. But how will we prophesy our way forward into 2012? What do we hope for in 2012? What does your soul crave for this coming year? Will you do anything about it? Will you throw your hat over the ...

2453. The Messiah Is Back!

Illustration

Thomas Long

... seeing nothing, go back to work. And so, weary of waiting on a God who does not come, we lower our horizons, fold our hands in prayer to more tangible gods to give us purpose, and turn to more immediate and reliable resources for hope. We build shiny sanctuaries of glass and steel where we can celebrate "possibility thinking" and the other human potentials, which we hope will save us from our self-doubt, if not our sins. We fill the silos and the skies with ever more potent weapons of destruction, which we ...

2454. After the Parade

Mark 11:1-11

Sermon

King Duncan

... the long-awaited Messiah. They had heard amazing stories about this man about his feeding thousands of people with two fish and five small loaves, about his ability to heal, and even about his raising of Lazarus from the dead. Could this be, they wondered hopefully, the One they had long been awaiting? “Here he comes,” those at the front exclaimed as the procession drew near. Those at the back jostled for a better look. They stretched as high as they could on tiptoe and held up small children that they ...

2455. Fire! Fire!

John 1:(1-9) 10-18

Sermon

Cynthia Cowen

... this new king. Herod instructed his visitors from the east, “Search the city and then send word to back to me, for I, too, desire to go and worship him” (Matthew 2:8 cf). Herod had no intention of worshiping this child. By using a lie, Herod hoped to trick the magi into returning to him. Then he could proceed with plans to rid himself of this threat. The magi continued their journey to the obscure town of Bethlehem, about five miles outside of Jerusalem, still using the star’s light to guide them ...

2456. Risk Takers

Luke 6:17-26

Sermon

Cynthia Cowen

... of his own making. He looked to his wealth for blessing, never to God. "Blessed are the poor," Jesus says. Jesus did not exalt poverty, but made it clear that those who are poor would ultimately be blessed because they could count on Jesus. They know that their hope and trust can't come from the world, so they look to God for help. When we look to God for help, we will be blessed. Whether rich or poor, we are to rely only on God. When wealth, power, prestige, and position reflect our own self-importance ...

2457. The Tower of Siloam

Luke 13:1-9

Sermon

Frank Ramirez

... to condemn others. It does not bend to the whims of current events. As a matter of fact, it is not arrogant or rude. It is not jealous or boastful. It does not rejoice in the wrong but rejoices in the right. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. It's a lot like love in this regard. In addition to our longing for our human needs, there is a longing for justice with regard to the crimes, which have been committed that mirrors the biblical call for that same ...

2458. Quitters

John 6:60-71

Sermon

King Duncan

... in the first place. Others, I suspect, got distracted by crickets. But for the rest of us, those committed to follow Christ until the end, we can’t imagine anything else. We have found in Jesus Christ everything we will ever need. We have found healing and hope and happiness in him that we never could have found any other place. When the crowd had gone away and Jesus was left with the original twelve who had followed him since the early days in Galilee, Jesus turned to them and asked, “You do not want ...

2459. Ready Or Not, Here He Comes!

Luke 3:7-18

Sermon

David E. Leininger

... people; if it does not, your religion is not worth the dead grass that is burned up in a prairie fire. God is interested in your fruits, not your roots! For those who were serious about leading lives that would please God, what John had to say offered hope. His suggestions were not beyond the reach of anyone. Perhaps that is why he made such a profound impression on the crowds. Could John be the Messiah, the anointed one? The one who would lead the chosen people back to the greatness of King David's day? No ...

2460. Epiphany 4

Psalm 71:1-6, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Luke 4:21-30, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... this planet home; brush governments and citizens with the colors of civility and respect. Bring an end to the ugliness of war and terror. Bring young and old, gay and straight, black and white, male and female, rich and poor under a rainbow of bright hope for justice and “enough” for all creatures. Architect of the Cosmos — be clear with us in synchronicity and in happenstance so we may participate in caring for the land and sky; the water and air all around this globe. Open our eyes to the Christ ...

2461. Lent 4

Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32:1-11, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... and around us. People: We revel in the signs of spring, knowing that God is still creating! We delight in this place of beauty and in the company of friends. Leader: This day, like all days, is holy. People: We praise God for freedoms, for pardon, and for hope that tomorrow is in God’s hands and that we are being guided through time to eternity with Divinity. Leader: The scriptures say that God will teach us the way to go, and we are warned not to be stubborn or cynical. People: We receive Divine guidance ...

2462. Maundy Thursday

Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, John 13:1-17, 31b-35, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... . What do you say to God? What does God say to you? Hold God’s words in your memory. Enjoy the Holy Presence with you. When you’re ready, come to this place. Congregational Song This Is The Day The Lord Has Made Benediction Sing Canto de Experanza: Song of Hope (in English and in Spanish) (Make a circle, each person placing her/his right hand palm down in the neighbor’s left hand palm-up — makes a complete energy circuit.) May the God of ...

2463. Proper 9

2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30:1-12; 66:1-20, Isaiah 60:10-14, Luke 10:1-24, Galatians 6:1-16

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... health care, to wholesome food, and to dynamic relationships. We pray for ourselves as we hear the stories of Jesus, we know that we want to be on your side, one with you in our living and in our dying. Reach each of us and others with healing and hope. Where there is injury, let there be new skin and bone. Where there is pain and distress, let there be comfort and peace. Where there is fear, soothe the psyche. Where guns and knives and accidents have abused the body, work a miracle of love and grace. Where ...

2464. Proper 11

Genesis 18:1-10a, Psalm 15:1-5; 52:1-9, Amos 8:1-12, Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... our thoughts and our voices, we turn our attention to your presence. Amen. Call To Confession In Jesus the Christ, we see how to be in relationship with God. In Jesus we see how to be in relationship with one another. In the teachings of Jesus, we find hope for a society that values peace. Pray with me the printed prayer and then have your personal conversation with the Holy One. Community Confession We do know that deep within us is an urge to be connected to what is eternal. In this very moment, we want ...

2465. Proper 16

Psalm 71:1-6, Isaiah 58:9b-14, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Luke 13:10-17, Hebrews 12:18-29

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... morning! Welcome to this place where our souls can rest and praise God. People: We are thankful for life and we are seeking security and happiness. Leader: We have called to God many times and the Holy One has sustained us and restored us to hopefulness. People: We are standing straight and tall! With our minds and bodies, we thank God for divine goodness among us! Prayer Of Thanksgiving God of the Straight-Standers and the Bent-Overs — thank you for your constant presence caring for us no matter what our ...

2466. Proper 20

Psalm 79:1-9, Jeremiah 8:18--9:1, Luke 16:1-15, 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... presence. Hospitable God — this global village needs some “stone soup” — nourishing body and soul food served with conversation and hope. We hold before you the regions of this planet where famine and greed deny the necessities of life to people ... both hemispheres in all countries. Let the moon rise tonight giving light to dark minds; let the sun rise tomorrow and give new hope to those in need. Amen. Benediction As you leave here — Keep in mind the tranquility of this place; Hold in your mind the ...

2467. Open the Window, Aunt Minnie, Here It Comes!

Jeremiah 33:1-26

Sermon

King Duncan

... the Christ child, cries in joy, “For such a king I’ve been waiting all my life.” You and I have been waiting all our lives for such a king as well, even if we aren’t always aware of it. It is an exciting time of the year. I hope you will use the Advent season as an opportunity to invite a friend to worship with you. The most powerful form of advertising any church can do is word of mouth. When people are excited about their faith, they spread that excitement to others. Are you excited? Do you have ...

2468. Made for Joy

Philippians 4:2-9

Sermon

King Duncan

... . Of course, you know his name‑‑Christopher Columbus. Just when things looked their worst, something happened which changed despair to hope. (6) The first thing that the angel said to the shepherds was, “Fear not.” The second thing the angel said ... this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11) Here is the reason we have light and hope during December’s darkness. Here is how we can have internal joy in the midst of external despair. A Savior has been born. Do you ...

2469. Proper 26

Psalm 119:137-144, Isaiah 1:10-18, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Luke 19:1-10, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... and lifts us from trouble. We honor God with our living as expression of our gratitude! Prayer Of Thanksgiving Living God — thank you for guiding us day by day. We sing and dance our gratitude. In this hour, speak to us again so we may hear your hopes for our lives; speak again so we can answer you with gracious attitudes and hospitable habits. We are alert for your loving guidance. Amen. Call To Confession Most of us want something to be different so we can be happy. Not many of us are conscious moment ...

2470. Proper 27

Job 19:23-27a, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21, Haggai 1:15b–2:9, Luke 20:27-40, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... know that there is only a double-digit count until Christmas Day. People: It’s true — the days come and go; the years pass quickly. Holidays take flight almost before the sun goes down. Leader: All the while, we say our prayers and sing our songs; we hope for better tomorrows and restful nights. People: The year is coming to an end. Another calendar will lead us to Epiphany, Lent, and Easter. Leader: Each week we come here to recall where we’ve been and who we are; each Sunday we rest from the culture ...

2471. Proper 28

Psalm 98:1-9, Isaiah 12:1-6; 65:17-25, Luke 21:5-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... in us until we see the attitudes and hesitations that block your creativity in us. Satisfy our hearts with abundant gifts of Spirit; free us from guilt and shame. Satisfy our minds with fresh insights from the life of Jesus. Flow through our bodies as hope and justice for our world. Amen. Sermon Idea Isaiah, centuries before Jesus, looked forward to forgetting about the horrors of his nation’s past trauma in the violence of war and exile. He dreamed of Jerusalem, God’s city, being free and full of happy ...

2472. Finding Redemption in the Midst of Judgment

Malachi 2:17--3:5

Sermon

Derl G. Keefer

... the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Redemption Comes In The Midst Of Worship (Malachi 3:1) Worship is the acknowledgment of my deepest heart need. The psalmist wrote, “My heart says to you ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek” (Psalm 27:8 NIV). I long for him. I hope for him. I seek for him. The inner part of my life craves to be filled with the Spirit of God. That’s the essence of worship! To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to ...

2473. The Hidden Gifts of Christ

Ephesians 1:1-14

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... by Jesus’ sacrifice, we, as with our adoption as God’s children, have a responsibility to repay. We must live as those who are ransomed; we must live in hope. Too often today, especially with the seemingly never-ending troubles, obstacles, and difficulties, the temptation to lose hope is great. But, as they say, “Hope springs eternal.” Our status as redeemed people, ransomed at a great price, tells us that even in the darkest hour — personal health issues, financial collapse, divorce, or the death ...

2474. The Hidden Gifts of Christ

Ephesians 1:3-14

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... by Jesus' sacrifice, we, as with our adoption as God's children, have a responsibility to repay. We must live as those who are ransomed; we must live in hope. Too often today, especially with the seemingly never-ending troubles, obstacles, and difficulties, the temptation to lose hope is great. But, as they say, "Hope springs eternal." Our status as redeemed people, ransomed at a great price, tells us that even in the darkest hour — personal health issues, financial collapse, divorce, or the death ...

2475. Ambassadors of The Lord

Ephesians 3:1-13

Sermon

Richard Gribble

... at least on paper, much better than the other. The players were bigger and faster, the team had a better record, and they had supreme confidence. The coach of the underdogs, realizing that he did not have the players to beat the other team, believed his one hope was Calhoun, the fastest halfback in the area. Toward the end of the fourth quarter, the game was still close; the underdog team was only behind by four points. So the coach called a timeout and brought the team to the sidelines. He gave the players ...

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