Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: punish, blame, condemn, hold to

Showing 1 to 25 of 40 results

Ezekiel 33:1-20, Psalm 119:1-176, Psalm 95:1-11, Psalm 115:1-18, Exodus 19:1-25, Romans 13:1-7, Romans 13:8-14, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 18:15-20

Bulletin Aid

... time, the efforts of the persons who are making the apparently unfounded charges against the trio. One of the rumors has it that drugs are hidden in new cars when they are delivered, handed over to the attorney, who passes them on, while the judge covers up the entire operation when anyone gets caught by the law-enforcement agencies. The awful thing about the accusations is that they seem to be totally unfounded, but there will have to be some kind of a legal investigation before the gossip and rumors will ...

2. God's Discrimination

Matthew 13:36-43, Matthew 13:24-30

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

... weaknesses and you are aware of every evil thought and act. Yet, you love us and you are patient with us. We jump at opportunities to focus upon the weakness and the evil deeds of others. We are slow to admit our own problems in these areas. We want to cover up. We want to hide from you. Keep us honest, Lord. May we reward your patience with our sincere desire to live life your way. Amen.

3. Contradiction

2 Samuel 11:1-27

Bulletin Aid

Dallas A. Brauninger

... the choice to improve the way we live. For the sake of Christ. Amen. Prayer of Confession We are filled with contradictions, God. We are less scrupulous than we could be. We put personal matters before work. We scheme at the expense of others and ourselves to cover up our flaws and improprieties. Forgive our unwise ways. Help us to live honorable lives. For the sake of Jesus. Amen. Hymns "He Who Would Valiant Be" "Dear God, Embracing Humankind" "Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind" "What Does The Lord Require"

4. Proper 12

2 Samuel 11:1-27, Psalm 14:1-7, John 6:1-21, Ephesians 3:14-21

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

READINGS Psalter—Psalm 14 First Lesson—King David arranges the death of the husband in the attempt to cover up his adulterous affair with the wife, Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 11:1-15 Second Lesson—Paul concludes a prayer for his readers with a gloria. Ephesians 3:14-21 Gospel—A miraculous feeding of a multitude and Jesus walk on water amaze those who are there. John 6:1-21 CALL ...

5. Third Sunday of Easter

Luke 24:36b-48

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Greeting Leader: "Peace be with you." Congregation: And also with you. Leader: After the resurrection, some of Jesus' first words to his friends were, "Peace be with you." Congregation: We come seeking your peace, blessed Jesus. Your peace is not like the world's, the peace you offer, Lord, cannot be shaken by this world's terrors. Fill us with this peace that defeats even death. Prayer for Illumination God of the Holy Scriptures, we see Jesus' example.When tempted in the wilderness, Jesus resisted by ...

6. Hearing the Difficult News

Mark 9:30-37

Bulletin Aid

Robert D. Ingram

Greeting (Call a child to the front of the sanctuary. One of the ornery ones with a reputation for upsetting adults would be best. [It would also be a good idea to speak to the child and his or her parents before the service so that their cooperation is gained.] Then say the following words.) Leader 1: Jesus said, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." Leader 2: That all we adults, gathered for something as important as ...

7. Lent 1

Luke 4:16-30 · Psalm 103:1-13

Bulletin Aid

Jack Brownlee

ORDER OF SERVICE Opening Words L: Let us worship our Creator, the God of Love. P: God continually preserves and sustains us. L: We have been forgiven with complete understanding. P: Through Jesus Christ we have received the full love of God. Hymn "How Firm A Foundation" Prayer Of Confession (Unison) Forgive my sin and cover my transgression, O Lord. I acknowledge my sin and pray unto thee in a time when thou may be found. Thou art my hiding place, O God. I seek preservation in thy word. Encompass me with ...

8. Advent 2

Isaiah 11:1-16, Matthew 3:1-12, Romans 14:1--15:13

Bulletin Aid

John R. Brokhoff

COMMENTARY Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-10 Isaiah describes the character and work of the promised Messiah, the son of David. Here Judah is given the promise of a Davidic king-messiah who is the basis for hope for the future. The king-messiah possesses the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit. Accordingly, he has a government characterized by justice and righteousness. His only weapon is word of mouth. As a result of his righteous reign, all of nature is at peace. Verse 10, a later addition, applies the foregoing ...

9. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Bulletin Aid

Robert G. McCreight

The Order Of Worship We approach the worship of God this evening with a hushed awareness of Christ's presence in our midst. God again breaks through the calm and darkness to reveal himself to us in the stillness of our hearts. Let the praises of your heart and the songs of your voice be "joyful yet restrained" that we might be sensitive to the quiet indwelling of his Spirit. Organ And Piano Prelude: "And He Shall Feed His Flock"Handel Introit: "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"The Chancel Choir The Call ...

10. We Come to Jesus for Rest

Mark 6:30-44

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

In the first days, people came to Jesus for rest, to hear his teaching, and to be healed. We still do this today, because Jesus is still the greatest of all teachers and healers. Greeting Leader: Jesus said to his disciples, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile." People: Jesus, we also need your rest. Leader: Jesus saw the crowds were like sheep without a shepherd, so he began to teach them many things. People: Jesus, be our shepherd and teach us. Leader: Wherever Jesus went ...

11. Proper 24

Job 38:1--41:34, Psalm 104:1-35, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, Mark 10:35-45

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

CALL TO WORSHIP Set your love on God who answers when you call for help in the time of trouble. Enjoy the fullness of salvation by the Most High. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of all life, we confess that we desire your will for us to be pleasure and prosperity. We have great difficulty accepting suffering as anything but evil, and we reject it as if it were beyond your power to redeem. Forgive our doubts and our unwillingness to serve you and others to the point of pain. In this we are unlike your Son and Mary ...

12. Prayers for the Sundays After Easter

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

Our Creator, how we enjoy the arrival of spring. Lush green grass rises in our lawns decorating our streets with home to home carpeting. Bird songs, silent in winter, now fill the air with enchanting melodies. The brown loam of our gardens and fields warms in preparation for the coming seeds and plants. The brilliant colors of jonquils, tulips, and hyacinths edge our flower beds and ring our trees. Who are we that you lavish upon us such splendor? The air warms as the sun dispatches the winds of winter. ...

13. Seder Service: The Passover Haggadah

Bulletin Aid

Robert L. Linder and Rabbi Sol Ester

The Passover "A program of fellowship for adults and/or youth in Christian congregations desiring a better understanding of the heritage and the meaning of the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion." This work was inspired and initially written by Rev. Robert L. Linder while pastor of First English Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio. He was assisted by Jewish leaders of the community. It has since been revised by others, including Rabbi Sol Oster of Lima, Ohio. BLESSING OF THE FESTIVAL CANDLES Before ...

14. Christ the King

John 18:28-40

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Greeting Ldr: Pilate had Jesus brought before him to ask if Jesus were the king of the Jews. Cng: Jesus, we have come before you to affirm your authority over our lives. Ldr: Jesus proclaimed that his kingship was not from this world. Cng: Jesus, bring your kingdom into our world, and let it come soon. Prayer Our Father, each time we receive your holy communion, a new surge of Jesus' royal blood courses through our souls. Jesus' kingdom may not be from this world, but we certainly feel the influence of his ...

15. The Resurrection of Our Lord

Isaiah 25:1-12, John 20:1-9, John 20:10-18, Mark 16:1-20, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

First Lesson: Isaiah 25:6-9 Theme: From a shroud springs salvation Exegetical Note This eschatological passage envisions a great, sumptuous, universal feast to be given by God (on a mountain) in conjunction with the divine destruction and "swallowing" of the "covering" or "veil" of death and the tears and reproach that death brings. Verse 9 conveys the joy of a people who have waited a long time for this salvation, and are ready to celebrate. Call to Worship Leader: Arise! Shine! Give God glory for the ...

16. Lent 2

Luke 13:31-35, Psalm 27:1-14

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

CALL TO WORSHIP Come seek God's face...Wait for the Lord... Take courage... Be strong. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Creating Spirit, hear our confession. We are often forgetful of who we are and in whose likeness we are created. We regret the imbalance in our lives that too often allows our appetites to run away with us, so that we seem to live for eating and drinking and love-making. Our minds are too busy with plans to get ahead and satisfy bodily desires to the exclusion of the refreshment of the spirit, the ...

17. Maundy Thursday Service

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Bulletin Aid

Howard Eshbaugh

Call to Worship Leader: Praise the Lord, all nations. People: Christ died for our sins. Leader: Extol him, all peoples. People: Christ was buried but was raised from the dead. Leader: For great is his steadfast love toward us. People: In love God gave his Son. Leader: The faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. People: God's faithfulness has been shown to us In Christ. All: Praise the Lord. Prayer (unison) Father God, we come together on this night to remember Jesus' celebration of the passover with his ...

18. Ascension Day

Luke 24:44-53

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Greeting Leader: Jesus opens minds. Congregation: Open our minds to resurrection-thinking, O Lord. Leader: Jesus blesses believers. Congregation: Bless our witness with ascension-living, O Lord. Prayer Father, like the first disciples, our understanding is in part and too shallow to sustain us. Our strength fails, and our witness falls silent. Jesus said he would send what you promised. Let it be so. Clothe us with power from on high. Open our minds to understanding, and empower us to be your witnesses, ...

19. Second Sunday after the Epiphany

John 1:43-51

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Greeting Leader: We have found the Savior! The one expected and foretold by the Old Testament is Jesus, son of Joseph from Nazareth. Come and see. Congregation: Lord, people have wondered whether anything good can come out of such a place. Leader: Jesus knows your hearts. Come and see. Congregation: I need for someone to know me, from my outward behavior to the depths of my soul. Leader: Jesus knows every moment of your life, and can lead you into an amazing future. Come and see. Congregation: Almighty God ...

20. Holy Thursday / Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

Greeting: Ldr: The glory of Jesus is seen as he gives himself on the cross. Cng: And the glory of God is seen in the glory of God's gift to humankind. Ldr: "Little children," Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another." Cng: Just as Jesus has loved us, we also should love one another. Ldr: By this everyone will know that you are Jesus' disciples. Cng: Glorious God, let the love of Jesus be our gift to others. This will be our glory. Add this line to the beginning of the hymn, "Let ...

21. Fourth Sunday In Advent - Joy!

Luke 1:46-56, Luke 1:39-45

Bulletin Aid

David M. Oliver

Introduction to this Service On this fourth Sunday of Advent, joy is theme of the service. Everyone is asked to bring a joyful spirit and a willingness to sing to the Lord. Not everyone feels what we commonly associate with joy. The holidays are difficult for some people. A meaning of joy that does not rely on pleasant circumstances is explored in this message. People may wonder what joy is, true joy, godly joy. We get a sense of the meaning of joy by hearing some contrasts. True joy is oftentimes quiet ...

22. Epiphany 5

Isaiah 40:1-31, Psalm 147:1-20, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Mark 1:29-34

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

CALL TO WORSHIP O praise the Lord. How good it is to sing psalms to our God! How pleasant to praise him! PRAYER OF CONFESSION God unlimited, God self-limited, God extending our limits, surely you do not expect us to accept suffering without complaint! We are frustrated with illnesses that rage on, keeping us from doing the things that bring us satisfaction and recognition. Long nights and months of futility seem such a waste to us. Too often we question why it should happen to us, thinking ourselves to be ...

23. Just The Way It Is

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship One: Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. All: The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. Women: He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. Men: He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. One: Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. All: The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground. Right ...

24. Contentment in Christ

1 Timothy 6:11-21, 1 Timothy 6:3-10

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call to Worship Leader: Let us lift up our praise for the wonderful blessings of the Lord! People: But many among the faithful are not rich nor do they have nice clothes. Leader: Yet if we have food and cover for this day, we have what is needed. People: But the standards of the world and our hearts are greater than this. Leader: The world does not hold eternity, and Christ had not even a place to stay. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect Almighty and loving God, in Christ You showed us that ...

25. Christmas 1

Isaiah 61:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-12, Galatians 3:26--4:7, Luke 2:21-40

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

First Lesson: Isaiah 61:10--62:3 Theme: A holy family, a wholesome future Exegetical Note The first part of this poetic text contains two loosely related metaphors, wedding and germination, which celebrate Jerusalem’s present and future salvation. Taken together, the two images suggest fertility and the promise inherent in a truly nurturing environment. Call to Worship Leader: Good Christian people, rejoice in God, and let the world know no end to our celebration! People: FOR, IN THE PERSON OF A CHILD, GOD ...

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