Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: sophistication, experience, mundaneness, mundanity, savoir faire, urbanity, refinement, elegance

Antonyms: naivete, naivety, ingenuousness, naiveness, simplicity, otherworldliness, girlishness, family life

Showing 1 to 25 of 293 results

2 Peter 1:12-21

Bulletin Aid

... produce a living faith. People: With our own hearts, we have experienced our Savior's love and praise him for saving us! Collect Almighty God, who has revealed the glory of your Son to Christians of every generation: Open our hearts to the blessed experience of his glory and our lips to the saving message of his love; that his coming to earth so long ago may redeem lives even today. In his name we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession So often, Father, we stumble in darkness when you have given us the light ...

2. Moses Experiences The Glory Of The Lord

Exodus 24:1-18

Bulletin Aid

... presence, that we may be lifted up by the power of your Spirit to live faithful lives. We pray in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer of Confession We know about your glory, Father; but too often it is second-hand information instead of our own experience. Forgive us when we have stayed at the foot of the mountain when you would have lifted us up into your presence. Revive us with the wonder of your glory; that we may be inspired by your holiness, and challenged to deeper commitment. Hear us for Jesus ...

3. David And Israel Experience God's Favor

2 Samuel 5:6-16, 2 Samuel 5:1-5

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Let us give praise and honor to the Lord God Almighty! People: For God has been merciful to us and blessed us in many wonderful ways. Leader: God would have us be witnesses for all of the world to hear, People: Proclaiming God's mercy and power but not our own goodness or worth. Leader: Then let our hearts be joined this day in praise and worship of God. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, we are truly blessed by Your loving kindness toward us even when we have been ...

4. Paul's Experience

Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 150:1-6

Bulletin Aid

H. Burnham Kirkland

Call To Worship Leader: Praise God in his Temple! People: Praise his strength in heaven! Leader: Praise him for the mighty things he has done! People: Praise his supreme greatness! Leader: Praise the Lord, all living creatures! People: Praise the Lord! Collect God of all times and every age, we praise your holy name for the rich heritage which is ours. On this day especially we are mindful of those who have gone before us and laid the foundation for our faith and hope. We give you thanks for all that they ...

5. Prayers for the Sundays After Easter

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

... is when we need to dig deep into the nature of life to find there a wisdom and power that sustains even when the sun fails to shine, the beautiful flowers die on their stems, and our possessions are blown away. At last when we tally up all the experiences of our lives we become keenly aware of our dependence upon you -- and you do not fail us. It seems nearly impossible, but bright days and dark days are both occasions for the revealing of your love and truth. May your name be praised. We come to you in ...

6. Prayers for Epiphany

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

... homeless of the world and we are pained, for we don't know how to make our resources available to them. We see the battered, the scorned, the poor and we turn our heads, for we don't know how to address problems that exist outside the realm of our experience. It brings to defeat our desire to help our neighbor attain joy and the good life. Enable us to rely on you. In spite of the confusion and murkiness that permeates all facets of our lives, we choose to cling to you in faith. You are our hope for victory ...

7. Pentecost

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, John 14:8-17, (25-27), Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... and how we relate to Deity. Muslims say there are 99 names for God — like Wise One, the Good, the Merciful, the Compassionate, the Real Close, the First, the Last. Judaism and Christianity share these attributes of God. In the Pentecost story, one alphabet, one word, one experience of the Holy is expanded to be available in all languages among all people! As Yann Martel suggests in The Life of Pi, the Holy is too mysterious to be fit into any one name, any one word, any one animal; so there are many ways ...

8. Proper 6

2 Samuel 11:26--12:10, 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Psalm 5:1-8; 32:1-11, Luke 7:36--8:3, Galatians 2:15-21

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... our own times as in ages before us. Come to this world again so that peace has a chance. Let compassion be greater than greed, neighborliness greater than envy, benevolence greater than vengeance. Empower us with the central themes of Jesus until this world can experiment again with your reign throughout the global village. Guardian of Life — thank you for being like a parent to us. We are grateful for the men who have provided the DNA for our lives. Though some of them have abandoned us and mistreated us ...

9. Transfiguration

Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99:1-9, Luke 9:28-36, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... we long to be at rest with your contemporary Spirit! Heal our hurts; soothe our pain, comfort us in lonely hours. Help us and our children learn what is necessary to thrive in this world; integrate technology, expanding truth, and awareness of suffering into our experience with your grace. Help us look again at the teachings of Jesus and his choice to die. Give us insight for modern times and for our individual lives. Amen. Benediction Our time of sanctuary is ended. It’s time to go into our worlds with ...

10. Epiphany 8

1 Corinthians 4:1-21, Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 5:38-42, Leviticus 19:1-37

Bulletin Aid

... . Amen. Prayer of Confession We enjoy Christian fellowship, Father; but we are too biased as to whom we include in our fellowship. We become critical of some who call themselves Christians, who do not seem to be true to the faith according to our experience. Forgive us for our judgmental attitude toward them. Help us to fellowship in Christian love with them, leaving all judgment in the hands of Christ, through whom we pray. Amen. Hymns "Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation" "O Church of God, United" "O Day ...

11. First Sunday After Pentecost

Deuteronomy 4:32-40, 2 Corinthians 13:1-10, 2 Corinthians 13:11-14, Matthew 28:16-20

Bulletin Aid

... God reveals himself to us, that we may know he is with us. People: God redeems us from sin, that we may know he loves us. Pastor: God calls us to respond with faith and obedience, that he may know we trust him. People: We remember many wonderful experiences God has given us. We give ourselves in sincere devotion to his will. Collect Father in heaven, who created us in your image, and who redeems that image in us through your Son: Inspire us with your Holy Spirit to respond in obedience to your will that we ...

12. Proper 5

1 Kings 17:8-24, Psalm 30:1-12; 146:1-10, Luke 7:11-17, Galatians 1:11-24

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... our lives. We are glad for resources to pay our bills and sustain ministry in this place. Satisfy our longings and let our decisions manifest your vitality here at church home and in our city. Amen. Benediction Life is a journey to Mystery. Experiment with multiple names for God; Explore different ways to respond to the Holy Spirit. Laugh each day and unbuild the overwhelming towers of the world. Notice possibilities around each corner; Make dreams and cultivate a glad heart! Holy Spirit empowers you and me ...

13. Proper 7

1 Kings 19:1-15a, Psalm 42 and 43, Isaiah 65:1-9, Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... fatigues us so much that death seems appealing? Psalms speak of wishing to be dead and of feeling abandoned, alone, fearful. When do we get to that point? What do we do when we are wishing to be dead? What role does community play in our experience of aloneness and weariness? * rest and nutritious food as responses to a depressed affect * telling our story as the freed man in Luke did as a means of wholeness Contemporary Affirmation We know God, the Creator, by many names; we believe that God, the Holy One ...

14. 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

... we forget, help us to encourage each other. Amen. Intercessory Prayers God of Body and Mind — our awareness of you changes as the years go by. Our bodies change; our minds entertain strange ideas. We trust your continuing presence to guide us through the experiences that weigh heavy on our shoulders and through the events that give our days and nights meaning. We know the journey on this earth includes pain and suffering. Sustain us as our bodies ache and our minds forget; encourage us to play fairly and ...

15. Christmas Eve or Day

Isaiah 62:1-12, Titus 3:1-11, Luke 2:8-20

Bulletin Aid

... us through his Son. How wonderful God is! Collect Almighty God, whose Son left his glory in heaven to share your glory with us: Draw us to the manger today, not to worship a baby, but to say "yes" to our Savior; that we may bring pleasure to you, and experience the peace Christ came to bring. In his name we pray. Amen. Prayer of Confession Lord, we have often come to the manger to see the Christ Child. But so many times we have not seen the sign of our salvation clearly enough to accept it. Forgive us for ...

16. Proper 18

Exodus 19:1-25

Bulletin Aid

... Note Every aspect of this narrative points to the awesomeness of the presence of God. The people's distant encounter with the Almighty is startling enough, affecting almost every sense; yet, they were kept at the foot of the mountain, protected from the direct experience of God that ostensibly they would not have been able to bear. Only Moses and Aaron are given the privilege of hearing God directly and (subsequently) mediating God's word and will. Call to Worship Leader: Brothers and sisters, our God is in ...

17. Getting Off Of The Mountain

Matthew 17:1-13

Bulletin Aid

... life on the mountain. God has broken through our sin (alienation) to redeem us and reconcile us, so that we need not live our lives on the mountain. God brings us into a personal relationship with self, others, world, so that every experience becomes a creative experience. God rolls up his/her sleeves and enters into the daily regular events, not so much to change our regularity, but to change our attitude toward our regularity. God leaves us dissatisfied with things as they are, and satisfies by making the ...

18. Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2, 2 Corinthians 6:3-13, Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:19-24

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... OUR PRAISES AND PRAYERS, SONGS AND SERMONS MEAN NOTHING UNLESS THEY ARE DONE FOR GOD’S GLORY. Collect Almighty God, who taught us proper devotion through Christ, teach us this day how to feel and express heart-felt repentance; that we may experience at our very depths the gracious forgiveness and reconciliation that you have made available to us through your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession Most loving and understanding God, we acknowledge with remorse how often we have gone through ...

19. Proper 13

Psalm 107:1-9, 43, Hosea 11:1-11, Luke 12:13-21, Colossians 3:1-11

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... , and our findings. People: In music and words, in silence and in conversation, we thank God and one another for this opportunity to be real. Prayer Of Thanksgiving Energy of the Universe — however we spell your name, whatever we call you, however we experience your presence, we are grateful that you make your home among humankind. Thank you for the many ways you exhibit your caring for your creatures. We open our minds and bodies to your love, expecting to hear your affirmation and your guiding voice ...

20. Proper 14

Psalm 33:12-22, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Luke 12:32-40, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... whose understanding of the Bible was quite literal and their faith was not dependent upon logic or scientific data. As we learn more about how the intricate systems of the human body and the universe work, help us integrate what we learn with what we experience as Divine Presence. We imagine that to be made from clay means that sometimes we feel cracked and discarded. Mend our broken places; establish us among companions who are honest with us and who are willing to help carry our burdens. Sustain us when ...

21. Proper 22

Lamentations 1:1-6, Lamentations 3:19-26, Luke 17:1-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... believe God cares for the cosmos that has been created; we believe God cares about creatures and us. We know that Jesus of Nazareth incarnated divine wisdom as he lived and taught at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea 2,000 years ago. We experience the Holy Spirit coaxing us into relationship with the Holy One; we trust that the Spirit finds us when we are wandering among the culture’s idols seeking satisfying days and nights. As a community of faith, as friends, we encourage one another to listen ...

22. The Season Of Renewal

John 13:1-17

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... . 7. When all have received the elements, have the organist, pianist, or guitarist play quietly "There Is a Balm in Gilead." 8. Print these words in the bulletin, or on a large piece of paper: "We are here to discover the meaning of death, so that we, on Easter, will experience the joy of life. We will not experience resurrection, until we first experience crucifixion" (WHK). God's approach is this statement by Samuel Gordon, "The way from God to a human heart is through a human heart."

23. Prayer

Matthew 1:18-25

Bulletin Aid

Christmas is for children! The lights The trees The candy The joys Christmas is for children! The verses they learn The songs they sing The light in their eyes! But Christ is for adults! You have to have some experience Some maturity In life And in faith, To begin to understand God's action; Being born Living Dying As a human being Being raised in glory. It's too heavy for kids! Too involved Too confusing For them to see more than the surface. Yet they catch the joy And ...

24. Lent 5

Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:1-16, John 11:17-37, John 11:38-44, Romans 8:1-17

Bulletin Aid

... think that happens only after death. We have not considered the daily effect that sin has on us; and we are not nearly alive as we could be. Forgive us for dying through sin, and being satisfied without the wonderful life we could be living. Give us a resurrection experience now, that we may be lifted out of the power of sin and into the joy of your presence. We pray in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymns "I Need Thee Every Hour" "I Want a Principle Within" "Sing Them Over Again to Me" "We Are Climbing ...

25. Easter 4

1 Peter 2:13-25

Bulletin Aid

... modern readers: a slave who is beaten unjustly (either by the master or in the master's stead), and straying sheep. Yet, somehow these images are timeless, the former speaking to the human experience of the absurdity of life (and especially its unjust and untimely tragedies), and the latter add ressing the typical experience of alienation or estrangement. Call to Worship (based on Psalm 23) Leader: Our God is a protective shepherd! People: UNDER GOD'S CARE, WE ARE SAFE AND SECURE! Leader: Even when we walk ...

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