Sermon and Worship Resources

Antonyms: punish, blame, condemn, hold to

Showing 1 to 25 of 269 results

Galatians 5:1-15

Bulletin Aid

H. Burnham Kirkland

... the Holy Spirit to direct our lives. Leader: God has called us all to service. People: We pray for the Spirit to produce in us kindness and goodness, that we may be free to serve the needs of others. Collect Almighty God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, you have set us free. Give us this day a clear understanding that we were not set free for self-indulgence but for service. Take from our minds all thoughts of using our freedom to become masters through power, and instill in us a passion to use our freedom ...

2. Free from the Law to be Led by the Spirit

Galatians 5:1-15

Bulletin Aid

Carl Hoefler

... condemnation under the law. Pastor: Our freedom is not permission to be sinful. Instead, it is an experience of being led by the Spirit. People: We surrender ourselves in bondage to Christ, that we may know true freedom! Collect O Loving God: You have made us free persons in Christ, when the law would have condemned us in sin! Empower us by your Spirit to resist the desires of our human nature, that we may produce a life of love. We pray through Christ, our deliverer. Amen. Prayer of Confession Dear Lord ...

3. The Truth Sets Us Free

John 8:31-41

Bulletin Aid

H. Burnham Kirkland

... Christians in one mission to the world. Amen. Prayer Of Confession Lord, we confess that we have sinned against you. We have failed to do your will, and we have failed to work in the spirit of unity within the Church. Forgive us, we pray, and set us free from the bonds of guilt that we may obey your teachings and be true disciples of Jesus. Amen. Offertory Prayer O God, we present these offerings with a prayer for unity among the branches of your Church. Use these gifts and us to work for that unity, which ...

4. Proper 8/ Pentecost 6/ Ordinary Time 13

Psalm 89:1-4, Jeremiah 28:5-9, Matthew 10:1-42, Romans 6:12-23

Bulletin Aid

Amy C. Schifrin

... , the wise, All: whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Leader: May the peace of the Lord be with you always. All: And also with you. Intercessory Prayer After each petition: Leader: Rain down your justice, All: that we might be set free. Offertory Prayer Leader: Holy God, All: we consume and consume, and our hunger and thirst is not assuaged. Turn us around, O Lord, that instead of taking we would be set ...

5. Prayers for Memorial Day, Election, Thanksgiving

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

... lives. We have no need to secure another's approval. We can turn right or left, go up or down, or move in our out as we choose. What a bold, self-assured, and creative step it was when the early colonists determined to break free of England's dominance. Sometimes we romanticize the days of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin -- not seeing the sleepless nights, the bloodied soldiers, and the shattered familial love that once held England and us together. We set out on our own course -- let ...

6. The Passover Meal Of The Last Supper

Mark 14:12-26

Bulletin Aid

... . As we gather here tonight to share this meal in our holy days of cross and resurrection, we are also brought back together as we remember him. Wherever our lives have wandered, however far from his pathways we have strayed, Christ waits at this table to call us home and free us for his service. Washing Of Hands L: Let us gather at his table and wash away the burdens and the sins which we bring with us to the house of the Lord. Let us wash our hands, as we know our lives are washed clean by the blood of ...

7. Epiphany 6

Matthew 5:17-37, 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; 3:1-23, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119

Bulletin Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... this sermon we need to be careful that our theology is evangelical (gospel centered). To be saved or unsaved, to have life or death, to be free or enslaved, are not as simple and easy as a mere choice, as though you were choosing a new dress or a new car. It is ... God who comes to us, finds us, and chooses us as his people. We choose him because he first chose us. However, we do have the free will to reject God's loving advances. Not to choose is a choice. To reject God's offer is a bad choice. In this sermon ...

8. Easter 5

Psalm 148:1-14, John 13:31-35, Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... of a first-century man exiled from his friends and livelihood. His dream “makes up” his reality. Yet the promises are ones twenty-first-century faithful Christians want to hear, too: God’s home is with humankind; I am the first and the last; for the thirsty there is free cool spring water.... How do we let God live in and through us in a culture that overfills time so that companionship and community are hard to come by? Do we honor God by what we eat or by how much of the Bible we have memorized? Do ...

9. 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

... of our neighbors. Some of us are tangled by attitudes, which deny others healthcare and clean water; some of us are enmeshed with friends who indulge in unwholesome habits. Some of us are blinded by our own desires. Some of us have murderous jealousies. Set us free from all deceit and help us learn how to be your hands and mind in this world. Amen. Sermon Idea The 1 Kings story is about Ahab pouting, not getting his way and allowing, maybe expecting, his spouse to fix things by having someone else to ...

10. Reformation Day

Psalm 46:1-11, Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 8:31-41, Romans 3:19-28

Bulletin Aid

Julia Ross Strope

... without hurtful actions. Where the past has set up patterns of violence and disrespect, let compassion and hope overwhelm political ineptitude so goodness has a chance. God of Wholeness — all your people seek a sense of being close to you. We all want to be pain and disease free. We all want to enter eternity easily. But that is not the way the world is designed. So we pray for strength and courage to live the life that comes to us. We pray for minds that are open to your healing grace. We pray for souls ...

11. Prayers for the Sundays After Easter

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

... is our prayer offered in the name of our Master. Amen. Eternal God, the hope of every soul, strengthen us in this hour of worship. Take us to that rock that is beyond the reach of our enemies. Be, O God, our high tower that we might be free from the sins that pursue us. Sweep clean our vision, O heavenly Guide, that we might clearly distinguish the truth from the untruth, the high from the low, the clean from the unclean, and the enduring from the transient. May we, through your guidance, be able to set ...

12. Prayers for Epiphany

Bulletin Aid

Rolland R. Reece

... the giving of yourself. We bow to pay homage to you for a love that is far beyond our comprehension. We ask you to help us understand you. We pray that the dividing walls of prejudice, pride, hatred, and fear be broken down so we can be set free to find our joy in you. Our everyday lives can become petty and narrow. Knowing nothing else we allow them to achieve the status of greatness. Then the day of monstrous need comes and we are caught by the smallness of our understanding. May the greatness of your ...

13. The Lord Is Our Redeemer

Exodus 12:1-30

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

... : Come let us celebrate and give praise to the Lord our redeemer! People: For we were in bondage to sin and in Christ we are redeemed! Leader: Just as Israel was enslaved in the land of Egypt People: And through the blood of the Passover Lamb God set them free. Leader: To Jesus, beloved Lamb of God, we lift our voices in song and praise. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, in Your mighty right hand You hold the power to strike down even the most powerful among nations, yet in Your love You ...

14. Seder Service: The Passover Haggadah

Bulletin Aid

Robert L. Linder and Rabbi Sol Ester

... , 'Know this for certain: your descendants shall be strangers in a land not their own, where they shall be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years. But I will also bring judgment on the nation that held them in slavery: and in the end they shall go free with great substance' " (Genesis 15:13-14). Raise the Cup of Wine and Cover the Matzot God's unfailing help has sustained our fathers and us. For not only one enemy has risen up to destroy us, but in every generation do men rise up against us seeking ...

15. Called out of Death

John 11:17-37

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... know Jesus ends death and begins new life, bringing eternity into this world. Yet, even in their simple faith, Martha and Mary believed Jesus, and trusted their brother's lifeless body to Jesus' power. Now we look back to Lazarus' tomb and know Jesus sets us free, as he unbinds us forever from the wrappings of death. Now the dawning light of your eternal kingdom breaks upon us, calling us out of this world's tombs. Now the glory of Christ shines brightly on our understanding, as we see the awful price he ...

16. A Blessed Nation

Genesis 12:1-8

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Let us gather this day for worship as a nation truly blessed by God. People: Many fine people have given their lives that we might be free. Leader: And many have defended liberty and justice for all around the world. People: Yet if we are to remain free we must be willing to protect liberty. Leader: And if we are to remain free we must be true to the Lord our God. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, our Almighty Defender and Shield, we lift our voices in praise to ...

17. Candle Lighting · all five services

Matthew 3:1-12, Psalm 119:1-176, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-20, 1 Peter 1:1-12

Bulletin Aid

J. B. Quisenberry

... so many years ago. "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." If we have truly prepared ourselves for Christ's coming, we too will be ready to receive that joy, the "joy unspeakable" that Peter wrote about, the joy of a soul set free, the joy that comes from knowing we are never alone, the joy that shatters our fears like a candle shatters the darkness. In the past few weeks, we have been called to repent. Did we? We have been called to be obedient to God's will. Are we? We have ...

18. The Message of Salvation

Acts 13:13-52

Bulletin Aid

Carl Hoefler

Call to Worship Pastor: The good news of Christ is that our sins can be forgiven. People: God has promised, and is faithful to his promise. Jesus came to set us free from sin. Pastor: All who believe in him whom God raised from the dead, are set free from sin's power. People: We are free by the grace of God! May our risen Lord enable us to live in the grace of God! Collect Most loving heavenly Father, whose Son was raised in glory from death and the power of sin: Grant us your grace, that we may be raised ...

19. A Blessed Nation

John 8:31-41

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call to Worship Leader: Let us gather this day for worship as a nation truly blessed by God. People: Many fine people have given their lives that we might be free. Leader: And many have defended liberty and justice for all around the world. People: Yet if we are to remain free we must be willing to protect liberty. Leader: And if we are to remain free we must be true to the Lord our God. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, our Almighty Defender and Shield, we lift our voices in praise to ...

20. Sixth Sunday of Easter

John 14:15-21, Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22

Bulletin Aid

... to the Gentiles Call to Worship Pastor: The good news of Christ is that all people have been called to salvation. People: God has promised and is faithful to his promises. Jesus came to set all people free from sin. Pastor: All who believe in him whom God raised from the dead are set free from sin's power. People: We are free by the grace of God! May our risen Lord enable us to live in the grace of God! Collect Almighty Father, who chose the Hebrew race to be your messenger of salvation to the Gentile world ...

21. Epiphany 7

Isaiah 49:8-26

Bulletin Aid

... pray. Amen Prayer of Confession God of liberating compassion, we confess that we often feel ourselves hopelessly bound to limiting forces within and without, and that we succumb to these all too readily and willingly. Forgive us, we pray, and move us again with the freeing power of your will and your word. Help us to fight off addictions, compulsions, habits, restrictions, and limitations, and to move gracefully toward becoming all that we can be by the power of your Spirit. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

22. Epiphany 5

Mark 1:35-39, Mark 1:29-34, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Job 6:1-7:21

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... FREED US FROM SIN AND DEATH THROUGH CHRIST. Leader: But God has also bound us to obey the divine will rather than our own, often without reward, like slaves! People: BUT THE BURDEN IS EASY AND THE YOKE IS LIGHT: TO BE SLAVES TO GOD IS TO BE FREE INDEED! Collect Almighty God, whose servant Paul gladly bore the burden of his vocation, teach us as well to accept freely the role of servant; that, being responsive to the demands of your Gospel, we may freely give of ourselves to others in the building of your ...

23. Lent 5

Psalm 130:1-8, Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:1-45, Romans 8:1-17

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... Spirit of truth, you have taught us that we do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. So you urge us to pray not only for ourselves but for others, that together, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. Free your church from any captivity to the limited truth of political parties and secular philosophy. May the whole truth of Christ be our ideal for daily life. Trusting in the power of the living word in Christ, and speaking the truth in love, may we draw outsiders into ...

24. Proper 4

Genesis 6:11-22, Psalm 46:1-11, Matthew 7:21-29, Romans 1:16-17, 3:22b-28 (29-31)

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... as we accept the sacrificial death of Christ for our sins. We have no reason for self-righteous pride but should be humble in gratitude for your free grace. Overlook the sins of our past and any unjustified pride, for the sake of the liberating Christ, who is making us free. Amen Declaration of Pardon Pastor: Friends, hear the Good News! All are justified by God's free grace alone, through his act of liberation in the person of Christ Jesus. People: For God designed him to be the means of expiating sin by ...

25. Proper 9

Genesis 24:1-67, Psalm 45:1-17, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, Romans 7:7-25

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... places a wide door for effective work has opened, but still there are many adversaries. We pray especially for the church which struggles to exist where hampered by legal restrictions to receive new members. Increase religious liberties everywhere in the world so that faith will be free and the whole truth be sought. Save us from seeking to compel the faith of any and to deny the power of the truth in itself. May our leaders seek always to be servants of the truth and justice and not captive to the greed of ...

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