Sermon and Worship Resources

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Mark 2:1-12

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... Be Easy," by Avery and Marsh. Reading of the Gospel Enact the passage in the midst of the congregation for the first part. Then, enact the healing in the chancel. Proclamation of the Good News Someone has said, "Most of us don't know what Sabbath/Sunday observance is; and if we did know, we wouldn't like it." Consider these possibilities: (1) We have no ironclad rules, as did the Older Testament folks. (2) We do need a day of rest, and for worship; weekends often leave us more exhausted than refreshed. (3 ...

2. Seder Service: The Passover Haggadah

Bulletin Aid

Robert L. Linder and Rabbi Sol Ester

... Ceremonial Plate and says: Behold the Matzah, bread of poverty, which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry come and eat; All who are needy, come and celebrate the Passover with us. Now we are here: Next year may we observe the Passover in the land of Israel. Now many are still enslaved: Next year may all men be free. (The Haggadah, the dramatic portrayal of the exodus from Egyptian bondage, is for the entire family. Being child-centered, it encourages especially the children to ask ...

3. Lent 5

John 12:20-36

Bulletin Aid

Wayne H. Keller

... life, and those seeds that need to grow. As always, we are engaged in the stewardship of choice, between what I want, and what God wants for me. Response Invite your musicians to create a song about growing seeds. Charge to the Congregation We, Lenten observers, have one of two choices: By our own justifications, we can keep regurgitating those attitudes we need to keep buried; or, in the Spirit of the Christ, we can allow God to provide new crops. Which do you prefer? Which will you act upon? Meditation ...

4. Palm Sunday

Bulletin Aid

Jack Brownlee

... name of Christ influence people more than we know. Fill us with thy spirit, O great God, as we sing Hosanna to the one who is to come. Amen. Assurance Of Pardon Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. In our study, in our observance of religious tradition, in our acts of conscience and conviction we seek to stand with those who stand to be counted as a follower of Christ. We are assured that we shall never be put to shame. We are assured that we shall receive justice from a compassionate God ...

5. Proper 25

Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 34:1-22

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... Parent, you know who we are. We can be moved by the sight of hunger without stopping our waste of food. We see the limitations of some of our energy sources but are slow to change our ways of using more than we need. We observe hazards and hurts in confrontation and conflict but are unwilling to learn the arts of conciliation. For our intransigence and intractability through your strong but docile Son, Jesus of Nazareth. Amen. DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS Hear the Good News! God has received Jesus ...

6. Prayer

Matthew 6:1-4

Bulletin Aid

... take to heart! In fact, Much of my religious practice is so secret That I don't even see it! I certainly don't do it for show, - Often, I don't do it at all! Lent is a special time A time to be more "religious" More conscious of observances To give a little more To pray a little more Even to fast a little (Something I wouldn't even consider At any other time!) Is that hypocritical? To live differently To worship differently During Lent? Or does God accept my gift Whenever it's given? Lord, forgive me, not ...

7. The Baptism of Our Lord

Genesis 1:1-2:3, Acts 19:1-22, Mark 1:1-8, Mark 1:9-13

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... vision of the ministry upon which you would have us embark. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession God of mercy, we confess that we often lose our sense of your presence and providence in our lives. We do not see the heavens part, observe descending doves, or hear celestial voices. So we conclude that you are not active or interested in us or our lives. Forgive us, we pray. Help us to remember that Jesus’ own experience at his baptism was a private one of inwardness, and to be alert to ...

8. Lent 6

Isaiah 50:1-11, Mark 15:16-20, Mark 15:21-32, Philippians 2:1-11

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... , to humiliation and crucifixion, to exaltation and acclamation. For Passion Sunday, verse 8 would seem focal, with its emphasis on the self-humbling and obedience even unto death. (Other parts of this rich passage may be highlighted when it is used for the observance of Palm Sunday.) Call to Worship Leader: Let us praise and thank God for obedient servants! People: LET US PRAISE AND THANK GOD FOR AN OBEDIENT SON! Leader: Our salvation comes to us, not in one highly positioned, but one intentionally humble ...

9. Where Two or Three Are Gathered ...

Matthew 18:15-20

Bulletin Aid

Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship (Unison) Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, which is ...

10. Proper 25

Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 34:1-22, Job 42:7-17, Hebrews 7:11-28

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... . People: The Lord has done great things for us. PRAYER OF INVOCATION You have done great things for us, O God, so we come to you rejoicing and singing aloud for joy. Receive our praise and adoration with all our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen PRAYER OF CONFESSION Observant Parent, you know how we are. We can be moved by the sight of hunger without stopping our waste of food. We see the limitations of some of our energy sources but are slow to change our ways of using more than we need. We ...

11. The Glory of the Lord

Exodus 33:12-23

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

... . Help us to be faithful. In Christ we pray. Amen. Prayer Of Confession Lord, so often today we tend to take You for granted and we lose sight of the fact You are God. We see many advances in computers and electronics; chemistry and medicine; and we can observe life seeming to go faster every day; yet we fail to see Your glory and power are far beyond all of these things. Forgive us, Lord. Help us see life more clearly. In Christ we pray. Amen. Hymns "All Hail The Power" "Mansion Over The Hilltop" "I Hear ...

12. Lent 5

John 11:45-57, John 11:38-44, John 11:17-37, John 11:1-16

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

... Your word is more powerful than death! You called the universe into being. You are the Author of Life. Jesus Christ, your Living Word, called Lazarus out of the tomb ... and out he came! You will always have the final word! Ezekiel knew this truth as he observed the vision of the dead bones clapping together and springing to life. We know this truth because we see your word is alive in our hearts and the hearts of all who believe. Ultimately, we will know this truth when our time arrives to be gathered into ...

13. MAY 29-JUNE 4

Mark 2:1-12

Bulletin Aid

RobertT D. Ingram

... the worshipers' silent prayers with the words printed below. Take time now to reflect silently on the goodness of God who gives us the sabbath for our rest. (Silence.)- Remember and give thanks for God's love and grace that put human need above the strict observance of the sabbath. (Silence.)- Listen to the Holy Spirit as God reminds you of times when you put laws and rules above the needs of those around you. (Silence.)- Now recommit yourselves to becoming more like Jesus, who shows us the heart of God and ...

14. Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Matthew 6:1-4, Matthew 6:16-18, 2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Bulletin Aid

Russell F. Anderson

... repent) of our sins, the Spirit will breathe new life into our being. Walter Wangarin, Jr., relates a moving personal story involving his son, apparently an impulsive little boy who permitted his desires to dominate his conscience. One day his father happened into his room and observed the boy on the bed with a pile of comic books. The father was perplexed. "Where did you get all those comic books?" He said, "I took them out of the library." "You mean that you took from the library? You stole them from the ...

15. Prayer for the Baptism of the Lord

Mark 1:9-13, Mark 1:1-8

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

... Unlike the description of Jesus' baptism delivered by Matthew and Luke, Mark's earlier version describes the opening of the heavens, the descent of the Spirit, and the voice of God as a private, inner experience of Jesus alone, rather than a public event observable by the baptizer or onlookers. Liturgical Color White Suggested Hymns From God The Father, Virgin Born The Only Son From Heaven I Bind Unto Myself Today Bright And Glorious Is The Sky O Chief Of Cities, Bethlehem As With Gladness Men Of Old Prayer ...

16. Epiphany 5

Mark 1:29-34, Mark 1:35-39

Bulletin Aid

Dennis Koch

... to climb out. Sometimes, the nights appear to be endless. We replay the events of the day over and over in our minds until the dawn comes to rescue us. We act as if everything depends upon us. It doesn't. The disciples learned this truth through observation. They saw your relentless level of activity. They saw how you received your strength. You went to lonely places to pray. Lead us to do the same, Lord. When we withdraw to lonely places and spend time alone with you, we will find the strength we need ...

17. Worship Leads to our Being Commissioned

Isaiah 6:1-13

Bulletin Aid

Carl Hoefler

... our lives in preparation for our commission to witness to the Christian faith. We pray through Christ, our great Commissioner. Amen. Prayer of Confession O Lord, our holy Father, we have come to your house so often. But our presence has been more for observation than for involvement. We confess we are unclean and need to be forgiven. We also confess that too often, we have stopped worshiping once we have felt forgiven. Forgive us for not looking beyond our own sinfulness, for not being sensitive to your ...

18. Father's Day Prayer

Matthew 28:16-20

Bulletin Aid

Father's Day A special day! It's not in the church calendar But it might as well be! (I observe it religiously!) A time to pay tribute to Dad Cards Gifts Special attention Maybe a way to make up For taking him for granted the rest of the year! Give him his own day Complete with commercial hoopla Ads Sales Promotions by stores and manufacturers Dear Old Dad! There's ...

19. First Sunday After Pentecost

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

Bulletin Aid

... our faith with others, we find reasons to wait. Forgive us for our resistance to be in mission, hindering the outreach of your church and the new life which could come to others. Remove our hesitancy, and inspire us for discipleship; that our Lord's presence may not be to observe our idleness, but to encourage our ministry. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen. Hymns "Go, Make of All Disciples" "Heralds of Christ" "O Zion, Haste" "We've a Story to Tell to the Nations"

20. Christmas 2

Luke 2:8-20

Bulletin Aid

... their finding him will be a "sign" of the arrival of the Christ. That indirect way of designating the identity of the baby may well be Luke's way of underscoring that the holiness of the manger's humble occupant not only could not have been obvious to any observer, had it not been revealed to them by God, but even then could not be fully apprehended. Call to Worship Leader: Behold, I bring you good news of great joy! People: FOR UNTO US IS BORN THIS DAY A SAVIOR AND A CHRIST! Leader: Glory to God in the ...

21. Transfiguration

Mark 9:2-13, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18, 2 Kings 2:1-18

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... -AND-NOW IN BREATHTAKING, MIND-BOGGLING NEW WAYS, AND YET FIND US READY! Collect God of wonder, whose transfiguration of Jesus startled even the most intimate disciples, make us receptive to your every manifestation; that, despite being enthralled like those ancient observers with your majesty and power, we may nevertheless respond in productive ways. In the name of the transfigured Christ we pray. Amen Prayer of Confession God of infinite mercy, we confess the fact that we usually close ourselves to the ...

22. Palm Sunday

Isaiah 50:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Philippians 2:1-11

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... his comforting name we pray. Amen Second Lesson: Philippians 2:5-11 Theme: Proleptic acclaim for one about to be exalted Exegetical Note The latter portion of this multi-faceted Christological hymn (verses 9-11) speaks most directly to the observance of Palm Sunday in its acclamation of the ultimately exalted, but now humiliated and crucified "Lord," for which the palm-laden procession at Jesus’ triumphal entry becomes either a proleptic anticipation or a pathetic travesty, depending upon one’s reading ...

23. Pentecost

Ezekiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-13, Acts 2:14-41, John 15:18--16:4, John 16:5-16

Bulletin Aid

Paul A. Laughlin

... known passage, written during the Babylonian exile and envisioning the future restoration of Israel, is the power of God’s Spirit to animate the community of faith even in situations of utter hopelessness and despair. The relevance of the "dry bones" imagery for an observance of Pentecost should be obvious; and the resonance of both with the resurrection of Christ should not be lost. Call to Worship Leader: We meet on this Day of Pentecost to worship a God who restores the dead to life! People: WE MEET IN ...

24. God's Mirror

James 4:1-12

Bulletin Aid

Dallas A. Brauninger

Call to Worship We are unable to observe ourselves directly, but only through the reflection of a mirror. Could it be that we see God reflectively through the fairness of others, our awareness of the creative process, in new ideas, acts of compassion, our own resolve to live decent lives? We do see God faithfully reflected through humanity. ...

25. You Know, Don't You, Jesus?

Hebrews 4:14-5:10, Hebrews 4:1-13

Bulletin Aid

Dallas A. Brauninger

... our weaknesses from you, we can stand before you with open souls. We come not in fear but with trust. In the name of Christ. Amen. Prayer of Confession We get it all turned around, God. We think we are in this all alone, then see that you do not observe from a safe distance. You put your own life in jeopardy by coming in human form. You know how it is with us, don't you, Jesus? Amen. Hymns "Oh, Love, How Deep" "Healing River Of The Spirit" "What A Friend We Have In Jesus"

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