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Sermon
Tony Everett
Have you ever listened to young children at play and noticed that they often give themselves new names? The names may be those of a superhero, an athlete, a movie star, or a television character. Sometimes a child may simply choose a name that is not her own. A new name brings a new status in the peer group. A new name brings a new perception of self. Children easily assume the roles that accompan...
2. Light for Beauty
Isaiah 62:1-12
Sermon
Harry N. Huxhold
David Donald’s biography of Abraham Lincoln is a special effort to help us feel along with Mr. Lincoln the thoughts of his heart and mind as he aspired to the presidency. Mr. Lincoln had an earnest desire to be of special service to the nation he knew was in deep trouble. One senses the compassion he had for all the people. He also recognized that the people could survive only as one nation. No on...
Sermon
Mary S. Lautensleger
Two or three generations ago, the only women who did not take their husbands' names after marrying were movie stars and a handful of professional women. Today, many women choose to retain their maiden names, so as not to lose identity with their families of origin. Husbands and wives also combine their names. I know one person who refers to these couples as "the hyphenated families." Some couples...
4. Time for a New Wardrobe
Isaiah 61:1—62:12
Sermon
Schuyler Rhodes
I am betting that at least one of us gathered here today got the gift of new clothing for Christmas. This is a safe assumption. How many of us, over the years, have torn open packages of argyle socks or paisley shirts? How many of us have gazed into a box to discover slacks and skirts, blouses and vests; sweatshirts and pajamas, all of a dizzying array of colors and styles? When I was a boy, cloth...
5. A Match Made in Heaven
Isaiah 61:1—62:12
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
Whenever there is a convergence of opposites, a "manifestation" is born. Not too long ago, scientists watched a huge meteor crash onto the surface of Jupiter. They excitedly estimated the size of the new crater that had been formed on the planet's surface. They thrilled to the spectacle of huge billows of dust (or ice) that rose up into what passes for "atmosphere" out there. They theorized on th...
6. God Makes All Things New
Isaiah 61:10—62:3
Sermon
Richard Gribble
It was just a small, white envelope that stuck out among the branches of our Christmas tree. There was no name, no identification, and no inscription. It peeked out from the branches of our tree for the past ten years or so. Its story, however, speaks of how God makes all things new. It all began with Mike, a man who hated Christmas. Oh, he did not hate the true meaning of Christmas, but he did v...
7. Praying With Bloody Knuckles
Isaiah 62:1-12, Isaiah 61:1-11
Sermon
William L. Self
My wife was conducting a prayer workshop recently and a member of the group told her this true story. She had grown up in London and her pastor walked from his home to the church every day. Along the way he had to pass through some rough sections of town, and as he passed one particular bar there was always the same man loitering outside, very drunk and very loudmouthed. The pastor was really angr...
8. All Dressed Up And Somewhere To Go!
Isaiah 62:1-12, Isaiah 61:1-11
Sermon
Harold Warlick
In Tennessee Williams' play Sweet Bird of Youth, the heckler says to Miss Lucy, "I believe that the silence of God, the absolute speechlessness of God, is a long, long and awful thing...." The late Carlyle Marney retired from his church in Charlotte and went to Wolf Pen Mountain. There he waited for God to say something. He confessed that he had figured if he could get some time completely free fr...
9. A New Name
Isaiah 62:1-5
Sermon
Derl G. Keefer
Let's play a game. I am going to say a name and you think about that person. What emotions does the name bring to mind? What nostalgic feature? What accomplishments do you remember about them or what negatives have they produced in your thinking? Abraham Lincoln Eve Tommy Dorsey Joan of Arc Paul the apostle Amelia Earhart Mohammad Ali Albert Einstein Mary the Mother of Jesus Osama bin Laden Mothe...
Sermon
Ron Lavin
A counselor was listening carefully to a teenager. She was speaking about her troubles. She felt out of sorts with everyone and everything. She was depressed. Everything was going wrong. Her recent marriage was on the rocks. There was trouble with the baby who had been born recently. Her job was not working out. After listening to her litany of troubles for a long time, the counselor asked her, "D...
Sermon
Thomas D. Peterson
There are a few times in our lives when long periods of planning and expectation are fulfilled. We cram months upon months with preparation. At last the coveted day arrives and our cup runs over. Weddings are such days. Long periods of activity go into getting ready. Each activity and emotion is carefully choreographed. When the day finally comes, the anticipation is so intense and the emotions so...
Sermon
Robert A. Hausman
"For Zion's sake I will not keep silent" (v. 1). The issue here is silence, the silence of God. Our text comes from the section of Isaiah which is usually dated during the time of rebuilding after the return from exile. It is from the part of the tradition called Third Isaiah. It reflects a time of great discouragement. Israel lived and worshipped among ruins. Foreign overlords seized the harvest ...
Sermon
Elizabeth Achtemeier
For those who like to preach from all three lectionary texts, the stated readings for this Sunday could cause a preacher great perplexity. How on earth do they all fit together? The Epistle lesson deals with the variety of gifts given by the Spirit to the church. The Gospel lesson recounts Jesus' first "sign" at the wedding at Cana, when the water turned into wine, became the symbol of his blood p...
Showing 1 to 13 of 13 results