Psalm

liturgy

Behold, the Lightener of the Stars

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 1:14-16, Luke 2:13-14, Revelation 4:8, Psalm 148:3-5

Behold the Lightener of the stars On the crest of the clouds, And the choralists of the sky Lauding Him. Coming down with acclaim From the Father above, Harp and Lyre of song Sounding to Him. C...

lectionary

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Guide B)

Author

William Rowley

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 13:31-33, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 29:15-28, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Psalm 119:129-136

Intro These are incredibly rich texts. This guide recommends taking a detour through salvation history to put them in their right context. This helps your congregation expand their understanding of ...

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Dwelling with Those We Love

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 37:45, Numbers 12:, Ruth 1:4, Romans 12:9–21, Matthew 18:21–35, Psalm 133:

An Irish church once had a humorous yet insightful motto that gets at the heart of the pain that often accompanies our relationships: “To dwell above with those we love will certainly be glory. But to...

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It is Just so Good it Must be True

Author

Phillip Yancey

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 25:6-9, Daniel 7:13-14, Zechariah 8:4-5, Luke 24:36-43, Revelation 21:1-5, Psalm 16:11

One day when George MacDonald, the great Scottish preacher and writer, was talking with his son, the conversation turned to heaven and the prophets’ version of the end of all things. “It seems too goo...

liturgy

Blessed is the ruler who comes

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9-10, 1 Kings 1:32-40, Isaiah 11:1-5, Luke 19:28-40 , John 12:12-15, Psalm 118:25-26

Leader: Blessed is the ruler who comes in the love of God. All: Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven! Amid the powers of this world, Christ comes humbly, riding on a donkey...

liturgy

Almighty and eternal God, we adore You

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 6:1-3, Exodus 3:1-12 , Amos 5:21-24, Matthew 22:37-40 , Ephesians 6:10-18 , Psalm 27:1-3

Pastor: Almighty and eternal God, we adore You as the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus, and with the whole Church on earth and all the hosts of heaven we ascribe to You honor and blessing...

liturgy

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 124:8, Psalm 130:3-4, 1 Peter 1:3-4

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord, People: who made heaven and earth. Leader: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? People: But wit...

liturgy

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Revelation 7:10, 12, Daniel 7:13-14, Isaiah 6:1-3, Psalm 96:1-4, Revelation 7:9-12, Philippians 2:9-11

Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Pastor: With all the host of heaven, from every nation, in every language, we cry out: People:...

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Do not Believe I Have Died

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

Scripture

Job 19:25-27, Isaiah 25:8-9, Daniel 12:2-3, John 11:25-26, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, Psalm 23:4-6

Near the end of his life, the American evangelist Dwight L. Moody made a striking remark: “One day soon, you will hear that I am dead. Do not believe it. I will then be alive as never before.”

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Reaching for Eternity

Author

Francis de Sales

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 5:21-24, Job 19:25-27, Daniel 12:1-3, John 14:1-3, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Psalm 90:1-4

In this brief excerpt, the French Catholic Francis de Sales reflects on how his meditations on eternity consistently elevate his spirit: I never think upon eternity without receiving great comfort...

liturgy

Peace in Heaven, Glory Revealed

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 40:3, 5, Luke 9:38, Zechariah 9:9, John 1:14, Psalm 118:26

Leader: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. . . . People: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth...

liturgy

Confessing Sins, Seeking His Grace

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 145:8, Psalm 145:18, Genesis 28:10-19, Exodus 24:9-11, Acts 1:9-11

Leader: When our Lord Jesus was about to ascend into heaven, He lifted His hands in blessing, promising to be with us always. Even though His Word confirms His presence in our lives, we are a sinfu...

liturgy

Receiving Heaven's Kingdom Through Faith

Author

Laura B. Murray

Keywords

Scripture

Proverbs 3:5-6 , Matthew 5:3, Luke 12:16-21 , Philippians 3:7-8, James 4:13-16 , Psalm 127:1-2, 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Gracious God, we believe our hard work should get us comfort, conveniences, and control. We rely on our abilities to create a life independent from you. Father, forgive us, because we need you more th...

liturgy

Reader: Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 33:1-11, 21-22

Reader: Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! People: Praise befits the upright. Reader: Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; People: make melody to him with the harp ...

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Plus Ultra: There is more Beyond

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

Scripture

1 Corinthians 2:9, John 10:10, Hebrews 11:8-10, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 3:20-21, Isaiah 43:18-19, Psalm 16:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Before Columbus crossed the Atlantic, many believed the world ended somewhere beyond Gibraltar, reflected in Spain’s royal motto: “Ne Plus Ultra,” meaning, “there is no more beyond.” But when Columb...

lectionary

24th Sunday after Pentecost

Author

Jacob Traeger

Scripture

Colossians 1:11-20, Jeremiah 23:1-6, Luke 23:33-43, Psalm 46:

The Upside-Down Kingdom The final Sunday of the church year is often called Christ the King Sunday. As we move towards Advent, the lectionary readings typically grow more eschatological, focusing on ...

lectionary

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Author

Sarah Puryear

Keywords

Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Isaiah 6:1-8, (9-13), Luke 5:1-11, Psalm 138:

Ancient Lens What's the historical context? The Gospel in a Pagan World Paul writes this letter to the Christians in the church at Corinth, which he founded during his second missionary journ...

liturgy

God of Love and Lord of Hope: Nothing

Author

Richard Herman

Keywords

Scripture

John 8:12, Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26, Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 12:15, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Psalm 119:10-11

God of Love and Lord of Hope: Nothing is too difficult for you ...while so much is beyond our abilities to understand, to do, and to care for. Therefore we turn to You knowing that you do all things w...

liturgy

Adapted from Psalm 124:8

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 124:8

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” What did God do to help us? God chose the people of Israel to make a new beginning. They received God’s covenant and prepared th...

liturgy

Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy

Author

Richard Herman

Keywords

Scripture

1 Timothy 2:1-2, Micah 6:8, Psalm 24:1, Matthew 25:35-40, Revelation 21:3-4

Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: You taught us to pray not only for ourselves but for people everywhere, so now hear us as we pray for others, in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord...

liturgy

Adapted from Psalm 150:1-2, 6, (the Psalter)

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 150:1-2, 6

Hallelujah! Praise! Praise God in the temple, in the highest heavens! Praise! Praise God’s mighty deeds and noble majesty. All that is alive, praise! Praise the Lord. Hallelujah!

liturgy

Adapted from Psalm 89:1-4 (NRSV)

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 89:1-4

I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is...

liturgy

Adapted from Psalm 148 (NRSVUE)

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 148:1-4, Psalm 148:null

Leader: Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. People: Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Leader: Praise him, sun and moon...

lectionary

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Guide A)

Author

Jacob Traeger

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 13:31-33, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 29:15-28, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, Psalm 119:129-136, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 5:3, 6, 10, 1 Corinthians 1:27, Matthew 26:28, Matthew 19:24, Philippians 3:7, Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 5:6, Matthew 28:19

preaching commentary The context The parables we hear this week are part of a collection of parables of the Kingdom collected by Matthew in chapter 13 of his gospel account. As with the Sermon on t...

lectionary

23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Author

C. Hassell Bullock

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 65:17-25, Luke 21:5-19, Psalm 98:, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Revelation 21:4, Revelation 21:5

preaching commentary Scripture’s proclivity for a new creation Some people have an aversion to describing a future day when the troubles of this world will have passed into oblivion, the kitchen-ta...

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The Glory Being Revealed To Us

Author

J. R. R. Tolkein

Keywords

Scripture

Romans 8:18, Revelation 19:16, Matthew 2:2, John 18:36-37, Revelation 17:14, Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 9:6, Psalm 24:7-10, Colossians 1:15-20, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, John 12:12-16

In Romans 8:18, Paul describes the future of those who persevere in the faith: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us....

lectionary

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Author

Gabe Fung

Keywords

Scripture

Revelation 21:10, Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5, Acts 16:9-15, John 14:23-29, Psalm 67:, Revelation 21:2, 10, 22-27, Revelation 22:1-5, 1 Kings 6:20, Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 2:9, Genesis 3:23-24, Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:15, Genesis 3:17-19, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Ephesians 6:5-9, Colossians 3:23, Genesis 1:26-27, Exodus 33:20-23, John 14:9, Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3, Mark 15:34, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Exodus 28:15-21, 29-30, John 4:13-14, John 7:37-38, Matthew 27:46, John 3:2, Romans 8:29

Preaching Commentary Pulling Back the Curtain The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a “pulling back of the curtain” to reveal both the unseen realities of the present (what is really going on in the wo...

lectionary

Third Sunday after Pentecost

Author

Dustin Ray

Keywords

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:6-17, 2 Corinthians 5:6-17, 1 Samuel 15:34-35, 16:1-13, Mark 4:26-34, Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15, 2 Corinthians 5:6-17, Job 2:9, Proverbs 29:25, Colossians 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:6-17

Preaching Commentary a brief introduction I would like to start with a rather big question. How do we know that we are, in fact, Christians? We find some direction from Jesus on this subject in Mat...

Quote

Author

Phillip Yancey

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 34:17-18, Luke 10:25-37, Luke 23:39-43, Luke 18:13-14, Titus 3:5, Romans 3:23-24, Ephesians 2:8-9

Ask people what they must do to get to heaven and most reply, “Be good.” Jesus’ stories contradict that answer. All we must do is cry, “Help!”

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Know Where You Are Going

Author

Mia Levetan

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 1:1-31, Revelation 4:11, Psalm 139:13-14, John 14:6, Philippians 3:20-21

When Billy Graham was 92 years old, he was struggling with Parkinson's disease. In January, a month before his 93rd birthday, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Bill...

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