Zechariah on Trees

illustration

When Fire Makes Things Grow

Author

Scripture

1 Peter 1:6-7, James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Hebrews 12:11-13, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Zechariah 13:7-9, Daniel 3:, Isaiah 48:10

Trivia time! What natural disaster is the most destructive to a forest? Chances are that the first thing that comes to mind is a forest fire. After all, fire is pure destruction to plants. What possib...

illustration

A Poor Man’s Ticker-tape Parade

Author

Mia Levetan

Keywords

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Exodus 12:1–28 , 2 Kings 9:13 , Matthew 21:1–11, John 12:12–16, Psalm 118:25–26

Frederick Buechner is a master of capturing the excitement of the moment of Palm Sunday. It’s a great reminder that the story itself is a great illustration! We call it Palm Sunday because maybe t...

liturgy

Holy Spirit You are not just a whirlwind

Author

Jack Levison

Keywords

Scripture

Exodus 31:2-5, Isaiah 44:3-4, Zechariah 4:6-10, John 14:26, James 5:7-8, Psalm 1:2-3

Holy Spirit You are not just a whirlwind in the desert a tempest in a teapot You are also here in the slow growth of learning a nearly imperceptible accrual of wisdom Holy Spirit Inspire us from th...

liturgy

Palm Sunday Call to Worship

Author

Ann Siddall

Keywords

Palm Sunday

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

The story of Palm Sunday tells of how people removed their cloaks and spread them out in front of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. The cloak we wear every day to face the world is both the persona we wi...

liturgy

Hark the glad sound! The Savior

Author

Philip Doddridge

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 2:10-11, Luke 2:8-20, Psalm 24:7-10, Revelation 5:13, Matthew 21:1-11, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:9, John 12:12-15, Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 19:1, Revelation 7:9-12

Hark the glad sound! The Savior comes, The Savior promised long; Let every heart prepare a throne And every voice a song. Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, Your welcome shall proclaim, And heaven’s ...

liturgy

Eternal Life Through Jesus Christ

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 118:26, Isaiah 53:, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, John 12:12-19

Pastor: Let us pray. Most merciful God, as the people of Jerusalem, with palms in their hands, gathered to greet Your dearly beloved Son when He came into His Holy City, grant that we may ever hail ...

Quote

Author

R. W. Church

Keywords

Scripture

Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 40:31, Lamentations 3:21-23, Psalm 33:18, Psalm 71:14, Zechariah 9:12

Hope, never destroyed, however overthrown, never obscured even amid the storm and dust of ruin, is the prominent characteristic of the Old Testament.

illustration

The Kingdom of God is a Public Park

Author

Elizabeth Achtemeier

Keywords

Scripture

Zechariah 8:1-8

What is the Kingdom of God, according to the prophet Zechariah (Zech. 8:1-8)? It is a public park! It is a park where old people are no longer cold and lonely and ill and senile, but participants in a...

Quote

Author

Nikos Kazantzakis

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 49:2, Isaiah 64:8, Psalm 66:10, Zechariah 13:9, Job 23:9

I am a bow on your hands, Lord. Draw me, lest I rot. Do not overdraw me, Lord. I shall break. Overdraw me, Lord, and who cares if I break?

Quote

Author

Bono

Keywords

Christmas

Scripture

Luke 2:6-7, Zechariah 9:9, 1 Corinthians 13:13

The idea that there's a force of love and logic behind the universe is overwhelming to start with, if you believe it. Actually, maybe even far-fetched to start with, but the idea that that same lo...

illustration

A Triumphal Procession

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19, Revelation 19:11-16

Two thousand years ago, triumphal processions were massively popular. It was, in all likelihood, the only chance most people would have to see the leaders and heroes of the day. For the Romans they t...

liturgy

Children's Call to Worship inspired by the Triumphal Entry

Keywords

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

Pastor: Jesus is coming! All: Jesus is coming! Pastor: Good morning, King Jesus! All: Good morning, King Jesus! Pastor: We worship you, humble King! All: We worship you, humble King! Pastor: Sav...

illustration

The Trojan Horse of the Church Year

Author

Fleming Rutledge

Keywords

Palm Sunday

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

Palm Sunday is the Trojan horse of the church year. You remember the story from Greek mythology: a huge, splendid wooden horse was accepted by the Trojans as a present from the Greeks (so it really ou...

liturgy

God of Truth and Grace—Father, Son and

Author

Richard Herman

Keywords

Palm Sunday

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

God of Truth and Grace—Father, Son and Holy Spirit: You are our strong Savior and humble King who comes not to intimidate but to love. Today we sing our Hosannas and wave our Palms. But tomorrow is Mo...

liturgy

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9-10, Isaiah 53:4-5, Exodus 12:21-27, Matthew 21:1-11, John 12:12-16, Psalm 118:26

Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. People: Amen. Pastor: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the ...

Quote

Author

Russ Ramsey

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 4:12-17, John 1:45-46, Matthew 13:31-32, Zechariah 4:10, Acts 1:8

In terms of time and space, the scale of Jesus’s earthly ministry was small—three years in a parcel of land where the corners of the world came together.

illustration

Joy Beacons

Author

Richard Swenson

Keywords

Scripture

1 John 2:12, Isaiah 11:6, Zechariah 8:5, Luke 18:16, Psalm 8:2, Matthew 18:3, Matthew 19:14

Katja, our seven-year-old granddaughter, stepped in it, as they say. She had doggie droppings on the bottom of her tennies. Not just one foot, mind you, but both. Her mother, Maureen, suggested she le...

Quote

Author

Graeme Goldsworthy

Keywords

The Kingdom of God

Scripture

Zechariah 8:7-8, Revelation 21:3, 1 Peter 2:9, Matthew 6:33, Psalm 33:12, Deuteronomy 28:1-2, Exodus 19:5-6

The kingdom of God: God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule and blessing.

liturgy

Blessing Ministry Event or Initiative

Author

Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Keywords

Scripture

Micah 6:8, Matthew 25:35-40, John 6:1-14, Zechariah 4:6, Judges 6:11-16, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Acts 4:32-35, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4, Proverbs 16:3, Nehemiah 2:17-20, Philippians 4:19, Acts 18:1-4, Ephesians 2:14, John 4:4-26

This blessing includes prayers for the initiative/event itself, the volunteers for the event, the leaders organizing the event, the resources to be distributed at the event, and any community partners...

series

Psalm 133 | Unity

Author

Scott B. Bullock

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 133:, Luke 2:41-52, Zechariah 9:9

Ancient lens What’s the historical context? Packed with Singular Meaning, A Pilgrim Song We have three verses packed with singular meaning⸺unity. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers and si...

lectionary

Sixth Sunday in Lent, Liturgy of the Palms

Author

Heather Ghormley

Keywords

Scripture

Mark 11:1-11, Mark 14:, Mark 15:, Mark 8:32, Mark 9:32, Mark 10:37, Zechariah 9:9, Genesis 49:11, Mark 1:1, Mark 5:7, 2 Samuel 7:12-16, 1 Kings 1:38, Revelation 4:8, Psalm 146:2-8

Lent 2021: A 40-day Heart Restoration The Triumphal Entry Bonus Content: Video prep session with Heather Ghormley on Mark 11:1-11 . Passcode: 0DU^5?GZ AIM Commentary Ancient Lens What can w...

lectionary

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Author

Geoff Helton

Keywords

Scripture

John 10:11-18, John 9:null, Genesis 4:2-4, Numbers 14:33, 1 Samuel 16:11, 2 Samuel 5:2, Isaiah 56:11, Zechariah 10:2, Jeremiah 23:1-2, Jeremiah 50:6, Zechariah 10:2-3, John 10:11-18, Ezekiel 34:11-16, Psalm 23:, Luke 15:1-7, Matthew 18:12-14, John 13:1, John 15:13, John 9:34-35

Preaching Commentary Context Signs and Dialogue There’s a reoccurring pattern in Johns’s Gospel in which Jesus performs a sign, which is followed by dialogue and then commentary from Jesus that pr...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, Psalm 133 (Guide B)

Author

Scott B. Bullock

Keywords

Scripture

Psalm 133:, Luke 2:41-52, Zechariah 99:

Ancient lens What’s the historical context? Packed with Singular Meaning, A Pilgrim Song We have three verses packed with singular meaning⸺unity. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers and si...

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

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

PALM SUNDAY CALL TO WORSHIP

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

John 31:59, Zechariah 9:9 , Psalm 118:26a, Psalm 118:26a, 25a, Psalm 118:25a, Numbers 6:24-26

Pastor: Rejoice greatly, O people of Zion! People: Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Pastor: See, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and having salvation, People:...

liturgy

O God, whose dearly beloved Son was

Author

Walter Russell Bowie

Keywords

Palm Sunday

Scripture

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:8-11, Luke 19:36-44, John 12:16-19

O God, whose dearly beloved Son was greeted by the crowd on Olivet with hallelujahs, but who in that same week was mocked as he went lonely to the Cross, forbid that our welcome to him should be in wo...

liturgy

Loving God, we will betray you

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 53:3-5, Zechariah 13:7 , Exodus 32:1-14 , Luke 22:54-62, Romans 5:8, Psalm 130:3-4

Loving God, we will betray you; yet you invite us to your table. We will deny you; yet you give us yourself in love. We will fail to pray with you; yet you pray for us. We will crucify you; yet ...

Quote

Author

Brian Zahnd

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 53:5-6 , Exodus 34:6-7, Zechariah 12:10, Psalm 85:10-11, Romans 5:8

Jesus didn’t die on the cross to change God’s mind about us; Jesus died on the cross to change our minds about God!”

scripture guide

Scripture Guide Mark 11:1-11

Author

Heather Ghormley

Keywords

Scripture

Mark 11:1-11, Mark 14:, Mark 15:, Mark 8:32, Mark 9:32, Mark 10:37, Zechariah 9:9, Genesis 49:11, Mark 1:1, Mark 5:7, 2 Samuel 7:12-16, 1 Kings 1:38, Revelation 4:8, Psalm 146:2-8

Ancient Lens What can we learn from the historical context? Connecting the Triumphal Entry and the Passion At last we come to Jerusalem. On this sixth Sunday of Lent, lectionary-following congreg...

illustration

illustration

liturgy

liturgy

liturgy

liturgy

illustration

illustration

liturgy

illustration

liturgy

liturgy

illustration

liturgy

series

lectionary

lectionary

scripture guide

liturgy

liturgy

liturgy

liturgy

liturgy

scripture guide

B

C

E

F

G

H

J

K

L

M

P

R

S

T

W

Exodus

1 Samuel

1 Kings

Psalm

Proverbs

Isaiah

Ezekiel

Micah

Zechariah

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

James

1 Peter

Revelation