[RCL] Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47 or Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 “Ascension” is one of those many “church words” that may not have much, if any meaning, to those outside the church. In fact, the ascension of Christ and Ascension Day itself may seem like an obscure event or day even to church members….

[RCL] Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42 Are you busy? Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks you have to do much, if not most of the time? When people ask you how things are going, do you often say, “Busy?” We live in a very busy, hectic society. In…

RCL: Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Psalm 45:1-2, 7-10; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Author Anthony DeMello tells a story about an ashram cat. He writes, “When the guru sat down to worship each evening, the ashram cat would get in the way and distract the worshipers. So he ordered that the cat be tied…

[RCL] Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21; Psalm 114; Romans 6:3-11; Mark 16:1-8 A “dramatic” Easter sermon inspired by Mark 16:1-8, as told from the perspective of Mary Magdalene. I want to tell you how I found new life in Jesus. I grew up in a small town called Magdala, a little village in Galilee. I didn’t have…

[RCL] Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 100; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46 Kings and rulers are not usually the most obvious or shining examples of spiritual faith. In fact, in today’s text from Ezekiel, the prophet has been called precisely because of the mistreatment of God’s people by Israel’s kings and leaders. At that time, kings were…

[RCL] Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 JRR Tolkien’s beloved book, The Hobbit, is set “in a time between the dawn of faeries and the dominion of Men.” The Hobbit is a beloved tale and has never gone out of print since its first publication in 1937. This story, along with the Lord of the Rings series,…

[RCL] Amos 7:7-15; Psalm 85:8-13; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29 Note: During the 2024 Season after Pentecost, Sermons That Work will use Track 2 readings for sermons and Bible studies. Please consult our archives for many additional Track 1 resources from prior years. Fairytales and happy endings play a significant role in shaping us and our…

[RCL] 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Galatians 6:(1-6)7-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 In the movie, “Miss Congeniality,” there is a scene during the beauty pageant in which contestants are asked what society needs most, and each contestant responds predictably, “World peace.” And then Sandra Bullock’s character is asked the same question, but she responds, “That would…

[RCL] Isaiah 65:17-25; Canticle 9; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19 Who doesn’t love a mountaintop experience? There is something so wonderful and majestic, even holy, about mountains. Scripture is filled with references to mountains and they are often the location for important and holy moments: the Sermon on the Mount, the Mount of Olives, where…

[RCL] Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47 or Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 In early 2011 there were billboards plastered across the nation warning of Judgment Day on May 21, 2011, with the words, “The Bible guarantees it.” This was the day that had been predicted as Christ’s second coming by Pastor Harold Camping of Family…