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Bob Ove

Robert S. Ove is a retired Lutheran pastor who serves as interim pastor where and when needed. He has written for various publications, including Guideposts, Reminisce, and Lutheran Partners. A native of Wisconsin, Ove received his BA from Carthage College and did a year of graduate work at the University of Iowa. His first job was teaching on the Mescalero Apache reservation. Ove's first book, Geronimo's Kids, tells of this experience. Following a brief career in film and photography, he left his business to attend Hamma School of Theology at Wittenberg University for his M. Div., becoming a pastor. During his pastoral career, Ove has served churches in nine different states from New York to California and Canada. Upon "retirement," Bob served as a missionary to Nepal. His latest book, In the Shadow of Everest, relates many of his Nepalese adventures. He is a member of Christ the Ray of Hope Lutheran Church where he does some supply preaching, teaching, and writing.
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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (2015) -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2015
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 1 (2015) -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 -- Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, R. Robert Cueni -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Jeremiah 33:14-16
There are some who would eagerly sign up to kill Muslims... -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2015
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
John had done his job... -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2015
Mark 1:14-20
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 3 (2015) -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18 -- Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, R. Robert Cueni, Ron Love -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Zephaniah 3:14-20
How many times... -- John 4:5-42 -- Bob Ove -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
How many times has God put us in situations that we might not think are kosher?
Shechem was appropriate for... -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
Shechem was appropriate for this meeting since it was the place where they had the first covenant af
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 (2014) -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Derl G. Keefer, Scott A. Bryte, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
Genesis 45:1-15
My wife and I are helping... -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
My wife and I are helping a girl in prison near our residence.
The word "virgin" in Hebrew... -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2014
The word "virgin" in Hebrew can also mean "young woman." But if we translate this passage "young wom
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 4 (2014) -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
1 Samuel 16:1-13
This passage seems to say... -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
This passage seems to say that there is a time value in our faith.
How can God bring good... -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
How can God bring good out of evil? What the brothers did to Joseph was still wrong but
Sermon Illustrations for Passion Sunday (2014) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Ron Love, Derl G. Keefer, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Scott A. Bryte -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2014
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas Day (2014) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2014
Isaiah 9:2-7
We were once darkness... -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
We were once darkness before we gave ourselves to the Lord.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2014) -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
Judges 4:1-7
How hard it is to remember... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2014
How hard it is to remember that most important rule.
Aren't we like Peter... -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
Aren't we like Peter in some ways? We have to have Jesus' parables explained to us. That
One of the most important... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Bob Ove -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2014
One of the most important lessons we learn from our Lord is humility. No one is higher than God.
The grace of God has... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- Bob Ove -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2014
The grace of God has appeared to all men but not all men (people) can see him.
Sermon Illustrations for Maundy Thursday (2014) -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2014
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
Don't get caught up in times... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2014
Don't get caught up in times and dates.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 (2014) -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
Exodus 1:8--2:10
Sermon Illustrations for Easter 6 (2014) -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 -- Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
Acts 17:22-31
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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The president of the college I attended was the kind of man who always said what was on his mind. He had a very healthy self-image and wasn’t concerned about how people might take him. At one of the graduation ceremonies, he stood at the podium, looked out over the huge crowd of people, shook his head, and said to himself (right into the microphone, of course), “All these Christians in one place, and no one’s taking an offering!”
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Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
The lesson makes clear that God is present in the world of business, in our daily work.  John Wesley offered thoughtful reflections on the nature of work; he noted:

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John E. Sumwalt
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. (vv. 14-15)

One morning last October, Bruce Klemm got up and sang a song to his wife, Virginia, as he has done every morning of the 42 years they have been married. Little did he know that within a few hours, he would be calling her to say goodbye.

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Call to Worship:

Jesus told a story about a rich man and a beggar to illustrate the way in which we fail to notice those who are poor. In our worship today let us remember the poor and ask God to teach us a real concern for them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we fail notice some people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we deliberately leave people out.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we care only about ourselves.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Lent 1, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 9-16.)

The writer of this psalm deftly employs a striking image, that at once offers us hope in times of trouble -- but at the same time, redefines for us what it means to be a human being in the world.

Schuyler Rhodes
Many Christians can be heard in or out of worship these days as they lift up their voices and say, "Praise the Lord!" The phrases are familiar, almost rote. Mouths open and words emerge. Pastors and liturgists remind the faithful that this God is not only worthy of our praise; this God sort of requires it of us. This God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5) who brooks no competition from other gods we might pursue. Yes, God is worthy of praise. Right?
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
It always amazes me when I read about a sports figure who decides to hold out for more money. With salaries that are often in the millions, they feel underpaid unless they are at the next level. I heard one player say to a reporter on Sports Center, "It's not about the money. It is about respect." A few moments later, the host of the show made the comment, "When they say it isn't about the money, it's always about the money."

Chrysanne Timm
As we conclude several weeks of readings in the book of the prophet Jeremiah and next week look at the companion text from the book of Lamentations, a common thread begins to emerge. It is the thread of grief. Jeremiah has been called by God to a truly thankless job -- that of accompanying the people of his homeland into a time of loss and grief. Because of decades of idolatry and treaties with neighboring nations, the people of Judah will lose the land God once graciously gave to their ancestors.
R. Robert Cueni
The lesson for today continues the discussion on the proper use of material possessions by describing what happens when a person tries to "serve both God and wealth" (Luke 16:13). Today's Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus leaves us repulsed by the gory details, puzzled by the literal description of eternal life, and hopeful that the Lord didn't really mean all those terrible things about the punishment due us "Haves" for our treatment of the "Have Nots."

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Good morning, boys and girls. I brought some coins with me this morning. (Show the coins.) How many of these coins would it take to be rich? (Let them respond.) I think it would take millions of these coins before you would really be rich. How many of you would like to be rich? (Wait for show of hands.) I think most of us would like to be rich. What would you think if you had a wish that everything you touched turned to gold? (Let them respond.) You would soon have lots and lots of gold and you would quickly be very, very rich. There's a famous story about a man who had

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