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Craig Kelly

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In 2008, Rajo Devi Lohan of India made worldwide headlines... -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Craig Kelly -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
In 2008, Rajo Devi Lohan of India made worldwide headlines by becoming the world's oldest new mom at
When my nephew was very young... -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
When my nephew was very young, I tried teaching him how to play checkers.
How many times have we seen grown men crying... -- John 2:13-22 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
How many times have we seen grown men crying after winning a Super Bowl or the World Series?
We celebrated Christmas sometime back... -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Craig Kelly -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
We celebrated Christmas sometime back, and of course, one of the common sights at Christmas is the t
The United States has seen three distinct instances... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
The United States has seen three distinct instances of religious revival in its history, known as Gr
In a couple of months... -- John 12:20-33 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
In a couple of months, the world's eyes will look to a lit cauldron atop a massive stadium in the ci
Having majored in English in college... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Craig Kelly -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2012
Having majored in English in college, I have a deep affection for literature.
So many different holidays... -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Craig Kelly -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
It's interesting how we have so many different holidays on our calendar, many of which have little r
Whether it's from the perspective of the prosecution... -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Craig Kelly -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Whether it's from the perspective of the prosecution, such as Law and Order, or from the defe
It is so easy for us to look at our bank accounts and think that we're not making a lot of money... -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Craig Kelly -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
It is so easy for us to look at our bank accounts and think that we're not making a lot of money.
Whenever immigrants to the United States become naturalized citizens... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Craig Kelly -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Whenever immigrants to the United States become naturalized citizens, they are required to take an o
We don't have professional foot washers... -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Craig Kelly -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2012
We don't have professional foot washers in twenty-first-century North America, so it's rather diffic
I love going to concerts... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Craig Kelly -- Good Friday - B -- 2012
I love going to concerts. It always thrills me to hear bands I love playing my favorite songs live.
Our system of justice is... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Craig Kelly -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
Our system of justice is based to a great degree on testimony.
There is something fascinating about illusionists... -- John 20:1-18 -- Craig Kelly -- Easter Day - B -- 2012
There is something fascinating about illusionists like David Copperfield or Penn and Teller.
I wonder why it is that so many... -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
I wonder why it is that so many in the body of Christ see so many events in scripture as only being
Ever watch one of those paranormal investigation shows... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Craig Kelly -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Ever watch one of those paranormal investigation shows, like SyFy's Ghost Hunters?
When the British monarch is coronated... -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
When the British monarch is coronated, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland gives the new king or
Not all of us farm or tend gardens anymore... -- John 15:1-8 -- Craig Kelly -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Not all of us farm or tend gardens anymore, so for some, this illustration may not be quite as illum
We live in a politically correct world... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Craig Kelly -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
We live in a politically correct world. Tolerance is a key word in today's society.
In classic western films... -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Craig Kelly -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
In classic western films, there is the cliché ending of riding off into the sunset.
I've grown to really enjoy cooking over the years... -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Craig Kelly -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
I've grown to really enjoy cooking over the years.
Why do we live as Christians?... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Craig Kelly -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
Why do we live as Christians?
It's funny how looking at the ideal of something... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Craig Kelly -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
It's funny how looking at the ideal of something shows us how far away we are from it.
100 billion stars... -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Craig Kelly -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2012
It's estimated that there are over 100 billion stars in our galaxy.

Stories

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The Bike And The Box Turtles -- John 20:19-31, Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Psalm 133 -- Keith Hewitt, Craig Kelly -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Contents"The Bike and the Box Turtles" by Keith Hewitt
Deliverance -- John 14:15-21, Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Psalm 66:8-20 -- Craig Kelly -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Contents"Deliverance" by Craig Kelly
Leap Of Faith -- Matthew 14:13-21, Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Psalm 17:1-7, 15 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Craig Kelly -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2011
Contents"Leap of Faith" by Peter Andrew Smith
Found In Darkness -- Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- John E. Sumwalt, Craig Kelly -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2011
Contents"Found in Darkness" by John Sumwalt "Sold Out" by Craig Kelly
Judgment -- Matthew 6:24-34, Isaiah 49:8-16a, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Psalm 131 -- Craig Kelly, Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - A -- 2011
Contents"Judgment" by Craig Kelly "Into Perspective" by Peter Andrew Smith
Your Choice -- Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- Frank Ramirez, Craig Kelly -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Contents"Your Choice" by Frank Ramirez "The Trial" by Craig Kelly
No Respecter Of Persons -- John 20:1-18, Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- Craig Kelly, Peter Andrew Smith -- Easter Day - A -- 2011
Contents"No Respecter of Persons" by Craig Kelly
God, Faith, And Science Fairs -- Matthew 28:16-20, Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Psalm 8 -- Craig Kelly, Keith Hewitt -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2011
Contents"God, Faith, and Science Fairs" by Craig Kelly
Glorious -- Matthew 22:15-22, Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Psalm 99 -- Craig Kelly, David O. Bales -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Contents"Glorious" by Craig Kelly "All This Over a Coin?" by David O. Bales
I Tertius, The Writer Of This Letter -- Matthew 18:15-20, Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, Psalm 149 -- David O. Bales, Craig Kelly -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
Contents"I Tertius, the Writer of this Letter" by David O. Bales
The Bubble -- Matthew 25:1-13, Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Psalm 78:1-7 -- Keith Hewitt, Craig Kelly -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
Contents"The Bubble" by Keith Hewitt "Tell Me a Story" by Craig Kelly
The Visitor -- Mark 1:4-11, Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Psalm 29 -- Craig Kelly, Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
Contents "The Visitor" by Keith Hewitt
Big Mike And The Harmonica -- John 17:20-26, Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, Psalm 97 -- Craig Kelly, Keith Hewitt, Constance Berg -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Big Mike and the Harmonica" by Craig M. Kelly
Somebody Else's Treasure -- Luke 7:36--8:3, 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21, Psalm 5:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez, Craig Kelly -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2010
Contents"Somebody Else's Treasure" by Frank Ramirez
I Have Loved You… -- Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Psalm 85 -- Craig Kelly, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2010
Contents "I Have Loved You..." by Craig Kelly
Thirsty For Living Water -- Luke 14:1, 7-14, Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Craig Kelly -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2010
Contents"Thirsty for Living Water" by Peter Andrew Smith
The Decision -- Luke 18:1-8, Jeremiah 31:27-34, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Psalm 119:97-104 -- Craig Kelly, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2010
Contents"The Decision" by Craig Kelly "Growing Up" by C. David McKirachan
A Regrettable Necessity -- John 20:19-31, Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, Psalm 118:14-29 -- Keith Hewitt, Craig Kelly -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "A Regrettable Necessity" by Keith Hewitt
Reasons For Rules -- John 2:13-22, Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Psalm 19 -- Larry Winebrenner, Craig Kelly, John S. Smylie -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Reasons for Rules" by Larry Winebrenner
Love In Deed -- John 10:11-18, Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, Psalm 23 -- Craig Kelly, Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Love in Deed" by Craig Kelly
God's Ledger -- Mark 5:21-43, 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Psalm 130 -- Craig Kelly, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "God's Ledger" by Craig Kelly
Hard Sayings -- John 6:56-69, 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, Psalm 84 -- Craig Kelly, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Hard Sayings" by Craig Kelly
Be Joyful -- Luke 17:11-19, Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Psalm 65 -- John S. Smylie, Craig Kelly, David O. Bales, Keith Hewitt -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Be Joyful" by John Smylie
Be Joyful -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 100 -- John S. Smylie, Craig Kelly, David O. Bales, Keith Hewitt -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Be Joyful" by John Smylie
The Days After Christmas -- Luke 2:22-40, Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Psalm 148 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Craig Kelly, Bryan Meadows -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2008
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 9
25 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
22 – Children's Sermons / Resources
18 – Worship Resources
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 10
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
25 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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24 – Commentary / Exegesis
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Bethany Peerbolte
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For July 25, 2021:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
I grew up in the church.  I was a preacher’s kid, and so I was in church every Sunday morning of my childhood and adolescent years.  And, many weeks, it was more than just Sunday morning!
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
2 Samuel 11:1-15
It’s hard to deal with the fact, for some of us, that we can’t do everything we used to do. The young David slayed Goliath. The people sang how Saul killed his thousands and David his tens of thousands. The future king, anointed by Samuel, engages in one military adventure after another. When he finally enters Jerusalem, the new capital of a united kingdom, he unapologetically dances so vigorously ahead of the Ark of the Covenant that he earns the disdain of his wife Michal.

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
“The Measure of the Universe” by Frank Ramirez
“Dream for a Divided Nation” by John Sumwalt


The Measure of the Universe
by Frank Ramirez
Ephesians 3:14-21

I pray that you may have the power to comprehend…what is the breadth and length and height and depth…. (Ephesians 3:18)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A bag of croutons and a bag of goldfish crackers. Use the included instructions to create a “Miracle Sack” and follow the ‘script’ for the activity. Prepare the sack ahead of time, putting enough croutons and goldfish crackers in the Miracle Sack so you can give some to each child, and keeping the five croutons and 2 goldfish crackers out to show as you tell the story.


The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
It was nearly the week of the show and Christopher's heart was beating very fast. It was beating fast because he was feeling very anxious. Christopher's friend Rex spent a lot of time on his father's allotment and was always coming into school boasting about how big his carrots were, or how tall for his corn had grown, or how beautiful his sweet peas smelt.

SermonStudio

David O. Bales
"The wind was squealing through the rigging," Peter said. "We'd gotten the sail down and were doing our best to row into the wind. It was tougher than we'd faced for a long time -- especially at night. Half of us rowed, half bailed. We all prayed."

Mark Ellingsen
Theme of the Day
We're all in the same boat!

Collect of the Day
It is noted that the gracious God has placed in the hearts of all a longing for the word of truth. Prayer is offered that the faithful may know Christ to be the bread of heaven and share this bread with the entire world. Justification, Sanctification, Evangelism, and perhaps Social Ethics receive attention.

Psalm of the Day
Psalm 14
* A Psalm attributed to David; a condemnation of a cynical and unrighteous age.
Donna E. Schaper
David gets in trouble the way many other men get in trouble. Some women do also but often in a less adulterous way. Women get "twitterpated" by beauty but often think of themselves as the one who should become beautiful. I think of the movie, The Devil Wears Prada, which is the story of fascination with fashion -- the women are all hooked deeply on how they look, so deeply that they think a size six is too fat. David's issue is different but also connected: He takes the problem of his lust for Bathsheba into a conniving and deceitful way.

Special Occasion