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David Kalas

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David Kalas is pastor of First United Methodist Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Union Theological Seminary of Virginia. David has been a contributing writer for Emphasis Preaching Journal and has authored several books.
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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

A Season of Sights -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10 -- David Kalas -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Much of the music that accompanies this season of the year emphasizes sights.
All Together Now -- Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2022
I’ve attended a lot of NFL games over the years.
Getting Right -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- David Kalas -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2022
I had a coworker tell me the other day about a problem she was having with her computer.
The Tragic Agnostic -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13, Psalm 48 -- David Kalas -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2021
Note: This installment was originally published July 9, 2006.
Sober counsel -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58, Psalm 111 -- David Kalas -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2021
Note: This installment was originally published in 2006.
Happy New...! -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 8 -- David Kalas -- New Year's Day - B -- 2021
This is the Sunday when we celebrate Jesus’ baptism. This is not Pentecost.
In the Background -- Mark 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2021
Perhaps you have someone in your family or friend group who is fond of photobombing.
The Ways of God -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Exodus 20:1-17, John 2:13-22 -- David Kalas -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
At the beginning of his masterpiece, Paradise Lost, John Milton articulates a part of his t
Of Supply and Demand -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- David Kalas -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
In the mid-1960s, a popular song declared, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.
More Than Meets the Eye -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 -- David Kalas -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2021
The old aphorism claims that “seeing is believing.”  Doubting Thomas might agree.
My rightful place -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45, Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c -- David Kalas -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2021
Note: This installment was originally published in 2006.
Kids' Stuff? -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- David Kalas -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2021
I grew up in the church.  I was a preacher’s kid, and so I was in church every Sunday morning of my
The Poor and Their Maker -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- David Kalas -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2021
How close are you to poverty? We might answer that question in a variety of ways.
Positioned for Success -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- David Kalas -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2021
My wife and I have twin eight-year-old girls who are just little soda cans that have been shaken.
On Being Out of Touch -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- David Kalas -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2021
We’ve all probably been on both ends of the experience.
A Baby No More -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- David Kalas -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2021
Just yesterday, we celebrated the birth of Jesus as a baby.
Just Another Day -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17, Psalm 29 -- David Kalas -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2020
This is the Sunday when we celebrate Jesus’ baptism. This is not Pentecost.
Right Turns -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2020
Where you and I live, intersections are clearly marked.
Vision Test -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2020
Samuel was clearly impressed by what he saw.  But the question is, what could he actually see?
What Now? -- John 20:19-31, Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2020
Last week felt very much like a climax.

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Getting Right -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- David Kalas -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2022
I had a coworker tell me the other day about a problem she was having with her computer.
Something to Celebrate -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- David Kalas -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2022
Chances are that most of the people in our pews will not know that it’s Trinity Sunday unless we tel
A Season of Sights -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10 -- David Kalas -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Much of the music that accompanies this season of the year emphasizes sights.
All Together Now -- Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2022
I’ve attended a lot of NFL games over the years.
Positioned for Success -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- David Kalas -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2021
My wife and I have twin eight-year-old girls who are just little soda cans that have been shaken.

Sermon

SermonStudio

God's Providence: The Long And Short Of It -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- David Kalas -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2007
We human beings are naturally fond of happy endings.
Endless Line Of Blunder -- Exodus 1:8--2:10 -- David Kalas -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2007
Turn the page, and the story is suddenly different.
The Names By Which He Is Known -- Exodus 3:1-15 -- David Kalas -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2007
When I was about six years old, I made friends with a boy named Danny.
Eat And Run -- Exodus 12:1-14 -- David Kalas -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2007
At some time or another, we've all had to hurry through a meal and hurry away from the table.
The Land Where Our Fathers Had Lived -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 -- David Kalas -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2007
The story begins innocently enough.
Songs Of The Season -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
No season of the year sings as well as Christmas.
Epiphany: Glory Beyond Our Expecting -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2003
In 1986 a relatively unknown basketball team from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock defeated
Epiphany: A Faith To Work Miracles -- John 2:1-11 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2003
I consider it divine good fortune that we have a scripture lesson so early in the year which encoura
Epiphany: The Joy Of Fulfillment -- Luke 4:14-21 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2003
I've read some books where it seemed the author had no purpose in writing.
Epiphany: The Tragedy Of Rejection -- Luke 4:21-30 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2003
In the church, most of us think of Epiphany simply as a season on the church calendar, and sometimes
From Empty Nets To Full Lives -- Luke 5:1-11 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2003
It's funny what experiences and phrases will stay with you from childhood.
At The Corner Of Church And Main -- Luke 6:17-26 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2003
Once there was a great intersection in the ancient city of Bethlehem.
Saints In Shorts -- Luke 6:27-38 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2003
Seven years ago, our family moved from southern Virginia to northeast Wisconsin.
Whether You'll Weather The Weather -- Luke 6:39-49 -- David Kalas -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - C -- 2003
Every so often, toward the end of a hot, still, muggy day here in the Midwest, we'll have a televisi
God's Sneak Attack -- Luke 2:1-20 -- David Kalas -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
I think I was eight years old the first time I got to be in a Christmas pageant.
God Communicates In Humanly Understandable Terms -- Luke 2:41-52 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
One Christmas morning, a young widow was doing her best to make Christmas happy for her two little b
Christmas And The New Family -- John 1:1-18 -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2003
When Wilbur and Orville Wright completed their historic flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on Dec
Awake To Glory -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- J. Ellsworth Kalas, David Kalas -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2003
Today we celebrate one of the most neglected passages in the Bible.
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Pentecost
33 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Trinity Sunday
25 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
19 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 4 | OT 9
27 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
20 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
22 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
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Elena Delhagen
For May 19, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Pentecost accents the belief that the Christian church is a Spirit movement, not another world institution. Imagine a pastor who is on the denomination committee for examining pastoral candidates that are on various points along their journey toward ordination either before, during or just after completion of seminary/Bible college training. All the pastoral candidates are excited about their future of making a positive change and impression on the churches they serve.
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Acts 2:1-21
Martin Luther viewed Pentecost as a day of celebration, as on a sermon in the topic he noted “it was on this present Pentecost Day that the joyful blessed and lovely kingdom of Christ was established, a kingdom filled with joy, courage, and certainty.”  Complete Sermons, Vol.6, p.152) Awareness of the Holy Spirit is a big part of the joy and certainty Pentecost brings.  John Wesley, then, offers a timely warning about how not to lose a sense of the Spirit and the joy and confidence this insight offers.  He wrote:

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Peter Andrew Smith
“I’m not sure why we’re doing this,” Ollie muttered to himself as he took his place on the bandstand. He unpacked his guitar and played a few chords to make sure that it was in tune. “The acoustics are better in the church building.”

“They may be,” Todd said raising his voice over the sounds of the busy park. “Going to be a noisy afternoon from the sounds of it.”

“Huh?” Ollie looked over at his smiling friend. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

“You’re just saying what we’re all thinking, isn’t he Wendy?’

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: Today’s message will include a role-play. You will need one child to play the role of the shepherd and the rest of the children will be the people from town. I usually pick an outgoing child for my shepherd so they will act out a bit. Encourage everyone to have fun and ham it up a bit.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
As I recall, there was a mighty, rushing wind at the last Bank Holiday weekend. It didn't herald the coming of God quite as much as the coming of a mighty, rushing rain, and for many unfortunate people, substantial flooding. And it was accompanied by considerable power, for it uprooted and destroyed one of our laburnum trees.

SermonStudio

Mark Ellingsen
Theme of the Day
The Holy Spirit gets around. Historically the church has also commemorated its origins on this festival. In some traditions, confirmation is celebrated.

Collect of the Day
Petitions are offered that the Spirit come and transform the faithful to give them language to proclaim the word. The Holy Spirit, Justification (by Grace), Sanctification, and Evangelism are emphasized.

Psalm of the Day
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
* Hymn to God the creator; praise for God's providential interventions.
James Evans
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Day Of Pentecost, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)

Elizabeth Achtemeier
On the previous Sundays of this Eastertide, we have heard the risen Christ tell his followers to remain in Jerusalem until he sends the Holy Spirit upon them. That will enable them to be his witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Having promised that, he ascended into heaven, to rule over all at the right hand of the Father. That promise was spoken during the forty days that the Lord was with the apostles and disciples after his resurrection.
Arthur H. Kolsti
Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord to the breath, prophesy mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
-- Ezekiel 37:4-10
Ron Lavin
The Holy Spirit is called "your Advocate" in the New English Bible translation of John 15:26. Other translations may be helpful in understanding the meaning of the Holy Spirit. The King James Version uses the term "The Comforter." The Revised Standard Version and the New International Version use the term "The Counselor." The Phillips translation and the Barclay translation call the Holy Spirit "The Helper." I like the title "The Advocate" best of all. This term "The Adovcate" includes comforting, counseling, and helping.

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