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James Evans

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Lord, To Whom Can We Go (To Blame)? -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Sin And Punishment Versus Grace And Hope -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
January 18, 2004
Super Bowl Obscenities -- Luke 6:17-26 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Dear Fellow Preacher
A Quality of Leadership -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- James Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
The question of the relationship of leadership and ethics can be contentious and disruptive in the c

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Lord, To Whom Can We Go (To Blame)? -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Sin And Punishment Versus Grace And Hope -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
January 18, 2004
Super Bowl Obscenities -- Luke 6:17-26 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Dear Fellow Preacher
A Quality of Leadership -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- James Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
The question of the relationship of leadership and ethics can be contentious and disruptive in the c

Preaching

SermonStudio

Christmas 1 -- Psalm 148 -- James Evans -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Christmas 1, Cycle A; Christmas 1, Cycle B; an
Proper 21/Pentecost 19/Ordinary Time 26 -- Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2006
(See Lent 1, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 9-16.)
Proper 4/Pentecost 2/Ordinary Time 9 -- Psalm 46 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - A -- 2006
Categorized as both a "song of Zion" and "a psalm of confidence," Psalm 46 celebrates God's choice t
Proper 9 / Pentecost 7 / Ordinary Time 14 -- Psalm 48 -- James Evans -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2006
Psalm 48 is a song of praise celebrating the presence of God.
Proper 10 / Pentecost 8 / Ordinary Time 15 -- Psalm 24 -- James Evans -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2006
Psalm 24 celebrates the orderly reign of God over creation.
The Baptism Of Our Lord / Epiphany 1 / Ordinary Time 1 -- Psalm 29 -- James Evans -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
The references in this psalm to God's appearance in the storm are strongly reminiscent of the creati
Proper 20/Pentecost 18/Ordinary Time 25 -- Psalm 79:1-9 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2006
This poignant prayer of lament and community grief gives expression to what it feels like to suffer
Proper 11 / Pentecost 6 / Ordinary Time 16 -- Psalm 52 -- James Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2006
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against th
Proper 6/Pentecost 4/Ordinary Time 11 -- Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2006
The lectionary editors' decisions as to the carving of biblical texts are not always well advised.
Epiphany 8/Ordinary Time 8 -- Psalm 103:1-13, 22 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2006
This is one of those psalms whose words have become so familiar from liturgical usage that they run
Proper 13 / Pentecost 11 / Ordinary Time 18 -- Psalm 51:1-12 -- James Evans -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2006
(See Ash Wednesday, Cycle A, and Lent 5, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)
Epiphany 2 / Ordinary Time 2 -- Psalm 36:5-10 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
If we wanted to give a name to this psalm, we might call it "A Song of Exuberant Praise." The psalmi
Proper 19/Pentecost 17/Ordinary Time 24 -- Psalm 14 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2006
(See Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)
Proper 12 / Pentecost 7 / Ordinary Time 17 -- Psalm 85 -- James Evans -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2006
(See Advent 2, Cycle B, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 8-13.)
Good Friday -- Psalm 22 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Good Friday - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Good Friday, Cycle B; Lent 2, Cycle B; and Pro
Christmas Day -- Psalm 98 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see also Christmas, Cycle A, and Easter 6, Cycle B
Proper 15 / Pentecost 13 / Ordinary Time 20 -- Psalm 111 -- James Evans -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2006
(See Epiphany 4/Ordinary Time 4, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)
Epiphany 3 / Ordinary Time 3 -- Psalm 19 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
Psalm 19 celebrates two different media through which God is revealed: nature and the law.
Proper 18/Pentecost 16/Ordinary Time 23 -- Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2006
(See Epiphany 2/Ordinary Time 2, Cycle B, and Proper 4/Pentecost 2/Ordinary Time 9, Cycle B; see
Proper 13/Pentecost 11/Ordinary Time 18 -- Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2006
(See Proper 26/Pentecost 24/Ordinary Time 31, Cycle A, and Lent 4, Cycle B, for an alternative ap
The Resurrection Of Our Lord/Easter Day -- Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Easter Day - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Easter, Years B and C, for alternative approac
Christmas 2 -- Psalm 147:12-20 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2006
This psalm was likely written for the people of Jerusalem after their return from exile (see vv.
Proper 16 / Pentecost 14 / Ordinary Time 21 -- Psalm 84 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2006
This vibrant psalm celebrates the presence of God in the temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem.
Epiphany 6 / Ordinary Time 6 -- Psalm 1 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2006
(See Proper 20/Pentecost 18/Ordinary Time 25, Cycle B for an alternative approach.)
Proper 17/Pentecost 15/Ordinary Time 22 -- Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2006
The writer of Psalm 81 employs a most interesting mixed metaphor.

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Lord, To Whom Can We Go (To Blame)? -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Sin And Punishment Versus Grace And Hope -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
January 18, 2004
Super Bowl Obscenities -- Luke 6:17-26 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Dear Fellow Preacher
A Quality of Leadership -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- James Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
The question of the relationship of leadership and ethics can be contentious and disruptive in the c

Worship

The Immediate Word

Lord, To Whom Can We Go (To Blame)? -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Sin And Punishment Versus Grace And Hope -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
January 18, 2004
Super Bowl Obscenities -- Luke 6:17-26 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Dear Fellow Preacher
A Quality of Leadership -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- James Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
The question of the relationship of leadership and ethics can be contentious and disruptive in the c
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For July 27, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A card with Luke’s short version of the Lord’s Prayer to give to each child. Make your own card or use the one I have attached to this message.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s hear the story. But I want to begin by asking you a question.

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
Luke frowned at the email he was writing. He moved a couple of words around and then hit the save button. He ran the email though the grammar checker and spell checker again. He took a deep breath and then started reading through it one more time. After he finished, he noticed the time. He had to send it soon or it would be too late for there to be a response before the deadline. He sighed and sat back in his chair. He wished he wasn’t so nervous.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Hosea 1:2-10 and Psalm 85
I came across an interesting fact about how the state of Ohio deals with sealing and expunging a court record. The process for filing a court file and expunging a criminal record are combined into the same thing. If granted, the request seals the record forever, and officials are not allowed to discuss the person’s past criminal record.
David Coffin
Another mass shooting appears on the television “Breaking News!” Many people have lost count of the number of school or concert shootings in the recent years in the USA. Usually prominent are comments such as, “We hold these families up in prayer,” and “more mental health is needed.” People who work both in spiritual care and mental health have heard this all before.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.


God, the centre of my being,

When I think of you, praise spills from my lips. I wish I always acted as though you were my centre, for then perhaps your kingdom would be known here.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Advent 2, Cycle B, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 8-13.)

In 1988, Southern Baptists held their annual convention in San Antonio, Texas. It was a contentious meeting, as factions within the denomination vied for control of the various agencies and boards. Throughout the week, angry words were spoken across the aisle as various resolutions and officer elections revealed the deep schism growing within the group.

Michael D. Wuchter
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial."
-- Luke 11:1-4

One of the disciples said to Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray."

Lee Ann Dunlap
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't
put Humpty Dumpty together again.


This is a nursery rhyme we learned as children, and somewhere along the line in history class we were taught that its composer, "Mother Goose," was, in fact, a political satirist. If we look between the lines of these playful rhymes we will find some kind of hidden message poking fun at royalty. (I guess you had to be there to get the joke.)
Kirk R. Webster
Do you have somebody in your world who seems to live his/her life daily on a treadmill of self-imposed rules, almost as Tarzan swings from one vine to another? These people swoop from one regulation to another rule, to another regulation, in an attempt to maintain control and safety in their lives. They travel by self-imposed boundaries that probably aren't necessary to a fulfilling life. Consider our 45-year-old suburbanite named Jim.
Julia Ross Strope
A single song is being inflected through all the colorations of the human choir.
The way to become human is to recognize the lineaments of God in all the wonderful modulations of the face [of humankind].
-- Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces

Call To Worship (Leader)
We are in sanctuary -- together, removed from the world, secluded for a while.
We have brought with us our burdens and anxieties.
We've come here with our hopes and thanksgivings.

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