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John E. Sumwalt

John E. Sumwalt is the lead pastor of Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church in suburban Milwaukee and the author of nine books, to be released by CSS in 2007. John and his wife, Jo Perry-Sumwalt, served for three years as co-editors of StoryShare. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (UDTS), Sumwalt received the Herbert Manning Jr. award for parish ministry from UDTS in 1997.
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StoryShare

Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Contents “Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly” by John Sumwalt
Breaking Jesus’ Heart -- Psalm 22:23-31, Mark 8:31-38 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Contents“Breaking Jesus’ Heart” by John Sumwalt
Not Forsaken -- John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - B -- 2021
Contents“Not Forsaken” by John Sumwalt
Waking Up to Racism -- John 15:9-17, Psalm 98 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“Waking Up to Racism” by John Sumwalt
The Billy Graham Test -- Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2021
Contents“The Billy Graham Test” by John Sumwalt
We Are Spiritual Bodies -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Ezekiel 2:1-5 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2021
Contents“We Are Spiritual Bodies” by John Sumwalt
Bread From Heaven -- John 6:51-58, Psalm 111 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2021
Contents“Bread From Heaven” by John Sumwalt
Speaking Tender -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2021
Contents“Speaking Tender” by John Sumwalt
Clone of Speaking Tender -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2021
Contents“Speaking Tender” by John Sumwalt
Going For The Goal Line -- Mark 1:29-39, Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c -- C. David Mckirachan, Alex A. Gondola, Jr., John E. Sumwalt, Constance Berg -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2012
Contents "She Served Them" by C. David McKirachan
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
A Church For Christmas -- Luke 1:26-38, 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:46b-55 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Contents"A Church for Christmas" by John Sumwalt
New Beginnings For A New Year -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 8 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Wayne Brouwer, John E. Sumwalt -- New Year's Day - A -- 2006
Contents What's Up This Week
Home For Christmas -- Luke 1:26-38, 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 -- John E. Sumwalt, Lisa Swanson Faleide, Charles W. Byrd, Edward W. Thorn, R.h. Thompson -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Contents What's Up This Week
The King And The Maiden -- Luke 2:1-20, Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Psalm 96 -- Constance Berg, Frank R. Fisher, John E. Sumwalt, Paul Lintern, Stan Purdum -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2005
Contents What's Up for Christmas
Are You Waiting For Godot? -- Mark 13:24-37, Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Richard A. Jensen, John E. Sumwalt, Gregory Tolle, R.h. Thompson -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Contents What's Up This Week
Blinding Light Or Illuminating Light? -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, Psalm 126 -- Dallas A. Brauninger, John E. Sumwalt, Paul E. Flesner -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Contents What's Up This Week
We Can Be Changed -- Mark 1:1-8, Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Constance Berg, John E. Sumwalt, Henry Scholberg, Elaine M. Ward -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2004
Contents What's Up This Week A Story to Live By: "We Can Be Changed"

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Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Contents “Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly” by John Sumwalt
Waking Up to Racism -- John 15:9-17, Psalm 98 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“Waking Up to Racism” by John Sumwalt
Speaking Tender -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2021
Contents“Speaking Tender” by John Sumwalt

Sermon

SermonStudio

Now I See -- John 9:1-41 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth.
Healing Tears -- John 11:1-45 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
When we came up out of the tomb of Lazarus, the other half of our touring group, who were waiting th
While It Was Still Dark -- John 20:1-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
March 7, 1961, was by all appearances an ordinary day.
The Best Send Off Ever -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
In the summer of 2004, I had the joy of traveling with Rosmarie Trapp on a five-day, whirlwind story
Pentecost Diaries -- Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
The last time I spoke to Ken was on the phone a few weeks before he died.
How To Stretch A Meal -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
My mother's people, the Longs of Longfield House, County Tipperary, came from Ireland to southwest W
Foreign Territory -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
I grew up "poor" -- or so I thought.
Dreaming Joseph -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.
Storm Walker -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2007
The call came on a Sunday after church just as we were sitting down to lunch.

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Storm Walker -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2007
The call came on a Sunday after church just as we were sitting down to lunch.

Stories

StoryShare

Waking Up to Racism -- John 15:9-17, Psalm 98 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“Waking Up to Racism” by John Sumwalt
The Billy Graham Test -- Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2021
Contents“The Billy Graham Test” by John Sumwalt
A Person’s A Person -- Mark 4:26-34, 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2021
Contents “A Person’s A Person” by Frank Ramirez
We Are Spiritual Bodies -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Ezekiel 2:1-5 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2021
Contents“We Are Spiritual Bodies” by John Sumwalt
The Measure of the Universe -- Ephesians 3:14-21, Psalm 14 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2021
Contents“The Measure of the Universe” by Frank Ramirez
Bread From Heaven -- John 6:51-58, Psalm 111 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2021
Contents“Bread From Heaven” by John Sumwalt
The Doghouse at the White House -- Mark 7:24-37, Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2021
Contents “The Doghouse at the White House” by Frank Ramirez
Speaking Tender -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2021
Contents“Speaking Tender” by John Sumwalt
Clone of Speaking Tender -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2021
Contents“Speaking Tender” by John Sumwalt
Whatever You Ask? -- Mark 10:35-45, Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2021
Contents “Whatever You Ask?” by Frank Ramirez
Darkness and Light -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2021
Contents “Darkness and Light” by Frank Ramirez
Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Contents “Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly” by John Sumwalt
Only Two -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2021
Contents“Only Two” by Frank Ramirez
Breaking Jesus’ Heart -- Psalm 22:23-31, Mark 8:31-38 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Contents“Breaking Jesus’ Heart” by John Sumwalt
The Beauty of God’s Law -- Hebrews 5:5-10, Psalm 119:9-16 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Contents“The Beauty of God’s Law” by Frank Ramirez
Not Forsaken -- John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - B -- 2021
Contents“Not Forsaken” by John Sumwalt
Pause, Sign, Ponder, Reflect -- Psalm 4, 1 John 3:1-7 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents"Pause, Sign, Ponder, Reflect" by Frank Ramirez
Wrong Way Reitway -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, Psalm 126 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Contents “Wrong Way Reitway” by John Sumwalt
Think And Let Think -- Luke 12:32-40, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2016
Contents "Think and Let Think" by John Sumwalt

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Pause, Sign, Ponder, Reflect -- Psalm 4, 1 John 3:1-7 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents"Pause, Sign, Ponder, Reflect" by Frank Ramirez
Waking Up to Racism -- John 15:9-17, Psalm 98 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“Waking Up to Racism” by John Sumwalt
The Doghouse at the White House -- Mark 7:24-37, Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2021
Contents “The Doghouse at the White House” by Frank Ramirez
Speaking Tender -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2021
Contents“Speaking Tender” by John Sumwalt
Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Contents “Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly” by John Sumwalt
Wrong Way Reitway -- John 1:6-8, 19-28, Psalm 126 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2020
Contents “Wrong Way Reitway” by John Sumwalt
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Quantisha Mason-Doll
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For October 24, 2021:
  • Vision Check by Chris Keating — Jesus’ question of Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” becomes an invitation to a joyful, life-giving transformation experience of discipleship.
  • Second Thoughts: Don’t Let Go of My Hand by Quantisha Mason-Doll — In God’s future no one is left behind — even those who would be considered burdens.

StoryShare

David O. Bales
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
“Full-Throated Joy?” by David O. Bales
“With Weeping And Joy” by David O. Bales
“Second Chances” by Peter Andrew Smith


Full-Throated Joy?
by David O. Bales
Jeremiah 31:7-9

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Sooner or later, we see life as it really is. Job sees clearly that the universe is greater than he can imagine. It’s not all about him. Something great and wonderful is going on, and though he has suffered tremendous loss, he is to reject dust and ashes and live authentically. He is free to be alive.

The author of Hebrews makes it clear that we don’t have to jump through anyone’s hoops anymore. We have the perfect priest and the perfect sacrifice and as a result we have perfect access to God, unfiltered, unimpeded. That’s how it is.
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Mark Ellingsen
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
Job teaches us that being in the presence of God is an impressive experience. It is beyond what we can think or express. Author Christopher Morley in his book Inward Ho expressed this awesomeness: “I had a thousand questions to ask God; but when I met him they all fed and didn’t seem to matter.” Everything that we thought was so important vanishes in the presence of God. John Wesley put it this way:

CSSPlus

John Jamison

Object: A cloak, or something to use as a cloak, an old bowl, and a handful of pennies.

Note: If you believe your children can do it, this is a great message to have them role-play. Have one child play Bartimaeus, one play Jesus, and the other play the ‘crowd’. Depending on your group, you can ask for volunteers or select specific children for the roles of Jesus and Bartimaeus. If you don’t think role-play will work, just share the story without the role-play pieces.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

They said to the blind man, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." Jesus continues to call us today, so in our worship let us take heart, get up and respond to him.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we don't hear you when you call.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our hearts are low and we feel fed up and depressed.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Wesley T. Runk
Good morning, boys and girls. Today, we are talking about a very big word, and also a very important one. The word is intercession. What do you think the word intercession might mean? (let them answer) Those were all good tries, but they are not the answers. I said it was a big word and not one that we use very often. I think that I can help you learn what it means in just a minute. First of all, I want to tell you that Jesus is our intercession. That will help us to learn more about what the word means.
David E. Leininger
Christmas is such a beautiful time of the year. Physically beautiful with the color and light; spiritually beautiful with story and song. Then there is the special baby -- a baby whose birth was greeted by angels, a baby whose birth meant tidings of joy for all people everywhere, a baby who would save the world. We gather for worship, enjoy familiar company, exchange holiday wishes, then go home, drink eggnog, and eat Christmas treats. God is in heaven and all is right with the world. Or so it often seems.

Stephen M. Crotts
A young man visiting a very small town in Virginia struck up a conversation with an older gentleman sitting on a loafers' bench outside the gas station. "Just look at this town!" The young fellow remarked. "Fresh air, no traffic, you sure don't have much of a population problem around here!" "Wrong, son!" The old man replied. "Dang near every problem we have here is caused by the population!"

It's true everywhere, isn't it? Man's greatest problem is man himself.

The Population Problem

Special Occasion