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John E. Sumwalt

John E. Sumwalt is a retired United Methodist pastor and the author of nine books for CSS Publishing Company, including How to Preach the Miracles and the Vision Stories series. He and his wife, Joanne Perry-Sumwalt, were the original editors of StoryShare. John is an acclaimed storyteller. He writes a weekly spiritual column for several Wisconsin newspapers.
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StoryShare

Communion in the Barn -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2025
In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my
Seeing Through Easter Eyes -- John 20:1-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Easter Day - C -- 2025
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know tha
Vision of Heaven -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatu
Who Wipes Your Tears? -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
Great Souls Are World Shakers -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2025
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[
Finding Holy Spirit in Nature -- Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- John E. Sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2025
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
Clone of Love Never Ends -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2025
Love never ends.
I Need Jesus People -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2025
But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian,  for
A Picky Church Visitor -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2025
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Eve
Rejoice in Your Sufferings -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2025
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacki
The Boy Who Would Not Tell a Lie -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2025
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and
Pancake Suppers And Lies -- Luke 12:49-56, Jeremiah 23:23-29 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2025
How long?
Laurinda Talked to Strangers -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2025
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels
Seeking the Lost -- Luke 15:1-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2025
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice wi
Grandpa Got Run Over By a Trencher -- Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2025
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.
Jesus and Ten Foot Poles -- Luke 17:11-19 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2025
As he entered a village, ten men with a skin disease approached him.
Failure Can Lead to Spiritual Growth -- Psalm 119:137-144 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2025
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight.
God Saves Humans And Animals -- Psalm 36:5-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2025
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
Love Never Ends -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2025
Love never ends.
Beyond the Sunset -- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2025
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. Then those
A Transfiguring Dream -- 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2025
And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror
Surviving Clergy Sexual Abuse -- Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Because you have made the Lord your refuge    the Most High your dwelling place,
Longing for Assurance -- Isaiah 55:1-9 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Incline your ear, and come to me;    listen, so that you may live…
Extravagant Jesus Super Bowl Ads -- John 12:1-8 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Jesus said, “Leave her alone.

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Communion in the Barn -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2025
In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my

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.
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.
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

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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

Rejoice in Your Sufferings -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2025
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacki
Love Never Ends -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2025
Love never ends.
The Boy Who Would Not Tell a Lie -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2025
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and
Beyond the Sunset -- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2025
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. Then those
Pancake Suppers And Lies -- Luke 12:49-56, Jeremiah 23:23-29 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2025
How long?
A Transfiguring Dream -- 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2025
And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror
Laurinda Talked to Strangers -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2025
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels
Surviving Clergy Sexual Abuse -- Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Because you have made the Lord your refuge    the Most High your dwelling place,
Seeking the Lost -- Luke 15:1-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2025
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice wi
Grandpa Got Run Over By a Trencher -- Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2025
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.
Longing for Assurance -- Isaiah 55:1-9 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Incline your ear, and come to me;    listen, so that you may live…
Jesus and Ten Foot Poles -- Luke 17:11-19 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2025
As he entered a village, ten men with a skin disease approached him.
Extravagant Jesus Super Bowl Ads -- John 12:1-8 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Jesus said, “Leave her alone.
Failure Can Lead to Spiritual Growth -- Psalm 119:137-144 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2025
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight.
Communion in the Barn -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2025
In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my
Seeing Through Easter Eyes -- John 20:1-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Easter Day - C -- 2025
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know tha
Vision of Heaven -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatu
Who Wipes Your Tears? -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
Great Souls Are World Shakers -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2025
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[
Finding Holy Spirit in Nature -- Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- John E. Sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2025
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
Clone of Love Never Ends -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2025
Love never ends.
I Need Jesus People -- Galatians 3:23-29 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2025
But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian,  for
A Picky Church Visitor -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2025
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Eve
God Saves Humans And Animals -- Psalm 36:5-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2025
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Free Access

God Saves Humans And Animals -- Psalm 36:5-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2025
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 23 | OT 28 | Pentecost 18
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 24 | OT 29 | Pentecost 19
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 | OT 30 | Pentecost 20
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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For October 26, 2025:

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I am a scoreboard watcher. I follow a lot more games than I actually watch, but since technology makes it easy to check scores on a moment’s whim, I watch a lot of scoreboards of teams and games that I am at least mildly interested in. And as I check those scores, I find myself having immediate reactions: “Great!” “Oh, that's too bad.” “Excellent!” “Nuts.” And in the midst of that sports-fan roller coaster, I must continually remind myself that not all scores are final.
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Martin Luther sings the praises of God’s love revealed in this lesson. He wrote:

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Object: This message is a role-play story. You will need two children to play the roles of the Pharisee and the tax collector. I usually ask two children if they will help me as they are all coming forward for the message, but you may select them however you choose.

* * *

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, but your commandments are my delight.
Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
(vv. 143-144)

When I was an associate pastor in Janesville, Wisconsin one of my responsibilities was to give a lecture on spirituality once a month at a drug treatment facility. The students who attended were persons who had been convicted of drunk driving and were required to attend the class as a condition of their sentence. Attendance was always good.

The Village Shepherd

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Call to Worship:

We all dislike people who blow their own trumpets, although sometimes we may be in awe of them. Jesus too deplored such behaviour and was never in awe of those who practised it. In our worship today let us open ourselves to Jesus, allowing him to see what is in our hearts.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we allow other people's behaviour to intimidate us.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes we refuse to reach our own fullest potential because we are afraid.

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Schuyler Rhodes
Every morning when sleep leaves and waking comes there is cause for praising God. Caught up, as we are, in the currents and eddies of our lives, this is easy to forget. This wonderful psalm is a reminder. God's bounty and abundance spill into our lives like waters over a causeway. God's delight in creation explodes in a million different colors. In every moment there is reason to give God praise.
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When I was a little boy growing up in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania's First Presbyterian Church, one of those Christian chalk artists with black light, neon colors, and black felt canvas who made pictures of Jesus look like those Elvis portraits for sale on the side of the road at the beach showed up as entertainment for a Sunday evening potluck dinner.
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Today's sermon begins with this little one-person drama.
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Once a harvest has been destroyed, you cannot repair it. If a building has burned to the ground, you cannot repair it. In those instances you need to start from scratch with a fresh start.

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