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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

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, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 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"

Sermon

SermonStudio

Dreaming Joseph -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.
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
Storm Walker -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
The call came on a Sunday after church just as we were sitting down to lunch.
Foreign Territory -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
I grew up "poor" -- or so I thought.

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While It Was Still Dark -- John 20:1-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
March 7, 1961, was by all appearances an ordinary day.

Stories

StoryShare

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
Would Your Church Be Missed? -- Luke 17:5-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Lamentations 1:1-6, Lamentations 3:19-26 -- John E. Sumwalt, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2016
Contents "Would Your Church Be Missed?" by John Sumwalt
Ringing Without A Permit -- John 20:19-31, Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, Psalm 118:14-29 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
Contents "Ringing Without a Permit" by John Sumwalt
The Shining -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a), Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Psalm 99 -- Keith Hewitt, John E. Sumwalt -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2016
Contents "The Shining" by Keith Hewitt
How Can Things Be Better? -- John 2:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Psalm 36:5-10 -- Lamar Massingill, John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2013
Contents"How Can Things Be Better?" by Lamar Massingill
Prodigal Parents -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32 -- John E. Sumwalt, Peter Andrew Smith -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Contents"Prodigal Parents" by John Sumwalt
The Blindness -- John 21:1-19, Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, Psalm 30 -- Keith Hewitt, John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Contents"The Blindness" by Keith Hewitt
The Cost Of Standing Up For God -- John 17:20-26, Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, Psalm 97 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Contents"The Cost of Standing Up for God" by Frank Ramirez
The Bishop's Shining Face -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a), Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Psalm 99 -- John E. Sumwalt, Keith Hewitt -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2013
Contents"The Bishop's Shining Face" by John Sumwalt
Ruining A Good Funeral -- Luke 7:11-17, 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24), Galatians 1:11-24, Psalm 146 -- C. David Mckirachan, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2013
Contents"Ruining a Good Funeral" by C. David McKirachan
This The Judgment Of God? -- Luke 10:38-42, Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 52 -- Sandra Herrmann, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2013
Contents"This the Judgment of God?" by Sandra Herrmann
Preaching Enhancing Drugs -- 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 -- 2013
Contents"Preaching Enhancing Drugs" by John Sumwalt
The Amen Code -- Luke 15:1-10, Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Psalm 14 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2013
Contents"The Amen Code" by Frank Ramirez "Gun Stories" by John Sumwalt
Knowing No Limits -- Luke 21:5-19, Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Isaiah 12 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2013
Contents"Knowing No Limits" by Frank Ramirez
A Christmas Reminder -- Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Psalm 146:5-10 -- John E. Sumwalt, C. David Mckirachan -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Contents"A Christmas Reminder" by John Sumwalt
No More War On Christmas -- Luke 3:7-18, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Isaiah 12:2-6 -- John E. Sumwalt, Keith Hewitt -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2012
Contents"No More War on Christmas" by John Sumwalt
Cousins -- Mark 1:9-15, Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Psalm 25:1-10 -- Keith Hewitt, John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Contents"Cousins" by Keith Hewitt "A Crying Shame" by John Sumwalt
Hunger Dreams -- Luke 24:36b-48, Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Psalm 4 -- John E. Sumwalt, Constance Berg -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Contents"Hunger Dreams" by John Sumwalt "Blooming" by Constance Berg
Evac -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 47 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez, Lamar Massingill, John E. Sumwalt -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2012
Contents"Evac" by Keith Hewitt
Jesus And Judas -- John 17:6-19, Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, Psalm 1 -- Lamar Massingill, John E. Sumwalt, Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2012
Contents"Evac" by Keith Hewitt
Best Of Storyshare For Pentecost Day, Cycle B -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- John E. Sumwalt, Lamar Massingill, C. David Mckirachan, Frank R. Fisher, Sil Galvan -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2012
How The Mighty Have Fallen -- Mark 5:21-43, 1 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Psalm 130 -- John E. Sumwalt, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2012
Contents"How the Mighty Have Fallen" by John Sumwalt
Family -- Mark 9:38-50, Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Psalm 124 -- C. David Mckirachan, Lamar Massingill, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Contents"Family" by C. David McKirachan
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
The God Of All Grace -- John 17:1-11, Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Contents"The God of All Grace" by John Sumwalt
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 24 - OT 29 - Pentecost 19
23 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
35 – Children's Sermons, etc.
21 – Worship Resources
26 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 25 - OT 30 - Pentecost 20
25 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
All Saints
20 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
13 – Worship Resources
17 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 26 - OT 31 - Pentecost 21
26 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
17 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 27 - OT 32 - Pentecost 22
24 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
17 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Ron Love
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For October 20, 2019:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
God’s persistence results in changing the basics of the covenant — sour grapes and written on the heart. Paul calls for us to be persistent in faithfulness, in holding to the truth in a confusing world. Jesus calls us to be as persistent approaching a just and loving God in prayer. If a woman with no power can persist in pestering an unjust judge until justice is done, won’t it be more likely that God will respond to our prayers?

Jeremiah 31:27-34
Bob Ove
Mark Ellingsen
Ron Love
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 31:27-34
A 2018 poll conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 61% of Americans believe in a God who judges them based on what they have done. This was in line with an earlier Baylor University poll finding 47.4% of Americans have an angry god. Most of us have not really heard the word of this lesson about a New Covenant with a God who will remember our sin no more (v.34).

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
“Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray and not lose heart.” (v. 1)

Good morning girls and boys,

I am so glad to see you this morning. Are you ready to hear my children’s message today? (children respond)  Ears and hearts open?

Let’s suppose you want to use your neighbor’s bicycle for an errand. Your neighbor is selfish and sometimes a bully. But you keep on asking and asking. Finally he/she relents and says, “Okay you have been bugging and bugging me, you may use my bicycle.”

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
“Written On Our Hearts” by Peter Andrew Smith


Written On Our Hearts
by Peter Andrew Smith
Jeremiah 31:27-34

“Okay guys, good practice.” Coach blew the whistle and waved at the players to gather around him. “You’re starting to really come along. Chapel service is in thirty minutes so you’ve got time to get yourself a drink or a snack after hitting the showers.”

The players cheered and headed off the field to get ready for the next activity. .

“Hey Coach?” Johnson asked.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Anyone who has suffered any sort of trauma in life will know what it is to have bad dreams. Nightmares often start early in life so that quite small children can be deeply disturbed by them. Sometimes they seem to occur for no reason, but at other times they follow a traumatic experience, or are the result of some worry or anxiety.

SermonStudio

J. Will Ormond
This sermon is a retelling in a contemporary setting of the Parable of the Widow and the Judge. The harsh character of the Judge is exaggerated. The imaginary law clerk is made especially wimpish to highlight the arrogance of the Judge.

The Widow, as in the original parable, is the strongest character in the drama, although outwardly she appears to be the weakest.

This sermon emphasizes the biblical theme of the reversal of roles, and the triumph of faithfulness over human power.


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