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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

Not Forsaken -- Psalm 9:9-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2024
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
Caught Up Into Paradise -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2024
I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven — whether in
Death Will Be No More -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- John E. Sumwalt -- New Year's Day - B -- 2024
Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and th
When Fascism Threatened -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2024
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord...
Babies Are Powerful -- Mark 1:4-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2024
In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And j
Forgiveness Can Save Your Life -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2024
Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with al
The Evil in All of Us -- Mark 1:14-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2024
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the good news[
Stories to Confront Evil -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2024
For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the
Casting Out Demons in Ohio -- Mark 1:29-39 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2024
And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demo
Rich Toward God -- James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2024
Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.
If I Should Wake Before I Die -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2024
As we work together with him, we entreat you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he
Frank Brown, Legendary Cattle Trucker -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2024
“Who is wise and knowledgeable among you?
We Live By Faith -- Romans 4:13-25 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants th
About Angels -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2024
Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels.  
Dark Mysteries of the Universe -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2024
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understand
Where Have You Gone Joe DiMaggio? -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were de
Death Will be No More -- John 11:32-44 -- John E. Sumwalt -- All Saints Day - B -- 2024
“Do your loved ones come to you in dreams?”
Troubling Religious Cliches -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- John E. Sumwalt -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2024
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with
No Rest for This Beloved -- Psalm 127 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2024
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
Deliverance from Hell -- 1 Peter 4:1-8 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Good Friday - B -- 2024
For this is reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been jud
Held in the Arms of Love -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2024
Look, he is coming with the clouds,    and “every eye will see him,
Heavenly Bodies and Earthly Bodies -- John 20:19-31 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2024
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the
It Felt Like the End of the World -- Luke 21:25-36 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2024
People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bod
Do Angels Really Exist? -- Psalm 23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2024
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and
Baptism Promise Saves Lives -- Luke 3:7-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2024
John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful tha

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Stories

StoryShare

Troubling Religious Cliches -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- John E. Sumwalt -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2024
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with
Deliverance from Hell -- 1 Peter 4:1-8 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Good Friday - B -- 2024
For this is reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been jud
Heavenly Bodies and Earthly Bodies -- John 20:19-31 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2024
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the
Do Angels Really Exist? -- Psalm 23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2024
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and
Infidelities R Us -- John 15:9-17 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2024
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Eternity Was In the Room -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2024
…God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his son. (v. 11b)
Who Goes to Heaven? -- John 3:1-17 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2024
Indeed, God did not send the son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world
Look At What Cannot Be Seen -- 2 Corinthians 4:13--5:1 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2024
For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all m
Not Forsaken -- Psalm 9:9-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2024
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
Caught Up Into Paradise -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2024
I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven — whether in
When Fascism Threatened -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2024
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord...
Forgiveness Can Save Your Life -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2024
Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with al
Stories to Confront Evil -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2024
For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the
Rich Toward God -- James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2024
Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.
Frank Brown, Legendary Cattle Trucker -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2024
“Who is wise and knowledgeable among you?
About Angels -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2024
Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels.  
Dark Mysteries of the Universe -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2024
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understand
Death Will be No More -- John 11:32-44 -- John E. Sumwalt -- All Saints Day - B -- 2024
“Do your loved ones come to you in dreams?”
No Rest for This Beloved -- Psalm 127 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2024
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
Held in the Arms of Love -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2024
Look, he is coming with the clouds,    and “every eye will see him,
It Felt Like the End of the World -- Luke 21:25-36 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2024
People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bod
Baptism Promise Saves Lives -- Luke 3:7-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2024
John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful tha
Death Will Be No More -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- John E. Sumwalt -- New Year's Day - B -- 2024
Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and th
Christmas Eve Candle Light And Music -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- John E. Sumwalt -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2024
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
Babies Are Powerful -- Mark 1:4-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2024
In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And j
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

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity.

Note: You will need to select six children to play roles in this activity. If you have a smaller group, you might ask some older youth or even adults to play the parts of the two attackers and the man being attacked. I will give suggestions for how they can play their roles, but feel free to help your children make the story as fun and memorable as you can. I have used boys and girls in the various roles, but you can change those however you want to change them.

* * *

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
George Reed
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For July 13, 2025:
  • Samaritans Among Us by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Samaritans were despised and dismissed by the original audience who first heard Jesus tell this parable. Who are the Samaritans in our lives and how does this parable apply today?
  • Second Thoughts: The Helpers by Katy Stenta based on Amos 7:7-17.

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
I say, “You are gods,
    children of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals
    and fall like any prince….”
(vv. 6-7)

There have been any number of brother-sister acts that achieved a measure of fame. Take the Carpenters, famed for their singing, musicianship, and songwriting skills. Also worthy of mention are John and Joan Cusack who have acted together in over sixteen films.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
An ancient legend tells of a remote mountain village where people used to send their senior citizens out into the woods to die. The villagers had an eye to the future; they felt that those beyond a certain age would only slow down progress or use up valuable resources to no economically profitable end. Those who reached a certain age weren’t “put out to pasture” or “put out of their misery”; they were simply put out of other people’s way.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Amos 7:7-17 and Psalm 82
The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is more than 2,700 feet high—over half a mile tall. It has 160 floors and is twice as tall as the Empire State Building in New York City. It is home to the world’s fastest elevator which reaches speeds of forty miles an hour. The Burj Khalifa also hosts the world’s highest outdoor observation deck (on the 124th floor) and the world’s highest swimming pool (on the 76th floor).

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Mabel hummed a familiar hymn tune as she made her way to church. She always enjoyed her Sunday morning walk. It was one of the few times she felt safe to walk alone through the inner city, for she knew nobody would be up at 7.45 in the morning. Today was a particularly beautiful morning, with blue sky, warm sunshine, and the song of a few intrepid blackbirds who still inhabited the city.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Often, a distinction is made between the pastoral or priestly work of the church and the prophetic work. Pastoral care has to do with the care of souls, the offering of comfort in times of loss. The priestly character of pastoral work seeks to mediate the presence of God to those who are hurting.

Schuyler Rhodes
Trusting is never easy. Even in the best of relationships, people step into trust slowly. There is wariness -- questioning -- worry. What happens if trust is betrayed? What if this doesn't work? Sometimes it's like a dance. We step in and out of trust, moving to the rhythms of fear. For many, the routine is achingly familiar. Indeed, it's not easy to trust.
John Jamison
It was back in the days when the railroad was the most common mode of transportation. There were automobiles, and some airplanes, but the steam locomotive was the way most folks traveled and the way that most of the goods were distributed around the country. After dinner, people sat in the drawing room and listened to the radio programs, fading in and out from some faraway location, over the magical broadcasting signal.
Robert Leslie Holmes
Not many tourists to Washington, D.C., look for the Federal Bureau of Standards offices. It's the Capitol and the White House, the Supreme Court Building or the Smithsonian most of us want to see when we go there. Yet, at the Bureau of Standards offices something very important is stored, something that impacts your life and mine every single day. Have you ever bought the materials for a new project? When you did, most likely you purchased so many inches or feet or yards. Or, you stopped to buy gasoline for your car and purchased it at a certain price per gallon.
David O. Bales
I have the two best jobs in the world. I teach social studies at Leon Griffith Junior High School (a fairly small junior high) and I am Sunday School Superintendent at Calvary Presbyterian Church (an enormous church school). Each job is my vocation. I tell people that at school they'll find my room where the halls cross. At church they can look but probably won't find me. I'll be in someone's classroom. At each job I practice what I most deeply believe: it's how you see the world that determines how you respond to it. I'll give you an example, actually, two examples.
Erskine White
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed,
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
(Stuart K. Hine)

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