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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
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[
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.  
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
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
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
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?”
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
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,
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
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,
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
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

Sermon

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 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
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

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For July 6, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity for the children.

Note: You will need an older volunteer to help with this activity. One option would be to find a teenager with some physical ability. If a teen is not available, an adult could be used instead. For simplicity here, I will refer to my older volunteer as “TOM”. You will also need to select three of your younger children to serve as volunteers in the story.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
2 Kings 5:1-14
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30
Naaman seeks healing. He travels hoping healing will come to him when he visits the king of Israel. Yet, healing does not come in that way. Rather healing comes through Elishah. Healing comes from believing and being cleansed in the River Jordan. Healing comes through Naaman’s faithfulness and through God’s grace. Psalm 30 also reminds us to seek healing; to seek God and God will heal and restore us. Do we believe that? Do we believe that God can bring healing?

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ (vv. 10-11)

When I visit your church for the first time, consider the possibility that I might be looking for a church home. I am a good-looking old guy, but I have gray hair and I dress down in the summer, so don’t be put off by my cargo shorts and tank top. Talk to me!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Damien and Ora grinned at each other in excitement. The time had come - at last! They'd been with the Leader for months and months, waiting for this moment. Not that it had felt much like training. They'd simply lived with the Leader, listening to his stories, hearing about the Kingdom, learning to get along really well with all the other people at Mission Headquarters. Now all seventy of them were ready, the spaceship had docked, and the Mission was about to begin. Ora was glad she'd been paired up with Damien again.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Stan Purdum
Carlos Wilton
(See Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle B, and Easter 3, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

Anyone who has ever had the experience of losing a friend because of some conflict or dispute, and then has had the friendship restored because of love and forgiveness, has a unique insight into the meaning of this psalm. Although the poem begins and ends with praise, there is in the middle of the poem a brief moment of confession and contrition that puts the praise portions of the psalm in an entirely different light.

April Yamasaki
A word of encouragement came from an unlikely source the other day in a television interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The former football player, wrestler, and now actor was asked about a low time in his life when he was very discouraged about his career and future.

"How did you make your way back from that?" he was asked.

The Rock replied, "You have to put yourself out there. You have to get out there and fail, and learn from your failures."

Larry D. Powell
In the summer of 1983, I participated in a ministerial exchange program sponsored by my denomination. My assignment was to a circuit of churches on the Isle of Man, a tiny island located in the Irish Sea. The months preceding the exchange included considerable correspondence with the minister on the island with whom I would exchange pastoral duties for six weeks.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
A wealthy businessman decided to take a walk and eat his lunch at the same time. He strolled by a park. There he purchased a hot dog and a soft drink. As he walked through the park two different "street people" approached him one by one. Each asked, "Can you help me? I am hungry." Each time the businessman looked straight ahead and kept walking. After finishing his lunch, he stopped and bought a chocolate eclair for dessert. As he was about to take the first bite, he was forced to jump out of the way as a young boy raced by on his skateboard. The eclair went flying and landed on the ground.

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