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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

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,
Once Upon a New Year's Eve -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2024
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Let the Redeemed Tell Their Story -- Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2023
Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
Loved Ones Appear in Dreams -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2023
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so tha
An Impromptu Thanksgiving Meal -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2023
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bou
A Soldier Waits for God -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
From ages past no one has heard,    no ear has perceived,
A Taste of Divine Glory -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29 -- John E. Sumwalt -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2023
The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl and strips the forest bare,
Praying for A Good Death -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,because the Lord has anointed me;
Epistle from Ukraine -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2023
…just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you so that you are not lacking in
A Voice Came from the Light -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- John E. Sumwalt -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2023
Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and th
A Salt of the Earth Christian -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2023
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored
The Anger of Will Smith -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2023
You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘whoever
Crazy Gerald -- Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you,    and I did not hide my iniquity;
Don't Look Away From Evil -- John 3:1-17, Psalm 121 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
“The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
Are There Tractors in Heaven? -- Romans 8:6-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you.
I Will Not Be Ashamed -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- John E. Sumwalt -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2023
The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced;
An Easter Moment -- John 20:1-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Easter Day - A -- 2023
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know tha
I Will Not Be Shaken -- Psalm 16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (v.
Called Out of Darkness -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that
Memorial Day Hope -- John 14:15-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.
Pentecost in Ukraine -- Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2023
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

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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
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[
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

Sermon

Stories

StoryShare

Once Upon a New Year's Eve -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2024
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
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[
Are There Tractors in Heaven? -- Romans 8:6-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you.
I Will Not Be Ashamed -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- John E. Sumwalt -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2023
The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced;
An Easter Moment -- John 20:1-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Easter Day - A -- 2023
When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know tha
I Will Not Be Shaken -- Psalm 16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (v.
Called Out of Darkness -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that
Memorial Day Hope -- John 14:15-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.
Pentecost in Ukraine -- Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2023
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
Divine Shimmers: The Wind from God -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, Psalm 8 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2023
When God began to create the heavens and the earth, earth was complete chaos, and darkness cover
Crying Out In Ukraine -- Jeremiah 20:7-13 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2023
“For whenever I speak, I must cry out;    I must shout, “Violence and destruction!”
How to Treat Strangers -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 
Enduring With Hope -- Romans 8:12-25, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2023
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of
The Season for Sighing -- Romans 8:26-39 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2023
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but th
A Taste of Divine Glory -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29 -- John E. Sumwalt -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2023
The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl and strips the forest bare,
Epistle from Ukraine -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2023
…just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you so that you are not lacking in
There is Crying in Baseball -- Genesis 45:1-15 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2023
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out,
A Salt of the Earth Christian -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2023
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored
A Call for Religious Tolerance -- Romans 12:1-8 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2023
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bo
The Anger of Will Smith -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2023
You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘whoever
Forgiveness is Hard and Necessary -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2023
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister

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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[
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
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
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
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

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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?

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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