Login / Signup

John E. Sumwalt

SUBSCRIBE YOUR WAY!
Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly
Options Available
Renew or Signup Now!

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.
Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Illustration

Sermon

Stories

StoryShare

Showing Them Jesus -- John 12:20-33, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Peter Andrew Smith, Larry Winebrenner, John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Showing Them Jesus" by Peter Andrew Smith
Discovering What We Will Be -- Luke 24:36b-48, Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Psalm 4 -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales, John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Witnessing To The Truth -- Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Psalm 47 -- Peter Andrew Smith, John E. Sumwalt, Argile Smith, C. David Mckirachan -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Witnessing to the Truth" by Peter Andrew Smith
Witnessing To The Truth -- John 17:6-19, Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, Psalm 1 -- Peter Andrew Smith, John E. Sumwalt, Argile Smith, C. David Mckirachan -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Witnessing to the Truth" by Peter Andrew Smith
God's Ledger -- Mark 5:21-43, 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Psalm 130 -- Craig Kelly, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "God's Ledger" by Craig Kelly
The Third Heaven -- Mark 6:1-13, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Psalm 48 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Third Heaven" by David O. Bales
Friedensstadt -- Mark 12:38-44, Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Psalm 127 -- Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Friedensstadt" by Keith Hewitt
The Lad's Miracle Of Sharing -- John 6:1-21, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, Psalm 14 -- Lamar Massingill, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Come Away With Me -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Sandra Herrmann, Lamar Massingill, Larry Winebrenner, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Come Away With Me" by Sandra Herrmann
Blue Sky Thunder -- Mark 9:38-50, Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Psalm 124 -- Keith Hewitt, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Blue Sky Thunder" by Keith Hewitt
Encounter In The Darkness -- John 14:1-14, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Keith Hewitt, Scott Dalgarno, John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Encounter in the Darkness" by Keith Hewitt
Would That All Were Prophets -- Numbers 11:24-30, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week
Hope On A Stick -- Matthew 9:35--10:8, Romans 5:1-8, Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7), Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Keith Hewitt, John E. Sumwalt, C. David Mckirachan -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Hope on a Stick" by Keith Hewitt
Free Stories/illustrations For Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 -- Genesis 22:1-2, Matthew 10:40-42 -- John E. Sumwalt, Craig Kelly -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
Who Is In Favor of Child Sacrifice? by John Sumwalt
Turning Dirt! -- Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Romans 8:1-11, Genesis 25:19-34, Psalm 119:105-112 -- Bryan Meadows, John E. Sumwalt, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "Turning Dirt!" by Bryan Meadows
It Was A Long Time Ago -- Matthew 16:13-20, Romans 12:1-8, Exodus 1:8--2:10, Psalm 124 -- David O. Bales, John E. Sumwalt, Craig Kelly -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "It was a Long Time Ago" by David O. Bales
A Stellar Calamity -- Mark 13:24-37, Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Frank Ramirez, Peter Andrew Smith, John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "A Stellar Calamity" by Frank Ramirez
The Unsecret Weapon -- Matthew 18:21-35, Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "The Unsecret Weapon" by Frank Ramirez
A Lot Of Bull -- Matthew 22:1-14, Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 -- Alex A. Gondola, Jr., Craig Kelly, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2008
Contents What's Up This Week "A Lot of Bull" by Alex Gondola
The Biggest Sinner -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, Psalm 14 -- John E. Sumwalt, Sandra Herrmann, Fanny Lee Seville -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Biggest Sinner" by John Sumwalt
Free Stories/illustrations For Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 -- Luke 16:25 -- Rick Mccracken-bennett, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2007
The Rich Man's Table By Rick McCracken-Bennett Luke 16:19-31
Looking For The Best -- Luke 12:32-40, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- Fanny Lee Seville, C. David Mckirachan, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
What's Up This Week
The Ultimate Super Hero -- Luke 18:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5, Jeremiah 31:27-34, Psalm 119:97-104 -- Fanny Lee Seville, Sandra Herrmann, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2007
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Ultimate Super Hero" by Fanny Lee Seville
A Thanksgiving Miracle -- John 6:25-35, Philippians 4:4-9, Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 100 -- John E. Sumwalt, Fanny Lee Seville, Timothy F. Merrill -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2007
Contents What's Up This Week "A Thanksgiving Miracle" 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
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)
EASTER 5
24 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
23 – Children's Sermons, etc.
15 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
EASTER 6
26 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons, etc.
17 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
ASCENSION
18 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
13 – Children's Sermons, etc.
12 – Worship Resources
19 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
EASTER 7
25 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons, etc.
19 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
PENTECOST
25 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons, etc.
16 – Worship Resources
23 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Signup for FREE!
(No credit card needed.)

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Bethany Peerbolte
Christopher Keating
Ron Love
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For May 19, 2019:
  • Love Between Our Toes by Bethany Peerbolte — We are called to love from our most authentic selves, in ways that uphold the bonds of Christ while not trying to change others directly.
  • Loving Action by Chris Keating — God’s ever-broadening circles of grace challenge the church to acts of loving action and radical inclusion.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
The bride-to-be was obviously nervous. It was only the rehearsal, but already the pastor could see that tomorrow’s wedding might be in for problems.

“You’re letting it all get to you,” he told her gently, as he pulled her aside. “Just take it one little step at a time. When you get to the door with your father tomorrow afternoon, look only at the aisle ahead of you. You’ve walked it hundreds of times, every Sunday when you come to church. Think only of that.
Mark Ellingsen
Ron Love
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bob Ove
Acts 11:1-18
This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. (Acts 11:10)

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you.” (v. 34a)

Good morning little children,

Jesus calls his disciples “little children.” Why so? All followers of Jesus are little children — kids, moms, dads, you and me. We are all learning and growing in faith.

So to everybody here this morning, (to the congregation) “Good morning little children.” (congregation may respond with an “also to you”)

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"Crossing Barriers" by Frank Ramirez
"As I Have Loved You" by Peter Andrew Smith


Crossing Barriers
by Frank Ramirez
Acts 11:1-8

But I replied, 'By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' (Acts 11:8)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." In our worship today, let us explore how we can love one another.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, when we show not our love for each other, but our dislike of one another, Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, when we pretend to love one another whilst harbouring hate in our hearts, Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Elizabeth Achtemeier
This story about Peter's mission to the Gentiles continues the account that began in 10:1, and it repeats in greater detail the content of Peter's vision that was already mentioned in 10:9-16. It is a remarkable story, because it treats rather lightly a dispute that was widespread in the New Testament church, the dispute over conditions to be laid upon Gentile converts to the faith.

Special Occasion