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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

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
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 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
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
Listen to the Quiet Voices on Abortion -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2023
Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see
Who May Come To The Banquet? -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2023
'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy.
My Rock of Ages Moment -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2023
I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand... (v. 22)
God Restores Our Joy -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2022
Contents “God Restores Our Joy” by John Sumwalt
Keeping Watch -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (v. 42)
Merry Christmas Charlie Brown -- Isaiah 7:10-16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.
What to Give for Christmas? -- Isaiah 9:2-7 -- John E. Sumwalt -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2022
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep da
Loving Our Transgender Children -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2022
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,
I Could Have Been an Anti-vaxxer -- Luke 6:17-26 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2022
Contents “I Could Have Been an Anti-vaxxer” by John Sumwalt
Liars Hall of Shame -- Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Contents“Liars Hall of Shame” by John Sumwalt
Good Friday is Cancel Culture -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - C -- 2022
Contents“Good Friday is Cancel Culture” by John Sumwalt
The World to Come -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, Psalm 67 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Contents “The World to Come” by John Sumwalt

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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,
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;
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
My Rock of Ages Moment -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2023
I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand... (v. 22)

Sermon

Stories

StoryShare

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;
Listen to the Quiet Voices on Abortion -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2023
Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see
Who May Come To The Banquet? -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2023
'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy.
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.
My Rock of Ages Moment -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2023
I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand... (v. 22)
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,
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;
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
Keep Your Hands Off the Steering Wheel -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2022
Contents “Keep Your Hands Off the Steering Wheel” by Frank Ramirez
Hope for Our Gay and Trans Children -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Psalm 52, Psalm 15 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2022
Contents “Hope for Our Gay and Trans Children” by John Sumwalt
Connect the Dots -- Luke 12:32-40, Genesis 15:1-6 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2022
Contents “Connect the Dots” by Frank Ramirez
Valley of the Shadow -- Psalm 112, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2022
Contents “Valley of the Shadow” by John Sumwalt
Feels A Little Light -- Amos 8:4-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2022
Contents “Feels A Little Light” by Frank Ramirez
Band of Brothers -- Luke 17:11-19, 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2022
Contents “Band of Brothers” by Frank Ramirez
No Sweetness in Pain -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 32:1-7 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2022
Contents “No Sweetness in Pain” by John Sumwalt
God Restores Our Joy -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2022
Contents “God Restores Our Joy” by John Sumwalt
Keeping Watch -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (v. 42)

Free Access

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
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;
My Rock of Ages Moment -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2023
I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand... (v. 22)
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,
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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