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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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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)
Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Contents “Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly” by John Sumwalt

StoryShare

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
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
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
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
Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly -- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Psalm 62:5-12 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
Contents “Yes, God Speaks to Us Directly” by John Sumwalt
Breaking Jesus’ Heart -- Psalm 22:23-31, Mark 8:31-38 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2021
Contents“Breaking Jesus’ Heart” by John Sumwalt
Not Forsaken -- John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - B -- 2021
Contents“Not Forsaken” by John Sumwalt
Waking Up to Racism -- John 15:9-17, Psalm 98 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2021
Contents“Waking Up to Racism” by John Sumwalt
The Billy Graham Test -- Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2021
Contents“The Billy Graham Test” by John Sumwalt
We Are Spiritual Bodies -- 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Ezekiel 2:1-5 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2021
Contents“We Are Spiritual Bodies” by John Sumwalt
Bread From Heaven -- John 6:51-58, Psalm 111 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2021
Contents“Bread From Heaven” by John Sumwalt
Speaking Tender -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2021
Contents“Speaking Tender” by John Sumwalt
Speaking Tender -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2021
Contents“Speaking Tender” by John Sumwalt
Truth and Vaccines -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, John 18:33-37 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2021
Contents“Truth and Vaccines” by John Sumwalt
Christmas Come Home -- Isaiah 62:6-12, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2021
Contents“Christmas Come Home” by John Sumwalt

Sermon

Stories

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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,

StoryShare

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)
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 -- 2022
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Biggest Sinner" by John Sumwalt
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
When I Fall In Love -- Luke 8:26-39, 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29 -- C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2022
Contents"When I Fall in Love…" by C. David McKirachan
Oskar -- Luke 13:10-17, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Keith Hewitt, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2022
Contents"Oskar" by Keith Hewitt "With Reverence and Awe" by John Sumwalt
Roots -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- C. David Mckirachan, John E. Sumwalt, Sandra Herrmann -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Note: This installment was originally published in 2007. Contents
The Arid Spaces In Your Life -- Psalm 147, Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2022
Contents “The Arid Spaces In Your Life” by Frank Ramirez
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
A More Honest Light -- 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Exodus 34:29-35 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2022
Contents “A More Honest Light” by Frank Ramirez
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
Most Qualified -- Philippians 3:4b-14, Psalm 126 -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Contents “Most Qualified” by Frank Ramirez
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
One Hit Wonder -- John 21:1-19, Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Frank Ramirez, John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Contents “One Hit Wonder” by Frank Ramirez
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
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 23
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
34 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
For November 16, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Another natural disaster has flattened a number of coastal communities. Despite the weather and major television station warnings, and government disaster preparations, the dystopian destruction nightmare of Luke 21 has decimated another community. Also, it is reasonable to believe that this is not the last year for hurricanes, Tsunami’s, wildfires, mudslides and tornados. They will occur again. However, as weary citizens are interviewed in one group of people with the background of homes in rubble and streets still draining flood waters, they will not leave. This is their home.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez

Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 12

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. (v. 25)

A week after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, country singer Toby Keith — who died Feb. 5, 2024 — wrote a patriotic ballad titled “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” It was filled with populist fighting rhetoric that matched the mood of a nation shaken by the shocking death and destruction of that day.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A blood pressure monitor. It is actually called a sphygmomanometer, and is pronounced “sfig·mow·muh·naa’·muh·tr”.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
-- Isaiah 12:3

John W. Clarke
No reading of Luke is complete without coming to realize that Luke is concerned that the world understands that Jesus is the hope of the world and that any teaching that leads away from that fact is a false teaching. No matter what, no matter when, Jesus will be there to give us life.

Scott Suskovic
Whoever does not work should not eat!
-- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NLT)

Wow! Kind of takes your breath away, doesn't it? Not a lot of ambiguity in that rule. "You don't work, you don't eat." For a religion based on grace, it seems a bit unyielding.

Mark Ellingson
Freedom is such a lovely word, a compelling image. What is freedom? How would you define it? What does it mean to you? Webster's New World Dictionary defines freedom as being exempt from control or from arbitrary restrictions. Freedom is said to be the ability to choose or determine one's own actions.

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