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John E. Sumwalt

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.
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A New Creation -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Debi Lyerly Lawson -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
I cannot remember a time when God wasn't the source of all that I am.
Saved -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- John E. Sumwalt, Cheryl Kirking -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
"I may have a story for your book, Cheryl." I had just finished presenting at a women's event, and h
Recovered Memory -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Bruce Stunkard -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2003
I was a male glossophobiac. An avoider of spotlights. Stage frightened.
A Christmas Story From Cambodia -- Titus 2:11-14 -- John E. Sumwalt, Patricia Lyon -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2003
I wondered if the village folk ever had potlucks like the Methodists back home.
Maundy Thursday Visions -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- John E. Sumwalt, Lisa Lancaster -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2003
In 1985, I was struggling deeply with a very painful friendship.
An Unlikely Angel -- Luke 2:1-20 -- John E. Sumwalt, David Michael Smith -- 2003
He staggered in fifteen minutes after the traditional holiday hymn sing had begun, plopping with a t
A Single Drop Of Blood -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- John E. Sumwalt, Wayne Frank -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2003
I was first elected as an Alderman on Milwaukee's south side after a special election in 1973.
A Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Ellen Sherry -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2003
I was raised in the Congregational Church.
Steadfast Love -- Psalm 85 -- John E. Sumwalt, Christal Bindrich -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2003
My brother died on March 15, 2001, at the age of 56.
Fearless Freddie -- Psalm 25:1-10 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Once upon a time there was a boy known as Fearless Freddie.
Laying Down The Law -- Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Hebrews 9:11-14 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 1996
Awards Sunday was the biggest annual event at Calvary Church.
Afflicted -- Psalm 22:23-31 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
There was once a little boy whose most prized possession was a light blue cat's-eye crystal marble.
Heads Will Roll -- Mark 6:14-29, Amos 7:7-15 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1996
Both management and union leaders were angry with Amos Dresser.
You Shall Not Murder -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
There was once a man who was an active proponent of capital punishment.
Dog Days Of The Soul -- John 3:14-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Introduction
The Fear Of The Lord -- Psalm 34:9-14, Ephesians 5:15-20 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1996
There was no warning.
The Conversion -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
She hadn't intended to speak.
Will Work For Food -- Mark 10:46-52 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1996
A well-known politician came into a large American city one day to speak at a political rally.
The Anointing -- John 12:12-16 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1996
Marilyn came slowly down the long stairs of her sister Margaret's big brick house in the suburbs of
The Trial Of Gilbert Gunderson -- John 18:33-37 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1996
Gilbert Gunderson has been the editor of the Willow Bluff weekly newspaper for as long as I, and eve
Prejudice, Once Removed: The Larry Wasson Story -- Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1996
The gray-haired man cleared his throat and stood before the circle of his peers, gathered to share t
Giving All -- Mark 12:38-44 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 1996
Gerald Fitzgerald was the biggest giver at First Redeemer Church.
No Longer Strangers -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1996
Milenko and Eldina Sunjic came to the United States as refugees from Bosnia in July of 1994.
Painful Waiting -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 1996
The pain was unbearable!
The Lord Always Before Me: Lavinda's Christmas Letter -- Psalm 16 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jo Perry-sumwalt -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1996
Christmas, 1979Dear Ones:
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 16 - OT 21 - Pentecost 11
25 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons, etc.
18 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 - OT 22 - Pentecost 12
24 – Sermons
150+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 - OT 23 - Pentecost 13
26 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
28 – Children's Sermons / Resources
18 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 19 - OT 24 - Pentecost 14
24 – Sermons
130+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
28 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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Pastor Moen scooted aside his computer keyboard and grabbed a pencil. What he was going to write needed careful attention to every word, to the point of feeling what he wrote. He resolved to represent Jesus Christ and not to allow his negative feelings to overwhelm God’s grace. After a gaze at the ceiling with one last sigh of prayer, he began:

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Good morning children of God,

I call you children of God because that is what you are. And we are going to talk about that in a minute. But first I am so glad you are here today. How are you? (children answer)

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The wedding season starts around Easter each year, heats up during June, July and August, begins to quiet down during September and is usually finished by October. It can become quite hectic if most Saturday afternoons of the three summer months are taken up with weddings, but they are usually fun to conduct and a real privilege for the priest.

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1. Text

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.

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