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John Jamison

John B. Jamison served as a pastor of United Methodist churches in Illinois for over twenty years. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary as well as a masters and a Ph.D. in Education. John spent extended time studying in the Holy Land and uses that experience as a source for his sermons and children's sermons. John has written for radio and television, has authored three novels, and is an award-winning children’s book author. When he is not writing, John enjoys painting, gardening, playing the guitar, and spending time with his wife Patricia, their adult daughter, Tricia, and two grandchildren, Ben and Emily.

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Children's sermon

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Measuring Forgivness -- Luke 6:27-38 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2022
Object: A measuring cup that you might use for cooking, and something to put in the
Is God Here? -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- John Jamison -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2022
Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory
SHHHhhhhh! -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- John Jamison -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2022
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogu
Tempted! -- Luke 4:1-13 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answe
Seeing Things! -- Luke 13:31-35 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere el
The Fig Tree -- Luke 13:1-9 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Object: Figs, usually dried.
Stones and Cookies -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him
Welcome! -- John 12:1-8 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2022
Object: A bottle of aromatic hand cream or something similar.
Holy Week Begins -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- John Jamison -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2022
Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.
Holy Thursday -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- John Jamison -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2022
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave thi
Good Friday -- John 18:1--19:42 -- John Jamison -- Good Friday - C -- 2022
Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus.
Easter! -- Luke 24:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Easter Day - C -- 2022
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the other
Thomas -- John 20:19-31 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came
Gone Fishing, Again -- John 21:1-19 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.
Who Are You? -- John 10:22-30 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem.
A New Command -- John 13:31-35 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
What Do You Want? -- John 5:1-9 -- John Jamison -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
Never Alone -- Luke 24:44-53 -- John Jamison -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2022
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have
One! -- John 17:20-26 -- John Jamison -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2022
The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one
The Big Test! -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- John Jamison -- New Year's Day - C -- 2022
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take you
Seeing God! -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2022
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[
Decisions -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2022
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared
Love-Proof! -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- John Jamison -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2022
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.
Only the Best! -- John 2:1-11 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2022
Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water;” so they filled them to the brim.
At Home -- Luke 4:14-21 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2022
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synag

Illustration

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Child Sacrifice -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 15 -- Sandra Herrmann, John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2011
Contents "Child Sacrifice" by Sandra Herrmann (Micah 6:1-8)

Sermon

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Actors -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- John Jamison -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2015
Whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and
Simple Faith? -- Mark 1:9-15 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
It all sounds so simple. It’s just so nice, so easy, and so straightforward; almost comfortable.
The Bethsaida Boys -- Mark 8:31-38 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
After Jesus was baptized by John, he went to spend time in the desert lands east of the Jordan River
Zeal! -- John 2:13-22 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Have you ever had one of those times when you had just had enough?
Rebirth -- John 3:14-21 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
The city of Jerusalem was packed with strangers during the Passover feast, so you could walk a long
Some Greeks -- John 12:20-33 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Jesus was back in Jerusalem for another Passover.
The Week -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- John Jamison -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2015
Note to the preacher:
Where It Ends -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- John Jamison -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2015
All of the plans and preparation had been completed and they were all gathering together in the room
Out of Control -- John 18:1--19:42 -- John Jamison -- Good Friday - B -- 2015
Note to the preacher:
Have You Ever Screwed Up? -- John 20:1-18 -- John Jamison -- Easter Day - B -- 2015
Have you ever screwed up? I mean, really, really screwed up?
Uncertain Certainties -- John 20:19-31 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
It was Sunday evening.
Fish Tales -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Have you ever had to sell an idea or a concept or a belief?
The Shepherd -- John 10:11-18 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
He woke up just as the sun was peeking over the top of the mountains to the east, just as he had don
Tangled Up in the Vines -- John 15:1-8 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
This passage from John is one that has created great comfort for many people, and at the same time h
What a Friend -- John 15:9-17 -- John Jamison -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
In your mind, I’d like you to picture a good friend.
Travel Arrangements -- Luke 24:44-53 -- John Jamison -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2015
It was an amazing moment. Everything that had happened before now seemed to lead up to this.
Making Sense -- John 17:6-19 -- John Jamison -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Have you ever come across a piece of scripture that you really just didn’t know what to do with?
The Prodigal Father -- Romans 8:14-17 -- John Jamison -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
It wasn't their first fight. Like most fathers and sons they had their disagreements.
Boast Of That! -- Romans 5:1-5 -- John Jamison -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2006
He had been looking forward to Sunday afternoon all week.
The Dream -- Galatians 1:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2006
It was an October Monday morning.
My Earlier Life -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- John Jamison -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2006
You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism.
The Difference Between Knowing And Doing -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- John Jamison -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2006
It is difficult to be the church. What we have been asked to do here is not easy.

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The Week -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- John Jamison -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2015
Note to the preacher:
Making Sense -- John 17:6-19 -- John Jamison -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Have you ever come across a piece of scripture that you really just didn’t know what to do with?
Tangled Up in the Vines -- John 15:1-8 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
This passage from John is one that has created great comfort for many people, and at the same time h

Stories

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Child Sacrifice -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 15 -- Sandra Herrmann, John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2011
Contents "Child Sacrifice" by Sandra Herrmann (Micah 6:1-8)
The Reason For The Season -- Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 -- David E. Leininger, John Jamison -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Contents What's Up This Week "The Reason for the Season" by David Leininger
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John Jamison

The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (vv. 22-23)
John Jamison
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. (v. 49)

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The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
George Reed
For May 29, 2022:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
The enthusiastic exclamation of Easter Sunday, “He is risen” is a distant echo during the week of the 7th Sunday of Easter, as this season is headed toward the home stretch. A tired pastor in a small to mid-size church enters walks into the church office on Monday to find a thick booklet or church bulletin from a mega church a few hours away, on the desk. A short and sincere sticky pad stuck is on top of the full colored glossy papered bulletin. It reads, “We visited this church yesterday.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Acts 16:16-34
John Wesley notes how this text testifies to the countercultural character of the Christian message:

But this is a property of the gospel truth: It has something in it peculiarly Intolerable to the world. (Commentary On the Bible, p. 485)
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Acts 1:1-11
In the American judicial system, a witness is a crucial component to attain justice. It wasn’t a big trial, but I was once called upon to be a witness in a Kansas City courtroom. The attorney made clear what I was supposed to do. She wanted me to relay exactly what I’d seen and to answer the questions directly. Being a witness, even in a small trial, seemed like a big responsibility.
Mark J. Molldrem
Note: This installment was originally published in 2001

In golf, Tiger rules. In tennis, Venus. Depending upon which teen you talk with, either Ricky rules, or Brittney does. In Iraq, Saddam rules -- for now. In America, the people rule, despite what some political cynics or party technocrats say. For Christians wherever, Jesus rules!

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
Will stood in line at the cafeteria oblivious to the smells and noise and activity of the other students having lunch. He was still thinking about the scripture passage that had popped up on his phone that morning. He’d never really paid much attention to the story of the Ascension but for some reason the passage caught his attention and imagination today.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
"I think," proclaimed Peter, lying on his back and gazing up at the trees, "we should become bully-busters."

"What?" said Jimmy, lazily. Karl simply rolled over, chewing at the blade of grass in his mouth.

"No, c'mon," said Peter. "Like ghost busters. We could identify all the bullies in school, then go bust them."

Karl laughed. "You mean you could! Jimmy and me'd just pick up the pieces afterwards! Anyway, how you think you're gonna bust a gang like the Robots?"

SermonStudio

Elaine M. Ward
Some things we can't explain, and we call them mysteries and trust God's love no matter what. There is an old story about a rabbi taking a trip with his donkey, rooster, and lamp. When it was night, he had no place to sleep, so he slept in the woods. He lit his lamp to read his Bible before going to sleep, but a strong wind blew it over and broke it. "It must be time to sleep," the rabbi said, ending his prayers, "All God does, God does well."
Stephen P. McCutchan
Acts 1:1-11
As they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
-- Acts 1:9b

Stan Purdum
Both Psalms 47 and 93 (the alternative psalm for this day) are enthronement psalms, praise hymns celebrating God's rule over the nations. They were most likely used on festal occasions when Israel again declared that God was its king.

While Psalm 47 was for Israel's celebration, verses 1-2 call all the nations of earth to recognize God as their monarch as well. Verses 3-4, however, return to the specific relationship between God and Israel.

Donald Charles Lacy
When, dear God, shall Christians all be one? It is a first-century inquiry. It is a here-and-now recurring question. Countless programs have been launched. Numerous proposals have been given. Only God knows how many problems have risen in our quest for Christian unity.

Dallas A. Brauninger
More than anything else, Edward wanted God to forgive Keith. More than anything else, he wanted to forgive his son for taking his own life. For several months after his son's suicide, Edward feared that Keith was lost. The father could speak to no one about his heartbrokenness.

Then, prompted by the open, sky-filled space as he drove with friends across the prairie of Nebraska, he turned to the couple in the rear seat and told them the following dream:
Charles D. Reeb
A friend of mine once shared a story about his first visit to Niagara Falls. He said it was magnificent -- the rush and roar of the water -- the display of raw power. But as he looked upon the water gushing forth, he remembered a picture in a textbook. It showed Niagara Falls in the middle of winter, and much of the water was frozen. Big lightning-shaped forms of water were at a standstill. There was no movement, no action, no power.
Frank Ramirez

Call To Worship
If we must suffer, let it be for Jesus. If we are mocked, let it be for the Lord. If we are excluded, or hunted, or cast out from the midst of friends and family, let it be because our service to God upsets the comfortable order and calls all to repentance and service! Let us be God's people today.

Collect
Be present with us, Lord, today,
In all your minister might say,
In all your songs call from our heart,
In all your children's scribbled art.
In all the adults' restlessness,

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