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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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Seeing Jesus! -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- John Jamison -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2022
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” (v. 8)
Contacts! -- John 16:12-15 -- John Jamison -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2022
I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the S
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
Gimme, Gimme! -- Luke 12:13-21 -- John Jamison -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2022
Object: An ear of corn.

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God’s Seeds -- Mark 4:26-34 -- John Jamison -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2021
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to de
Appearances! -- Mark 1:4-11 -- John Jamison -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2021
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the fo
The Storm! -- Mark 4:35-41 -- John Jamison -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2021
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side
A Childish Faith -- Mark 10:2-16 -- John Jamison -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2021
Object: A list of rules, or a sign with rules you might see at a pool or school.
What God Sees! -- John 1:43-51 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2021
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the fo
Another Wow! -- Mark 5:21-43 -- John Jamison -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2021
When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered
Freedom! -- Mark 6:1-13 -- John Jamison -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2021
Calling the twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over imp
The Rich Man -- Mark 10:17-31 -- John Jamison -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2021
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. 
Follow Me! -- Mark 1:14-20 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2021
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
Who Is That? -- Mark 6:14-29 -- John Jamison -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2021
King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known.
Chairs! -- Mark 10:35-45 -- John Jamison -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2021
Object: Chairs for a short game of Musical Chairs.
Time Out! -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- John Jamison -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2021
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 
Jesus Stopped! -- Mark 10:46-52 -- John Jamison -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2021
Object: A cloak, or something to use as a cloak, an old bowl, and a
Amazed! -- Mark 1:21-28 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2021
Objects: There are two pieces for this message; a simple magic trick and a badge or
Fish and Bread -- John 6:1-21 -- John Jamison -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2021
Object: A bag of croutons and a bag of goldfish crackers.
The Most Important Rule! -- Mark 12:28-34 -- John Jamison -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2021
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.
Free Refills! -- Mark 1:29-39 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2021
Can anyone tell me what I have here? (Show the cup and let them respond.) Yes!
What Must We Do? -- John 6:24-35 -- John Jamison -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2021
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus Wept -- John 11:32-44 -- John Jamison -- All Saints Day - B -- 2021
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, i
What Difference Does It Make? -- Mark 9:2-9 -- John Jamison -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2021
Object: You have a choice!

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Stories

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 20 | OT 25 | Pentecost 15
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 21 | OT 26 | Pentecost 16
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 22 | OT 27 | Pentecost 17
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 September 21, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Well, it’s autumn, and by now the seeds we planted in the spring either took root and produced or else the weather, pests, rabbits, or our own laziness conspired to make this year’s garden less than a success. But at one point we had to get started and actually plant seeds for the future.

Jeremiah is looking back from the perspective of our spiritual well-being and laments than our spiritual harvest has all been for naught. He wonders if it is now too late for a recovery. Is there no healing, no balm in Gilead, to apply to our wounds?
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 8:18--9:1 and Psalm 79:1-9
In the spring as farmers and gardeners prepare to plant we are looking at a summer of possibilities. Hard work, to be sure, but also potential. What will happen? What will this season be like? At summer’s end there will be no more questions. We’ll know. Maybe it was a great season, and we have canned or frozen many vegetables. Maybe the farmers have brought in a bumper crop and they got a good price besides.

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John Jamison
Object: This message will be based on a game you will play. See the note below.

NOTE: Ask three or more adults to come up and play the role of Simon for your group. Tell them to all speak at once, asking the children to do different things. The goal is to create a nice bit of confusion for the children to experience.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great!

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hey!” Annie waved at the woman standing next to the open doorway. “Can you come here?”

The woman made her way past the other nursing home residents and stood next to Annie’s wheelchair.

“What can I do for you?”

“You look familiar.” Annie squinted at her. “Do I know your name?”

“I’m Brenda.” The woman pointed at her name tag. “I work in the kitchen and sometimes help serve the meals when they are ready.”

“That’s right. I think we’ve met before.” Annie tapped her lips with her finger. “You have the nice smile.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much.” In our worship today let us remember the little things in our lives and ask God to help us to be utterly faithful in them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we pretend that little sins don't matter.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we imagine that you don't notice little sins.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
This poignant prayer of lament and community grief gives expression to what it feels like to suffer as a person of faith. If we believe we are truly part of God's community, then the destruction of that community -- as was the case with Israel in 587 B.C. -- becomes a time for doubt, anger, and confusion. Furthermore, if we believe we are individual members of that community, our personal suffering also creates an opportunity for a crisis of faith: "Why didn't God protect me?" Of course, it does not take a national catastrophe to raise those sorts of questions.
Kirk R. Webster
If feedback is the breakfast of champions, perhaps we would do well to examine some of our prayer habits. If you have ever heard someone use The Just Really Prayer, you know exactly what problem we are talking about.

That prayer goes something like this, "Lord, we just really thank you for this day. We come before you and just really pray for mercy. We offer ourselves to you and just really ask that your will be done in our lives. Amen." I'm thankful this particular Just Really prayer was mercifully short, unlike the next example, The Good Guilt-Based Prayer.
John W. Wurster
Another season has come and gone. Promises that were made have not been fulfilled. Good intentions haven't yielded any tangible results. Dreams have not come true. High hopes have proven to be only wishful thinking. Nothing has really changed; nothing has really improved. The time keeps moving along, but we seem stuck in the same ruts. Old routines remain, prejudices persist, dullness and anxiety continue to be constant companions. Lingering in the air is that nagging sense that things aren't quite right, not as they could be, not as they should be.
R. Robert Cueni
In the scripture lesson for today Jesus tells a perplexing parable about a thoroughly dishonest employee who was praised for his dishonesty. In this story Jesus not only seems comfortable suggesting that it is acceptable to compromise with moral failings, but our Lord appears to commend his disciples to "go and do likewise." For centuries, preachers, commentators, and scholars have struggled to make sense of this outrageous tale.

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