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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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Doing What Is Important! -- Luke 10:38-42 -- John Jamison -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2022
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha op
The Glass Prayer! -- Luke 11:1-13 -- John Jamison -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2022
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him,
Awards! -- Luke 4:21-30 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2022
He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Gimme, Gimme! -- Luke 12:13-21 -- John Jamison -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2022
Object: An ear of corn.
Fishing Around -- Luke 5:1-11 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2022
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulle
Flipping Things -- Luke 6:17-26 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2022
They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with u
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
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
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.
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
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.
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. 
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.

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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
A Pretty Special Gift #3! -- Matthew 11:2-11 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2022
Object: A video camera. One on your phone is just fine.
Our Job Description -- Luke 17:5-10 -- John Jamison -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2022
Object: A printed copy of the job description that is included with this week’s mes
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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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
George Reed
Christopher Keating
For February 15, 2026:

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Bethany Peerbolte
The disciples see Jesus transfigured with Moses and Elijah, and then Jesus tells them to tell no one. I don’t think I would have been up for the task of keeping that secret. I know this because the first time I played The Green Wall a friend told me the secret and I had the hardest time not telling everyone else the answer.
Good morning, boys and girls. Kermit the Frog came along with me this morning. How many of you watch Kermit on public television? (Let them answer.) I've watched a bit of Kermit myself. One of the things he does that I like the best is when he pre tends that he is a television newscaster. When he does this he always reports events as an eyewitness. How many of you like his eyewitness TV reports? (Wait for a show of hands.) Can anyone tell me what it means to be an eyewitness? (Let someone answer.) It means that someone actually saw an event take place. That
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME

Materials:
Blue construction paper
White cotton balls
Glue
Alphabet pasta

Directions:

1. Give each of the children a piece of blue construction paper.

2. Tell the children to use the cotton balls to make clouds and glue them onto the paper.

3. Have the children use the pasta letters to spell, "Listen to him," by gluing the letters on the blue construction paper under the cotton ball clouds.
And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. (v. 2)

Good morning, boys and girls. Today is the Transfiguration of our Lord and it is one of the special days of the church year. Today we talk about Jesus changing in several ways while three of his disciples -- Peter, James, and John -- watched. How did he change? The Bible says that the face of Jesus became as bright as the sun and his clothes became gleaming white. There were other things that happened that the disciples remembered and

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Transfiguration is a celebration of God’s glory and how that glory is revealed in Christ when he was transfigured. The festival was observed as early as the sixth century in Eastern Christianity, but did not become a festival in the Catholic Church and its Protestant heirs until just 70 years prior to the Reformation. Sermons in line with this festival will aim to focus the flock on coming to appreciate a bigger, more majestic picture of God and Christ than what they brought to church. Assurance will be provided that this majestic God overcomes all evil.
William H. Shepherd
It was the most boring sermon I ever heard, until it became the most interesting.

At first, I did not understand what had come over my student. Up to this point in the class, I thought she had been getting it. She laughed when I quoted Kierkegaard, "Boredom is the root of all evils." She nodded her head when I said that the dullest presentation would not be redeemed by the soundest content. Her critiques of the other students' sermons were right on target.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
When Jesus was transfigured up on the mountain, God said, "This is my son whom I love, listen to him." In our worship today, let us listen to Jesus.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I find it difficult to hear your voice.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I hear so many voices that I don't know which voice is yours.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I turn away from your voice because I don't want to hear it.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Seeing Clearly"
Shining Moments: "Charlie Is Glowing" by Deb Alexander
"The Horse Whisperer" by William Lee Rand
Scrap Pile: "Picture This" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt

Argile Smith
Keith Hewitt
Peter Andrew Smith
David O. Bales
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Glenda's Surprise" by Argile Smith
"It Was Just My Imagination" by Keith Hewitt
"The Terrible Dark Day" by Peter Andrew Smith
"In Secret" by David Bales


What's Up This Week

SermonStudio

Mark Wm. Radecke
You go into the movie theatre, find a seat that's suitable, clamber over some poor innocent slumbering in the aisle seat, taking pains not to step on toes or lose your balance. You find a place for your coat, sit down, and get ready to watch the movie. The house lights dim; the speakers crackle as the dust and scratches on the soundtrack are translated into static, and an image appears on the screen. It is not the film you came to see. It is the preview of coming attractions, a brief glimpse of the highlights of a film opening soon.
John N. Brittain
Leslie D. Weatherhead, the great British preacher who served many years at City Temple on Holborn Viaduct in London, told the story of the elderly gentlemen who sat on the benches near the church trading stories. As one might expect, in addition to the good old days, a popular topic of conversation was their aches, pains, and ailments. "I have heard that such-and-such a clinic has a very effective regimen of treatment for this," one fellow would say. "Well, I understand that Dr. So-and-So is very efficacious in dealing with this particular ailment," another would counter.
Stephen M. Crotts
Grandma was well into her eighties when she saw her first basketball game. It was a high school contest in which two of her great-grandsons played. She watched the action with great interest. Afterwards everyone piled into the van to get some ice cream, and a grandson inquired, "Grandmama, what did you think of the game?" "I sure liked it fine," she chirped. And then a little hesitantly she added, "But I think the kids would have had more fun if somebody had made the fellow with the whistle leave the players alone!"
R. Glen Miles
Whenever I read from the book of Exodus, especially a text which includes a visit by Moses to the mountaintop to be in the presence of God, I get an image in my mind of Charlton Heston in the movie version of The Ten Commandments. I'll bet you have that problem too, don't you? It doesn't matter if you were born a decade or two since that movie was first released. It gets a lot of play on television, especially during "holy seasons" of the year like Easter.
Joe E. Pennel, Jr
Remember that fog we had last November? I had to venture into it early that Sunday morning. I left home about 6:00 a.m., long before most people even thought about getting up. The fog was dense. My automobile headlights would not cut it. Visibility was reduced to about ten feet. I turned on my dimmer lights and hoped that on-coming traffic would do the same. As I drove, I felt like my car was pushing through a tunnel of smoke.
John T. Ball
There is an old story about a Sunday school teacher who asked a young girl in her class why her little brother wasn't coming to Sunday school any longer. The girl replied, "Well, to tell the truth, he just can't stand Jesus!" Her brother had more of Jesus than he wanted.
Thom M. Shuman
Call To Worship
One: We gather as the faithful of God,
we come to listen to what God has to say to us.
All: God has invited us to this place;
may our faces reflect our hopes and our hearts.
One: We gather as the faithful of God,
people of the new covenant of hope and promise.
All: We boldly enter into the presence of God,
hoping to be transformed into new people.
One: We gather as the faithful of God,
our fears melting away in the heart of God.
All: We come to share in the freedom of the Spirit,
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering Litany
Divide the congregation into two parts (left and right would be easiest here) with the choir or assisting minister as a third voice besides the pastor (marked "L" in this litany).

L: Looking for the Light.
I: Looking for the Light.
II: Looking for the Light.
P: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
L: Looking for the Light.
I: Looking for the Light.
II: Looking for the Light.
P: Do not be afraid.

Intercessory Prayers

Special Occasion

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