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Richard A. Hasler

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

One of the early Congregational church covenants in England reads as follows... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-15, 9-10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
"So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them at
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2012) -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler, Cynthia E. Cowen, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
NULL -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
Wesley C.
Francis of Assisi patterned his own order the Brothers Minor... -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
Francis of Assisi patterned his own order the Brothers Minor after Jesus' description of sending the
John O'Hara was a novelist whose historical settings... -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
John O'Hara was a novelist whose historical settings were based on life during the first half of the
NULL -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
A Russian pilgrim in the nineteenth century wandered into a church service and heard the pastor prea
People of faith are often confused and unclear about... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2012
People of faith are often confused and unclear about being "chosen" by God as Paul expresses the con
One week a picture of a Harvard University president appeared... -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
One week a picture of a Harvard University president appeared on the cover of Newsweek magazi
Lynn Caines and lifelines -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2012
Lynn Caines, in her autobiographical Lifelines, tells how in the midst of her struggle to ove
Sermon Illustrations for Reformation Day (2012) -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Ron Love, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Jesus desired to heal all who came to him... -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
Jesus desired to heal all who came to him, but his disciples tended to feel that there were some peo
Garret Keizer tells the story of three women... -- John 2:13-22 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Garret Keizer tells the story of three women in the 1970s who entered a store that sold pornography,
NULL -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Martin Luther was a troubled Augustinian monk trying to gain the assurance of his personal salvation
N.T. Wright tells the following story about Desmond Tutu... -- Ephesians 3:14-21 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
N.T. Wright tells the following story about Desmond Tutu's prayer life.
Former president of Princeton Theological Seminary... -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Former president of Princeton Theological Seminary John Mackay's favorite New Testament book was Pau
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 (2012) -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Cynthia E. Cowen, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Ruth 1:1-18
As Nathan told his story about the rich man... -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
William J.
Jonathan Edwards once wrote... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Jonathan Edwards once wrote: "There must be light in the understanding as well as fervency of heart,
NULL -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
In her book The Undoing of Death, Fleming Rutledge explores the meaning of the cross by refer
Tom Wright tells the story of the historian... -- John 6:24-35 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
Tom Wright tells the story of the historian who was hurrying to finish his Ph.D. dissertation.
Fyodor Dostoevsky... -- John 12:20-33 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Fyodor Dostoevsky, in his novel, The Brothers Karamazov, has Father Zossima preach a sermon o
NULL -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Billy Sunday was a major league baseball player turned evangelist.
Garret Keizer in his provocative book... -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
Garret Keizer in his provocative book, The Enigma of Anger, tells a story about his father-in
In 1722 a group of persecuted Protestants... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2012
In 1722 a group of persecuted Protestants from the area of Bohemia and Moravia moved to the estate o
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2012) -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
1 Samuel 1:4-20

Sermon

SermonStudio

Modeling Humility -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
As a young man Benjamin Franklin sought to attain moral perfection; consequently, he made a list of
Testifying to the Light -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Edmund Morris, in the first volume of his brilliant trilogy, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt,
Believing the Impossible -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
There are a lot of good things to say about being a parent or a grandparent and one of the joys is t
Being Aware of What Is Happening -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
Every evening about sunset at a popular hotel on the island of Maui, a young Hawaiian walks to the e
Seeking the Bethlehem Star -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2011
The Moravians, a small but influential Christian denomination, have a distinctive symbol known throu
Baptizing in the Spirit -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
In Alex Haley's pioneer study, Roots, there is a poignant scene when Kunta Kinta, a slave, dr
Seeing Is Believing -- John 1:43-51 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2011
Eugene Peterson tells about his boyhood days growing up in the "Big Sky" country of Montana.
Proclaiming the Good News -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2011
In Washington Irving's Sketch Book he tells of a whimsical character by the name of Rip Van W
Recognizing the Voice of Authority -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2011
This story may be apocryphal, but I heard of a professor who was not only popular on campus but also
Daring to Touch -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2011
Sam Keen in his book, To a Dancing God, tells of accidentally tripping over a rock one day wh
Facing the Future with Hope -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2011
A euphemism according to the dictionary is the "substitution of an agreeable expression for somethin
Distinguishing Between Disaster and Blessing -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
There is an old Taoist story about a wise man who lived on the northern frontier of China.
Expecting Surprises on Judgment Day -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Richard A. Hasler -- New Year's Day - B -- 2011
A number of years ago when I lived in upstate New York I belonged to a Rotary Club.
Keeping Awake -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Lehman's Old-Fashioned Hardware Store at Kidron in Ohio's Amish Country is a fascinating place.
Developing a Quiet Center -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2011
Kathleen Norris tells of an experiment she tried with elementary school children when she taught art
Robert Paul, You Were Right! -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 -- Richard A. Hasler -- All Saints Day - C -- 1991
Professor Robert Paul and his family had just returned to Hartford Seminary from a trip to the Rocky
No One Enters The Kingdom... Save With Empty Hands -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 1991
The black man standing in the arena was an affront to Der Fuehrer's authority.
The Dreamer Within You -- Joel 2:23-30 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 1991
The setting for the movie Dead Poet’s Society is a proper New England prep school steeped in traditi
Everything Except God -- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 1991
Robert Coles, a child psychiatrist who taught at Harvard University, decided to travel to the South
How To Hear A Sermon -- Micah 1:2, 2:1-10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 1991
Walter Cronkite, the former highly-regarded CBS Evening News anchor, is an avid lover of boats.
When God's "No" Means "Yes" -- Habakkuk 1:1-3; 2:1-4 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 1991
Augustine in his autobiographical work Confessions tells the story of his mother Monica's constant p
The Best Offense Is A Good Defense -- Zephaniah 3:1-9 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 1991
Reading the title you may jump to the conclusion that I do not know football.
Are You Asking The Right Questions? -- Zechariah 7:1-10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1991
An article titled Widespread Spiritual Hunger Should Be Major News Story caught my eye on the editor
Leaping For Joy -- Malachi 4:1-6 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1991
The scene was the Connecticut House of Representatives in Hartford. The date was May 19, 1780.
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
36 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
3 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
27 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
3 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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For December 15, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

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How many frustrated preachers have wished in the back of their minds that they could begin a sermon with John the Baptist’s words, “You brood of vipers!” (37). Before anyone jumps the gun on this, consider the end of Luke 3, “he [King Herod] shut up John in prison (3:20). In anxious times, weighing one’s words carefully when emotions run rampant, and tempers are short is good wisdom. John’s desired outcome was for people of faith to bear advent fruit, not simply fly off the handle at their poor judgement.
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Zephaniah 3:14-20
In this season of hope with Christmas looming, there is still a lot of despair. Rising prices putting pressure on the American family have led 78% of our families to live paycheck to paycheck (as per a 2023 Payroll.org survey). Of course, the Christmas Season is often a time of gloom and regret for some of us. In response, based on this lesson's word of assurance, Martin Luther comments on God's love:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (v. 16)

Sometime in the spring of 1951, my parents, Leonard and Bernice Sumwalt, stood before the congregation of the Loyd Evangelical United Brethren Church and made a promise that had a profound effect on my life. Our pastor at that time, Miss Sarah Mower, said to them:

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John Jamison
Object: Two shirts and two sandwiches or little bags of chips or cookies.

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

SermonStudio

Mary Austin
On this third Sunday of Advent, we hear again from Paul’s letter to the believers at Philippi. Many scholars believe that he wrote this letter from prison, perhaps even during his last prison term in Rome, before his death, but we don’t know for sure. It’s clear that he wrote from a prison cell somewhere, and that he wrote about his deeply held idea of cultivating joy in all things.
Derl G. Keefer
Moline, Illinois, September, 1977 was the place and date for a special gift that Terry Schafer purchased for her policeman husband, David. It was a pre-Christmas gift. She had a fear that it might be too expensive, but nothing was too good for her husband! She loved him with all of her heart and wanted this to be special.
James Evans
(See Proper 28/Pentecost 26/Ordinary Time 33, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)

The theme of joy is highlighted in this reading from the prophet Isaiah, which is why the text is frequently employed during Advent. The poet sings, "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation" (v. 3) and "Shout aloud and sing for joy ... for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel" (v. 6). The key to joy is those closing words in verse 6, in which the prophet celebrates the presence of God in the midst of the worshiping community.

Steven E. Albertin
I recently saw a survey conducted by the Muzak Holiday Channel concerning the most popular Christmas songs played at this time of the year. They are 1) "The Christmas Song," 2) "White Christmas," 3) "Winter Wonderland," and 4) "Silver Bells." It is interesting to note that they are all secular songs that focus on the "warm fuzzies" and sentimental feelings of the season. There are no Christian or religious songs here.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

John the Baptist called people to turn to God for help and support. In our worship today let us follow his advice and turn to our Lord.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are sorry for the times we turn away from you.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are sorry for the times when we ignore you.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, turn your face upon us, that we may turn again to you.

Lord, have mercy.

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