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Richard A. Jensen

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Proper 22 -- Luke 17:5-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
These verses of instruction to the disciples close a discourse of Jesus that began in 15:1.
Advent 4 -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The narrative possibilities of today's text are almost endless.
Baptism Of The Lord; Epiphany 1 -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This story of Jesus' baptism has manifold narrative connections in Luke's Gospel.
Advent 3 -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's text presents us with the preaching of John the Baptist.
Epiphany 3 -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
With this week's text we come to the absolute center of Luke's concerns.
Lent 4 -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
We come now to the story in Luke in which the heart of the Christian faith is explicated in story fo
Epiphany 4 -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The text assigned for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany overlaps the text appointed for the Third
Epiphany 5 -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The first four chapters of Luke prepare the way for all that is to come.
Proper 11 -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The few verses in this week's Gospel text have been the subject of much interpretation.
Epiphany 6 -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
A considerable portion of Luke's narrative is omitted as we move from the Fifth Sunday after the Epi
Proper 25 -- Luke 18:9-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
"Two men went up into the temple to pray...." These are very familiar words.
Epiphany 7 -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's text is a continuation of the Sermon on the Plain.
Epiphany 8 -- Luke 6:39-49 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
We note first of all that this week's text is doubly appointed for the Lukan year.
Proper 26 -- Luke 19:1-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
"This story is a Lukan masterpiece, a wonder story of the first order.
Lent 1 -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
In the early years of the Christian Church a dominant theme of the Lenten season was the conflict be
Proper 27 -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
Today's text comes to us rather radically ripped from its Lukan context.
Lent 2 -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's assigned text comes from the heart of Luke's Travel Narrative: 9:51„19:27.
Proper 28 -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
With this week's text we come to material that is focused on the future.
Lent 3 -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's text, with its appropriate Lenten theme of repen-tance, is assigned for the Lenten seaso
Proper 29 -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This week's appointed text from Luke is a fitting text for what is often called "Christ the King" Su
The Nativity Of Our Lord -- Luke 2:1-20 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The story of the Nativity of our Lord is narratively connected to much of the biblical story.
Transfiguration -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
The assigned Gospel text for this week is one of only two texts (see Proper 8; Luke 9:51-62)
Palm/Passion Sunday -- Luke 19:28-40, Luke 23:1-49 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
"After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jeru-salem" (Luke 19:28).
Christmas 1 -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
This is the only story that Luke tells from Jesus' childhood.
Proper 4 -- Luke 7:1-10 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1997
Luke 7:1 marks a transition in the flow of material in this Gospel.

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A Baby Wrapped In Diapers -- John 1:1-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 1994
HBO hit the jackpot! The ratings they achieved for their special on Michael Jackson were awesome.
The Greater Honor -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a -- Richard A. Jensen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 1994
It was to be "Spiritual Gift" Sunday in Corinth of old.
To You Is Born -- Luke 2:1-14 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1994
It was to be her first starring role.
How The Mighty Have Fallen! -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 1994
"How the mighty have fallen." King David of old once spoke those words concerning the death of King
You Are God -- Luke 20:27-38 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1994
Out On A Limb, Shirley MacLaine's spiritual odyssey, was first published in 1983.
Exchanging A Smile -- Luke 6:27-38 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 1994
He smiled when we would have expected him to cry. He smiled when we expected him to hate.
A Promise On The Way To Fulfillment -- Luke 19:28-40 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Passion Sunday - C -- 1994
It had been the night of his life. He would never forget it as long as he lived.
When The Light From Heaven Does Not Flash -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Richard A. Jensen -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
Dawn Hetland didn't move a muscle. The worship service was over. The choir had filed out.
Paths Of Desperation -- John 5:1-9 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1994
Where do you go when you feel hopeless? Dick learned something about that when he was 13.
Let Us Make A Name For Ourselves -- Genesis 11:1-9 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 1994
"When you're No. 1 in the world...
Choices -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 1994
She was elected to high office some time ago. Let's call her Beverly Washington.
Disarming Evil -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1994
People Of The Lie: The Hope For Healing Human Evil is one of Dr. M.
Life In The Light Of Eternity -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1993
Emilio Lopez received a surprise phone call from his bishop
The Lady In Blue -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1993
She had been a charter member of Trinity Church when it was
For Pete's Sake -- John 6:56-69 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1993
"My name is Peter and I'm an alcoholic." That's how you always
With Sighs Too Deep -- Romans 8:22-27 -- Richard A. Jensen -- 1993
Over at last. That's the only thought she could think about just now. Over at last.

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Choices -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 1994
She was elected to high office some time ago. Let's call her Beverly Washington.

StoryShare

God's Dinner Bell -- Luke 13:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8 -- Rick McCracken-Bennett, David E. Leininger, Richard A. Jensen -- Third Sunday in Lent - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "God's Dinner Bell" by Rick McCracken-Bennett
Pass It On -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- David O. Bales, Susan K. Hedahl, Richard A. Jensen, Charles Cammarata -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Based on Revised Common Lectionary texts:
Backdraft -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Romans 8:22-27, Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Frank R. Fisher, Sil Galvan, Richard A. Jensen, Timothy F. Merrill, John E. Sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - B
Contents What's Up This Week
As Clear As The Milky Way -- Luke 13:31-35, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27 -- Scott Dalgarno, Argile Smith, Richard A. Jensen -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "As Clear As The Milky Way" by Scott Delgarno
Solomon's Prayer -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20, 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Psalm 84 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Jo Perry-Sumwalt, Richard A. Jensen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Contents What's Up This Week

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Easter 4
28 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
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Easter 5
33 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
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Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
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New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture — the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response — to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

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John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

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

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

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