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Ron Love

Ronald H. Love was called into the ordained ministry from a career as a state trooper. He has served Methodist churches in rural, inner-city and suburban settings for 20 years, and also served for four years as an Army chaplain. Dr. Love has also been a corporate librarian for a Fortune 500 company and been a university professor for ten years, teaching history and theology. His writing experience includes denominational publications, magazine articles on religion, and a newspaper devotional column. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology (Slippery Rock State College), master's degrees in library and information science (University of Pittsburgh), secondary education (Duquesne University), church history (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), and theology (Wesley Theological Seminary), as well as a doctorate in homiletics (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary). Dr. Love now resides in South Carolina.
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Commentary

Children's sermon

Illustration

The Immediate Word

The Apex Of Hope -- Luke 16:19-31, Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Psalm 91 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2016
In the past several weeks’ lectionary passages, the prophet Jeremiah has painted a bleak picture of
Next At Bat... -- Luke 7:11-17, Galatians 1:11-24, 1 Kings 17:17-24, Psalm 146 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, Robin Lostetter, George Reed -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2016
What happens when a valued member of a family or community dies?
Silent Songs -- Luke 17:5-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Lamentations 1:1-6, Lamentations 3:19-26 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Robin Lostetter -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2016
Psalm 137, as well as both of this week’s Lamentations passages, expresses the pain and sadness of t
Water: Bottled, Filtered, And Living -- Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2016
The imagery of Christ as the living water that satisfies the thirst of our souls is a thread that ap
Lemonade -- 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19, Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2016
In this week’s Old Testament passage, God -- through the prophet Jeremiah -- addresses the people of
Fathering Hope: Giving Joseph A Voice -- Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Mary Austin, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
As we all know, the holiday season preceding Christmas is not universally one of comfort and joy, of
Word, Light, And Life -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Matthew 2:1-12, Ephesians 1:3-14, Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2016
This Sunday offers us a choice of texts -- some congregations will use the readings for the Second S
Persisting In The Struggle -- Luke 18:1-8, Psalm 119:97-104, Jeremiah 31:27-34 -- Christopher Keating, Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 2016
The key themes in this week’s lectionary epistle and gospel texts are the value and necessity of pat
Word, Light, And Life -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Matthew 2:1-12, Ephesians 1:3-14, Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2016
This Sunday offers us a choice of texts -- some congregations will use the readings for the Second S
#whatafaithfulpersonlookslike -- Luke 18:9-14, Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Psalm 65 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2016
In this week’s lectionary gospel passage, Jesus tells the familiar parable of the Pharisee and the t
That's My Boy! -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, Acts 8:14-17, Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29 -- Christopher Keating, Robin Lostetter, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2016
As we observe Jesus’ baptism this Sunday, the lectionary texts celebrate our being welcomed into and
All Along The Watchtower -- Luke 19:1-10, Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2016
In this week’s lectionary passage, the prophet Habakkuk pleads: “O Lord, how long shall I cry for he
Sometimes You Have To Shout -- John 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2016
The prophet Isaiah declares in this week’s Old Testament passage that “For Zion’s sake I will
Like A Shepherd, Lead Us -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 1:68-79, Psalm 46 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Robin Lostetter, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2016
On this final Sunday of the church year, all of the lectionary readings address the reign of Christ
Not Too Young To Speak -- Luke 4:21-30, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2016
In this week’s lectionary passage from the Hebrew scriptures, God tells the young Jeremiah that “I a
Something's Coming -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Psalm 122 -- Christopher Keating, Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
As we turn to Advent and the first Sunday of the church year and a new lectionary cycle, the foremos
The Devil Is Quick -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Luke 4:1-13, Romans 10:8b-13, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Robin Lostetter, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2016
This week’s gospel text recounts Jesus’ sojourn in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil
Primary Fears -- Luke 13:31-35, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2016
In this week’s gospel text, a group of Pharisees warn Jesus that he needs to leave the area in order
Super-Sized Spectacles Of Faith -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a), 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Robin Lostetter, George Reed -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2016
In this week’s gospel text, Jesus takes Peter, John, and James up on a mountain with him to pray.
Good Riddance -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2016
The apostle Paul tells us in this week’s lectionary epistle passage that once we are “in Christ, the
Unlocking Easter's Hope -- John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4b-8, Psalm 118:14-29, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
This week’s lectionary gospel text opens with a stark description of the existential fear that gripp
What A Waste -- John 12:1-8, Philippians 3:4b-14, Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2016
This week’s gospel passage takes us into the home of Lazarus, where Jesus is being feted with an hon
Where Is Your God? -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2016
The news was stunning -- a deranged man calmly waited until last call at a packed gay nightclub in O
The Wheels Of Injustice -- Luke 19:28-40, John 13:1-17, 31b-35, John 18:1--19:42 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2016
At the center of the Passion Sunday gospel narrative is Jesus’ “trial” before the council of the chi
The Real Deal -- Matthew 11:2-11, James 5:7-10, Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Robin Lostetter, Ron Love, George Reed, Beth Herrinton-Hodge -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
In this week’s gospel lectionary text, John dispatches his followers to confront Jesus and ask him:

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Proper 6 | OT 11 | Pentecost 4
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19 – Worship Resources
32 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 5
25 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
19 – Children's Sermons / Resources
23 – Worship Resources
25 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 6
28 – Sermons
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John Jamison
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. (vv. 34-35)

Object: This is a role-play message.

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The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Quantisha Mason-Doll
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta

Fear and Faith
by Tom Willadsen
Psalm 9:9-20, Mark 4:35-41, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, 1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11,19-23), 32-49

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address

“One of the easiest ways to stoke fear in the heart of America is to say there’s somebody coming to take something that’s yours.” Dr. Alex Scott, Assistant Professor of Multimedia Storytelling, the University of Iowa

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
An older person walks across the stage of a smaller state university to receive a hard-earned advanced degree. It has taken years due to taking classes on again and off again course work alongside a full-time job and family to support. While families of other more traditional student graduates are taking pictures and have celebratory parties and extended family visiting to celebrate, not so for this recent graduate. The person turns in their rented graduation gown, and walks away alone, carrying the degree in hand in a leather-bound folder.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
 And those who know your name put their trust in you,
    for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. (vv. 9-10)

People send me stories about angels they have seen. The one I am about to share is not like any I have heard before. It conveys a powerful truth, the same truth we find in Mark’s Gospel account of the angel at the tomb on Easter morning.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Even storms calm down when we ask Jesus to help. In our worship today, let us ask him to quieten our hearts and to increase our faith.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we are the cause of storms in our life.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we forget to ask your help.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes the storms are overwhelming and scary.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jo Perry-Sumwalt
Frank Marshall had never felt so confused or helpless in his entire life. He sat in his car, in his private parking space before the corporate office of the company he had singlehandedly built. But the sight of his professional domain failed to comfort him, as it always had before. All that he had worked so hard for was crashing down around him, and, for the first time in his life, he was at a loss as to how to stop it.
David R. Cartwright
Doubt has been around for a long time. At least as long as faith and trust. At least as long as the story of the stilling of the storm in Mark's gospel. At least as long as my professional experience as a minister. That's why I think by the time I'm finished, you will know what I mean when I say that the Lord doesn't put as much stock in our doubts and uncertainties as we sometimes do.
Maurice A. Fetty
When Paul arrived at the city of Corinth, Greece, the middle of the first century A.D., he knew he had a challenge on his hands. Located on the isthmus between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf, Corinth was a prosperous port city where boats were transported overland from the Aegean to the Adriatic, thereby cutting many dangerous miles off their voyage. The marketplace abounded with goods and traders from many lands. Though never known as a center of learning, traveling philosophers and teachers attempted to gain a hearing and earn a living.
Linda R. Forsberg
I chaperoned a fourth grade class on a field trip to the Olde Mystic Village and Seaport. Five children, ages nine and ten, were entrusted to my care for the day. At one point we sat in the bandstand, a large gazebo-type structure in the center of the Village Green, for a demonstration of nineteenth century music that sailors aboard the sea vessels might have enjoyed: peppy tunes on the banjo and concertina, jigs and reels on the fiddle. Spontaneously, the five children in my group stomped their feet to the music, then looked at each other, arose from their seats, clasped hands, and danced!
Clyde W. Wentzell
Refrain
Rise, sovereign Lord,
Be the stronghold of all your people.
Rule, Jesus, rule.
God, we trust in you.
Show forth your might;
Triumph over the nations’ evil.
Reveal yourself, Lord, in all that is right.

1. Lord, your name is revered among us,
As the truth of your word shines on us.
Lord of life, you alone are the story;
All our praises redound to your glory.
Rise up, Lord. Rise up, Lord. Refrain

2. As we sing unto you our praises,
Hear the song that your church now raises;

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