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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

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The Immediate Word

What Is A Life Worth? -- Acts 16:16-34, John 17:20-26, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Robin Lostetter, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
In the lectionary passage from Acts for Easter 7, Paul and Silas are followed for several days by a
All Together Now! -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Robin Lostetter, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2016
The account of Pentecost in the book of Acts tells of a crowd gathered from many diverse locations..
Exercising Dominion -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8, John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Robin Lostetter, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2016
The lectionary psalm selection for Trinity Sunday (Psalm 8) provides plenty of fodder for those on b
On The Other Hand -- Luke 7:1-10, 1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39, Galatians 1:1-12, Psalm 96 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2016
In this week’s lectionary reading from the Hebrew scriptures, a clearly frustrated Elijah pleads wit
Confronting Shame With Guerrilla Grace -- Luke 7:36--8:3, 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21 -- Christopher Keating, Robin Lostetter, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2016
Both of his week’s lectionary Old Testament passages depict ordinary people who find themselves in d
Fit For The Kingdom -- Luke 9:51-62, 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2016
At first glance, Jesus’ actions in this week’s lectionary gospel passage hardly seem like those we u
Kiss -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Robin Lostetter, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2016
This week’s lectionary passage from Second Kings features the intriguing tale of the healing of Naam
Licensed Fruit Inspectors -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2016
The last week has been a tumultuous one that has highlighted the divisions in American society.
Snakes And Scorpions -- Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Mary Austin, Robin Lostetter, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2016
In this week’s lectionary gospel text, Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray -- and, he sugg

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for The Transfiguration (2015) -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2015
2 Kings 2:1-12
Sermon Illustrations for Ash Wednesday (2015) -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2015
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 1 (2015) -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Genesis 9:8-17
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 27 | OT 32 (2015) -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Bob Ove, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2015
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 18 | OT 23 (2015) -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2015
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2015) -- Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- R. Robert Cueni, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Malachi 3:1-4
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 (2015) -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2015
Proverbs 1:20-33
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 4 (2015) -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- R. Robert Cueni, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Micah 5:2-5a
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2015) -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2015
Proverbs 31:10-31
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2015) -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2015
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 (2015) -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2015
Job 1:1; 2:1-10
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 (2015) -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2015
Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 (2015) -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2015
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2015) -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2015
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 (2015) -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2015
Ruth 1:1-18
Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2015) -- Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- All Saints Day - B -- 2015
Isaiah 25:6-9

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Easter 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Easter 3
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Easter 4
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

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John Jamison
Object: An orange and a lemon that are about the same size and shape, a knife, a cutting board, orange and yellow paint, and some paper towels. Prepare the fruit by painting the lemon orange, and the orange, yellow. The more alike they look, the better.

* * *

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

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For May 11, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
Tinkerbell is the delightful sprite in Peter Pan who drifts between the world of senses and the world of magic. She sprinkles “fairy dust” to make children fly; she sparkles around Peter Pan as a comrade adventurer.

Once, in one episode of a televised version of Peter Pan, Tin­kerbell ingested some poison. There was nothing to be seen of her, tiny thing that she was, other than the brightness of her little light. But with the poison, her light began to fade. Before our very eyes she grew dimmer, pulsing with a weakening glow.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Acts 9:36-43
Cryonics is an interesting and, if I’m honest, disturbing practice. You might be wondering, what is cryonics? The aim of cryonics, according to Dennis Kowalski, the president of the Cryonics Institute in Michigan, is to “keep bodies in a stable, preserved state until the necessary medical technology arrives.” As of June 1, 2024, there were about five hundred people who have tried to keep themselves preserved for future medical advances to revive.

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Hello, Peter. Come on in to the office,” Pastor Carl held open the door for him. “Oh, don’t worry about your shoes.”

“They’re muddy and I really should take them off,” Peter said. “Besides if I don’t, I’ll be hearing my mother’s voice telling me to take them off before coming into your office.”

Pastor Carl smiled. “Fair enough.”

After a few moments, Peter took the offered seat across from Pastor Carl.

“So how are you finding our church?” Pastor Carl asked. “I know you mentioned we’re a bit more casual and smaller than you are used to.”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus said that he gives eternal life to those who follow him. As we worship God today, let us believe in his words so that we too may enjoy the Life that he offers.



Invitation to Confession:

 Jesus, sometimes we leave you out of our lives.
Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we are disappointed because you don't answer prayers in the way that we wish.
Christ, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we refuse to believe that you still act in our lives today.

SermonStudio

David E. Leininger
Women have always been uniquely important in the life of the church, whether or not men want to admit it. It started with Mary. Women were accorded special status during Jesus' ministry; in fact, it was probably women who were major financial supporters of the itinerant rabbi and his friends. Women were the first witnesses to the resurrection. This is not a feminist statement but a factual statement: from the first day to this day, if it were not for the women, there would be no church. It is that simple.

Donald Charles Lacy
History shows that people are invariably looking for Messiahs or Christs. There is that special person who is to come among them and, in a sense, do for them what they cannot do for themselves. Even for years after our Lord arose from the dead and ascended -- yes, and still at this moment -- people are looking.

Henry F. Woodruff
Now you can't even trust the police. When I was a child growing up in Texas, everyone knew how to spot the police cars: they were big old Ford Crown Victorias, painted black with white doors, sporting black wall tires with little moon hubcaps -- or, if they really wanted to be sneaky and fool you, they were big old Ford Crown Victorias painted gray, with whip antennas and license plates that read "City" on them. You could bet the farm on it. Now all that has changed. Police cars are all different makes and models and colors.
Clyde W. Wentzell
1. O my Good Shepherd, O Lord of my soul,
Keep me forever beneath your control.
In right paths lead me for your name’s sake.
All the best choices, Lord, help me to make.

2. When through dark valleys my walk is severe,
Keep me from evil, Lord, ever be near.
Your rod and staff, my discipline be,
O my Good Shepherd, keep watch over me.

3. You spread a table of bountiful store.
Rich are your mercies and love evermore.
Oil on the head, anointing most pure,
Flows in abundance as your love is sure.

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