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Schuyler Rhodes

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Saints -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31, Psalm 149 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- All Saints Day - C -- 2022
Note: This installment was originally published in 2010.
A mountaintop experience -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9, Psalm 2 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2011
One of the cable networks has created a strange hit series.
God's gift of time -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 8 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Schuyler Rhodes -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2011
Every January 1 there is a sense of freshness.
Who do you work for? -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Psalm 51:1-17 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2011
The following story begins the first chapter of Jeffrey K.
The rise and fall of sin -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11, Psalm 32 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Lent is traditionally a season of spiritual contemplation.
Are you thirsty? -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42, Psalm 95 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Here's a parable by a cartoonist named Saxon. It's about a fellow who has just reached retirement.
Question me an answer -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 121 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
There is an old show tune, made popular by Bobby Van, whose chorus goes like this:
Believing is seeing -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41, Psalm 23 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
Sometimes we see people who are wide-eyed with wonder.
Matters of life and death -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45, Psalm 130 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2011
As I look out on my congregation on any given Sunday, I recognize that a significant percentage of t
The wrong anthem -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66, Psalm 31:9-16 -- William H. Shepherd, Schuyler Rhodes -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2011
The choir director was aghast. "I just didn't realize," she said. "It was totally inappropriate.
A good meal -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2011
When traveling through a strange town many years ago, we stopped a pedestrian and asked her, "Where
A day of surprises -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Easter Day - A -- 2011
Every so often, I have been unable to watch a sports event that I am interested in when it has been
Loving, sight unseen -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31, Psalm 16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Recently a friend told me the story of his move to our community.
What's so good about Good Friday? -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42, Psalm 22 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Good Friday - A -- 2011
One of my favorite movies of all time is the 1956 classic titled Twelve Angry Men featuring a
Homecoming -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Ian Maclaren tells the story of a young woman in his book Beside the Bonnie Briar Bush.
Live it and they will come -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10, Psalm 23 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Remember the movie, Field of Dreams?
A new us-them mentality -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
You see it in every area of life. It's abundantly true in politics and sports.
Idol-rife -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21, Psalm 66:8-20 -- William H. Shepherd, Schuyler Rhodes -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
In Garret Kreizer's novel, God of Beer (2002), the high school social studies teacher tells t
Game plan -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53, Psalm 47 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2011
During the 1978 British firefighters strike, the army was enlisted to cover emergency services.
Glory in the cross -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Constantine Caesar was advancing his legions through the northern Italian mountains toward Rome.
What's the good word? -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2011
I expect that our culture has become a rather cynical audience for speech.
It was good -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20, Psalm 8 -- William H. Shepherd, Schuyler Rhodes -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2011
The more I listened, the more I heard desperation.
Defined by choices -- Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, Psalm 13 -- Wayne Brouwer, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2011
Robert Maynard once told how he became a writer.
A journey of a thousand miles -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, Psalm 45:10-17 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2011
There are many books describing amazing journeys, but one of the most fascinating for me was Endu
Devil's advocate -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Psalm 119:105-112 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2011
It's an awful phrase, you know, when you stop to think about it: "Devil's advocate." Yet how often h

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Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!" How often do we give credit where it's due?
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
In a bookshelf in my living room sits a testimony to change.
Psalm 126 -- Psalm 126 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday.
Psalm 52 -- Psalm 52 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Schoolyard bullies populate the memory of a lot of people.
Psalm 62:5-12 -- Psalm 62:5-12 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
The storybooks of our faith are full of heroes and martyrs who have insisted on the sovereignty of G
Psalm 114 -- Psalm 114 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
This psalm calls up some wonderful imagery.
Psalm 31:9-16 -- Psalm 31:9-16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
There are times when paranoia is a well-founded emotion. Sometimes people are out to get you.
Psalm 32 -- Psalm 32 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2009
Forgiveness is difficult. Oh, with little things it can be done.
Psalm 1 -- Psalm 1 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
This psalm could have been written yesterday! It is striking in its contemporaneous feel.
Luke 1:47-55 -- Luke 1:47-55 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
A common gift to young children is a magnifying glass.
Psalm 127 -- Psalm 127 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
There is a story about a pastor who worked for years to revive and grow a failing downtown church.
Psalm 63:1-8 -- Psalm 63:1-8 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
At the core of our faith is the basic tenet that we must surrender ourselves to God.
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"I owe you one." These words came out of my mouth only yesterday as a church member graciously agree
Psalm 31:9-16 -- Psalm 31:9-16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
It was late one night, and the young people in the church were having a party.
Psalm 82 -- Psalm 82 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
God is taking stock of the way the gods, and note the small "g" here, are handling things.
Psalm 5:1-8 -- Psalm 5:1-8 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Everyone knows what it's like to surrender in a long, collapsing sigh.
Luke 1:68-79 -- Luke 1:68-79 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Known among scholars as the "Benedictus," Zechariah's prophecy is a powerful and beautiful commentar
Psalm 130 -- Psalm 130 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"Patience," the old ditty goes, "is a grace, and Grace is a little girl who doesn't wash her face."
Psalm 65 -- Psalm 65 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
There are two fundamental theories that govern our human existence.
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
In the United States of America today, the average household carries a credit card debt load of seve
Psalm 32 -- Psalm 32 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Forgiveness is a beautiful thing.
Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- Psalm 81:1, 10-16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
In talking about God, the conversation usually is about how we feel about God.
Psalm 8 -- Psalm 8 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
"What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them...?"
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c -- Psalm 147:1-11, 20c -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Sometimes life gets to be simply too much.
Psalm 130 -- Psalm 130 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- 2009
Back in the '60s, there was a phenomenon known as trading stamps.

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Why Did You Bring Us Out Of Egypt? -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2009
I am a baby boomer. I am part of that generation that emerged following World War II.
To Be Passed Over -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2007
This ancient story comes down the centuries to us with power.
Where The Rubber Meets The Road -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Good Friday - A -- 2007
I don't need to tell you that we belong to a portion of the Christian family called the "Protestant
Preaching Peace By Jesus Christ... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Easter Day - A -- 2007
May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you!
This Is In The Bible? -- Acts 2:42-47 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
My mother saved everything from my childhood -- little clay sculptures I made in church school, draw
To An Unknown God -- Acts 17:22-31 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
Are you one of those people who always has a backup plan?
Receiving The Power Of The Holy Spirit -- Acts 1:1-11 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2007
I love this story.
Are We There Yet? -- Acts 1:6-14 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
On long family car trips, one of the favorite questions asked by children from the backseat is, "Are
Martyrdom Chic -- Acts 7:55-60 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
This story about Stephen is a hard one to preach about these days.
Sleeping Through The Alarm -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
I might as well get this off my chest. I have an abiding dislike for alarm clocks.
Are All Your Sons Here? -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
I remember sixth grade as though it were yesterday.
Being A Witness -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
The other day I was driving along when all of a sudden, out of the blue, this car went whizzing by m
Converting To Christianity -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2007
"Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiv
Putting The Genie Back In The Bottle ... -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
When our twins were quite young -- infants really -- I remember a scene that played out on our livin
Being A Blessing -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Have you ever been blessed by someone?
Can These Bones Live? -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
I remember, not too long ago, I was reading some history about our nation and its westward expansion
I Love A Parade -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2007
I love Palm Sunday.
A Level Playing Field For God -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
A Level Playing Field For God
No More Camping Out -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
I wanted to see if we could get a show of hands today.
Denial Ain't A River In Egypt -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
Have you ever denied something that, deep down, you know to be true?
Claiming A Do-Over Faith -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2005
What do you think of when you hear the word "jubilee"?
Day One: A New Beginning -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2005
Day One: A New Beginning
Following A God Who Flip Flops ... -- Jonah 3:1-5, 10 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2005
Following A God Who Flip Flops ...
False Prophets -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2005
False Prophets

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Being A Blessing -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Schuyler Rhodes -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Have you ever been blessed by someone?
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The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
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Katy Stenta
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Nazish Naseem
For September 28, 2025:
  • Money! Money! Money! by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. “This is the even-handed dealing of the world! There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty; and there is nothing it professes to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth!” — Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
The president of the college I attended was the kind of man who always said what was on his mind. He had a very healthy self-image and wasn’t concerned about how people might take him. At one of the graduation ceremonies, he stood at the podium, looked out over the huge crowd of people, shook his head, and said to himself (right into the microphone, of course), “All these Christians in one place, and no one’s taking an offering!”
Mark Ellingsen
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Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
The lesson makes clear that God is present in the world of business, in our daily work.  John Wesley offered thoughtful reflections on the nature of work; he noted:

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John E. Sumwalt
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. (vv. 14-15)

One morning last October, Bruce Klemm got up and sang a song to his wife, Virginia, as he has done every morning of the 42 years they have been married. Little did he know that within a few hours, he would be calling her to say goodbye.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus told a story about a rich man and a beggar to illustrate the way in which we fail to notice those who are poor. In our worship today let us remember the poor and ask God to teach us a real concern for them.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we fail notice some people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we deliberately leave people out.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we care only about ourselves.

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James Evans
(See Lent 1, Cycle C, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 9-16.)

The writer of this psalm deftly employs a striking image, that at once offers us hope in times of trouble -- but at the same time, redefines for us what it means to be a human being in the world.

Schuyler Rhodes
Many Christians can be heard in or out of worship these days as they lift up their voices and say, "Praise the Lord!" The phrases are familiar, almost rote. Mouths open and words emerge. Pastors and liturgists remind the faithful that this God is not only worthy of our praise; this God sort of requires it of us. This God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5) who brooks no competition from other gods we might pursue. Yes, God is worthy of praise. Right?
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
It always amazes me when I read about a sports figure who decides to hold out for more money. With salaries that are often in the millions, they feel underpaid unless they are at the next level. I heard one player say to a reporter on Sports Center, "It's not about the money. It is about respect." A few moments later, the host of the show made the comment, "When they say it isn't about the money, it's always about the money."

Chrysanne Timm
As we conclude several weeks of readings in the book of the prophet Jeremiah and next week look at the companion text from the book of Lamentations, a common thread begins to emerge. It is the thread of grief. Jeremiah has been called by God to a truly thankless job -- that of accompanying the people of his homeland into a time of loss and grief. Because of decades of idolatry and treaties with neighboring nations, the people of Judah will lose the land God once graciously gave to their ancestors.
R. Robert Cueni
The lesson for today continues the discussion on the proper use of material possessions by describing what happens when a person tries to "serve both God and wealth" (Luke 16:13). Today's Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus leaves us repulsed by the gory details, puzzled by the literal description of eternal life, and hopeful that the Lord didn't really mean all those terrible things about the punishment due us "Haves" for our treatment of the "Have Nots."

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Good morning, boys and girls. I brought some coins with me this morning. (Show the coins.) How many of these coins would it take to be rich? (Let them respond.) I think it would take millions of these coins before you would really be rich. How many of you would like to be rich? (Wait for show of hands.) I think most of us would like to be rich. What would you think if you had a wish that everything you touched turned to gold? (Let them respond.) You would soon have lots and lots of gold and you would quickly be very, very rich. There's a famous story about a man who had

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