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Wayne Brouwer

Wayne Brouwer is a pastor of the Christian Reformed Church in North America and is an Associate Professor of Religion at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, as well as a member of the faculty of Western Theological Seminary. Brouwer has been the lead pastor in three different congregations. He is a graduate of Dordt College and holds degrees from Calvin Theological Seminary and McMaster University. Over 700 of his articles have been published as well as over a dozen books. Previous CSS Publishing titles by Pastor Bouwer include Political Christianity and Humming Till the Music Returns. He has been a consistent contributor to Emphasis: A Preaching Journal since 2004 and is one of several authors featured in Navigating the Sermon. Pastor Brouwer resides in Holland, Michigan, with his wife Brenda and they are the parents of three daughters.
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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Encouragement -- Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10, Psalm 119:137-144 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - C -- 2007
Alan Loy McGinnis told of a woman who was honored by her company for outstanding
The secret of a perfect Thanksgiving -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35, Psalm 100 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2007
Mehmed II was the great Ottoman conqueror who captured Constantinople in 1453.
Glory -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2007
William Beebe, the naturalist, used to visit fellow nature-lover, Theodore Roosevelt.
Political religion -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23, Psalm 27:1, 4-9 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2007
"Politics are almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous!" said Winston Churchill.
Defining moments -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16, Psalm 26 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
There are many benefits to pastoral ministry. We are invited to share with people their
The face at the center of history -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52, Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
My friend is an agnostic. He grew up in a Christian family where church participation
Majesty -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
Several generations ago, King George and Queen Elizabeth went to a London theater to
Songs of joy -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18, Isaiah 12:2-6 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2006
A colleague of mine once decried the way that people in his congregation wished to sing
Wise child -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52, Psalm 148 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Often a child's perspective is uncannily wise because his/her logic is so direct. A woman
Wedding bells -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11, Psalm 36:5-10 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
A former US president and his wife were reputed to have visited their old hometown and
Looking down to see heaven -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11, Psalm 138 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2006
Some mornings, when I ride my bike, the world is still very dark. I have to pick my way
Love that hurts -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Psalm 51:1-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
The story is told of a young girl whose very best friend lived just down the street. They
The day boy and the night girl -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23, Psalm 27 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
In 1882 George MacDonald wrote a fascinating story that powerfully illumines the thought behind toda
Looking for a leader -- Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
Leadership is a hot topic in business and society.
Journey -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Remember when you first said to someone that you loved her?
Family privilege -- Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39, Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A
My daughters know the direct access code to my office phone.
Doing our part -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
My four-year-old daughter wanted to be near her daddy the other day, even though I was busy in the g
On beyond perfection -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A
On Beyond Zebra! Remember the book by Dr. Seuss?
The road no one wants to travel -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A
Last winter, I had to attend a meeting in Ontario, Canada.
Believing is seeing -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41, Psalm 23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A
Sometimes we see people who are wide-eyed with wonder.
People you can count on -- Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20, Psalm 124 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A
Some years ago, a major research firm conducted a survey to determine what people would be willing t
Finding safety in the call of the wild -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10, Psalm 23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
There are two themes that run through the passages for today.
Breaking boxes -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Easter Day - A
The central message of Christian faith is that Jesus was raised from the dead.
The day God got lonely -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11, Psalm 32 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday in Lent - A
Today is the first Sunday during Lent. This is an important fact to note.
Living in unsafe neighborhoods -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Psalm 119:105-112 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A
We vacationed recently on Hilton Head Island.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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The Immediate Word

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For July 6, 2025:

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Object: This is a role play activity for the children.

Note: You will need an older volunteer to help with this activity. One option would be to find a teenager with some physical ability. If a teen is not available, an adult could be used instead. For simplicity here, I will refer to my older volunteer as “TOM”. You will also need to select three of your younger children to serve as volunteers in the story.

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2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30
Naaman seeks healing. He travels hoping healing will come to him when he visits the king of Israel. Yet, healing does not come in that way. Rather healing comes through Elishah. Healing comes from believing and being cleansed in the River Jordan. Healing comes through Naaman’s faithfulness and through God’s grace. Psalm 30 also reminds us to seek healing; to seek God and God will heal and restore us. Do we believe that? Do we believe that God can bring healing?

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But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ (vv. 10-11)

When I visit your church for the first time, consider the possibility that I might be looking for a church home. I am a good-looking old guy, but I have gray hair and I dress down in the summer, so don’t be put off by my cargo shorts and tank top. Talk to me!

The Village Shepherd

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Damien and Ora grinned at each other in excitement. The time had come - at last! They'd been with the Leader for months and months, waiting for this moment. Not that it had felt much like training. They'd simply lived with the Leader, listening to his stories, hearing about the Kingdom, learning to get along really well with all the other people at Mission Headquarters. Now all seventy of them were ready, the spaceship had docked, and the Mission was about to begin. Ora was glad she'd been paired up with Damien again.

SermonStudio

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(See Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle B, and Easter 3, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

Anyone who has ever had the experience of losing a friend because of some conflict or dispute, and then has had the friendship restored because of love and forgiveness, has a unique insight into the meaning of this psalm. Although the poem begins and ends with praise, there is in the middle of the poem a brief moment of confession and contrition that puts the praise portions of the psalm in an entirely different light.

April Yamasaki
A word of encouragement came from an unlikely source the other day in a television interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The former football player, wrestler, and now actor was asked about a low time in his life when he was very discouraged about his career and future.

"How did you make your way back from that?" he was asked.

The Rock replied, "You have to put yourself out there. You have to get out there and fail, and learn from your failures."

Larry D. Powell
In the summer of 1983, I participated in a ministerial exchange program sponsored by my denomination. My assignment was to a circuit of churches on the Isle of Man, a tiny island located in the Irish Sea. The months preceding the exchange included considerable correspondence with the minister on the island with whom I would exchange pastoral duties for six weeks.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
A wealthy businessman decided to take a walk and eat his lunch at the same time. He strolled by a park. There he purchased a hot dog and a soft drink. As he walked through the park two different "street people" approached him one by one. Each asked, "Can you help me? I am hungry." Each time the businessman looked straight ahead and kept walking. After finishing his lunch, he stopped and bought a chocolate eclair for dessert. As he was about to take the first bite, he was forced to jump out of the way as a young boy raced by on his skateboard. The eclair went flying and landed on the ground.

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