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Special books -- Romans 8:22-27
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that v
Working at peace -- James 3:13 - 14:3, 7-8a -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you ever get into arguments with friends?
Good leaders -- Romans 8:12-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Good morning, boys and girls.
God's will and testament -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Good morning! Today our reading tells us that we are not slaves. What is a slave?
Good leaders -- Romans 8:12-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (v. 14)
A real Christian -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - B
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you like to pretend?
Good vision -- Luke 2:22-40 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
Good morning!
What is missing? -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away,
Do not enter -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Today, we enter into Lent.
No boxes! -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B
How many of you are the oldest in your family? (Let them answer.) How many are the youngest?
A refreshing drink -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - B
A traveler walked across the desert and ran out of water. He got more thirsty as time went on.
The wind -- John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes fr
Baptism cleanses us -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you remember Peter and some of the things he did?
Paying homage -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
Good morning!
Questions about you -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known
An amazing plan -- Mark 1:9-15 -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Note: Assign someone to push his/her hand, clutching the dove, through the paper at the scheduled ti
Jesus feeds us -- John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B
If we had coupons like this that say you can go to a restaurant and get free food, do you think peo
Small and mighty -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on ear
Reckoning -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to talk about Father Abraham.
Read the signs -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours.
Denying yourself -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you deny yourself?
Walking in faith -- Mark 4:35-41 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B
He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" (v. 40)
A special love -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you think that your mother and father love you?
Giving with joy -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to
A house of worship -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Good morning, boys and girls.

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Where’s Greg?” Anne asked the... -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2009
“Where’s Greg?” Anne asked the pastor minutes before worship, “I haven’t seen him in church for seve
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday... -- John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, and our focus is on shepherds and sheep, especially the one we know a
There comes a time when... -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2009
There comes a time when people feel compelled to step up to bring about lasting change.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 14 | OT 19 (2009) -- John 6:35, 41-51, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Leah Thompson, Carlos Wilton, David O. Bales, Dennis A. Becker, Mary S. Lautensleger, Timothy Smith -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2009
2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33
Promises are for keeping. Every... -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2009
Promises are for keeping.
Victor Hugo's lengthy novel Les... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - B -- 2009
Victor Hugo's lengthy novel Les Miserables begins with an act of grace.
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20... -- John 1:43-51, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2009
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
1 Samuel 15:34--16:13... -- Mark 4:26-34, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2009
1 Samuel 15:34--16:13
There is something about a... -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2009
There is something about a house, and it runs deeper than the stitches on a “Home Sweet Home” sample
Deuteronomy 18:15-20 br... -- Mark 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Deuteronomy 18:15-20 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2009
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
The old proverb, which was... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
The old proverb, which was popularized in 1605 in Don Quixote, states, "The proof of the pudd
It might seem silly now... -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2009
It might seem silly now, but at the time it seemed so important.
Every time Jose Lima purchased... -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2009
Every time Jose Lima purchased a 6/49 lotto ticket (a Canadian lotto), he said, “If I win 6/49, big
Blood is thicker than water... -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
"Blood is thicker than water." That's what they say.
Jesus stormed into the temple... -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2009
Jesus stormed into the temple, overturned tables, ran people off.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2009) -- John 6:24-35, Ephesians 4:1-16, 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Mary S. Lautensleger, Leah Thompson, Carlos Wilton, David O. Bales, Dennis A. Becker, Timothy Smith -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2009
2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a
Julie was going through one... -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2009
Julie was going through one of those difficult times in her life.
A friend of mine used... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - B -- 2009
A friend of mine used to say, "I can always find 1 Corinthians 15, because it's where I spilled my c
Acts 4:5-12br... -- John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:16-24, Acts 4:5-12 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Acts 4:5-12
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27... -- Mark 5:21-43, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2009
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27
When God promises to bless... -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2009
When God promises to bless the house of David, his immediate response is to go sit in God’s presence
Isaiah 40:21-31 br... -- Mark 1:29-39, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2009
Isaiah 40:21-31
Teaching children to swim can... -- John 17:6-19 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Teaching children to swim can be challenging.
In medieval times, when Catholicism... -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2009
In medieval times, when Catholicism blanketed Europe and society demanded attendance at church, comm
There’s a story about a... -- Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2009
There’s a story about a Jesuit missionary who brought the Christian faith to a certain tribe of the

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Proper 24, Pentecost 22, Ordinary Time 29 -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 23, Pentecost 21, Ordinary Time 28 -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 22, Pentecost 20, Ordinary Time 27 -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Seasonal Theme
Proper 21, Pentecost 19, Ordinary Time 26 -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B
Seasonal Theme

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Trinity Sunday -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Jerry L. Schmalenberger -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
Theme For The DayGod as our parent, our Savior, and spiritual presence with us now.

Sermon

SermonStudio

What He Said! -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1996
People left his presence marvelling -- this Jesus -- they left his great gatherings amazed.
When Imagination Replaces Memory -- Isaiah 43:18-25 -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 1996
One of the fascinating aspects of being human is our ability to create time.
R.S.V.P. -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Arthur H. Kolsti -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1996
Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?-- Isaiah 6:8b
Which Way To Jesus? -- John 12:20-33 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1996
Great commotion was created in the holy city of Jerusalem at the time of the Feast of the Passover.
With Our Heads In The Clouds -- Mark 9:2-9 -- John A. Stroman -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1996
The crowds were gone. Jesus was alone with his disciples.
Look How You Listen -- Mark 6:14-29 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1996
The whole of today's gospel seems to be about John the Baptist.
Pain and Promise in the Heart of God -- Hosea 2:14-20 -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 1996
One of the amazing claims of the Judaeo-Christian heritage is that God takes on the attributes of hu
No Particular Place To Go -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1996
It was the last week of summer when some boys who had spent the summer playing together became restl
The Sponge And Wine -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1996
Our age has been called a drug culture.
Discovering The Unexpected -- Luke 2:22-40 -- John A. Stroman -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1996
Have you ever looked forward to something and when it happened, it was so much more than you an
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot -- 2 Kings 2:1-12 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1996
Many scholars view this narrative as one occasioned by the fear of an uncertain future followed by a
At The Right Place At The Right Time -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1996
Sherry was struggling with some personal issues in her life.
A Taste Of Life -- Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 -- William G. Carter -- 1996
The workshop was winding up.
God Is Down To Earth -- John 1:1-18 -- John A. Stroman -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 1996
William Barclay is convinced that John wrote the fourth gospel for the sake of this fourteenth
When Life Seems Out Of Control -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9,15, 31-33 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1996
During the week he was always dressed in a dark suit, a white shirt, and an expensive tie.
When Something Is About To Happen -- Mark 13:32-37 -- Thomas G. Long -- 1996
"I'll tell you what keeps me coming to this church." The man who spoke was punching the air with his
Learning to Live Without Jesus -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- William G. Carter -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1996
Everywhere you looked, you saw people in tie-dyed t-shirts.
The Highest In The Lowest -- Luke 2:1-20 -- John A. Stroman -- 1996
During a cold winter's night in Bethlehem in the Judean hills, the pains of childbirth came upo
Choose To Be Chosen -- Mark 6:7-13 -- George W. Hoyer -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1996
What a relief to be chosen! Remember?
Leaving A Legacy -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1996
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for 18-year-old David Neuer when he met Pope Pius XII in the
What Do You Mean, "Repent"? -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Thomas G. Long -- 1996
Bright Lights, Big City is Jay McInerney's searingly-witty, emotion-ripping novel of one ma
Water Won't Quench The Fire -- John 7:37-39 -- William G. Carter -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1996
An unusual piece of mail arrived at the office the other day.
You Are My Witness -- Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:44-53 -- Harry N. Huxhold -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1996
The inauguration of Nelson Mandela as president of the Republic of South Africa goes down in the ann
A Homecoming To Remember -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1996
In the heart of our nation's capital, in sight of the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, is the Holoca
There's A Man Going Around Taking Names -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Thomas G. Long -- 1996
There is an old black gospel song from the American South, most often sung to the driving beat of a

Stories

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Worship

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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...

New & Featured This Week

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John Jamison
Object: You may present this message as a simple story, or have the children act it out as a role-play. I will show the role-play version, but you can ignore the acting pieces and just tell the story if you prefer.

Note: For the role-play version, you will need to select two girls and one boy to play the roles. You might also have a broom and a dust rag if you want to.

* * *

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

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For July 20, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52
Amos proclaims the word from God that punishes the people. The people are to be punished for their lack of faith, for their focus on practicing deceit, betraying honesty to their neighbors, and being impatient for the time after the Sabbath when they can focus on profit and selling their crops and wares. Oh, my! What a terrible message for people. You have been unfaithful so I will punish you. And then in the psalm, God is proclaimed to be the olive tree, that which brings blessing.
David Kalas
I have tried to find different ways of saying it so that my children don’t tire of hearing it. But the basic principle remains the same, and my kids have heard it a ton. “First things first.” They ask if they can do this or they start to do that, and I will endeavor to redirect them, saying, “Why don’t we make sure we’re doing first things first!”

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. (v. 24)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
One of Martha's earliest memories was of her little sister Mary singing and dancing in the middle of an admiring crowd of friends. Mary had always been a dancer, from the time she could walk. Privately, Martha thought she'd always been something of a show-off and ought to go on the stage, for Mary loved an audience.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jeanne Jones
Several years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin, I was an honorary nanny for our pastor's son, Jonathan. I took care of him from the time he was able to walk until our pastor moved, when Jonathan was about five. We had wonderful times together. One time, when I was at their house, and we had been doing some spiritual direction together, Pastor Michael asked me if I knew the name of my guardian angel.
James Evans
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against the godly" or "plotting destruction" all day long. The image we have in our minds about who "bad" people are, and how they conduct themselves, make such accusations completely plausible. We are less inclined to believe such things about leaders, especially respected leaders among us. We have difficulty believing someone with wealth and power would deliberately plot to do someone else harm.
Arley K. Fadness
Today's gospel from Luke 10 follows the parable of the good Samaritan. Luke positions the good Samaritan and the Mary-Martha story back to back for good reason. The parable and the story are examples of the Great Commandment "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself." The good Samaritan parable illustrates "love to neighbor," whereas the Mary-Martha story illustrates "love to God."
Kirk R. Webster
In the early 1990s, Wesley Nunley of Dallas completed a project he had dreamed of for decades. "I tell you, this could be a big thing," he explained. Wes then walked out to a concrete octagon in the middle of his backyard. With a beaming smile, arms raised up in excitement, the energetic retiree said, "This welcomes the UFO to land, which has never been done before."
John W. Wurster
It was the best of times. A time of prosperity and confidence, a time of relative peace, a time when most everything looked pretty good, a time when most everyone felt pretty good. It was a time maybe not unlike our own time.
H. Burnham Kirkland
Words Of Assurance
Our God is both wise and caring: afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.

Pastoral Prayer
God, we bow before you this morning, knowing that you hear every prayer. We know that in all of Creation, you are the source of life. You are the one who set the light swirling between the galaxies. The breath of your Spirit pulses through all life. You have even become flesh among us. We praise you, Lord, that in all your wonder, you have not forgotten us.

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