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Emphasis Preaching Journal

On Epiphany we celebrate the... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2008
On Epiphany we celebrate the original gift-giving, the gifts of the magi, whose example is why we gi
The scripture speaks of God... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
The scripture speaks of God returning a remnant of his people to the land of Israel.
Heralds in ancient Israel, as... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Heralds in ancient Israel, as indeed down through the ages, were the ones who announced to the gener
Booker T. Washington describes meeting... -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
Booker T.
It is among the oldest... -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
It is among the oldest and most durable of the old vaudeville routines.
As a boy living in... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2008
As a boy living in the country, Sonny thought his grandfather was some kind of wizard.
At this point in the... -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2008
At this point in the gospel of Mark, Jesus is a nobody for most people.
Dale needed a bigger working... -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2008
Dale needed a bigger working surface on his desk at college.
The first chapter of Genesis... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2008
The first chapter of Genesis was probably edited into its final form during the Babylonian exile.
In preparation for graduation, the... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
In preparation for graduation, the pastor who would deliver the baccalaureate message requested a me
Sometimes, parenting demands that parents... -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Sometimes, parenting demands that parents neither reward nor punish their children for their signifi
During World War II, Winston... -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
During World War II, Winston Churchill was forced to make a painful choice.
Eric shared with the youth... -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Eric shared with the youth group the time when he accompanied his father to the service club's Chris
According to scripture repentance is... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2008
According to scripture repentance is wholly an inward act, and should not be confounded with the cha
It may seem strange that... -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2008
It may seem strange that the man with an unclean spirit worships in the synagogue.
On the Sunday before the... -- John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2008
On the Sunday before the season's first football game Pastor Matt always talked about football in th
In September 1915 a small... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2008
In September 1915 a small steamboat carried a world-famous medical missionary slowly up Africa's Ogo
After the US-lead invasion... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - B -- 2008
After the US-lead invasion of Iraq, thousands of doctors fled that country due to killings and kidna
Einstein explained the Theory of... -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Einstein explained the Theory of Relativity like this: "Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, a
Pastor Stephey Bilynskyj, starts each... -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2008
Pastor Stephey Bilynskyj, starts each confirmation class with a jar full of beans.
When Michael and David were... -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
When Michael and David were ten, they decided that what their dad needed most for Father's Day was a
Wabush, a town in a... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2008
Wabush, a town in a remote portion of Labrador, Canada, was completely isolated for some time.
Walter Wink believes that for... -- Isaiah 40:21-31 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2008
Walter Wink believes that for many, many people, violence is the real religion of our time.
At the close of life... -- John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2008
At the close of life, the question will not be, "How much have you gotten?" but "How much have you g
In the beginning it was... -- Genesis 1:1-5 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2008
In the beginning it was nine o'clock, so God had to go to work.

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Keeping God First in the Polls -- John 3:1-17 -- James Weekley -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1987
Did you know that a glass of hippopotamus milk contains eighty calories, or that only five percent o
Reformation Sunday -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- George Paul Mocko -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1987
That Reformation Theme of How You Can't Find God in Head, Heart, or Hands: Something Jeremiah, Paul
On Polishing Up the 24 Karat Jesus -- Matthew 28:16-20 -- James Weekley -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1987
A newly appointed minister was preparing to deliver his first sermon.
All Saints' Sunday -- Revelation 21:1-6(a) -- George Paul Mocko -- All Saints Day - B -- 1987
A Book Misunderstood; Jerusalem the Great and Jerusalem the Golden; Away With the Sea and Tears and
The Big Hand -- Mark 14:12-16 -- James Weekley -- 1987
Following the story of Jesus' feeding the five thousand, a little girl commented, "Jesus must have s
Life Always Springs New! -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Donald Zelle -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1987
To some disappointed people, life is a long valley of dried bones.
Even God Called Time Out -- Mark 2:23--3:6 -- James Weekley -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1987
Like a devouring machine, our society is fed by laws and regulations.
From Rooftop to Valley and to Heaven Again! -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15 -- Donald Zelle -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1987
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
Tilted Haloes -- Mark 3:20-35 -- James Weekley -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1987
There is an old rhyme we sing around the campfire each summer in the North Carolina mountains.
Uzziah is Dead! -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Donald Zelle -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1987
Those who look to this well-known Old Testament lesson for some new insight on the interrelatedness
Are Half-Painted Rainbows Enough? -- Mark 4:26-34 -- James Weekley -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1987
And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, and should slee
Called in From Off-stage -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13 -- Donald Zelle -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 1987
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." We read that from As You Like I
Our Time Will Come! -- 1 Samuel 16:14-23 -- Donald Zelle -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1987
"This offer is good for a limited time only." These words, spoken hastily or put into small print, a
Walking the Valley of the Lost -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Donald Zelle -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1987
David is lost! He had roamed the Judean wilderness with his band of soldiers.
Jerusalem: City for All Time -- 2 Samuel 5:1-12 -- Donald Zelle -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1987
"If you want one simple word to symbolize all of Jewish history, that word would be Jerusalem." So w
The Benefits of Christianity for Nonbelievers -- 2 Samuel 6:1-15 -- Donald Zelle -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1987
"Oh, I don't believe in all of this religious stuff," said a young woman, planning her wedding with
A House! a House! and a House! -- 2 Samuel 7:1-17 -- Donald Zelle -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1987
To live at the time of a building boom is exciting!
Walking On the Knees -- 2 Samuel 7:18-29 -- Donald Zelle -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1987
One needs to read this prayer of King David twice!
Holy Arithmetic -- John 6:1-15 -- Donald Macleod -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1987
Basic education in America has been labeled the "3 R's," from the homespun rhyme:
When Is It Tolerable to Be Intolerant? -- Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 -- Donald Macleod -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1987
Two words in our vocabulary conjure up opposite types of persons: the tolerant and the intolerant.
How Can We Restore the Christian Home? -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Donald Macleod -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1987
The Christian home, once the stable element in the structure of our Western society, is besieged tod
Holy Diet -- John 6:24-35 -- Donald Macleod -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 1987
In a broadcast address in London, T. S.
Holy Believing -- John 6:41-51 -- Donald Macleod -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1987
No one wants to die. Yet, who among us would like to live forever? This is our paradox.
Holy Living -- John 6:51-65 -- Donald Macleod -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 1987
Years ago, Harry Emerson Fosdick, then at the height of his influence as minister of the Riverside C
Holy Friendship -- John 6:66-69 -- Donald Macleod -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1987
Jesus said to the twelve, "Will you also go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
24 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For December 21, 2025:

SermonStudio

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson
Pastor: Advent God: We praise and thank you for the word of promise spoken long ago by your prophet Isaiah; as he bore the good news of the birth of Immanuel–so may we be bearers of the good news that Immanuel comes to be with us. God of love:

Cong: Hear our prayer.
Dallas A. Brauninger
1. Text

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this
way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.18 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.19 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the
James Evans
(See Advent 1, Cycle B, and Proper 15/Pentecost 13/Ordinary Time 20, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

The recurring phrase, "let your face shine" (vv. 3, 7, 19), offers an interesting opportunity to reflect on the meaning of God's presence in our world. This reflection takes on a particular significance during the Advent season.

Richard A. Jensen
Our Matthew text for this week comes from the first chapter of Matthew. Matthew's telling of the Jesus' story is certainly unique. Matthew tells of the early years of our Savior stressing that his name is Jesus and Emmanuel; that wise sages from the East attend his birth; that Joseph and Mary escape to Egypt because of Herod's wrath. No other Gospel includes these realities.
Mark Wm. Radecke
In the Jewish tradition there is a liturgy and accompanying song called "Dayenu." Dayenu is a Hebrew word which can be translated several ways. It can mean: "It would have been enough," or "we would have been grateful and content," or "our need would have been satisfied."

Part of the Dayenu is a responsive reading that goes like this:

O God, if thy only act of kindness was to deliver us from the bondage of Egypt, Dayenu! -- It would have been enough.
Stephen M. Crotts
Some years ago I was in a London theater watching a Harold Pinter play. The drama was not very good really. I was getting bored. Then right in the middle of the play the theater manager walked on stage, excused himself, and made an announcement. The actors stared. The audience looked shocked. Me? I thought it was all part of the play. Such interruptions are rare in a theater. But nonetheless, the stage manager felt that it was necessary this time. His announcement was nothing trivial like, "Some owner has left his car lights on." Nor was it a terrifying message like, "Fire! Fire!
Timothy J. Smith
It is easy to get so caught up in the sentimentality and nostalgia of Christmas that we neglect the true reason we celebrate. We receive Christmas cards portraying a cute infant Jesus lying in a manger filled with straw. The Baby Jesus is pictured in the center with Mary and Joseph on one side, the shepherds and Magi on the other. We know this scene: animals are in the background, in the distance angels can be seen hovering, as a star shines brightly overhead. However, there is more to Advent and Christmas than celebrating the birth of a baby.
William B. Kincaid, III
If we cannot relate to Joseph and appreciate his situation, then our lives are simple, easy lives indeed. Now, by relating to Joseph or understanding what he endured, I don't mean to suggest that we all either have been engaged or married to someone impregnated by the Holy Spirit. Even in our frantic search for ways to explain how such a thing might have happened, we probably didn't think of blaming the Holy Spirit!
R. Glen Miles
"The Lord himself will give you a sign" is the way Isaiah begins his recitation of the promise containing all promises. Isaiah is talking to Ahaz. Ahaz is the king who is stuck in a political mess. It looks like Assyria is about to invade some of the countries neighboring Judah. Isaiah is recommending that the king refuse to sign on with these other countries and their armies and trust only in Yahweh, the Lord of all. Today's reading is a reminder of the promise of God to be with Ahaz and his people, no matter what happens, no matter who invades.
John T. Ball
Religion is a mutual relationship. We pledge loyalty and devotion to God and God blesses us. This is how Moses worked it out with Yahweh and his people who had recently escaped from Egyptian captivity. If the Israelites prove loyal to this mysterious Sinai god, then God would bless them with prosperity and well being. Those who deal with many gods are no different. Even though they have gods for various concerns, they still expect blessings and security in exchange for loyalty.
Susan R. Andrews
According to tradition, Joseph was the strong, silent type - an older carpenter who willingly submitted to impotent fatherhood - a second--string player in the drama of God's human birth. But according to scripture, none of this is true. All that is actually recorded in the Bible is that Joseph was a dreamer - a righteous man who transformed the meaning of righteousness by taking seriously his dreams.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (UM211, PH9, LBW34, CBH172, NCH116)
The God Of Abraham Praise (UM116, PH488, NCH24)
O Hear Our Cry, O Lord (PH206)
Hail To The Lord's Anointed (UM203)
Blessed Be The God Of Israel (UM209)
Emmanuel, Emmanuel (UM204)
People Look East (PH12, UM202)
Savior Of The Nations, Come (LBW28, CBH178, PH14, UM214)
The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy (CBH202)
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (PH1, 2,UM196, NCH122)

Anthem

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Just before the first Christmas, an angel appeared to Joseph to tell him that Jesus would also be called "Emmanuel", meaning "God With Us." Let us listen to the guidance of the angels today as we prepare to receive God With Us once again.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, fill me with the awe of Christmas.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, fill me with the mystery of Christmas.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, fill me with Emmanuel -- God with us.
Lord, have mercy.

StoryShare

Argile Smith
C. David Mckirachan
Scott Dalgarno
Stan Purdum
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Samantha" by Argile Smith
"I'm Pregnant" by C. David McKirachan
"You'd Better Watch out..." by C. David McKirachan
"Terribly Vulnerable to Joy" by Scott Dalgarno
"The Great Christmas-Tree Battle" by Stan Purdum


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Over the years, I grow more cynical about Christmas and just about everything that goes along with it. I have not become a scrooge, although the advancing years have made me more careful with my pennies. It is not that I cannot be moved by the lights, the music, and the fellowship of the holidays. I have not become an insensitive, unfeeling clod. My problem is that the language and the images and the music seem to have fallen short in expressing what must have been the feelings of the real human beings going through the events recounted in this story.

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What an exciting day this is! Today is the day before Christmas and tonight is Christmas Eve! People have different ways of doing things. Some people open their presents on Christmas Eve. How many of you do that? (Let them answer.) Others open their presents on Christmas Day. Which of you will open your presents tomorrow? (Let them answer.) Some open gifts on other days. Would any of you like to share another time when you open presents? (Give them the opportunity to answer.)

Why do you suppose we open gifts at this time of the year? (Let them answer.)

Special Occasion

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