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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Vern was 48 when he... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
Vern was 48 when he contracted a rare form of cancer. He was told that treatment rarely
Claudia is a woman in... -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
Claudia is a woman in her mid-fifties who lost her job just as serious arthritic problems
The temperature hit the low... -- Mark 9:38-50 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2006
The temperature hit the low 100s for the third day in succession. Kelsey sat listlessly on
And then there was what... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2006
And then there was what I remember as one of the worst nights in my life. It was 3 a.m.,
Look, Teacher, what large stones... -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
"Look, Teacher, what large stones and what great buildings!" enthused Jesus' disciples
In Wittenberg-Lutherstadt they told... -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
In Wittenberg-Lutherstadt they told me a story about a large statue of Christ in front of
Jody viewed her life as... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
Jody viewed her life as both a gift and a miracle. Having suffered a near-fatal heart
A parent told the director... -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
A parent told the director of Christian education at a local church that his family tries to
It is easy to be... -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
It is easy to be a Christian when life is going well. Denny was a Christian who was
This text points to a... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2006
This text points to a recurring theme in Mark's Gospel that the "outsiders" (the
George McDonald years ago wrote... -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
George McDonald years ago wrote:They all were looking for a king
Security is a good thing... -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
Security is a good thing (no doubt about it!). A certain group of steelworkers discovered
Imagine a doctor who regularly... -- John 11:32-44 -- All Saints Day - B -- 2006
Imagine a doctor who regularly neglects one part of a standard three-part procedure. His
Before David went off to... -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
Before David went off to college, his mother bought him a basic sewing kit. "You'll need
Patty had been through so... -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
Patty had been through so much, she survived a scare with cancer, undergoing radiation
Prior to the release of... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2006
Prior to the release of the movie, The Da Vinci Code, author Dan Brown was
In Corrie ten Boom's book... -- Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2006
In Corrie ten Boom's book, The Hiding Place, Corrie tells of her first encounter
Scientists have long been fascinated... -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
Scientists have long been fascinated by the factors which cause one person to be attracted
In WWII, Nora Lam's family... -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
In WWII, Nora Lam's family fled from Japanese-occupied China. After 37 days and
Today's lesson reminds us that... -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
Today's lesson reminds us that during the season of the church mission (Pentecost) we
Job is a man who... -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2006
Job is a man who "walks in his integrity." That word "integrity" is a rich one. Literally,
Most students, at one time... -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2006
Most students, at one time or another, are given a "test" in which the instructions are
When the primal Celtic tribe... -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
When the primal Celtic tribe of Tuatha de Danaan first established their people in Ireland,
Cathy had pretty much given... -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2006
Cathy had pretty much given up on the idea that she would meet "Mr. Right" and live
The journey from Moab to... -- Ruth 1:1-18 -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2006
The journey from Moab to Bethlehem was no small undertaking, especially for an elderly

Intercession

Poems

Political Pulpit

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Preaching

Sermon

The Village Shepherd

Arise, Shine; For Your Light Has Come -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
We generally have a family outing to the cinema over the Christmas period. There
Words, Words, Words! -- John 1:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B
I remember a children's annual I had as a child, which had a picture of Goofy and Mickey Mouse o
Everyone Who Does What Is Right Is Righteous -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Janice B. Scott -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
I watched highlights from the London Marathon on television just before Easter.
Mystery And Secrets -- Romans 16:25-27 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
One of my most relaxing hobbies is the reading of mystery stories.
What About Other Religions? -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Janice B. Scott -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B
Many years ago I met a churchwarden who had grown up within a Jewish background but who had conv
Will You 'Open That Sack Called Your Heart, And Share...'? -- John 1:1-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Nativity of our Lord - C
I want to read you a poem. It's called "Santa's Secret Wish",
Work And Rest, Wholeness And Healing -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
I recently watched a documentary of Prince William's life, made to celebrate his twenty-first bi
Encounters With Jesus -- Luke 2:15-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B
In 2000, I visited the Holy Land.
Mystery -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
At Christmas I was given a book about angels.
Identifying God -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B
I used to be quite good
Is He The Messiah? -- Mark 11:1-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - B
I started experiencing difficulties with the concept of truth in my childhood.
Moths Drawn To The Light -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany of the Lord - B
One summer we spent a week or two in Corfu, one of the larger Greek islands.
Utter Confidence? -- 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 -- Janice B. Scott -- Transfiguration Sunday - B
Despite all the awful disciplinary problems there seem to be in many high schools today, the
He Emptied Himself... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Janice B. Scott -- Passion Sunday - B
The postman regularly delivers a lot of junk mail to our house, but thoughtfully bundles it together
Misunderstandings -- John 6:56-69 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
Some years ago, following a particularly horrific murder of a ten-year-old schoolgirl by a paedo
Unnoticed Gifts -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
Since I have a birthday this month, I'm thinking about presents!
The Spread Of The Kingdom Can't Be Stopped -- Mark 4:26-34 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
I remember watching a television documentary on BBC 2, on St Paul's Cathedral.
Loving The Unlovely -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B
When our eldest daughter was four, she crazed us to have a dog.
Unconditional Love In Action -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
In the winter gales in Norfolk earlier this year, a young boy was out walking the dog with his b
Enabling Suffering -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B
In my first job as a newly-qualified physiotherapist, I had to treat a
Love -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Janice B. Scott -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B
Some years ago I baptised a beautiful child.
Unclean Spirit To Holy Spirit - A Miraculous Change -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Janice B. Scott -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B
A couple of weeks or so ago Ludovik Kennedy started an article in The Times with the following w
The Rainbow -- God's Sign -- Genesis 9:8-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- First Sunday in Lent - B
Roly Bain, the ordained Anglican priest whose ministry is based around presenting the gospel
The Pursuit Of Wisdom -- 1 Kings 2:10-12 and 3:3-14 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B
The USA probably has the right idea.
Little Girl, Get Up! -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Janice B. Scott -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B
When I was growing up, there was considerable stereotyping of boys and girls.

Stories

The Political Pulpit

Worship

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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