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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary Writers
David Kalas

David Coffin
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
 
Illustration Writers
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen

Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B

David Coffin
The sizzling, fresh aroma of bratwursts and fresh beef burgers is carried downwind to the parsonage living room of Pastor Jamie and family. For over 35 years Pastor Jamie would be rushing out to such events in this town of Gunkel. With local country and western music bands playing in the background, the community celebrates Founder’s Day of Joe and Emma Schwart-hogg. In times past, Pastor Jamie would already have ordered two sandwiches, fries and a drink and sit at a picnic table to visit with townspeople. This year however, Pastor Jamie has chosen to keep a low profile. Why? There is a certain awkward feeling among many people in the town of Gunkel, as the pastor’s family is being politely retired out of the church and ministry by both the judicatory and church council. All wish for an...
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
1 Samuel 1:4-20
Things are not what they seem to be. As I have written before, I am  a fan of  “The Twilight Zone” television show.  I have a lot of episodes that I enjoy. One, however, came to mind as I was thinking about how people sometimes misjudge a situation. The episode is called, “Eye of the Beholder” and it ran during “The Twilight Zone’s” second season. In this episode, Janet lives in a society that demands beauty. She has not realized that, so she is having surgery. This surgery will determine whether she will be accepted into her society. At the completion of the surgery, her bandages are removed. We see a beautiful Donna Douglas (Elly Mae Clampett), but the doctor and nurses recoil in horror. Beauty, in this culture, is monstrous faces with drooping...

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Proper 27 | OT 32 | Pentecost 25
32 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
21 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 26
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
29 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christ the King
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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New & Featured This Week

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John Jamison
Object: This week’s object is an activity for everyone to join in.

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The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For November 17, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
1 Samuel 1:4-20
David Coffin
The sizzling, fresh aroma of bratwursts and fresh beef burgers is carried downwind to the parsonage living room of Pastor Jamie and family. For over 35 years Pastor Jamie would be rushing out to such events in this town of Gunkel. With local country and western music bands playing in the background, the community celebrates Founder’s Day of Joe and Emma Schwart-hogg. In times past, Pastor Jamie would already have ordered two sandwiches, fries and a drink and sit at a picnic table to visit with townspeople. This year however, Pastor Jamie has chosen to keep a low profile. Why?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“I wish I knew when all of this would be over,” Ben said.

“Me too.” Jill squeezed his hand from her hospital bed. “Some things we just can’t know. Remember the sermon that Pastor Tim preached last Sunday?”

“The one about the end times?” Ben rubbed his chin. “I have to admit it wasn’t the sermon I thought it would be.”

“What did you expect he would say?”

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Life isn't always smooth. Jesus calls us to difficult and painful times as well as to times of joy and delight. In our worship today, let us explore something of his call.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, I don't understand how you could ever let me suffer.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, I thought that once I decided to follow you, everything would be wonderful.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
Jo Perry-Sumwalt
Christmas, 1979

Dear Ones:

From May 7 until June 11, 1979, it was my pleasure to spend 35 days travelling and visiting in the northwest United States, using a Greyhound Ameripass. So many events with inspirational implications happened that the desire to share some of them with you results in this letter.
James Evans
Hannah's song is probably best-known and most frequently associated in the liturgy as an accompanying reading for the celebration of the angelic visitation to Mary (Luke 1:39-57). When the text is used in this manner, Hannah serves as a type of Mary, with her song echoing themes and expressions to be found in Mary's song.

Steven E. Albertin
Introductory Drama

Characters:
Man
Woman

(Scene: The entrance to eternity. A man sits at a desk, papers before him. Woman enters. She goes to the man and stands quietly. The man looks up.)

Man: Heaven on your right -- hell on your left.

Woman: (Looking at the doors, in awe) You mean that door leads to heaven ... and that one to hell?

Man: That is correct. Please don't take too long. There are others waiting.

Woman: But ... what do I do?
Robert A. Hausman
How to have law and order without tyranny? That is the question. Israel began as a rather loosely connected tribal confederacy. The Israelite tribes were led by charismatic leaders, or judges, under the divine direction of Yahweh. They were supposed to be knit together in one harmonious unit. They would avoid the tyranny, which was the result of being governed by a king. Instead, they would have Yahweh alone as their king. It sounded good, and certainly the book of the Judges reflects moments of such peaceful unity, but reality was often quite different.

Lee Ann Dunlap
In the early years of the sixteenth century, a young adventurer named Nicolas Herman left his parents' home near Lorraine, France, to join the French army. Wounded in war, he returned home to recuperate and thus began a process of soul searching that led to Christian commitment.

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