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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Lloyd flew to the Oregon... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Lloyd flew to the Oregon coast to interview for a call as pastor. From the airport, he was
How do we prepare ourselves... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
How do we prepare ourselves and others to withstand temptation? There's no one "cure-
Greek mythology has a fascinating... -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Greek mythology has a fascinating story about the power of temptation. Certain areas
Abram received his call from... -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Abram received his call from God late in life. Robert Raines, in a little book called
There is a prayer that... -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
There is a prayer that is often used by Lutheran Christians at a time of transition: taking a
Dick and Millie were listening... -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Dick and Millie were listening to the sermon one Sunday morning when they felt God
Abram's response to God's command... -- Genesis 12:1-4a -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Abram's response to God's command brings to mind the benediction: Lord God, you have
For thousands of years, natives... -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
For thousands of years, natives on the northwestern American coast celebrated with
Many Christians I know have... -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Many Christians I know have trouble relating Christ and the law of Moses. They see the
Victor Frankl, a Jew who... -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Victor Frankl, a Jew who spent three years in the jail at Auschwitz, and other Nazi prison
Spirit, in the Greek language... -- John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
"Spirit," in the Greek language, is the word, pneuma. Literally, it means "wind"
As translators in Papua, New... -- John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
As translators in Papua, New Guinea, came to the end of translating the New Testament
The choir reluctantly agreed to... -- John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
The choir reluctantly agreed to sing at the local nursing home on a Sunday afternoon.
Nobody can see the wind... -- John 3:1-17 -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Nobody can see the wind, but thanks to the Canadian Wind Energy Atlas, companies and
Chaplain Trent called on Kay... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Chaplain Trent called on Kay for two days. She remained in the hospital after surgery
Any church leader who becomes... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Any church leader who becomes impatient with the flock should read and reread what
The famous psychiatrist, Dr. Karl... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
The famous psychiatrist, Dr. Karl Menninger, was asked what he would do if he knew he
A great many people -- particularly... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
A great many people -- particularly those involved with twelve-step programs -- are
One June 11, the feast... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
One June 11, the feast of Saint Barnabas, I went to the animal shelter. I was not looking
Last summer, the Talbott family... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Last summer, the Talbott family rode their bikes from coast to coast, from Oregon to
In his book, The Greatest... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
In his book, The Greatest Generation, news reporter, Tom Brokaw, makes the
In my first year of... -- John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
In my first year of seminary, I lived near my friend, Cornell. A couple times a week we'd
Ever notice the audiences when... -- John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
Ever notice the audiences when well-known televangelists speak? Cameras usually pan
A large boat filled with... -- John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
A large boat filled with tourists and travelers was near the mouth of the mighty Amazon
Though badly hurt at times... -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2007
Though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed.

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Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
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John Jamison
Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

Note: The gesture used both hands. Hold both hands in front of you and make the thumbs-up sign with both hands with both thumbs pointing back at your chest. This is the “ME!” gesture. Then simply rotate your hands back so your thumbs are pointing straight up in the air, like two “OK” signs. This is the “US” gesture.

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StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. (vv. 9-10)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11: 1-13
The prophet compares Yahweh to a father who exercises compassion despite his original plan to punish Israel. John Calvin nicely explains these dynamics:
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11:1-11

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.


Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
-- Psalm 107:9, 43

Kirk R. Webster
How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
Thomas A. Renquist
This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
John W. Wurster
" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

" 'I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.' (1:4). But they did not know me. Do you?

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