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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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
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
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,
The young boy asked his... -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
The young boy asked his grandma why she was always so happy. It seemed strange to
Wally stood in the midst... -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
Wally stood in the midst of his cornfield in disbelief. The night before, a thunderstorm
Do you picture God as... -- Joel 2:21-27 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
Do you picture God as a grumpy grandpa? Or as an irritable prude? A stern Superman
Signs beside the highway are... -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
Signs beside the highway are scattered across the western United States informing
The author of 1 Timothy... -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
The author of 1 Timothy urges us to pray for those in authority. The Episcopal church
There is a funny story... -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
There is a funny story about Harry who was on his deathbed. He turned to his wife, Ethel,
George McDonald gives us something... -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
George McDonald gives us something to ponder at Thanksgiving. "Let me, if I may, be
The writer, Annie Dillard, in... -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
The writer, Annie Dillard, in one of her short but powerful books, tells the story of the ill-
The writer, Annie Dillard, in... -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
The writer, Annie Dillard, in one of her short but powerful books, tells the story of the ill-
Babies cry for any number... -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
Babies cry for any number of reasons. They might be colicky -- a condition that leaves
Anne invited her family to... -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
Anne invited her family to her home for Thanksgiving. It was a huge undertaking -- her
What a day. I tried... -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2006
What a day. I tried to find our septic tank lid. The former owner of our acreage told me
Fads rise and fade away... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
Fads rise and fade away in clothing, housing, and car design -- also in scholarship. The
One of two accounts of... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
One of two accounts of King David's last words is found in this lesson. The passage
Last words are important. It... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
Last words are important. It might be interesting to track down the last occurrences and
Joe Hale must be ranked... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
Joe Hale must be ranked as, technically, one of the worst Sunday school teachers ever
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
John writes that Jesus is... -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
John writes that Jesus is coming on the clouds and every eye will see him. In April 2005,
Debbie grew up in the... -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
Debbie grew up in the church and later, when she had her own family, she still attended
We saw a Hollywood friend... -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
We saw a Hollywood friend while watching a television feature film. He portrayed a
Children do it more obviously... -- John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
Children do it more obviously. Spouses practice it more subtly: selective hearing. People
Pontius Pilate was never noted... -- John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2006
Pontius Pilate was never noted for his religious sensitivity. In fact, his lack of insight into

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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

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
For August 3, 2025:

CSSPlus

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.

* * *

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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