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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

A certain man was out... -- John 8:31-36 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
A certain man was out in the woods, trying to cut down a large oak tree.
In this world the truth... -- John 8:31-36 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
In this world the truth is a slippery thing. But it is important.
Denial is a powerful force... -- John 8:31-36 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
Denial is a powerful force in our lives.
My friend tells the story... -- John 8:31-36 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
My friend tells the story of an aunt who has spent the better part of her retirement years fleshing
I once saw a saying... -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1996
I once saw a saying on a church bulletin board that read: "Character is not made in crisis, it is on
A teenager once asked an... -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1996
A teenager once asked an older Christian who had the glow of a saint, "I'd give the world to have an
It is human nature to... -- Romans 12:9-21 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1996
It is human nature to fight back. We do not like to be forced to take anything off anyone.
Several years ago National Geographic... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1996
Several years ago National Geographic magazine did a feature on the one hundredth anniversary of the
The best advertising is word... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1996
The best advertising is word of mouth. If you've ever run a business, you know this to be true.
One of the real pleasures... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1996
One of the real pleasures in life is watching children imitate their parents or other adults.
A Sunday School teacher was... -- Philippians 4:4-13 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1996
A Sunday School teacher was speaking with her fifth grade class about the power of God.
John Bunyon, in his powerful... -- Philippians 4:4-13 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1996
John Bunyon, in his powerful allegory, Pilgrim's Progress, connects spiritual peace with a vision of
Paul's ability to accept whatever... -- Philippians 4:4-13 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1996
Paul's ability to accept whatever life brought to him, can be achieved by anyone.
Some really good things happened... -- Philippians 4:4-13 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1996
"Some really good things happened at that meeting," Jennifer thought to herself as she was driving h
Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin... -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1996
Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin were both baptized and probably to some extent both believed that God
A professor in a course... -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1996
A professor in a course on Old Testament history always gave the same final exam.
Caesar's own image was on... -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 1996
Caesar's own image was on the coin. The money belonged to Caesar and Caesar's government.
School Evangelism is a program... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 1996
"School Evangelism" is a program being offered to students to help them witness at school.
A Sunday School class was... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
A Sunday School class was asked to discuss 1 Thessalonians 2:46.
The professor brought his class... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
The professor brought his class to order with a slow, steady, roving gaze.
I sometimes shake my head... -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
I sometimes shake my head when I listen to the news.
Moses handed down the Law... -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
Moses handed down the Law God wrote on two tablets of stone.
Marriage is a relationship based... -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
Marriage is a relationship based on commitment.
The neighborhood terror was also... -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
The neighborhood terror was also the leader of the Dixsmith Gang.
Question: How many lawyer jokes... -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1996
Question: How many lawyer jokes are there? Answer: Two, all the rest are true.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
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29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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29 – Sermons
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27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
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John Jamison
Object: A pig stuffed animal.

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Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Let’s get started!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For June 22, 2025:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian,  for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.  As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (vv. 25-28)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a
Life can be frightening sometimes. Thus it is both comforting but disconcerting to find a giant of faith like Elijah to fear the future. On that matter Martin Luther once claimed:
David Kalas
We’re not far from the 4th of July. And while for so many Americans, it seems that the holiday has become more about long weekends, cookouts, and fireworks shows, the theme of freedom is still there at least in the background. We might take advantage of that, therefore, and give some thought to the theme of freedom as it is revealed in our assigned texts for this week.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

The madman cried out to Jesus, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" In our worship today let us explore what Jesus has to do with us and invite him to heal our brokenness.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, we often find ourselves thinking, saying and doing things that we quickly regret.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Constance Berg
When Jill was five, she began to have headaches. The headaches were so severe she would throw up. Sometimes she would pass out. They usually came once a month. Jill could be playing, resting, or watching television when the headaches would come. Her only warning was a sudden pain in her head, then a blinding light would appear, and she would be rocked with pain. In her teenage years, they became debilitating, causing Jill to be in bed for three days at a time.
Stan Purdum
I'm not sure when the term "burn out" ceased being only a description of what happened to a campfire when you ran out of firewood to a term describing the experience of long-term exhaustion and diminished interest, usually coming immediately after an extended period of overwork, but the expression seems to fit that later situation, doesn't it? Exhaustion, deep weariness, all used up, nothing more to give, wiped out, burned out -- call it what we will, its symptoms are all too familiar to many of us.
April Yamasaki
In the classic movie, Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews plays a no-nonsense, yet delightful, nanny to two young children. As a nanny to a wealthy family, she is part teacher, part parent, and part disciplinarian. She gets the children up in the morning, puts them to bed at night, supervises their many adventures, and guides them in many ways. While they are in her care, she is responsible for their overall safety and well-being.

Julia Ross Strope
Zoos are no longer in people's good graces.
Religion faces the same problem.
Certain illusions about freedom plague them both.
-- Yann Martel, Life of Pi

Call To Worship
Leader: I'm so glad you're here! There are seats for everyone; there's slight air movement; the windows engender tranquility and imagination and words will stimulate fresh thoughts.

People: It's good to be here, in sanctuary. We're glad for opportunities to gather and to express our gratitude to God and our appreciation for one another.

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