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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wise Owl ...A wise... -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1994
Wise Owl ...A wise old owl sat in an oak;The more he saw the less he spoke;
Dr. Tom Dooley tells the... -- Isaiah 53:4-12 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1994
Dr.
Through the centuries traditional commentary... -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1994
Through the centuries traditional commentary on verse 9 of chapter 2 has cast Job's wife in the role
There is some wisdom that... -- Wisdom 7:7-11 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1994
There is some wisdom that can be gained in living and meditation, and some that can be gained from b
These are the last words... -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1994
These are the last words of David.
In January of 1993 the... -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1994
In January of 1993 the Supreme Court handed down a rather disturbing ruling.
In a popular comic strip... -- Solomon 3:1-9 -- All Saints Day - B -- 1994
In a popular comic strip, "Calvin and Hobbes," the stuffed tiger, Hobbes, points out to his child, C
A young man was having... -- Isaiah 6:1-8 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1994
A young man was having a great deal of trouble deciding what his life's calling should be.
Robert Schuller tells the story... -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1994
Robert Schuller tells the story of how the mirrored reception hall in the old Shah's Palace in Tehra
It was in the depression... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
It was in the depression years, the mid-30s, and nobody could buy a new chair let alone a new car, e
Milton Jacobi was 10 or... -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1994
Milton Jacobi was 10 or 15 years older than I and he had graduated from a small state college.
In the '70s one of... -- Acts 8:26-40 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
In the '70s one of the greatest running backs of all time played professional football for the Buffa
As the first game of... -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1994
As the first game of the World Series was almost ready to start, a fan noticed that the seat next to
A few years ago Duke... -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1994
A few years ago Duke University made it to the finals of the NCAA basketball tournament.
The late Dr. Charles Gilkey... -- 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1994
The late Dr. Charles Gilkey was dean of the chapel at the University of Chicago some 40 years ago.
One of my best friends... -- 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15) 16-20 (11:14-15) -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1994
One of my best friends held the head high school basketball coaching position for two years.
There is a certain strength... -- Exodus 24:3-11 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1994
There is a certain strength in mutual affirmation.
How often does anger speak... -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1994
How often does anger speak and love keep silent? We live in a litigious society.
I have learned a lesson... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
I have learned a lesson about forgiving and forgetting from my computer.
During one of the worst... -- 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
During one of the worst snow-winters in Marine City, Michigan, the snow came with both force and qua
Jesus had told them that... -- Acts 4:23-33 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
Jesus had told them that one day they would stand before councils, judges and governors and would be
Names can be a sensitive... -- Exodus 20:1-7 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
Names can be a sensitive issue.
Concerning the Holy Spirit, Frederick... -- Acts 4:8-12 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
Concerning the Holy Spirit, Frederick Buechner writes in his book Wishful Thinking the following: "T
Nothing brings people closer together... -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
Nothing brings people closer together than a shared tragedy.
In Wishful Thinking, Frederick Buechner... -- Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Easter Day - B -- 1994
In Wishful Thinking, Frederick Buechner writes the following: "When you are with somebody you love,

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 16 | OT 21 | Pentecost 11
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 17 | OT 22 | Pentecost 12
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 13
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

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For September 7, 2025:

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him…. (vv. 28-29)

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A pair of heavy gloves you might use to protect your hands when you are working or gardening.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! But I need to warn you that this story can be really tough to understand, so let’s see if we can figure it out.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that we must be utterly committed to him, even to facing danger and pain, if we want to follow him. In our worship today, let us ask him for help in this formidable task.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we are scared to stand up for you.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we love other things more than you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we are more concerned with our own image than with you.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.
-- Psalm 139:1-2

Schuyler Rhodes
It would be an easy thing to read through this psalm and nod in assent before moving on to the next. It all seems pretty obvious. "Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread...." It is tantamount to what the young people refer to as a "no-brainer." Much of this bad advice could be avoided by turning off our televisions. And the sinner's well-worn walkways? They too seem fairly apparent. Yet somehow they continue to be well worn.
Paul E. Robinson
Another world, another day, another time. The bright sun cast its long dark shadows along streets filled with carts and animals, never once falling on automobile, trolley or McDonald's litter in the gutter.
Lee Ann Dunlap
What would you do if you opened your mailbox one day to find a letter from the city or county announcing that you have to move? That land your grandparents worked so hard to till, or for which you struggled so long to purchase is deemed the best land available for a new shopping mall. The appraisers will soon be checking out your home to determine its fair market value and you are expected to vacate.
Rick McCracken-Bennett
I remember as I was growing up, before gas became more precious than gold, that our family would go on buggy rides, as we called them, on Sunday afternoons after church and dinner. It was a great time for the entire family to be together, to wander back roads aimlessly, and to talk about just about anything you could imagine.
Gary L. Carver
The old man is about to retire for the evening. Closely he clutches a collection of correspondence as he replaces the worn letter he had read back into the bundle. It is the most treasured possession that he owns. As he hits his knees, he shakes his head in wonder and amazement at what God had done in his life. Only God could have taken him from where once he was to where he is now. And his prayer is one of gratitude.

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