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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Titus turns us to the... -- Titus 3:4-7 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
Titus turns us to the heart of Christmas. The secular world would have us forget the
Silas Marner, by George Eliot... -- Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
Silas Marner, by George Eliot, is the story of a bitter old man, unlucky in love
Barb was considering a call... -- Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
Barb was considering a call to another congregation -- a difficult decision. Her college-
Christmas Eve never really entered... -- Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
Christmas Eve never really entered Andy's thoughts. While he attended Sunday school as
Every year at Yule time... -- Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2006
Every year at Yule time, it's missing in many homes. Its absence causes disappointment
Dedicating our own lives to... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Dedicating our own lives to God is one thing. Dedicating someone else's life is a different
In today's lectionary text, we... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
In today's lectionary text, we skip from Jesus' birth to his twelfth year. Last Sunday, we
The Japanese are fond of... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
The Japanese are fond of cultivating Bonsai trees: dwarf trees that stand no more than a
The boy Samuel served a... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
The boy Samuel served a faithful apprenticeship at the shrine at Shiloh, without seeking
Every mother or grandmother who... -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Every mother or grandmother who sews probably can tell a story of sewing a garment for
The Sanskrit word for peace... -- 2006
The Sanskrit word for "peace" is pac and means to bind or to fasten. It is the
Mark Twain once quipped, Clothes... -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Mark Twain once quipped, "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no
Kim and Cindy had once... -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Kim and Cindy had once been best friends. They met at work and soon became close
They'd wasted a million dollars... -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
They'd wasted a million dollars. What did their future hold? Their remaining cash went to
In the early 1970s, a... -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
In the early 1970s, a psychology professor at Stanford University named David L.
Jesus' family has been to... -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Jesus' family has been to Jerusalem for Passover and they've stayed seven or eight days --
One preacher took this text... -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
One preacher took this text and preached a sermon on: "'Tis a Pity the Kittens Have to
Losing a child is every... -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare. Most parents have experienced this at
Seated among the learned rabbis... -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Seated among the learned rabbis in the temple, the young Jesus displays a remarkable
On his visit to the... -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
On his visit to the temple, Jesus amazed the Jewish teachers with his intelligent answers
Many strange things have been... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
Many strange things have been done in the name of science -- even in outer space. The
Many young campers have been... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
Many young campers have been awakened by a rousing rendition of the chorus to "Arky
For too long, Christina remained... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
For too long, Christina remained silent. It might have been from her childhood that she
Once there was a cave... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
Once there was a cave that lived in darkness underground, as you would expect a cave to
Tom was vaguely disturbed. He... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
Tom was vaguely disturbed. He felt it all day, starting at the office. He thought for sure

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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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