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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Many people today are prisoners... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
Many people today are prisoners. No, they are not living at a correctional facility, or in
As I write this, some... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
As I write this, some secret plans to blow up airplanes are making headlines. In contrast,
A story is told of... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
A story is told of the late King Hussein of Jordan. In the latter years of the king's reign,
Small or insignificant towns sometimes... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
Small or insignificant towns sometimes produce legendary figures. Take the city of
What we learn during our... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
What we learn during our formative years can become a life lesson. Renee's father
The wise men presented gold... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
The wise men presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. Gold was a reminder of
William Faulkner's novel, As I... -- Isaiah 43:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
William Faulkner's novel, As I Lay Dying, presents a dysfunctional family on its
Fear -- it comes to many... -- Isaiah 43:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
Fear -- it comes to many when they listen to the news, when they wait for grades, when
Sometimes a great treasure is... -- Isaiah 43:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
Sometimes a great treasure is lost when we fail to realize the value.
Knee-deep in exile, the... -- Isaiah 43:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
Knee-deep in exile, the Israelites had a lot to fear. They feared for their beloved country
One of the most remarkable... -- Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
One of the most remarkable athletes of our time was the late Susan Butcher, who won
Software companies will sometimes offer... -- Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
Software companies will sometimes offer customers a trial version of one of their
It was evident from their... -- Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
It was evident from their chance encounter that Dan was delighted to start college. It had
Ask any pilot. He or... -- Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
Ask any pilot. He or she will tell you that there are times when its difficult to know which
Steve walked into the airline... -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
Steve walked into the airline terminal to meet Gary. Together they'd have four days at the
Brennan Manning tells the story... -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
Brennan Manning tells the story of an 80-year-old Roman Catholic priest and his
Can you imagine anyone finding... -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
Can you imagine anyone finding good, or singing praise to God while your house is on
Weeks ago, we stood by... -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2006
Weeks ago, we stood by the manger and heard the singing of angels. They told of good
Episcopal priest, Robert Capon, said... -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
Episcopal priest, Robert Capon, said, "We are in a war between dullness and
For years, the Brewer boys... -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
For years, the Brewer boys antagonized their fellow riders on the school bus. The
One of the leaders of... -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
One of the leaders of the church asked to address the congregation one Sunday morning.
I recently attended a community... -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
I recently attended a community theater play that we had seen before in a different
Centrifugal comes from the Latin... -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
"Centrifugal" comes from the Latin: to flee the center. It means to impel outward,
One day, a hunter from... -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
One day, a hunter from St. Louis was out hunting in Minnesota. He had been in his duck
A king at one time... -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
A king at one time had many mirrors in his castle, but just a few tiny windows. Without

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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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