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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Kelly had it made. He... -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2006
Kelly had it made. He won $100,000 in a lottery and promptly quit his job. He began to
Kim was having a hard... -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2006
Kim was having a hard time adjusting to the fact that her life had changed in a way she
Did you ever hope you... -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2006
Did you ever hope you could be a hero? Save all the children on your school bus? Solve a
Alan described himself as a... -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
Alan described himself as a "fair to middlin'" church member. His family always attended
Entering the hospital room of... -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
Entering the hospital room of a dearly beloved parishioner who was dying, I knew it
Early in the spring, I... -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
Early in the spring, I planted some bean seeds. Being in a small "cold frame" they
This text reminds us that... -- Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
This text reminds us that to encounter the living God is a momentous experience. Exodus
W. S. Gilbert, one-half... -- 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
W. S. Gilbert, one-half of the famous "Gilbert and Sullivan" opera-writing team, was
Francis took a block of... -- 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
Francis took a block of wood, sat down at the picnic table, took out some carving tools,
Pastor Dennis arrived at ground... -- 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
Pastor Dennis arrived at ground zero in the days following the September 11, 2001,
For better or for worse... -- 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
For better or for worse. For how long should those promises be kept? Honeymoons
Al, Fred, Carl, and Dan... -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
Al, Fred, Carl, and Dan were fraternity brothers. They were a "family" within the
I have always loved the... -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
I have always loved the Fourth of July fireworks. I enjoy two views when watching them
A wealthy businessman had many... -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
A wealthy businessman had many employees that kept up his large estate, garden, and
The great preacher, Phillips Brooks... -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2006
The great preacher, Phillips Brooks, titled his sermon on this text, "Vision and Task." We
Have you ever heard of... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
Have you ever heard of a "three-hankie" movie? It's an old term, favored by Hollywood's
Rend your hearts and not... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
"Rend your hearts and not your garments," is Joel's challenge to God's people. Stop
The church played an important... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
The church played an important role in Paula's formative years. She attended Sunday
Do you dread making wrong... -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
Do you dread making wrong decisions? Do you worry that bad choices lead to poor
In the middle of the... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
In the middle of the twentieth century, mainland China became officially Communist,
I had been visiting Martha... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
I had been visiting Martha for a few months as she was making her final journey in life.
A hailstorm when crops are... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
A hailstorm when crops are growing can be very devastating in Iowa or anyplace where
Ash Wednesday is a good... -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
Ash Wednesday is a good time to ponder this enormously important biblical word,
One day, Gandhi stepped aboard... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
One day, Gandhi stepped aboard a train as it started to move, and one of his shoes slipped
For years, the church received... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2006
For years, the church received a substantial anonymous donation. It arrived early in

Political Pulpit

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The Political Pulpit

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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