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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

When Dick Sheppard, one of... -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
When Dick Sheppard, one of the great preachers of the English church, died, a London newspaper carri
In December, 2000, a man... -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
In December, 2000, a man in Almaty, Kazakhstan, who was electrocuted and buried, shocked his friends
Several years ago in Texas... -- Acts 2:14a, 22-32 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Several years ago in Texas, voters elected a dead man.
George Ives was the father... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
George Ives was the father of Charles Ives, American composer.
The family reunion was to... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
The family reunion was to be held in the old family church.
John the Baptizer had his... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
John the Baptizer had his priorities right.
I said 'Yes!' to Jesus... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
"I said 'Yes!' to Jesus Christ," the young man witnessed at the weekly Bible study.
She had heard and read... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
She had heard and read the word God spoke to Jesus at his baptism.
Pastor Bill was struggling. His... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
Pastor Bill was struggling.
Before accepting my last call... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
Before accepting my last call, I had been an active member in a large community choir.
Here's an odd example of... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
Here's an odd example of grace:
St. Anselm described himself as... -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
St. Anselm described himself as someone with faith seeking understanding.
A woman named Elizabeth was... -- John 1:29-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
A woman named Elizabeth was hospitalized for surgery, and was placed in a room with another patient.
When early Christian theologians used... -- John 1:29-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
When early Christian theologians used the image of a sacrificial lamb, such as was slaughtered at th
Maryanne Johns walked past a... -- John 1:29-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
Maryanne Johns walked past a church every day on her way to work.
A woman who greatly feared... -- John 1:29-42 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2002
A woman who greatly feared the water was so afraid that she would not accompany her husband on his b
Another conflict situation! thought Glenn... -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
"Another conflict situation!" thought Glenn. "That's all I seem to work on these days."
As a teenager I had... -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
As a teenager I had several operations that together forced me to take three months away from school
There was a wonderful church... -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
There was a wonderful church, on fire for the Lord, spiritually strengthened by revival services and
Humorist Lewis Grizzard recalls a... -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
Humorist Lewis Grizzard recalls a dispute in a church in his hometown of Moreland, Georgia.
Repentance means to turn around... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
Repentance means to turn around.
The Master had taught his... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
The Master had taught his disciples to dance and said, "Follow me." Immediately they left their depr
Charles Ferrell, a retired pastor... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
Charles Ferrell, a retired pastor, writes of his youth:
Don't answer that! the teenager... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
"Don't answer that!" the teenager yelled as she scrambled to where the phone was ringing.
Technology makes it possible for... -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2002
Technology makes it possible for us not to have to deal face-to-face with each other, but sometimes

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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
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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