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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Billy Ray Cyrus sings a... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 1994
Billy Ray Cyrus sings a country song that has become popular, especially among young people.
Once there was an unattractive... -- John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1994
Once there was an unattractive, shy, unpopular little orphan girl who was considered to be a problem
There is a lot of... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B -- 1994
There is a lot of misunderstanding about the "new city, the heavenly Jerusalem." David Sheppard, Bi
More than 200,000 pink postcards... -- Hebrews 9:24-28 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1994
More than 200,000 pink postcards were sent to average Americans in May of 1993, inviting them to cal
It did not happen often... -- Matthew 6:25-33 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1994
It did not happen often, but Pastor Allen was having difficulty coming up with a children's sermon i
In this case, the crucial... -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1994
In this case, the crucial test for the young man was the ability to give up his wealth.
These first century words about... -- Hebrews 5:12-6:1, 9-12 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1994
These first century words about Christians locked into entry level discipleship are still pertinent.
When Jesus declared he was... -- John 6:41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 1994
When Jesus declared he was "the bread that came down from heaven," the religious leaders objected, s
Life is made up of... -- John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 1994
Life is made up of choices.
Managing a ball team is... -- Ezekiel 2:2-5 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 1994
Managing a ball team is much like being a prophet.
As long as there are... -- Mark 6:7-13 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 1994
As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in school.
Therefore what God has joined... -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1994
"Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." The song goes, "Love and marriage,
In basketball one of the... -- Hebrews 3:1-6 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1994
In basketball one of the drills that a player learns is how to take a charge.
Dee Jepsen was an assistant... -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1994
Dee Jepsen was an assistant to her husband when he served as a member of the United States Senate.
For though by this time... -- Hebrews 5:12-6:1, 9-12 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 1994
"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic el
His given name was Arnold... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1994
His given name was Arnold and we always called him Arny, Arny Krantz.
The story of King Midas... -- James 5:1-6 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1994
The story of King Midas is indeed a tragic one.
We are watching television, when... -- Mark 1:4-11 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 1994
We are watching television, when suddenly a voice breaks in and says, "We interrupt this program to
Norman Maclean was in his... -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 1994
Norman Maclean was in his 70s when he wrote his first book of fiction based upon his childhood exper
Have you ever thought about... -- Colossians 3:1-4 -- Easter Day - B -- 1994
Have you ever thought about how much the Christian life is like a glider airplane?
Have you ever noticed that... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 1994
Have you ever noticed that a gift implies responsibility?
Many legends have been told... -- John 6:4-15 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1994
Many legends have been told about the great wisdom of King Solomon.
It had been a long... -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Passion Sunday - B -- 1994
It had been a long, cold night. Now, in the wee hours of morning, he approached the welcoming fire.
Peter's protest and subsequent failure... -- John 1:1-7, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 1994
Peter's protest and subsequent failure are all too familiar to those who have lived with an alcoholi
In the twilight of his... -- 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1994
In the twilight of his career, Mickey Mantle could no longer run as fast, hit quite as well or play

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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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