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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

There is a silly story... -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
There is a silly story about two neighbors. One was a Jew and the other a Catholic.
Paul calls us to live... -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Paul calls us to live our lives in a manner worthy of the gospel.
After working all day, Nancy... -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
After working all day, Nancy would go home and work some more.
In the summer of 1969... -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
In the summer of 1969, Scott accepted an offer of $80 to paint an entire two-story house.
Cars have the ability to... -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Cars have the ability to tell when they are low on gas -- in most cars it's a little orange light th
Mrs. Severson, a ninety-plus... -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A
Mrs. Severson, a ninety-plus-year-old member of the congregation needed her fence painted.
The Bible tells us that... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
The Bible tells us that after the Israelites crossed the sea and escaped from Egypt, they entered a
The Israelites were needy, like... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
The Israelites were needy, like children wanting what they want, not considering what they need.
When Moses drew water from... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
When Moses drew water from a rock for the thirsty pilgrims on the way to Canaan, he gave them hope i
In Mrs. Reed's third grade... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
In Mrs. Reed's third grade class, being first in line was the goal of every child.
A man from Texas was... -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
A man from Texas was passing through Ohio when he stopped for gas.
The football game was down... -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
The football game was down to the final minutes.
Delivering a graduation address Susquehanna... -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Delivering a graduation address Susquehanna University, civil rights leader, Julian Bond, quoted som
Ron Howard's film, A Beautiful... -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
Ron Howard's film, A Beautiful Mind (2001), starring Russell Crowe, was a remarkable film abo
A woman was shopping at... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A
A woman was shopping at a local hardware store.
Growing up always poses certain... -- Exodus 12:1-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Growing up always poses certain challenges.
As a member of the... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
As a member of the area ministerial association, Pastor Dan was asked to preach at the local nursing
Little Tommy liked to play... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Little Tommy liked to play with mud.
David Dellinger said: We cannot... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
David Dellinger said: "We cannot say no to war without simultaneously saying yes to love and laughte
Love does no wrong to... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Obviously, it depends on who we think our neighbors really are.
There is an old story... -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
There is an old story about a man who desired peace in his life, so he went into a bar and loudly de
Family fights are awful. Mary... -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Family fights are awful. Mary and her brother, Josh, had been very close growing up.
Forgive others seventy times seven... -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Forgive others seventy times seven: it seems to be an impossibly high standard.
Every institution and company has... -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
Every institution and company has a grievance policy, a way to address problems that arise between c
The scripture says that the... -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
The scripture says that the Israelites saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore and named this deed th

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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
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For August 10, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A treasure chest containing photos of some of your family members and friends, and a small, worn-out bag or purse. The treasure chest could be as simple as a small, metal lockbox, or you could have some fun with a larger box that actually looks like a treasure chest.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! But before I tell you the story, I have something that I want to show you. (Show the treasure chest.)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Personal rant here — since childhood I’ve been annoyed that the winners of the 100-meter dash at the Olympics are hailed as the world’s fastest humans. To me it’s been obvious that the greatest, and fastest, athletes are the women and men who endure the trials and tribulations throughout the 26.2-mile marathons, and who then somehow find it within themselves to sprint to the finish line.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 and Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return… (Luke 12:35-36)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus calls us to be ready for him, for we shall encounter him at unexpected times and in unexpected ways. In our worship today, let us prepare to meet with Jesus.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we don't bother to make ourselves ready for you.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes it doesn't occur to us that we might meet with you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we miss you because we haven't expected you.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me; to those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God.
-- Psalm 50:23

Clayton A. Lord Jr.
I want to talk about heroes today. We all have them. Our heroes are men and women that we look up to. Our heroes are those individuals that inspire us and help us to strive to be our very best.

There is a cute story about a Texan who was trying to impress on a Bostonian, the valor of the heroes of the Alamo. After finishing his story about Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and countless others, he says "I'll bet you never had anyone so brave around Boston."

"Did you ever hear of Paul Revere?" asked the Bostonian.

Thomas A. Renquist
Jesus tells us, "Don't be afraid," but it seems to me there is a lot to be afraid of. "Sell your possessions," he says, "give alms ... risk ... be dressed for action ... have your lamps lit ... be prepared ... be alert." Sounds very ominous, quite scary to me.

Christopher Reeves, the actor, knows what it is to be afraid. On Memorial Day weekend, 1995, in a tragic fall from his horse, he was instantly paralyzed from the neck down and fighting for his every breath.
John W. Wurster
"Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom. Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah" (1:10; cf. Genesis 19).

Sodom. Gomorrah. Remember? Places of wickedness, of violence, of perversity. Do you know any place like that? Places where sexuality is twisted and relationships are corrupted and social order is breaking down? Places where people seek to gratify personal desires at the expense of others, where individual pursuits take precedence over common well-being, where anything goes as long as it feels good?

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