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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Tuning in -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2002
It has gotten very crowded out there in the last century.
Making war, making change -- Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21, Psalm 17:1-7, 15 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2002
It has happened more than once that I have been counseling a young couple who are planning to get ma
Hearts under construction -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2002
It was the late 1970s ...
The road to redemption -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2002
Last summer my family and I moved from the East Coast to the Midwest.
Life goes on -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2002
October 27 this year is the Sunday before "All Saints Day." That festival day in the church on Novem
What's so good about Good Friday? -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42, Psalm 22 -- Good Friday - A -- 2002
One of my favorite movies of all time is the 1956 classic titled Twelve Angry Men featuring an all-s
Night of light -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20, Psalm 96 -- Timothy B. Cargal -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2002
One of the great cultural traditions of modern American Christmas observance is the use of lights.
God's top-ten list -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2002
One of the staples of The Late Show with David Letterman has long been its nightly top-ten list.
The "Not-Me" gremlin -- Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2002
One of the tasks that I always squeeze somewhere into my day is to read the newspaper.
King for a day -- Jeremiah 23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-43 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2001
Each year, in communities across the country, high school students are given the opportunity to beco
The goodness that roared -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2001
In the study of the martial arts, the student learns the difference between the good, the higher goo
Surviving for real! -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 2001
Earlier this year the nation was captivated by the television series Survivor -- the Outback.
Experience Jesus and know God -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2001
In this age of computers and the Internet, there is so much information "out there" to access.
Life's fundamentals -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2001
Erik Erikson, noted American psychiatrist, has observed that there are two basic needs in all of hum
Witness: suffering and rejoicing with hope -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
Is the church living post-Christendom or post-Easter?
Grown-up gratitude -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35, Psalm 100 -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2001
Every parent has been through it.
Passion for God -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2001
It would not be difficult to look around in our world and identify passionate people.
Love is mercy unending -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, Luke 6:27-38 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2001
Every year at this time, younger and older lovers alike enjoy the rituals of Valentine's Day.
Happy Easter -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
On the first Sunday after Thanksgiving the little box began to appear.
Searching for truth in all the wrong places -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2001
Gods and goddesses are plentiful these days, luring adherents into strange expressions of faith.
Prophecy manifest -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2001
One of the best known lines from the movie Jerry McGuire is "Show me the money!" The athlete
In all the wrong places -- Jeremiah 2:4-13, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2001
Have you heard about the Question Box?
Get it straight -- get it right -- 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2001
One of the echoes reverberating through a young child's mind (and an adult's memory) is that of Moth
What fragrance fills your house? -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
How can the world be a safe place?
Life in the waiting lane -- Haggai 1:15b-2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2001
How long did it take you to get to work today?

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
We are all prodigal sons in a way.
NULL -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
George Washington, the father of our country, did not appear to be a joyous father with his stern lo
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 5 (2013) -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Isaiah 43:16-21
NULL -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Bob Ove -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
I'm sure the writer was thinking of Pharaoh's chariots, which drowned in the sea to save God's peopl
NULL -- Isaiah 43:16-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
"What you did was wrong, John," Mary sternly reminded him, which she really did not have to do becau
NULL -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Ron Love -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
The honesty and integrity of George Washington is often associated with the story that after he chop
NULL -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Orienting your life by the past is not the Christian way, Paul proclaims in this lesson.
NULL -- John 12:1-8 -- Bob Ove -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Beware you church treasures!
NULL -- John 12:1-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Dewey had the thickest, blackest head of hair of anyone in the class.
Sermon Illustrations for Palm/Passion Sunday (2013) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
Isaiah 50:4-9a
NULL -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Ron Love -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
Dennis and Peter Gaffney wrote a book titled The Seven-Day Scholar: The Presidents, in which
NULL -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Mark Ellingsen -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
Our lesson, the Third Servant Song, about the Suffering Servant whom Deutero-Isaiah describes, refer
NULL -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Bob Ove -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
How important am I? I am certainly above many I see around me. I pay my income tax!
NULL -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
A quick look in Roget's Thesaurus reveals these words that explore the meaning of empty, whet
NULL -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Ron Love -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
George Washington's father died when he was eleven.
NULL -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2013
The Passion Sunday gospel reveals how insidious our sin is.
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2013) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
Isaiah 52:13--53:12
NULL -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Ron Love -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
The Revolutionary War was not going well for the Americans, as the British were continually defeatin
NULL -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
The lesson portrays the Servant who suffers for us, the Messiah on the cross, as undesirable in appe
NULL -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Bob Ove -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
God makes contracts with us, but he plants them in our hearts and minds.
NULL -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
Archaeologists in the Holy Land and in other scattered Jewish settlements throughout the Middle East
NULL -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Ron Love -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
During the French and Indian War, George Washington was accompanying General Edward Braddock on his
NULL -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
Again and again we become Peter, repeating his denials of Jesus with the way we live.
Sermon Illustrations for Easter Day (2013) -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
Acts 10:34-43
NULL -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Bob Ove -- Easter Day - C -- 2013
We like that God doesn't show favoritism, but too often we do.

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
Merry Christmas! The midwinter festival has come, and it calls for parties, feasting and drinking and dancing and the exchange of gifts. Like all people in the northern hemisphere, we need light in the dark days of winter. The only problem with all of this is that the pressure to be joyful can send us spiraling in the exact opposite of mind sets.
Christmas shops are not just for Christmas anymore. These stores that specialize in everything yuletide-ish do business year round and can be found everywhere. I have seen them in an outlet mall near Washington, D.C., nestled in a small village in the mountains of North Carolina and adorning the white sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is born! A bright light has come into our world, so let us thank and praise God for his gift to us of Jesus, the Messiah.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, make us worthy to worship at your crib.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, may we remember you in today's excitement.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, be born in our hearts today.

Lord, have mercy

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
A Story to Live By: "
Christmas Stories: "Christmas Presence" by Janice Hammerquist
"Silver In His Soul"
"www.ChristmasHouse" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: Great Prayer of Thanksgiving for Christmas Eve by Thom M. Shuman


What's Up on Christmas Eve

Lamar Massingill
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"Taking His Joy unto Ourselves" by Lamar Massingill
"God Acted that We Might Act" by Lamar Massingill
"The Hopes and Fears of All the Years" by John Sumwalt
"God with Us" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


Taking His Joy unto Ourselves
Lamar Massingill
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Christmas would be incomplete without recognizing Incarnate Love's first fruit, which is joy. Johann Sebastian Bach recognized it when he, as an act of worship, composed "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."

SermonStudio

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7 (C, RC); Isaiah 9:2--4, 6--7 (E)
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night: This night with its carols, its candlelight, its communion, and the combined fragrance of pine, poinsettia and perfume. (Is that Passion or Poison you're wearing? Or maybe it's Polo!) The gentle poetry of Luke's story draws us, too.

Why is it that we are so drawn to this night, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
It's not an easy life, I'll tell you that. I work my small farm during the day, but that doesn't bring in enough money. I have a family to support, taxes to pay -- oy, don't get me started on taxes -- so I need more than my farm brings in. I do the only other thing I know how to do. I hire myself out for the night shift watching other people's sheep. Tending sheep would not be my first choice, you understand. First, I have to stay awake all night. Then, there's counting the sheep to make sure one or two haven't wandered off. Thieves are always a problem.
Timothy J. Smith
There is a special feeling from being in church on Christmas Eve. For many of us it feels like coming home for Christmas. We come to hear the familiar story of Mary and Joseph making their way to the little town of Bethlehem. We hear once again of Baby Jesus born in stable. Soon after an unexpected encounter with angels, the shepherds head to the manger to see Jesus for themselves. Children have creatively acted out this story for generations complete with the wise men offering their gifts. Living Nativities complete with live animals are portrayed in church parking lots in many communities.
Frank Luchsinger
"The grace of God has appeared ... training us ... to await our blessed hope" (Titus 2:11-13), and oh, how we have waited! The air is filled with anticipation, the Holy Night has come. We each wait for different things: the lighting of candles, the singing of carols, loved ones returning home, feasting, and forgetting ferment, for the Prince of Peace is coming. We wait for delight in the eyes of someone we love as he or she opens that special gift. We wait in awe in the hope that one star's strong light lingers still and will lead us home to him who redeems us.
John B. Jamison
He stood on the steps and waved. He nodded to those cheering to him from below, and took a deep breath as if to soak up their praise.
Susan R. Andrews
At the risk of putting you to sleep, I'd like to ask each one of you to close your eyes. Right now, for just a minute. Please close your eyes. And now imagine with me. Imagine that you are holding a newborn baby. Imagine how this baby feels - skin touching skin, curves touching curves - harmonious heartbeats as life surges between you. Imagine the smell - the earthy sweetness of breath and body perfuming the air. Imagine the sound - the silent melody of sighing, stretching, settling. Right now, for just a minute, let your imagination go. Feel the baby. Smell the baby. Hear the baby.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering
P: Born into this world,
C: born into our lives,
P: God made flesh.
C: O Emmanuel, we praise you now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Of Praise
O Come, All Ye Faithful or Jesus, What A Wonderful Child

Gospel Procession
Have the children (dressed as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds) process and then read the gospel from the center of the congregation.

Intercessory Prayers
After each petition:
L: O God of love,
C: be born in us today.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Sing A New Song To The Lord (PH216)
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (UM220, PH22, NCH126)
Born In The Night (PH30, NCH152)
Once In Royal David's City (PH49, UM250, NCH145)
The First Nowell (PH56, UM245, CBH199, NCH139)
On This Day Earth Shall Ring (UM248, PH46, CBH192)
What Child Is This? (UM219, PH53, CBH215, NCH148)
Silent Night (PH60, UM229, CBH193, PH134)
The Friendly Beasts (UM227, NCH138)
That Boy--Child Of Mary (PH55, UM241)
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light -

All: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shone.

Women: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

Men: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders -

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Merry Christmas, boys and girls. (Show one of your signs). Do any of you know what this sign means? (Let them answer.) That's right, it means (provide answer). (Show another sign and ask what it means. Let them answer.) Very good. Signs are very important aren't they? They give us direction. They tell us what to do and what not to do. The Bible gives many signs also.

You all know the story about the shepherds on Christmas Eve. The shepherds were in the field watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared to them. The Bible says that the shepherds
Leah Thompson
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all… (v. 11)

Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) Who can tell me what today is? (allow answers) That's right -- it's finally here! Today is Christmas [Eve]! We have spent the whole season of Advent preparing for right now. The long preparation is finally over. Christmas is here!

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