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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Living on the edge of eternity -- Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, Psalm 122 -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
We in the industrialized west of the twenty-first century have achieved a remarkable security.
The surprise of Baby Grace -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Psalm 96 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2001
And so it comes to this: After days of cooking and baking, planning and preparing, buying and wrappi
Seeing and believing -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - C -- 2001
We live in a very visual world!
"Up" is not the only heavenly direction -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2001
Annual meetings, whether for a business corporation, a nonprofit agency, or a local congregation, us
Life with attitude -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2001
We live in an ever-coarsening culture.
The death pax -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31, Psalm 149 -- All Saints Day - C -- 2001
As a part of President Bush's budget and tax proposals, Congress will soon be debating the relative
Unity in Christ -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2001
What unites us as a country? The political campaigns are over for now.
Rock-solid change -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2001
As the end of the old year draws near, and as the dawn of a new year begins to break, we think about
Problems, promises, and prayer -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
"Wherever two or three are gathered together, there are bound to be four opinions." Whenever humans
Called and sent by God -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2001
Career Day at school is always an exciting time for children.
Faith for the world that is -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2001
Who would not want the power of telekinesis? Obstacle in the way? Remove it with a thought.
One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2001
Christians are "stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Corinthians 4:1).
Always wanting more -- Joshua 5:9-12, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
With Augustine we can affirm that pride is the fundamental sin and concupiscence is its fundamental
The gift of receiving -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), Psalm 98, John 1:1-14 -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2001
Christmas shops are not just for Christmas anymore.
My beloved -- Isaiah 43:1-7, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2001
Do we ever get enough love? Probably not.
Dutiful servants of all -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-7, 31b-35 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2001
Do we ever really get together anymore? Think about it.
A new connection -- Hosea 2:14-20, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, Mark 2:13-22 -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2000
As a very young and inexperienced pastor (many years ago), Bob made a terrible mistake.
See? Believe? -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2000
The incarnation is the heart of Christianity.
Words -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2000
The little boy's parents persistently call him stupid, and he drops out of high school his first yea
Little things count -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2000
As our universe becomes larger (ala the Hubble telescope), our interests can become smaller.
Promises, promises! -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2000
When we say to another, "Promises, promises," it usually means that we don't trust the other to do w
The right stuff -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2000
The movie by the same name added this expression to our vocabulary -- "the right stuff." It refers t
Fresh hope -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2000
As we enter into the last week of the year, it is customary for the media to recap the highlights of
Roots -- Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2000
Years ago many of us were enthralled with Alex Haley's story, Roots.
Deceiving appearances -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2000
The old proverb says appearances can be deceiving. And there is much truth in those words.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

NULL -- John 21:1-19 -- Bob Ove -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
I was telling a Muslim I know why we were so sure Jesus was raised from the dead.
Sermon illustrations for Easter 5 (2013) -- Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Acts 11:1-18
NULL -- Acts 11:1-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
There is a pastor in a large U.S. city who leads an eclectic Christian community.
NULL -- Acts 11:1-18 -- Bob Ove -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
There is a lesson in this passage for all denominations.
NULL -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
To behold the New Jerusalem is to see life on earth differently.
NULL -- Revelation 21:1-6 -- Ron Love -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
John Adams, the second president of the United States, told his son Johnny (who would become the six
NULL -- John 13:31-35 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
From Mother Teresa we hear these words exalting the command to love: "[God] cannot command the impos
NULL -- John 13:31-35 -- Bob Ove -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
I thought Jesus was always glorified, but it seems here as though the Father glorified him "at once,
Sermon illustrations for Easter 6 (2013) -- Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5, John 14:23-29 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Acts 16:9-15
NULL -- Acts 16:9-15 -- Ron Love -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
In 1776 when John Adams, who became the second president of the United States, was away from home be
NULL -- Acts 16:9-15 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Lydia was an outsider in Paul's world -- a Gentile woman.
NULL -- Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5 -- Bob Ove -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The Holy City, Jerusalem, can signify where all of God's people will live.
NULL -- Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The writer of Revelation has a vision of Jerusalem that does not necessarily coincide with the reali
NULL -- John 14:23-29 -- Ron Love -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The Immaculate Conception is taken as fact in the gospels, and how the Virgin Mary could conceive a
NULL -- John 14:23-29 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
We need to be careful about the proper relationship between loving God and being loved by him (vv.
Sermon illustrations for Easter 7 (2013) -- Acts 16:16-34, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 -- Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Acts 16:16-34
NULL -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Ron Love -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
At the age of 17, Dwight Lyman Moody went to Boston to work as a shoe salesman in his uncle's store.
NULL -- Acts 16:16-34 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Americans think they are good and decent people, worthy of salvation by their lifestyle.
NULL -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Bob Ove -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
We wonder, as have Christians throughout the ages, what does Jesus mean by "soon"?
NULL -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The planet Venus is called the Morning Star and also the Evening Star.
NULL -- John 17:20-26 -- Ron Love -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
There's a poignant scene in the movie Driving Miss Daisy that ought to stir everyone's consci
NULL -- John 17:20-26 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Jesus prays for unity. Unity is good for human beings.
Sermon illustrations for Day of Pentecost (2013) -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2013
Acts 2:1-21
Fire is an interesting image... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2013
Fire is an interesting image with which to describe the effect of the Holy Spirit upon those who fol
Wow!... -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Bob Ove -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2013
Wow! Wouldn't you like to live then to see all those miracles?

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Christmas!
24 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

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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