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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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
They had tried everything -- new... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
They had tried everything -- new worship styles, bigger ads in the Yellow Pages, evangelism programs
Have you ever wondered just... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
Have you ever wondered just what it was that enabled Paul to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Two young adults met, and... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
Two young adults met, and it was love at first sight.
One evening in the town... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
One evening in the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, the father of poet Emily Dickinson hurried to his
For many people, including the... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
For many people, including the people of Israel, knowing from whom you came is an important consider
On Epiphany Sunday, the pastor... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2002
On Epiphany Sunday, the pastor at a church we were visiting invited the children forward for the chi

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John Jamison
Object: A pig stuffed animal.

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Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Let’s get started!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For June 22, 2025:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian,  for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.  As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (vv. 25-28)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a
Life can be frightening sometimes. Thus it is both comforting but disconcerting to find a giant of faith like Elijah to fear the future. On that matter Martin Luther once claimed:
David Kalas
We’re not far from the 4th of July. And while for so many Americans, it seems that the holiday has become more about long weekends, cookouts, and fireworks shows, the theme of freedom is still there at least in the background. We might take advantage of that, therefore, and give some thought to the theme of freedom as it is revealed in our assigned texts for this week.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

The madman cried out to Jesus, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" In our worship today let us explore what Jesus has to do with us and invite him to heal our brokenness.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, we often find ourselves thinking, saying and doing things that we quickly regret.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Constance Berg
When Jill was five, she began to have headaches. The headaches were so severe she would throw up. Sometimes she would pass out. They usually came once a month. Jill could be playing, resting, or watching television when the headaches would come. Her only warning was a sudden pain in her head, then a blinding light would appear, and she would be rocked with pain. In her teenage years, they became debilitating, causing Jill to be in bed for three days at a time.
Stan Purdum
I'm not sure when the term "burn out" ceased being only a description of what happened to a campfire when you ran out of firewood to a term describing the experience of long-term exhaustion and diminished interest, usually coming immediately after an extended period of overwork, but the expression seems to fit that later situation, doesn't it? Exhaustion, deep weariness, all used up, nothing more to give, wiped out, burned out -- call it what we will, its symptoms are all too familiar to many of us.
April Yamasaki
In the classic movie, Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews plays a no-nonsense, yet delightful, nanny to two young children. As a nanny to a wealthy family, she is part teacher, part parent, and part disciplinarian. She gets the children up in the morning, puts them to bed at night, supervises their many adventures, and guides them in many ways. While they are in her care, she is responsible for their overall safety and well-being.

Julia Ross Strope
Zoos are no longer in people's good graces.
Religion faces the same problem.
Certain illusions about freedom plague them both.
-- Yann Martel, Life of Pi

Call To Worship
Leader: I'm so glad you're here! There are seats for everyone; there's slight air movement; the windows engender tranquility and imagination and words will stimulate fresh thoughts.

People: It's good to be here, in sanctuary. We're glad for opportunities to gather and to express our gratitude to God and our appreciation for one another.

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