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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

There is no need! at... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2002
"There is no need!" at least, that's what the naysayers said when someone wanted to open winter shel
Tina was excited about getting... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2002
Tina was excited about getting married. She was in love with a tremendous guy.
Minneapolis has the tallest building... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2002
Minneapolis has the tallest building in the West. In its shadow lies St.
A Sunday school teacher was... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2002
A Sunday school teacher was highly regarded by those who attended his young adult class.
We were driving along a... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2002
We were driving along a country road one evening about 5:30.
Paul praised the Thessalonians for... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2002
Paul praised the Thessalonians for a labor of love.
The child looked up at... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2002
The child looked up at his teacher and asked, "How long have you been teaching?" The teacher sat dow
I visited a convenience store... -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2002
I visited a convenience store after a meeting of Boy Scout leaders and, as usual, I hadn't eaten sup
It was time for the... -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2002
It was time for the provincial elections in Ontario and the government was sure it had the election
Richard Jessen, a now retired... -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2002
Richard Jessen, a now retired Lutheran bishop in Omaha, Nebraska, understood that responsibility wel
The GAP (Grace Action Program... -- Matthew 22:15-22 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2002
The GAP (Grace Action Program) program at Grace Church finds one local family a year to help.
Jessie was the only child... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2002
Jessie was the only child of parents who were determined that she would become a great success.
My boyhood pastor was a... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2002
My boyhood pastor was a model for me in ministry.
The Apostle knew from hard... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2002
The Apostle knew from hard, and sometimes bitter, experience that those who do a good thing will nev
In a conversation with 12... -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2002
In a conversation with 12-year-old Tommy, his grandmother mentioned that their minister baptized him
We remember the day when... -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2002
We remember the day when we were in northern Michigan, in Sault Sainte Marie.
Jesus provides a righteousness that... -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2002
Jesus provides a righteousness that we, who lack any of our own, can borrow.
No! No! No! the rabbi... -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2002
"No! No! No!" the rabbi cried. "That is not right.
William Henry Seward was Secretary... -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2002
William Henry Seward was Secretary of State under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.
Dale was a middle child... -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2002
Dale was a middle child. Her oldest brother, Brian, had been sick since birth.
A coach had a private... -- John 1:1-14 -- 2002
A coach had a private session with his quarterback. They watched the film of a recent game.
One year we decided to... -- Luke 2:1-20 -- 2002
One year we decided to put together an object lesson for our children.
John and Noel had a... -- Luke 2:22-40 -- 2002
John and Noel had a baby girl. Her entry into the world was assisted by a midwife.
Jean is a Native American... -- Luke 1:26-38 -- 2002
Jean is a Native American and a Christian.
Route 62 and Route 65... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- 2002
Route 62 and Route 65 run together as an improved highway to a few miles northwest of Harrison [Arka

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
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Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
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32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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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
Bonnie Bates

1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a and Psalm 42-43
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.

Special Occasion

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