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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The text attests to God's... -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
The text attests to God's provision of all that is sufficient for the challenges one faces.
Allen was alone in the... -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
Allen was alone in the house. No one would be back for three hours.
Passage across international borders can... -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
Passage across international borders can be an intimidating experience.
There is a childhood game... -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
There is a childhood game called Simon Says.
Our immune system uses markers... -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
Our immune system uses markers known as histocompatibility antigens to determine whether something i
The Hindus believe that the... -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
The Hindus believe that the Ganges River in India is a goddess and that anyone who is immersed in th
A River Runs Through... -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
A River Runs Through It is an autobiographical story by Norman Maclean about his growing up w
Bobby Jones, one of the... -- Luke 13:31-35 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
Bobby Jones, one of the legends of the golfing world, was not always the saint that people want to m
Several years ago there were... -- Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
Several years ago there were four Orthodox Jewish students who sued Yale University.
Because the devil was not... -- Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
Because the devil was not depicted in Christian art until an illustrated manuscript known as the
I have always believed that... -- Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
I have always believed that God could speak through any medium including books, television, movies,
The pastor told his confirmation... -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
The pastor told his confirmation class that the only religion most people will experience is witness
As children many of us... -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
As children many of us took great delight in playing Simon Says.
Om Dutta Sharma is a... -- John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
Om Dutta Sharma is a man who knows how to follow through on what Jesus says here about "taking care
At Christmastime, a Midwestern radio... -- Romans 10:8b-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
At Christmastime, a Midwestern radio station ran a contest to increase its audience.
Ronald was a dying man... -- Romans 10:8b-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
Ronald was a dying man. He knew it. The doctors knew it.
Military aircraft and ships must... -- Romans 10:8b-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
Military aircraft and ships must be prepared to operate amid hostile situations.
Passwords have always been important... -- Romans 10:8b-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
Passwords have always been important.
In 1567, Saint Teresa of... -- Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
In 1567, Saint Teresa of Avila set out to establish a monastery of poverty in Medina.
Who are the thousands upon... -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
Who are the "thousands upon thousands, and ten thousands upon ten thousands" of angels?
One of my favorite agenda... -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
One of my favorite agenda items at Synod Convention is Worship.
There is an incredible power... -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
There is an incredible power in the praise of collective voices.
Some would refer to them... -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
Some would refer to them as a heavenly sound on earth.
The disciples were astonished when... -- John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
The disciples were astonished when they saw that Jesus had prepared breakfast for them.
A couple of years ago... -- John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
A couple of years ago the state of Kentucky passed a law that entitled ministers to carry a gun to c

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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.

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