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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

in humility consider others better... -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1999
"...
Someone said recently, People are... -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1999
Someone said recently, "People are not waiting in line to be humble." I am rather sure that is true.
Who does she think she... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1999
"Who does she think she is?" they asked.
The pastor stood in front... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1999
The pastor stood in front of the confirmation class. He took out a five-dollar bill.
In The Beauty Of... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1999
In The Beauty Of The Lilies John Updike tells the story of four generations of the Wilmot fam
Moving mountains and claiming authority... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 1999
Moving mountains and claiming authority are "big ticket" items.
Today it is popular to... -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 1999
Today it is popular to wear one of the bracelets with the letters WWJD on it.
Carlo was frustrated. A black... -- John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 1999
Carlo was frustrated.
Sometimes the Internet can be... -- John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 1999
Sometimes the Internet can be like a black hole, drawing one in for hours at a time.
The X-FilesI... -- John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 1999
The X-Files has captured the fascination of many American television fans.
Jesus offers to set us... -- John 8:31-36 -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 1999
Jesus offers to set us free, and it is a freedom that brings with it a deep, inner peace.
In a 1998 television commercial... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1999
In a 1998 television commercial for the Isuzu Rodeo a giant sign says, "Obey," but the narrator say
Thomas Moore, the nineteenth century... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1999
Thomas Moore, the nineteenth century poet, was married to a beautiful young woman to whom he was tot
I have great admiration for... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1999
I have great admiration for the Christian stewardship ministries that advocate debt-free living.
Sam was involved in his... -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1999
Sam was involved in his church as council member, Sunday school teacher, and youth advisor.
In his book, Exclusion... -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1999
In his book, Exclusion and Embrace (Abingdon Press, 1996), Miroslav Volf wrestles with the re
Confrontations are never easy. Most... -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 1999
Confrontations are never easy. Most people swing between two extremes.
An article in US News... -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1999
An article in US News and World Report told of Professor Robert Simon of Hamilton College in Clinton
There was a wise old... -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1999
There was a wise old man who sat at the gate of an ancient city.
Anne was a true success... -- Romans 14:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1999
Anne was a true success story. She was a stockbroker with a major firm in New York City.
Monica couldn't stand it anymore... -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1999
Monica couldn't stand it anymore.
Words have power. Words of... -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1999
Words have power. Words of forgiveness have the power to forgive.
I haven't heard anybody come... -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 1999
I haven't heard anybody come to the end of their life and say that they wished they had spent more t
we dared to tell you... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1999
"... we dared to tell you this gospel in spite of strong opposition." Dr.
I'm here to give you... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 1999
"I'm here to give you a free set of encyclopedias," he said at the door.

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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
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29 – Worship Resources
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
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Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
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John Jamison
Object: A pig stuffed animal.

* * *

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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