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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The dictionary definition of witness... -- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 1998
The dictionary definition of "witness" is one who has personal knowledge and gives specific evidence
In the 1860s a man... -- 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 1998
In the 1860s a man named Job Smith was convicted for some offense and sentenced to die.
In the beginning of this... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 1998
In the beginning of this letter, Paul informed his readers that when he first came to Corinth he det
This text is one of... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 1998
This text is one of the high-water marks of the New Testament's witness to the resurrection of Jesus
The butterfly has long been... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 1998
The butterfly has long been a wonderful Christian symbol.
We have all probably met... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 1998
We have all probably met a few people who know a lot about Jesus, but who don't believe in Jesus.
Everyone has probably seen commercials... -- Luke 5:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 1998
Everyone has probably seen commercials for the U.S. Army.
Paul's words on love in... -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 1998
Paul's words on "love" in 1 Corinthians are among the most famous ever written.
Who pays any attention to... -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 1998
Who pays any attention to Number 2? Well, Babe Ruth is Number 2.
Whenever I drive into Pittsburgh... -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 1998
Whenever I drive into Pittsburgh, I travel past three church buildings that always catch my attentio
Robin Williams in the movie... -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 1998
Robin Williams in the movie Dead Poet's Society was instrumental in helping his students see
Spiritual leadership is an impossible... -- Luke 4:21-30 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 1998
Spiritual leadership is an impossible job.
We tend to think of... -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 1998
We tend to think of love as emotion, as opposed to idea or reason or will.
The famous American author Thomas... -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1998
The famous American author Thomas Wolfe was raised in Asheville, North Carolina, where his mother ra
Having forgiven us all our... -- Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1998
"Having forgiven us all our trespasses, he has canceled out the certificate of debt." Max Lucad
Once upon a time in... -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1998
Once upon a time in a church that had four elders, it seemed that every time something came to a vo
John Wannamaker, who became one... -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1998
John Wannamaker, who became one of America's greatest merchants and who also served in a high govern
Henry, at age 75, had... -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1998
Henry, at age 75, had not been in church for nearly sixty years.
Prayer is a lot like... -- Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1998
Prayer is a lot like flossing one's teeth.
Every town and place includes... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 1998
Every town and place includes a Salvation Army-type alcoholic rehabilitation center in the "Bowery"
While watching television one evening... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 1998
While watching television one evening and engaging in channel surfing, a viewer's eyes and attention
Let's face it, we are... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 1998
Let's face it, we are generally more interested in what God can do for us rather than what we can do
Paul commends the saints in... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 1998
Paul commends the saints in Colossae for their faith and for their love and hope.
Legend has it that the... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 1998
Legend has it that the prophet Mohammed wanted to breed the finest horses in the world.
The gospel is constantly bearing... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 1998
The gospel is "constantly bearing fruit and increasing." Two very ordinary college students faithful

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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
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29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
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
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
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Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
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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.

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