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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Late one summer afternoon in... -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 1998
Late one summer afternoon in a tourist city airport, a lightning storm halted all flights for about
The world-famous African-American... -- Luke 14:1, 7-14 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 1998
The world-famous African-American educator Booker T.
In verse 14 Paul resolves... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 1998
In verse 14 Paul resolves not to boast of anything except the cross of Christ.
In Paul's valedictory remarks to... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 1998
In Paul's valedictory remarks to the Galatians, he places emphasis on Christian grace.
Bill Hybels relates that in... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 1998
Bill Hybels relates that in the Boston Marathon there is a legendary obstacle called Heartbreak Hill
Churches are often guilty of... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 1998
Churches are often guilty of drifting away from what they ought to be doing.
A small boy visiting the... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 1998
A small boy visiting the Empire State Building for the first time was accompanied by his mother.
The wrath of God will... -- Colossians 3:1-11 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 1998
The wrath of God will come against the evil in this world. The evil is real and potent.
In 1997, ForbesI... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 1998
In 1997, Forbes magazine estimated that Charles Feeney had to be one of the wealthiest men in
Frederick Speakman, in his book... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 1998
Frederick Speakman, in his book Salty Tang, relates the fable of the nightingale which traded
A story is told about... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 1998
A story is told about a very industrious man who used his entrepreneurial skills to amass a sizable
Jacob Leeder was a shy... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 1998
Jacob Leeder was a shy man. He appeared to live very modestly.
Phyllis Diller, in her book... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1998
Phyllis Diller, in her book The Joys of Growing Old and How to Avoid Them, helps us laugh at
I live in Louisville, Kentucky... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1998
I live in Louisville, Kentucky, home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby.
Faith is all or nothing... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1998
Faith is all or nothing. God wants our complete trust in him.
There is a fad with... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1998
There is a fad with many youth across the country.
Did you ever read or... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1998
Did you ever read or see the play, Beau Brummel?
A youth sponsor in a... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1998
A youth sponsor in a large congregation invited the high school youth group to his home for the main
Picture a surprise birthday party... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1998
Picture a surprise birthday party. The specific arrangements have been made well in advance.
After describing many glorious deeds... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1998
After describing many glorious deeds performed by spiritual heroes of the past, the author of Hebrew
Heroes come in many shapes... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1998
Heroes come in many shapes, sizes, and colors.
True faith is given by... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1998
True faith is given by God and implanted imperishably in the hearts of his saints.
One day a certain man... -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1998
One day a certain man went to the racetrack.
What will tomorrow be like... -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1998
What will tomorrow be like? What kind of weather can we expect?
A missionary who had spent... -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 1998
A missionary who had spent a lifetime serving and helping people in a third world country was visiti

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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
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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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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