Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Presbyterians have long been known... -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Presbyterians have long been known for their love of organization.
Many Europeans marvel at the... -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Many Europeans marvel at the vastness of the North American continent and the countries that call it
Herb always acted as if... -- John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
"Herb" always acted as if he had been baptized in vinegar.
The Committee for the Scientific... -- John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), with Joe Nickel
The famous Italian sculptor, Michelangelo... -- Isaiah 43:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
The famous Italian sculptor, Michelangelo Buonarroti, was especially proud of his Pieta, the
Sue stood on the beach... -- Isaiah 43:1-7 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Sue stood on the beach in the pre-dawn glow and fussed with her swim goggles as she nervously survey
One discussion in today's medical... -- Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
One discussion in today's medical community surrounds the benefits of therapeutic touch.
Helen Keller suffered a serious... -- Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Helen Keller suffered a serious illness at the age of 18 months, which destroyed her sight and heari
Eighteen-year-old Kim had... -- Acts 8:14-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Eighteen-year-old Kim had been attending our youth group but was otherwise unchurched.
A couple of seasons ago... -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
A couple of seasons ago, when Larry Bird was its coach, the Indiana Pacers basketball team was one o
Farming has progressed a long... -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C
Farming has progressed a long way from the winnowing fork.
Thank you, Mr. Martinez. I'll... -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
"Thank you, Mr. Martinez.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born... -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in a village in the Transkei in July of 1918.
Wilson Mizner, a U.S. writer... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
Wilson Mizner, a U.S.
Every morning for as long... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
Every morning for as long as he could remember, 10-year-old James had watched his father get ready t
The moon has always been... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
The moon has always been a mysterious presence in the heavens, and has inspired many myths.
The star of Bethlehem has... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
The star of Bethlehem has received much attention throughout the ages.
One of the most remarkable... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
One of the most remarkable theological documents in the world is the Theological Declaration of Barm
Sixteen-year-old Robyn Stevens... -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
Sixteen-year-old Robyn Stevens decided to give her father, Arthur, a flashlight for Christmas.
The nature of temptation is... -- Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
The nature of temptation is to attack one's weaknesses.
In his 1999 movie End... -- Luke 4:1-13 -- First Sunday in Lent - C
In his 1999 movie End of Days, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays an ex-cop, now private security pr
We may have a hard... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
We may have a hard time in America relating to the image of wealth and well-being that is conveyed b
James Turrell is an artist... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
James Turrell is an artist who does wonders with light.
August 14, 2003, brought the... -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
August 14, 2003, brought the largest blackout in North American history.
There's a story about Sherlock... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C
There's a story about Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective, and his faithful assistant, Dr.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

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...

New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

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.

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL