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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Claudia is a woman in... -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
Claudia is a woman in her mid-fifties who lost her job just as serious arthritic problems
Harold was in trouble. The... -- Job 23:1-9, 16-17 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
Harold was in trouble. The case of new baseballs was missing. Harold had been the last
Many commentators agree that Hebrews... -- Hebrews 4:12-16 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
Many commentators agree that Hebrews is written to a tired congregation who grows
Marlo Thomas wrote The Right... -- Hebrews 4:12-16 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
Marlo Thomas wrote The Right Words at the Right Time, that tells how one
The world breaks everyone, wrote... -- Hebrews 4:12-16 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
"The world breaks everyone," wrote Ernest Hemingway in A Farewell To Arms,
The Apprentice, the television show... -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
The Apprentice, the television show with Donald Trump, caught America's
Hearing the cost of discipleship... -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
Hearing the cost of discipleship, the rich young ruler walked away sadly. He kept his
A parent told the director... -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
A parent told the director of Christian education at a local church that his family tries to
Before David went off to... -- Mark 10:17-31 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2006
Before David went off to college, his mother bought him a basic sewing kit. "You'll need
Today's lesson reminds us that... -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
Today's lesson reminds us that during the season of the church mission (Pentecost) we
Ed and Lillie embarked on... -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
Ed and Lillie embarked on a month-long vacation across the United States. They had
When silversmiths create their fine... -- Job 38:1-7 (34-41) -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
When silversmiths create their fine art, they engrave, in an inconspicuous place, a tiny
Kevin was involved with British... -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
Kevin was involved with British brass bands most of his life. An excellent euphonium
Wouldn't it be good to... -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
Wouldn't it be good to have a priest, an intermediary who pleads our needs to God who is
Amy took the long, hard... -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
Amy took the long, hard way to become a schoolteacher. She worked at a fast food
Alfred was in a nursing... -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
Alfred was in a nursing home when the pastor first met him. At first Alfred didn't say
Sally designed and made beautiful... -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
Sally designed and made beautiful worship banners for the various church seasons. Sally
Preaching professor Thomas Long has... -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
Preaching professor Thomas Long has portrayed this episode of James and John asking
This passage may be used... -- Mark 10:35-45 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
This passage may be used as an interpretative lens for reading, teaching, and preaching
Sheila took an evening photography... -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
Sheila took an evening photography class at the local college. She always loved
In March of 2006, the... -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
In March of 2006, the palace of former Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini, was reopened
Kendra still wonders why her... -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
Kendra still wonders why her single mother's factory got bought out, and they had to
I had heard of you... -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
"I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you," says Job to the
Several years ago, Herman and... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
Several years ago, Herman and Mary Jane were vacationing in South Carolina as they
In ancient times, there were... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2006
In ancient times, there were "scapegoat" rituals, liturgies intended to take tension out of a

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 10 | OT 15 | Pentecost 5
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

Note: The gesture used both hands. Hold both hands in front of you and make the thumbs-up sign with both hands with both thumbs pointing back at your chest. This is the “ME!” gesture. Then simply rotate your hands back so your thumbs are pointing straight up in the air, like two “OK” signs. This is the “US” gesture.

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StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. (vv. 9-10)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11: 1-13
The prophet compares Yahweh to a father who exercises compassion despite his original plan to punish Israel. John Calvin nicely explains these dynamics:
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11:1-11

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
-- Psalm 107:9, 43

Kirk R. Webster
How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
Thomas A. Renquist
This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
John W. Wurster
" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

" 'I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.' (1:4). But they did not know me. Do you?

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