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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The apostle Paul told his... -- 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
The apostle Paul told his warring friends at Corinth that each one of them was gifted.
Something old, something new, something... -- John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." To that list of
Making wine the traditional way... -- John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
Making wine the traditional way is a painstaking task. A quick overview is as follows:
Weddings are joyous times as... -- John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
Weddings are joyous times as family and friends gather to celebrate. In addition to family
Every conscientious host dreads it... -- John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 2006
Every conscientious host dreads it happening. What could be worse than running out of
Elaine and her friends knew... -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
Elaine and her friends knew that her family was strange. Elaine could tell by her friends'
One Sunday, sitting in worship... -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
One Sunday, sitting in worship, I prepared for the reading of God's Word which I usually
A lifelong memory has stayed... -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
A lifelong memory has stayed with me about a song sung at a youth rally that I attended
One of the characters in... -- Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
One of the characters in Marc Conelley's Green Pastures says, "I think the Bible
With Super Bowl Sunday soon... -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
With Super Bowl Sunday soon to come, perhaps this version of today's passage will take
Randy came from a very... -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
Randy came from a very small high school. Being in a remote part of the state, area
The small group had just... -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
The small group had just completed a spiritual gift inventory and was sharing the results
Septic tanks helped educate me... -- 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
Septic tanks helped educate me. We moved to Oregon in 1946. Dad and a friend buried a
Sometimes it's obvious that history... -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
Sometimes it's obvious that history is being made: when a transcontinental railroad is
Malcolm Muggeridge wrote in his... -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
Malcolm Muggeridge wrote in his book about his faith in Christ the following: "All other
Early in our nation's history... -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
Early in our nation's history, two businessmen stood at the foot of Niagara Falls, barely
Here we have the heart... -- Luke 4:14-21 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2006
Here we have the heart of Jesus' message. Walter Russell Bowie called this gospel, "the
It is a marvelous thing... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
It is a marvelous thing to be known -- not "known" in the way a casual acquaintance can
In many communist countries today... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
In many communist countries today, gifted young people are identified early, then
It was difficult to find... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
It was difficult to find anyone willing to direct vacation Bible school. There had been a
I can't tell you how... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
I can't tell you how many times over the years that I've excused my silence like Jeremiah
If people recognize 1 Corinthians... -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
If people recognize 1 Corinthians 13, they know it as the love chapter. Many people think
I remember my first real... -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
I remember my first real kiss when I was "in love." It was at church camp, a young lady
A Wycliffe Bible translator who... -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
A Wycliffe Bible translator who came as a missionary to Brazil's Fulnio Indians was first
The writer, Annie Dillard, tells... -- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2006
The writer, Annie Dillard, tells in The Writing Life of an event that comes out of

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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
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Proper 11 | OT 16 | Pentecost 6
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Proper 12 | OT 17 | Pentecost 7
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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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