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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In a Peanuts... -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
In a Peanuts cartoon, Lucy is yelling at Linus.
In his book I... -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
In his book Theology of Hope, Jurgen Moltmann comments on the relationship of promise t
In one of the... -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
In one of the most favorite and annually repeated episodes in the cartoon Peanuts, Lucy
Jerusalem is anything but... -- Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Jerusalem is anything but safe these days.
Just as Paul was... -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Just as Paul was so thankful for the joy he felt because of the Thessalonian Christian witness
Daniel Young, in a... -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Daniel Young, in a speech at Hillsdale College, related how ermine -- small animals widely val
Years ago, while I... -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Years ago, while I was a seminary student in Pittsburgh, I had the opportunity of a summer's e
Christianity is not a... -- 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Christianity is not a faith of individuals.
Even when it's obvious... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Even when it's obvious the end is near, some of us will still not be ready.
My grandfather was a... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
My grandfather was a watcher. He watched nature for signs of what was to come.
Dr. Joseph B. Slowinski... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Dr. Joseph B. Slowinski was an expert on venomous snakes.
Watchfulness for the coming... -- Luke 21:25-36 -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Watchfulness for the coming kingdom is a central theme for Advent.
What's that? Debbie asked... -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
"What's that?" Debbie asked as she watched her grandma at the kitchen counter preparing supper
In the 2000 film... -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
In the 2000 film, Chocolat (among those nominated for Best Picture), a mysterious stran
In the early 1970s... -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
In the early 1970s, a psychology professor at Stanford University named David L.
I remember the first... -- Colossians 3:12-17 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
I remember the first tuxedo I ever wore (junior prom in high school), the most important day w
Seated among the learned... -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
Seated among the learned rabbis in the temple, the young Jesus displays a remarkable awareness
Jesus' parents came to... -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
Jesus' parents came to the rescue of the temple teachers just in time.
On his visit to... -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
On his visit to the Temple, Jesus amazed the Jewish teachers with his intelligent answers, and
Losing a child is... -- Luke 2:41-52 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2003
Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare.
There is power in... -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
There is power in prayer. Hannah experienced it. So did Julee.
We live in a... -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
We live in a world that exploits children -- from child labor to pornography to entertainment
Paul Sponheim, a contemporary... -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
Paul Sponheim, a contemporary theologian, in his chapter "The God of Prayer" in the book A
Hannah dedicates her son... -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
Hannah dedicates her son to the Lord and will raise him accordingly.
Bob stood over his... -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2003
Bob stood over his wife's exhausted body, proud as punch at seeing his newborn son rest upon h

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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...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
For August 3, 2025:

CSSPlus

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.

* * *

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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