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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The woman in the nursing... -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2002
The woman in the nursing facility had Alzheimer's.
An old legend has it... -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2002
An old legend has it that as the disciples and Jesus walked the dusty highway, a man approaching fro
Community organizers work in a... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Good Friday - A -- 2002
Community organizers work in a variety of environments.
Clem and Irene were brother... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Good Friday - A -- 2002
Clem and Irene were brother and sister.
The student had stayed awake... -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2002
The student had stayed awake all night to pray. He prayed for discernment.
Although she had been baptized... -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2002
Although she had been baptized as a baby, Danielle grew up in a family that didn't go to church.
William Percy, a poet who... -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2002
William Percy, a poet who lived in the early 20th century, tells of an incident from his teenage yea
Walking the streets of Seattle... -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2002
Walking the streets of Seattle, Michael carried a backpack with his possessions and wore the clothes
A mother mouse felt it... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2002
A mother mouse felt it was time to introduce her children to the larger world.
When Paul authored his letter... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2002
When Paul authored his letter to the Philippians, he was probably chained to a prison wall.
We will never forget that... -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2002
We will never forget that Maundy Thursday Communion service in the candlelit sanctuary.
How could Peter have denied... -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2002
How could Peter have denied his best friend publicly?
My heart is broken! I've... -- Matthew 26:14--27:66 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2002
"My heart is broken! I've wept myself to sleep every night for a week," Marie cried to her pastor.
Does materialism drag our faith... -- Romans 8:6-11 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Does materialism drag our faith commitment downward?
We stepped off the bus... -- John 11:1-45 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
We stepped off the bus quickly on that bright, sunny morning in the Holy Land.
Lazarus' untimely death points up... -- John 11:1-45 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Lazarus' untimely death points up the impossibility of predicting, planning, or controlling what's c
Firefighters have a tradition that... -- John 11:1-45 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Firefighters have a tradition that when one of them dies, especially in the line of duty, not only t
At a recent conference on... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2002
At a recent conference on urban ministry in Chicago, Helen Prijean was the guest speaker.
What happened? June asked herself... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2002
What happened? June asked herself.
On a Tuesday in October... -- John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
On a Tuesday in October 2001, the pricey British artist Damien Hirst assembled an artistic display i
The evening at the support... -- Romans 8:6-11 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
The evening at the support group had been an interesting one.
If you were to meet... -- Romans 8:6-11 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
If you were to meet the sisters Jane and Jean in the hallway of the nursing home in which they lived
The movie Schindler's List focuses... -- Romans 8:6-11 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
The movie Schindler's List focuses on the heroism and self-sacrifice of Oskar Schindler, a Catholic
Jesus' focus was clearly on... -- John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Jesus' focus was clearly on the rejects of society.
Marilyn had an unsavory reputation... -- John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Marilyn had an unsavory reputation.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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
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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