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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Ken Kettlewell makes this observation... -- John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Ken Kettlewell makes this observation from his travels:
The woman had heard many... -- John 4:5-42 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
The woman had heard many frightening stories about truckers on the highway and she feared them.
Have you ever dealt with... -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Have you ever dealt with the difficulty of dieting?
Two years ago, the TNT... -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Two years ago, the TNT television network produced a mini-series called Nuremburg, about the war-cri
Abraham Lincoln was well known... -- Ephesians 5:8-14 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Abraham Lincoln was well known for his honesty, and he liked to have people around him who themselve
One of the most popular... -- John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
One of the most popular hymns is "Amazing Grace" by John Newton who lived almost 300 years ago.
Perhaps the blind man's friends... -- John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Perhaps the blind man's friends couldn't accept his miraculous healing because they were convinced t
What terrible sins have I... -- John 9:1-41 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
"What terrible sins have I committed?
When we take Jesus' promise... -- John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
When we take Jesus' promise to heart, we can face death confidently, even when it confronts us out o
The television show, Who Wants... -- John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
The television show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, uses "lifelines" to assist a contestant who is s
Like only a few others... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Like only a few others, Helen was seemingly always calm.
Terrorist attacks put open societies... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
Terrorist attacks put open societies at risk.
A farmer owned an old... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
A farmer owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well.
There was a couple who... -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2002
There was a couple who were active in the church, but were often troublesome.
Clergy from 18 Orthodox Christian... -- Acts 7:55-60 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Clergy from 18 Orthodox Christian and Protestant churches joined Pope John Paul II in a candlelight
The congregation had once been... -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
The congregation had once been a vital ministry.
Every church has at least... -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Every church has at least one member like Mary. Mary worships every week.
A student at a Catholic... -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
A student at a Catholic college was hospitalized after a car wreck.
Jesus couldn't perform miracles in... -- 1 Peter 2:2-10 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Jesus couldn't perform miracles in Nazareth without the corresponding faith of its residents.
In the wonderful musical, Camelot... -- John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
In the wonderful musical, Camelot, we meet King Arthur and his beautiful wife, Guinevere.
The teacher read to her... -- John 14:1-14 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
The teacher read to her class from the Bible: "Jesus said to his friends, 'In my Father's house ther
A very old Texas story... -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
A very old Texas story told by Boyce House:
Chris suffers with Crohn's Disease... -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Chris suffers with Crohn's Disease.
Do you remember the kindergarten... -- John 10:1-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Do you remember the kindergarten class in Sunday school when you were a little boy or girl?
The Lord is my Healer... -- John 10:1-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
The Lord is my Healer,I shall not hurt.He makes a peaceful place for me to rest.

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
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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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