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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Following the Shepherd, which includes... -- John 10:1-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Following the Shepherd, which includes accepting his guidance, leads to abundant living.
Jackie, a high-school junior... -- John 10:1-10 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Jackie, a high-school junior, began to be friends with a young man who seemed to have no connection
Around A.D. 200, a man... -- Acts 7:55-60 -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Around A.D.
Jesus must have gotten an... -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Jesus must have gotten an earful from the companions with which he walked to Emmaus.
Walking with his friend, Al... -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Walking with his friend, Al, was something Jason did every day after work.
In one of his books... -- Acts 2:42-47 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
In one of his books, Donald E.
We do not want, as... -- Acts 2:42-47 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
We do not want, as the newspapers say, a church that will move with the world.
Jay was a bit of... -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Jay was a bit of a misfit.
Our 7-year-old cocker... -- 1 Peter 2:19-25 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Our 7-year-old cocker spaniel was accustomed to being on a leash when he was outside.
A 1998 cartoon in The... -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
A 1998 cartoon in The Wall Street Journal showed a group of executives gathered around a table for a
An old cartoon by Goddard... -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
An old cartoon by Goddard Sherman depicts a father, mother, and their young son on their way home fr
Bart had been outspoken, opposing... -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Bart had been outspoken, opposing letting people from other racial and ethnic groups into the church
A woman writes of a... -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
A woman writes of a reoccurring dream:
William Henry Harrison, then Governor... -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
William Henry Harrison, then Governor of Indiana Territory, negotiated with Chief Tecumseh in 1810,
Love God and do as... -- 1 Peter 1:17-23 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
"Love God and do as you will," said Augustine, the fifth-century bishop and theologian.
When we moved into the... -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
When we moved into the retirement center where we now live, we passed on the family pieces to our ch
Take, eatthe presence... -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Take, eatthe presence of Godin a loaf of life on a table
In the darkest days of... -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
In the darkest days of South Africa's struggle for freedom from the tyranny of apartheid there were
Vera had been ill for... -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Vera had been ill for most of her adult life.
Michael Crichton, writer, producer, and... -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Michael Crichton, writer, producer, and medical doctor, wrote an autobiography published in 1988 tit
Most of the major airports... -- 1 Peter 1:3-9 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
Most of the major airports around the world have chaplains.
You may remember that feature... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
You may remember that feature of newspapers in the past called "Believe It or Not." Robert Ripley wa
A parent speaks: My children... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
A parent speaks: "My children are losing their faith." A priest replies: "Perhaps it is your faith t
There's a place for healthy... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
There's a place for healthy disbelief, and a place for trust and acceptance.
A couple was all ready... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2002
A couple was all ready for the worship service.

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
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29 – Worship Resources
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Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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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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