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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

As children, Wendy and I... -- Acts 13:26-33a -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2001
As children, Wendy and I had been sure that nothing would ever separate us.
Sometimes it is awfully difficult... -- Acts 13:26-33a -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2001
Sometimes it is awfully difficult to "see" something when it is out of its accustomed place.
On his first missionary tour... -- Acts 13:26-33a -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2001
On his first missionary tour, Paul, with his companion Barnabas, was simply doing what the 1971 chil
At the Pontiac Silverdome, April... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2001
At the Pontiac Silverdome, April 15, 2000, former president Gerald Ford challenged a gathering of so
Every year, the Hawaii Ironman... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2001
Every year, the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon is broadcast sometime during the winter.
Two young Catholic priests left... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2001
Two young Catholic priests left work at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, very weary as th
In May, 2000, the town... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2001
In May, 2000, the town of Walkerton, Ontario, gained worldwide attention when almost 50 percent of i
There is an incredible power... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2001
There is an incredible power in receiving aid from unexpected quarter.
It is good to ask... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2001
It is good to ask questions.
A plenipotentiary is a diplomat... -- Colossians 1:15-28 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2001
A plenipotentiary is a diplomat who acts with the full authority of the state.
Australian philosopher Peter Singer, professor... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2001
Australian philosopher Peter Singer, professor of bioethics at Princeton University, has argued for
As the football coach of... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2001
As the football coach of Northwest High School, Coach Freeman made it a habit to read at least three
Augustine was tutoring young clerics... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2001
Augustine was tutoring young clerics to go into the world to start churches and preach the gospel.
One of the most difficult... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2001
One of the most difficult decisions we face is when it's time to move on, give up or acknowledge def
The Parliament building in Ottawa... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2001
The Parliament building in Ottawa, capital of Canada, has a chapel in its Peace Tower.
Alfred, an elderly man of... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2001
Alfred, an elderly man of German descent, first started attending our church several years ago.
In 1998, for the first... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2001
In 1998, for the first time in history, the U.S.
Every morning for the past... -- Galatians 5:1, 13-25 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2001
Every morning for the past eight years, Paul and David had gotten together for coffee on Wednesday m
In the movie Scent... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2001
In the movie Scent of a Woman, Al Pacino plays an army officer blinded by an errant grenade.
Sometimes I think I'm the... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2001
Sometimes I think I'm the world's biggest procrastinator.
This text has always seemed... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2001
This text has always seemed like a conflict of differing tunnel visions.
When Linda Greenlaw was a... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2001
When Linda Greenlaw was a crew member on fishing boats, she recalls how when they departed for their
Classified ad seen in I... -- Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2001
Classified ad seen in The Jerusalem Gazette, A.D. 30:
Growing up on a wheat... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2001
Growing up on a wheat farm, I learned quickly about reaping what you sow.
You reap what you sow... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2001
You reap what you sow.

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
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Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
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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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