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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The story of Nicodemus is... -- John 3:1-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2000
The story of Nicodemus is best understood when viewed in the light of a mid-life crisis.
The wonder of the church... -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2000
The wonder of the church is that in moments when it just seemed most dead, out of its own body there
Terry Anderson was stationed in... -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2000
Terry Anderson was stationed in Beruit, Lebanon, as a journalist for the Associated Press.
The U.S. Bureau of Internal... -- John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2000
The U.S.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a British... -- Mark 8:31-38 -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2000
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a British poet, critic, and philosopher, was once out riding near his home
The classical scholar Gilbert Murray... -- Mark 1:9-15 -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2000
The classical scholar Gilbert Murray one day encountered the brilliant physicist Albert Einstein si
Humility never comes easily, especially... -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2000
Humility never comes easily, especially for those with a lot to lose.
When John Barrymore, the famous... -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2000
When John Barrymore, the famous Shakespearean actor, was starring in Hamlet on Broadway, the then-eq
For decades Johnny Carson enter... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 2000
For decades Johnny Carson enter-tained late-night viewers on the NBC television network.
Marie Anne, Marquise Du Defand... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2000
Marie Anne, Marquise Du Defand, a French noblewoman, moved in intellectual circles.
Jesus suffered and died at... -- John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - B -- 2000
Jesus suffered and died at the hands of unjust people, yet the manner of his death illustrated his i
The Washington Redskins were one... -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2000
The Washington Redskins were one of the dominant teams in the National Football League during the 19
Jesus' washing the disciples' feet... -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2000
Jesus' washing the disciples' feet was the quintessential act of humility.
Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor... -- John 3:14-21 -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2000
Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of the incandescent light bulb, once signed his name in a guest bo
On being asked of what... -- John 12:20-33 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2000
On being asked of what country he was a citizen, the Greek philosopher Diogenes replied, "I am a ci
A little boy had five... -- John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2000
A little boy had five barley loaves and two fish.
Pope John XXIII said to... -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2000
Pope John XXIII said to himself each night after his prayers, "But who governs the church, you or t
John the Baptist, in preparing... -- Mark 6:14-29 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2000
John the Baptist, in preparing the way for Jesus, preached a message in the desert that told Jewish
At the time of his... -- Mark 5:21-43 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2000
At the time of his death, Henri Nouwen was the spiritual leader of L'Arche Daybreak Community in To
Until the cross, the disciples... -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2000
Until the cross, the disciples never really understood the Messiahship of Jesus.
In every significant revival in... -- John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2000
In every significant revival in history, two major thrusts have appeared.
Sacraments are signs or symbols... -- John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2000
Sacraments are signs or symbols, instituted by Christ, that allow us to participate in our faith.
The ability to trust another... -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2000
The ability to trust another person is the foundation for healthy risk-taking.
Groundhog Day is a Bill... -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2000
Groundhog Day is a Bill Murray movie, and it has its funny moments.
A fellow got really tired... -- John 1:43-51 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2000
A fellow got really tired of his friend flaunting his extensive knowledge of fine wines.

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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
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4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
29 – Sermons
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For August 10, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A treasure chest containing photos of some of your family members and friends, and a small, worn-out bag or purse. The treasure chest could be as simple as a small, metal lockbox, or you could have some fun with a larger box that actually looks like a treasure chest.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! But before I tell you the story, I have something that I want to show you. (Show the treasure chest.)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
Personal rant here — since childhood I’ve been annoyed that the winners of the 100-meter dash at the Olympics are hailed as the world’s fastest humans. To me it’s been obvious that the greatest, and fastest, athletes are the women and men who endure the trials and tribulations throughout the 26.2-mile marathons, and who then somehow find it within themselves to sprint to the finish line.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 and Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return… (Luke 12:35-36)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus calls us to be ready for him, for we shall encounter him at unexpected times and in unexpected ways. In our worship today, let us prepare to meet with Jesus.



Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we don't bother to make ourselves ready for you.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes it doesn't occur to us that we might meet with you.

Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we miss you because we haven't expected you.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me; to those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God.
-- Psalm 50:23

Clayton A. Lord Jr.
I want to talk about heroes today. We all have them. Our heroes are men and women that we look up to. Our heroes are those individuals that inspire us and help us to strive to be our very best.

There is a cute story about a Texan who was trying to impress on a Bostonian, the valor of the heroes of the Alamo. After finishing his story about Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and countless others, he says "I'll bet you never had anyone so brave around Boston."

"Did you ever hear of Paul Revere?" asked the Bostonian.

Thomas A. Renquist
Jesus tells us, "Don't be afraid," but it seems to me there is a lot to be afraid of. "Sell your possessions," he says, "give alms ... risk ... be dressed for action ... have your lamps lit ... be prepared ... be alert." Sounds very ominous, quite scary to me.

Christopher Reeves, the actor, knows what it is to be afraid. On Memorial Day weekend, 1995, in a tragic fall from his horse, he was instantly paralyzed from the neck down and fighting for his every breath.
John W. Wurster
"Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom. Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah" (1:10; cf. Genesis 19).

Sodom. Gomorrah. Remember? Places of wickedness, of violence, of perversity. Do you know any place like that? Places where sexuality is twisted and relationships are corrupted and social order is breaking down? Places where people seek to gratify personal desires at the expense of others, where individual pursuits take precedence over common well-being, where anything goes as long as it feels good?

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