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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mary's beautiful song stresses the... -- Luke 1:46b-55 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
Mary's beautiful song stresses the mighty acts of God.
Do you want your son... -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1999
Do you want your son or daughter to grow up to be a garbageman, a janitor, a sewer worker?
It was a beautiful Sunday... -- Romans 12:1-8 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 1999
It was a beautiful Sunday morning. The sun was shining brightly.
A confirmation class was discussing... -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
A confirmation class was discussing Exodus 20:7: "You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the
Search and Rescue Dogs of... -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado (SARDOC) train hundreds of hours a year.
The things that come out... -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
"The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' " Obsce
Aunt Helen was a beloved... -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
Aunt Helen was a beloved aunt of mine. Her trademark was to play jokes on us at Christmastime.
Wow! I must be special... -- Luke 1:46b-55 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
"Wow! I must be special."
Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish citizen... -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish citizen and a Christian, was instrumental in saving the lives of thousan
She was raised in a... -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
She was raised in a Christian home. I was her pastor.
Eliza's knees shook as she... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
Eliza's knees shook as she walked to the podium. Why had she agreed to be the banquet speaker?
William Barclay, noted Scottish pastor... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
William Barclay, noted Scottish pastor and theologian who has written commentary on the entire New T
Two young children had experienced... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
Two young children had experienced unspeakable abuse at the hands of alcoholic parents -- beatings,
What a fantastic insight! We... -- Galatians 4:4-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
What a fantastic insight! We are no longer slaves, but children of God!
Mommy, mommy! Meg ran into... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1999
"Mommy, mommy!" Meg ran into the room as little David screamed again.
By all appearances they should... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1999
By all appearances they should have given up in the twelfth year after they began.
It was when Peter became... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1999
It was when Peter became afraid that he began to sink.
Jesus speaks to our fear... -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1999
Jesus speaks to our fear in these passages. Fear is often a terrible emotion.
The other day I was... -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
The other day I was cleaning out my hall closet when I found a box.
Henri Nouwen tells the story... -- Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 1999
Henri Nouwen tells the story of an old man who used to meditate early every morning under a big tree
Shirley and Carol were best... -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1999
Shirley and Carol were best friends. They did almost everything together.
As of May 18, 1997... -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1999
As of May 18, 1997, the State of Michigan was holding some $17 million in funds and property that be
If someone were kept in... -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1999
If someone were kept in a pitch-dark room for long enough, he or she would eventually become blind t
A recent television special honored... -- Romans 10:5-15 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 1999
A recent television special honored Dr. Billy Graham on the occasion of his eightieth birthday.
Every day I counsel veterans... -- Romans 9:11-15 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 1999
Every day I counsel veterans who come into a homeless veterans program.

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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
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

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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