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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

June 6 will mark the... -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
June 6 will mark the sixtieth anniversary of the D-Day invasion in Europe.
Charles Duell, head of the... -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Charles Duell, head of the U. S.
I was caught going over... -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
I was caught going over the speed limit in a school zone.
Could Thomas have been from... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Could Thomas have been from the "Show-Me" state?
Madeline L'Engle once shared her... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Madeline L'Engle once shared her reflections on this piece of scripture.
We can only imagine the... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
We can only imagine the astonishment and surprise that washed over the Apostle Thomas when he realiz
Suppose a stonemason is busy... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Suppose a stonemason is busy building a wall when a quantum physicist happens along.
Unexpected interruptions like the one... -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Unexpected interruptions like the one experienced by Saul are powerful.
Simone Weil, 1909-1943, a French... -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Simone Weil, 1909-1943, a French social philosopher, religious thinker, mystic, and political activi
Watergate is a name that... -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
Watergate is a name that will be remembered. Watergate caused a U.S.
A Sunday school teacher once... -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C
A Sunday school teacher once asked her students how they felt about their church.
A conservative member of the... -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
A conservative member of the British parliament, Neil Marten, was giving a group of his constituents
Some people feel more worthy... -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Some people feel more worthy than others.
On June 2, 1953, Queen... -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
On June 2, 1953, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned queen of England.
When I was in fifth... -- John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
When I was in fifth grade my classroom was on the second story of the school building.
Anyone who has ever fished... -- John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Anyone who has ever fished knows that there are days when the fish will not bite.
In the movie, The Big... -- John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
In the movie, The Big Chill, an outstanding ensemble cast depicts a group of college friends
Hunger is a reality for... -- John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C
Hunger is a reality for over 800 million people on the face of the earth.
High in the Rocky Mountains... -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
High in the Rocky Mountains, there is a place of great geographical significance -- a location marke
A certain labor union official... -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
A certain labor union official had siphoned off the union pension fund and taken kickbacks.
The IRS agent called a... -- Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
The IRS agent called a minister and asked if a certain man was a member of the congregation.
Dr. Arnold Stevenson, once a... -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C
Dr.
From a vantage point high... -- Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
From a vantage point high above the desert, one can readily see where there is water.
Everything is subject to Jesus... -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Everything is subject to Jesus, even though it may not appear so to us.
A man and a woman... -- Mark 10:2-16 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
A man and a woman went to see their minister for some counseling because they were having a problem

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
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

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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