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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

God in three persons -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 1995
My practice has been to invite folk in the pews to think of the Trinity not as a definition of God,
A potpourri of possibilities -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 1995
There are no doubt times when the preacher faces the lectionary readings of the day for the first ti
Running against wind and tide -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1995
Nautical metaphor can be helpful to the preacher in dealing with the Old Testament and gospel readin
A sign of God's new day -- Isaiah 62:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C -- 1995
Thus says the Lord: In this place of which you say "It is a waste without human beings or animals,"
A prophet and a parable for all seasons -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 1995
Neither Amos nor Hosea have been given much lectionary space these past few years.
Stay tuned -- more to come! -- Haggai 1:5b-2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Luke 20:27-38 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1995
Today's readings share one common thrust.
Staying on course -- Hosea 1:2-10, Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 1995
Once a course is charted the necessity is to stay on it, especially in unfamiliar waters.
Standing tall -- Jeremiah 36, Hebrews 12:18-19, Luke 13:10-17 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 1995
Today's Old Testament reading is a repeat for this year.
"Reclothe us in our rightful mind" -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 1995
Once again the lectionary provides rich soil for homiletical gardening.
The Passion according to John -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42 -- Good Friday - C -- 1995
Traditionally in most communities on this day an ecumenical service built around the seven last word
Famine in the midst of plenty -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 1995
"One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God" (Deuteronomy
Wait till it's over -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 1995
We admire those who seem able to maintain their faith in the midst of the most impossible circumstan
True grit -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 1995
We are not used to being exhorted to endure in the face of frustration and delayed hopes.
The suffering children -- Isaiah 63:7-9, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 1995
When a bomb destroyed the federal building in Oklahoma City earlier this year there was an outpourin
Winners and losers -- Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 6:17-26 -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 1995
Woody Guthrie, whose ballads reflected the plight of the poor, voiced in one of his songs an enigma
Caught by grace -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 1995
A pastor was asked why he never delivered a sermon about sin.
Someone there is who doesn't like a wall! -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 1994
The New Testament lessons for this day challenge us to rethink popular and stereotyped understanding
Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1994
dden It would be difficult to find in literature any description of the devastating effect of a p
Hearing and not hearing -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1994
The Old Testament lesson gives us an example of the diversity that characterizes the writings in the
Keeping the faith in tough times -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Mark 13:1-8 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1994
Each lesson for this Sunday reflects a background of change, uncertainty, threat, and social volatil
The little dogs of God -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Mark 7:24-37 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1994
The overarching theological theme in today's gospel lesson is the growing inclusiveness of the missi
Esther's choice -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1994
Esther's acceptance into the Jewish canon was attended by controversy.
Uniquely for these days -- Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 1994
The preacher should feel no obligation to find any common link among the readings for any given Sund
Easter -- victory,vindication and validation -- Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 1994
George M. Wiseman has written:Too long the world has missed the Easter Glory,
"Even those who are pure in heart" -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 1994
The preacher who chooses either the Old Testament or Gospel lesson as the basis for a sermon will wa

Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Suffering is not... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Derl G. Keefer -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
Suffering is not something that we seek, but it does come to all people at times in life.
This text promises... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- Mark Ellingsen -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
This text promises a fresh start. That is so appropriate for the New Year celebration.
We like the glory... -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Bob Ove -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2013
We like the glory part. It's the judgment part that may give us a little concern.
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas 2 (2014) -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2013
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Redemption stimulates... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2013
Redemption stimulates joy in the heart.
In 1848 Italy... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2013
In 1848 Italy became a unified country.
The text is a... -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2013
The text is a proclamation of celebration by promising the return of the people of Israel from the c
Some preachers seem... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2013
Some preachers seem to preach more hell and damnation in order to scare people back to the Lord.
George Eastman invented... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2013
George Eastman invented the Kodak camera in the 1890s.
University of Arizona... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2013
University of Arizona psychologist Matthias Mehl conducted a 2009 survey indicating that the happies
According to Paul... -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 2013
According to Paul Harvey, a farmer heard an irregular thumping sound against his kitchen window duri
Sermon Illustrations for Baptism of Our Lord (2014) -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2013
Isaiah 42:1-9
The Servant is... -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2013
The Servant is to be called the light to the nations (vv. 6-7).
Often one thinks... -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2013
Often one thinks of service as needing to be a big event, but service is simply giving of one's self
When Henry Bessemer... -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- Ron Love -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2013
When Henry Bessemer invented the Bessemer furnace in 1856, in 20 minutes the same amount of steel co
When we think... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Bob Ove -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2013
When we think that we have the only avenue of truth, it may come as a surprise to find out that God
Hearing voices from... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Derl G. Keefer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2013
Hearing voices from the sky is sometimes viewed as a psychological problem where the person is in ne
Everything in Jesus'... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Mark Ellingsen -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2013
Everything in Jesus' ministry, and our lives as Christians, begins in the waters of baptism.
In the 1860s... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Ron Love -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2013
In the 1860s Alfred Nobel invented dynamite to level hills and blast mountains to facilitate constru
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 3 (2014) -- Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23 -- Derl G. Keefer, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
Isaiah 9:1-4
We are still... -- Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
We are still a nation plagued by slavery.
My old Renault... -- Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Derl G. Keefer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
My old Renault sputtered and died on my third attempt to get to college for my sophomore year.
The Crimean War... -- Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
The Crimean War (1845-1856) was the first war that was brought into the living rooms of individuals
That passage can't... -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 -- Bob Ove -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
That passage can't help but make me think: I follow Luther! I follow Peter! I follow Calvin!
When the typewriter... -- Matthew 4:12-23 -- Ron Love -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2013
When the typewriter was first developed and used in business, its use was restricted to men.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
24 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
Merry Christmas! The midwinter festival has come, and it calls for parties, feasting and drinking and dancing and the exchange of gifts. Like all people in the northern hemisphere, we need light in the dark days of winter. The only problem with all of this is that the pressure to be joyful can send us spiraling in the exact opposite of mind sets.
Christmas shops are not just for Christmas anymore. These stores that specialize in everything yuletide-ish do business year round and can be found everywhere. I have seen them in an outlet mall near Washington, D.C., nestled in a small village in the mountains of North Carolina and adorning the white sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is born! A bright light has come into our world, so let us thank and praise God for his gift to us of Jesus, the Messiah.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, make us worthy to worship at your crib.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, may we remember you in today's excitement.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, be born in our hearts today.

Lord, have mercy

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
A Story to Live By: "
Christmas Stories: "Christmas Presence" by Janice Hammerquist
"Silver In His Soul"
"www.ChristmasHouse" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: Great Prayer of Thanksgiving for Christmas Eve by Thom M. Shuman


What's Up on Christmas Eve

Lamar Massingill
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"Taking His Joy unto Ourselves" by Lamar Massingill
"God Acted that We Might Act" by Lamar Massingill
"The Hopes and Fears of All the Years" by John Sumwalt
"God with Us" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


Taking His Joy unto Ourselves
Lamar Massingill
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Christmas would be incomplete without recognizing Incarnate Love's first fruit, which is joy. Johann Sebastian Bach recognized it when he, as an act of worship, composed "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."

SermonStudio

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7 (C, RC); Isaiah 9:2--4, 6--7 (E)
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night: This night with its carols, its candlelight, its communion, and the combined fragrance of pine, poinsettia and perfume. (Is that Passion or Poison you're wearing? Or maybe it's Polo!) The gentle poetry of Luke's story draws us, too.

Why is it that we are so drawn to this night, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
It's not an easy life, I'll tell you that. I work my small farm during the day, but that doesn't bring in enough money. I have a family to support, taxes to pay -- oy, don't get me started on taxes -- so I need more than my farm brings in. I do the only other thing I know how to do. I hire myself out for the night shift watching other people's sheep. Tending sheep would not be my first choice, you understand. First, I have to stay awake all night. Then, there's counting the sheep to make sure one or two haven't wandered off. Thieves are always a problem.
Timothy J. Smith
There is a special feeling from being in church on Christmas Eve. For many of us it feels like coming home for Christmas. We come to hear the familiar story of Mary and Joseph making their way to the little town of Bethlehem. We hear once again of Baby Jesus born in stable. Soon after an unexpected encounter with angels, the shepherds head to the manger to see Jesus for themselves. Children have creatively acted out this story for generations complete with the wise men offering their gifts. Living Nativities complete with live animals are portrayed in church parking lots in many communities.
Frank Luchsinger
"The grace of God has appeared ... training us ... to await our blessed hope" (Titus 2:11-13), and oh, how we have waited! The air is filled with anticipation, the Holy Night has come. We each wait for different things: the lighting of candles, the singing of carols, loved ones returning home, feasting, and forgetting ferment, for the Prince of Peace is coming. We wait for delight in the eyes of someone we love as he or she opens that special gift. We wait in awe in the hope that one star's strong light lingers still and will lead us home to him who redeems us.
John B. Jamison
He stood on the steps and waved. He nodded to those cheering to him from below, and took a deep breath as if to soak up their praise.
Susan R. Andrews
At the risk of putting you to sleep, I'd like to ask each one of you to close your eyes. Right now, for just a minute. Please close your eyes. And now imagine with me. Imagine that you are holding a newborn baby. Imagine how this baby feels - skin touching skin, curves touching curves - harmonious heartbeats as life surges between you. Imagine the smell - the earthy sweetness of breath and body perfuming the air. Imagine the sound - the silent melody of sighing, stretching, settling. Right now, for just a minute, let your imagination go. Feel the baby. Smell the baby. Hear the baby.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering
P: Born into this world,
C: born into our lives,
P: God made flesh.
C: O Emmanuel, we praise you now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Of Praise
O Come, All Ye Faithful or Jesus, What A Wonderful Child

Gospel Procession
Have the children (dressed as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds) process and then read the gospel from the center of the congregation.

Intercessory Prayers
After each petition:
L: O God of love,
C: be born in us today.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Sing A New Song To The Lord (PH216)
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (UM220, PH22, NCH126)
Born In The Night (PH30, NCH152)
Once In Royal David's City (PH49, UM250, NCH145)
The First Nowell (PH56, UM245, CBH199, NCH139)
On This Day Earth Shall Ring (UM248, PH46, CBH192)
What Child Is This? (UM219, PH53, CBH215, NCH148)
Silent Night (PH60, UM229, CBH193, PH134)
The Friendly Beasts (UM227, NCH138)
That Boy--Child Of Mary (PH55, UM241)
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light -

All: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shone.

Women: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

Men: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders -

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Merry Christmas, boys and girls. (Show one of your signs). Do any of you know what this sign means? (Let them answer.) That's right, it means (provide answer). (Show another sign and ask what it means. Let them answer.) Very good. Signs are very important aren't they? They give us direction. They tell us what to do and what not to do. The Bible gives many signs also.

You all know the story about the shepherds on Christmas Eve. The shepherds were in the field watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared to them. The Bible says that the shepherds
Leah Thompson
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all… (v. 11)

Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) Who can tell me what today is? (allow answers) That's right -- it's finally here! Today is Christmas [Eve]! We have spent the whole season of Advent preparing for right now. The long preparation is finally over. Christmas is here!

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