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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

A friend of mine used... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - B -- 2009
A friend of mine used to say, "I can always find 1 Corinthians 15, because it's where I spilled my c
For 2,000 years there have... -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Easter Day - B -- 2009
For 2,000 years there have been inquiries concerning proof of the resurrection, and questions are st
Why do people visit cemeteries... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 2009
Why do people visit cemeteries? What is it they expect to find?
Last November, evangelist Billy Graham... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 2009
Last November, evangelist Billy Graham celebrated his ninetieth birthday. Dr.
The pastor regularly takes his... -- John 20:1-18 -- Easter Day - B -- 2009
The pastor regularly takes his confirmation class to the funeral home for a tour.
Today's reading in Acts sounds... -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Today's reading in Acts sounds like a wonderful dream, and at the same time it sounds like what was
The senior high youth group... -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
The senior high youth group was at its beach retreat.
In ancient times extended families... -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
In ancient times extended families shared what few earthly goods they owned in order to survive.
In 1862, Julia Ward Howe... -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
In 1862, Julia Ward Howe wrote the words of the beloved "Battle Hymn Of The Republic." She wrote the
Theresa Logan is a comedian... -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Theresa Logan is a comedian who travels and performs all across the United States.
Jason was spending his first... -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Jason was spending his first night outside of the city.
We always draw a solid... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
We always draw a solid lesson from Thomas' doubt: Believe even if you haven't seen.
On this first Easter evening... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
On this first Easter evening the doors aren't just shut. They're locked.
Anxiety is prevalent in our... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Anxiety is prevalent in our world today, and the church is certainly not immune to worldly concerns.
Franciscan priest Richard Rohr describes... -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Franciscan priest Richard Rohr describes what faith is not, and what it is:
Dave took his daughter to... -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Dave took his daughter to the doctor's office. Daphne could not get over her bad cold.
Nothing refreshes like a good... -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Nothing refreshes like a good drink of water. How often have you heard that?
Sometimes, we just want to... -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Sometimes, we just want to know.
The pastor gathered the children... -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
The pastor gathered the children in worship.
On Sunday afternoons the state... -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
On Sunday afternoons the state children's home dressed the children in their nicest clothes and para
You are witnesses of these... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
"You are witnesses of these things." What does this mean?
Roberta needed a change of... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
Roberta needed a change of scenery. Her husband died following a brief illness.
One of the most dramatic... -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
One of the most dramatic scenes the pastor ever witnessed was the day a mother was reunited with her
It sounds like one of... -- Acts 4:5-12 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
It sounds like one of those courtroom dramas: The lawyer stands up and, instead of directly answerin
In Port Angeles, Washington, my... -- Acts 4:5-12 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
In Port Angeles, Washington, my wife and I waited to board a passenger ferry to Victoria, British Co

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John Jamison
Object: A pig stuffed animal.

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Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Let’s get started!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For June 22, 2025:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian,  for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.  As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (vv. 25-28)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a
Life can be frightening sometimes. Thus it is both comforting but disconcerting to find a giant of faith like Elijah to fear the future. On that matter Martin Luther once claimed:
David Kalas
We’re not far from the 4th of July. And while for so many Americans, it seems that the holiday has become more about long weekends, cookouts, and fireworks shows, the theme of freedom is still there at least in the background. We might take advantage of that, therefore, and give some thought to the theme of freedom as it is revealed in our assigned texts for this week.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

The madman cried out to Jesus, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" In our worship today let us explore what Jesus has to do with us and invite him to heal our brokenness.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, we often find ourselves thinking, saying and doing things that we quickly regret.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Constance Berg
When Jill was five, she began to have headaches. The headaches were so severe she would throw up. Sometimes she would pass out. They usually came once a month. Jill could be playing, resting, or watching television when the headaches would come. Her only warning was a sudden pain in her head, then a blinding light would appear, and she would be rocked with pain. In her teenage years, they became debilitating, causing Jill to be in bed for three days at a time.
Stan Purdum
I'm not sure when the term "burn out" ceased being only a description of what happened to a campfire when you ran out of firewood to a term describing the experience of long-term exhaustion and diminished interest, usually coming immediately after an extended period of overwork, but the expression seems to fit that later situation, doesn't it? Exhaustion, deep weariness, all used up, nothing more to give, wiped out, burned out -- call it what we will, its symptoms are all too familiar to many of us.
April Yamasaki
In the classic movie, Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews plays a no-nonsense, yet delightful, nanny to two young children. As a nanny to a wealthy family, she is part teacher, part parent, and part disciplinarian. She gets the children up in the morning, puts them to bed at night, supervises their many adventures, and guides them in many ways. While they are in her care, she is responsible for their overall safety and well-being.

Julia Ross Strope
Zoos are no longer in people's good graces.
Religion faces the same problem.
Certain illusions about freedom plague them both.
-- Yann Martel, Life of Pi

Call To Worship
Leader: I'm so glad you're here! There are seats for everyone; there's slight air movement; the windows engender tranquility and imagination and words will stimulate fresh thoughts.

People: It's good to be here, in sanctuary. We're glad for opportunities to gather and to express our gratitude to God and our appreciation for one another.

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