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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The negative reaction of the Sanhedrin and Jewish leaders... -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The negative reaction of the Sanhedrin and Jewish leaders to Peter's witness is in direct contradict
In a desperate need to have a battlefield victory... -- Acts 5:27-32 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
In a desperate need to have a battlefield victory against the British, George Washington crossed the
NULL -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
There are all sorts of keys: musical keys, piano keys, the top of the key on a basketball court, a k
NULL -- Revelation 1:4b-8, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Bob Ove -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The seven churches are not listed until the next chapter.
It is so easy to demonize his lack of faith... -- John 20:19-31 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
The story of Doubting Thomas: It is so easy to demonize his lack of faith.
John Quincy Adamswould arise at 4 AM every day... -- John 20:19-31 -- Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, would arise at 4 AM every day.
Sermon illustrations for Easter 3 (2013) -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
NULL -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Radiation therapy seeks to burn out the cancer that is within the body.
NULL -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Bob Ove -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
There are some people and some denominations that believe God only comes to us dramatically, as he d
NULL -- Revelation 5:11-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Reference to the praise offered by all living creatures and animals to God warrants ecological conce

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Signs of hope, signs in life -- Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10 -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Perhaps it's time for the annual rant about the commercialization of Christmas, and the incredibly e
Wannabes -- Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 -- Second Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Peter Nichols' most recent book, A Voyage For Madmen, traces the journeys of nine men who, in
Finding ourselves in being found by Jesus -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2001
Socrates' famous dictum, "Know thyself," has been passed down through the ages in philosophy classes
TEOTWAWKI -- Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2001
TEOTWAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It) speculation and predictions are nothing new.
After the handshake and the hug -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2001
The master brought his disciples into a darkened room with one instruction: "Find the truth." One di
Called to a different life -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2001
The summer of 2000 was a devastating one for the western United States.
Fullness by any other name ... -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2001
"The whole experience was dirty, draining, and depressing." That's how George Stephanopoulos, in his
Call to repentance -- Isaiah 55:1-9, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2001
There is more and more conversation these days about road rage and how rude our culture has become.
The glory of God -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2001
These are the longest hours of darkness.
The unveiled glory of the gospel -- Exodus 34:29-35, 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2, Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2001
Throughout the year there are special ceremonies in which certain people shine.

Political Pulpit

Communicating God's Love

The Political Pulpit

Guest column

Sermon

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Alyssa Spradlin
For November 1, 2026:
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
Mary Austin
Alyssa Spradlin
For November 1, 2026:

CSSPlus

Wesley T. Runk
The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Good morning boys and girls. Does anyone here remember someone saying, “I am the greatest?” I remember hearing it many times by a prize fighter named Ali. Does anyone here remember Muhammed Ali? He used to say a lot of things and he was a very good boxer. He told everyone that he saw that he was “the greatest of all time.” Wow! Not many people say those kind of things about themselves.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
What is a saint?

According to the Roman Catholic church, a saint is a holy person who has been elevated by God to heaven, there to pray for those of us who need their help. There is a three-step process: the request by those who knew the person in life, and who attest to their holiness; a witness by at least two people that they asked the candidate to pray for them and their prayer was granted in a miraculous way; and an investigation by the Vatican into all this evidence. The declaration is made by the pope.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the people how they could be blessed by God and experience God's kingdom. In our worship today let us explore the Sermon on the Mount.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I'm full of pride instead of being poor in spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm overbearing and pushy, instead of being meek.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm not exactly pure in heart.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

John S. Smylie
Keith Hewitt
Bryan Meadows
Frank Ramirez
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Fifth Gospel" by John Smylie
"The Burden" by Keith Hewitt
"Up Stream" by Bryan Meadows
"A Magical Little Poem" by Frank Ramirez


What's Up This Week
John S. Smylie
Keith Hewitt
Bryan Meadows
Frank Ramirez
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Fifth Gospel" by John Smylie
"The Burden" by Keith Hewitt
"Up Stream" by Bryan Meadows
"A Magical Little Poem" by Frank Ramirez


What's Up This Week
Keith Hewitt
Larry Winebrenner
Peter Andrew Smith
Constance Berg
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann
"Lost" by Keith Hewitt
"Three Paths for the End of October" by Larry Winebrenner
"Ahmad's Final Lesson" by Larry Winebrenner
"Freedom to Live" by Peter Andrew Smith
"The Fullness of Life" by Constance Berg


* * * * * * * *


New Leadership
by Sandra Herrmann
Joshua 3:7-17
Keith Hewitt
Larry Winebrenner
Peter Andrew Smith
Constance Berg
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann
"Lost" by Keith Hewitt
"Three Paths for the End of October" by Larry Winebrenner
"Ahmad's Final Lesson" by Larry Winebrenner
"Freedom to Live" by Peter Andrew Smith
"The Fullness of Life" by Constance Berg


* * * * * * * *


New Leadership
by Sandra Herrmann
Joshua 3:7-17

SermonStudio

Mary S. Lautensleger
"Surprise! You're adopted!" If you were to hear those words from a trusted relative, surprise would be an understatement, I'm sure. Total shock would probably be more descriptive terminology for your emotional state as you examined the official court record and your original birth certificate. "Adopted" does describe each of us though, because we have been adopted by God into God's family. How do we know? The Bible tells us so.
James L. Killen, Jr.
When we put together the collection of things that we can believe, we need to ask a question about the person in the middle of the inquiry. What can we believe about ourselves? We don't often ask that question but it is a very important one. Some people are oppressed by low self-esteem. Others are led astray by exaggerated images of themselves. It is important to get a realistic understanding of who we are -- and of who we can be. The Bible has something to say on the subject that may surprise you. Are you ready? Hold on to your hat. The Bible says you were created and called to be saints.
Argile Smith
At an office meeting, Ben got the official news that he would become the manager of one of the most influential departments in the company. His colleagues admired him because of his tireless work, and they respected him as a dependable person in whom they could place their trust. They were glad when they found out that he had gotten the promotion. In order to celebrate the news with him, they bought him a gift. Well, it was actually more like a gag-gift, the kind that he would place on his shelf and chuckle over every time he saw it.
Joseph M. Freeman
Maybe both the best and the worst of us in humanity are far better preachers than we are doers and deliverers of what we preach and teach. And maybe maturity has everything to do with our genuine willingness to bring a greater congruity between our esteemed words and those actions compatible with, not contradictory of, those words. Jesus, fully divine and fully human, loved and valued not just the right deeds, but also the right motives and attitudes.
Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier
Commotion At The Communion Rail

Tommy didn't budge.

When everyone else got up to leave the communion rail, he stayed kneeling. His folded hands were perched on the rail, and his little head was bowed so far down that his forehead was squinched against his thumb knuckles. His eyes were closed hopefully, as if he were waiting for a big present.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
As the movie Contact opens, the audience sees a precocious girl named Eleanor learning how to use a ham radio. Nicknamed "Sparks" by her father, she has reached a man in Florida, and is excited that her radio lets her speak with someone so far away. In a later scene she asks her father wistfully if she can call her deceased mother on the radio. He responds sadly that no antenna is big enough.
George L. Murphy
You know that old saying, "Be careful what you wish for, because it might come true"? We see examples of that again and again in life. During the war in Iraq, Hampton Sides, a journalist who had been slated to be "embedded" with one of our frontline Marine battalions, gave an interview on NRP (National Public Radio). At almost the last possible moment, Sides decided not to go with the Marines, but instead to report from Central Command in Qatar.
Richard C. Brand
It seems fair to say that the saints of the Lord have always shown us what it is to be worthy of God. It is why we remember them and rejoice for them. They have shown us what a life worthy of God might look like. To talk about the saints, we may talk about Kagawa in Japan, about Mother Teresa, about Bishop Tutu and Nelson Mandela, about D. T. Niles in India, and about Saint Patrick in Ireland. To know the stories of Dorothy Day in New York City and Oscar Romero in Latin America is to have examples of what it means to lead lives worthy of the God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
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