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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In a year with economic... -- John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2009
In a year with economic uncertainty the church faced the tough decision to cut the budget.
Alma was a daughter of... -- John 6:1-21 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2009
Alma was a daughter of the Great Depression.
Most Sunday school children know... -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2009
Most Sunday school children know of David and Goliath. Fewer know of David’s adultery.
It’s often easier to fight... -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2009
It’s often easier to fight for principles than to live up to them.
A woman appeared in court... -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2009
A woman appeared in court for a moving traffic violation.
There’s an old story about... -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2009
There’s an old story about a man who walked into a church that was under construction.
Ann remembers feeling uncomfortable one... -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2009
Ann remembers feeling uncomfortable one Sunday when the pastor preached on the importance of loving
When Jill made the women’s... -- Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2009
When Jill made the women’s wrestling team at college, she and her teammates were given a handbook on
Fifty years ago I read... -- John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2009
Fifty years ago I read a story titled, “Clothes Make the Man.” One thief dressed up as a policeman t
Few things, if any, in... -- John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2009
Few things, if any, in life are free. We apply the barter system to everything.
If you can handle a... -- John 6:24-35 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2009
If you can handle a crowd of excited people in the desert, armed with only a dozen dedicated followe
Grief remains one of the... -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2009
Grief remains one of the few things that has the power to silence us.
When the telephone rang just... -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2009
When the telephone rang just after three o’clock in the morning Carl knew it was bad news.
Brad was no good, or... -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2009
Brad was no good, or so thought most of the townsfolk.
A man who was going... -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2009
A man who was going blind arranged the area outside his house so that he could get anywhere he wante
There is an Indian tale... -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2009
There is an Indian tale about a band of thieves.
An English schoolmaster was a... -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2009
An English schoolmaster was a strict disciplinarian.
It was a familiar site... -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2009
It was a familiar site in every village through which Jesus and his disciples walked: The conical cl
Myrtle is the oldest member... -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2009
Myrtle is the oldest member of the church who now resides in a nursing home.
From the mouth of babes... -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2009
From the mouth of babes: Little Kimmy, aged five, was trying to deal with the death of her grandfath
Greg Mortenson’s group of mountain... -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2009
Greg Mortenson’s group of mountain climbers failed ascending K2.
A little learning is a... -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2009
A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: There shallow d
How often does God appear... -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2009
How often does God appear in a dream and ask us what wish we would prefer to have granted?
In a 2000 commencement address... -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2009
In a 2000 commencement address at Villanova University, newspaper columnist Anna Quindlen had some w
Even though Roberto is in... -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2009
Even though Roberto is in his early teens he attends worship every Sunday.

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

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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