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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

The designation of being unclean... -- Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2008
The designation of being unclean (Matthew 9:18-26) was a devastating thing for the
The road-weary business traveler... -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2008
The road-weary business traveler steps out of a taxicab, suitcase in hand, and climbs the
There's a whole lot of... -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2008
There's a whole lot of laughter going on in our Genesis passages for today. First, Sarah
Throughout the year, a mission... -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2008
Throughout the year, a mission distribution center needs volunteers to help sort donated
Dr. Drew Cottle wrote the... -- Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2008
Dr. Drew Cottle wrote the following prayer based on the story of Sarah's laughter:
More than one mother during... -- Romans 5:1-8 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2008
More than one mother during the Civil War was allowed to speak with President
And hope does not disappoint... -- Romans 5:1-8 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2008
"And hope does not disappoint us." People who run out of hope usually give up on life.
God proves his love for... -- Romans 5:1-8 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2008
God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. We were
Compassion literally means passion with... -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2008
"Compassion" literally means "passion with." The word "passion" means something very
It's appropriate, on this Father's... -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2008
It's appropriate, on this Father's Day, that in our gospel lesson Matthew lists the names of
On the Sunday that Ray... -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2008
On the Sunday that Ray and Karen joined the church, Lois shared her hesitancy to visit
Choosing the right team is... -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23) -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2008
Choosing the right team is essential for project management, obtaining financing for a
Hagar's shoulders sagged from the... -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2008
Hagar's shoulders sagged from the burden. Lightened fearfully by each day's meal.
Abraham faced as much perplexity... -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2008
Abraham faced as much perplexity as any man has. First, God made promises that he
Hagar and Ishmael had every... -- Genesis 21:8-21 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2008
Hagar and Ishmael had every reason to fear. They were asked to leave their home and left
Most people who have ever... -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2008
Most people who have ever used an IBM personal computer (or one of its clones) know
What does Paul mean in... -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2008
What does Paul mean in our passage from the book of Romans when he says, "All of us
Early one Saturday morning, a... -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2008
Early one Saturday morning, a man heard thieves breaking into his home. He was
The City of Ottawa, a... -- Romans 6:1b-11 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2008
The City of Ottawa, a ship built to commemorate the birthday of Queen Victoria
Sim returned home from his... -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2008
Sim returned home from his new job. He'd just moved and was getting settled. On the
Have you been in the... -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2008
Have you been in the presence of influential people or peers and stammer when you
The sparrow is such a... -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2008
The sparrow is such a common bird and so numerous that often it is considered a pest.
A theological student had an... -- Genesis 22:1-14 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
A theological student had an appointment to visit his professor, Paul Tillich, in his home,
Notice the last verse in... -- Genesis 22:1-14 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
Notice the last verse in our Genesis reading where God tells Abraham to take his son,
The local service club named... -- Genesis 22:1-14 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2008
The local service club named Gary its "Person of the Year." Gary worked tirelessly to

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
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29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
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Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
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160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
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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
Bonnie Bates

1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a and Psalm 42-43
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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