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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Jim was an old bachelor... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
Jim was an old bachelor who farmed in the district since he was a young man. No one
The father's tone was harsh... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
The father's tone was harsh toward his five-year-old son. "Not now, Tyler," he said as he
Hostility holds many hostages. Spouses... -- Luke 12:13-21 -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2007
Hostility holds many hostages. Spouses, brothers and sisters, neighbors, business
Many Christians play at religion... -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
Many Christians play at religion, prancing along the shores of the great ocean of God and
After leading the fourth worship... -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
After leading the fourth worship service of the day, I was tired, hungry, grouchy, and
In 1956, in the little... -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
In 1956, in the little town of Crestline, California, in an area popular for camping, a new
Much of today's church has... -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
Much of today's church has been affected one way or another with worship wars. Perhaps
When we get our spiritual... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
When we get our spiritual house in order, we'll be dead. This goes on. You arrive at
The farm community was abuzz... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
The farm community was abuzz. One farmer told of a two-headed calf that one of his
A seminary requires all of... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
A seminary requires all of its students to travel to what is commonly referred to as a
How strong is your faith... -- Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
How strong is your faith? "Firm and unshakable," you say. "It's intense and invincible."
The high school basketball players... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
The high school basketball players sprawled on the floor, sweating, panting, and excited.
The New Testament refers to... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
The New Testament refers to the second coming of Christ in over 300 verses. That means
R. G. LeTourneau, a self... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
R. G. LeTourneau, a self-taught industrialist and builder, was a dedicated Christian with a
Years from now, when people... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
Years from now, when people dig through the history of our time, I wonder what word
A story is told about... -- Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2007
A story is told about a "yuppie" who was in a car accident on a dangerous mountain road.
At times, we need to... -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
At times, we need to know that the Lord is a God of justice. When slumbering giants of
One noxious weed that western... -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
One noxious weed that western Canadian farmers do battle with each year is wild oats. It
Brittany has been through a... -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
Brittany has been through a lot in her seventeen years. She was only a toddler when her
Modern Christians have been sold... -- Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
Modern Christians have been sold numerous bills of goods. Many have been duped into
The writer of Hebrews frames... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
The writer of Hebrews frames pictures of people who lived by faith. He mounts those
If a life is so... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
If a life is so richly rewarded when one walks by faith -- why is it so rarely seen? I have
My recent reading included the... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
My recent reading included the story of the skilled carpenter who is asked to build a
Today's scripture from Hebrews is... -- Hebrews 11:29--12:2 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
Today's scripture from Hebrews is one of the purple passages in the Bible. The great roll
The immune system is a... -- Luke 12:49-56 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2007
The immune system is a network of cells that recognize and attack foreign invaders. The

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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
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
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...

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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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