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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Reverend Phillips Brooks wrote the... -- Titus 2:11-14 -- 1997
Reverend Phillips Brooks wrote the Christmas carol, "O Little Town Of Bethlehem." On another occasio
The mockingbird is known for... -- Philippians 4:4-7 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
The mockingbird is known for its joyous song.
In 1939, a German professor... -- Philippians 1:3-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 1997
In 1939, a German professor left Union Seminary in New York to return to war-torn Germany.
James tells us that we... -- James 5:13-20 -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 1997
James tells us that we are to pray in times of trouble, happiness, and sickness.
Alcoholism tends to run in... -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 1997
Alcoholism tends to run in some families.
James reminds his readers that... -- James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 1997
James reminds his readers that faith must not only be professed, it also must be practiced.
There is a bit of... -- James 3:1-12 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 1997
There is a bit of wisdom that says: "If someone is 'into their cups' and alcohol has loosened the to
What wonderful news for all... -- Hebrews 7:23-28 -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 1997
What wonderful news for all Christians: Jesus is our eternal High Priest who intercedes for us witho
There was a certain church... -- Hebrews 4:12-16 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 1997
There was a certain church member who was very pleased with how the pastor of his congregation preac
How easy it is for... -- Hebrews 5:1-10 -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 1997
How easy it is for Christians and churches to forget that we are called to be obedient disciples for
The writer of Hebrews calls... -- Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 1997
The writer of Hebrews calls Jesus a "pioneer" in 2:10.
Abraham Lincoln is reported to... -- 1 Timothy 2:1-7 -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 1997
Abraham Lincoln is reported to have said, "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhel
And to him was given... -- Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 1997
"And to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages shoul
The Hebrews writer quotes Jeremiah... -- Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1997
The Hebrews writer quotes Jeremiah 31:33-34 when he says that the Lord will put his law in our heart
The city seems like a... -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- All Saints Day - B -- 1997
The "city" seems like a strange and uninviting image for heaven.
A pastor was looking for... -- Romans 8:12-17 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 1997
A pastor was looking for a good illustration with which to help his Confirmation students to underst
There is a character in... -- Romans 8:22-27 -- 1997
There is a character in the play, The Trial of God, by Elie Wiesel, by the name of Berish.
The motorist stood with hands... -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 1997
The motorist stood with hands on hips, shaking his head in frustration. The battery was dead.
It is a strange thing... -- 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 1997
It is a strange thing, but those who canvass for charities report that the best givers are usually f
Out of the horror of... -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 1997
Out of the horror of the civil war in El Salvador during the 1980s comes the touching story of Juani
God always calls us to... -- 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 1997
God always calls us to act in whatever situation we find ourselves.
Those Wedding Bells Are Breaking... -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 1997
"Those Wedding Bells Are Breaking Up That Old Gang Of Mine": do you remember that tune?
There is a popular movement... -- 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 1997
There is a popular movement toward better fitness and health.
Do only preachers preach Christ... -- 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 -- 1997
Do only preachers preach Christ?
What we will do to... -- Hebrews 5:5-10 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 1997
What we will do to avoid pain, both physical and mental! Understandably so.

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UPCOMING WEEKS
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Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
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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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