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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

I was once speaking with... -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- 1995
I was once speaking with an individual and during our conversation I asked him what he did for a liv
A group of young children... -- Matthew 24:36-44 -- 1995
A group of young children were playing "Hide and Seek." One child would shut his eyes and count to 1
An English writer tells of... -- Romans 1:1-7 -- 1995
An English writer tells of a group of children having a Christmas party in a boarding school.
I once received a Christmas... -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- 1995
I once received a Christmas card containing a story I shall never forget.
In the painting by Max... -- James 5:7-10 -- 1995
In the painting by Max Gabriel titled, The Last Token, a young maiden has been thrown into the lions
Missionaries around the world continue... -- Romans 15:4-13 -- 1995
Missionaries around the world continue to be amazed at the manner in which each culture they encount
In Cyril Harris' novel, Street... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- 1995
In Cyril Harris' novel, Street Of Knives, a man comes upon the Squire who is leaning on the handrail
Those who most effectively bridge... -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- 1995
Those who most effectively bridge gaps within the human community live as if there are no gaps.
Credentials. Connections. That is how... -- Romans 1:1-7 -- 1995
Credentials. Connections.
Many of us are not... -- James 5:7-10 -- 1995
Many of us are not especially patient. Our world doesn't encourage it.
The people were -- and are... -- Romans 15:4-13 -- 1995
The people were -- and are -- rich in hope. These people have longed for freedom.
Ask someone who has a... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- 1995
Ask someone who has a drinking problem about his or her drinking.
Just about ten years ago... -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- 1995
Just about ten years ago, early in 1986, we watched, the nation watched, in horror and disbelief as
This really happened. I read... -- Romans 1:1-7 -- 1995
This really happened. I read about it in the Houston Chronicle when Gulfgate Mall was brand-new.
Some people you just can't... -- James 5:7-10 -- 1995
Some people you just can't please.
The professor was demonstrating the... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- 1995
The professor was demonstrating the effects of alcohol on the body.
Someone was describing his family... -- Romans 15:4-13 -- 1995
Someone was describing his family life.
In the Peanuts Christmas special... -- Hebrews 2:10-18 -- 1995
In the Peanuts Christmas special, Snoopy's doghouse is covered with every kind of flashing light and
The kind of stories that... -- Romans 1:1-7 -- 1995
The kind of stories that we make a part of our memory affects how we live.
In the early history of... -- James 5:7-10 -- 1995
In the early history of the Christian church, there was a problem with the monastic system.
Kathie Lee Gifford is the... -- Romans 15:4-13 -- 1995
Kathie Lee Gifford is the popular morning television talk show host who works with Regis Philbin.
The Battle of the Bulge... -- Romans 13:11-14 -- 1995
The Battle of the Bulge was one of the deadliest battles in all of American history.
A recent television news program... -- Mark 13:14-23 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 1994
A recent television news program presented an expos5e report on a mail fraud scheme that stole hundr
Sometimes it is better to... -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 1994
Sometimes it is better to keep quiet and hidden about the good things that happen to us.
In an old Kudzu cartoon... -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- All Saints Day - B -- 1994
In an old Kudzu cartoon, the Rev. Will B.

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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
1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a
Life can be frightening sometimes. Thus it is both comforting but disconcerting to find a giant of faith like Elijah to fear the future. On that matter Martin Luther once claimed:
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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