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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

What kinds of forgetting and... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Maundy Thursday - C
What kinds of forgetting and "forgetting" are we capable of?
Robert Louis Stevenson told a... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Passion Sunday - C
Robert Louis Stevenson told a story about his grandfather. This man was on a boat.
Former Congresswoman Marguerite Church tells... -- Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 -- Maundy Thursday - C
Former Congresswoman Marguerite Church tells of seeing the beautiful white steeple of a church betwe
A guide at the Winchester... -- Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 -- Maundy Thursday - C
A guide at the Winchester Cathedral in the south of England loved to tell visitors to the cathedral
God's record in history is... -- Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 -- Maundy Thursday - C
God's record in history is unique. It does not always appear that way. H.G.
Hebrews states that we can... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Maundy Thursday - C
Hebrews states that we can come with hearts purified from a guilty conscience.
On one episode of the... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Maundy Thursday - C
On one episode of the popular television program Cheers, Norm and Cliff decided to have a con
I suppose every congregation has... -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Maundy Thursday - C
I suppose every congregation has someone like Marvin.
Twenty-two years ago Maryann... -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Maundy Thursday - C
Twenty-two years ago Maryann was two weeks overdue and the contractions hadn't started yet.
Walter J. Burghardt, S.J. commenting... -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Maundy Thursday - C
Walter J. Burghardt, S.J.
Do this in remembrance of... -- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 -- Maundy Thursday - C
"Do this in remembrance of me." Particularly as we come together on Maundy Thursday, the Christian c
One Christmas a man bought... -- Luke 22:7-20 -- Maundy Thursday - C
One Christmas a man bought his niece the muppet, Oscar, from Sesame Street.
Horatio Nelson was an admiral... -- Luke 22:7-20 -- Maundy Thursday - C
Horatio Nelson was an admiral in the British Navy. When he died his body was entombed in St.
The institution of the Lord's... -- Luke 22:7-20 -- Maundy Thursday - C
The institution of the Lord's meal is described in this passage.
In one of his books... -- Luke 22:7-20 -- Maundy Thursday - C
In one of his books, Dr.
Charles Kuralt who frequently adds... -- John 13:1-15 -- Maundy Thursday - C
Charles Kuralt who frequently adds a personal touch to the CBS Evening News with his stories from hi
I recently saw a very... -- John 13:1-5 -- Maundy Thursday - C
I recently saw a very simple, but striking, illustration which served as a challenge to discipleship
Appearance means so much to... -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 -- Good Friday - C
Appearance means so much to us.
I suspect that many of... -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 -- Good Friday - C
I suspect that many of us question the statement in Today's English Version, "There was nothing attr
In The Ragman, the... -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12 -- Good Friday - C
In The Ragman, the Ragman, the Christ, Walter Wangerin tells of following a ragpicker through
Where love is real its... -- John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Where love is real its extravagance considers no sacrifice too great to be borne.
Taylor Caldwell's book, The... -- John 12:1-8 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Taylor Caldwell's book, The Listener, describes a town which is bequeathed a lovely garden an
In William Golding's novel I... -- Luke 20:9-19 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
In William Golding's novel The Spire he relates the story of a dean of a cathedral in medieva
There is an old story... -- Luke 20:9-19 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
There is an old story told of a man who was dreaming that he was witnessing the crucifixion.
Ben Friedman, a Jewish businessman... -- Luke 20:9-19 -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C
Ben Friedman, a Jewish businessman, scholar and participant in Jewish-Christian dialogues, has writt

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UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Tom Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
For August 3, 2025:

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

Note: The gesture used both hands. Hold both hands in front of you and make the thumbs-up sign with both hands with both thumbs pointing back at your chest. This is the “ME!” gesture. Then simply rotate your hands back so your thumbs are pointing straight up in the air, like two “OK” signs. This is the “US” gesture.

* * *

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. (vv. 9-10)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11: 1-13
The prophet compares Yahweh to a father who exercises compassion despite his original plan to punish Israel. John Calvin nicely explains these dynamics:
Mark Ellingsen
Hosea 11:1-11

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
-- Psalm 107:9, 43

Kirk R. Webster
How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
Thomas A. Renquist
This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
John W. Wurster
" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

" 'I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.' (1:4). But they did not know me. Do you?

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