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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In July of 1656 Quakers... -- Acts 4:23-33 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
In July of 1656 Quakers began to arrive in Boston.
Prayer can shake one's life... -- Acts 4:23-33 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Prayer can shake one's life.
A thunderstorm blew in during... -- 1 John 3:18-24 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
A thunderstorm blew in during the night.
All too often we tell... -- 1 John 3:18-24 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
All too often we tell others we love them, but we often fail to show that love to them through thoug
The cross is the great... -- Acts 4:32-35 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
The cross is the great leveler, which means that the cross touches a common human denominator.
Helen Keller lived in a... -- Acts 3:13-15, 17-26 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Helen Keller lived in a world of light.
Elizabeth Kuebler-Ross, renown for... -- Acts 3:13-15, 17-26 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Elizabeth Kuebler-Ross, renown for her writing on death and dying, lectured to a group of clergymen
What are your associations with... -- Acts 3:13-15, 17-26 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
What are your associations with the word "repent?" For me that word brings to mind a sign posted on
In Ladies Professional Golf JoAnne... -- Acts 3:13-15, 17-26 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
In Ladies Professional Golf JoAnne Carner is known as "Big Mamma." Once she said in an interview the
If we confess our sins... -- 1 John 1:1-2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
("If we confess our sins ...")
Near the end of the... -- 1 John 1:1-2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Near the end of the nineteenth century, a young lad from the country was visiting his relatives in L
If I could just get... -- 1 John 1:1-2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
If I could just get a handle on it ...
She had made a terrible... -- 1 John 1:1-2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
She had made a terrible mistake.
This letter of 1 John... -- 1 John 1:1-2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
This letter of 1 John has led quite a number of Christians to the conclusion that once a person is a
As the years passed, the... -- 1 John 1:1-2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
As the years passed, the eternization of Jesus became more important to each writer of the gospel.
Educators tell us that learning... -- 1 John 1:1-2:2 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Educators tell us that learning increases when more than one of the senses is involved.
Are you sure you are... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Are you sure you are a Christian?
Burros are often referred to... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Burros are often referred to as "Beasts of Burden." Often our hearts are moved at the sight of one o
Who is it that overcomes... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Who is it that overcomes the world?
Regina's mother lived by herself... -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Regina's mother lived by herself for several years after the children married and left home.
Sometimes on a cloudy day... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Sometimes on a cloudy day we might say, "The sun isn't shining today." We say this because without t
When Halley's Comet returns to... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
When Halley's Comet returns to our skies later this year, one of the phenomena you will hear discuss
Dick Gregory, the comedian, reflecting... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
Dick Gregory, the comedian, reflecting on the 1968 demonstrations at the Democratic convention in Ch
A logical connection between as... -- John 20:19-31 -- Second Sunday of Easter - B
A logical connection between "as" and "even so" runs throughout scripture, and from scripture into o
Where does Peter get his... -- Acts 3:12-19 -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
Where does Peter get his power to heal?

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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.

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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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