Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

One Lord -- Ephesians 4:1-6, Ephesians 4:1-6, John 6:24-35 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
The Presence in Our Midst -- Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4:4-13 -- Third Sunday of Advent - C
There are those who seem to be forever looking for God's coming.
Proverbs 8:22-31, John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5 -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B
In all probability, most Christians have, at one time or another, agonized over the doctrine of the
Divine debut -- Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17, Psalm 29 -- David Kalas -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
The people had been waiting for a very long time.
Aha! -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, John 1:1-18, Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Sometimes when I watch some Christians, I get the idea that they have a major spiritual affliction c
A Portrait of God -- Psalm 36:1-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11 -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
I suppose that most readers have heard the story of a little girl who was busy finger painting and w
Prescription on a pole -- John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10, Numbers 21:4-9 -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
We have so many aisles of medications in our country today that home remedies may be a vanishing art
Fashionable Faith -- Psalm 98, Zechariah 7:1-10, Luke 21:5-19 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A
Once when I was pastor of a small church, a new couple began to attend and became quite faithful.
Reward -- Psalm 34, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
One of the vexing problems that most of us never take time to face is the problem of reward.
For those who don't know -- Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 20:19-31, Revelation 1:4-8 -- Second Sunday of Easter - C
Every so often, we come across an event where, as we watch the people involved, we conclude, "They h
God Fulfills His Promises -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Sandra Herrmann -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
From the promises of the Old Testament prophets (today’s selection is from Jeremiah) to the fulfillm
Ride on in majesty? -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
As the ship made her way down the channel, there was hardly a dry eye among those watching.
Whisper power -- 1 Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a, Galatians 3:23-29 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
Were all the stories of the Bible of heroes who did not stumble, few of us could connect.
A distinctive king -- Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B
Kings are not exactly in vogue at the present time.
Raising Our Sights -- Ezekiel 23:1-9, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-15
Finding safety in the call of the wild -- Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10, Psalm 23 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A
There are two themes that run through the passages for today.
Those Other People -- 1 Kings 19:9-14, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 9:18-24 -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C
In all probability the worst sin most of us commit is the sin of imagining we, of all the people in
Doing the impossible -- Lamentations 1:1-6; 3:19-26, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C
The prayerful expressions of grief found in Lamentations reflect the pain, despair, and raw emotions
Persecution -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Passion Sunday - C
Sometimes you will hear someone making great protestations about the ways in which they are persecut
Faithfulness -- Psalm 28, Luke 12:32-40 -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A
I suppose that there are as many definitions of faithfulness as there are preachers and laypersons g
Now I lay me down to love -- John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:16-24, Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23 -- David Kalas, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
I have three young daughters. One of them in particular would say that she is an animal
The End of Things -- Isaiah 52:1-6, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, Luke 19:11-27 -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A
One cannot read the New Testament with understanding unless one hears the continual expectation of t
Something for Everyone -- 2 Kings 5:1-15ab, Luke 11:1-13, Colossians 2:6-15 -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C
One of the wonderful things about such selections as those chosen for this Sunday is the way in whic
Certainty -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
Everyone I meet wants certainty.
More than one tale can tell -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53, Psalm 93 -- Ascension of the Lord - C
Ascension Day is perhaps one of the least celebrated of the major Christian feasts.

Communicating God's Love

Guest column

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Some expect God to perform a healing when they pray for a person... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Some expect God to perform a healing when they pray for a person.
Barbara Van Dahan is addressing a problem that has been basically ignored by society... -- Mark 7:24-37 -- Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Barbara Van Dahan is addressing a problem that has been basically ignored by society, and that is th
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 (2012) -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
Proverbs 1:20-33
The book of Proverbs begins by stating... -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
Proverbs 1:20-33
In pointing out to us that wisdom is a gift of God... -- Proverbs 1:20-33 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
In pointing out to us that wisdom is a gift of God, our lesson seems to confirm what Benjamin Frankl
The tongue, which James describes as... -- James 3:1-12 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
The tongue, which James describes as a world of iniquity, also is a world of germs.
Neighborhood Watch volunteer George Zimmerman was arrested... -- James 3:1-12 -- Ron Love -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
Neighborhood Watch volunteer George Zimmerman was arrested on second-degree murder for the shooting
The problem of doubt faces us all... -- James 3:1-12 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
The problem of doubt faces us all.
Exhausted from having spent a weekend working... -- James 3:1-12 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
Exhausted from having spent a weekend working in a Minneapolis food pantry, a homeless shelter, and
Jesus explains what it means to be his disciple... -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
Jesus explains what it means to be his disciple.
What's wrong with Jesus telling us to lose our lives?... -- Mark 8:27-38 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2012
What's wrong with Jesus telling us to lose our lives? Is he a masochist?
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2012) -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Cynthia E. Cowen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Women! 4 Positions OpenPalms' Inn & Supper Club
NULL -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Women! 4 Positions OpenPalms' Inn & Supper Club
NULL -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Doesn't quite sound like Sharia law, though it leaves husband at the city gates getting compliments
NULL -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The harbor in Charleston, South Carolina, has engaged in a $15 million project to deepen the channel
NULL -- Proverbs 31:10-31 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The book of Proverbs begins with wisdom personified as a woman, and it ends with a canticle of prais
NULL -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Envy is destructive. The evil stepmother of Snow White actually killed her out of envy.
NULL -- James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Herman Wouk, the novelist who wrote such best-sellers as The Caine Mutiny, Marjorie Mornin
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The Washington Post did a review of books about the Titanic on the 100th anniversary o
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
The children of Shepherd's Preschool loved being leaders.
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
I went with a friend to a gigantic healing service in Sacramento years ago.
NULL -- Mark 9:30-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2012
Jesus probably had a home base in Capernaum, which no doubt involved a house.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2012) -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
NULL -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
In Esther 9:20-22 we have the origins of the festival of Purim associated with the Esther story.
NULL -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2012
With a lot of earthly wisdom and femme fatale, Esther achieved justice for the Jewish people, perhap

Political Pulpit

Sermon

The Political Pulpit

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
24 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Nazish Naseem
For December 21, 2025:

SermonStudio

Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson
Pastor: Advent God: We praise and thank you for the word of promise spoken long ago by your prophet Isaiah; as he bore the good news of the birth of Immanuel–so may we be bearers of the good news that Immanuel comes to be with us. God of love:

Cong: Hear our prayer.
Dallas A. Brauninger
1. Text

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this
way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.18 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.19 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the
James Evans
(See Advent 1, Cycle B, and Proper 15/Pentecost 13/Ordinary Time 20, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

The recurring phrase, "let your face shine" (vv. 3, 7, 19), offers an interesting opportunity to reflect on the meaning of God's presence in our world. This reflection takes on a particular significance during the Advent season.

Richard A. Jensen
Our Matthew text for this week comes from the first chapter of Matthew. Matthew's telling of the Jesus' story is certainly unique. Matthew tells of the early years of our Savior stressing that his name is Jesus and Emmanuel; that wise sages from the East attend his birth; that Joseph and Mary escape to Egypt because of Herod's wrath. No other Gospel includes these realities.
Mark Wm. Radecke
In the Jewish tradition there is a liturgy and accompanying song called "Dayenu." Dayenu is a Hebrew word which can be translated several ways. It can mean: "It would have been enough," or "we would have been grateful and content," or "our need would have been satisfied."

Part of the Dayenu is a responsive reading that goes like this:

O God, if thy only act of kindness was to deliver us from the bondage of Egypt, Dayenu! -- It would have been enough.
Stephen M. Crotts
Some years ago I was in a London theater watching a Harold Pinter play. The drama was not very good really. I was getting bored. Then right in the middle of the play the theater manager walked on stage, excused himself, and made an announcement. The actors stared. The audience looked shocked. Me? I thought it was all part of the play. Such interruptions are rare in a theater. But nonetheless, the stage manager felt that it was necessary this time. His announcement was nothing trivial like, "Some owner has left his car lights on." Nor was it a terrifying message like, "Fire! Fire!
Timothy J. Smith
It is easy to get so caught up in the sentimentality and nostalgia of Christmas that we neglect the true reason we celebrate. We receive Christmas cards portraying a cute infant Jesus lying in a manger filled with straw. The Baby Jesus is pictured in the center with Mary and Joseph on one side, the shepherds and Magi on the other. We know this scene: animals are in the background, in the distance angels can be seen hovering, as a star shines brightly overhead. However, there is more to Advent and Christmas than celebrating the birth of a baby.
William B. Kincaid, III
If we cannot relate to Joseph and appreciate his situation, then our lives are simple, easy lives indeed. Now, by relating to Joseph or understanding what he endured, I don't mean to suggest that we all either have been engaged or married to someone impregnated by the Holy Spirit. Even in our frantic search for ways to explain how such a thing might have happened, we probably didn't think of blaming the Holy Spirit!
R. Glen Miles
"The Lord himself will give you a sign" is the way Isaiah begins his recitation of the promise containing all promises. Isaiah is talking to Ahaz. Ahaz is the king who is stuck in a political mess. It looks like Assyria is about to invade some of the countries neighboring Judah. Isaiah is recommending that the king refuse to sign on with these other countries and their armies and trust only in Yahweh, the Lord of all. Today's reading is a reminder of the promise of God to be with Ahaz and his people, no matter what happens, no matter who invades.
John T. Ball
Religion is a mutual relationship. We pledge loyalty and devotion to God and God blesses us. This is how Moses worked it out with Yahweh and his people who had recently escaped from Egyptian captivity. If the Israelites prove loyal to this mysterious Sinai god, then God would bless them with prosperity and well being. Those who deal with many gods are no different. Even though they have gods for various concerns, they still expect blessings and security in exchange for loyalty.
Susan R. Andrews
According to tradition, Joseph was the strong, silent type - an older carpenter who willingly submitted to impotent fatherhood - a second--string player in the drama of God's human birth. But according to scripture, none of this is true. All that is actually recorded in the Bible is that Joseph was a dreamer - a righteous man who transformed the meaning of righteousness by taking seriously his dreams.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (UM211, PH9, LBW34, CBH172, NCH116)
The God Of Abraham Praise (UM116, PH488, NCH24)
O Hear Our Cry, O Lord (PH206)
Hail To The Lord's Anointed (UM203)
Blessed Be The God Of Israel (UM209)
Emmanuel, Emmanuel (UM204)
People Look East (PH12, UM202)
Savior Of The Nations, Come (LBW28, CBH178, PH14, UM214)
The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy (CBH202)
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (PH1, 2,UM196, NCH122)

Anthem

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:

The Church of Christ

Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

The local community

Those who suffer

The communion of saints


These responses may be used:


Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer

Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Just before the first Christmas, an angel appeared to Joseph to tell him that Jesus would also be called "Emmanuel", meaning "God With Us." Let us listen to the guidance of the angels today as we prepare to receive God With Us once again.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, fill me with the awe of Christmas.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, fill me with the mystery of Christmas.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, fill me with Emmanuel -- God with us.
Lord, have mercy.

StoryShare

Argile Smith
C. David Mckirachan
Scott Dalgarno
Stan Purdum
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Samantha" by Argile Smith
"I'm Pregnant" by C. David McKirachan
"You'd Better Watch out..." by C. David McKirachan
"Terribly Vulnerable to Joy" by Scott Dalgarno
"The Great Christmas-Tree Battle" by Stan Purdum


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Over the years, I grow more cynical about Christmas and just about everything that goes along with it. I have not become a scrooge, although the advancing years have made me more careful with my pennies. It is not that I cannot be moved by the lights, the music, and the fellowship of the holidays. I have not become an insensitive, unfeeling clod. My problem is that the language and the images and the music seem to have fallen short in expressing what must have been the feelings of the real human beings going through the events recounted in this story.

CSSPlus

What an exciting day this is! Today is the day before Christmas and tonight is Christmas Eve! People have different ways of doing things. Some people open their presents on Christmas Eve. How many of you do that? (Let them answer.) Others open their presents on Christmas Day. Which of you will open your presents tomorrow? (Let them answer.) Some open gifts on other days. Would any of you like to share another time when you open presents? (Give them the opportunity to answer.)

Why do you suppose we open gifts at this time of the year? (Let them answer.)

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL