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Unnoticed Gifts

Sermon
Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B
John 6:35, 41-51
Janice B. Scott
Since I have a birthday this month, I'm thinking about presents! If I go into the local school and ask the children what they think about if I say the word "birthday" or the word "Christmas", the first thing they always come up with is presents.

I was with an elderly lady in a residential home recently. She was opening a box which had been sent to her by her daughter. Inside was a large fluffy owl, and the old lady was absolutely thrilled. It's especially to good to receive presents when they're unexpected.
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Bethany Peerbolte
Christopher Keating
Ron Love
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For June 23, 2019:
  • Faith Outside the Box by Bethany Peerbolte — Boxes are convenient. In the home, they make moving easier, they hide our clutter, and they separate one thing from another. But if the boxes we put people in are inflexible they prevent us from coming to know someone’s divine worth.
  • Second Thoughts: A Zero Sum Gospel? No Way! by Dean Feldmeyer — Life need not be a zero-sum game, despite how the swineherd feels.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
Raw power is stunning, but rarely is it warm and personal in the way we think of strength. Power explodes, while strength is channeled energy. Power unleashes force, but strength controls ability in very specific ways.

Someone has even defined the gentle concept of meekness as “strength under control.”
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bob Ove
Ron Love
Mark Ellingsen
1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a

StoryShare

C. David Mckirachan
Contents
“Legion” by C. David McKirachan
“Runaway” by Keith Hewitt

Legion
by C. David McKirachan
Luke 8:26-39

This passage invites us on so many contemporary journeys. ‘Legion’ is an appropriate name.

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
So he went his way, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.” (v. 39b)

Good morning boys and girls,

I love seeing you here today. Are you happy to be here in God's holy house? (children respond) Great! I have a scary, wild story from the bible to share with you. Are you ready to hear it? (children respond)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Praxis had a problem. It wasn't a problem shared by any of the other pixies, it was his alone. And it was often very embarrassing.

SermonStudio

Richard A. Jensen
This week's text concerning the exorcism which set a captive Gerasene demoniac free is the only text appointed from Luke 8 in this year's lectionary readings. David Tiede points out that the material in Luke 8:3„9:50 sets forth the substance of Jesus' ministry in Galilee as Luke tells the story. There is a theme to the stories in Luke 8, and it is the theme of the power of God's word. We touched upon some of this material in Chapter 13 when we discussed the general theme of hearing and doing God's word.

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