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Richard A. Hasler

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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.
Paul writes to the Ephesians using the symbolism of the Christian soldier... -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
"Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist..." (Ephesians 6:14a).
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 18 | OT 23 (2012) -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
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
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 Open Palms' Inn & Supper Club
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
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
Lloyd Ogilvie tells the story of returning to visit New College... -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Lloyd Ogilvie tells the story of returning to visit New College at Edinburgh University where he had
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
Leonard Sweet brings the Letter of James up-to-date... -- James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Leonard Sweet brings the Letter of James up-to-date in his criticism of those who favor the rich ove

Sermon

SermonStudio

Baptizing in the Spirit -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
In Alex Haley's pioneer study, Roots, there is a poignant scene when Kunta Kinta, a slave, dr
Seeking the Bethlehem Star -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2011
The Moravians, a small but influential Christian denomination, have a distinctive symbol known throu
Believing the Impossible -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
There are a lot of good things to say about being a parent or a grandparent and one of the joys is t
Testifying to the Light -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Edmund Morris, in the first volume of his brilliant trilogy, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt,
Modeling Humility -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
As a young man Benjamin Franklin sought to attain moral perfection; consequently, he made a list of
Robert Paul, You Were Right! -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 -- Richard A. Hasler -- All Saints Day - C -- 1991
Professor Robert Paul and his family had just returned to Hartford Seminary from a trip to the Rocky
Leaping For Joy -- Malachi 4:1-6 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1991
The scene was the Connecticut House of Representatives in Hartford. The date was May 19, 1780.
Are You Asking The Right Questions? -- Zechariah 7:1-10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1991
An article titled Widespread Spiritual Hunger Should Be Major News Story caught my eye on the editor
The Best Offense Is A Good Defense -- Zephaniah 3:1-9 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 1991
Reading the title you may jump to the conclusion that I do not know football.
When God's "No" Means "Yes" -- Habakkuk 1:1-3; 2:1-4 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 1991
Augustine in his autobiographical work Confessions tells the story of his mother Monica's constant p

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The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

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What is a saint?

According to the Roman Catholic church, a saint is a holy person who has been elevated by God to heaven, there to pray for those of us who need their help. There is a three-step process: the request by those who knew the person in life, and who attest to their holiness; a witness by at least two people that they asked the candidate to pray for them and their prayer was granted in a miraculous way; and an investigation by the Vatican into all this evidence. The declaration is made by the pope.

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Call to Worship:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the people how they could be blessed by God and experience God's kingdom. In our worship today let us explore the Sermon on the Mount.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I'm full of pride instead of being poor in spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm overbearing and pushy, instead of being meek.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm not exactly pure in heart.
Lord, have mercy.

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"Surprise! You're adopted!" If you were to hear those words from a trusted relative, surprise would be an understatement, I'm sure. Total shock would probably be more descriptive terminology for your emotional state as you examined the official court record and your original birth certificate. "Adopted" does describe each of us though, because we have been adopted by God into God's family. How do we know? The Bible tells us so.
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When we put together the collection of things that we can believe, we need to ask a question about the person in the middle of the inquiry. What can we believe about ourselves? We don't often ask that question but it is a very important one. Some people are oppressed by low self-esteem. Others are led astray by exaggerated images of themselves. It is important to get a realistic understanding of who we are -- and of who we can be. The Bible has something to say on the subject that may surprise you. Are you ready? Hold on to your hat. The Bible says you were created and called to be saints.
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At an office meeting, Ben got the official news that he would become the manager of one of the most influential departments in the company. His colleagues admired him because of his tireless work, and they respected him as a dependable person in whom they could place their trust. They were glad when they found out that he had gotten the promotion. In order to celebrate the news with him, they bought him a gift. Well, it was actually more like a gag-gift, the kind that he would place on his shelf and chuckle over every time he saw it.
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Maybe both the best and the worst of us in humanity are far better preachers than we are doers and deliverers of what we preach and teach. And maybe maturity has everything to do with our genuine willingness to bring a greater congruity between our esteemed words and those actions compatible with, not contradictory of, those words. Jesus, fully divine and fully human, loved and valued not just the right deeds, but also the right motives and attitudes.
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Commotion At The Communion Rail

Tommy didn't budge.

When everyone else got up to leave the communion rail, he stayed kneeling. His folded hands were perched on the rail, and his little head was bowed so far down that his forehead was squinched against his thumb knuckles. His eyes were closed hopefully, as if he were waiting for a big present.
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As the movie Contact opens, the audience sees a precocious girl named Eleanor learning how to use a ham radio. Nicknamed "Sparks" by her father, she has reached a man in Florida, and is excited that her radio lets her speak with someone so far away. In a later scene she asks her father wistfully if she can call her deceased mother on the radio. He responds sadly that no antenna is big enough.
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You know that old saying, "Be careful what you wish for, because it might come true"? We see examples of that again and again in life. During the war in Iraq, Hampton Sides, a journalist who had been slated to be "embedded" with one of our frontline Marine battalions, gave an interview on NRP (National Public Radio). At almost the last possible moment, Sides decided not to go with the Marines, but instead to report from Central Command in Qatar.
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