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Ron Love

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Ronald H. Love was called into the ordained ministry from a career as a state trooper. He has served Methodist churches in rural, inner-city and suburban settings for 20 years, and also served for four years as an Army chaplain. Dr. Love has also been a corporate librarian for a Fortune 500 company and been a university professor for ten years, teaching history and theology. His writing experience includes denominational publications, magazine articles on religion, and a newspaper devotional column. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology (Slippery Rock State College), master's degrees in library and information science (University of Pittsburgh), secondary education (Duquesne University), church history (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), and theology (Wesley Theological Seminary), as well as a doctorate in homiletics (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary). Dr. Love now resides in South Carolina.
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Children's sermon

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The Immediate Word

The Sixth Immortality -- Luke 24:1-12, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26, Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Easter Day - C -- 2016
The narrative of Jesus’ resurrection is a very powerful one -- yet it also can seem so fantastical p
Fences Make Bad Neighbors -- John 21:1-19, Revelation 5:11-14, Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Psalm 30 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
This week’s epistle text relates Paul’s conversion experience on the Damascus Road.
After Stuff Happens -- John 10:22-30, Revelation 7:9-17, Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 23 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Robin Lostetter, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Mary Austin -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
This week’s lectionary text from Acts recounts Peter’s startling restoration to life of Tabitha, a d
Opening Closed Doors -- John 13:31-35, Revelation 21:1-6, Acts 11:1-18 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
North Carolina became the center of national controversy last month when it passed the “
Love, Love Is The Answer -- John 5:1-9, John 14:23-29, Acts 16:9-15, Revelation 21:10, 22--22:5 -- Robin Lostetter, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
In the primary gospel text selected by the lectionary for this week, Jesus prepares his disciples fo
What Is A Life Worth? -- Acts 16:16-34, John 17:20-26, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Robin Lostetter, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2016
In the lectionary passage from Acts for Easter 7, Paul and Silas are followed for several days by a
All Together Now! -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Robin Lostetter, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2016
The account of Pentecost in the book of Acts tells of a crowd gathered from many diverse locations..
Exercising Dominion -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8, John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Robin Lostetter, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2016
The lectionary psalm selection for Trinity Sunday (Psalm 8) provides plenty of fodder for those on b
On The Other Hand -- Luke 7:1-10, 1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39, Galatians 1:1-12, Psalm 96 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2016
In this week’s lectionary reading from the Hebrew scriptures, a clearly frustrated Elijah pleads wit
Confronting Shame With Guerrilla Grace -- Luke 7:36--8:3, 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21 -- Christopher Keating, Robin Lostetter, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2016
Both of his week’s lectionary Old Testament passages depict ordinary people who find themselves in d
Fit For The Kingdom -- Luke 9:51-62, 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2016
At first glance, Jesus’ actions in this week’s lectionary gospel passage hardly seem like those we u
Kiss -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Robin Lostetter, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2016
This week’s lectionary passage from Second Kings features the intriguing tale of the healing of Naam
Licensed Fruit Inspectors -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2016
The last week has been a tumultuous one that has highlighted the divisions in American society.
Snakes And Scorpions -- Luke 11:1-13, Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19) -- Mary Austin, Robin Lostetter, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2016
In this week’s lectionary gospel text, Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray -- and, he sugg

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for The Transfiguration (2015) -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2015
2 Kings 2:1-12
Sermon Illustrations for Ash Wednesday (2015) -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2015
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 1 (2015) -- Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Derl G. Keefer -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Genesis 9:8-17
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 27 | OT 32 (2015) -- Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 -- Bob Ove, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2015
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 18 | OT 23 (2015) -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2015
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2015) -- Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- R. Robert Cueni, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Malachi 3:1-4
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 (2015) -- Proverbs 1:20-33, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 -- Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2015
Proverbs 1:20-33
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 4 (2015) -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- R. Robert Cueni, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Micah 5:2-5a
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2015) -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2015
Proverbs 31:10-31
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2015) -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50 -- Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2015
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 (2015) -- Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2015
Job 1:1; 2:1-10

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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Elena Delhagen
For May 19, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Pentecost accents the belief that the Christian church is a Spirit movement, not another world institution. Imagine a pastor who is on the denomination committee for examining pastoral candidates that are on various points along their journey toward ordination either before, during or just after completion of seminary/Bible college training. All the pastoral candidates are excited about their future of making a positive change and impression on the churches they serve.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Acts 2:1-21
Martin Luther viewed Pentecost as a day of celebration, as on a sermon in the topic he noted “it was on this present Pentecost Day that the joyful blessed and lovely kingdom of Christ was established, a kingdom filled with joy, courage, and certainty.”  Complete Sermons, Vol.6, p.152) Awareness of the Holy Spirit is a big part of the joy and certainty Pentecost brings.  John Wesley, then, offers a timely warning about how not to lose a sense of the Spirit and the joy and confidence this insight offers.  He wrote:

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“I’m not sure why we’re doing this,” Ollie muttered to himself as he took his place on the bandstand. He unpacked his guitar and played a few chords to make sure that it was in tune. “The acoustics are better in the church building.”

“They may be,” Todd said raising his voice over the sounds of the busy park. “Going to be a noisy afternoon from the sounds of it.”

“Huh?” Ollie looked over at his smiling friend. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

“You’re just saying what we’re all thinking, isn’t he Wendy?’

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: Today’s message will include a role-play. You will need one child to play the role of the shepherd and the rest of the children will be the people from town. I usually pick an outgoing child for my shepherd so they will act out a bit. Encourage everyone to have fun and ham it up a bit.

* * *

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
As I recall, there was a mighty, rushing wind at the last Bank Holiday weekend. It didn't herald the coming of God quite as much as the coming of a mighty, rushing rain, and for many unfortunate people, substantial flooding. And it was accompanied by considerable power, for it uprooted and destroyed one of our laburnum trees.

SermonStudio

Mark Ellingsen
Theme of the Day
The Holy Spirit gets around. Historically the church has also commemorated its origins on this festival. In some traditions, confirmation is celebrated.

Collect of the Day
Petitions are offered that the Spirit come and transform the faithful to give them language to proclaim the word. The Holy Spirit, Justification (by Grace), Sanctification, and Evangelism are emphasized.

Psalm of the Day
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
* Hymn to God the creator; praise for God's providential interventions.
James Evans
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Day Of Pentecost, Cycle A, for an alternative approach.)

Elizabeth Achtemeier
On the previous Sundays of this Eastertide, we have heard the risen Christ tell his followers to remain in Jerusalem until he sends the Holy Spirit upon them. That will enable them to be his witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Having promised that, he ascended into heaven, to rule over all at the right hand of the Father. That promise was spoken during the forty days that the Lord was with the apostles and disciples after his resurrection.
Arthur H. Kolsti
Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord to the breath, prophesy mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
-- Ezekiel 37:4-10
Ron Lavin
The Holy Spirit is called "your Advocate" in the New English Bible translation of John 15:26. Other translations may be helpful in understanding the meaning of the Holy Spirit. The King James Version uses the term "The Comforter." The Revised Standard Version and the New International Version use the term "The Counselor." The Phillips translation and the Barclay translation call the Holy Spirit "The Helper." I like the title "The Advocate" best of all. This term "The Adovcate" includes comforting, counseling, and helping.

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