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Bonnie Bates

The Reverend Doctor Bonnie Bates currently serves as the Associations Associate for Congregational Vitality and Development for the Eastern Ohio and Western Reserve Associations of the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ.  The Reverend Dr. Bonnie Bates received her Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Colgate Rochester Divinity School.  The focus of her doctoral work was transformational leadership and her dissertation is titled, Navigating the River of Grief.   She has served churches in New York both as a licensed and ordained minister.  She directed and taught in the Graduate Human Resource Development program at St. John Fisher College in Rochester.  She has worked for several non-profits and has served on several not-for-profit Boards including the Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center in western New York.  She has been an active member of the associations where she has served as well as numerous leadership positions within the New York Conference including its work in becoming a Global Mission conference and designing its current governance structure.   She has recently completed the development and implementation of a Boundary Training model for local congregations.

Her hobbies are singing, reading, fly fishing. She once sang with a national choir in Carnegie Hall, Constitution Hall, the White House, Royal Albert Hall, and a variety of locations in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.   She and her husband, Steve Vulcheff, have one son Samuel and two grandsons Kiel and Jakob.
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Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 6 | OT 11, Cycle B (2018) -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 4:26-34, Psalm 20 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2018
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 and Psalm 20
Sermon Illustrations for Advent 4 (2018) -- Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2018
Micah 5:2-5a
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 5 (2018) -- John 12:20-33, Hebrews 5:5-10, Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2018
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 7 | OT 12, Cycle B (2018) -- 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2018
1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49
Sermon Illustrations for The Nativity of Our Lord (2018) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2018
Isaiah 62:6-11
Sermon Illustrations for Passion/Palm Sunday (2018) -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 14:1--15:47 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2018
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 8 | OT 13 (2018) -- 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - B -- 2018
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 and Psalm 130
Sermon Illustrations for First Sunday after Christmas Day (2018) -- 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2018
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Sermon Illustrations for Maundy Thursday (2018) -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2018
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 9 | OT 14 (2018) -- 2 Samuel 5:1-15, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13 -- Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2018
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 and Psalm 48
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2018) -- 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2018
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19 and Psalm 24
Sermon Illustrations for Good Friday (2018) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen -- Good Friday - B -- 2018
Isaiah 52:13-55:12
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 11 | OT 16 (2018) -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2018
2 Samuel 7:1-14a & Psalm 89:20-37
Sermon Illustrations for Easter Day (2018) -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Easter Day - B -- 2018
Acts 10:34-43
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2018) -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21, Psalm 14 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2018
2 Samuel 11:1-15 and Psalm14
Sermon Illustrations for Second Sunday of Easter (2018) -- Acts 4:32-35, 1 John 1:1--2:2, John 20:19-31 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2018
Acts 4:32-35
Sermon Illustrations for the Third Sunday of Easter (2018) -- Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2018
Acts 3:12-19
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 13 | OT 18 (2018) -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 -- Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2018
2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a and Psalm 51:1-12
Sermon Illustrations for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (2018) -- Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2018
Acts 4:5-12
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 14 | OT 19 (2018) -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:34, 41-51 -- Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2018
2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 and Psalm 130
Sermon Illustrations for the Fifth Sunday after Easter (2018) -- John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21, Acts 8:26-40 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2018
Acts 8:26-40
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 15 | OT 20 (2018) -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-4, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2018
1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14
Sermon Illustrations for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (2018) -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2018
Acts 10:44-48
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 (2018) -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2018
1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43 and Psalm 84
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 (2018) -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Ron Love -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2018
Song of Solomon 2:8-13

Sermon

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 28 | OT 33 | Pentecost 23
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christ the King Sunday
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Thanksgiving
34 – Sermons
80+ – Illustrations / Stories
24 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
24 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
Nazish Naseem
For November 16, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Another natural disaster has flattened a number of coastal communities. Despite the weather and major television station warnings, and government disaster preparations, the dystopian destruction nightmare of Luke 21 has decimated another community. Also, it is reasonable to believe that this is not the last year for hurricanes, Tsunami’s, wildfires, mudslides and tornados. They will occur again. However, as weary citizens are interviewed in one group of people with the background of homes in rubble and streets still draining flood waters, they will not leave. This is their home.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez

Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 12

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. (v. 25)

A week after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, country singer Toby Keith — who died Feb. 5, 2024 — wrote a patriotic ballad titled “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” It was filled with populist fighting rhetoric that matched the mood of a nation shaken by the shocking death and destruction of that day.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A blood pressure monitor. It is actually called a sphygmomanometer, and is pronounced “sfig·mow·muh·naa’·muh·tr”.

* * *

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.

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
-- Isaiah 12:3

John W. Clarke
No reading of Luke is complete without coming to realize that Luke is concerned that the world understands that Jesus is the hope of the world and that any teaching that leads away from that fact is a false teaching. No matter what, no matter when, Jesus will be there to give us life.

Scott Suskovic
Whoever does not work should not eat!
-- 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NLT)

Wow! Kind of takes your breath away, doesn't it? Not a lot of ambiguity in that rule. "You don't work, you don't eat." For a religion based on grace, it seems a bit unyielding.

Mark Ellingson
Freedom is such a lovely word, a compelling image. What is freedom? How would you define it? What does it mean to you? Webster's New World Dictionary defines freedom as being exempt from control or from arbitrary restrictions. Freedom is said to be the ability to choose or determine one's own actions.

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