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Brian Hohmeier

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Have you ever had an outfit or a pair of jeans... -- Romans 13:8-14 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
Have you ever had an outfit or a pair of jeans that fit so well that they just felt natural to wear
When we look at someone else's wrongs or shortcomings... -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
When we look at someone else's wrongs or shortcomings, it's easy to miss our own since we frequently
Imagine you're in middle school... -- Exodus 14:19-31 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2011
Imagine you're in middle school, sitting in detention when another student whispers to you, "I have
Most of us have heard the old saying... -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2011
Most of us have heard the old saying "You can't have your cake and eat it too." This would drive me
Living in a desert nation... -- Exodus 17:1-7 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
Living in a desert nation, it would have been no news to Moses that you could get water from strikin
It can be tempting to look admiringly at some politicians... -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2011
It can be tempting to look admiringly at some politicians for the amount of power they hold.
There usually isn't too much of a problem... -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
There usually isn't too much of a problem if someone cannot make it to a wedding for some good reaso
It's easy to see and condemn the impetuousness of the Israelites... -- Exodus 32:1-14 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2011
It's easy to see and condemn the impetuousness of the Israelites who with their own eyes had seen th
Through darker times in our lives... -- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Through darker times in our lives, the faiths of others can become invaluable.
One of the most famous riddles is that of the Sphinx... -- Matthew 22:34-46 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
One of the most famous riddles is that of the Sphinx: "What creature goes on four legs in the mornin
Julie prayed daily for the persecuted church in North Korea... -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2011
Since high school, Julie prayed daily for the persecuted church in North Korea and over time her hea
In the popular game show To Tell the Truth... -- 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2011
In the popular game show To Tell the Truth, a celebrity panel would ask questions to a group
NULL -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
In the television show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Will is a ladies man who for years had no
NULL -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2011
Ten college friends were camped out in line for tickets to the concert of a lifetime.
NULL -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2011
In Michal Ajvaz's The Other City, the protagonist discovers a hidden side of Prague when the
NULL -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2011
Growing up, Ken and Ryan fought as much as any brothers, and as is bound to happen, it would occasio
NULL -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2011
Sheep and goats graze together and all day long mix and mingle among themselves through the pasture
Two types of laws... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
We can think of two types of laws: external and internal.
America places an enormous emphasis on freedom... -- John 8:31-36 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2011
Like many other nations, America places an enormous emphasis on freedom.
Imagine you were raised by wolves... -- 1 John 3:1-3 -- Brian Hohmeier -- All Saints Day - A -- 2011
Imagine you were raised by wolves. You can envision how different your behavior would be.
NULL -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2011
Before the missionary Hudson Taylor made his famous first trip to China, he was a struggling medical
Israel received the Law... -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- Brian Hohmeier -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
When Israel received the Law, they began practicing what is called a strict purity code.
When parents leave their children home alone... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Brian Hohmeier -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
When parents leave their children home alone for the evening for the first time, this can be a subst
What's the most comforting thing you've been told... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
What's the most comforting thing you've been told when you feel like life is beating down on you, wh
After a woman had been driving all night through... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Brian Hohmeier -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
After a woman had been driving all night through the desert, she was famished, parched, and exhauste
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
36 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
3 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
27 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
3 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A crèche, or manger scene. Any size and style is fine as long as it includes shepherds. Have the creche set up before you begin.

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StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” (vv. 13-14)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 62:6-12
Isaiah proclaims, “Look, your savior comes.” We celebrate on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day the coming of our savior into the world – not as one full of power, but as a babe, vulnerable and human, as one born among us. Yes, God has great things in store for this babe, great lessons to teach us and for us to absorb as we watch this babe become a child and then a man. But in this quiet moment, this moment in a stable, born of indigent, immigrant parents, we see our own vulnerability portrayed in the Christ child.
Wayne Brouwer
There is a powerful scene in Herman Melville’s great epic, Moby Dick, where Captain Ahab stands peg-legged on the deck of the Pequod during a violent storm (chapter 119). His obsession with the White Whale has carried the craft and crew to exotic and frightening locales, and now it seems as if divine providence might be unleashing furious anger against this ill-fated quest.

The Immediate Word

Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For December 22, 2024:
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
George Reed
Katy Stenta
For December 22, 2024:

SermonStudio

Derl G. Keefer
I read an old legend about a Christmas party that Satan and his pack of demons were having in hell. As the demonic guests were departing, one laughed and grinned and sarcastically said to Satan, “Merry Christmas your majesty!” At that, Satan replied with a growl, “Yes, keep it merry. If they ever get serious about it, we’ll all be in trouble.”

Today the focus is all about the Messiah and we need to be serious about it. It is the birth of the baby Jesus, the Messiah. It is the coming of God…the doctrine of incarnation. It is the intervention of God’s presence among humanity.
Stephen P. McCutchan
... He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
-- Psalm 96:13

Gregory L. Tolle
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
James Evans
This psalm gives us the proper theme for a Christmas Day celebration: "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises" (v. 4).

Carlos Wilton
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Christmas Day, Cycle A; see also Easter 7, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)

The lectionary includes two sets of readings for Christmas Day: those appointed for dawn services, and those appointed for services that take place later in the day. Psalm 97 is designated as one of these early-morning readings.

William Powell Tuck
Christmas is usually associated in our memory as a time of great joy. But for many it is also a time for cynicism. There are some people for whom Christmas is difficult. It is a time of struggle, depression, loneliness, and anxiety. There are more suicides during the holiday season than at any other time of the year. A comment by a woman in a nursing home indicates the feeling of some: "No one really cares. No one cares about me now.
Mark Wm. Radecke
Because Jesus was Mary's firstborn, there were four words that she and Joseph did not have to hear as they made the arduous trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Four words that make long journeys longer. Four words that strike terror in the hearts of parents of every time and every place. Four words from which even the youngest child seems to be able to craft a sentence: Are we there yet?

I am struck this year by the number of journeys the narratives of Jesus' birth and infancy entail:

* Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem;
Julia Ross Strope
Gathering music
Christmas medley

(Light the Christ candle.)

(Invite adults, children, and youth ahead of time to bring a favorite gift for a one-sentence show and tell.)

Greeting
Leader: Merry Christmas!

People: Merry Christmas!

Leader: Settle your Christmas gifts on the pew beside you and find the space within your minds and hearts to sing, pray, listen, and talk.
James R. Wilson


Call To Worship
Leader: Come, let us celebrate, for Christ our savior has been born!
People: Is our Messiah, the promised one, among us this day?
Leader: Surely I say unto you, Christ the Lord is with us even as we speak.
People: Are even sinners such as we welcome in Christ's kingdom?
Leader: Praise to the Lord God Almighty, for in Christ we are all welcome!
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
After baby Jesus grew up to be a man, he got into terrible trouble, and wicked people killed him. But a good man called Joseph of Arimathea laid Jesus's body gently in his own grave, which he'd made ready for when he should die. After that the wicked people searched for Joseph of Arimathea, and so he ran away from Jerusalem carrying with him a special cup like this one, which contained some of Jesus's holy blood.

Special Occasion

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