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James Evans

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Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

Lord, To Whom Can We Go (To Blame)? -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Sin And Punishment Versus Grace And Hope -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
January 18, 2004
Super Bowl Obscenities -- Luke 6:17-26 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Dear Fellow Preacher
A Quality of Leadership -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- James Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
The question of the relationship of leadership and ethics can be contentious and disruptive in the c

Illustration

The Immediate Word

Lord, To Whom Can We Go (To Blame)? -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Sin And Punishment Versus Grace And Hope -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
January 18, 2004
Super Bowl Obscenities -- Luke 6:17-26 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Dear Fellow Preacher
A Quality of Leadership -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- James Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
The question of the relationship of leadership and ethics can be contentious and disruptive in the c

Preaching

SermonStudio

Christmas Eve -- Psalm 96 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see Christmas Eve, Cycle B, for an alternative app
Proper 24/Pentecost 22/Ordinary Time 29 -- Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c -- James Evans -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2006
Psalm 104 begins and ends with a unique call to praise.
Proper 9/Pentecost 7/Ordinary Time 14 -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2006
Today the lectionary identifies a second, alternative psalm selection besides the Psalm 45:10-17 roy
Epiphany 5/Ordinary Time 5 -- Psalm 138 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2006
Attempting to use mere language to discuss and describe the workings of God is not an easy task.
Lent 5 -- Psalm 126 -- James Evans -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
There is perhaps no greater challenge to the life of faith than suffering.
Epiphany 3/Ordinary Time 3 -- Psalm 62:5-12 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2006
"[God] alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken" (Psalm 62:6).
Proper 11/Pentecost 9/Ordinary Time 16 -- Psalm 52 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2006
We are not surprised when we learn about crooks and robbers boasting about "mischief done against th
Christ The King/Proper 29 -- Luke 1:68-79 -- James Evans -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
(See Advent 2, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)
Advent 3 -- Psalm 146:5-10 -- James Evans -- Third Sunday of Advent - A -- 2006
(See Proper 26/Pentecost 24/Ordinary Time 31, Cycle B, for an alternative approach.)
Proper 5 / Pentecost 2 / Ordinary Time 10 -- Psalm 138 -- James Evans -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - B -- 2006
Attempting to use mere language to discuss and describe the workings of God is not an easy task.
The Ascension Of Our Lord -- Psalm 93 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary.
Easter 4 -- Psalm 23 -- James Evans -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
(See Lent 4, Cycle A, and Easter 4, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)
Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6 -- Psalm 30 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2006
(For alternative approaches, see Easter 3, Cycle C, and Proper 9/Pentecost 7/Ordinary Time 14, Cy
Proper 12/Pentecost 10/Ordinary Time 17 -- Psalm 85 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2006
(See Advent 2, Cycle B, for an alternative approach to vv. 1-2 and 8-13.)
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see also Epiphany, Cycle B, for an alternative app
The Day Of Pentecost -- Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- James Evans -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Day Of Pentecost, Cycle A, for an alternat
Easter 7 -- Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2006
At first reading, this psalm presents a scattering of themes.
Easter 6 -- Psalm 67 -- James Evans -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
The opening verse of this psalm echoes the blessing of Aaron found in Numbers 6:24-26: "The Lord ble
Epiphany 7/Ordinary Time 7 -- Psalm 41 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - B -- 2006
This psalm is often identified as a prayer of individual thanksgiving but it reads more as a plea fo
Proper 13/Pentecost 11/Ordinary Time 18 -- Psalm 107:1-9, 43 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2006
(See Proper 26/Pentecost 24/Ordinary Time 31, Cycle A, and Lent 4, Cycle B, for an alternative ap
Christmas Day -- Psalm 97 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see also Easter 7, Cycle C, for an alternative app
Proper 9 / Pentecost 7 / Ordinary Time 14 -- Psalm 48 -- James Evans -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2006
Psalm 48 is a song of praise celebrating the presence of God.
The Day Of Pentecost -- Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2006
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Day Of Pentecost, Cycle B, for an alternat
Proper 7 / Pentecost 5 / Ordinary Time 12 -- Psalm 42 and 43 -- James Evans -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2006
Though numbered separately in almost all texts, Psalms 42 and 43 are actually one psalm.
Epiphany 8/Ordinary Time 8 -- Psalm 103:1-13, 22 -- James Evans, Stan Purdum, Carlos Wilton -- Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8 - B -- 2006
This is one of those psalms whose words have become so familiar from liturgical usage that they run

Sermon

The Immediate Word

Lord, To Whom Can We Go (To Blame)? -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Sin And Punishment Versus Grace And Hope -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
January 18, 2004
Super Bowl Obscenities -- Luke 6:17-26 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Dear Fellow Preacher
A Quality of Leadership -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- James Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
The question of the relationship of leadership and ethics can be contentious and disruptive in the c

Worship

The Immediate Word

Lord, To Whom Can We Go (To Blame)? -- John 6:56-69, Ephesians 6:10-20 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans
Dear Fellow Preacher,
What's A Marriage For? -- Mark 10:2-16, Genesis 2:18-24 -- James Evans -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
But The End Is Not Yet -- Mark 13:1-8 -- James Evans -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Living Among Us -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- James Evans -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C
Dear Fellow Preacher,
Sin And Punishment Versus Grace And Hope -- Isaiah 62:1-5 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - C
January 18, 2004
Super Bowl Obscenities -- Luke 6:17-26 -- James Evans -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C
Dear Fellow Preacher
A Quality of Leadership -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- James Evans -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B
The question of the relationship of leadership and ethics can be contentious and disruptive in the c
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Lent 2
20 – Sermons
170+ – Illustrations / Stories
26 – Children's Sermons / Resources
24 – Worship Resources
20 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Lent 3
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Lent 4
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
27 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

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John Jamison
Object: Two garden plants. One plant is healthy and looks great. The second plant should be alive, but it looks weak or is in serious need of a drink.

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The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For March 23, 2025:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
The charming and familiar song from “The Sound of Music” recognizes that reading begins with A-B-C and that singing begins with Do-Re-Mi. Such are the foundational elements of reading and singing. But what about being saved? Where does the gospel begin?
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Rarmirez
Bill Thomas
Isaiah 55:1-9
John Calvin powerfully noted the misery in which we find ourselves:

Those who are puffed up with vain confidence and satiated, or who, intoxicated by earthly appetites, do not feel thirst of the soul, will not receive Christ. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.VIII/2, p.156)

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Incline your ear, and come to me;
    listen, so that you may live…
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call upon him while he is near… (vv. 3a, 6)

Assurance or re-assurance is what we long for when we are hurting, when we are afraid, when we have failed at something, or when we are grieving some painful loss. We want someone to tell us it is going to be alright. And not just anyone, someone we trust, someone we love, preferably someone who has the power to make it alright.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to worship:

 Jesus faced plenty of trouble in his life. He didn't flinch from trouble or try to avoid it, but asked God's help in handling it. In our worship today, let us explore how Jesus handled trouble.

Invitation to confession:

 Jesus, sometimes we are so afraid of trouble that we tell lies in order to avoid it.

Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we are so afraid of trouble that we don't do anything so that we can't get anything wrong.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Psalm 63 is particularly well-suited for helping Christians take stock of their commitment. Oftentimes, as we take a long, inward look, we become aware that we have lost or laid aside some of our passion for God. This does not necessarily mean we have left the church. There are many who sit in the pews week after week, visibly faithful and plugged in, who are nevertheless spiritually fatigued.

Steven E. Albertin
"Students, it is time to get out your pencils, close your books and remove any notes from your desks. The test is about to begin."

John N. Brittain
I know that they didn't have CNN or Walkmen back in Jesus' day, but if they had, they would have been listening to the World Report in today's Gospel Lesson. The topic is current events and things surely haven't changed much in 2,000 years because the headline stories are bad news: the imperial troops senselessly murder a few peasants; a tower collapses and kills eighteen. "What do you think about that?" Jesus asks. "Do you think that those poor folks who ended up dead were worse sinners than everybody else?" There is an uneasy silence. "No," he answers his own rhetorical question.
Carlyle Fielding Stewart, III
Isaiah issues a four-part injunction to the people of Judah to return to God, to renounce their iniquities, and to reaffirm the promises of the Davidic Covenant: come (55:1), listen (55:2), seek, and call on God while he is near and can be found (55:6). This plea is pertinent to Christians during this season of Lent, a season of exile and return, renewal and restoration, affliction and comfort, and death and resurrection.

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