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John E. Sumwalt

John E. Sumwalt is a retired United Methodist pastor and the author of nine books for CSS Publishing Company, including How to Preach the Miracles and the Vision Stories series. He and his wife, Joanne Perry-Sumwalt, were the original editors of StoryShare. John is an acclaimed storyteller. He writes a weekly spiritual column for several Wisconsin newspapers.
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Sermon

Stories

SermonStudio

Inside A Tornado -- Luke 1:47-55 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2004
Carolyn Peake
Holy Hands -- Psalm 23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
David Michael Smith
Prayer At Midnight -- Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2004
Prayer At Midnight
A Rock Of Refuge -- Psalm 31 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
Jody E. Felton
Stand Still And See! -- Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2004
Bonnie Compton Hanson
I Will Not Leave You Orphaned -- John 14:15-21, Psalm 66:8-20 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
Lori Hetzel
Lorina -- Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 -- John E. Sumwalt, Steve Taylor -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2003
Her name was Lorina.
Witnesses To The Light -- Luke 13:10-17 -- John E. Sumwalt, Kay Boone Stewart -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2003
A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with a virulent form of breast cancer.
A Tender Mercy -- Luke 1:68-79 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jenee Woodard -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
Our son Phil has autism. He is ten years old and is severely handicapped by his disability.
Singapore Angel -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- John E. Sumwalt, Mary Demuth -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2003
"Miss, you need to step here." The woman's voice came from behind me.
Christmas Tears -- Isaiah 12:2-6 -- John E. Sumwalt, Christina Seibel -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
I think nothing breaks our hearts as badly as does the broken hearts of our children.
Safe -- Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- John E. Sumwalt, Claire Hunston -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2003
It was late September of 1990.
The Christmas Tree: A Story Of Synchronicity -- Luke 1:46b-55 -- John E. Sumwalt, Jane Moschenrose -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
It was a week before Christmas.
Can Trust In God Be Restored? -- Psalm 14 -- John E. Sumwalt, Lois Rae Carlson -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2003
It was the end of my first year as a young widow on my own with two children.
Almost In Heaven -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- All Saints Day - C -- 2003
In 1977, about ten years before she died, I asked my grandmother, Nellie Jane Kittle Sumwalt, then i
He Will Wipe Away Every Tear -- Revelation 21:1-6a -- John E. Sumwalt, Rosmarie Trapp -- New Year's Day - C -- 2003
In 1987, I came to Stowe, Vermont, for a visit with my mother, Maria Von Trapp.
Don't Just Stand There! -- Acts 1:1-11 -- John E. Sumwalt, Judith M. Evenden -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2003
It happened thirty years ago. I am standing at the graveside of my grandmother, my father's mother.
The Gift Of Trees -- Jeremiah 17:5-10 -- John E. Sumwalt, Pamela J. Tinnin -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2003
I remember the first time I planted trees.
Abounding In Steadfast Love -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2003
Our son, Lloyd, died on May 4, 1997.
Remember Your Baptism -- Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 -- John E. Sumwalt, Theonia Amenda -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - C -- 2003
It was 1984. I was sitting in the front row in a classroom in Nashville, listening to Dr.
The Voice Of The Broken Branch -- Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2003
In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall
Visions Of Christ -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- John E. Sumwalt, Linda Nafziger-meiser -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2003
In 1982-86, my husband and I lived in the Shenandoah Valley near Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Praying For A Child -- Psalm 113 -- John E. Sumwalt, Kris Drollinger -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2003
My experience occurred on a Saturday morning in early November, 1988.
Chosen As Witnesses -- Acts 10:34-43 -- John E. Sumwalt, Theonia Amenda -- Easter Day - C -- 2003
Our first grandchild died two months shy of his fourth birthday.

StoryShare

We Can Be Changed -- Mark 1:1-8, Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 -- Constance Berg, John E. Sumwalt, Henry Scholberg, Elaine M. Ward -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2004
Contents What's Up This Week A Story to Live By: "We Can Be Changed"
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

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Frank Ramirez
This is not the same old thing. This is something new. Isaiah tells us to forget the old standards of life and truth. Our God conquers, so no longer judge the old way. Paul in prison says pretty much the same thing. And in the first supper, which takes place in the home of Martha, with Mary, Jesus, and the newly resurrected Lazarus in attendance, we see the world turned upside down as well. Something new. Something new.

Isaiah 43:16-21
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Isaiah 43:16-21

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
“Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” (vv. 7-8)

The first time I saw one of the “He Gets Us” Jesus ads during the Super Bowl two years ago, I sat up and said to my wife, Jo, “This is great! I wonder who is sponsoring this.” When I found out who, and what their motives were, I was deeply disappointed.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to worship:

 When Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus' feet with oil, the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. As we worship God today, may this whole church be filled with the fragrance of our prayers.

Invitation to confession:

 Jesus, sometimes we fail to notice or appreciate beauty.

Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, sometimes we resent the actions of others and are spiteful towards them.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Gregory L. Tolle
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own. (vv. 8b--12)
Schuyler Rhodes
There's nothing quite as wonderful as looking at an old car that's been restored to its former luster. A 1932 Ford Victoria Coupe, rumbling down the road brings a thrill. The rust has been cleaned off, the torn upholstery replaced, and missing windows have been installed. It is a work of art. It is also a work of love. Such restoration projects, as anyone involved in them can attest, are not for the weak of heart. Restoring a classic automobile requires painstaking attention to detail and the patience of Job.
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
Worship is a blessed waste of time.

Old Testament Lesson
Isaiah 43:16-21
A New Thing
Donald Charles Lacy
In our spiritual voyages, surprises -- sometimes outlandishly -- come to us. We scratch our heads and wonder if what we are experiencing is fact or fiction. It may or may not be a time of inspiration. However, it may be one of instruction, as we view it in retrospect. You and I are to remember that every occurrence may very well be a teaching event.

David Kalas
In December of every year, the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City awards the coveted Heisman Trophy. Voted on by over 800 media members, the Heisman is awarded to the most outstanding college football player during that season. Past recipients have included such notables as Roger Staubach, Marcus Allen, and Barry Sanders. It is a great honor, and it represents the broad and non-partisan recognition of a player's outstanding season.
Julia Ross Strope
You shall pass judgment on yourself. That is the hardest thing of all ...
If you succeed in judging yourself, it is because you are truly wise.
(The king on a planet to the prince)
-- Saint Exupery, The Little Prince

Call To Worship
Leader: You're here! Winter seems displaced by the new growth of spring. This is the fifth Sunday in Lent -- with one more to come: Palm Sunday.

(Candles counting the Sundays in Lent can be lighted.)

Special Occasion

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