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Richard A. Hasler

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2012) -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 -- Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler, Cynthia E. Cowen, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
Job 42:1-6, 10-17
One of the early Congregational church covenants in England reads as follows... -- 2 Samuel 5:1-15, 9-10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
"So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them at
NULL -- Job 42:1-6, 10-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
Wesley C.
Francis of Assisi patterned his own order the Brothers Minor... -- Mark 6:1-13 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2012
Francis of Assisi patterned his own order the Brothers Minor after Jesus' description of sending the
John O'Hara was a novelist whose historical settings... -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
John O'Hara was a novelist whose historical settings were based on life during the first half of the
NULL -- Mark 10:46-52 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - B -- 2012
A Russian pilgrim in the nineteenth century wandered into a church service and heard the pastor prea
People of faith are often confused and unclear about... -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2012
People of faith are often confused and unclear about being "chosen" by God as Paul expresses the con
One week a picture of a Harvard University president appeared... -- Exodus 20:1-17 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
One week a picture of a Harvard University president appeared on the cover of Newsweek magazi
Lynn Caines and lifelines -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2012
Lynn Caines, in her autobiographical Lifelines, tells how in the midst of her struggle to ove
Sermon Illustrations for Reformation Day (2012) -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Ron Love, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Jesus desired to heal all who came to him... -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2012
Jesus desired to heal all who came to him, but his disciples tended to feel that there were some peo
Garret Keizer tells the story of three women... -- John 2:13-22 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Garret Keizer tells the story of three women in the 1970s who entered a store that sold pornography,
NULL -- Romans 3:19-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Reformation Sunday - B -- 2012
Martin Luther was a troubled Augustinian monk trying to gain the assurance of his personal salvation
N.T. Wright tells the following story about Desmond Tutu... -- Ephesians 3:14-21 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2012
N.T. Wright tells the following story about Desmond Tutu's prayer life.
Former president of Princeton Theological Seminary... -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Former president of Princeton Theological Seminary John Mackay's favorite New Testament book was Pau
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 (2012) -- Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Cynthia E. Cowen, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
Ruth 1:1-18
As Nathan told his story about the rich man... -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
William J.
Jonathan Edwards once wrote... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Jonathan Edwards once wrote: "There must be light in the understanding as well as fervency of heart,
NULL -- Hebrews 9:11-14 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2012
In her book The Undoing of Death, Fleming Rutledge explores the meaning of the cross by refer
Tom Wright tells the story of the historian... -- John 6:24-35 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2012
Tom Wright tells the story of the historian who was hurrying to finish his Ph.D. dissertation.
Fyodor Dostoevsky... -- John 12:20-33 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2012
Fyodor Dostoevsky, in his novel, The Brothers Karamazov, has Father Zossima preach a sermon o
NULL -- Mark 12:38-44 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2012
Billy Sunday was a major league baseball player turned evangelist.
Garret Keizer in his provocative book... -- Ephesians 4:25--5:2 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
Garret Keizer in his provocative book, The Enigma of Anger, tells a story about his father-in
In 1722 a group of persecuted Protestants... -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2012
In 1722 a group of persecuted Protestants from the area of Bohemia and Moravia moved to the estate o
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 (2012) -- 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 -- Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2012
1 Samuel 1:4-20

Sermon

SermonStudio

Modeling Humility -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
As a young man Benjamin Franklin sought to attain moral perfection; consequently, he made a list of
Testifying to the Light -- John 1:6-8, 19-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Edmund Morris, in the first volume of his brilliant trilogy, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt,
Believing the Impossible -- Luke 1:26-38 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
There are a lot of good things to say about being a parent or a grandparent and one of the joys is t
Being Aware of What Is Happening -- Luke 2:22-40 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
Every evening about sunset at a popular hotel on the island of Maui, a young Hawaiian walks to the e
Seeking the Bethlehem Star -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany of the Lord - B -- 2011
The Moravians, a small but influential Christian denomination, have a distinctive symbol known throu
Baptizing in the Spirit -- Mark 1:4-11 -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2011
In Alex Haley's pioneer study, Roots, there is a poignant scene when Kunta Kinta, a slave, dr
Seeing Is Believing -- John 1:43-51 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2011
Eugene Peterson tells about his boyhood days growing up in the "Big Sky" country of Montana.
Proclaiming the Good News -- Mark 1:14-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - B -- 2011
In Washington Irving's Sketch Book he tells of a whimsical character by the name of Rip Van W
Recognizing the Voice of Authority -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2011
This story may be apocryphal, but I heard of a professor who was not only popular on campus but also
Daring to Touch -- Mark 1:40-45 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - B -- 2011
Sam Keen in his book, To a Dancing God, tells of accidentally tripping over a rock one day wh
Facing the Future with Hope -- Mark 9:2-9 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2011
A euphemism according to the dictionary is the "substitution of an agreeable expression for somethin
Distinguishing Between Disaster and Blessing -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Richard A. Hasler -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2011
There is an old Taoist story about a wise man who lived on the northern frontier of China.
Expecting Surprises on Judgment Day -- Matthew 25:31-46 -- Richard A. Hasler -- New Year's Day - B -- 2011
A number of years ago when I lived in upstate New York I belonged to a Rotary Club.
Keeping Awake -- Mark 13:24-37 -- Richard A. Hasler -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2011
Lehman's Old-Fashioned Hardware Store at Kidron in Ohio's Amish Country is a fascinating place.
Developing a Quiet Center -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2011
Kathleen Norris tells of an experiment she tried with elementary school children when she taught art
Robert Paul, You Were Right! -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 -- Richard A. Hasler -- All Saints Day - C -- 1991
Professor Robert Paul and his family had just returned to Hartford Seminary from a trip to the Rocky
No One Enters The Kingdom... Save With Empty Hands -- 2 Samuel 5:1-5 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 1991
The black man standing in the arena was an affront to Der Fuehrer's authority.
The Dreamer Within You -- Joel 2:23-30 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 1991
The setting for the movie Dead Poet’s Society is a proper New England prep school steeped in traditi
Everything Except God -- Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 1991
Robert Coles, a child psychiatrist who taught at Harvard University, decided to travel to the South
How To Hear A Sermon -- Micah 1:2, 2:1-10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C -- 1991
Walter Cronkite, the former highly-regarded CBS Evening News anchor, is an avid lover of boats.
When God's "No" Means "Yes" -- Habakkuk 1:1-3; 2:1-4 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - C -- 1991
Augustine in his autobiographical work Confessions tells the story of his mother Monica's constant p
The Best Offense Is A Good Defense -- Zephaniah 3:1-9 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 1991
Reading the title you may jump to the conclusion that I do not know football.
Are You Asking The Right Questions? -- Zechariah 7:1-10 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 1991
An article titled Widespread Spiritual Hunger Should Be Major News Story caught my eye on the editor
Leaping For Joy -- Malachi 4:1-6 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 1991
The scene was the Connecticut House of Representatives in Hartford. The date was May 19, 1780.
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

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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.

* * *

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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