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Ron Love

Ronald H. Love was called into the ordained ministry from a career as a state trooper. He has served Methodist churches in rural, inner-city and suburban settings for 20 years, and also served for four years as an Army chaplain. Dr. Love has also been a corporate librarian for a Fortune 500 company and been a university professor for ten years, teaching history and theology. His writing experience includes denominational publications, magazine articles on religion, and a newspaper devotional column. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology (Slippery Rock State College), master's degrees in library and information science (University of Pittsburgh), secondary education (Duquesne University), church history (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), and theology (Wesley Theological Seminary), as well as a doctorate in homiletics (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary). Dr. Love now resides in South Carolina.
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The Immediate Word

A Feast Fit For A King? -- Matthew 25:31-46, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Deuteronomy 8:7-18 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, George Reed -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2014
Thanksgiving Day comes on the heels of Christ the King Sunday, and so some congregations will inc
More Than A To-Do List -- Matthew 25:1-13, Psalm 78:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2014
In this week’s lectionary gospel passage, Jesus tells a rather stern parable about having enough
Wrestling With Hope -- Matthew 14:13-21, Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Psalm 17:1-7, 15 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2014
In this week’s lectionary text from Genesis, a tenacious Jacob is tested by an all-night wrestlin
Stepping Forward In Faith -- Matthew 14:22-33, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2014
This week’s lectionary passages -- specifically the Genesis and Matthew texts -- illustrate the p
Unholy Promises -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, John 3:1-17, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
The ongoing crisis in the Ukraine has seen the re-emergence of international dynamics not experie
Strangers In A Strange Land -- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28, Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Psalm 133 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2014
This week’s lectionary gospel text features the curious story of a Syrophoenician woman who plead
From Cheers To Jeers -- Matthew 21:1-11, Matthew 26:14--27:66, Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Leah Lonsbury, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2014
Taken together, the texts for Palm/Passion Sunday provide something of a contradictory message.
Sparking Hope From Bricks Of Oppression / Facing The Monster ... Together -- Matthew 16:13-20, Romans 12:1-8, Exodus 1:8--2:10, Psalm 124 -- Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2014
There’s been no shortage of big headlines this past week, from the stunning news of actor/comedia
Let Us Commence -- Acts 1:6-14, John 17:1-11, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 -- Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
The past few weeks we’ve been in the heart of graduation season -- and as one of the chief rites
Losing And Finding -- Matthew 16:21-28, Romans 12:9-21, Exodus 3:1-15 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2014
The grisly video -- especially for those who could actually bring themselves to watch the “
Out Of The Depths Of Grief -- John 11:1-45, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2014
This week’s lectionary texts all revolve around death -- and the rebirth and regeneration that ca
For All The Saints -- Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 23:1-12, Revelation 7:9-17, Psalm 34:1-10, 22 -- Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- All Saints Day - A -- 2014
Many congregations will be celebrating All Saints Sunday this week -- and in this installment of
Revisiting The Resurrection -- John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:1-10, Colossians 3:1-4 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Easter Day - A -- 2014
Preaching the resurrection can be a challenging endeavor -- and in this installment of Th
A Stone For A Pillow -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Romans 8:12-25 -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2014
The Genesis text appointed by the lectionary for Proper 11 describes Jacob’s journey from Beershe
Infinite Infinities -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2014
The lectionary texts for Trinity Sunday -- specifically the creation story from Genesis and Psalm
Transfiguration Shakeup -- Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2014
This week’s gospel text brings us Matthew’s startling account of the Transfiguration.
The Well-Tuned Ear -- John 10:1-10, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2014
In this week’s gospel text, Jesus tells us that he is the shepherd and gatekeeper for the sheep.
Roger Wilco -- Acts 2:1-21, John 7:37-39, John 20:19-23, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2014
As portrayed in the book of Acts, Pentecost was a strange, exciting, and even bewildering occasio

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Sermon Illustrations for Christ The King (Proper 29) (2014) -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46 -- Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2014
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Advent 4 (2013) -- Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Bob Ove -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2013
Isaiah 7:10-16
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2013) -- Hosea 1:2-10, Colossians 2:6-15 (16-19), Luke 11:1-13 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem, Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - C -- 2013
Hosea 1:2-10
NULL -- Acts 9:36-43 -- Ron Love -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
In the late 1860s, George F. Gates built a home in Independence.
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 5 (2013) -- Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Isaiah 43:16-21
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of the Lord (2013) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2013
Isaiah 60:1-6
Sermon Illustrations for Christmas Day (2013) -- Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Derl G. Keefer, Ron Love -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2013
Isaiah 9:2-7

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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...

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The Immediate Word

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Katy Stenta
For December 22, 2024:
Mary Austin
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Thomas Willadsen
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For December 22, 2024:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
Not many things are quite as common — and, for that matter, quite as predictable — as the sunrise and the sunset. Yet that does not make them less spectacular, does it? We still find ourselves struck by their beauty. So much so, in fact, that at times we try to take pictures in order to capture what we are seeing and experiencing. Or, if others are nearby, we call some family member over to the window in order to share the beauty of the view with someone we love.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Micah 5:2-5a
Phillips Brooks wrote the hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” in 1868. The song began as a poem he’d written for the Sunday School of his church, The Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia. Brooks found the inspiration for this hymn after the Civil War, during a year abroad (1865-66) in Europe and the Holy Land. While traveling, he wrote to the children of his parish about visiting Bethlehem on Christmas Eve.

StoryShare

Frank Ramirez
Then I said, ‘See, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).

If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t miss a super hero movie, you know that every one of them has an origin story. Bruce Wayne, for instance, witnessed the senseless murder of his parents when he was a child, which is why as an adult he was not only intent on fighting crime but also to instill in criminals the traumatic terror he experienced as a child, and that is why he donned the character of the Batman.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A small bag of potato chips. This message includes role-playing. Depending on your group of children, you can either select your players yourself or ask for volunteers when you need them. You will want one girl to be Mary, another to be Elizabeth, and two more children to be the people in town.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! But instead of just hearing the story,

SermonStudio

Susan R. Andrews
We Protestants don’t know what to do with Mary. Because the doctrines of the Catholic church have turned Mary into a sweet passive icon of virginal purity, we Protestants have been content to leave her out of our gallery of biblical saints — except of course, for her obligatory appearance in our Christmas pageants.
James Evans
The recurring phrase, "let your face shine" (vv. 3, 7, 19), offers an interesting opportunity to reflect on the meaning of God's presence in our world. This reflection takes on a particular significance during the Advent season.

Mary S. Lautensleger
The name Johann Sebastian Bach has been familiar in church music circles for many years. Bach inscribed all his compositions with the phrase, "To God Alone The Glory." Professor Peter Schickele of the fictitious University of Southern North Dakota discovered an obscure relative, P.D.Q. Bach, known as the most bent twig on the Bach family tree. The name Bach had always been associated with fine music until P.D.Q. appeared on the scene. This fabled genius, P.D.Q.
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night. This night with its carols and candlelight, inhaling an atmosphere of poinsettia and pine, and exhaling the promise of peace. What is it about this night that so captivates our souls, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.

Some are here because they are believers, faithful followers of the Christ. You are here to celebrate the nativity of your Lord. In the name of the Christ you worship and adore, I bid you a joyful welcome.

Harold C. Warlick, Jr.
The university chaplain was late for a meeting. He roared down the interstate through a sparsely populated area of his state. He was traveling ten miles per hour over the speed limit. As the blue light from the highway patrol car flashed in his rearview mirror, the churning in his stomach was exceeded only by his anger at his foolishness. Putting on his best professional face and a humble demeanor, he gave the officer the requested information and jotted in his date book the time and location of his court appointment.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Christmas is nearly here! In our worship today let us reflect the joy and happiness of Mary in the way in which we too greet the birth of our Saviour.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are longing for your birth.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we wait to greet you with clean hearts.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we welcome you -- make us right with you.

Lord, have mercy

 Reading:

 Luke 1:39-45

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