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Wayne Brouwer

Wayne Brouwer is a pastor of the Christian Reformed Church in North America and is an Associate Professor of Religion at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, as well as a member of the faculty of Western Theological Seminary. Brouwer has been the lead pastor in three different congregations. He is a graduate of Dordt College and holds degrees from Calvin Theological Seminary and McMaster University. Over 700 of his articles have been published as well as over a dozen books. Previous CSS Publishing titles by Pastor Bouwer include Political Christianity and Humming Till the Music Returns. He has been a consistent contributor to Emphasis: A Preaching Journal since 2004 and is one of several authors featured in Navigating the Sermon. Pastor Brouwer resides in Holland, Michigan, with his wife Brenda and they are the parents of three daughters.
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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Beautiful Scandal -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Good Friday - C -- 2025
When Canadian missionaries Don and Carol Richardson entered the world of the Sawi people in Irian Ja
Miracles -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Tinkerbell is the delightful sprite in Peter Pan who drifts between the world of senses and
The Good Life -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2025
When Ryan Barbarisi was in fifth grade at Grace Community Christian School in Tempe, Arizona, his te
Living Upside Down -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2025
An ancient legend tells of a remote mountain village where people used to send their senior citizens
Becoming... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2025
C.
Investment Portfolio -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2025
The president of the college I attended was the kind of man who always said what was on his mind.
Greatness Finding Itself -- Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31 -- Wayne Brouwer -- All Saints Day - C -- 2025
Fred Craddock tells of a vacation encounter in the Smokey Mountains of eastern Tennessee years ago t
Only the Grateful Believe -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2025
A schoolteacher asked her students to make a list of the things for which they were thankful.
Becoming Healthy -- Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2025
It seems everybody knows about Victor Hugo’s greatest novel, even if few have actually read it.
Starting Over -- Genesis 45:3-11, 15, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2025
We all believe in justice; we all cry out to have our rights protected.
Turning Point -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
There is an ancient legend first told by Christians living in the catacombs under the streets of Rom
Big Beginnings -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- Wayne Brouwer -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2024
Children are often naively honest, as a friend of mine found one day.
Ecstasy and Real Life -- 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2024
Shortly before he died in a training accident with the Royal Canadian Air Force in December of 1941,
Lost... -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Exodus 20:1-17, John 2:13-22 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Each of our lectionary readings for today reminds us that we have forgotten who we are.
Waking to a New Day -- Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Easter Day - B -- 2024
When builders dug in modern Rome to secure the footings for a new parking garage, they uncovered an
The Life that Changes Lives -- Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2024
It was a dark and stormy night. Lightning flashed and thunder crashed.
Good Grace -- Mark 2:23--3:6, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2024
The Black Angel. That’s what Michael Christopher calls Herman Engel in his play.
Importance -- Mark 6:1-13, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2024
Do you remember Rudyard Kipling’s tale of “How the Camel Got Its Hump”?
Reaching -- 2 Samuel 19:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2024
In Hendrik Ibsen’s famous drama Peer Gynt, the hero of the story tries to find the meaning
Submission -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2024
Friends in Alberta used to tell of an uncle who married late in life.

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Beautiful Scandal -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Good Friday - C -- 2025
When Canadian missionaries Don and Carol Richardson entered the world of the Sawi people in Irian Ja
Only the Grateful Believe -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Philippians 4:4-9, John 6:25-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2025
A schoolteacher asked her students to make a list of the things for which they were thankful.
Becoming Healthy -- Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2025
It seems everybody knows about Victor Hugo’s greatest novel, even if few have actually read it.
Becoming Healthy -- Luke 4:14-21, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2025
It seems everybody knows about Victor Hugo’s greatest novel, even if few have actually read it.
Turning Point -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
There is an ancient legend first told by Christians living in the catacombs under the streets of Rom

Illustration

StoryShare

New Beginnings For A New Year -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 8 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Wayne Brouwer, John E. Sumwalt -- New Year's Day - A -- 2006
Contents What's Up This Week

Sermon

SermonStudio

A Portion Of Thyself -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2021
At a graduation ceremony, the president of a Christian college stood at the podium and looked out ov
Into The Wilderness -- Luke 4:1-13 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2021
Jesus was tempted.
Mountaintop Experience -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2021
Some years ago, the History Network created a strange new hit series.
Who's Fault Is It? -- Luke 13:1-9 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2021
The youth pastor at one of my former congregations had a cartoon taped to his office door.
In The Mirror -- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2021
The first birth is extraordinarily exciting, isn’t it?
Terms Of Endearment -- John 12:1-8 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2021
In his short story, “The Capital of the World,” Ernest Heming-way reported an event they talk about
Scandal -- Luke 22:14--23:56 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2021
While Don Richardson was a student at Prairie Bible Institute in the 1950s, his heart burned in anti
Night And Light -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2021
A friend of mine had rewritten a familiar proverb and used it ominously.
Faces At A Funeral -- John 18:1--19:42 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Good Friday - C -- 2021
During the nineteenth century, all Oxford graduates were required to translate a portion of the Gree
Creation Reborn -- John 20:1-18 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Easter Day - C -- 2021
When I was a pastor in rural southern Alberta, we held our Easter Sunrise worship services in a ceme
Messiah's Community -- John 20:19-31 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2021
In his widely-read testimony, Man’s Search for Meaning, famed psychiatrist Viktor Frankl remembered
Starting Over -- John 21:1-19 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2021
Sometimes the healing of our hurts starts only when we find another song to sing.
Hearing A Familiar Voice -- John 10:22-30 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2021
As parents of three wonderful daughters, my wife and I can sympathize with the couple who sent their
The Accent Of Heaven -- John 13:31-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2021
She opened our eyes to the way that civilizations unfold and develop.
Glowing Network -- John 14:23-29 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2021
During World War II, many members of the Lutheran church in Germany lost their faith because Hitler
The Captain's Voice -- Luke 24:44-53 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2021
I was walking through a building on a college campus when I spied a student lounging in an overstuff
The Divine Mission -- John 17:20-26 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2021
A friend of mine taught ethics at a Christian college.
A Cry in the Dark -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Wayne Brouwer -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
"Screw your courage to the sticking-place," says Lady Macbeth to her doomed husband in Shakespeare's
The Peaceable Kingdom -- Luke 3:1-6 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
What difference does my life make for others around me? What difference does anyone's life make?
A Dance in the Desert -- Luke 3:7-18 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Even though we like laughter and enjoy praise and celebration, especially at this time of year, it d
King Jesus -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
One morning in 1872, David Livingstone wrote this in his diary: "March 19, my birthday.
The Wrong Gift -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) -- Wayne Brouwer -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2015
What did you get for Christmas?
Kingdoms In Conflict -- Matthew 21:33-46 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2007
When Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1958, the team was in dismal
Political Pardon -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2007
My parents were married in the wave of weddings that followed World War II.
Why Is God Unfair? -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
One of my favorite courses to teach is "Introduction to Biblical Literature." It is a 200-level cour

Stories

StoryShare

New Beginnings For A New Year -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 8 -- David O. Bales, Terry Cain, Wayne Brouwer, John E. Sumwalt -- New Year's Day - A -- 2006
Contents What's Up This Week
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
32 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
18 – Children's Sermons / Resources
10 – Worship Resources
18 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
24 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
33 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
Merry Christmas! The midwinter festival has come, and it calls for parties, feasting and drinking and dancing and the exchange of gifts. Like all people in the northern hemisphere, we need light in the dark days of winter. The only problem with all of this is that the pressure to be joyful can send us spiraling in the exact opposite of mind sets.
Christmas shops are not just for Christmas anymore. These stores that specialize in everything yuletide-ish do business year round and can be found everywhere. I have seen them in an outlet mall near Washington, D.C., nestled in a small village in the mountains of North Carolina and adorning the white sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is born! A bright light has come into our world, so let us thank and praise God for his gift to us of Jesus, the Messiah.

Invitation to Confession:

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, make us worthy to worship at your crib.

Lord, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, may we remember you in today's excitement.

Christ, have mercy.

 Lord Jesus, we are thrilled by your birth, be born in our hearts today.

Lord, have mercy

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
A Story to Live By: "
Christmas Stories: "Christmas Presence" by Janice Hammerquist
"Silver In His Soul"
"www.ChristmasHouse" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: Great Prayer of Thanksgiving for Christmas Eve by Thom M. Shuman


What's Up on Christmas Eve

Lamar Massingill
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
"Taking His Joy unto Ourselves" by Lamar Massingill
"God Acted that We Might Act" by Lamar Massingill
"The Hopes and Fears of All the Years" by John Sumwalt
"God with Us" by Peter Andrew Smith


* * * * * * * *


Taking His Joy unto Ourselves
Lamar Massingill
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

Christmas would be incomplete without recognizing Incarnate Love's first fruit, which is joy. Johann Sebastian Bach recognized it when he, as an act of worship, composed "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."

SermonStudio

John R. Brokhoff
THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 9:2--7 (C, RC); Isaiah 9:2--4, 6--7 (E)
Mark Wm. Radecke
Year after year, we are drawn to this night: This night with its carols, its candlelight, its communion, and the combined fragrance of pine, poinsettia and perfume. (Is that Passion or Poison you're wearing? Or maybe it's Polo!) The gentle poetry of Luke's story draws us, too.

Why is it that we are so drawn to this night, I wonder? There are, I suppose, as many answers as there are people in this room.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
It's not an easy life, I'll tell you that. I work my small farm during the day, but that doesn't bring in enough money. I have a family to support, taxes to pay -- oy, don't get me started on taxes -- so I need more than my farm brings in. I do the only other thing I know how to do. I hire myself out for the night shift watching other people's sheep. Tending sheep would not be my first choice, you understand. First, I have to stay awake all night. Then, there's counting the sheep to make sure one or two haven't wandered off. Thieves are always a problem.
Timothy J. Smith
There is a special feeling from being in church on Christmas Eve. For many of us it feels like coming home for Christmas. We come to hear the familiar story of Mary and Joseph making their way to the little town of Bethlehem. We hear once again of Baby Jesus born in stable. Soon after an unexpected encounter with angels, the shepherds head to the manger to see Jesus for themselves. Children have creatively acted out this story for generations complete with the wise men offering their gifts. Living Nativities complete with live animals are portrayed in church parking lots in many communities.
Frank Luchsinger
"The grace of God has appeared ... training us ... to await our blessed hope" (Titus 2:11-13), and oh, how we have waited! The air is filled with anticipation, the Holy Night has come. We each wait for different things: the lighting of candles, the singing of carols, loved ones returning home, feasting, and forgetting ferment, for the Prince of Peace is coming. We wait for delight in the eyes of someone we love as he or she opens that special gift. We wait in awe in the hope that one star's strong light lingers still and will lead us home to him who redeems us.
John B. Jamison
He stood on the steps and waved. He nodded to those cheering to him from below, and took a deep breath as if to soak up their praise.
Susan R. Andrews
At the risk of putting you to sleep, I'd like to ask each one of you to close your eyes. Right now, for just a minute. Please close your eyes. And now imagine with me. Imagine that you are holding a newborn baby. Imagine how this baby feels - skin touching skin, curves touching curves - harmonious heartbeats as life surges between you. Imagine the smell - the earthy sweetness of breath and body perfuming the air. Imagine the sound - the silent melody of sighing, stretching, settling. Right now, for just a minute, let your imagination go. Feel the baby. Smell the baby. Hear the baby.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Gathering
P: Born into this world,
C: born into our lives,
P: God made flesh.
C: O Emmanuel, we praise you now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Of Praise
O Come, All Ye Faithful or Jesus, What A Wonderful Child

Gospel Procession
Have the children (dressed as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds) process and then read the gospel from the center of the congregation.

Intercessory Prayers
After each petition:
L: O God of love,
C: be born in us today.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Sing A New Song To The Lord (PH216)
Angels From The Realms Of Glory (UM220, PH22, NCH126)
Born In The Night (PH30, NCH152)
Once In Royal David's City (PH49, UM250, NCH145)
The First Nowell (PH56, UM245, CBH199, NCH139)
On This Day Earth Shall Ring (UM248, PH46, CBH192)
What Child Is This? (UM219, PH53, CBH215, NCH148)
Silent Night (PH60, UM229, CBH193, PH134)
The Friendly Beasts (UM227, NCH138)
That Boy--Child Of Mary (PH55, UM241)
Frank Ramirez
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 9:2-7)

One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light -

All: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shone.

Women: You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.

Men: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders -

CSSPlus

Merry Christmas, boys and girls. (Show one of your signs). Do any of you know what this sign means? (Let them answer.) That's right, it means (provide answer). (Show another sign and ask what it means. Let them answer.) Very good. Signs are very important aren't they? They give us direction. They tell us what to do and what not to do. The Bible gives many signs also.

You all know the story about the shepherds on Christmas Eve. The shepherds were in the field watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared to them. The Bible says that the shepherds
Leah Thompson
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all… (v. 11)

Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) Who can tell me what today is? (allow answers) That's right -- it's finally here! Today is Christmas [Eve]! We have spent the whole season of Advent preparing for right now. The long preparation is finally over. Christmas is here!

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