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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

No, we are no longer bound... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
No, we are no longer bound by the law, but the law shows us that we have messed up!
In Latin the word "pastor"... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Ron Love -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
In Latin the word "pastor" means "shepherd." It came from the same base that produced pascere
What if those vacation resorts... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
What if those vacation resorts that claim to include everything actually included everything?
In our gospel, Jesus would... -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
In our gospel, Jesus would have those he sends out to do mission to tread on snakes and overcome all
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2013) -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
A builder uses a plumb line to determine true vertical from the gravitational center of the earth, n
A builder uses a plumb line... -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
A builder uses a plumb line to determine true vertical from the gravitational center of the earth, n
Even though the Lord is merciful... -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
Even though the Lord is merciful and loving, He still has his exact requirements for us.
The Human Genome Project... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
The Human Genome Project, which mapped all the various combinations of human genes, teaches us that
Gregg Marshall is the basketball... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Ron Love -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
Gregg Marshall is the basketball coach for the Wichita State Shockers.
The dog comes whining to you... -- Colossians 1:1-14 -- Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
The dog comes whining to you in the middle of the night, requesting to be let outside.

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

What's in it for me? -- Jeremiah 31:7-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Second Sunday after Christmas - A -- 1999
On this tenth day of Christmas we might well wonder what gifts are left to enjoy.
Are your lights on? -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 1999
One of the difficulties that confronts us who drive our vehicles is forgetting to turn off the light
The magnificence of the ordinary -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 1999
Our arrival at Thursday in the week we call holy brings us face to face with the core of our faith.
Timing is everything -- Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40 -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 1999
Our culture has a propensity to celebrate one occasion and then to move on quickly.
Accountability -- Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 1999
Our lessons for this day are not very pleasant ones. There are no warm fuzzies to be had here.
When losers become winners -- Jeremiah 15:15-21, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 1999
Our society is like most other societies in the history of the world.
The wide-angled lens of faith -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 1999
Our vacation to Arizona elicited a continuing expression of awe and wonder at the exquisite scenery
Goal-oriented prayer and preaching -- Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 1999
People have been known to listen to profound preaching of the biblical message and come out of churc
The ways of God -- Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12 -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 1999
People tend to say in times of personal or community disaster, "God works in mysterious ways." The p
About the Spirit -- Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 7:37-39 -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 1999
Perhaps it is inevitable that as Christians we focus on the second article of the Apostles' Creed so

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For November 1, 2026:
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Wesley T. Runk
The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Good morning boys and girls. Does anyone here remember someone saying, “I am the greatest?” I remember hearing it many times by a prize fighter named Ali. Does anyone here remember Muhammed Ali? He used to say a lot of things and he was a very good boxer. He told everyone that he saw that he was “the greatest of all time.” Wow! Not many people say those kind of things about themselves.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
What is a saint?

According to the Roman Catholic church, a saint is a holy person who has been elevated by God to heaven, there to pray for those of us who need their help. There is a three-step process: the request by those who knew the person in life, and who attest to their holiness; a witness by at least two people that they asked the candidate to pray for them and their prayer was granted in a miraculous way; and an investigation by the Vatican into all this evidence. The declaration is made by the pope.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the people how they could be blessed by God and experience God's kingdom. In our worship today let us explore the Sermon on the Mount.

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I'm full of pride instead of being poor in spirit.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm overbearing and pushy, instead of being meek.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, sometimes I'm not exactly pure in heart.
Lord, have mercy.

Reading:

StoryShare

John S. Smylie
Keith Hewitt
Bryan Meadows
Frank Ramirez
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Fifth Gospel" by John Smylie
"The Burden" by Keith Hewitt
"Up Stream" by Bryan Meadows
"A Magical Little Poem" by Frank Ramirez


What's Up This Week
John S. Smylie
Keith Hewitt
Bryan Meadows
Frank Ramirez
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Fifth Gospel" by John Smylie
"The Burden" by Keith Hewitt
"Up Stream" by Bryan Meadows
"A Magical Little Poem" by Frank Ramirez


What's Up This Week
Keith Hewitt
Larry Winebrenner
Peter Andrew Smith
Constance Berg
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann
"Lost" by Keith Hewitt
"Three Paths for the End of October" by Larry Winebrenner
"Ahmad's Final Lesson" by Larry Winebrenner
"Freedom to Live" by Peter Andrew Smith
"The Fullness of Life" by Constance Berg


* * * * * * * *


New Leadership
by Sandra Herrmann
Joshua 3:7-17
Keith Hewitt
Larry Winebrenner
Peter Andrew Smith
Constance Berg
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"New Leadership" by Sandra Herrmann
"Lost" by Keith Hewitt
"Three Paths for the End of October" by Larry Winebrenner
"Ahmad's Final Lesson" by Larry Winebrenner
"Freedom to Live" by Peter Andrew Smith
"The Fullness of Life" by Constance Berg


* * * * * * * *


New Leadership
by Sandra Herrmann
Joshua 3:7-17

SermonStudio

Mary S. Lautensleger
"Surprise! You're adopted!" If you were to hear those words from a trusted relative, surprise would be an understatement, I'm sure. Total shock would probably be more descriptive terminology for your emotional state as you examined the official court record and your original birth certificate. "Adopted" does describe each of us though, because we have been adopted by God into God's family. How do we know? The Bible tells us so.
James L. Killen, Jr.
When we put together the collection of things that we can believe, we need to ask a question about the person in the middle of the inquiry. What can we believe about ourselves? We don't often ask that question but it is a very important one. Some people are oppressed by low self-esteem. Others are led astray by exaggerated images of themselves. It is important to get a realistic understanding of who we are -- and of who we can be. The Bible has something to say on the subject that may surprise you. Are you ready? Hold on to your hat. The Bible says you were created and called to be saints.
Argile Smith
At an office meeting, Ben got the official news that he would become the manager of one of the most influential departments in the company. His colleagues admired him because of his tireless work, and they respected him as a dependable person in whom they could place their trust. They were glad when they found out that he had gotten the promotion. In order to celebrate the news with him, they bought him a gift. Well, it was actually more like a gag-gift, the kind that he would place on his shelf and chuckle over every time he saw it.
Joseph M. Freeman
Maybe both the best and the worst of us in humanity are far better preachers than we are doers and deliverers of what we preach and teach. And maybe maturity has everything to do with our genuine willingness to bring a greater congruity between our esteemed words and those actions compatible with, not contradictory of, those words. Jesus, fully divine and fully human, loved and valued not just the right deeds, but also the right motives and attitudes.
Mary Sue Dehmlow Dreier
Commotion At The Communion Rail

Tommy didn't budge.

When everyone else got up to leave the communion rail, he stayed kneeling. His folded hands were perched on the rail, and his little head was bowed so far down that his forehead was squinched against his thumb knuckles. His eyes were closed hopefully, as if he were waiting for a big present.
Charles L. Aaron, Jr.
As the movie Contact opens, the audience sees a precocious girl named Eleanor learning how to use a ham radio. Nicknamed "Sparks" by her father, she has reached a man in Florida, and is excited that her radio lets her speak with someone so far away. In a later scene she asks her father wistfully if she can call her deceased mother on the radio. He responds sadly that no antenna is big enough.
George L. Murphy
You know that old saying, "Be careful what you wish for, because it might come true"? We see examples of that again and again in life. During the war in Iraq, Hampton Sides, a journalist who had been slated to be "embedded" with one of our frontline Marine battalions, gave an interview on NRP (National Public Radio). At almost the last possible moment, Sides decided not to go with the Marines, but instead to report from Central Command in Qatar.
Richard C. Brand
It seems fair to say that the saints of the Lord have always shown us what it is to be worthy of God. It is why we remember them and rejoice for them. They have shown us what a life worthy of God might look like. To talk about the saints, we may talk about Kagawa in Japan, about Mother Teresa, about Bishop Tutu and Nelson Mandela, about D. T. Niles in India, and about Saint Patrick in Ireland. To know the stories of Dorothy Day in New York City and Oscar Romero in Latin America is to have examples of what it means to lead lives worthy of the God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
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