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Emphasis Preaching Journal

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Communicating God's Love

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

It is a strange paradox... -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2008
It is a strange paradox that we admire generosity a great deal, while hesitating to be generous, our
Some years ago, police officers... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2008
Some years ago, police officers in Oklahoma City discovered several drivers who were carrying around
Hurrying to catch a plane... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2008
Hurrying to catch a plane, Don had a few minutes to spare so he stopped to buy a newspaper and a box
Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief who... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2008
Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief who lived 1768-1813 once said, "When you arise in the morning, give thanks
My wife and I were... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2008
My wife and I were once invited to a party in the home of a successful businessman.
Ezra Goodman, in his book... -- Luke 17:11-19 -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2008
Ezra Goodman, in his book, The Fifty-Year Decline and Fall of Hollywood, speaks frankly about
Scott knew now that he... -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Scott knew now that he shouldn't have done it.
We want you ... but we... -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
We want you ... but we don't want you.
I feel certain that any... -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
I feel certain that any of us who have ever tried to shape a lump of clay while it's spinning on a p
The preschool children at the... -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
The preschool children at the church came to see Pastor Mary and were thrilled to present her with s
It is a bittersweet moment... -- Isaiah 64:1-9 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
It is a bittersweet moment for Carla.
I believe in God, the... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
I believe in God, the God who I have come to know as Father, as Abba -- Daddy.
Mark and Julie remember how... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Mark and Julie remember how hectic Christmas celebrations were when they were first married.
There are several precautionary measures... -- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
There are several precautionary measures drivers should take before driving in cold winter climates,
My eighth grade teacher was... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
My eighth grade teacher was a soldier in the Korean War.
In Ray Bradbury's book, Fahrenheit... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
In Ray Bradbury's book, Fahrenheit 451, heaven and earth have not passed away; however, nearl
Did Jesus really expect the... -- Mark 13:24-37 -- First Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Did Jesus really expect the end of all things to come in his own time? It is possible that he did.
In Minnesota, they like to... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
In Minnesota, they like to say there are two seasons: winter and "under construction." It is indeed
Advent calendars are a wonderful... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Advent calendars are a wonderful way to teach children about Advent and Christmas.
Heralds in ancient Israel, as... -- Isaiah 40:1-11 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Heralds in ancient Israel, as indeed down through the ages, were the ones who announced to the gener
Sometimes, parenting demands that parents... -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Sometimes, parenting demands that parents neither reward nor punish their children for their signifi
Einstein explained the Theory of... -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Einstein explained the Theory of Relativity like this: "Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, a
Time is very much a... -- 2 Peter 3:8-15a -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Time is very much a human concept.
Are you the sort of... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Are you the sort of person who saves the best for last?
Following worship one Sunday, Marty... -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2008
Following worship one Sunday, Marty spoke with the pastor.

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New & Featured This Week

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A football, a hand-held microphone, a camera, a stack of play money bills. These are the objects I used, but you can use any objects that might symbolize “success”.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
For October 20, 2024:

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. (v. 4)

The outhouse on the farm where I grew up was beside the ash pile, at the end of a well-worn path, under a boxelder tree about fifty yards from the back door of the house. It was a two-seater – cold in winter, smelly and hot in summer. There was always a Sears and Roebuck catalogue on the floor in the corner, which served as both reading and wiping material.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
Frank Ramirez
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
Most people assume God’s answer to Job, showing him the depth and breadth of the universe is meant to cow Job’s resistance, leading him, now broken, to repent, abjectly saying “...therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes (42:6).”
Mark Ellingsen
All the lessons testify to the theme that it’s not at all about you and me; it’s all about God!

Job 38:1-7 (34-41)

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said, "What is it you want me to do for you?" In our worship, let us explore what we want Jesus to do for us today.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, we are sometimes selfish in our requests to you.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, we are sometimes unreasonable in our requests to you.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, help us to make you the centre of our world.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

David E. Leininger
The story of Job is familiar to all of us -- a man whose world was spinning merrily along with everything falling into place is suddenly confronted with one misery after another ... disaster, death, disease, and despair. In some of the most moving poetry ever written, chapter after chapter attempts to deal with the age-old question of why, so often, life is unfair.

Schuyler Rhodes
The voice of praise rings beautifully through this psalm as each verse gives poetic color to the glories of creation and its maker. It is something to be read and re-read as we contemplate the wonders of God.
Steven Molin
There is a candy shop in the city of Keystone, South Dakota, just a few hundred yards down the mountain from that infamous Mount Rushmore monument. I can't tell you the name of that candy store, but I can certainly recall the sign on the counter that stands at just about eyeball-level for the average seven-year-old. The sign says this: "If Mom says, 'No,' ask Grandma!"

Harold C. Warlick, Jr.
An elementary principle in the business world is the law of supply and demand. When supplies outrace the demand for a product, prices are low. We call that a "buyer's market." On the other hand, when there are more buyers demanding a product than there are supplies of the product, prices are high. We call that situation a "seller's market."

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