Login / Signup

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Hold down Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Mac) for multiple selections (scroll list to see all options)

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

The story of David's remarkable compassion toward his rebellious son... -- 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
The story of David's remarkable compassion toward his rebellious son Absalom is a love that seems to
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 calling himself the bread of life... -- John 6:34, 41-51 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
In calling himself the bread of life, Jesus was making the point about how essential he is for human
Suze Oman, financial expert and TV host... -- John 6:34, 41-51 -- Ron Love -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2012
Suze Oman, financial expert and TV host, reflected on what she thought was the most influential plac
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 15 | OT 20 (2012) -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-4, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58 -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-4
Debra Farrington in her book... -- 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-4 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
Debra Farrington in her book, Learning to Hear with the Heart, tells of the horror of an expe
Our lesson urges us to make the most of our time... -- Ephesians 5:15-20 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
Our lesson urges us to make the most of our time (v. 16). Americans do not do that very well.
The early church fathers saw... -- John 6:51-58 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2012
The early church fathers saw the sixth chapter in the gospel of John as depicting Jesus as the sourc
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 (2012) -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69 -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
1 Kings 8 (1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43
The text leads us to the old question... -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
The text leads us to the old question -- whether God is imminent (here in and among us) or transcend
The Great Sphinx of Giza... -- 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43 -- Ron Love -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
The Great Sphinx of Giza is the oldest monumental sculpture on earth.
Paul writes to the Ephesians using the symbolism of the Christian soldier... -- Ephesians 6:10-20 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
"Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist..." (Ephesians 6:14a).
March 25, 1965... -- John 6:56-69 -- Ron Love -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
March 25, 1965. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A 2006 Pew Foundation survey... -- John 6:56-69 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2012
A 2006 Pew Foundation survey and a Baylor Religion Survey of the same year found that 4 in 10 Americ
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 (2012) -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Song of Solomon 2:8-13
The words of the Song of Solomon 2:8-13... -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
The words of the Song of Solomon 2:8-13 introduce a section of springtime love in the book.
Many Americans do not feel God to be directly involved in their lives... -- Song of Solomon 2:8-13 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Many Americans do not feel God to be directly involved in their lives.
The Andersons raced into church on the last verse of the opening hymn... -- James 1:17-27 -- Cynthia E. Cowen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
The Andersons raced into church on the last verse of the opening hymn.
Our anatomy illustrates James' advice... -- James 1:17-27 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Our anatomy illustrates James' advice.
So many blame God for what they do and say... -- James 1:17-27 -- Bob Ove -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
So many blame God for what they do and say.
Ron Fouchier, 45, is a virologist... -- James 1:17-27 -- Ron Love -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Ron Fouchier, 45, is a virologist.
Jesus' actions in the gospel challenge social and religious convention... -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Jesus' actions in the gospel challenge social and religious convention in the name of a more spiritu
Lloyd Ogilvie tells the story of returning to visit New College... -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2012
Lloyd Ogilvie tells the story of returning to visit New College at Edinburgh University where he had
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 18 | OT 23 (2012) -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Mark 7:24-37 -- Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark Ellingsen, Richard A. Hasler -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
During the Communist witch hunt... -- Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 -- Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2012
During the Communist witch hunt, led by Senator Joe McCarthy, many individuals in the film industry

Pages

Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

No turning back -- 1 Kings 19:15-21, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C
What does it mean to us that we say our lives are in the service of God?
New Age religion -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Epiphany of the Lord - A
What has been called New Age religion has been with us for a while now.
God of the ages -- Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17--4:1, Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27 -- David Kalas -- Second Sunday in Lent - C
What is the relationship between the past, the present, and the future?
For there's no other way -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
When I sit down to plan the worship services for this Sunday, I will start by penciling in John H.
For there's no other way -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, Psalm 50:7-15 -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A
When I sit down to plan the worship services for this Sunday, I will start by penciling in John H.
Dust off the throne -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- David Kalas -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B
When I was a kid, my parents would host several Christmas parties each year -- one for each of the a
Glory -- Exodus 34:29-35, Exodus 34:29-35 -- Transfiguration Sunday - C
When I was young, I knew an old man, bedfast in his terminal illness, who would say to the pastor, "
The tenth leper -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
When Jerusalem fell to the Chaldeans the significant portion of the population forcibly resettled in
The Presence of the Spirit -- Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
Whether considering the Hebrew or New Testament selections, one is made fully aware that all the wr
The Presence -- Acts 4:8-12, 23-33, John 10:11-18 -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Whether one speaks of the powerful manifestations of the presence of GodÕs spirit as is evidenced in
When the grip begins to slip! -- Genesis 32:22-30, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, Genesis 32:22-30 -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C
Who hasn't seen the sign on a billboard or auto bumper, "He is coming soon!" The "He" is obviously J
Called before born -- Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42, Psalm 40:1-11 -- William H. Shepherd -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A
"Who's your family?" Southerners know this greeting well, but it is not unheard of above, beside, an
Signs -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:22-25, John 2:13-22 -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Why does God make things so difficult for us?
Tramplers, kings, crooks ... and others of note! -- Amos 8:4-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-8, Luke 16:1-13 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Why is it that so many of the headlines in our newsprint and time slots on our newscasts are hogged
An eye to the future -- Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19, Psalm 66:1-12 -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - C
Without a doubt one of the strangest questions asked again and again in the weeks just after the ter
Share the joy reach out and include -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.
Typing and timing spirituality -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42, Psalm 52 -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C
You are having guests over for dinner. The meal is nearing completion.
Words on singed lips -- Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13), 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11, Psalm 138 -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
You can always tell the prophets by the scars on their lips.
A watery grave -- Mark 1:9-15, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Genesis 9:8-17 -- David Kalas -- First Sunday in Lent - B
A photograph of the earth from outer space reveals how much of our world is water.
Learning from cancer -- Luke 24:36b-48, 1 John 3:1-7, Acts 3:12-19 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Third Sunday of Easter - B
For the past seven years, cancer has been part of my journey.
Getting to a teachable moment -- Mark 15:1-39 (40-47), Philippians 2:5-11, Isaiah 50:4-9a -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Passion Sunday - B
I spent part of a recent Sunday talking with a public school teacher who was quickly coming to the e
Building a new team -- Mark 8:31-38, Romans 4:13-25, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Second Sunday in Lent - B
When Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1958, the team was in dismal
An annual reminder -- Mark 16:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Acts 10:34-43 -- David Kalas -- Easter Day - B
In the opening verse of our passage from the epistles, the Apostle Paul writes, "Now I would remind
Table manners -- John 2:13-22, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Exodus 20:1-17 -- R. Craig Maccreary -- Third Sunday in Lent - B
Perhaps it is the oddity that I am writing this on the Monday before Thanksgiving or it is my procli
Starting over -- John 12:20-33, Hebrews 5:5-10, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B
A college professor presented his class syllabus on the first day of the new semester.

Pages

Political Pulpit

Communicating God's Love

The Political Pulpit

Guest column

Sermon

UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Lent 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Lent 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Lent 4
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For March 8, 2026:

SermonStudio

Marian R. Plant
David G. Plant
Somewhere in my life I heard someone say something like, “The challenge with John (the gospel writer) is he is better at theatre than at writing.” The implications of this comment were about passages such as this one about Jesus and the woman of Samaria.
Carlos Wilton
Theme For The Day
Jesus reaches across every racial and cultural barrier, offering salvation to all.

Old Testament Lesson
Exodus 17:1-7
Water From A Rock
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Exodus 17:1--7 (C, E); Exodus 17:3--7 (RC)
Lee Griess
Streams of living water ... That's what the Son of God offered the Samaritan woman at the well, and that's what he offers us as well -- streams of living water -- life-giving, life-renewing, life-refreshing water that can satisfy those who drink so that we will never thirst again. We are offered water that satisfies our longings in life, water that nourishes our innermost selves, and water that comes from an active, living trust in God and a passionate faith in Christ.
Frank Luchsinger
Enter your password -- flashed up on the computer screen. The pastor was trying to show some of his parishioners the church's new web page. With pride he had gathered them into his office after the Christian Education Committee meeting. He paused. "I don't do this very often ... We may have to try this another time," he said disappointed. "Try 'church,' " someone says, looking over his shoulder. The pastor types c - h - u - r - c - h. Amazingly the internet connection pops up on the screen. A password is a secret word given to gain entry. It can mean security.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
Knowledge that water is an integral ingredient of life was a concept not lost on the ancients. The great civilizations of the world located themselves near water and used it in most every aspect of their daily lives. The Egyptians built the world's first great empire along the Nile. In the midst of the desert a flourishing community existed and grew in size and strength. The water of the river provided the source of life for the people then as it does today. On both sides of the Nile a rich and fertile area exists for farming and grazing of livestock.
Mark Ellingsen
Jesus and his weather-beaten band of wandering disciples were still heading north and had been for some days. To some extent Jesus had decided to get out of Judea, where he had been working, in order to avoid competition with John the Baptist in that region.
Harry N. Huxhold
One of the most colorful, exciting, and stirring scenes in all of the scriptures is the call of the prophet Isaiah. The account is dated in the year that King Uzziah died. That does not necessarily mean Uzziah was already dead. This scene could have taken place in the temple during a religious festival such as New Year's Day. At such a festival, the cultic ceremonies honored the divine king being enthroned as conqueror of all the enemies of the people.
Dallas A. Brauninger
First Lesson: Exodus 17:1-7
Theme: With Us Or Not?

Call To Worship

Two sides comprise every journey: the found side during which we trust in God's care, and the lost side where we fear that alone we will not make it through. At the worst, we scuffle and fuss within the confines of confusion, then shout, "Are you here with us or not, God?" At the best, we quiet down, hear God's voice in the silence, and proceed with hope. Wherever you are on your present journey, know that, here, you are welcome.

Collect
Wayne H. Keller
The Community Gathers

Invitation to the Celebration

Why have you come to worship today? Out of habit? To see your friends? To enjoy the singing? To hear the sermon? To learn something? To get help for the coming week? To restore your sense of values? For 100 other reasons? (Pause.) And, now that we're here, let us worship, in the Name of God the Parent, God the Child, God the Spirit. And all the people said, "Right on!"

Response

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:
Jesus said, "The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him." Let us pray that we may be true worshippers today.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when we try to hide from you, forgive us.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, when we fail to worship in spirit and in truth, forgive us.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, when we neglect to reveal you to others, forgive us.
Lord, have mercy.

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
Sermon Starters: "Crossing Lines" / "Meeting a Prophet"
Shining Moments: "Water Sign" by Anne Sunday
Scrap Pile: "Healing the Soul" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt
Keith Hewitt
Timothy Smith
Contents

What's Up This Week
"Testing One, Two, Three..." by Keith Hewitt
"The Account" by Keith Hewitt
"Set Free" by Timothy Smith


What's Up This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

After the bombing of a building in Oklahoma City, an earthquake or a department store implosion in Japan, rescuers hurry. They do so to alleviate the pain of the survivors, to certify the hopes and fears of those who are related to victims of the disaster, and ...
Wayne Brouwer
Schuyler Rhodes
Here's a parable by a cartoonist named Saxon. It's about a fellow who has just reached retirement. Now he wonders about his place in society. He begins to spend much of his weekend time walking alone in the woods. One day he finds himself on an unfamiliar path that leads him to a small pond. As he stands beside the pond, the water begins to stir and bubble until there is a lovely little fountain. Astonishingly, a voice calls out to him: "Arnold Flagler! This is the Fountain of Youth!"

Special Occasion

Wildcard SSL