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Emphasis Preaching Journal

In Christianity's early days, the...

Illustration

First Sunday after Christmas Day - A

Hebrews 2:10-18

In Christianity's early days, the slaughter of the babies (regarded as the first Christian martyrs) received considerable attention in Christian art. The nineteenth-century's Victorian Age shielded itself from such gore and thus didn't produce depictions of the event.

Read more about In Christianity's early days, the...

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The Immediate Word

Facing and Learning From Our Failures

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer

For March 8, 2026:

Facing and Learning From Our Failures by Tom Willadsen based on John 4:5-42, Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, Psalm 95.
Second Thoughts: The Thirst We Don’t Talk About by Nazish Naseem based on John 4:5-26.
Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, and Chris Keating.
Worship resources by Ge

SermonStudio

Listening 101

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.

Third Sunday In Lent

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

Christ Confronts A Samaritan Woman

Russell F. Anderson

BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Exodus 17:1--7 (C, E); Exodus 17:3--7 (RC)

Streams Of Living Water

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.

Enter Your Pax Word A Lenten Lexicon

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.

The Water Of Life

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.

The Meeting Of Marriage Partners At The Well

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.

Access To Grace

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.

Third Sunday In Lent

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

Jesus and the Woman of Samaria

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

Daisy Loved To Dance

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

Water Sign

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

Testing One, Two, Three...

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

Timing

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 ...

Are you thirsty?

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!"

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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...

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New & Featured This Week

Thomas WilladsenNazish NaseemChristopher KeatingKaty StentaMary AustinGeorge ReedDean Feldmeyer

Marian R. PlantDavid G. Plant

Carlos Wilton

Russell F. Anderson

Lee Griess

Frank Luchsinger

Richard E. Gribble, CSC

Mark Ellingsen

Harry N. Huxhold

Dallas A. Brauninger

Wayne H. Keller

Janice B. Scott

John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt

Keith HewittTimothy Smith

Wayne BrouwerSchuyler Rhodes

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This Week’s Scriptures

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer

Marian R. Plant
David G. Plant

Keith Hewitt
Timothy Smith

Wayne Brouwer
Schuyler Rhodes