Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A
Frank Ramirez
Scott Dalgarno
There are many facets to the life we have in Christ, but one of the most important is joy. Joy is intrinsically connected with the Christian experience. However, many of us miss out on it. We may have the reverence part, the seeking-after-justice part, or even the devotion part, but many of us miss out on joy. Frank Ramirez explores the notion of play in worship and the joy it can bring with it in "Holy Games." Scott Dalgarno illustrates the joy we can experience knowing we're following the path and vocation God has set out for us in, "What Can Brown Do for You?"
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Holy Games
By Frank Ramirez
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn."
-- Matthew 11:16-17
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Holy Games
By Frank Ramirez
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn."
-- Matthew 11:16-17
David O. Bales
Keith Wagner
Contents
"Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls" by David O. Bales
"Pauls’ Innards" by David O. Bales
"A Little Bit of Heaven" by Keith Wagner
"A Glimpse of Hope" by Keith Wagner
Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls
by David O. Bales
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Jesus enters another Galilean village and he’s greeted by oppressed people. Romans occupy their land and strict religious leaders dominate their religion. Everywhere Jesus goes he struggles against disease and demons and also against these religious leaders who hold people in spiritual bondage by their fussy standards.
"Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls" by David O. Bales
"Pauls’ Innards" by David O. Bales
"A Little Bit of Heaven" by Keith Wagner
"A Glimpse of Hope" by Keith Wagner
Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls
by David O. Bales
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Jesus enters another Galilean village and he’s greeted by oppressed people. Romans occupy their land and strict religious leaders dominate their religion. Everywhere Jesus goes he struggles against disease and demons and also against these religious leaders who hold people in spiritual bondage by their fussy standards.
Frank Ramirez
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you;
triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.(vv. 9-12)
“One hit wonder” is a term used for singers or bands that burst into our pop consciousness with one really big, memorable hit.
And then, that’s it.
For the most part, we never hear from them again. Usually that’s not for lack of trying. It’s true, sometimes a group is brought together with no prior history, and their first or second effort hits it big. But just as often the singer has a long backstory of working hard to become famous. Fame strikes, and then despite every effort to repeat the magic, that’s pretty much it. The decades go by and their song gets played on various platforms, and occasionally a feature appears headlined: “Whatever Happened To….”
Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you;
triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.(vv. 9-12)
“One hit wonder” is a term used for singers or bands that burst into our pop consciousness with one really big, memorable hit.
And then, that’s it.
For the most part, we never hear from them again. Usually that’s not for lack of trying. It’s true, sometimes a group is brought together with no prior history, and their first or second effort hits it big. But just as often the singer has a long backstory of working hard to become famous. Fame strikes, and then despite every effort to repeat the magic, that’s pretty much it. The decades go by and their song gets played on various platforms, and occasionally a feature appears headlined: “Whatever Happened To….”
David O. Bales
Contents
"Mumbling Hope" by David O. Bales
"If It Hadn’t Been Spring" by David O. Bales
Mumbling Hope
by David O. Bales
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Phabi and Nahum rode obediently behind Eliezer, tossed rhythmically side to side on their camels. They glanced to one another with knowing looks. Eliezer was mumbling again. “I suppose I could’ve told them the whole story. They were certainly interested. A display of wealth will do that, especially to a fellow like Laban.”
Phabi and Nahum had listened to Eliezer’s rambling for two months. It was a joke among the men who accompanied him. Nahum spoke quietly sideways, “It’s like anything he thinks just trickles from his mouth.”
"Mumbling Hope" by David O. Bales
"If It Hadn’t Been Spring" by David O. Bales
Mumbling Hope
by David O. Bales
Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Phabi and Nahum rode obediently behind Eliezer, tossed rhythmically side to side on their camels. They glanced to one another with knowing looks. Eliezer was mumbling again. “I suppose I could’ve told them the whole story. They were certainly interested. A display of wealth will do that, especially to a fellow like Laban.”
Phabi and Nahum had listened to Eliezer’s rambling for two months. It was a joke among the men who accompanied him. Nahum spoke quietly sideways, “It’s like anything he thinks just trickles from his mouth.”
John Fitzgerald
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"The Inner Struggle" by John Fitzgerald
"No Pleasing Some People" by Frank Ramirez
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The Inner Struggle
by John Fitzgerald
Romans 7:15:25a
I heard it once said that the best kind of preaching comes from a person who has one finger pointed toward a congregation and four fingers aimed at themselves. It is true that a preacher with an awareness of personal sin can better speak to pews filled with folks estranged from God.
All of us need help in how to be consistent in our walk with God. Sermons which ministers to this need and are reinforced by a preacher who puts the message into practice are powerful. Edgar A. Guest captures this sense in a poem titled "A Sermon That Really Speaks."
I'd rather see a sermon
Than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me
Than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil
"The Inner Struggle" by John Fitzgerald
"No Pleasing Some People" by Frank Ramirez
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The Inner Struggle
by John Fitzgerald
Romans 7:15:25a
I heard it once said that the best kind of preaching comes from a person who has one finger pointed toward a congregation and four fingers aimed at themselves. It is true that a preacher with an awareness of personal sin can better speak to pews filled with folks estranged from God.
All of us need help in how to be consistent in our walk with God. Sermons which ministers to this need and are reinforced by a preacher who puts the message into practice are powerful. Edgar A. Guest captures this sense in a poem titled "A Sermon That Really Speaks."
I'd rather see a sermon
Than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me
Than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil
Keith Hewitt
Larry Winebrenner
Contents
"The Girl in 410" by Keith Hewitt
"The Yoke Is on Me" by Larry Winebrenner
"Gertrude's Question" by Larry Winebrenner
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The Girl in 410
by Keith Hewitt
Romans 7:15-25a
Dave looked up at the sound of their door opening, saw his roommate entering with a laundry basket and a bemused expression. He watched curiously as Zack pushed the door closed with a backward kick, walked all of two or three steps into the living/dining/media room, dropped the basket on the floor in front of the couch, and then dropped himself onto the couch. "Still trying to figure out the ending of The Sopranos?" Dave asked after a short silence.
"The Girl in 410" by Keith Hewitt
"The Yoke Is on Me" by Larry Winebrenner
"Gertrude's Question" by Larry Winebrenner
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The Girl in 410
by Keith Hewitt
Romans 7:15-25a
Dave looked up at the sound of their door opening, saw his roommate entering with a laundry basket and a bemused expression. He watched curiously as Zack pushed the door closed with a backward kick, walked all of two or three steps into the living/dining/media room, dropped the basket on the floor in front of the couch, and then dropped himself onto the couch. "Still trying to figure out the ending of The Sopranos?" Dave asked after a short silence.
John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "How to Carry Heavy Burdens"
Shining Moments: "Is God Listening?" by Barbara Frank
Sermon Starter: "From an American Marine in Iraq"
Scrap Pile: "The Shadow Knows" by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
Jesus gives rest, Paul admits to sin, and an American soldier in Iraq tells of being saved by an innocent. These are the headliners in this week's edition of StoryShare. Check out John's reflections on the shadow sides of our personalities in the Scrap Pile. And don't miss John's retelling of a remarkable Abraham Lincoln story that will have your congregation sitting on the edge of their seats.
A Story to Live By
How to Carry Heavy Burdens
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "How to Carry Heavy Burdens"
Shining Moments: "Is God Listening?" by Barbara Frank
Sermon Starter: "From an American Marine in Iraq"
Scrap Pile: "The Shadow Knows" by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
Jesus gives rest, Paul admits to sin, and an American soldier in Iraq tells of being saved by an innocent. These are the headliners in this week's edition of StoryShare. Check out John's reflections on the shadow sides of our personalities in the Scrap Pile. And don't miss John's retelling of a remarkable Abraham Lincoln story that will have your congregation sitting on the edge of their seats.
A Story to Live By
How to Carry Heavy Burdens
What is StoryShare?
StoryShare is a treasure house with hundreds of good stories to share, stories which relate authentic, life-changing experiences that demonstrate the Lord's power and presence. Many are intensely personal accounts that concern visions, healing, or answers to prayers, but all bear witness to the indescribable joy, comfort and peace that come from a personal encounter with the divine. Our "Good Stories" section includes short fiction, parables much like those Jesus told.
Can I share stories that I have?
Yes, you can. You have good stories to share too, probably more than you know: personal stories, and stories from others that you have used over the years. StoryShare is always looking for stories involving personal experiences of the presence of God. Have you or someone you know heard the voice of God or been healed as a direct answer to prayer? If you have a story that you can share send it to StoryShare for review. Simply click here (storyshare@sermonsuite.com) and email your story to us.
