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Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A

Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"Growing Up Adams" by Frank Ramirez
"More Than That" by Peter Andrew Smith


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Growing Up Adams
by Frank Ramirez
Romans 12:1-8

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and perfect.
-- Romans 12:2

John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) was the sixth president of the United States, and probably one of the least well known. When he left office having, like his father, served a single term as president (1825-1829), he was reviled not only by the opposition but by people of his own political party.

His faith in God and his adherence to his principles regardless of the cost politically meant that time has proven him correct, especially because he refused to conform to the world's expectations.
John E. Sumwalt
Sandra Herrmann
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"Gilly, a Diligent Leader" by John Sumwalt
"A Conspiracy of Women" by Sandra Herrmann
"Showing Our Belief" by Peter Andrew Smith


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Gilly, a Diligent Leader
by John Sumwalt
Romans 12:1-8

We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
-- Romans 12:6

I was called to give a eulogy at the funeral of our long-time neighbor, Gilman Moe, last week. It was a privilege to pay tribute to a man whose life has made a significant difference in the lives of so many of us in Richland County and the state of Wisconsin.
David O. Bales
John E. Sumwalt
Craig Kelly
Contents
What's Up This Week
"It was a Long Time Ago" by David O. Bales
"The Snare is Broken" by John Sumwalt
"A Rose and a Scarf" by Craig Kelly


What's Up This Week
Many of us seek titles, prestige, authority, and power. People of faith, however, know that titles are fleeting and power and prestige can corrupt. "It was a Long Time Ago" reminds us that Jesus himself, he who is seated at the right hand of God himself, beyond any title we can give him, did not seek after titles but rather came to serve. "The Snare is Broken" illustrates how, sadly, positions of authority and trust, even within the church, can be used destructively and how it takes the power of God to work through the damage that misuse can cause. "A Rose and a Scarf," on the other hand, tells the story of someone who did not seek after power or authority but instead opted for a different, more fulfilling reward.


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John E. Sumwalt
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. (vv. 1-2)

Former president George W. Bush's speech in Pennsylvania on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, was a clarion call for religious tolerance. Speaking at the memorial for the passengers of United Flight 93 who stormed the cockpit and stopped the determined Islamic terrorists from crashing the plane into the White House, the former president said:
C. David Mckirachan
Frank Ramirez
Contents
“Responsibilities!” by C. David McKirachan
“Who’s Squeezing You?” by C. David McKirachan
“Superheroes” by Frank Ramirez

Responsibilities!
by C. David McKirachan
Matthew 16:13-20

I’ve often been dragged to other realms of reality.  Africa, California, Mexico, inner city Newark, all of them demanding that I deal with the day to day differently, taking into account details that would never occur to me if I was in a place of comfort and normality, in a place I was used to being. 
Keith Wagner
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"Rock-Like Living" by Keith Wagner
"Celebrating Our Gifts" by Keith Wagner
"Hannah's Story" by Keith Hewitt

Rock-Like Living
by Keith Wagner
Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus said to Peter, "You are Peter, the Rock; and on this rock I will build my church." What does it mean for the Church to be a rock? I believe he was talking about life, specifically how one enters the kingdom of heaven.

I believe that to build our lives on solid ground is to be committed to helping others. Commitment to the faith requires sharing our resources, remaining steadfast and believing anything is possible.
John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "When the Rock Cracks"
Shining Moments: "Help in the Name of the Lord" by Sandra Herrmann
Sermon Starter: "Peter the Rock" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "Here Are the Keys" by John Sumwalt


What's Up This Week

This is the Sunday to play the Rocky music in the background as you begin a sermon on "Peter the Rock." Rockhounds will enjoy John's riff on rocks and all things rocky in this week's Sermon Starter. In Shining Moments, Sandra Herrmann tells about a miraculous deliverance during a moment of absolute panic while she was visiting Leningrad. She concludes: "...there is One who speaks our language always, and who has said, 'I will give my angels watch over you, lest you dash your foot against a stone' (Psalm 91)."


A Story to Live By

When the Rock Cracks

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.

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
Tom Willadsen
Christopher Keating
For August 16, 2026:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sandra Herrmann
This is one of those weeks where all three of the scripture readings weave intricately together. Taken as a whole, there is a clear theme: the grace of God is for us. We have no need to impress God. We can do nothing to earn the gift of God. God simply reaches down, into the hearts of those who struggle to keep pace with God and God’s plans for us, and lifts us up, fills us with joy, sustains us when we are afraid. Which is a good deal of the time.
David Kalas
I was an Arminian in a Calvinist seminary. It was not a hostile relationship, and I was not in constant arguments. From time to time the underlying difference in outlook would percolate to the surface of some conversations, and I usually found the resulting dialogue most fruitful.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Bushman was busy grooming his bushy, luxuriant tail. His tail was his best feature, and the envy of all the other squirrels. But Bushman wished he was good at something else too. His friend Cobbler was the best collector of nuts the squirrels had ever seen, and his other friend Tricky had a brilliant brain and could always work out the best way of reaching those nuts which always seemed to remain tantalisingly out of range.

StoryShare

Keith Hewitt
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"The Prisoner" by Keith Hewitt
"Heavenly Talkback" by Frank Ramirez


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The Prisoner
by Keith Hewitt
Genesis 45:1-15

SermonStudio

Elizabeth Achtemeier
In Sunday schools and Bible studies, the Joseph stories are frequently used as moral lessons, and Joseph is often held up as a moral example. As Joseph learned humility, goes the teaching, so should we. As Joseph forgave his brothers, so should we.
Schuyler Rhodes
"How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!" The words that open this powerful psalm are nearly universal in their ability to inspire. However, the dream somehow seems to rarely find itself materialized in our common life. Our nation is polarized to the point of being paralyzed. Our churches are at war among themselves, striking out at one another in internecine struggle. And globally, we are descending into a frenzy of greed and intolerance.

Where, one has to ask, is this unity?
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
The United States has historically been called a "melting pot" society where peoples from all lands, ethnicities, creeds, and religions have been "melted" or assimilated into one people. While the words of Emma Lazarus' famous poem etched into the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore," have been the solace of many immigrants, the unfortunate yet more accurate picture of American history has been one of intolerance.
Tempe Fussell
Curtis Fussell
This is it. The moment we've all been waiting for. The moment when all the people who thought you'd never amount to anything watch you come out on the stage. The spotlight hits you. The audience stands and the entire hall reverberates with their applause. This is that moment when a man dressed in the finery of the Egyptian court makes himself known to his impoverished brothers. "It's me, Joseph! It's me! Remember me? The brother you threw into a pit? Don't you remember me, Judah? You suggested that you could get some money by selling me into slavery."
Stan Purdum
In the Gospel of Mark, the woman in our story is called a "Syrophoenician." Matthew, however, calls her a "Canaanite." That's easier to say than "Syrophoenician" but there's something more important going on with that change. The Canaanites are not just Gentiles but enemies. They are the people who were to be driven out of the promised land by the Israelites and who fought against God's covenant people. There could be peace with other people of the Near East, but not with the nations of Canaan.
Wayne H. Keller
Remembering Whose We Are

Invitation to the Celebration

I invite us to celebrate the Presence and Power of the Living God, who is revealed as Father/Mother -- Creator, as Son/Child -- Redeemer, as Fire/Wind --ÊEmpowerer. We hear and experience and know of God in many ways. Throughout this worship, you will have many opportunities to hear, experience, know of God in those ways. You are invited to respond at any time.
P: The world which God loves needs a sense of community and family.
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
O Christ, The Healer, We Have Come (NCH175, CBH379, UM265, PH380)
Now Thank We All Our God (NCH419, CBH86, UM102, PH555)
How Good A Thing It Is (CBH310)
Behold The Goodness Of Our Lord (PH241)
All People That On Earth Do Dwell (LBW245, NCH7, PH220, 221, UM75, CBH42)
Help Us Accept Each Other (NCH388, PH358, UM560)
Where Charity And Love Prevail (LBW126, NCH396, UM549, CBH305)
In Christ There Is No East Or West (LBW359, NCH394, 395, PH439, 440, UM548, CBH306)

CSSPlus

She [the Canaanite woman] said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." (Matthew 15:27)

Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you like bread? (let them answer) Do you have a favorite kind of bread? (let them answer) My favorite kind of bread is French bread. I really like it when it is warm and I can eat it with good olive oil. Have you ever had that kind of bread? (let them answer)
Leah Thompson
For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all. (v. 32)

Good morning, boys and girls! How are you this morning? (allow answers) Today we are going to talk about forgiveness. Who can tell me what forgiveness is? (allow answers) When we forgive someone, we decide not to be angry at them for something they have done.
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