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Fruits of Repentance -- Mark 1:1-8 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Second Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
“I think that was probably the best dinner we’ve ever had with your parents.” Stephen finished wipin
Into Thin Air -- Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:44-53 -- Frank Ramirez -- Ascension of the Lord - A -- 2023
According to Acts 1:9, as the disciples watched, Jesus “…was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of
Epistle from Ukraine -- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - A -- 2023
…just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you so that you are not lacking in
Loved Ones Appear in Dreams -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2023
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so tha
I Will Not Be Shaken -- Psalm 16 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Second Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (v.
The Season for Sighing -- Romans 8:26-39 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2023
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but th
Who May Come To The Banquet? -- Matthew 22:1-14 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2023
'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy.
Are There Tractors in Heaven? -- Romans 8:6-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you.
Crying Out In Ukraine -- Jeremiah 20:7-13 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2023
“For whenever I speak, I must cry out;    I must shout, “Violence and destruction!”
That Simple, That Difficult -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2023
Kay checked her phone and then put it on the desk in front of her.
Giving Anonymously -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2023
“The charter group out of Florida isn’t available to take us either.” Joanne hung up the phone.
Praying for A Good Death -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,because the Lord has anointed me;
Being One -- John 17:1-11 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
David frowned as he reread the passage of scripture. He read it slowly and carefully.
A Little Peace and Quiet -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2023
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
A Great Light -- But Who Saw It First? -- Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep dar
Peace and Security -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2023
When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as la
Seeing And Not Seeing -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight.
My Rock of Ages Moment -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2023
I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand... (v. 22)
I Will Not Be Ashamed -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- John E. Sumwalt -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2023
The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced;
How to Treat Strangers -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 
Forgiveness is Hard and Necessary -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2023
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister
Crazy Gerald -- Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you,    and I did not hide my iniquity;
What We Need -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my serva
Pentecost in Ukraine -- Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2023
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
Taking the Step of Faith -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2023
Joe took a deep breath of the sea air as he walked down the ramp onto the dock.

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Are There Tractors in Heaven? -- Romans 8:6-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you.
Loved Ones Appear in Dreams -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2023
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so tha
Crying Out In Ukraine -- Jeremiah 20:7-13 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2023
“For whenever I speak, I must cry out;    I must shout, “Violence and destruction!”
That Simple, That Difficult -- Matthew 18:15-20 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2023
Kay checked her phone and then put it on the desk in front of her.
Giving Anonymously -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2023
“The charter group out of Florida isn’t available to take us either.” Joanne hung up the phone.
Being One -- John 17:1-11 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
David frowned as he reread the passage of scripture. He read it slowly and carefully.
A Great Light -- But Who Saw It First? -- Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A -- 2023
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep dar
Seeing And Not Seeing -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight.
Praying for A Good Death -- Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,because the Lord has anointed me;
A Little Peace and Quiet -- Matthew 14:13-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A -- 2023
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself.
My Rock of Ages Moment -- Exodus 33:12-23 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2023
I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand... (v. 22)
I Will Not Be Ashamed -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- John E. Sumwalt -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2023
The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced;
Peace and Security -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2023
When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as la
How to Treat Strangers -- Matthew 10:40-42 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - A -- 2023
Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 
Forgiveness is Hard and Necessary -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2023
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister
Crazy Gerald -- Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 32 -- John E. Sumwalt -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you,    and I did not hide my iniquity;
Pentecost in Ukraine -- Acts 2:1-21 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2023
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
Taking the Step of Faith -- Matthew 14:22-33 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2023
Joe took a deep breath of the sea air as he walked down the ramp onto the dock.
Blessed Are You -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2023
Teresa stood reading the new sign outside of the church.
The Gatekeeper -- John 10:1-10 -- Peter Andrew Smith -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Carl pulled his car into a parking space and sighed.
What We Need -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2023
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, “Go and tell my serva
A Series of Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
In 2004 Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan published the book Chronicles: Volume One.
Impostor Syndrome? -- Deuteronomy 34:1-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A -- 2023
Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.
Footwear and Foot Care -- John 13:1-7, 31b-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2023
(Jesus) poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet… (v. 5)
An Impromptu Thanksgiving Meal -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 -- John E. Sumwalt -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2023
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bou

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Proper 13 | OT 18 | Pentecost 8
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Proper 14 | OT 19 | Pentecost 9
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Proper 15 | OT 20 | Pentecost 10
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31 – Commentary / Exegesis
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John E. Sumwalt
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. (vv.8-10)

I, John Sumwalt, believe in God! It’s the reality in which, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “I live and move and have my being.”
John E. Sumwalt
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. (vv.8-10)

I, John Sumwalt, believe in God! It’s the reality in which, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “I live and move and have my being.”

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John Jamison
Object: A sign that says, “The Home of Jesus!” (Click here to download the sign I used.)

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The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Thomas Willadsen
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
For February 2, 2025:
  • Love Notes To The Powerful by Chris Keating. Jesus' sermon to his hometown crowd provides a reminder of what Rev. William Barbour has called "the terrible joy" of preaching.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
Imagine an aging church leader or preacher who has seen one technology tool after another change the face of how messages of fait are communicated. It started with the chalkboard, overhead plastic sheets on a projector to now various forms of computer software programs off a laptop onto a screen. With all the modern technology changes going at increasing megabytes per second, is God’s Word still as accurate and effective as in times past?
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Jeremiah 1:4-10
There are plenty of things in contemporary American society which could use a prophetic voice to challenge them. We think of all the ugliness in our public discourse and on the net. There is the rising tide of anti-semitism. Reuters reported a 268.1 times wage gap in 2023 between the salary of the median employed worker and CEO pay. Racism is hardly vanishing given legislation passed in a number of state legislatures against teaching Critical Race Theory. John Calvin well described an important aspect of the sort of prophecy we need. He wrote:

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The story of the presentation of Jesus in the temple is strong on two 'bit-part' characters, Simeon and Anna, both of whom are old, and neither of whom has any other mention in the Bible. This story is an imaginary biography of Anna.

SermonStudio

Schuyler Rhodes
Most people, at one time or another, have had the regrettable experience of needing refuge. Untold millions around this war-ripped world are literally refugees, whose lives are shattered as they are uprooted and left bereft of home, family, and any visible means of sustenance. Countless women around the world suffer from the brutality of abuse by their male partners and are in need of refuge. Each day the numbers of homeless poor on the streets of America grows and grows. They, too, need refuge.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
During the 56 years of his life, Adolf Hitler did incredible harm and was responsible for the death of millions of people. Yet in all of the horror that he unleashed, there were pinpoints of light and nobility. One German soldier, Private Joseph Schultz, was one of those pinpoints.
Derl G. Keefer
Jeremiah had a task, a vision, and a promise from God. The prophet Jeremiah had a call from God to preach his word to a people needing to hear from God. His call has been duplicated multiple times over the centuries.
J. Ellsworth Kalas
David Kalas
In the church, most of us think of Epiphany simply as a season on the church calendar, and sometimes as a season we don't understand too well. We may recall that we are celebrating particularly the revealing of Christ to the Gentile world, via the Wise Men, but not much more.

The dictionary, however, adds further dimension to the word, listen: "a sudden, intuitive perception ... into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience."
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