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John Jamison

John B. Jamison served as a pastor of United Methodist churches in Illinois for over twenty years. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary as well as a masters and a Ph.D. in Education. John spent extended time studying in the Holy Land and uses that experience as a source for his sermons and children's sermons. John has written for radio and television, has authored three novels, and is an award-winning children’s book author. When he is not writing, John enjoys painting, gardening, playing the guitar, and spending time with his wife Patricia, their adult daughter, Tricia, and two grandchildren, Ben and Emily.

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Children's sermon

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True Light! -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2025
Object: A small candle and a bright flashlight.
Being Honest! -- Matthew 2:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2025
Object: A large paper bag with candy or stickers inside, depending on what you are
Quiet Time -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 -- John Jamison -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2024
Object: A hard-boiled egg, a teaspoon, and a bowl.
Jesus the Influencer! -- Mark 1:29-39 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2024
Object: A phone, iPad or tablet, or anything you could use to show examples of "inf
Just Me! -- John 6:1-21 -- John Jamison -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2024
Object: Twelve baskets.
Keeping Quiet! -- Mark 9:2-9 -- John Jamison -- Transfiguration Sunday - B -- 2024
Object: Today’s story makes a great role-play experience.
Bread of Life! -- John 6:24-35 -- John Jamison -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2024
Object: A basket filled with different kinds of bread.
In Secret! -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- John Jamison -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2024
Object: Three stacking cups.
Who Am I? -- John 6:35, 41-51 -- John Jamison -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2024
Object: A copy of a birth certificate.* * *
Time Out! -- Mark 1:9-15 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Object: The object for this message is the Time-Out hand sign to use with the child
Me! Me! Me! -- Mark 8:31-38 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Object: One piece of clear glass and one mirror.
Bread From Heaven! -- John 6:51-58 -- John Jamison -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - B -- 2024
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
Kind of Confusing! -- John 6:56-69 -- John Jamison -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2024
Object: A large wooden club and a winter jacket.* * *
My Father's House! -- John 2:13-22 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Object: This message makes a good role play.
Lips and Hearts! -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 -- John Jamison -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2024
Object: A drawing or photo of lips and a drawing or photos of a heart.
Light and Darkness! -- John 3:14-21 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Object: A copy of the
Influencers! -- Mark 7:24-37 -- John Jamison -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2024
Object: Fancy, dark sunglasses like a famous person might wear.
Now Is the Time! -- John 12:20-33 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2024
Object: This message makes a great role play.
Picking Up Our Cross! -- Mark 8:27-38 -- John Jamison -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2024
Object: A small cross to give to each child.
She Did What She Could! -- Mark 11:1-11 -- John Jamison -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2024
Object: A small bottle with some perfumed oil in it.
The Great Debate! -- Mark 9:30-37 -- John Jamison -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2024
Object: A whiteboard, or large piece of paper you can write on.
Sore and Stinky Feet! -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- John Jamison -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2024
Object: A box about one foot tall, as wide and long as you want to use, and a cushi
One of Us! -- Mark 9:38-50 -- John Jamison -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2024
Object: A pack of Post-It Notes® and a big piece of cardboard or board t
Little Children! -- Mark 10:2-16 -- John Jamison -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2024
Object: I had the youngest children in the group participate.
It Is Over! -- John 18:1--19:42 -- John Jamison -- Good Friday - B -- 2024
Object: A big rock.* * *

Illustration

StoryShare

Child Sacrifice -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 15 -- Sandra Herrmann, John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2011
Contents "Child Sacrifice" by Sandra Herrmann (Micah 6:1-8)

Sermon

SermonStudio

Actors -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- John Jamison -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2015
Whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and
Simple Faith? -- Mark 1:9-15 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
It all sounds so simple. It’s just so nice, so easy, and so straightforward; almost comfortable.
The Bethsaida Boys -- Mark 8:31-38 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
After Jesus was baptized by John, he went to spend time in the desert lands east of the Jordan River
Zeal! -- John 2:13-22 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Have you ever had one of those times when you had just had enough?
Rebirth -- John 3:14-21 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
The city of Jerusalem was packed with strangers during the Passover feast, so you could walk a long
Some Greeks -- John 12:20-33 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Jesus was back in Jerusalem for another Passover.
The Week -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- John Jamison -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2015
Note to the preacher:
Where It Ends -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- John Jamison -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2015
All of the plans and preparation had been completed and they were all gathering together in the room
Out of Control -- John 18:1--19:42 -- John Jamison -- Good Friday - B -- 2015
Note to the preacher:
Have You Ever Screwed Up? -- John 20:1-18 -- John Jamison -- Easter Day - B -- 2015
Have you ever screwed up? I mean, really, really screwed up?
Uncertain Certainties -- John 20:19-31 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
It was Sunday evening.
Fish Tales -- Luke 24:36b-48 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Have you ever had to sell an idea or a concept or a belief?
The Shepherd -- John 10:11-18 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
He woke up just as the sun was peeking over the top of the mountains to the east, just as he had don
Tangled Up in the Vines -- John 15:1-8 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
This passage from John is one that has created great comfort for many people, and at the same time h
What a Friend -- John 15:9-17 -- John Jamison -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
In your mind, I’d like you to picture a good friend.
Travel Arrangements -- Luke 24:44-53 -- John Jamison -- Ascension of the Lord - B -- 2015
It was an amazing moment. Everything that had happened before now seemed to lead up to this.
Making Sense -- John 17:6-19 -- John Jamison -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Have you ever come across a piece of scripture that you really just didn’t know what to do with?
The Prodigal Father -- Romans 8:14-17 -- John Jamison -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
It wasn't their first fight. Like most fathers and sons they had their disagreements.
Boast Of That! -- Romans 5:1-5 -- John Jamison -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2006
He had been looking forward to Sunday afternoon all week.
The Dream -- Galatians 1:1-12 -- John Jamison -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2006
It was an October Monday morning.
My Earlier Life -- Galatians 1:11-24 -- John Jamison -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - C -- 2006
You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism.
The Difference Between Knowing And Doing -- Galatians 2:15-21 -- John Jamison -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2006
It is difficult to be the church. What we have been asked to do here is not easy.

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The Week -- Mark 14:1--15:47 -- John Jamison -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2015
Note to the preacher:
Making Sense -- John 17:6-19 -- John Jamison -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Have you ever come across a piece of scripture that you really just didn’t know what to do with?
Tangled Up in the Vines -- John 15:1-8 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
This passage from John is one that has created great comfort for many people, and at the same time h

Stories

StoryShare

Child Sacrifice -- Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Psalm 15 -- Sandra Herrmann, John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - A -- 2011
Contents "Child Sacrifice" by Sandra Herrmann (Micah 6:1-8)
The Reason For The Season -- Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14, Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122 -- David E. Leininger, John Jamison -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2007
Contents What's Up This Week "The Reason for the Season" by David Leininger
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Advent 3
31 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
34 – Children's Sermons / Resources
22 – Worship Resources
30 – Commentary / Exegesis
2 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Advent 4
36 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
19 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
3 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Christmas!
27 – Sermons
100+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
33 – Commentary / Exegesis
3 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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The Immediate Word

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Dean Feldmeyer
George Reed
For January 5-6, 2025:
Katy Stenta
Mary Austin
Christopher Keating
Dean Feldmeyer
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For January 5-6, 2025:

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John Jamison
Object: A large paper bag with candy or stickers inside, depending on what you are comfortable giving your children.

Note: When the child reaches into the bag, quickly squeeze or shake the bag and make a noise to surprise them. The goal is just to surprise them, not scare them. Have fun with this!

* * *
John Jamison
Object: A small candle and a bright flashlight. If you have a really bright flashlight, just shine it in the children’s direction, and not directly into their eyes.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent! Today’s story is about Jesus. But I need to warn you that the story may sound a little confusing when I tell it to you.

One day, a man named John was writing to people to tell them about Jesus, and this is what he wrote. He said:

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 60:1-6
David Coffin
An upper middle-aged man is politely led out of the factory where he works by both the union and management representatives into mandatory early retirement. The company wants to hire two employees at a lower rate of pay rather than pay this skilled worker for the thirty years of seniority that he earned through days of sweat and toil.
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Frank Ramirez
Just when you thought the holidays were over, when the last of the holiday snacks, Chex Mix and cookies and the fruit in the basket that arrived in the mail, were finally eaten, New Year’s celebrated and the football games turned off for the moment, and things are almost back to normal — along comes a late Christmas card, with its traditional picture of shepherds and kings and angels and cows and sheep and the light shining out of the manger, a tried and true quotation from scripture or a reference to a Christmas carol, and a swiftly penned greeting from an old friend, to make it all real agai

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth
and thick darkness the peoples,
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you. (vv. 1-2)
Frank Ramirez
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth…a great company, they shall return here (Jeremiah 7:8).

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

 When Jesus came, many people failed to recognise him. As we worship him today let us try to recognise him in each other.

Invitation to Confession:

 Jesus, Lord, have mercy.

 Jesus, Christ, have mercy.

 Jesus, Lord, have mercy.

 Reading:

 John 1:10-18

SermonStudio

Stephen P. McCutchan
He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. Praise the Lord!
-- Psalm 147:20

Constance Berg
Karny runs. She runs marathons. She runs races. She runs for fun. Karny loves to run because it reminds her that she is alive. Alive to feel the ocean breeze near her house. Alive to feel the gentle pain in her legs after a good ten-mile run. She is grateful for her life because she was so close to losing it.
Richard A. Jensen
The focus in Matthew 1 was on names. Name after name after name culminating in THE Name: Jesus! In Matthew 2 there is a focus on places. The first place mentioned is Bethlehem. Matthew begins his birth story by simply telling us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. In the course of the story the Magi come from the east looking for the city in which the "child of the star" was to be found. Herod didn't know. The chief priests and scribes looked it up. Bethlehem!
John T. Ball
Today is an important day in the life of the world and the life of the church. In the northern hemisphere this is the first day of the New Year. Last night many of us celebrated the eve of this New Year -- noisily or somberly. Noisy types went out to dinner and danced until our feet grew weary. We counted down the last seconds of the old year, and wildly greeted one another with shouts, drinks, hugs, kisses, and fireworks. Then we sang the traditional lines of Robert Burn's poem, "Auld Lang Syne," and went home.
Mary S. Lautensleger
Walking in the dark is difficult, even in the familiarity of your own home. Furniture has a way of rearranging itself in the dark so that you can whack your shins a little easier. Small, sharp toys crawl out from their hiding places to park themselves in your path. Your dog or cat is stretched out on the carpet, sleeping blissfully until your foot makes contact with a tail or a paw.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
One Christmas morning, Dennis, Nancy, and their young son, Eric, were traveling south from San Francisco to their home in Los Angeles. They had spent Christmas Eve with relatives in the Bay Area, but both parents had to work the next day, thus, it was necessary to travel on Christmas. About noon, Dennis and Nancy decided they were hungry so they stopped at a local diner for lunch. Naturally, because it was Christmas, the restaurant was nearly empty and Eric, their young son, was the only child in the restaurant.

Steven E. Albertin
"Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words can never harm me."

There has never been a bigger lie that has ever been so widely perpetuated. A friendly playground game erupts into a fight and insults fill the air. One of the combatants defiantly shouts, "Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words can never harm me." Even though such words attempt to minimize the harm inflicted by such insults, in fact they reveal just the opposite. These words have wounded him deeply.

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