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John Jamison

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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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The Year of The Lord! -- Luke 4:14-21 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - C -- 2025
Object: A 2025 calendar.* * *
Wasting A Good Worry! -- Luke 21:5-19 -- John Jamison -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2025
Object: A blood pressure monitor.
Seeing Jesus! -- John 20:19-31 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Object: This message is a role-play for your children and requires no additional ob
God's Line! -- Luke 23:33-43 -- John Jamison -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2025
Object: A simple gift for each child.
Do You Love Me? -- John 21:1-19 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Object: A sheep or lamb stuffed animal.
The Greatest And The Least! -- Luke 4:21-30 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2025
Object: A sign that says, “The Home of Jesus!” (
Being Thank You! -- John 6:25-35 -- John Jamison -- Thanksgiving Day - C -- 2025
Object: The activity for this message is the Be Thank You! game.
The Works I Do! -- John 10:22-30 -- John Jamison -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Object: An orange and a lemon that are about the same size and shape, a knife, a cu
One More Time -- Luke 5:1-11 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C -- 2025
Object: This message is a role play about Jesus and the fishermen.
As I Have Loved! -- John 13:31-35 -- John Jamison -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Object: An old, worn-out shoe and an old banana.* * *
Backward Jesus -- Luke 6:17-26 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - C -- 2025
Object: A mirror.
The Mat! -- John 14:23-29 -- John Jamison -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Object: A mat, like an exercise mat, or a blanket.
Little Boxes -- Luke 6:27-38 -- John Jamison -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - C -- 2025
Object: Two small containers or boxes and several pieces of paper.
Power! -- Luke 24:44-53 -- John Jamison -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2025
Object: This message includes movements to reinforce the lesson.
The Jesus Shirt -- Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) -- John Jamison -- Transfiguration Sunday - C -- 2025
Object: A Jesus shirt.
No Tickets Please! -- John 17:20-26 -- John Jamison -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2025
Object: Tickets to give the children.
Be Quiet! -- Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 -- John Jamison -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2025
Object: A phone with a camera, a candy bar, and all kinds of noisemakers.
It's That Simple! -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- John Jamison -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2025
Object: A job description.
Temptation -- Luke 4:1-13 -- John Jamison -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Object: Two pairs of headphones.
To Tell The Truth -- John 16:12-15 -- John Jamison -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2025
Object: The lying game.
Lion or Fox! -- Luke 13:31-35 -- John Jamison -- Second Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Object: Two stuffed animals: a lion and a fox.* * *
Little Piggies -- Luke 8:26-39 -- John Jamison -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2025
Object: A pig stuffed animal.* * *
Nope! -- Luke 9:51-62 -- John Jamison -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2025
Object: This message includes a hand motion you will teach the children.
The Fig Trees! -- Luke 13:1-9 -- John Jamison -- Third Sunday in Lent - C -- 2025
Object: Two garden plants. One plant is healthy and looks great.
The Grudge Monster! -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- John Jamison -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2025
Object: This is a role play activity for the children.

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 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 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 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.

Free Access

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 2007-12-02
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...
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120+ – Illustrations / Stories
40 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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Epiphany 3 | OT 3
30 – Sermons
120+ – Illustrations / Stories
31 – Children's Sermons / Resources
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Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

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For January 25, 2026:

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Call to Worship:
Jesus called Simon and Andrew, James and John, to follow him. They immediately made their decision and dropped everything, for they knew the importance of their call. When Jesus calls us, do we hear him and do we respond?

Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, when I'm busy I find it difficult to hear you.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy, I find it difficult to respond to you.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, when I'm busy I'm not sure whether I want to follow you.
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Janice B. Scott
I remember years ago watching an old film, which I think was "The Nun's Story." The young nun who was the heroine of the story had all sorts of difficulties in relationships with the other nuns. The problem was that she was super-intelligent, and the other nuns resented her. In the end the young nun went to the Mother Superior for advice, and was told that as a sign of humility she should fail her coming exams!

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C. David Mckirachan
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* * * * * * *


Ordinary Time
by C. David McKirachan
Isaiah 9:1-4

SermonStudio

John N. Brittain
How familiar Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1 sound! Chloe's people had reported quarreling among the believers. Imagine that -- disagreements in a church! There were rivalries and backstabbing even in the very earliest days of the Christian community.
Linda Schiphorst Mccoy
A few years ago, I was on a retreat in northern Michigan, and I knew that some of our friends from home were sailing in the vicinity. One evening I went to the local boat dock, and walked through the lines of boats calling out the names of our friends, hopeful that they might be there. I remember the joy I felt when I yelled their names, and they answered! They were actually there, and they responded to my call!
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: In Christ's Name
Message: What on earth will bring us together, God? Lauds, KDM

How long must we wait, God,
for people to stop fighting
nations and nations
buyers and sellers
big ones and little ones
in-laws and relatives
husbands and wives
sisters and brothers
for me to stop fighting with me?
How long must we wait, God,
before we let the Christ Child come here?1
William B. Kincaid, III
In some parts of the country it doesn't matter, but in many areas the snow which falls during this time of the year can bring things to a decisive halt. Schools close. Events are canceled. Travel becomes tricky. If the conditions become severe enough, the decision may be made that not everybody should try to get to work. Only those who are absolutely necessary should report.
R. Glen Miles
"There will be no more gloom." That is how our text begins today. For the ones who were in anguish, glory will replace the gloom. Light will shine in darkness. Celebration will replace oppression. A new day will dawn.

In one sense these verses offer a summary of the overall message of the scriptures, "The darkness will pass. The light of a new day is dawning and there will be joy once again." At the end of the Bible, almost as if the original collectors of these sacred texts intended to remind us again of this word of hope, the Revelation of John tells us:
Robert A. Beringer
After a service of ordination to the Christian ministry, a sad-faced woman came up to the newly-ordained pastor and said, "It's a grand thing you are doing as a young man - giving up the joys of life to serve the Lord." That woman's attitude reflects a commonly held belief that to be serious about our faith means that we expect all joy to be taken out of living. For many, Christianity appears to be a depressing faith, with unwelcome disciplines, that cramps our lifestyle and crushes our spirits.
John T. Ball
All religions offer salvation. Eastern religions offer salvation from the illusion of being separated from ultimate reality - as in Hinduism, or from the pains of desire, as in Buddhism. Nature religions preach a salvation by calling us to realize we are linked to the natural world. Humanistic religions offer a salvation tied to the call to live in dignity and justice without divine aid. The biblical religions - Judaism, Islam, and Christianity - describe salvation in somewhat different ways. Judaism sees salvation primarily as an earthly and corporate affair.
Amy C. Schifrin
Martha Shonkwiler
Litany Of Confession
P: Discord, dissention, strife,
C: anger, violence, hatred;
P: we confess to you, O God,
C: our schemes, our willful rebellion,
our hidden hostilities toward your children.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our lack of trust in your presence,
our need to control, our insatiable appetite for praise.
P: We confess to you, O God,
C: our fear of speaking the truth in love,
our self-hatred, our moments of utter despair
when we no longer believe you are at work in us.
Wayne H. Keller
Adoration And Praise

Invitation to the Celebration
Beverly S. Bailey
Hymns
Canticle Of Light And Darkness (UM205)
To Us A Child Of Hope Is Born (CBH189)
God Of Our Strength (CBH36)
Beneath The Cross Of Jesus (CBH250, UM297, NCH190, PH92)
In The Cross Of Christ I Glory (CBH566, UM295, NCH193--194, PH84)
Lord, You Have Come To The Lakeshore (CBH229, NCH173, PH377, UM344)
Where Cross The Crowded Ways Of Life (PH408, CBH405, UM42, NCH543)
Jesus Calls Us, O'er The Tumult (UM398, NCH171--172, CBH398)

Anthems

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
In 1882 George MacDonald wrote a fascinating story that powerfully illumines the thought behind today's lectionary passages. MacDonald called his tale "The Day Boy and the Night Girl: the Romance of Photogen and Nycteris" (it is available online at http://www.ccel.org/m/macdonald/daynight/daynight.html). In MacDonald's fable a witch steals a newborn girl and raises her in the total darkness of a cave. The witch experiences both light and darkness, but not the girl. She is completely immersed in the black world.
Wayne Brouwer
"Politics are almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous!" said Winston Churchill. "In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times."

In one of his essays, Albert Camus describes a powerful scene. John Huss, the great Czech reformer of the church, is on trial. His accusers twist all his ideas out of shape. They refuse to give him a hearing. They maneuver the political machine against him and incite popular passion to a lynch-mob frenzy. Finally, Huss is condemned to be burned at
David Kalas
Schuyler Rhodes
I was in the home of a church member the other day where I saw a marvelous family portrait. The picture had been taken on the occasion of a fiftieth wedding anniversary, and the entire family had gathered for the occasion. The celebrating husband and wife were seated in the center of the picture, flanked by their adult children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. It was a magnificent full-color illustration of God's design.

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