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Don R. Yocom

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Humor

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The Great Stone Face -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
A boy named Ernest, who grew up within sight of this famous mountain near Franconia Notch, New Hamps
But If Not! -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
One of the striking stories in the Book of Daniel (Chapter 3:18) tells of three Hebrew men being cas
The Backhoe Operator -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
You may have seen a backhoe in operation.
Crackers And Cheese -- Psalm 103:2-5 -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
An old story often told but without much application was the one about a poor immigrant coming to Am
The Rocks Cry Out -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
When early archeological explorations began a century ago in the Holy Land, there was some apprehens
It Takes Courage To Excel -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
On the wall of a gymnasium at Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio, you may see this unusual sentenc
Dustpan -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
In Africa, in a missionary's house, a native boy was helping clean the floors of dust and dirt.
Who Was Mad Rhoda? -- Acts 12:13 -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
The Bible story begins with Simon Peter in prison for his preaching Christ, and some Christians gath
The Charred Cross Of Coventry -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
One of the most bombed cities of England during World War II was Coventry.
So Help Me God -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
George Washington, America's first president, has been called by various descriptions, like "The Fat
The Cross In A Man's Pocket -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
When Don Rummel opened his welding and repair shop in Wapakoneta, Ohio, in the 1960s, God led him to
The Towel Company -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
In Neil B.
Take Me To The Cross, And I Can Find My Way Home -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
A little boy stood crying at a busy street intersection.
Children Playing "Automobile" -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
Before television, when children had to be creative in their play, some children decided to play "au
Can The Master Use Your Instrument? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
The young organist in a European city church became aware that there was a visitor in the church san
Did Hell Freeze Over? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
A popular announcer told the story on a radio broadcast about a little girl who told her parents she
Give Me This Mountain -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
Only two men, over twenty years of age, outlived the long forty years of the Israelites wandering in
He Got His Hat Back -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
A pastor decided to go on a vacation on short notice.
I'd Rather Have Jesus Than Silver Or Gold -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
In the years of the Great Depression in America, the 1930s, a popular network radio program was "Hym
Throw An Old Ram Over The Fence! -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
Years ago a kindly old Scottish Presbyterian minister, who was remembered only as "Dr.
I've Got A Glory -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
Archbald MacLeish, a noted traveler and author in years past, liked to tell this story:
That Sinking Feeling -- 1 Corinthians 10:12 -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
At dusk, a delivery truck driver was on a lonely road in Eastern Indiana when it appeared to him tha
Small Things Are Important -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
On a wintry day we stopped at Ash Cave State Park in Hocking County, Ohio, to see an annual ice form
Ode To Joy -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the truly great musicians of all time.
Take My Silver And My Gold -- Don R. Yocom -- 2000
She really meant it!

Illustration

Preaching

SermonStudio

In The Presence Of God -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
It was reported that the great concert pianist Paderewski never went before an audience until he had
The Holy Bible And Pitcairn Island -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Do you remember the movie Mutiny on the Bounty?
The Doctor's Fee -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man carried his dog into the vet's office, and after an examination the doctor told him the dog wa
Church Attendance 2 -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
We disagree with the news media on where most people attend events on Sunday.
Like Swell-heads -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Two purebred dogs were walking daintily down the street. They met a big alley dog.
Say, "Who Do You Love?" -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The Youth Fellowship of the Epworth United Methodist Church of Lima, Ohio, used to have an interesti
Where Is Your Goal? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
In the Arabian Nights collection of stories, there is this one:
An Act Of Kindness -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
When Bob Howard was the Sheriff of Darke County, Ohio, he and his wife had an interesting custom.
Into Eternity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
While touring Europe, you may visit the Cathedral in Milan, Italy.
Christmas For A College Girl -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Colleen, the college girl, had come home for the Christmas holiday.
The Hereafter -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
An elderly lady confided in her pastor that lately she was bothered by the "hereafter."
Colorful Pottery And Adversity -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
God permits adversity, just like an earthly father may permit his child to fall and get hurt, in beg
Most Madly In Love? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
It was reported that a famous football star, class of 2002, had fallen in love with a beautiful girl
Second Springs -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
In the 1930s, I lived in Sugar Grove, Fairfield County, Ohio.
Do You Need It? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Sign in a Vermont country store:"If we haven't got it, you don't need it!"
An Ecumenical Leg -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
There's a wonderful story about a doctor who had among his patients an elderly Roman Catholic lady w
Is The Bible A Bank? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Is the Bible a bank at your house?
The Inspired Holy Bible -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
1.It is not the concepts of just one man or group.
The Meaning Of Amen -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
During a children's sermon, Rev.
Conscience -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
In the hallway of Eastern College, St.
Mother's Driving -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A school teacher was discussing highway safety and advised the children that once they started cross
Seed Investments -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Dr.
W(h)ite Out -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Every author knows the value of this modern substance which can be used when we have typed the wrong
An Endless Line Of Splendor -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Vachel Lindsay wrote:An endless line of splendor
Is This True Americanism? -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
Among the various things that have happened in the elapsed time since September 11, 2001, there has
UPCOMING WEEKS
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Easter 4
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160+ – Illustrations / Stories
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34 – Commentary / Exegesis
5 – Pastor's Devotions
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33 – Sermons
140+ – Illustrations / Stories
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30 – Worship Resources
35 – Commentary / Exegesis
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Easter 6
30 – Sermons
180+ – Illustrations / Stories
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New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture — the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response — to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

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