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Mark J. Molldrem

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Commentary

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Christ conquers death -- Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Elizabeth Achtemeier -- All Saints Day - B -- 2018
Note: Because of a scheduling error, we are highlighting this commentary from 2000 by Mark J.
Reclaiming hope in sorrow -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Good Friday - C -- 2013
The names are burned into our recent memories: Columbine, Aurora, Newtown.
The changing landscape -- 1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39, Galatians 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2013
With Ahab's marriage to Jezebel, Israel experienced a changing
True wealth -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2013
"What's in your safe?" This question from an advertisement about investing in gold queries the human
Re-forming the church -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Was the Christian church ever one?
Be glad -- Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Matthew 6:25-33 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
At the founding of our country, George Washington issued a presidential proclamation establishing Th
God's gift of time -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 8 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Schuyler Rhodes -- New Year's Day - A, New Year's Day - B, New Year's Day - C -- 2011
Every January 1 there is a sense of freshness.
Experience Jesus and know God -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14--23:56, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Schuyler Rhodes -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2010
In this age of computers and the internet, there is so much information "out there" to access.
How can the dead testify? -- Acts 9:36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30, Psalm 23 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Schuyler Rhodes -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2010
We have an affair with death that ranges from fascination to revulsion.
Jilted in Jerusalem -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10, Psalm 14 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2010
If the lost is lost, it is not found. If it is found, it is no longer lost.
Faith for the world that is -- Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10, Lamentations 3:19-26 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Schuyler Rhodes -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - C -- 2010
Who would not want the power of telekinesis? Obstacle in the way? Remove it with a thought.
The glory of God -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Schuyler Rhodes -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2010
These are the longest hours of darkness.
"Up" is not the only heavenly direction -- Hosea 11:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - C -- 2001
Annual meetings, whether for a business corporation, a nonprofit agency, or a local congregation, us
One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2001
Christians are "stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Corinthians 4:1).
Blessing the rich man's proceeds -- Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - C -- 2001
Everybody likes payday.
Searching for truth in all the wrong places -- 1 Kings 19:1-15a, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2001
Gods and goddesses are plentiful these days, luring adherents into strange expressions of faith.
Living forward in the present -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2001
"I felt almost guilty thinking too much of heaven." That is what David Burton, a Southern Baptist tu
Jesus rules! -- Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Ascension of the Lord - C -- 2001
In golf, Tiger rules. In tennis, Venus.
Dutiful servants of all -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-7, 31b-35 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2001
Do we ever really get together anymore? Think about it.
The goodness that roared -- Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2001
In the study of the martial arts, the student learns the difference between the good, the higher goo
From lamentation to larceny -- Jeremiah 8:18-9:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 16:1-13 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - C -- 2001
Our texts today take us over a varied landscape.
Tuning the fourth turning -- Isaiah 5:1-7, Hebrews 11:29--12:2, Isaiah 5:1-7 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - C -- 2001
People often think more highly of themselves than their behavior in fact reflects.
After the handshake and the hug -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2001
The master brought his disciples into a darkened room with one instruction: "Find the truth." One di
Called to a different life -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Ash Wednesday - C -- 2001
The summer of 2000 was a devastating one for the western United States.
Life with attitude -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2001
We live in an ever-coarsening culture.

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for All Saints Day (2012) -- Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 -- Richard A. Hasler, Mark Ellingsen, Cynthia E. Cowen, Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love -- All Saints Day - B -- 2018
Note: Because of a scheduling error, we are highlighting these illustrations from 2012.
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 9 | OT 14 (2013) -- 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Scott A. Bryte, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
2 Kings 5:1-14
Sermon Illustrations for Reformation Day (2013) -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 31:31-34
NULL -- Revelation 1:4b-8 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Second Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
There are all sorts of keys: musical keys, piano keys, the top of the key on a basketball court, a k
Reaping what you sow... -- Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2013
Reaping what you sow is a metaphor that comes from the fields.
Just as Jeremiah... -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
Just as Jeremiah was called by God to speak a reforming word to the people of his day who were livin
Sermon illustrations for Easter 3 (2013) -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20), Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 -- Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate... -- Jeremiah 1:4-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate, describes in her book Mighty Be Our Powers how sisterhoo
Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of the Lord (2013) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Mark Ellingsen, Mark J. Molldrem, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Cynthia E. Cowen -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2013
Isaiah 60:1-6
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 10 | OT 15 (2013) -- Amos 7:7-17, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Scott A. Bryte -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
A builder uses a plumb line to determine true vertical from the gravitational center of the earth, n
One of the best... -- John 8:31-36 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2013
One of the best illustrations of freedom in Christ comes from the life of Zacchaeus.
NULL -- Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Radiation therapy seeks to burn out the cancer that is within the body.
What rejoicing words... -- Luke 13:10-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - C -- 2013
What rejoicing words would the crowd utter after Jesus healed the crippled woman?
In our system of government... -- Ephesians 3:1-12 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2013
In our system of government, as well as in many other systems around the world, there is the positio
A builder uses a plumb line... -- Amos 7:7-17 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
A builder uses a plumb line to determine true vertical from the gravitational center of the earth, n
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 (2013) -- Joel 2:23-32, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
Joel 2:23-32
NULL -- John 21:1-19 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Third Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
There is a church in the inner city of Philadelphia that takes literally Jesus' command to "Feed my
Contentment is not easily achieved... -- Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - C -- 2013
Contentment is not easily achieved in our consumer society, where the art of advertising is to get u
Sermon illustrations for Epiphany 4 (OT 4) Cycle C (2013) -- Jeremiah 1:4-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 1:4-10
There are four different paradigms... -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2013
There are four different paradigms functioning on the path to Jericho.
Coach Johnson was... -- 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2013
Coach Johnson was about training character.
Sermon illustrations for Easter 5 (2013) -- Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6, John 13:31-35 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - C -- 2013
Acts 11:1-18
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 (2013) -- Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Luke 14:25-33 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Scott A. Bryte, Ron Love -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2013
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Lent 1 (2013) -- Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- First Sunday in Lent - C -- 2013
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 11 | OT 16 (2013) -- Amos 8:1-12, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42 -- Scott A. Bryte, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bob Ove, Mark J. Molldrem -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2013
Amos 8:1-12

Sermon

SermonStudio

God Wants Her Back Home -- Mark 5:21-23, 35-42 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a child who died at the hand of her mother
Heimgang -- John 14:1-4 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a person who died from cancerHeimgang
Questions -- Psalm 13 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a young woman following a brief illnessQuestions
Frayed Ends And Torn Seams -- 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a man killed by a hit-and-run driver
We Weep For Our Children -- John 8:12, Psalm 13 -- Mark J. Molldrem, Charles Cammarata -- 2006
For a young man at ChristmasWe Weep For Our Children
The Name Of Names -- Ephesians 1:15-23 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Mark -- warlikeShirley -- bright meadowJennifer -- fair lady
The Righteousness Of God -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
"Hardships -- beatings -- imprisonment --sleepless nights -- hunger -- in dishonor -- in ill repute
Witnesses -- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
In a play about the crucifixion of Jesus, playwright John Masefield creates a conversation between P
New Life From Old -- 1 John 3:1-7 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Easter is in springtime for a reason.
Love In Action -- 1 John 3:16-24 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
One of the enduring images of both the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures is that of the goo
Love And Friendship -- 1 John 4:7-21 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
A boy was asked about his family, when he enrolled for church school.
The Victory Of Faith -- 1 John 5:1-6 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Planes drop out of the sky, killing all passengers.
Life In His Name -- 1 John 5:9-13 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
In 1922, a marvelous treasure was unearthed in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.
Friday -- The Good One -- Hebrews 10:16-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
A youngster in Sunday School asked the pastor, "If Jesus died on Friday, why do we call it good?"
Adoption Into God's Family -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Any parent who has adopted a child knows the joy of bringing a new member into the family.
The Gospel Of Our Calling -- Romans 4:13-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
A friend related to me how, when he was a youngster, he spent a lot of time on the other side of the
The Word Of The Cross Is The Power of God -- 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
When Neil Armstrong was on the moon, an American flag was planted to signify the accomplishment of h
Prayer Clothes -- Hebrews 5:5-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Going to northern Canada? Bring your parka.
Obedience -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Sunday was a day in Jesus' life that started the week off with palms and praises -- a week that ende
As Is -- Ephesians 2:1-10 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Once upon a long time ago, a friend of mine owned a yellow Datsun.
Made -- Lost -- And Found -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
The most personal question anyone can ask is "Who am I?" It is the fundamental question of our huma

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Adoption Into God's Family -- 1 Peter 3:18-22 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
Any parent who has adopted a child knows the joy of bringing a new member into the family.
Made -- Lost -- And Found -- 1 John 1:1--2:2 -- Mark J. Molldrem -- 1997
The most personal question anyone can ask is "Who am I?" It is the fundamental question of our huma
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For May 9, 2021:
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Waking Up to Racism
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Psalm 98

Let the floods clap their hands;
    let the hills sing together for joy
 at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
    to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with equity. (vv. 8-9)

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the mid-1960s, a popular song declared, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of.”1 It was an era of both national and international unrest. And the American landscape was reeling from the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement, and opposition to both. Amidst headlines so marked by unrest and division, therefore, the sentiment of the song struck a chord with an American audience. 
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Bonnie Bates
Acts 10:44-48
Prejudice is always wrong. Nat King Cole is a well-known artist who was the first African American to host his own national television program. In 1948, he purchased a beautiful home in an exclusive Los Angeles neighborhood. When the local neighborhood association confronted him and informed him it didn’t want any undesirables to move in, Cole responded, “Neither do I. If I see any coming in here, I’ll be the first to complain.” He lived in that house until his death in 1965.

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John Jamison
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (vv. 9-12)

Hi, everyone! (Let them respond.)

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Call to Worship:

Jesus gave up his life for us. In our worship today let us explore how to love one another as he has loved us.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our love for each other is thin and pale.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we pretend to love but fail to care.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we don't know how to love.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

John E. Sumwalt
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One evening, when I was 26 years old, beleagered by guilt for acknowledged sins, I was deep into an hour-long prayer of repentance. In despair, I grieved that I had broken the commandments and that I was not worthy of God's love.

Near me lay the Bible, unused and unfamiliar. I had never, ever read from the Bible. Yet my hands reached out and took the Bible to open it. I knew not where, nor why. But my hands knew the way. They opened to John 15:9-11 and as my eyes began to read, my mind knew the meaning with clarity. My eyes read verse 10 first:
Mark Ellingsen
Theme of the Day
God's love brings us together.

Collect of the Day
It is noted that God has prepared great joy for those who love Him. Petitions are then offered that such love may be poured into the hearts of the faithful so that they may obtain these promises. Justification as a reward for our deeds (love) is communicated by this prayer.

Psalm of the Day
Psalm 98
Stan Purdum
(See Christmas Day, Cycles A and B, for alternative approaches.)

Richard E. Gribble
Once upon a time a great and powerful king ruled over a vast territory. There was something very strange about this kingdom, however -- everything was the same. The people ate the same food, drank the same drink, wore the same clothes, and lived in the same type of homes. The people even did all the same work. There was another oddity about this place. Everything was gray -- the food, the drink, the clothes, the houses; there were no other colors.

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