Good morning, preachers and friendly onlookers!It's Transfiguration Eve! Do you know where your sermon is?
I'm settling in with a mug of Emergen-C, trying to fend off a sniffle. I'll be preaching the Transfiguration for the eighth year in a row and trying to find something new to say about it. You might want to check out our great discussion from Tuesday and see what others think.
Here in the U.S. it's a three-day weekend as we observe President's Day on Monday. In some areas the world is transfigured by snow. We may wonder who will show up at church.
Will St. Valentine make an appearance at some point?
I'm serving coffee and oatmeal over here, but later I feel sure there will be holiday-themed treats. You know, Transfiguration Meringues and those shape cookies of Moses and Elijah. Do you like them with frosting, or sprinkles?
Clearly, your hostess needs coffee.
Join us in the comments. Let us know what you're writing, what you're juggling, how you're handling the children's message and especially whether you've found some difference in Luke's account that makes for a brilliant piece of interpretation. :-)
We can do it! T-Fig! T-Fig! T-Fig!!!!!
love your pictures. I'm preaching on the Transfiguration, got MOST of it written, but wondering if Valentine's Day should make an appearance.
ReplyDeleteNeed coffee.
feeling kind of bleh.
I'll take whatever you've got.
I don't know if it's a set-up for a brilliant interpretation, but I noticed that Jesus takes Peter, John and James--in that order. I always think of those three as Peter, James and John. Not sure why I noticed this time.
ReplyDeleteI am off to a Saturday meeting and writing a sermon when I get back home. It is communion so a shorter sermon...maybe a first person account.
ReplyDeleteWe are having a potluck followed by playing games tomorrow. Making Red Velvet Cupcakes.
Children's Time: I have the birthday candles which do not blow out...going to use them (in a cupcake) for the children's time...on how God's light never goes out...and God's love for us never goes out.
Yep preaching on teh T-fig too.
ReplyDeleteHard to concentrate because of the Olympics. I imagine a sports analogy might make it into my sermon tomorrow. Perhaps Jesus slalomed on his way down from the mountain.
G-G, love the slalomed idea. Rumors, a weekly email commentary by Ralph Milton tell a story of a sermon, "The fine art of going downhill". If I hadn't already headed in a different direction, I think I'd choose that. I don't know how to point you to the email list, but i'll see what I can find if you are interested.
ReplyDeleteI drank all the coffee and it's time to put words on paper from my outline. I have only to meet folks at church at 1:00 so they can bring in tomorrow's refreshments. You'd think I could stay focussed for that long, right?
Good morning, RevGals. I accidentally made the coffee a bit weak this morning, so if anyone has a nice strong cup of dark roast, please pass it my way! I, as usual, have a boatload of clementines to share. (It's possible I have a citrus addiction. I suppose there are worse vices.)
ReplyDeleteI'm preaching 2 Corinthians, in conversation with the Gospel and maybe in conversation with the OT text (even though we aren't reading that one in the morning). I'm focusing on the part of the text that talks about being transformed from one degree of glory to another. But I don't really have a good idea of where I'm going with that yet....
Yah, she said, and how come we get T-Fig about six times a year in the lectionary???? well, OK, three. Last before Lent, second OF Lent, and then, whoops, there it is lurking in early August too. What is THAT all about????
ReplyDeleteI speak with the aplomb of one not preaching tomorrow.
We have "Family Day" on Monday in Prairie Province, which signifies "We don't celebrate Washington's Birthday but if I don't get a Monday off in February I may SCREAM right out loud."
I have Transformers on the brain, you know, "more than meets the eye?" I'm also thinking about how looking at someone with love transforms the way we see them. On NPR yesterday I heard the love story of Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan, which is worth listening to whether or not you're preaching with Valentine's Day in mind.
ReplyDeleteI'm picking up on the Olympics - all that work and training and slog for a tiny moment of glory, and then likening it to the glimpses of God's glory we sometimes get - and that happened on the Mountain of the Transfiguration.
ReplyDeleteIn a few minutes I am off to shepherd the younger 2 in a ski "race" (250 metres for the little ones), won't be back until well after lunch.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow after church we have Bible Study looking at Foundations of Faith -- tomorrow is week 2 of JEsus, looking at what does it mean to say Jesus SAves. Right after that I head in to Big City to the East. Monday morning at dark o'clock I catch a plane to Prairie Province for a second interview at a church just outside the capital of same.
Oh yeah, somehwer in between is a sermon about what might make us shine with GOd's light.
earthchick, you can count on my coffee. It is always very strong!
ReplyDeleteAnnabel, that's a great "hook."
Crimsom Rambler, I usually feel that sort of desperation in February here in Maine, but we've got no snow! I just want a snow day, a real one, that lets me off my schedule for a day.
Songbird, snow days are nice. I've enjoyed most of a snow week and got so lazy (except for shoveling work outs) that I'd rather curl up and read than write this sermon.
ReplyDeleteperhaps more strong coffee is needed here.
I'm popping in as I'm working on next week's sermon (children's musical here for t-fig, thank you jesus!!!) since I'm going on vacation Sunday afternoon and returning Saturday night. Also in today's schedule: borrow a vacuum from a church member (mine has given up the cat hair fight), library run, cat supplies for the cat sitter, bank, laundry, cleaning, packing, finishing BSG 4.5 (so close!). I can totally write next week's sermon in the middle of all that, right?
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping the artificial deadline will work and I won't be here next Saturday at 9pm trying to get started.
I have about 50 varieties of tea....and hot cocoa...and spaghetti. That's about it. Help yourselves!
I'm already hitting the rootbeer. Yes 10:56 am is a bit early for teh rootbeer delisciousity, however it's 5:00 pm somewhere!
ReplyDeleteSongbird, the icon of Lincoln is awesome! I am sorry you 'Maineiacs' haven't gotten snow. I would be glad to share. It is coming down rather generously here. I can't even see the house next door!
ReplyDeleteHaving become a Luthepisc over the past 3 years I am most likely to preach on T=fig. But I want to try to do something different.
Silent, Peter, James and John were the leaders in the post 70 CE Church: Peter in the Pauline churches, James in the Jewish/Christian churches and John in of course the Johannine churches of Antioch and Alexandria.But how MK knew that baffles me.
I am somewhat caught up with vs.9:31 that Christ sets his face toward Jerusalem--that in order to really know change--transfiguration or transformation requires the willingness to take up the cross. (Yikes, I am getting Lutheran!) If lent is going to have the transformative effect that Christ wants for us, we too must go to Jerusalem and Calvary. Pretty heavy for T-fig but necessary for my bunch at the moment.
Thanks for the coffee and oatmeal is perfect today.
You gotta see this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iAygsv2MD0
It's the trailer for some TV? movie called "The Thin Line". Very exciting footage of people coming down a mountain. And voice overs about the risk and the reward of it.
Can I write something about the risk and reward of coming down the transfiguration mountain?
oh Muthah+ so very, very Lutheran of you! good theology there... my sermon is done, but a bit wishy-washier than i'd like. i pretty much say we're to be like lighthouses... blahhitty blah blah
ReplyDeletei'm extremely tired today. think perhaps strep is coming on... like i have time for that?
anyhoos last year i did use a skiing analogy about T-fig. i can email the sermon if anyone's down & out and in a pinch and wants it...
Crimson - you put that *perfectly*. We now have a mid-winter holiday that keeps us sane enough to get through a very, very long winter. I chuckle when I think of a bunch of government types sitting around a table saying "Sure, but what do we call a day like that??? Cabin-fever Monday?
ReplyDeleteGord - blessings to you on your interview.
I'm going with t-fig mostly, and Valentine's for children's story.
Now I have to hit the airport again as Son #2 returns from Toronto where he was at a conference focusing on multi-cultural support and chaplaincy in Canadian universities. Interesting stuff...
Also have Son #1 home from Edmonton for a week!
Focus. Must. Focus. Sermon, then visit...
Starting the Saturday sermon writing a little earlier than usual with the hope that I can run some errands later on and work on my taxes ... fun times all around.
ReplyDeleteNow to write about being in God's presence and shining ...
Songbird, LOVE the Lincoln pic :)
Teri, so glad that you are getting some time off! Hope it's restful!
Cindy, amazing video. I love to ski and go fast but not THAT fast and not as much the older I get. I love the analogy tho of a risky place.
ReplyDeleteI've got fresh cornbread (from a mix, I'm not a baker) but perhaps it will add to your hot drinks.
I like the comment about the risk and the reward as well, and setting his face toward Jerusalem! You go, Muthah+!
ReplyDeleteSongbird, I loved that interview re: Carl Sagan. Lots to chew on. The idea of sending this message out into outer space is so intriguing... and then falling in love in the midst of the work.
now, for those final two paragraphs.
Good morning everyone! Heart shaped donuts from Krispy Kreme to share here, left over from the traditional Mom and son Saturday morning outing.
ReplyDeleteWith six weeks of the semester completed I finally seem to be over the hump of this term's teaching anxiety. Thanks be to God! Plenty of teaching prep on today's agenda, as usual. The only things I still have to create for the two weeks before break are two exams, one half done and one just started....But I will also see if I can work ahead on some other stuff as well....Or, radical thought, my own neglected translation/writing work.
I am always happy when August T-fig rolls around, as it's the anniversary of my priesting. Plus I was at an amazing service led by Henri Nouwen once with lots of Taize and resonant reflections on its coincidence with Hiroshima Day. But I thought that the spring one was either last Epiphany (RCL and related mainline lectionaries) or Lent II (Roman Catholic lectionary). Is there one that actually has both within a few weeks? That would definitely be an overdose!
Hey there! I got a pretty decent outline done yesterday, at least an order for my ideas. It might be a little less involved than my original thoughts at day or two before (late start this week because I was out sick at the early end of the week), but that might be a good thing. I'll try to flesh it out a bit more during nap time, but then I'll probably actually take a nap. Those Opening Ceremonies kept me up late and writing late at night after another late night is too hard. The nap will help me with a better night tonight.
ReplyDeleteGoing with Tfig in Luke. Really pulling from the passion predictions before and soon after and the demon-healing optional stuff. Something about this glimpse of the divine in the midst of the dirty, messy, even tragic real life, and then the disciples' (our) responsibility to keep revealing the divine in the middle of the same.
I got some interesting feedback during a pretty positive Personnel review this week. Some related directly to sermon content. Actually really positive stuff all around, but one person's feedback encouraged venturing "further afield" to make more literary and philosophical connections. Huh? Literary? I'm a mom of 2 preschoolers, pregnant with a third. It's gonna be a few years before I have time do read anything "literary" again! :) Philosophical? That ain't never gonna happen. Another one was on the other end of the spectrum was about connecting the relevance of the Church to the social, political, economic situation we find ourselves in. Apparently that person missed the 4 weeks series on the New Social Creed a few months ago. :) Someone else left the church over it. Can't win 'em all!
Good thing I take these seriously, but not as gospel.
My first draft is done. Is 12 minutes too short? Not for a communion Sunday, right? I could say more, but then is it necessary? Here's the link if anyone is putting off their own writing and wants to read or comment on it. It's my "2nd blog" that I use for posting sermons or venting.
ReplyDeleteI'm always open to your comments. Now to meet folks at church and hope coming back to it fresh will give me new insights.
Nancy, 12 minutes is normal here. much longer and people get antsy, stop paying attention...and our 1st service (45 minutes) will run over. So all my sermons are 12 or fewer minutes. :-) I'd say you're good!
ReplyDeleteSherev,
ReplyDeleteSrsly...Ugh. Strange stuff from both parties. And yes, you sure can't win 'em all. One of my fav profs at a certain seminary...
always said, "Tell 'em the truth" whenever i was too preach.
I take that part seriously and think that IS a big part of our jobs.
So keep doing what you are doing.
I had big aspirations of having my sermon almost done, but then hit a road block. I need a middle.
Anybody out there got a middle?
The RCL has the Transfiguration as an option on Lent 2.
ReplyDeleteI am really out of shape in terms of sermon prep. And also sleepy. I think I may need to take a nap and come back after to start writing. Anyone needs me, I'll be in the other room, on the couch.
Nancy, as I said at your place, I think your sermon is lovely. And I have never in my life complained, or heard another listener complain, that a sermon was too short! 12 minutes is plenty if, as in your case, you have a good point and stay on it. Sermons of 15 minutes and longer too often, in my experience, have little significant increase in content--just more filler and/or repetition.
ReplyDeleteNancy, anything more than 12 minutes would be unusual for me--and for most Episcopal churches I've been in recently.
ReplyDeleteSheRev--you are so right in that you can't win them all re sermon feedback! And to a certain extent, people will hear what they are preconditioned to "hear" --which makes our work all the more difficult.
I've been procrastinating on the interwebs for the last couple of hours and now must really get to writing. I'm going to bring in Exodus and Luke, inspired by some things Working Preacher commentators had to say.
Thanks for the lectionary info, Songbird. Hope the nap helps!
ReplyDeleteNo progress on the exams yet but I did write both Islam study questions and the first Gospels one for before break, yayy!
Nancy, I hadn't thought of Harry Potter and Transfiguration--brilliant!
ReplyDeleteSue, I'm curious... what are you doing for a children's sermon on Valentine's Day? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI did mention on Tuesday LL, the Living the Word section for this week's texts in Xian Centruy. Good story about a 5th grade science fair project. This is part of the sermon, but I still need a little more to say on Moses.
ReplyDeletethis is a rare, rare feat for me. I'm done! If anyone is needing some LOVEly inspiration, my sermon is posted here
ReplyDeleteI'm non T-fig and preaching at a friend's church tomorrow. Going with a Princess Bride True Love theme- As You Wish (and the fact that life is pain. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something). Text is from the garden of Gethsemane.
ReplyDeleteThis is the place where Christ's humanity is so clearly on display, as he faces the pain of betrayal, beatings and death. And yet, his obedient trust and love leads him to say "As you wish" to God.
Connection to our lives- community. Are we sleeping in the garden, just feet away from those who desperately need our help? Do we withdraw into our pain or invite our community in?
And maybe... how do we together walk through times of trial and truly say to God "As you wish"?
Mags, this is probably too late for this year's children's time, but there is a lovely book by Katherine Bond called the Legend of the Valentine (both picture book and board book format). Looks like it might be out of print but there are some used ones on Amazon. It combines the story of Valentine the martyr with the civil rights struggles of the 1960s. It made me cry the first several times I read it (including to Nick's Montessori in year's past). Katie loves it too and is lending it to her Sunday school teacher for this week's class.
ReplyDeletethanks for the reassurance and comments on the 12 minute sermon. I agree but 20 minutes is often expected, yet I've never heard complaints about a short one. I think that 15 and less are actually harder to write. One has to make the point and do it quickly w/o rambling and getting off track. It's harder don't you think? Anyway, a few edits and transition statements and I can focus on the youth SS lesson. always something else on a Saturday, right?
ReplyDeleteI'm back after a pretty serious nap. It's now the time when I wonder if all those old sermons on T-Fig wouldn't be worth looking at, though I really don't want to go there. But I am a dry well today.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing Harry Potter next week, on Temptation!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Redboots, Ooo, Harry Potter on temptation sounds good. I've got a list of Top Ten Brethren Sins for next week from our denomination's unofficial stand-up comedian. It will be fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm not touching valentine's day, except the refreshments will have that theme. Hope no one minds..ah too focused on the church calendar I guess. Best to all the writers, Songbird, use one from the barrel, your wrote it, why waste it!
I guess I'm afraid I've forgotten how to do it.
ReplyDeleteNo, Songbird, you haven't forgotten! Mine this week is a recycling of an old sermon. I was taught that John Wesley didn't think a sermon valid until he'd preached it at least 20 times, so I have no compunction about recycling. Although I do find that if it's a text I don't preach on often, my views have changed, and the way I tackle things is very different. I hadn't preached on the Body of Christ for nearly 20 years until I came to do it last month, and I found my treatment back then very superficial!
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm finding problematic is feeling less in touch with the arc of the lectionary, since I'm preaching from it only once a month or so. Sure, I'm hearing some sermons, but I'm not forming my own thoughts about the texts. And even though I go to preacher study group, it's not the same. Aargh!
ReplyDeleteI'm encouraged by Wesley. I have a Peter-centric sermon from six years ago that might be a basis for something.
Oh and a big THANKS to Gord for helping me confirm my sermon title. As I read the text i could not get the Shine On(by the Kooks) out of my head. Actually, proably more to do with the beer commercial, anyhow. It was stuck in my head. Then Gord used the same words for his link, so it was like divine revelation.
ReplyDeleteGod works through Gord and beer commericials!
My title is "More Than Meets the Eye," and I've got the mechanized voice of the old Transformers ad going through my head.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have a draft about Moses and Jesus but I think it takes a serious detour in the middle :( I'm going to do a couple of quick things and then come back to edit, and hopefully whip it into shape.
ReplyDeleteSongbird, I remember Transformers from way back when Elder Son was little....are they still popular?
Rev Dr Mom, the Transformers have come back with a vengeance. They've had 2 full length live action movies in the last couple of years. I was a kid when they were big the first time, and my kids definitely know who they are from the new swing through that bit of merchandising.
ReplyDeleteSo my plan to nap a little and work a little during naptime didn't happen. I only napped a lot, but my husband tells me I'm the only one who did. Now we have to decide whether to still take the kids to the YMCA to swim which was promised "after naps." If they didn't nap, does the promise still stand? Hmmmm.....
Looks like I'll have a pretty solid sermon-writing night either way.
just finally checking in after a long day of everything but not sermon writing....took two foster puppies to a puppy social (imagine 12 week old corgis slapping down 12 week old german shepherds with a wild alpha golden lab and my two shy sharpei (sp?) lab pit mixes...rolling around in a yard. too entertaining!)....then a marriage prep meeting...and now wishing I could find my favorite ever transfiguration sermon so I could be done with it. Sigh. Long night ahead....don't know what is for dinner, but I have carrot sticks and cucumber slices for a snack. Popcorn, too, if you are in the mood....
ReplyDeletePopping in to say hi to all you lovely ladies, and to give you a blast from the past (as in, a week ago) here on my blog.
ReplyDeleteIt actually worked out kind of nicely. Instead of using the worship service (and bulletin!) we'd prepared for last week, we hid the bulletins from anyone who showed up, and did a simple Service of the Word (with lectio divina and sharing for the "sermon") with three small hymn sings for the service. It worked out wonderfully, because with this week's blizzard, our secretary didn't have to worry about getting into the office to do a whole new bulletin (save for a new insert with some updated announcements and calendar bits), our choir didn't have to worry about practicing a new anthem, and I got an extra week with the sermon!
We're not a highly liturgical congregation--during the interim periods, they were off the lectionary as well--so they will not miss celebrating T-fig. I tried to make a joke about it last week, but no one laughed.
magadalene - I wish I something brilliant and new, but I have very little. So far I have a big red heart cut out of children's craft paper. I've made a jagged line down the middle and cut it in half.
ReplyDeleteThe story is that even when we feel hurt and our hearts are feeling broken (I'll ask them if they ever felt hurt or left out of a game or whatever), God will always be there to put it back together because no matter what makes our hearts hurt, God is bigger than all of it and will make our hearts heal. (then I'll show them the heart put back together and tape it that way).
Corny? Yes. Quick. Yes. (tomorrow is Annual Meeting day - everything, including the sermon, has to be quick.
so, that plus some heart shaped chocolates wrapped in red foil is the sum total of my children's time. the truth is, my children's stories usually begin to tank within the first minute, so be careful about taking my advice. :)
rats. rats. RATS!
ReplyDeleteoh dear.
the story I wanted to tell to lead into the t-fig is one I used for another text in November.
shoot. shoot. shoot.
ugh.
got nothin' now.
Songbird, thanks for your cheer-full T-Fig post! Love the Abraham Lincoln painting...
ReplyDeleteIt is, for us Floridians, a chilly winter's day (I know it pales in comparison to what lots of folks are living with right now!). I'm holed up in a café, working on my blog reflection for next Sunday's gospel. I'm savoring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie, fresh from the oven. It's big enough to share, come on by... And would be delighted for you to stop by The Painted Prayerbook for T-Fig and Ash Wednesday art and reflections.
A Merry Transfiguration to everyone and many blessings as we cross into Lent.
Just finished dinner with my daughter. We did a modified version of pizza with French Dressing, with thoughts of my Gulf Coast visit. We ate at the kitchen table, which I spent the morning converting from my home office to a nook for the two of us to use when no one else is home.
ReplyDeleteAll of which is to say, at least I accomplished *something* today.
How's it going out there?
Breaking for dinner - the last piece of homemade lasagna from last Saturday. But in the virtual world, I'm sure there's enough for others.
ReplyDeletePerhaps after dinner, I'll know how to tackle that pesky meaty section of the sermon, the whole "so what" part.
Well, I just finished a draft, posted here . I'm not sure what I think of it - it felt sort of like an animal I was riding, taking me places I hadn't anticipated. I'm going to let it percolate a bit before coming back and seeing what I think.
ReplyDeleteNow on to dinner and Sunday School prep. Oh! and I just realized I forgot to do my planned workout today, which will throw my whole plan for the week off if I don't get to it. Argh!!
Pizza with french dressing, SB? Please, do tell how to do that?
ReplyDeleteEarthchick--I have had experiences like that writing sermons--feeling like I was on a bucking bronco, with no control. I think it is the Holy Spirit!
It's the red French dressing, not the orange creamy kind, and you serve it on the side. Either you dip into it or spoon/drizzle it on your pizza. Our version was a frozen organic Red Fork Margherita pizza with Annie's Organic French dressing. Delicious!
ReplyDeleteSo maybe that's two things done right today.
Now if I only I can add the sermon to that total...
Woo! Woo! French Dressing with pizza! The Biloxi tradition goes national!
ReplyDeleteLove reading the comments today. Blessings to all of you preachers.
I'm in the middle of my sermon but feel I'll change up the first portion and ending so when I finish, I'll need to reorganize all of it. Confused? So am I.
I preached the early edition
ReplyDeletewhat do you think?
how is it going, Songbird?
Oh...can I interrupt all this great sermonating to ask a question?
ReplyDeleteMy PSPR chair tells me that one thing we will talk about in our meeting after church tomorrow is a request that I step up and take on our children's Sunday School. I serve as a solo pastor with one staff person (music) in a church with one service, weekly attendance about 70ish. We had a bit of a split a few months ago and so far no one is willing to teach this. I've told them several times that I cannot give them 100% of my time because of some personal/family issues (long story).
I promise you this is not my calling...nor do I see it as a reasonable expectation. Thoughts? Comments? Insights?
Diane, I'm getting somewhere, just not sure where exactly.
ReplyDeleteRevSis, is this a full time call? Are the terms of your call general, or have areas of work been specified?
RevSis, is there any room for negotiation? Agreeing to do it for only 2-4 weeks? Though I know that can lead to just doing it ... Or if you agree to do that, would they be willing to have you give up something else?
ReplyDeleteMany prayers.
I've had two VERY full post snow days. Today a funeral and a wedding. Wrote earlier this week...new Cokesbury commentary got me thinking about 'optional' verses and how they serve as a hermaneutical key for this text. And used the idea that faith is more than a cognitive enterprise, but rather our 'practices' of faith. On the children's sermon side, it seems like St. Valentine's 'practices' are a powerful expression of faith and trust, not just an idea to be known.
ReplyDeleteHey pals,
ReplyDeleteI got the stomach flu this morning and a fever at the moment. Praying fiercely that it will all disappear in my sleep.
For the sermon tomorrow, I'm focusing on the "God cloud" that surrounds everyone. And then talking about "God clouds" in our own lives - the moments when God wakes us up, shakes us up, and reminds us to "LISTEN TO HIM (Him being Jesus).
Have a great Sunday all!
nummy, SB, and St. C, on the french dressing pizza. Must try it...soon.
ReplyDeleteRevSis....negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. If it ISN"T your calling or gift, then have a time limit on it, or just say no. If it has a time limit, still negotiate what goes if you take the time to do this.
Don't TAKE ON something extra without something else giving.
Prayers for you.
and for all us trying to figure out this transfiguration.
All I can think about is playing with puppies.
sigh. and SB's pizza.
Sermon done, inspite of the Olympics calling me away from my task at hand.
ReplyDeleteI am writing this on my laptop in front of the TV with my kitteh sitting on my lap next to the computer. BTW he says, ">>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>"
Here's my sermon.
Feel free to stop by and comment.
oooh, E, love that God Cloud thing.
ReplyDeleteThat will preach in my sermon!!!
E, hope you feel better! Jon, those sound like good ideas.
ReplyDeleteI'm still wrangling with what I want to say about this text. I expect a late night, which is not like me. Hopefully the 11 o'clock preachers will join us.
I spent way more time on this today than I had anticipated...but here it is fwiw.
ReplyDeleteSB, I read that as "I expect a *date* night." And I was like WOW, SB's got it going on. Sermon prep plus a night out with the Mister!
ReplyDeleteSorry your night is actually not going to be as fun as that. I hope it doesn't take as long as you think!
Considering my husband is in a faraway state, not much chance of a date night, even if my sermon were finished.
ReplyDeleteRevsis,
ReplyDeleteI think some negociations are in order. Somebody else has to do soemthing in exchange.
I need to put in my section of the sermon from Xian C. Once that is done I am ready for a print.
Just trying to figure out how to put it in midst of sermon.
A modern day story will help, as i got caught up in telling about Moses.
Watching modules on Olympics. Makes my knees hurt
Thanks Sue! Children's sermons are, without a doubt, the hardest part of Sunday morning for me. So... I'll take it!
ReplyDeleteBlessings all. I got Moses safely down the mountain and making a connection with baptism, so if that isn't pretzel logic I don't know what is!
Let the Spirit fall on all of us!
I'm relieved to say I have a beginning.
ReplyDeleteI'm checking in with all my media outlets and then going to start the 20 minutes on/5 minutes off approach to writing. I've got some ideas going and ready to come out of my mind, I think, so hopefully this will go well. The Olympics are a bit of a distraction, but we'll see how it goes. Hopefully I can leave it turned on, but with sound down.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I don't have to preach tomorrow. Our deacon is on.
ReplyDeleteWe had Diocesan Convention the last two days. A good chance to see friends but also important to take the time for conversations on a few other ministries - examining chaplains and search/transition of the next bishop who will be elected at next year's convention.
I'm already on to Ash Wednesday's sermon. Anyone care to join me?
Oh, no Sherev. You need the sound especially with the speed skating. It won't be the same with no sound
ReplyDeleteOkay. I have a middle. I mean, my sermon does.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback! I'm so grateful to have you all to ask these things of...
ReplyDeleteI was hoping to go in and negotiate (so, who wants to preach while I'm teaching kids SS?) but I wasn't sure if that was the thing to do. I do want to believe that they will be diligent in helping me find someone to lead it, even if I have to teach for a few weeks. Thanks for giving me the confidence to do this.
Back to working on the sermon...oh, look...a blank screen. sigh.
LOL, SB!
ReplyDeleteI have a middle, but not my sermon!
20 comments in 2 hours!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe can hit it by midnight, eastern time. Come on preachers. Keep those comments coming.
All this talk of Valentine's prompted me to open the fancy box of chocolates someone brought as a hostess gift when I entertained the vestry. Chocolate anyone?
ReplyDeletewell, I did very few of the things I had planned for today. I managed laundry, vacuuming, and I'm about to deal with trash and kitchen. I also finished the re-watch of Battlestar Galactica...including the unaired extended episodes, obviously (meaning I watched some eps twice). I did not manage a sermon for next Sunday, which means writing during vacation. sigh.
ReplyDeleteI do have a title: "prodigal love" (it's the first in a 3-sermon series on the story of the prodigal in Luke 15...I take the father's perspective and ask us to consider ourselves in that role, next week's preacher does the younger son and the third week does the older son).
That's all I've got. sigh.
Bringing it home. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteRevSis, I've read your blog. Your DS specifically said they need the opportunity to "be the church." THIS IS IT! Do not teach SS!!! I am United Methodist and what I heard in your blog post was the DS sending a message to your church about the way 'THEY' do ministry, or more specifically, the way they DON'T do ministry. This is just another time when they want the preacher "to be the Christian." But the preacher can't be "the" Christian, they need to take responsibility for their ministry. The church is the body of Christ. There are some underused appendages there.
ReplyDeletenow if I just had a sermon about which I felt as passionately as I do about RevSis and her church
ReplyDeleteAnd, RevSis, I should also say that you have been and continue to be in my prayers
ReplyDeleteHEaven forgive me, but I may just play "Shine Jesus Shine" for special music tomorrow....
ReplyDeleteI think I can tie it in to the message, and I like to choose something upbeat since so many of hte hymns they know aren't.
I really have no idea how to wrap this up. I think I need to sleep on it. Can you manage without me?
ReplyDeleteJust got back after several days away.
ReplyDeleteNo notes, no great ideas, nothing is on the plate.
This is going to be interesting!
SO apparently St. Jerome, in the Vulgate, translated the portion about Moses shining as saying that he had horns (I suspect Jerome was trying to make it clear why the poeple were afraid and so found a translation-even if a stretch-that did so). THat has me wondering, what is allowing ourselves to shine scares both us and the people around us???
ReplyDeleteIf you need to pack it in, Songbird, we'll manage, but so you don't feel unneeded, we'd love to have you stay. :) I just tried my first stab at writing/break/writing/breaking. We'll the writing went almost twice as long as I planned, but in 35 minutes I got easily 1/3 of my sermon done. Now I'll let the break go longer than I planned, too. I did turn the TV off which probably helped, but don't let me admit that too loudly!
ReplyDeleteOff for an ice cream break. I swore I wouldn't take THAT kind of break tonight, but I just heard my husband doing it, and I can't let him eat alone. Also, it's one of my favorite ice creams, and if he's getting into it there probably won't be much left for long! Ice cream and a little knitting, I think. If I'm not back in 30 minutes, someone come kick my butt up out of the basement!
Gord - - If I remember correctly, that's also exactly where that horrible prejudicial myth about Jewish people having horns comes from. (It figures prominently in an episode of Little House on the Prairie, but NOT the books)
ReplyDeleteOne of the commentaries I was reading today said that the Hebrew 'qaran' could be translated "horn." Wish I could remember which commentary...
ReplyDeleteI really want to finish this tonight. I really do. I'm just so tired I'm not sure what my point is, or rather I'm trying to make too many points right at the end.
ReplyDeleteThe space above this line is the content of my sermon thus far.
ReplyDelete"Oh where is my sermon? Oh where is my sermon? Oh where oh where oh where oh where is my sermon?"
(sung to the tune of the VeggieTales classic "Where is my hairbrush?")
Actually, I need two sermons. I officiate a wedding tomorrow as well
ReplyDeleteVicar, thank you! Yes, my DS did say this is the time for the church to step up and do the ministry of the church...he felt like my need to address the personal/family issues was just what they needed to make this happen. That's part of what I've struggled with in thinking about this conversation tomorrow. I don't have the energy to invest in children's SS. My family story reads more like fiction than real life (my husband has been in jail since Dec 1; I've discovered that I have to file bankruptcy and yes, I am getting a divorce). The church knows whats going on, at least at a surface level. I just don't want to take on anything else right now...
ReplyDelete...so thank you, thank you, thank you for your feedback and especially for your prayers!
Gord, here is a picture of Michelangelo's Moses, with horns. In case you want some sort of famous depiction to use as part of your illustration.
ReplyDelete[[[[RevSis]]]]
ReplyDeleteWow, RevSis, you really do have a lot to handle. I think it's perfectly reasonable to hold the line on your responsibilities!
ReplyDelete(((RevSis)))
ReplyDeleteMany prayers for you at this time. It is certainly time for the church to be The Church.
I think it would be acceptable for you to simply say, " I cannot do this now."
Hugs to all. I am about to sign out here and on Spacehook. Hope your Sunday goes well
Well, it was a little more than 30 minutes, but darn it, my husband finished the rest of the ice cream, so I deserved a longer break. Poo. And the women's moguls were fun to watch!
ReplyDeleteNow back to the sermon. Soon. I mean it.
Just read my sermon on this from three years ago, and boy howdy does it suck. Shoot.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about working with the veil imagery in the second reading some...anybody else work with that? (I am off to read a few of your sermons...just in case!)
Okay, I'm turning in, and I've posted my sermon. Today was an ordeal! Which seems ridiculous in the broader context of other's lives. Thanks for the company, especially tonight! See y'all in the morning. I'll make the coffee fresh.
ReplyDeletesemfem, I hate it when that happens!
ReplyDeleteA twitter friend just posted:
ReplyDelete"Hardest thing hasn't been learning that I can't control others. Hardest thing was learning to let go and keep walking."
so true
Tomorrow is first communion, postponed from last week due to snow. Thinking of snow blindness, how white it is, how much whiter Jesus is. How being with Jesus at communion brightens our lives and we should shine when we return from the altar like Jesus did returning from the mountain because we have stood in the presence of God. We should shine so bright that others take notice
ReplyDeleteIn the back of my mind is the thought that the bishop's miter is based upon Jerome's translation about the horns.
ReplyDeleteOn sermon length, somewhere early on the path I heard "the mind can absorb what the seat can endure" and have always kept my sermons short ;-)
Blessings to all of you tomorrow!
Nothing like one of the more obscure (but regularly repeating) "holy days" to bring us out of the wood work.
ReplyDeleteI love my first 3/8 or so, but need a transition to get to my next stage. Having trouble finding it. Once it arrives, I'll be at smooth sailing again and will probably go to bed. Just shy of 700 words right now.
The blank page became something of a sermon here .
ReplyDeleteFeedback, as always, is welcome. Prayers to all in preparing and proclaiming!
And thank you all for the hugs...I am grateful!
ReplyDeleteI have a page! 372 words to be exact
ReplyDeleteWith 1,010 words I'm over the halfway hump, so I think I'll hit the hay for a few hours. I'm feeling pretty good about where I am and where I'm going.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to all who continue to write. I'll be back for the early early morning crew (usually made up of just me).
I finally have a sermon! Now for the prayers
ReplyDeletethe worship service stuff is complete!
ReplyDeletenow for the wedding homily ... at least it can be very short. Whose idea was it to put Valentine's Day on a Sunday any way?
could somebody come put these clean sheets on my bed while I create this wedding thing?
ReplyDeleteI decided to go ahead and make the bed so the electric blanket could start warming the bed now.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could do the wedding homily during SS but I'm pretty sure that can't happen so I have to do it now.
I hope falling asleep during the writing of a wedding homily is not a bad influence on the actual marriage.
If I just keep talking to myself, we might get to 200 before England wakes up.
ReplyDeleteokay, I have a four minute wedding homily. I'm pretty sure that is more than enough so I am now headed for bed.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on your Sunday
Okay, I have browsed, I have napped, and now I must write. Let's see what happens...
ReplyDeleteChips and salsa for the early morning crew, anyone? (Might regret this later.)
ReplyDeleteCruising along at 786 words. Need to bring this one home in the next half an hour or so. I don't like going down to the wire, but I guess it's not an unusual Sunday for it to happen.
Hey semfem! Hope you brought it home in your half hour. I'm up and back and ready to try to do the same with mine. Did not sleep great this time. I think somewhere in the back of my mind I doubted that I was really as close to being done as I thought I was, so I kept waking up to check the clock to see if I had overslept yet. So annoying.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm here and hoping to stay on track enough to finish before too long. I might even be able to crawl back in bed for a little. (I know, I say that EVERY WEEK and it never happens, but I can still hope.)
1424 words, and I'm done! It's not a masterpiece, but it will do.
ReplyDeleteSending the Holy Spirit on to any early-morning writers who could use some inspiration.
Blessings on all pondering, preaching, and proclamation this day.
(You can do it She Rev!)
ReplyDelete1725 and all I need is one "bring it home" paragraph. So so close.
ReplyDeleteOh well, no time to go back to bed. I forgot I had a few more details to still fill in the PowerPoint and the large print sheets to make up. Oh well. It's done, and at least I can still go snuggle with the fam in bed for a few minutes. Blessings on you all!
ReplyDeleteGord - you made me laugh with "Shine, Jesus Shine" - we're closing with it but only because our music director's three children like it. Me? Not so much. She told the kids she wasn't promising anything, but she was going to ask me. I caved and said yes.
ReplyDeleteOkey, dokey then.....
Good morning from London! Our service this morning was saddened by news of the death of a fellow-preacher earlier this morning; the church I was preaching at minded - at that, so did I, but Gerald is well and happy now, and one couldn't wish him back, he has been so ill for so long - so I had to think on my feet, rather.
ReplyDeleteThe text of my sermon, which I did mostly stick to but not quite, has now been posted here.
Thinking of you all as I go off to preach this morning. May it be a transformative day!
ReplyDelete