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| Read more about the painting here. |
You bring us unacceptable wild grapes and word like a fire and a hammer that breaks things to pieces and that's all before we turn to the back of the book and hear our Lord and Savior GO OFF.
So I suggest we fortify ourselves. Stick together. Support one another.
The only way out is through, right?
I'm making Fair Trade coffee, and there's homemade banana bread. You can even spread Nutella on it, if my nineteen-year-old didn't finish it all last night. Join us, bring your treats, your questions and your ideas and share them in the comments.
And if you feel the need to bang your head on something while contemplating these texts, why not dance to this instead?
Good morning, challenging texts indeed! Perfect for the casual summer crowd.
ReplyDeleteI plan to 'party' today but first have a closing worship service for the grief support group to do this morning and I'll need to pick up my kid from his first outdoor tent sleepover. I'm hoping my Mom will take him to a pool party this afternoon while I pull tomorrow's sermon together from the various pieces I have floating around.
For those of you into heartier fare, I've got bacon and eggs, home friends, cinnamon apples and biscuits. But don't think I won't have a piece of banana bread too.
Tomorrow I preach at the church that has called me and then they vote on whether to accept the Search Committee's recommendation. It's Congregational! Woohoo! (Mildly terrifying.) (Last did this eight years ago.) (Can't remember where I got my nerve.)
ReplyDeleteI'm eschewing the lectionary after learning, as I mentioned earlier in the week, that the interim preached the part of Hebrews I wanted to use. On a bright note, he didn't use the gospel, so I'm going back a week and tying it to Moses' call story, since their VBS just spent a week on Moses.
We go to a reception at the church tonight at 6, so I am hoping to finish earlier than usual, not easy when you are off your rhythm. I foresee the use of much coffee this morning.
But first, the dog must be fed.
Good luck, SB!
ReplyDeletehi. I'm in and out, have a funeral at 2:00 this afternoon that's pretty much prepared.
ReplyDeleteI wimped out and preached on Hebrews. I "think" it's done, but might need some tweaking.
Yes, Good Luck, Songbird! we're rooting for you and praying for you.
If I make it through today and tomorrow, on Monday, we leave on a few days vacation.
I did write a reflection on the OT lesson over at my place. If you're interested, i'll link to it.
I'm sitting in a Holiday Inn waiting for my sister to wake up. We are headed to Chautauqua later this morning having wandered through West Virginia yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI love Burning Down the House! Hadn't thought of using it, though, but I might now.
Bacon and eggs sounds divine! Maybe it is time to find a Bob Evans.
And, Songbird, prayers for you this weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks, y'all! I'm a little concerned about contorting Moses into things, but on the bright side, we're going to sing "When Israel Was in Egypt's Land," and who doesn't like that?
ReplyDeletekzj, I'll be thinking of you this morning. Also, what are home friends? Is that like me when I come over to your house?
Diane, I wonder if links aren't what got us into so much spam trouble yesterday, but we probably ought to try some today as an experiment. It seems like people who are listed as blog authors can post links without being thrown into the spam pool.
Margaret, sounds like fun! Have a good day traveling!
Home friends... what an odd typo. I'd blame it on my iPod, but I did that on my laptop.
ReplyDeleteYes, home friends are home fries with friends.... or a major typo. :)
Continuing prayers for you Songbird as you have been preparing and will deliver your message that carries so much more meaning than the words spoken.
ReplyDeleteMe, Me, Me, - I would like some BACON and eggs! I'll trade you some Orange Cranberry Muffins.
I'm still playing with my sermon wirting schedule. Last week I was up from 3-4:30 a.m. Sunday typing my handwritten outline. Not.good.
This week, my sermon is ready, except for the changes I will make because I'm just that way. I wimped out on this week's lectionary and jumped to next week since I'll be off lectionary then for Blessing of the Backpacks.
I've already focused on healing in July, so tomorrow will focus on "right worship" based on the synagogue leader's response to healing on the Sabbath. Ironically, the Ministry Team totally reworked the order of worship this week (after I planned to preach on what consitutes right worship - heart condition, not right music, liturgy, method of communion). I've had many requests to change and keep the same regarding worship in my 7 weeks here. We'll see how this goes over.
m-lr, that kind of up in the night work is for the young ones. I certainly did it in my first years of parish ministry, but I'm glad I don't anymore!
ReplyDeleteI've done a little work (very little, but it's a start), and now I'm going out with my dog. Sam waits for no sermon. Back a little later! Stay out of trouble, okay?
Okay, I'm off to service #1. I'll check in later as I very much need to NOT be the late night crowd today since I've been VBS'ing and battling something all week.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the breakfast spread!
Kathryn, I'd sure take some home friends over here. :) We'd be staying inside, but my A/C works like a champ.
ReplyDeleteI have coffee and soon will have bacon and eggs for my hub; there'll be plenty to share around. Let me know what I can get y'all.
Go, Songbird!! Go, MLR! Go, preachers all.
Good morning, all y'all! I'm still recouperating after a crazy two weeks. I think I may tired for a long while...BUT I do have a draft of a sermon. Three more weeks of supply work and then I face the rest of this uncertain future I live in. Yes, I live in the today but always with this uncertain future. sigh.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you songbird. May all go well as I'm sure it will.
i'm preaching the Hebrews today. Unforunately, my little helper is not excited about playing alone. Sigh.
ReplyDeletemompriest, I believe there will be a breakthrough soon. Prayers for you.
ReplyDeleteskoplusone, isn't this why we have DVDs? ;-)
ok, if anyone is interested, and also as an experiment, here's the link
ReplyDeletehope we don't get any spam.
I don't think the problem for us is *getting* spam but having Blogger treat *us* as spam!
ReplyDeleteBut your comment posted without any intervention by me, Diane, so that's good.
songbird you crack me up! blessings on your weekend's ventures...
ReplyDeletei tackled jesus' harsh words... sermon 3/4 done, only to find out the bulletins all used "mary mother of our lord" texts. seriously? argh... i'm sticking with what i've got...
because the pup is demanding! no time for rewrites, redos, or re-anything really.
1st sermon after 3 weeks out of the pulpit & I'm strangely uninspired. The C of E is celebrating the Mother of God, & I'm looking at the Magnificat and wondering what I've not already said about it...I've just put some kalamata olives with herbs out - please help yourselves.
ReplyDeleteAnd Songbird,- you know my love and prayers are with you xxx
I live to serve, hot cup.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing two separate readings of the Gospel. Luke 12:49-56 (Fire and reading signs of the times) and then Luke 13:1-8 from the Message (the bad tree that doesn't bear fruit is given one more year.) Sermon title is "One Year Left" My clever secretary found an hour glass picture for the front of the bulletin. Should get people thinking!
ReplyDeleteSermon/Message to be about our mission (our fruits) to make disciples. And what would we do if we were told we only had one year left to show we have born fruit?
My group of farmers and farm families can relate to Jesus talking about the signs they see in the sky- but what about the signs that are all around them? While we are comfy, being fed and watered each Sunday, we can read in our papers and see on our streets the signs that others are not.
So how do we respond? Those folks who are punished by the local authorities are not bigger sinners than we are. And they need to hear the word of God too. Where are they going to hear it?
I'm going to be using a series of videos at the start of worship the next four or five weeks. They are short videos about bringing people to church.
I can't imbed the video here, but here is the URL. It is called, "There Goes Bob"
here's the link
Now to prepare to meet a family I've never met for a funeral for a person I've never met, but claims our church as "their church."
Then pick up fried chicken to feed my parents, my daughter, son-in-law, three grandchildren, husband and son.
Then tonight, finish sermon, work on sermon for nursing home tomorrow and start on message for funeral on Monday. Just a normal weekend!
If there is fried chicken left, I'll let you know...
Re-entry is SO hard, Kathryn. It's the same for me, I'm also three weeks out from writing a sermon. Why isn't it like riding a bike?
ReplyDeletecoming into Saturday with far less than usual because I had a terrible bug and got NOTHING done yesterday. I put Hebrews and the vineyard in the bulletin, titled the sermon Perseverance. and uhm, yeah. That's about it.
ReplyDeleteI have lots of fresh blueberries here... and plenty of water in the kettle for Earl Grey tea...
Seriously, Daughter, let's hope nothing unusual occurs!
ReplyDeleteAlthea, hope you -- ahem -- persevere.
I've been noodling around uselessly. It must be time to do some laundry.
I have an interment this morning (provided I can find the cemetery-- not an easy task, sorting betwen dirt roads up in the mountains!), so firming up the sermon will have to wait until later.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I'm caught up in the Hebrews reading-- less about connection with our forbears, than recognition that we are part of "the great cloud of witnesses" for others. How do we faithfully live that out? This Christian Century article has been food for thought...
I'm preaching Mary, Mother of our Lord - thinking about prayer and justice, incarnation and how we bear God to one another. I have coffee but no food yet... cheese and blueberries calling me.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed here. My college boy awoke with no prompting. Think we may take Sam to the Farmer's Market!
ReplyDeleteBut first, I'm going to try a little writing.
Jane Ellen+, may you find the way!
And Joolie, may you find the way to cheese and blueberries.
eeek...suddenly it's time to go to do a Baptism. Barely started sermon & mustn't forget Memorial Service address too....
ReplyDeleteI'm heading in the same direction as Joolie, currently thinking about family, inheritance etc etc
Not preaching--on vacation and will be on the road tomorrow; just dropped by to wish all you preachers well.
ReplyDeleteIt's my third week not preaching b/c I didn't preach my last Sunday before vacation--y'all have me worried about getting back into rhythm when I go back to work in two weeks!
Now, to the farmer's market...
Hello Pals,
ReplyDeleteTommorrow is the church picnic so it's a super short service and I only have to do a children's sermon. Yay!
SB you are in my prayers. I'm sure you will impress them!
Would anyone like a strawberry banana smoothie?
Blessings to all you preachers today and tomorrow, especially Songbird. I'm off a week from the supply merry-go-round. Thank goodness, as we have six family members visiting and we're recovering from sunburns we got at the beach yesterday! We have a fridge full of leftovers...ham, black eyed peas, cornbread, tacos, lasagna, fruit...something for everyone, help yourselves.
ReplyDeleteGuest preaching for the first time since graduating from seminary - happy about that. Hebrew 12:1-2. Although it's in my city, the congregation is completely new to me.
ReplyDeleteSaw a doe and her twin fauns while out for my walk this morning!
SB, a grace-filled Sunday morning to you!
Prayers and thoughts for you Thoughts and prayers for preachers all around. Preaching on Hebrews. I am also using chapter 11 as a whole to put things in context. Concentrating on faith, and what that means to really be peopole of faith. Hope I can flesh it out. Blessings to all.
ReplyDeleteHey, I actually wrote some words!
ReplyDeleteAnd then I went to the Farmer's Market, for blueberries (power of suggestion, Joolie) and corn and kale and lots of other things.
I'm going to write for half an hour and then break for lunch.
Welcome to all who arrived while I was away, and RDM, enjoy your vacation!
I'm doing, somewhat reluctantly, Mary Mother of Our Lord. But I'm also referring to Hebrews and the 'great cloud of witnesses' even though we aren't reading that lectionary lesson. I'm going to talk about it anyway! I'm talking about how Mary isn't included in the list by the author of Hebrews but could be. Then, thanks to a book I came across, talk about more in Mary's life after Jesus' birth--how she became more than just Jesus' mother, but a follower too. Hope it comes together as I have a wedding this afternoon too. My first in this place!
ReplyDeleteWow, lots going on here already! I slept late (9 am) now have to rush out the door to a volunteer thing (school supply giveaway) and a 100 year old lady's birthday party. I should be back for the night.
ReplyDeleteGot a guided meditation on a June lectionary scripture (the demoniac and the herd of pigs thing) about half written, so not feeling worried, but have some energy up about how it will go as it is unusual.
Smoothies with raspberries, bananas and real yummy fat free frozen yogurt from TJ's. See you gals later :)
Silent, I hope it all goes well!
ReplyDeleteJuniper, we're finally getting Trader Joe's here, can't wait.
Hello everyone--seems like many of us are back in the saddle today! I only had one Sunday off for vacation, but it feels like it was a lot more than that. Ugh. Today is about writing the sermon, cleaning house for a houseguest, and making a potluck item for Sunday afternoon.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm combining Luke and Hebrews...Jesus' tough words about family, and then the new family of faith we are given as described in Hebrews. I actually have quite a few notes on it, but no starting point yet...
Lots going on out there...may the Holy Spirit be with us all!
Back but heading to napland. I'm battling the VBS Gunk or Funk, both?
ReplyDeleteThe Boy is home from his "sleep over" and promptly put himself to bed. And a little child (5 year old in this case) shall lead them.
Writing is next!
hi all. back for a moment while I'm waiting to get into the church to set up for the funeral. I'm just feeling a little edgy. Went through the evening service once, crossed out and went through stuff.
ReplyDeleteEdgy. don't know why I'm so edgy. I think partly I need a vacation.
Dropping by to see what the gals and pals are up to on a Saturday always makes me feel less alone. Thanks for sharing your days.
ReplyDeleteOff lectionary for tomorrow - launching VBS. Baptism postponed due to a little sicky.
Lots of "not fun" meetings piling up in the afternoons/evenings next week have got my stress level up...and my inspiration flagging.
Hoping to get grounded and centered. Makes things so much easier!!
OK. That wasn't exactly what I'd planned. Spent an hour with the Baptism family after the service - they are v lovely & sadly moving away in a few weeks for at least a year...but now I have something approaching a real sermon crisis. Aaargh.
ReplyDeleteNo time, no time...Must get to curate's house warming too.
Bethany, glad to have you with us!
ReplyDeleteKathryn, your weekends always make me want to lie down and take a nap.
Wait, did my last comment suggest naps to everyone?
ReplyDeleteWho needs a Diet Pepsi as a pick-me-up? Or a copy of the BE 4.0 brochure to fuel dreams of some other day?
I have a draft, and I'm going to let it alone for a while.
Is anybody there?
ReplyDeleteI'm at that point where after re-reading my sermon, I wonder if I actually know anything about anything at all. Who's with me?
Ha! You know lots about lots o' stuff. Blessing tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteThe Boy is up (barely) and off to a pool party with his Gram. I'm home and must. focus.
ReplyDeleteFirst, a snack... :)
Home from warming curate's house & on the last leg of the sermon...Will finish it before supper, then do Memorial service address afterwards.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason I decided to preach on heaven and hell tomorrow. I have 7 pages so far, and need to cut cut cut. I started by wanting to help parents answer questions kids have. But I ended up talking about the Greek idea of the immortality of the soul....and haven't really gotten to heaven yet....Need.To.Focus. Do snacks help?
ReplyDeleteDang, it is hot here! But despite the heat and humidty I have a draft: Not Only Live in, But Be
ReplyDeleteNow, I have some delciously cool fruit salad with nectarines, blueberries, and cantelope, and some vanilla ice cream - anyone interested in an afternoon refreshment?
Hi all. Popping in to say howdy! I've been at the Church Unbound conference in Montreat since Wednesday. Spent some quality time with Teri and Frog Blogger, and some other peeps who should be RGBPs but aren't.
ReplyDeleteNow waiting for my delayed flight in the lovely Asheville airport.
Blessings, all, especially Songbird.
Of course they do, Queen Mum!
ReplyDeleteJules, thank you.
I'm getting ready for a reception at the church and will "see" you all after.
Of course they do, Queen Mum!
ReplyDeleteJules, thank you.
I'm getting ready for a reception at the church and will "see" you all after.
hi, just back after funeral for a bit before the 5:00 early edition. funeral went well, not perfect, I forgot to put out the baskets for the empty communion cups, but we figured out how to roll with it ... and that's what life's about right? figuring out what to do when everything isn't perfect?
ReplyDeleteHmm, doesn't look like I'm going to finish the sermon before I leave for the other town where I am preaching tomorrow. Guess I'll do the last bits of tidying up, pack, and then write tonight after supper. Hopefully the notes I have will be enough...and a printer will be available...
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side, the floors are finally mopped (hadn't been done in months), the bathroom had a little come-to-Jesus talk with Mr. Clean, and the guest room is made up and ready!
If there's Internet access where I'm going, I'll be back later...
SB - blessings on your day tomorrow. I often get finished with a sermon and wonder if it really "says" anything...yet people assure me it does :)
ReplyDeleteA good vent session with hubby and some quiet time have gotten me more grounded & centered.
Now to get a sermon together in a service where so many things point to baptism....the baptism we aren't actually having!
Prayers for all - wherever you are in your day/process!!
i'm not really sure my sermon goes anywhere... anywhere that makes sense. is it challenging? intellectual? graceful? who knows... my puppy has turned into a peeing machine. how many dogs pee as they go down the carpeted staircase? argghhh...
ReplyDeleteHC - ALL puppies do that as they learn bladder control and develop muscle...not fun, but it won't last...
ReplyDeleteBut I'm right here with all of you wondering if after all my effort to finesse a word here and there and cut a sentence or rewrite it, if in fact the sermon makes any sense or rather if it has any purposeful meaning. sigh...I need to step away from it. ANd, one reason I like to post it on my blog is to come back and look at at it later in a new context....often helps me pull out the parts that need tweaking...well. It's not quite dinner time here, but it is time for ice tea and dark chocolate. Help yourself.
Okay, FINALLY outlined with a focus and function and everything!
ReplyDeleteHoping the Holy Spirit makes and early appearance here. This canNOT be a late night.
While SB is at her reception, does anyone need anything? Diet Coke? Coffee? Pizza? Nachos (although hard to type while eating nachos)?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHey All -
ReplyDeleteI love to pop on and see how many of my sisters are with me in writing a sermon on a beautiful Saturday. SongBird - I've been watching your tweets and thinking of you - knowing you will wow them in many ways. Many blessings to all of you on your writing and inspiration.
I'm not preaching on lectionary tomorrow, instead the second part in a series on Paul. Sermon Title: On Keeping Silent. It's a sermon on Paul's texts on women. Not a defense of women's ordination but instead trying to make sense of Paul as a liberal/progressive, finding hope in his words instead of hurt. We'll see how it goes.
I'm hiding out at Starbucks until my kids go to bed, then it will be back home...and more writing. Happy to buy anyone a latte who wants to join me!
I have a short but preachable draft. Going to let it rest a bit - and me, too!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to all and to all a good night!
I so want to call it a day on this text. I feel done. But it's about half the customary length. I think I can be short, but not THAT short. oh for a few more paragraphs....
ReplyDeletewell, I am just stepping into the preacher party fray. Yesterday, I reframed a sermon from a few years ago on Mary, and am scared to go look at what I did.
ReplyDeleteI think I am hungry. Kathrynzj, nachos sound delicious.
Happy sermonizing everyone...
and blessings on SB at her reception.
I feel *certain* I will be back!!!!
well, I am just stepping into the preacher party fray. Yesterday, I reframed a sermon from a few years ago on Mary, and am scared to go look at what I did.
ReplyDeleteI think I am hungry. Kathrynzj, nachos sound delicious.
Happy sermonizing everyone...
and blessings on SB at her reception.
I feel *certain* I will be back!!!!
OK, I have an outline; still too drafty to be done, but the bones are there.
ReplyDeleteDH fixed pasta for dinner (gluten-free, of course :) ) and now I'm back to work.
Bethany, does your tradition have a liturgy for congregational renewal of baptism? just a thought.
Anyone have a funny story involving water?
ReplyDeleteI got nothin' on water. Sorry. Anyone got a couple paragraphs on the Hebrews text?
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm back! Over 50 people came to the Dessert Social, which was a big turnout for August in Maine. Everyone was happy. We saw the full range of ages, including some young families who haven't been attending during the transition. So, yay!
ReplyDeleteHow's it going here?
I have some water stories but they all seem to be in the "you had to be tehre" category.
ReplyDeleteANyone got a good story on choices and being shut out because of a choice?
How about any jokes on hell?
ReplyDeleteDropping in to say Hi to everyone. Songbird, I'm soooo glad the reception went well for you. I just printed my outline (that's what I preach from), but I'm betting I'll do some revising. That's the problem with being ahead and writing on Thursday is I keep second guessing everything. When I write at the last minute, there's NO TIME to second guess. I'm sure this will all work itself out over time. Maybe when I'm and older not-a-rookie.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, prayers for travel mercies. Tomorrow afternoon, ManBoy and I set out for a 6 hour drive across hot, dry, flat, boring land so he can visit a college he may be interested in on Monday. Then on Monday afternoon, we climb back in the car and drive 6 hours back. That's how I'm spending my day off this week. How about y'all?
Gord, just about everyone who has come out in the GLBT community.
ReplyDeleteBooks for The Boy then I'll give it another shot.
Anyone have any peppermint ice cream?
Gord, one time in high school I forgot to show up for a rehearsal for a big musical our choir was performing in with the symphony. No excuse, just forgot. Others skipped it on purpose, then made up excuses. "My grandmother died" etc. I told the truth. I was the only one who wasn't allowed to perform.....I had to sit in the audience with our director.
ReplyDeletewow, QueenMum, I'm all p-o'd on your behalf now.
ReplyDeleteSongbird - Way! To! Go! It's nice to know them a little before you gotta meet 'em, I'd say...
KJ - I'm waiting/watching with a very good friend who's trying to start labor right now, so all the water humor I have seems to be of the breaking kind, and probably not very funny in a mixed crowd. (I'm trying to remember the story a pastor told one time about her water breaking in the pulpit, but I cant quite access it for some reason).
Ok, have to look at my outline now and see how it looks. Hopefully not as sketchy as I remember from Thursday.
I'm quitting, hoping/depending on the HS to shake me awake early in the morning if She has something better to say and would like me to say it.
ReplyDeletePeace friends.
Songbird Glad the reception went well
ReplyDeleteQueenmum that stinks I feel so sorry
Me still wresling with faith and Hebrews
help! working on jesus' words and have a big blank page so far... i need a way in - any ideas? or diet coke to keep me awake 'til the holy spirit comes up with something?
ReplyDeleteBack in the day I was a huge Talking Heads fan, but after watching my neighbors' houses burn down 4 months ago, I could click on the video. The painting is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'm over it now. I think :)
ReplyDeletePeace to you all through the night and tomorrow. Hope things go well at your new church, Songbird.
Friends, thank you again, so much, for your kind words. I'm going to hit the sack. I'm sorry for ducking out this evening; I've spent time with my kids and tried to relax!
ReplyDeleteSee y'all in the morning with a fresh pot of coffee.
anyone have a copy of Eat Pray Love, the book handy?
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for page 13. They have "look insde the book" on Amazon up to page 12, and then the last line is: "and then I started to pray. You know, to God."
I'm trying to rmember What She Said Next. Help anyone?
Oops Juniper, I could help you with that book quote if I were at home, but I'm not! The apartment where I'm staying tonight fortunately has Internet though, so I can come back to party with whoever's left.
ReplyDeleteThe day has been busy, even frantic, and now with a full belly and a tired brain I need to forge ahead and flesh out this outline (and a very bare-looking outline it is right now, too).
So those of you who have been visited by the HS today, whether you know it or not, could you send her this way please? Thanks!
thanks semfem - you are kind. I dinked around trying to find it for a whiel, then just sort of punted with what I remembered.
ReplyDeleteguess I'm done for now. good night all!
Hi Gals and Pals.
ReplyDeleteHope the sermonizing is going well.
Just back from a most cool week with a few RGBPs, Carol Howard Merritt and Brian McLauren @ Montreat.
Hope you are all doing okay. Fair Trade chocolate anyone?
I am heading to a big church where there is an opening for an interim assoc. I would like to check it out and see how it "feels."
Press on, go to bed, or take a break. whatever works for you!
lalalalalalalalalala
ReplyDeleteanybody else out there? It's kind of lonely on the night shift tonight!
I'm at 771 words, trucking right along, but just wondering if anyone else is out there!
1289 words and I'm spent. Whew.
ReplyDeleteTime for a few hours of sleep before it's rise and shine.
Blessings on all pondering, preaching, and proclamation today (and a special blast of the Holy Spirit to those preaching a call sermon!).
When the dog woke me up in the middle of the night, I rewrote the ending: An Unexpected Hour. Thank you so much for your words of support and encouragement. May the Spirit be with all of us!
ReplyDelete