It's Saturday, RevGals!
Time to get that sermon going!
Time to get that sermon going!
No pressure to perform or anything, but Jesus' preaching attracted crowds, crowds so big that they couldn't eat. Whatever that means. It's hard to imagine that particular outcome of church growth gone wild.
Along with that crowd-pleasing success, Jesus was getting flack from his family, who thought he was crazy, and was attacked by the Consistory scribes, who had issues with her "you-name-it" his demon removal abilities.
Are you feeling the pressure today? From family, the powers-that-be, or just the things (and/or people) that can become unmanageable?
Lectionary or not?
Gospel, Epistle, Samuel or Psalm?
What's your pleasure this week?
I could use some Children's Time inspiration. Anyone? Please?
If this is your first time at this party, or if you are a long-time lurker, please let us know you are here!
Our main agenda is to support each other to get from now to Sunday with good news in preach-able form. Off-subject tangents, jokes and stories are expected!
If you are in need of prayer, we are here for you.
So, grab some coffee, sharpen that pencil (oh, sure!), and help yourself to the goodies.
Welcome to the Preacher Party!
A grace-filled GOOD MORNING to everyone!
ReplyDeleteThe coffee is fresh, hot and Fair Trade, so help yourselves.
What's happening with everyone this morning?
I was talking about the gospel with a friend the other day. Later, he texted me and said, "don't preach out of your fear." Then I went to a regional meeting, a precursor of the General Convention in July and the fear was rampant! But the Presiding Bishop gave a wonderful talk about being a part of the Trinitarian dance where we are drawn in to drink from the well and then spun out to tell others about Jesus and invite them into the dance. She said we can't stay at the well and we can't stay at the edge of the dance, either. We have to do both.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me my denomination is doing neither right now. We don't see worship as reviving/life giving and we are afraid that inviting others into the dance may change our ethos too much.
So I am going to preach about the fear in the gospel lesson, about how remaining steadfast in faith keeps the house from dividing even though we have different opinions/beliefs about many things. And I think I will end with The Rag-Tag Army from The Way of the Wolf.
But first I have to help make/serve lunch at the Salvation Army and visit a few folks in hospitals. And maybe I should go to the grocery store as my cupboard is so bare, there isn't even a virtual offering for the group!
Hi Margaret!
DeleteThat's the general direction I'm going too, with *things* happening in my congregation and some people losing heart. Nice distinction: preaching about fear but not preaching from fear.
Have a great day and we'll look forward to that virtual offering when you get back!
Here's a link to a pastor article that quotes Martin Bell's "Rag Tag Army."
DeleteI hear you Margaret! Although around here it's the budget that has folks up in arms! YIKES - do we know how to throw the baby out with the bathwater! Let's just focus on global mission and forget local communities and Christian formation, at least in terms of Church Center support. sigh....
DeleteYeah, it's budget and structure that are the bugaboos. Same gender blessings sailed right on by. The weirdest thing was the fear that the HOB is plotting to "take over" or some such nonsense. It got to be the running joke in my deputation as anytime we saw our bishop talking to another, we'd ask what the latest conspiracy plan was and he'd look over his shoulder and say "I can't tell you." as the PB remarked, we are all in this together.
DeleteSo I have been to the store. The mac and cheese will be available later but there's chicken salad on the table now. Y'all come!
Looking at the Gospel & Epistle lessons together, I'm thinking about a couple of different "earthen vessel/cracked pot" stories that highlight the beauty and possibility of people to do good in the midst of their brokenness. We've had two deaths in our congregation this week, so I'm thinking that "earthen vessel" language also needs to be carefully, thoughtfully shared to address people in the midst of grief. And now, I've got to go put in a full shift at my third (non-church, non-farm) job, and I have NO IDEA how this sermon is going to get done between now and tomorrow morning! Gonna show up in the pulpit as a pretty cracked pot myself... ;-)
ReplyDeleteBut hey, since I'm working in the British import shop today, y'all can have lots of chocolate-covered biscuits and shortbread!
Chocolate! Yea! Thanks, MC.
DeleteCracked pots, indeed!
My current avoidance behavior is cleaning things. That's what it's come to. Also, coffee. Always, coffee.
Where is everyone today?
(She says, as she goes to check that spam folder again to make sure no one is caught there.)
Sharon, seems like some weeks are really slow at the Preacher Party...no idea why? Just happens. Today, many distractions from a gorgeous day here and this dinner party I am hosting tomorrow night. ACK - why do I do this to myself?
DeleteGood morning wonderful RevGals! Blessings on each of you today and tomorrow. I am on vacation this week. Our family is driving to Chicago tomorrow for a week of wonderful museums, music and art. Walk that dog and walk it boldly! You are all a gift from God.
ReplyDeleteThank you for those encouraging words. Have fun in Chicago!
DeleteLove Chicago! Be sure to walk through Grant park, and if it's evening enjoy a free concert at Millennium Park. The Art museum, Field museum, Planetarium, and Aquarium are some of my most favorite!
DeleteTuesday is free day at the ARt Institute. Chicago is my favorite city, not that I have visited all the big ones yet.
DeleteThanks for all the Chicago tips. Did not know about free day at the Art Institute. Chicago is a great city.
DeleteOff lectionary (for most of the summer). Preaching on Genesis 1: 1-5 with the theme of "time" as being a gift and not segmented into "church time" and "secular time".
ReplyDeleteI've got some cantaloupe to share. Love the summer fruits (now, that could just possible morph into to a summer series)
"Summer Fruits" and "Cracked Pots"! Yep.
DeletePurple, now I'm thinking I should go to the local market and see what's there.
As I did last summer I'm thinking about following one book in the Hebrew text (First Samuel and then what ever comes next) and doing a series of teaching sermons and reflections. This will lead nicely to our Bible Survey coming up the end of July and end of August.
ReplyDeleteThese are just short little homilies...here's my offering for tomorrow.
I took my notes from the Process and Faith blog and from the Interpreter's Commentary...let me know if I'm off base anywhere....not that you have anything else to do :-)
Now I am off to clean and cook - hosting the choir for an end of the year potluck supper celebration tomorrow night....anxious because my husband will be working and I will need to host these folks and keep an eye on my three dogs - who are scavengers when it comes to food...very bad! Despite years of effort to teach them otherwise. sigh.
DeleteWe have a food hoarder dog, too! No fun. Good luck...maybe get some bones for them.
DeleteHi Terri!
DeleteYou were right on, IMHO, and I appreciated reading your sermon, which I think hit the mark of a teaching sermon. It makes me consider if I could do something similar.
I would covet your prayers today as I lead a Blessing for a couple who were married last week in New York. Gay marriage is not allowed either in my denomination nor in the State of Idaho, so I'm trying to navigate that terrain in meaningful ways.
ReplyDeleteThe Blessing is today at 3 mountain time and Christopher and Andy would covet your prayers too!
One of our House Churches is leading worship tomorrow, to share their experience at the shelter where they helped tutor people for the GED test. So I am thankful to have this sunday off from preaching.
Prayers for all of your sermonizing!
Marci, prayers of joy and thanksgiving as you celebrate with your people.
DeleteMarci,
DeleteBlessings and prayers for Chris, Andy and you. You are living the gospel. Thank you for your witness.
Prayers for you Marci, and this couple, and your community.
DeleteAdding my prayers for you and your community, Marci. What a great thing to celebrate!
DeleteMarci, thank you for your willingness to step off the edge and trust. Prayers for you, Chris and Andy ascending.
DeleteI'm late to the party, but adding my prayers of thanksgiving for you, your ministry, and what I am SURE was a beautiful blessing!
DeleteThanks everyone! It was a beautiful day.
DeleteAnd the hymn the couple chose for the service? "Called as Partners in Christ's Service".
How awesome is that?!
I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do and finish bulletins all at the same time after being out of town for a presbytery meeting. Plus husband is gone working on to prepare our house in former town so we can sell it - so I've got the boys by myself. aarrgghh.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had time to sit and look ahead for the summer, but I. need. a. plan.
Have iced coffee, bagels, and strawberry/blueberry smoothies to offer!
Welcome and thanks for the delicious snack!
DeleteSounds like you have your hands full and some transitions to navigate. And boys! I can totally relate to not having time to make a plan.
Hugs and prayers, Rev TSB.
Preaching and Celebrating as Supply tomorrow in my hometown, although I have never been to this church. I will be the first female to celebrate there according to the Sr warden. I'm vacillating between, they won't remember what I've said, and it has to be spectacular and airtight. I'm trying to not be fearful, but excited. Eek. It's making for a rough start this morning.
ReplyDeleteAmy, oh so much pressure. Just follow the point from the scripture that most speaks to you, and let that be enough. I find whenever I get distracted by this kind of pressure I fail to say what is in my heart. I suspect the words you need to say are already in your heart, just trust that Spirit - she has your back!
DeleteAmy, we will hope and pray that the fascination factor will override the Bible Belt stubborn thing.
DeleteWhich reminds me of a joke from my Texas Baptist roots:
Two Baptist deacons were discussing things of the faith. The first one asked the other, "Do you believe in women pastors?" and the second one replies, "Believe in them? Hell yeah, I've actually seen one!"
And, do go with excitement, if possible!
Prayers will be with you Amy. I guess it was my first sermon at SMitF that was my first hometown sermon. Go for it. I am not preaching but I think I am assisting at the service tomorrow. I have strawberry smoothies or milkshakes available.
ReplyDeleteMarci, prayers are coming. And peace be with you re. repercussions.
I think that the readings lend themselves to preaching about fear--the fear of what is happening in our churches and our nation. Fear that can distort the truth of God's care for the world. And the fear that makes us buy anything that shows up on the TV.
Yes, Muthah+, fear seems to be everywhere!
DeleteCounting on one of your milkshakes to make it all better, at least for now.
I'm on break at our synod's assembly. It's been uplifting and inspiring, but I'm dreading the 5 hour drive home, the sermon I still have to write and packing for camp. Why did I think leaving for confo camp the day after I get back was a good idea!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to preach on Markan themes and end with how we are invited into God's kin-dom. But I may just go about and buy a projector so I can show the awesome vidoe from our presiding bisop, and offer some thoughts about how Jesus is using us to bind the strong man.
the music calls - time to get back to the synod business.
I'm liking the idea of Jesus using us to bind the strong man. Giving that some more thought . . .
DeletePeace and prayers as you make it all work out.
If I had the means to show the PB's remarks at Province IV, I would do it in a heartbeat. Buy the projector!
DeleteRamona, we just finished synod assembly too, and I am definitely doing the "show the PB video and make a few comments" thing...thank you for suggesting one way to make the connection to the readings!
DeleteI want to preach on the Genesis text and discuss mythology and the difference between truth and facts. I am worried this would be too much, though I've pushed the congregation before. Any thoughts on approach. Good idea/bad idea?
ReplyDeleteI am also thinking to some extent along the same lines but not sure how to approach it so would welcome thoughts
DeleteIt is late afternoon here and although I have some initial thoughts I am exhausted after a very full fortnight and deperate for some time to myself. The Manse alarm went off at 2am the night before last and I am a bit on edge as I don't know if it was someone trying to break in. Hopefully they were frightened off when the alarm went off if it was but a bit nervous just now.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to contrast the blame game in Genesis (she made me, the snake made me etc.) with the idea of sharing the abounding grace of God from 2 Cor. It all seemed to tie together earlier when I wrote nothing down (!!) but is a bit wooly now. hopefully it will still come right.
This is my first "normal" sunday service in ages - no baptism, prizegiving, ordination, new members or anything else to include - and would it be rude to be grateful that there are also no funerals to intimate this week (yet)? Far too many in the last few weeks!!
Ok, I'll top procrastinating now and head back to that elusive sermon. loving the ideas here - wishing I had perhaps gone with the gospel reading when I drew up the order for printing.
Exhaustion has me reaching for lovely chocolate biscuits (cookies) and left over favours from my brother's wedding this week (home made filled chocolates). Plenty to share. Anyone for junk food??
Hi to Pastor Julia and Tanya!
ReplyDeleteA big YES to junk food! I found myself craving some dill pickles which would go great (I think) with those chocolate cookies -- and, no, don't even think it! I'm a grandmother! So I got out a big jar of dill chips, in case anyone else in the mood for that.
The Genesis text (which I am not using) has a theme from the Gospel text (which I am using) which has something to do with "who's the 'good guy' and who's the 'bad guy'." I'm thinking about how we let that be a distraction from "who's on God's (Jesus') side" a.k.a. doing what they did and tell us to do.
Still in the early stages for me . . .
I made freshly brewed iced tea -- sweetened and unsweetened, take your pick -- with mint, lemon, and honey to add as you please. We'll save the oh-so-wonderful addition of a little peach schnapps for a later celebration!
Good afternoon preachers! It has been a kind of crazy week for me (in good ways) and I am feeling mightily distracted today--just made myself get OFF FB although that has certainly not been my only tool for procrastination.
ReplyDeleteI'm preaching on Mark; I want to set up the context since we'll be primarily on Mark til Advent now, and then .... maybe something on people thinking he was crazy and perhaps we should not be afraid to be a little crazy too, i.e, think outside the box, not settle for the status quo... Not sure if that's where I'll end up but that is where my head is now, such as it is.
Tanya, our first "normal" Sunday in a while too, although I hadn't thought about it til you mentioned it. Attendance was really low last week despite us honoring our "name day" and our high school grads --local festival kept folks away I think. Curious to see if summer mentality affects attendance tomorrow.
I'm not expecting huge attendances tomorrow either. It is the local Highland Games tomorrow.
DeleteI like the idea of it being ok to be a little crazy! Not preaching on Mark tomorrow or I would definately being trying to bring that into the sermon!
Hi, Rev Dr Mom!
DeleteI am preaching on Mark -- at least in theory, nothing written yet -- and I like thinking that Jesus is saying not to be afraid to go a little crazy for the sake of doing God's work.
It's easier to label the other person as "extreme" instead of taking the risk oneself. (Thinking out loud here . . . )
1:00 and the sermon fairy has not yet arrived...
ReplyDeleteWe hosted a 3 church VBS this last week. Still cleaning up today.
Last Sunday after worship we had our usual 1st Sunday potluck. Our leaders have used that time to feature round table communication on a ministry area. Last week was Building and Grounds. Plan was to talk about the new 80 unit senior continuum of care facility breaking ground in July and how we have been working with them for the last 5 months on property issues (we gained 9 feet of vacated alley) water run off and landscaping. We have an older building with the usual array of of deferred maintenance.
Imagine my surprise when the oldest member (her 100 B-day is the end of this month) gets up and asks if it would make more sense to sell this one and build a new church! The ladies at her table all nodding their heads... This is a congregation that struggles to meet it's $150,000 a year budget... and the long time members fight about money lots. The younger ones do not fight- but they do disengage and leave when the fights start. The long time members then get all upset that attendance is not growing... Our actively serving leaders ( most of whom are younger) are now utterly confused. I have spent the week between VBS trying to listen for what this mean.
I am equally confused. Basically what I am hearing is the long time folks want all the problems to go away and someone else to fix them... Oh and most of the problems are my fault. Lord have mercy... Wedding at 3- attending not officiating- really need to focus and get back to work.
Yeah, the problems are "your fault" and they probably wish you could fix them. Listening is good, hard work that you are doing. They are so blessed to have you, even if they don't know it.
DeleteAnd HA! A new church -- yes, maybe -- but the fact that they think you need a new building to make a new church is laughable, unless you are their pastor, of course.
Hugs and love and prayers, Celeste.
thanks Sharon! I appreciate hugs, love and prayers! For those who may just for fun be dreaming of a new building, plug in $200.00 per square foot. Our current space is 15,000 feet. To replace would be about $3,000,000- for those zero challenged that is 3 million! Crazy! Oh and the main problem I am told is we need more members so we can build this new building ... struggling with how to speak truth in love tomorrow. it is 10pm which is well past my sermon bedtime. time to give it a rest. peace friends
DeleteWell I have decided that the desire for a monarch in Samuel was an incarnational impulse since monarchs int eh ANE were god-space. And they were like us, some generations from their faith-stories; no one alive had seen the miracles of Exodus, etc. There's a fair amount of buyer's remorse right up to the gospel where Jesus doesn't do that incarnational or king-thing like anyone, including his family expects.
ReplyDeleteYeah, buyer's remorse all right! And still the desire for the incarnational king continues.
DeleteThanks for checking in, Wil!
It's 5:00 somewhere! Specifically, it's 5:00 here in the Allentown PA area.
ReplyDeleteSo . . . IT'S CHOCOLATE TIME!
I have Fair Trade dark chocolate squares for anyone who has a pre-dinner chocolate craving. I'm pretty sure that dark chocolate has been declared a health food, so help yourselves!
Fair trade dark chocolate sounds, well, heavenly.
ReplyDeleteI have a draft, and I did challenge us to be a little crazy for Jesus, if being crazy means confronting the powers of evil in the world as he did. Letting it rest for a bit before I come back for a final edit. And maybe going out for a *bux run; thinking of chocolate makes me want a skinny mocha. Hmmmm.....
good evening Gals, it's 11.10 pm here and I'm about to turn in. Preaching out of Paul + Mark. Theme - perspective is everything - for the crowd, for the family, for the apostles and even for those darn teachers who were so hung up on the words they totally shut thier eyes on what was right in front of them. I had a totally mad week; but managed to find some 'me time' this afternoon. Even managed to blog for first time in two weeks...
ReplyDeleteand for the kids - mean what you say, say what you mean. We'll have a littel fun with rainbow letters AMENS - MEAN/ MANE/ NAME/ MANSE/ AMEN.... all about the persepctive again and being strong in what we beleive- and meaning it. Amen Sisters!
Julie - night y'all
Country-girl, I can't help but say: Nice perspective!
DeleteYour totally mad week seems to have given you some wonderful energy. I also enjoyed reading your blog post.
Back from the pool with boys, and hubby is on the way home, so it's time to get this sermon knocked out...... but I have nada......
ReplyDeleteThe pianist/organist has submitted her resignation, so we'll be searching for a new musician, which I am NOT looking forward to....
Oh well....
Ouch, RevTSB! Musician replacement is not fun.
DeleteAnd, as for sermon progress, I have a title at the top of my page. That's all . . . so far . . .
Hey gals! I have spent the day first running a half-marathon, then recovering from the half-marathon, then getting into verbal fisticuffs with a commenter in the comments section of our local newspaper (online) about a protest yesterday led by some evangelical and Catholic churches to stop the HHS mandate (I discontinued the conversation when the guy referred to me as a "pastor" in quotation marks, which I found to be too uncivil to continue), then I went to a graduation party for one the kids in our youth group. Phew! Now it's 7:30p EST, and I'm realizing I need to put together a children's message for tomorrow! (our DCE is out of town, and I almost forgot I'd agreed to do it!).
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I've got burgers on the way (found out that Five Guys delivers here!) and I'm happy to share!
Hi earthchick!
ReplyDeleteWhew! You ran a half-marathon?! WTG!
"Pastor" = not cool at all! Although, apparently some people at the church where I serve as interim are having trouble with me being a woman. I shouldn't have kept that from them, I guess. (sigh)
I'll gladly have some Five Guys. Did we get fries with that? =)
Yes! Fries were gotten and there are plenty to share!
DeleteIt has taken all the self-control I can muster not to go back and read the comments section, because I know the guy will just make my blood pressure go up and the conversation serves no useful purpose. There are 450 comments so far, and it's a total trash heap by this point. People from the left and the right just slinging hatred at each other. UGH.
I can't believe I ran a half-marathon (my first!). It was to raise money for our youth group to go do mission work in DC this summer. I called it the Faster Pastor Half-Marathon, and some of the youth and their parents ran portions of it with me. Fun!
I'm wondering if I can somehow pull a children's message out of the experience....
What I'm wondering is if I can get a children's message out of that! I'm sure that you can, and I hope you will. That story would be great for them.
DeleteYour online experience got me questioning whether preaching can ever communicate God's love in such a way that all God's children will want to become "ministers of reconciliation," especially given the divisions that seem to be growing.
And I'm still struggling with tomorrow's sermon. Ack!
Me.too.
DeleteJust finished -- wow, I never do this Saturday finish, and now I have. I spent most of the afternoon at the hospital as one of our elderly saints died; she had a massive stroke two days ago. Ironically, it's her husband, two floors up, whom everyone has been concerned about, as he had a heart attack five weeks ago and has spent his time since in four different medical facilities.
ReplyDeleteToday's great pastoral moment: after I spent many hours this week with the family, this afternoon as we discussed the funeral for this decades-long member of the church, one of her sons said, "Obviously it will be at the funeral home, right?" A little moment for some pastoral education on what the church is and means and the funeral service as a witness to the resurrection. (And no, I didn't get all that in. I was too dumbfounded to do more than gently assert that her service needs to take place at the church.)
Oh, and I am off lectionary tomorrow as we celebrate our graduates. What I always wanted: work where life and death intersect big time. It's exhausting, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteStill struggling here, too... came home at dinner time to a farm full of hungry volunteers who'd spent the whole day building a new greenhouse, and hospitality demanded my kitchen skills and social engagement. There's no "room of one's own" in this tiny house and the crew (staying overnight) carried their lively discussion into the late evening with me huddled in the corner, trying with little success to get something tapped together on my laptop. Ah, but I've finally got an outline and an illustration, so I think I can get up early in the morning and get 'er done.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the illustration, how many of you are familiar with "the story of the cracked pot?" Basic plot: village water-bearer brings water to his master in two clay pots balanced with a shoulder-yoke. One is cracked. Waterbearer is ashamed, finally apologizes to master for failure to carry enough water. Master reveals that seeds were planted along path & watered every day by the leaking water from cracked pot. Master isn't angry, but instead celebrates the water-bearer's unintentional, unaware role as waterer of master's flowers & bringer of beauty.
I don't know if this is a relatively fresh folktale or an old chestnut that has really made the rounds, so I'm a bit nervous about using it. Can anyone tell me if this story has been overused? Thanks!
Not an overused chestnut in my world. I thought it sounded vaguely familiar, but the ending doesn't at all. I think it's a great story. Go for it!
DeleteI think it really depends on your context. I heard it many times in seminary, but still find it a really helpful image...but I sort of doubt most of my people in the pews have heard it. Ultimately, if it communicates what you need to say, then go ahead and use it!
DeleteI was thinking that it may seem "overused" to us (preachers) but it wouldn't be to hearers. I find stories and illustrations that I have heard a million times are unfamiliar to most in the pews. If it feels right-go ahead and use it
DeleteI don't usually post but I get so much from reading what y'all have to say every Saturday I'm preaching....I've got Mark this week but no ending.
ReplyDeleteI'm going with the Markan theme of people not recognizing Jesus for who he is and, in this story, especially, it's because he's not acting like people think he should act.
So, when do we miss God's work because we're expecting the expected? But I need some sort of illustration or something to wrap everything else. Come on sermon ending fairy!
Also, I'm feeling a bit burned out b/c my head of staff is gone for 3 weeks and I feel like I'm working all the time. Do y'all ever feel that way? It's not that I really work all the time, but when I never have a complete day off without a hospital visit or calls to make or a lesson to write, I get tired.
Wow, that sounded whiny....guess I'm feeling a bit whiny tonight. Thanks for listening!
DeleteOkay, I'm often Queen of the Obvious, but it seems like the story MaineCelt asked about right before you posted could be a good sermon ending for you, given what you are looking for. :) Just a hazy thought.
DeleteI've been gone all day (mostly) enjoying the sun with a full day at the zoo. Some good friends from my last call were in town for a baseball game last night, so we spent the day together today before they stared the drive home tonight. it was a wonderfully exhausting day. Now I am as thrilled as I knew I'd be to proopped up in bed wihtout sermon to write. I've planned some early summere sort of creativity for this week and next week as we look at the hymns we sing as "The Soundtrack of Our Faith." The PC(USA) is producing a new hymnal next year, but if you order and pay this year you get a pretty hefty discount. We wanted to make our decision before the summer is over so we can solicit donations if we need to in the fall before we lose our snowbirds. There's a pretty decent Adult Ed resource from the hymnal folks to help the conversation in the local church, but Adult Ed in the summer? Won't fly in my church. I decided to do two weeks of basically Bible study and sharing in place of the sermon to start the conversations. We'll do a little more in August probably when the samplers are in our hands.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow I've picked 4 Bible stories where individuals (or in the case of Paul and Silas, two people) are singing in response to something that happens in their lives and/or faith. I've put one of these on every announcement bulletin and will have folks turn to their pew BIble, read the story, and answer a couple of basic questions - Who is singing? Why are they singing? What's the mood of their song or situation? The last question is the semi-creative one - -"If Miriam/David/Mary/Paul and Silas only had our hymnal before them, which song would they have song? We'll share our last answers and why before we have a little discussion of the role the hymns of faith have played in their own lives, why music is such an important part of so many people's faith journeys, how does the gift of music help them worship, strengthen their relaitonship with God, etc. We'll also do a hymn sing, but in order to pick a hymn to sing the one requesting must share why the song is important to them.
Next week we'll focus more on the "our" part of the little series title and talk about how our faith TOGETHER is strengthened by the songs we sing. Not just our little gathering of the body of Christ, but why singing songs from outside our culture, our comfort zone, our tastes can be good and important - - it's not all about us and singing these songs connects us with our brothers and sisters in faith, even those we have never met across time and geography. That week will be a little harder, but I'll figure it out. I think we might focus on hymn stories or stories from missionaries that can be matched with songs from a particular corner of the globe and work from there. That's next week, though.
Wow...these plans sound awesome!
DeleteThanks! I'm having fun and very much enjoying just reading some reflections about congregational song tonight so I can riff on them as Spirit
DeleteMoves us in the morning.
DeleteHey Robin, so happy that you got your sermon done in the midst of everything. It can be very exhausting, for sure.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Lindsey. Thanks for checking in. Isn't it funny (or not so funny) that pastors who are not head of staff have a specialized ministry but are still able, and expected, to fill in all the roles when the head of staff is gone. I always found that very tiring.
MC, I've heard that story, and I think it's older, so that might mean it's been awhile (long enough?) that it could be used, even if it was heard awhile back.
Lindsey, could that illustration work for you? I might use that for a children's time.
Hi Stephanie! Nice to see you!
ReplyDeleteYour summer plans sound wonderful. I look forward to hearing how it all unfolds.
Here and trying to string together some brief sermon-like thoughts along the lines that Ramona posted about earlier. Cribbing from a video we saw at synod assembly and going from there.
ReplyDeleteHowever, we are also doing our recognition of high school seniors tomorrow and I no longer have online access to our denomination's main liturgical resource (which has a blessing/promise of support for them). Anybody have something like this they love? It would be great to at least have a starting point at this time of night.
The temptation to use technology to rant is so great! I am in the middle of trying to adapt the same sermon for the two morning services (one needs to be full-length for small early service, one very short for 2nd service and leading into Confirmation)... and blah is this not going well. Two different audiences, trying to draw the "Jesus calls us to choose a wider family" in two different ways and neither is working. The main issue seems to be the second service is much more sentimental, and most of it a long charge to the Confirmands about what kind of family they are choosing. And none of that seems to translate well to the 8:30 service with the Confirmands not there...
ReplyDeleteSounds like you may need to have two sermons! Or a sermon and a "charge" of sorts. I know that's a pain, but better that than trying to adapt something that doesn't really fit (which I have done before, but not been able to do well). They will likely still inform each other. Just my thoughts.
DeleteThanks for the reality check semfem. I did end up just writing two, whew! And isn't it nice to have a monday?
DeleteHi semfem and shortnlost!
ReplyDeleteI have been working on this so-called sermon. I think it's preachable, and my brain is done for the night. Got to get sleep!
Thanks, everyone, for a great party and for encouraging me and each other.
May our congregations be blessed by these offerings.
Almost done. Will someone please remind me to start earlier now that I am back in the pulpit each Sunday? This was a hard sermon to do to. I thought I had more ideas on Wednesday, but now I struggled to follow a solid train of thought.
DeleteOkay, final touches are put on, and I'm off to get ready for church.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on all pondering, preaching, and proclamation this day.