What part of "Love one another" (John) do we simply not get?
Will you be pondering that mystery this week, or are you going with the Alpha and the Omega from Revelation. There, too, we find inclusion and "all things being made new".
Are you off Lectionary to concentrate on a particular theme or have world events steered your preaching elsewhere?
Whatever you are wrestling with, whether you're flinging wide the gates to welcome folk in or getting out there with the water of life, come and do it with us. Share your food and your thoughts, ask questions, share ideas and, together, we'll preach these texts all over the world until "every tear is wiped from every eye".
Check out Tuesday's Lectionary Leanings and Starters for Sunday for some more thoughts.
The table is set and I'm borrowing another awesome RevGal's phrase - "If you don't see what you need, just ask". (Thanks, Sharon)
Dinner time in Beijing, and I'm at the transition point in my sermon - moving from Revelation to Acts. I was really helped by something Joanna Harader posted on her blog earlier this week about how we favour removal/replacement over transformation which she anchored in the Revelation reading. I'm linking that to the work of the Spirit which transforms the way we see others and our relationships. Or something like that!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently waiting for our weekly vegetable delivery from an organic farm, after which I expect to be in leafy green heaven! If it's the time of day at your place where fresh greens would go well (spring salad anyone) help yourself!
Jemma-- thanks for the link! And leafy green heaven sounds like the perfect place to be when working on this week's sermon!
DeleteJemma, sounds good. I have some spring lamb to go with those greens!
DeleteWell, I'm a vegetarian but given the reading from Acts and the hospitable nature of this community I'm sure we'll all enjoy feasting at the banquet together whatever our dietary preferences!
DeleteThat link was exactly what I needed at this late hour - thank you!!
DeleteAbundant eggs from our free-range chickens, done any way you like 'em... that's my initial offering to the party.
ReplyDeleteI've got a crazy day to write a sermon: working a half-shift at the import shop, then going to pick up four new piglets for our farm, then a "meet the pastor" potluck in the town where I serve as part-time pastor. Holy Spirit's totally got my back, right? This sermon's going to get done before midnight, right? Yikes!
I love the combined message of the RCL readings today-- God makes all things new & creates all things clean, and we are called to love, love, love... now, can I wrap that all up in a sheet and lay it down for my people on Sunday?
I love that you are picking up piglets. I picture their cute little faces picking over the edge of the blanket as it is lowered in front of Peter.
DeleteLovely image of that sheet - with the love and the piglets - certainly sums up the gospel!
DeleteOhmigosh, Pastor Cindy & Liz-- maybe I should have called the sermon, "Pigs in a Blanket." (Liz--that's what some Americans call a Banger Roll.)
Deletehehehe, 'pigs in blankets' = bacon rashers wrapped around teeny sausages... I tend to associate them with Christmas dinner... mmmm nom nom nom. The Acts reading has given me particular pause for thought, reflecting on my vegan years. I am a fallen, fallen creature.
DeleteBack from silent retreat and about to head out to a work morning at church (which means a 1.5 hour drive first). I'm going back to the first half of Breakfast on the Beach and using Peter and the BD to talk about active and contemplative ways of being. I'm recycling a sermon from a couple of years ago to address some of the feelings in my congregation about how there are only certain ways of being Christian and to share a little about my time away. As I recall, you all were talking about John 21 as I was leaving, so this afternoon I'll go back and see what you had to say!
ReplyDeleteRobin, hope you found something useful. Sounds as though sharing your retreat with the congregation will be hugely helpful i giving them another image of being a Christian.
DeleteBack after having a week out of the pulpit. Using Psalm 148 and selected verses from Genesis to late-celebrate Earth Day. I've got about 2/3 of a sermon...but that 2/3rd's needs some work as well. Hopefully not too much time spent on all of that.
ReplyDeleteYesterday spring finally arrived and I cleaned the garage and took the hoe to the flower bed. Today, a little more outside cleanup and re-arranging some major furniture pieces inside.
Purple, Spring seems to have sprung here too - just hoping its not a false start! Hopefully the sermon sorted itself while you were in the garden.
DeletePurple,
DeleteI picked up something from workingpreacher.org's commentary on the Revelation passage that has me reflecting on Earth day as well. We are not going up to heaven, but God is going to come here as part of the new earth... how much would we be hurrying around and cleaning up if we had the mindset that God is coming here!!!
Kzj, I like that connection very much. It certain,y connects with graduations etc right on the horizon.
DeletePurple.
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DeleteWow! its been a busy day. Girl Guide coffee morning, followed by a ribbon cutting service for a new Salvation Army Corps.
ReplyDeleteNow I have to finish the sermon, get an order together for our early morning Wholeness and Healing Service and then go and join Corps members in a celebratory meal.
Have lots of chocolate tray bake goodies to share if you need a sugar boost.
Aside from a big bag of potatoes someone gave me, I don't have much to share at the party, but it sure is a tasty one already!
ReplyDeletePatronal festival celebration for us tomorrow and I have the kids & family service, so I need to come up with something creative. I used this year's best idea in school chapel earlier in the week, and new ideas are not coming. Anyone have a great and easy idea?
Meantime, it is my younger teenage son's birthday, so we are going to an outdoor art show with him (his request!), and this evening is the annual giant fundraiser for school and church. Our car died an unfortunate death this week, so we also need to do some car shopping. Life is simply feeling stressful, even though little of what's weighing on me is big in the grand scheme of things.
I'm on Acts, and we are also celebrating another season of ministry in the homeless shelter, which we host once a week from October-April. The "All are welcome" theme will hit hard, and transition into something about letting god's love shine through us. or something.
ReplyDeleteI'm also editing the manuscript of my book...it's due back at the publisher on Monday. So I'll be in and out, trying to do everything at once! Luckily, I also get a pajama day today. I'm seriously considering not leaving the house. Though it's sunny and supposed to be in the 60s, so it's tempting to go out for a bit...but also tempting to sit on the couch! lol.
I have no breakfasty foods, but ask me again at lunch time. ;-)
Revelation and John for me - thinking I will be earthy belatedly since last Sunday was more of a Sunday for healing shepherd words.
ReplyDeleteFirst, it's off to a ball game. Love The Boy and how much he enjoys the game but the schedule does seem unrelenting at times.
I too am in Rev & John; having just returned from two weeks out of parish; part of which was spent on retreat, reflecting on how the church can acheive reconciliation. John's vision of heaven, the Holy City is a template of glory to come, and hope for life here & now.
ReplyDeleteSo my sermon is all about love; and how to be loving, welcoming, open and accepting, reconciled that we are not all the same, but we are all united under Jesus: his instruction simple yet profound: love.
I am drinking fennel tea: having just spent a fabulous morning over on the coast enjoying some spring sunshine - and an amazing drive home with the top down!!
it was all finished last night really. And going back this afternoon I was happy with only a few tweaks.... it'll blog in the morn!
DeleteI'm working a theme of The Rules of Christianity...the rules that we make for ourselves and the ones that we make for others...playing with that wonderful vision of Peter's from Acts.
ReplyDeleteAnd, at the same time, I 'm creeping in the back of the sanctuary while the regional women's group has their meeting at my church. Leading a part of the meeting a little bit later, running the sound system, and (briefly) trying to contain my toddler as my husband had to work this morning...hands a little full, but enjoying the morning...
This will be my first sermon in April. Two were planned vacation Sundays in France, one was an unplanned sick day. So I am looking forward to being back in the parish.
ReplyDeleteI'm going with the question of who are our Gentiles today and how do we love them. The obvious categories - Muslims, gays, conservatives and/or liberals - are not my focus. Instead, I am thinking of those with whom we prefer not to associate and that this group is different for all of us and may change at different points in our life.
I have virtually no food in the house other than cereal and bread for toast so there's not much to bring to the feast. I do have some lovely herbs and sea salt bought at the Sunday market in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue that I'm willing to share with those who have food that needs a little French zip. :-)
I like your focus on the folks "with whom we prefer not to associate"--think it cuts closer to the bone. Harder to hold at arms length. Harder to work with too (I'm thinking of those people I'd just as soon not associate with--some of whom I encounter more often than I would like)
DeleteI am off lectionary tomorrow using the story of the paralytic man being brought down through a hole in the roof.Goes along with our Capital Campaign to replace the "holy/whole-Y" roof.
ReplyDeleteHeehee, love it Megan!
DeleteSermon: A Leap of Faith. I am actually not giving the conclusion of the sermon until right before the benediction!
ReplyDeleteI am on the first 'half' of worship tomorrow - not preaching, but on all-age chat and focusing on Acts reading.
ReplyDeleteSo, if anyone is really desperate for an all-age chat:
I have spent this afternoon playing with tins.
1 tin of creamed rice - emptied [and will be eaten shortly for pudding - feel free to share!] and the empty tin washed and dried.
1 tin of cat food - unopened, but label steamed off and reapplied to the rice pudding tin...
Chopped chocolate now in empty tin with the cat food label... you see where this is going, yes? :)
Will be asking the kids what their favourite food is...
then what is the weirdest food they've eaten...
and have some pics of various 'weird' food starting with a haggis and noting that as an Aussie, I thought it was weird when I came to Scotland...
Cool and interesting fact for the day: check out the amazing kit kats Japanese people have available - green tea, sweet potato flavoured kit kats... fab!
*ahem*
will chat about Peter and that the group he belonged to had rules about what you could and couldn't eat - it was one way they could tell who was in their group.
And then the story of his dream - basically ending with Peter learning that God's group is for everybody regardless of what they ate, where they lived, or how different they were.
All the while, I'll be eating from the tin of cat food... finishing off by noting I'd been rather rude for not sharing, and offering... the 'reveal' will be that I turn the can the other side [which had been facing my palm] and it will show the well-known chocolate label ... the choc of which is in the tin. And note now they see the thing differently, maybe they might change their mind about eating it.
I will nowhere during the chat say I am eating cat food... it will be totally up to them to make that assumption... I do however feel a little mean, but only a little bit :D
Hello everyone!
ReplyDeleteI'm home this week after knee surgery on tuesday, so I'm not preaching this week, but am sort of wishing I were. Trying to rest in the break, but confess to being a bit stir crazy.
I'm feeling well--able to walk around well and not in any pain. Once the swelling goes down, I'll be right as rain. Thankful for that.
The deacons at our church have taken good care of my family during my convalescence, so I have lots of cookies, pie, meatloaf, lasagna, and pasta salad to offer. Seriously. Come eat some of this food.
Prayers for you all who are preaching this weekend.
marciglass - that's wonderful that they have taken care of you and that your surgery is behind you. Hope you can rest up properly.
DeleteNik, Love the tins! If my kids were older, I'd totally 'borrow' that idea. As it is, I am tempted to adapt it for the adult message. hmmmm.
ReplyDeleteAND
BTW, we need a mid-week, 'great sermon titles' session because mine is printing and so would have used, "Pigs in a blanket' for a title!!! ah too late.
I've been to work day And took my hubby to the Metro so he could go in for his 2nd Nats game this week. (We went together on Tuesday). Now I have work to do. AND a baby dedication tomorrow which is MOSTLY done.
I think a cup of green tea is in order, I've already had too much coffee and have switched to water. Glad to hear things coming together for so many.
HA! I am so using Pigs in a Blanket next time this comes around. LOL.
DeleteWill someone remind me in three years? lol.
And for those who just now got around to wanting coffee (like me), I just made a pot of maple coffee...very good! Plenty for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to make some headway on SOMETHING before I start making dinner. My typical late-night writing plan is NOT going to work this week. It just won't. Other things at church (and my own sanity) suffer because of it. So it needs to change.
I've been waffling between Acts and John for the whole week, and am trying to figure out which to lead off with now (I think they will both make a strong appearance though). Something about this new community that is formed by (a) the Holy Spirit and (b) the commandment to love.
I'm also just fascinated with the idea of changing one's mind and how you do it prayerfully and with integrity. We often have disdain when someone changes their mind unless they are changing to agree with us...how do we think theologically about the process of changing minds?
Hmmm your last question is a good 'un. A friend of mine has pondered over a long, long period and moved from a more traditional position on same-gender relationships to being of a mind that to deny equal marriage is not the right way forward. Having stuck his head above the parapet, and asked folks who continue to hold to the traditionalist position to meet up and reflect together, he has been the subject of hate mail, been effectively shunned by others, told quietly by others that while they agree they feel they can't be more public... etc.
DeleteI suspect if the move had been from a more liberal to a more traditionalist path, that similar reactions would have occurred: I've been around long enough in this particular 'trench' to see intolerance and bile from all sides.
Your question gets me pondering upon how we can be kinder to one another, whilst holding differing opinions, and of the pastoral care of folk who do change their mind... and of those who feel perhaps betrayed by the one who has changed their mind?
semfem Maple coffee sounds great! I too have been struggling with later and later writing. I don't know if it's all the other stuff that has been occupying my time, or need of vacation or what. I'm also doing more Multi-voiced messages so sometimes it's a matter of lots of study and pulling the pieces and questions together. Still, I don't like it because when I'm tired like now, I'd rather go walk the dogs and relax. sigh. but here we are at 4:30 on Saturday, still pulling it all together.
ReplyDeleteANd if anyone has a commentary on Acts that shows up as page 198 and 199, please let me know. I noted a reference earlier but put the page number only and can't find any books among my pile that have the stuff I need on page 198. sigh.. another result of tired writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm back from the celebratory meal - left before the musical entertainment got under way.
ReplyDeleteIt is 10pm here and I need my sermon to conclude soon - I have an early service in the morning. Would love to change th last gasp writing habit. It would make a huge difference to the week - and the weekend.
Even though I wrote an intro for this passage weeks ago, here I am
Back at the console... slowly edging my way to something coherent. The Boy is off and running with his baseball buddies today and overnight. I miss him... but I'm grateful too. I know you preacher moms get that.
ReplyDeleteThe maple coffee sounds delicious!
Good afternoon preachers! Getting a late start here after spending most of the day at Title IV training (for you non-Episcopalians, that's our disciplinary canon, recently revised and somewhat intimidating although the intent of the revision was just the opposite!). And I'm thinking about love. Big surprise, huh?
ReplyDeleteI am often inspired at odd times, so I've been experimenting with using the notes function with voice-to-text on my iPhone to get ideas down. So I do have some notes. We'll see if they turn out to be productive.
It's been a crazy busy week, getting back in town after a 6 day road trip for my mom's funeral. Thanks for all the prayers and support.; I truly felt surrounded by prayer all week. I had been pretty anxious about the whole thing, but it all went better than I could have hoped. I officiated and preached in the church where I was baptized as a baby, and it felt like a true blessing. The family time was all positive, and my kids and I took two days off in DC on the way home to unwind. Then when I got home I had one meeting after another through today. And next week is more of the same.
Now I must.write.something !
RDM, I hope you continue to feel that love surrounding you as you get through all these meetings.
DeleteNik, Love your pondering. I am so thankful to be in a fairly open-minded and affirming congregation. While not everyone agrees on same-gender marriage, they love our same-gender couples. Love & relationships trump 'issues'. It's what I really love about this congregation.
ReplyDeleteThe changing mind think does need a support group. It is so ostracized in politics "Flip-flopping" yet wouldn't we call it "Conversion" and "Epiphany"?
Yes, your last sentence is almost exactly what I was thinking earlier! The world teaches us to stick to one position come hell or high water...but that's not what we see in basically the entire book of Acts!
Deleteand it would seem that God has changes of heart/ mind when we read certain OT passages: mercy instead of wrath.
DeleteIt would almost appear that the only consistency is one of being open to change ... :)
YES to both of you. So among the 3 of us, do we have a sermon? or will someone's 'conversion' offend others? Maybe that's a word I need to include too.
DeleteI so want to be done by 8pm to have the rest of the evening. I'm getting there, how 'bout y'all? Maybe if I didn't wander back here. . .
ReplyDeleteBut wandering back here is certain to be encouraging, if not inspiring. I promise. :-)
Delete8 pm didn't happen for me...but I do finally have a hard-wrought first page. Whew. I think I need to break for supper.
DeleteI have a draft, but it follows a long and windy path....and I'm not sure it leads anywhere. But I am tired and hungry so I think I will take a break for some dinner and then come back,
ReplyDeleteUgh.
I've been sitting across from kathrynzj working up a future sermon, both for Lectionary Homiletics and for a date in late summer when I will be returning late from a baseball game to preach the next morning. (Certain other preachers in our house won't need one that week. Ahem.) So I'll be glad when I have it later in the summer, but it's also been a way of procrastinating on another project...
ReplyDeleteI'll be back with you for reals in two weeks, when I start 16 weeks covering a colleague's sabbatical. Can't wait!
I'm working ahead, too, though not that far. I'm preaching next Sunday and need to get the bulletin figured out. And Saturday night is when I work the best.
ReplyDeleteWe have a lovely, much-needed rain falling. Two girls sleeping, though one is running a fever which will keep us home tomorrow.
We can share bean and cheese tacos and Mexican Chocolate ice cream. It made a delicious supper.
A simple little sermon built from Acts 11 and the Gospel. You'll find it here.
ReplyDeleteI love your simple little sermon. It's beautiful!
DeleteLove it! Simple Awesome, altho I can't seem to leave that on your blog.
DeleteGround it out and grounded out way too much! Now I'm waiting for certain Martha's to stop selfishly working on their own stuff so they can help me.
ReplyDelete:)
I am so just kidding...
DeleteMartha to the rescue... it is finished!!!
ReplyDeleteI tried leaving comments earlier, but Blogger wouldn't let my iPad play. Why is that? I could procrastinate by googling it.
ReplyDeleteI had a WONDERFUL morning. I'm so glad a switched the day of new officer training in order to run a 10K. I ROCKED that race, which I don't think I've ever said before. I set a new personal record and finished 4 minutes faster than I thought I would. It was wonderful and something I needed after I've been in running mental slump lately.
Came home to an empty house which meant I got to snooze for a while. Later went to the home of some friends/regular worshipers so we could have a quick little meeting with a couple of elders and receive them as new members. As soon as the elders were out the door, I called my husband and kids to come join me. Our families ordered pizza, drank beer, and chilled out as the kids ran screaming inside and out for a few hours. Glorious!
Now I'm home and need to figure out my plan for tomorrow. We're doing Holy Humor Sunday pretty late since I knew I wouldn't want to work on a full sermon while I was on vacation last week. Thanks to one of our ring members I have an interactive version of John Chrysostom's "Paschal Homily" that we will use a joyful proclamation. It turns out this was a good idea because I have absolutely no voice. I don't know where it went, but little by little yesterday it left me, and now today it is completely gone. I can barely squeeze out a whisper. Joy. I hope lots of people have jokes ready because we're going to need them to fill time!!!
I need to write a little intro about this piece for someone else to read, then work on designing my prayer stations for the confirmation class to use in the evening. I won't actually be there to lead them, but need to set up the plans for the evening while I go to the synod meeting. Oh yeah - - the two day synod meeting that I'm moderating - - with no voice. This should be interesting.
This is so INSPIRING -- the run part, I mean. I have been signed up for a triathlon (have done one other before) and was feeling like it would be too hard to ramp up to it again. But have had lots of encouragement from my husband so am going to go for it on June 1. Great to hear that you can run so well, and sick, yet! Awesome!
DeleteYou can do it! I loved your tri pictures last time. That's really been the athletic thing I've been interested in doing, but this is my first season that I've even owned a bike. I'm set on the half marathon in June, and I'm talking myself into a full next January. Maybe that means NEXT summer I'll try tackling a triathlon - - not a crazy long one or anything, just something different after a year of running.
DeleteWell, I just HATE running - it hurts all over. But I have given myself permission to walk the run part if needed and just enjoy the other parts. Last year, I was practically last, so my time can hardly get worse. My swim is already just a little bit better. :)
DeleteThe running part is inspiring, and I need that. In exactly one month I am running a 5.5 mile leg as part of marathon team. It was my idea, and I'm team captain and yet I let running go over the winter. Ran 3.88 miles yesterday, but still lots of work to do to be ready!
DeleteHi everyone - late to the meeting. Had a good but full day. I have a draft-ish thing that I like so but I wonder a little, as I often do, if there's too much "some interesting stuff I've learned lately" and not quite enough "God" in it. Thanks for the link to JH's sermon - that is lovely and good food for thought. Thinking of food - I have these really yummy cookies in the house right now and if you all would come and eat some it would really help me out - gluten free peanut butter.
ReplyDeleteI will gladly do my part and eat a cookie. *gulp*
ReplyDeleteStill here, but I am pushing towards an ending instead of just beginning (which is usually what I am doing at this time). I have 991 words and am struggling to remember what I really wanted to say in this sermon (and pick just one thing TO say), to give it a strong ending!
semfem - impressed!
Delete:::that moment when you realize that the sermon you thought was not that bad actually is making little or no point:::
ReplyDeleteYeah, I had that moment too. What I'd been thinking the last couple of days didn't actually work that well. Just reorganized and reworked the whole thing, and now it is what it is b/c it is already past bedtime.
DeleteThe Holy Spirit has our back! Thank goodness for that.
Urgh-- past midnight here, and I'm finally finished...hope it still looks coherent by dawn's early light. Had a church potluck during which I was cornered and asked to deal with the church's worst bully, then came home and spilled tea all over my keyboard so that the letter "e" no longer works, and every time I need one I have to "paste" it in! Oh, and then there's the headcold...
ReplyDeleteAlready dreaming of tomorrow' Holy Nap!
Bless y'all!
Me too - dreaming of the Holy Nap - though I might have to visit someone instead. But, first to finish up for today's service. Glad I'm not having to paste in errant letters! OR struggling with a head cold. Be well, MaineCelt.
DeleteDon't know if anyone's still around... I gave in last night and went to bed, so I'm up this morning to have another go. Doing that a lot lately.Will work for a while and then get breakfast.
ReplyDeleteHi Liz, I'm here - just about to wrap up though. This is one of those sermons that is not going to be finished, just abandoned. Oh, Revelation, you are fascinating, but you are really kicking my a**!
ReplyDeleteJennifer Juniper - I hope the abandonment comes soon to let you rest and that, while you rest, new shoots will sprout. And it will all be enough for the Holy Spirit to take and run with. Blessings
ReplyDeleteSince I"m preaching about "letting go and letting God," you'd think Id be able to hear that mesage myself! :) HOpe it went well this Sunday for you, Liz!
DeleteThe sermon is done, but it's WAY too long...of course. And I'm going to bed WAY too late, but at least I am not starting the sermon at 5 am.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to live dangerously and go get some sleep, then wake up and hope to trim the word count somewhat (now standing at 1488).
If I don't check back in in the morning, may all of our preaching, proclamation, and pondering today be blessed!
Yay! Semfem. I am finally done. Time to get ready for early service.
ReplyDeleteI echo semfem's encouragement. Preach the gospel. Love each other.
Well, somehow I added 50 more words (ack!), but it's too late now, time to get ready for church and head out! Hope everyone else finished up with the help of the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeletePreach the gospel...love each other. Yes!