tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post3170949489512046134..comments2023-11-03T05:46:44.728-04:00Comments on RevGalBlogPals: Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, Word and Kings editionStephanie Anthony/She Revhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10089531643725874239noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-66692509764246629442009-01-01T21:44:00.000-05:002009-01-01T21:44:00.000-05:00Epiphany is a traditional time for home blessings,...Epiphany is a traditional time for home blessings, and one way to do that is to bless chalk which is used to inscribe the door post (or top of the door) like this:<BR/><BR/>20+C+M+B+09<BR/><BR/>(the year, three crosses and the initials of the Magi)<BR/><BR/>We send the chalk home with a prayer to be said--the prayers I use are on my computer at work but <A HREF="http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=1829&loc_id=9,%0D%0A13" REL="nofollow">here's</A> one example; if you google Epiphany chalk blessing you'll find more.Rev Dr Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11607665272056430039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-91150025116324862672009-01-01T15:52:00.000-05:002009-01-01T15:52:00.000-05:00RevDrMom, I never use titles either although one o...RevDrMom, I never use titles either although one of my homiletics professors encouraged us to start there. I can't even manufacture a "this is the sermon in 25 words or less" focus statement! Hmm...maybe I ought to think about that.<BR/>In any case, I think I will expand the MT reading through the flight into Egypt (yes, of course the bulletins are already done) and talk about the Incarnation not being all that pretty or notable to most of the world. I want to draw parallels from that time to our own. How I'm going to work grace and the light coming into the world into this, I haven't figured out. I've spent the entire week on church history for the deacons' class Saturday morning and the sermon is only a seed planted in the dark at this point. Saturday afternoon, I am going to have to do some serious forcing if that things going to bloom on Sunday! See y'all Saturday afternoon.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-65472394342248722752008-12-31T15:17:00.000-05:002008-12-31T15:17:00.000-05:00It will be the three kings and also the grandness ...It will be the three kings and also the grandness of God's grace upon grace. <BR/> Happy New year.<BR/>As we enter one time we get an extra second... they are adjusting the clocks because the earth is slowing down. So what will that second breath be? <BR/> A prayer for peace in a broken world yearning for wholeness. <BR/> Blessings <BR/>BobbieBobbie Giltz McGareyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08876798823416584511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-17292463350491097882008-12-31T15:07:00.000-05:002008-12-31T15:07:00.000-05:00Sunday will be Epiphany. This is all I know for s...Sunday will be Epiphany. This is all I know for sure. I am trying to resist the urge to delve into the symbolic meanings of the three gifts, because I'm not sure if that is really God speaking this week, or just one of my pet topics (and an easy way out of really facing the text).<BR/><BR/>Rev Dr Mom, your question about sermon titles was what inspired me to finally post here. As a Lutheran, <I>I</I> was encouraged to stay away from sermon titles, in general, because you already list the texts, so what more could you really add? However, some Lutheran preachers and congregations will use sermon titles. It's not a rule either way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-72662975899721310212008-12-31T11:28:00.000-05:002008-12-31T11:28:00.000-05:00I want to echo thanks to Listing Straight for her ...I want to echo thanks to Listing Straight for her wise and thoughtful insights.<BR/><BR/>Not sure where I am going, and I need to figure it out soon. I didn't preach Christmas Eve/Day or last weekend, and the last service I preached was the Longest Night service, so the beginning of the Isaiah passage "Arise, Shine, your light has come" caught me. So my title is Rise and Shine, but that is all I have so far! Yikes! Preaching three services, and a wedding this weekend, so time to get moving.MumPastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02027947521261794194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-43121525593526767672008-12-31T09:22:00.000-05:002008-12-31T09:22:00.000-05:00Thanks LSnot sure why you are quitting - but know ...Thanks LS<BR/>not sure why you are quitting - but know that you are quitting while you are ahead -you have been a great blessing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-88327743044416448452008-12-31T07:55:00.000-05:002008-12-31T07:55:00.000-05:00I'm going with Epiphany. I'm going to be using Au...I'm going with Epiphany. I'm going to be using Auden's "Christmas Oratorio" that describes the post Christmas letdown and in response calls us to remember the clarity of that moment in the stable. I will be referring to Buber's I-Thou and building on my last weeks sermon about radical hospitality as a necessary product of God's gift of Christ into the world. There is more about this on my blog.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04619770797618421513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-55904150976691250762008-12-31T07:41:00.000-05:002008-12-31T07:41:00.000-05:00I'm not preaching this weekend, but I wanted to sa...I'm not preaching this weekend, but I wanted to say two things:<BR/><BR/>1. I love the Schweitzer quote. I would like to post it on my blog.<BR/><BR/>2. Thank you, listing straight.Diane M. Rothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07749136181846671327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-9559598524216167112008-12-31T00:27:00.000-05:002008-12-31T00:27:00.000-05:00RDM,What is a chalk blessing?RDM,<BR/>What is a chalk blessing?1-4 Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05688216101068437927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-76110133800455806952008-12-30T23:01:00.000-05:002008-12-30T23:01:00.000-05:00We're celebrating Epiphany here with King's cake a...We're celebrating Epiphany here with King's cake and a chalk blessing (to take home to bless your house) but I don't know what the sermon will be about yet.<BR/><BR/>Is it only us Episcopalians who don't give our sermons titles? I'm always amazed how many of y'all have titles well in advance of having sermons! Not sure I could pull that off.Rev Dr Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11607665272056430039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-83660450701382661452008-12-30T21:45:00.000-05:002008-12-30T21:45:00.000-05:00and I should have said "thanks" to Brian Stoffrege...and I should have said "thanks" to Brian Stoffregen at crossmarks.com for those ideas to use as jumping off points.ktjhawkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05141576649848654482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-37142330983497087492008-12-30T20:33:00.000-05:002008-12-30T20:33:00.000-05:00I'm going with Epiphany - using the idea that the ...I'm going with Epiphany - using the idea that the Magi were not kings, but astrologers - not of the religious "in crowd", but they were the ones who followed the star. God spoke them in their language (stars and dreams) and how do we reach out to the unchurched in their language? We're having an evangelism battle - "they" aren't doing "their job" many people are complaining - so I'm pushing the idea of all disciples are evangelists. I'm using images on powerpoint for the 2nd time...I hope it all comes together.ktjhawkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05141576649848654482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-76305640177251901112008-12-30T19:43:00.000-05:002008-12-30T19:43:00.000-05:00I'm going to get really wild and crazy and do Ephe...I'm going to get really wild and crazy and do Ephesians 1 this week and Epiphany next week. I know I'm a Sunday off that way, but that's where I'm headed - that Ephesians is such a burst of praise. I'd like to talk about how our praise of God for the Word made Flesh can never be packed away like our Christmas decorations. But, I really have an angle I want to try with Herod - so that will be next week...just call me one wild and crazy preacher...mixing up the Lectionary!Chilly Fingershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09364530398695776477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-40747358389631788002008-12-30T18:42:00.000-05:002008-12-30T18:42:00.000-05:00I'm going with Epiphany and thinking about the jou...I'm going with Epiphany and thinking about the journey. I'm using the title "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" and thinking about the lengths (literally) the wide men went to get to Jesus. Thinking about journeying, and that Christ's advent means that we no longer journey unaccompanied.<BR/>The Eliot poem appeals to me as well.RevAnnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06517879408823780530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-2271482793521546602008-12-30T13:58:00.000-05:002008-12-30T13:58:00.000-05:00Dear LS - wow, I will miss your insights. Even on ...Dear LS - wow, I will miss your insights. Even on weeks I dont post here, I always appreciate your questions.<BR/><BR/>This week, I am going with epiphany, sort of. Since we missed quite a few services bec of snow here in the Pac NW, I am thinking of looking back and doing a sort of readers theater thing on the place of dreamers and dreams in the christmas story.<BR/><BR/>So far I'm thinking of: Joseph and the angel, Mary (not a sleep dream, but a waking-dream in the words of her song), and the magi... And then the questions -- what are our dreams and do we have the courage to respond to them?<BR/><BR/>That's all I got so far. If I'm really going to pull it off, there is some work ahead of me. And it cant be too long because of communion....<BR/><BR/>I'm loving that TS Eliot poem, btw, so thanks for that.Jennifer Garrison Brownellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10170014214291920971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-2025320587898875712008-12-30T13:06:00.000-05:002008-12-30T13:06:00.000-05:00LS thank you! It's been good, good stuff you've pr...LS thank you! It's been good, good stuff you've provided to light the fire under our... well you get the idea!<BR/><BR/>I'm going with John... 2nd Sunday of Christmas... have no idea what'll come of it.Hot Cup Lutheranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00125425492709186198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-60375442464339130912008-12-30T12:39:00.000-05:002008-12-30T12:39:00.000-05:00Great stuff on Epiphany, LS! Thanks. I needed a ju...Great stuff on Epiphany, LS! Thanks. I needed a jump start on this and could nto find one. You are now my hero!<BR/>We appreciate yur leadeship on TLL, thanks for all you jave done.1-4 Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05688216101068437927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-38003209327130812132008-12-30T12:00:00.000-05:002008-12-30T12:00:00.000-05:00Listing, thanks for ALL your contributions. You'l...Listing, thanks for ALL your contributions. You'll be missed!!<BR/><BR/>I love that Eliot poem. <BR/><BR/>Our Epiphany Pageant has been moved and this year will be during this week' sermon at both services...I'm so glad it will be shared with an audience wider than parents and grandparents, as it was in its evening slot.Mary Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02970052534402740820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-61540773792329311842008-12-30T11:53:00.000-05:002008-12-30T11:53:00.000-05:00I will miss you, Listing Straight! Thanks for your...I will miss you, Listing Straight! Thanks for your wonderful lectionary leanings!<BR/>This week, my sermon is entitled, "Grace Upon Grace" and am going with the John passage, since we will celebrate communion, as well--so it will be a nice segue. That being said, I have yet to write an outline!revkjarlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03516266924883899536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-78424149192915020712008-12-30T11:41:00.000-05:002008-12-30T11:41:00.000-05:00OK, I have some opening thoughts that will hopeful...OK, I have some <A HREF="http://riverviewrollson.blogspot.com/2008/12/looking-forward-to-january-4-2009.html" REL="nofollow">opening thoughts</A> that will hopefully grow into a full-fledged sermon by Sunday...Gordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03767921257861340046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-81415336491151023832008-12-30T11:30:00.000-05:002008-12-30T11:30:00.000-05:00I (and my sermons)will miss you, LS! Thank you so ...I (and my sermons)will miss you, LS! Thank you so much.<BR/><BR/>I, too, am going with Epiphany. It's my first Sunday in my new call and I want to talk about the gifts we bring together as we seek the light of Christ- and how we share both these gifts and the light.Irishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07036519649244011605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-30423327994347159752008-12-30T11:12:00.000-05:002008-12-30T11:12:00.000-05:00Listing Straight - thank you so very much for your...Listing Straight - thank you so very much for your contributions here on Tuesdays. You will indeed be missed. <BR/><BR/>I'm going with the Epiphany readings too. Not sure what my angle is yet, but I do love that poem by TS Eliot. Thanks Sandi for sharing it.Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03407981987874669303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-21003719402000945792008-12-30T11:11:00.000-05:002008-12-30T11:11:00.000-05:00I'm not preaching this Sunday, or the next. But th...I'm not preaching this Sunday, or the next. But thank you, Listing Straight, for these wonderful openers for sermon prep.Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15667178624061122421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-37138525435257330052008-12-30T11:00:00.000-05:002008-12-30T11:00:00.000-05:00My sermon title is "Following the Light." I'm not ...My sermon title is "Following the Light." I'm not sure exactly where I'm going with this, but I have a strong urge to use TS Eliot's poem<BR/><I>Journey of the Magi</I> in the sermon.<BR/><BR/><I>A cold coming we had of it,<BR/>Just the worst time of the year<BR/>For the journey, and such a long journey:<BR/>The ways deep and the weather sharp,<BR/>The very dead of winter.'<BR/>And the camels galled, sore-footed, refractory,<BR/>Lying down in the melting snow.<BR/>There were times we regretted<BR/>The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces,<BR/>And the silken girls bringing sherbet.<BR/>Then the camel men cursing and grumbling<BR/>And running away, and wanting their liquor and women,<BR/>And the night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters,<BR/>And the cities hostile and the towns unfriendly<BR/>And the villages dirty and charging high prices:<BR/>A hard time we had of it.<BR/>At the end we preferred to travel all night,<BR/>Sleeping in snatches,<BR/>With the voices singing in our ears, saying<BR/>That this was all folly.<BR/><BR/>Then at dawn we came down to a temperate valley,<BR/>Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation;<BR/>With a running stream and a water-mill beating the darkness,<BR/>And three trees on the low sky,<BR/>And an old white horse galloped away in the meadow.<BR/>Then we came to a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel,<BR/>Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver,<BR/>And feet kicking the empty wine-skins,<BR/>But there was no information, and so we continued<BR/>And arrived at evening, not a moment too soon<BR/>Finding the place; it was (you may say) satisfactory<BR/><BR/>All this was a long time ago, I remember,<BR/>And I would do it again, but set down<BR/>This set down<BR/>This: were we led all that way for<BR/>Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly,<BR/>We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death,<BR/>But had thought they were different; this Birth was<BR/>Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death,<BR/>We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,<BR/>But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,<BR/>With an alien people clutching their gods.<BR/>I should be glad of another death.</I><BR/><BR/> -- T. S. Eliot<BR/><BR/>I love the imagery- the three trees on the low sky, the white horse, the six hands throwing dice.<BR/><BR/>And the idea that while finding a birth, they were also finding death.<BR/><BR/>From what I read, this poem is about TS Eliot's journey from agnosticism to faith.<BR/><BR/>First thoughts...<BR/><BR/>SandiDaughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14732181531247456798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14710344.post-69874377217330708392008-12-30T10:49:00.000-05:002008-12-30T10:49:00.000-05:00I am so going to miss you Listing Straight and my ...I am so going to miss you Listing Straight and my sermons will miss you bringing them up a notch through your great use of literature.<BR/><BR/>Not sure where I am headed yet this Sunday, but I think I may surprise the kiddos with the King's cake. Thanks for the reminder, sb!kathrynzjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07688707657432202432noreply@blogger.com