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Tuesday Lectionary Leanings~~Entertaining angels unaware edition

Lord Jesus Christ, make those who love you, and who love you in return, mirrors of you to those who are unloving; that being drawn to your image they may reproduce it in themselves, light reflecting light, love kindling love, until God is all in all. Amen. After Christina Rossetti, 1894

Frank T. Griswold. Praying Our Days: A Guide and Companion (Kindle Locations 800-802). Kindle Edition. 

September 1! NO way.

I am so not ready for the end of summer (in fact I am still on vacation as I write this,) but here we are. In the U.S. we will be celebrating Labor Day weekend, many of us are gearing up for a new program year, and kids have either returned to school or will be doing so in the next few days. My oldest granddaughter is starting kindergarten tomorrow! This weekend my congregation will be joining others in our deanery for an end of summer picnic and outdoor Eucharist, complete with baptism. Appropriately enough our RCL readings for this 15th Sunday after Pentecost focus (in part at least) on the theme of hospitality.

Our Hebrew scripture reading from the prophet Jeremiah finds Jeremiah voicing God's lament that the people God brought out of Egypt have in essence abandoned the hospitality that awaited them in the promised land--both the abundance of the land and the largesse of God's love. Instead they have defiled the land and worshipped false gods, exchanging "their glory for something that does not profit," and digging out "cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns, that can hold no water." How much do those charges apply to the ways we choose to live today?  

Our new testament reading continues with the letter to the Hebrews. This section echoes the call to radical hospitality we hear in Jesus' teaching in the gospels (it especially brings Matthew to mind for me, but perhaps that is because Matthew is my favorite gospel.) This passage also hearkens back to Abraham's visit from the weary travelers, who were in fact angels in disguise. How often might we entertain angels unaware? And how often have we turned them away?

This week's gospel finds Jesus under close scrutiny as he joins some Pharisees for a Sabbath meal. Sabbath meals were times for gathering together family and friends, and in a culture where status was extremely important, one can imagine that there might have been some jockeying for invitations, and for the seats of honor. Jesus wants no part of that; in fact in counsels the arriving guests to take the lowest seats, and advises his hosts that in the future they should invite not those who will reciprocate in kind, but rather the poor and lowly who have no way of returning the kindness. How often is our hospitality tied to at least an implicit expectation that we will get "credit" for it? And can we let go of that?

So where are you headed on this first Sunday in September?  Are you winding up a summer series? Having a fall kick off? Riffing off Labor Day? Perhaps you'll choose the alternative readings from Sirach or Proverbs or focus on a psalm. Join the conversation whether you have questions, inspiration, or just want to say hi! The welcome mat is out, and the coffee is on!

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings~~Can I do that on Sunday? edition

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

I'm getting ready for the second part of my vacation (time with family--hurrah!) so my mind is firmly fixed on "summer" but the brisk weather of the last few days reminds me that fall is just around the corner. Many of us are knee deep in preparations for the start-up of fall activities, but we still have those sermons to prepare. Do you know where you're headed for this week, the 14th Sunday after Pentecost?

For those of us following the RCL (readings here) we have a choice between two prophets for our first reading. We hear the story of the call of the prophet Jeremiah. This passage is evocative, both in the way God says,  "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you," and in the way Jeremiah responds to God's call and is reassured --haven't many of us experienced something like this? The alternative reading comes from Isaiah, so-called 'third Isaiah' this time, in which the prophet speaks to a post-exilic community, admonishing a people struggling to rebuild their vanquished city to remember their obligations to care for others and to honor God sincerely and promising God's blessings if they do so.

The new testament reading comes once again from the letter to the Hebrews and like the reading from Isaiah, both admonishes its hearer to remember their duty to God and encourages them on their way, reminding them that , "indeed, our God is a consuming fire."

In our gospel reading we continue to follow Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. It's the Sabbath and we find him teaching once again in a synagogue, where he encounters a woman bent over and unable to stand straight. When he heals this woman, the authorities call him out for breaking the Sabbath; Jesus responds, justifying his action and reminding us that our traditions can become hindrances when we adhere to them too strictly or for the wrong reasons.

Are you hearing God's words speaking to you yet? Feeling pulled in one direction or another? Finishing up a summer series? Wherever you're head, wherever you're floundering for that matter, join the discussion! We need each other!

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings~~Bringing fire to the earth edition

God of all the nations,
you rescued your people out of the Red Sea
and delivered Rahab from battle;
you rescue the lowly and needy from injustice and tribulation.
Surround us with so great a cloud of witnesses
that we may have faith to live by your word in our time,
courage to persevere in the race set before us,
and endurance in the time of trial. Amen.

It's that time of year: for some vacations are in full swing and for others the school year is beginning. And in the RCL, the readings are full of division and discord, warnings and judgment, interwoven with notes of faith and hope. Is this enough to get your preaching juices going?

We begin with a reading from the prophet Isaiah, who uses the analogy of a carefully planted and tended vineyard nonetheless producing wild grapes to describe what God has in store for God's chosen people if they don't mend their ways.The other OT choice comes from Jeremiah, who warns against prophets who preach word they were not commissioned to speak. Is not my [true} word like fire God asks. 

The gospel passage promises fire as well as Jesus announces that he comes to bring not peace but division, setting families one against another. The NT reading from the letter to the Hebrews provides the most hopeful note, as Paul continues to rehearse God's mighty acts of salvation in response to faith. 

These are not easy readings; how do you handle Jesus' hard sayings? Where do you find the Good News? Are you leaving these readings aside for the narrative lectionary or a summer series? Join the discussion and let us know where the Word is beckoning this week-- and if inspiration is yet to hit, join in anyway. Often one preacher's questions become another  preacher's fodder. 

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings ~~ Getting ready edition

• God of justice,
  your word is light and truth.
  Let your face shine on us to restore us,
  that we may walk in your way,
  seeking justice and doing good. Amen.    Prayer from here...  
• I'm on vacation this Sunday and the next, and I am keenly aware of how quickly our summer is passing! Here we are, the second Sunday in August, and many are deep into preparations for the resumption of full schedules after a summer slowdown and the onslaught of fall programs. And being ready is one of the themes for this  12th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14C. If you are following the RCL, the readings may be found here; if you are following the Narrative Lectionary, check here; if you are off lectionary, you tell us!
• The RCL readings this week are full of advice -- direct and indirect -- for people of faith trying to live what they believe. The Hebrew scripture comes from the opening passages of the Prophet Isaiah where we hear Isaiah's opening barrage of warnings to the people: all the sacrifice and incense and worship in the world is pointless if you are not "willing and obedient." That message can hit home in today's church as we figure out how that church can exist - and flourish - in the 21st century. The alternative OT reading comes from Genesis and calls us to faith as we hear the story of the childless Abram and God's promise that his descendants will be as numerous at the stars in the heavens.
  
• Faith faith continues as the theme in the NT reading from the letter to the Hebrews. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Paul writes, and then goes on to recall how God fulfilled his promise to the faithful Abram, and what that meant for those descendants going forward.
• Perhaps the most pointed advice comes in our gospel reading from Luke. We are deep into Jesus' travel narrative as he heads towards Jerusalem, teaching the twelve and those who follow along as make their way from town to town. We hear Jesus proffering a number of tidbits of advice, but the overall theme is to be ready--be reading for the coming of the Son of Man. And the underlying subtext might be heard as one of economic justice and stewardship.
  
  So where are you headed, preachers, in these dog days of summer? Here, there, wherever, join the conversation with questions, insights, whines. whatever you've got. 

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings--Eat, Drink and Be Merry Edition

We might as well, because there is not much in these readings (Proper 13C, 11th After Pentecost for this year)to make us merry.  But I am getting ahead of myself.  The first task of any preacher, of any person of faith for that matter, is to open oneself to the Divine.

And so we pray...

Generous God,
in abundance you give us things both spiritual and physical.
Help us to hold lightly the fading things of this earth
and grasp tightly the lasting things of your kingdom,
so that what we are and do and say
may be our gifts to you
through Christ, who beckons all to seek the things above,
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(prayer source)

Now. we will get to the RCL readings in a moment.  But we also have to remember that there are other choices out there.  The Narrative Lectionary for example, which this week concludes its Wisdom unit with Ecclesiastes 2:18-3:8 &Luke 12:16-21.  Is there a better known passage from Ecclesiastes than the opening verses of chapter 3?  (Thanks to Pete Seeger of course)  But is that passage hopeful or fatalistic?

Shall we listen to the song???


And then there is the RCL.

I long ago decided that I would not try to figure out a way to link the RCL readings during Ordinary Time to each other.  It is so obvious that building links between the Hebrew and Christian readings is not the prime focus of the compilers....

So we have some more of Hosea, merry fellow that he is.  But to be fair there is a touch of mercy at the end of the passage.  Even if it does have a rather begrudging sound to it (IMO anyway).

Or the alternate passage from Ecclesiastes.  I preached on this one 3 years ago, for my first sermon in this pastoral relationship.  I went with setting priorities.  Otherwise we are down to saying nothing is worth it.   I have a suspicion Qoheleth was a depressed fellow....

Then we have Colossians.  So much more cheeriness, particularly verse 6.  Is Paul veering into a "right way or the highway" approach?

The Rich Man

And of course there is the Gospel.  Re-reading it I think I know why I preached on Ecclesiastes 3 years ago.  I see that someone comes to Jesus to ask that he tell his (or possibly her I suppose) brother not to be greedy and so we launch into a teaching on greed.  A teaching which seems aimed at the first questioner--not the brother.  A teaching which could quite conceivably be aimed at the modern church in many places.

 Mind you there is the chance to use the phrase "You fool!" in the sermon.   And who knows who you could be talking to in your head.....

So where are you leaning this fine Tuesday?  Share your thoughts with the rest of us....

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings: Whores and Bargaining and Prayer. OH MY! Edition

As I was finishing supper tonight I suddenly remembered it was Monday and still July.  So time to prepare a post for tomorrow....

As we gather to begin our week's sharing we come before the Creator in prayer: (prayer source)

God of mercy,
you promised never to break your covenant with us.
Amid all the changing words of our generation,
speak your eternal Word that does not change.
Then may we respond to your gracious promises
with faithful and obedient lives;
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

This week why don't we start with the Narrative Lectionary and then look at the RCL later.  This week that Lectionary continues in the Wisdom unit and provides Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 and Luke 12:22-23 for one's reading pleasure and preaching challenge.  Some day I think I will do a sermon series on Ecclesiastes.  I find it a fascinating book.  Even if it is all "vanity of vanities".  (mind you I suspect Qoheleth would say that about much of our church life)

As for the RCL readings for Proper 12C (the 10th After Pentecost this year) to say we have a mixed bag would be an understatement.  And not at all sure what mental/theological/exegetical gymnastics would link them together.

Give us this day...

We have the Gospel and teaching on prayer.  Mind you there are several sermons, a whole series to say the least, in those few verses.  And I suspect we don't spend enough time talking about, teaching about, exploring our theology of prayer in the church these days....

Or our Epistle passage continues on in Colossians.  It strikes me over the last few weeks that Colossians is a rather strange book, even for Pauline logic.

Then there are our two Hebrew Scripture options....

Negotiating.....with power

Genesis with Abraham bargaining for the lives of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (which begs the question of why he does not bargain for the life of Isaac in an different story).  And for those who say that God can not be convinced to change God's mind--please explicate this passage.

Hosea and Gomer

OR Hosea.  Hosea with his focus on unfaithfulness.  Hosea with his use of whoredom, his marrying of whores as a symbolic action (who needs to marry for love or partnership anyway).  And in this passage are the people God's people or not?

So wherever/however you find yourself leaning this week, whatever flashes of insight you may have, whatever questions or befuddlements fill your mind feel free to share them in the comments.

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings: Hospitality Edition.

Greetings all from the hallowed land of Va-Ca-Tion!

This week brings us to the 9th Sunday After Pentecost for 2013, also known as Proper 11C.  And what way are you leaning for worship prep this fine Tuesday????

But first, we pray: (prayer source)

God, source of all light,

by your Word you give light to the soul.

Pour out upon us

the spirit of wisdom and understanding

that, being taught by you in Holy Scripture,

our hearts and minds may be opened to know the things

that pertain to life and holiness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The RCL readings for this Sunday can be found here.

So Much for the angels "unawares"...

A quick glance shows that both Luke and Genesis talk to us about hospitality as Abraham "entertains angels unawares" (to use a phrase the Hebrews will us later) and Mary and Martha have a conflict over the best way to host Jesus.

Or then there is our friend Amos in a decidedly un-cheery passage.  But then to be honest much of Amos is decidedly un-cheery.

Or maybe you are brave enough this summer to be preaching on the Epistles--which takes you into week 2 of Colossians.

Then again there is the possibility of the Narrative Lectionary, where one would be reading Proverbs 10:1-12 and Luke 6:37-38, concluding a series of Sundays of exploring Proverbs (which appears to me to be a decidedly NON Narrative book but anyway)

Wherever you think you are headed for worship this week share your angst, insights, queries and sources of wisdom in the comments....

I remember the song...well those lines anyways

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings: Do Justice, Love Your Neighbours Edition

As we gather together in this virtual room, shall we pray? (prayer source)

Holy God, Word made flesh, let us come to this word open to being surprised.
Silence our agendas;
banish our assumptions;
cast out our casual detachment.
Confound our expectations;
clear the cobwebs from our ears;
penetrate the corners of our hearts with this word.
We know that you can, we pray that you will, and we wait with great anticipation. Amen.

 "Open to being surprised..."  May those words do us good this week when the RCL readings contain one of the best known stories in Scripture.

No Good Deed

Yes this week we have the Good Samaritan.  I have long since lost count of how many times I heard that story while I was growing up.  Luckily there are a few preaching themes to be found in it.

Plumb Line

OR we might eschew the familiar and go with one of the Hebrew Scripture readings...
We have Amos and the plumb line, a wonderful image of being measured against a standard (and a great tangible image if you can get hold of one to hold during the service--perhaps for children's time?) mind you the later verses in the selection are a bit more problematic.
or in the other track we have Deuteronomy where Moses lays the groundwork for the Prosperity Gospel (live right and you shall prosper) but more importantly reminds his people that they are capable of living right.  Take that Augustine and Calvin and your insistence that we can not make that choice on out own!

Or maybe you want to wade into the letter to Colossians.  Now that is a blessing Paul gives to the people!  If only we could always be so thankful for the communities where we have served.

Then too there is the option of the Narrative Lectionary where we have these readings.

Or there are those who are off on a different path this summer.

Wherever you are leaning this week, please share your wisdom and questions in the comments so we call all lean together (even if in totally different directions--which helps keep us balanced after all).

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings: Healing Leprosy or Travelling Evangelist--which is More of a Challenge? Edition

In this week of National holidays for both Canada and the US, I found this prayer rather apt:

Beckoning God,
as you moved in the lives of Elijah and Elisha,
move in our lives,
inviting us to journey to unknown territory,
to listen for your voice,
and to speak your prophetic word
in a world that does not want to hear.
empowered by your Spirit,
grant us the courage we need
to journey, trust, listen, speak,
and accept your commission
to be your faithful servant people. Amen.

So what are we all reading this week?  Some of us are using the RCL Readings for Proper 9C, which you can read here.  Seeing as we are in Ordinary Time, those readings give us some choices (at least when it comes to the readings from the Hebrew Scriptures).

THe Slave Girl...the real heroine?

We could explore Naaman washing his leprosy off in the Jordan.  And apparently being a little ticked that he does not warrant some grandiose cure instead.  Or maybe focus on the courage of a slave girl that started the whole ball rolling?

Or maybe Isaiah is speaking to you this week with his promise of comfort for Jerusalem?

Turning to the Epistle reading we continue along in Galatians, where we have been for a couple weeks now.  I have a struggle with Paul some (most) of the time, but I have to (and sort of hate to) admit that I like much of Galatians.  Mind you as one with poor fine motor control and horrible (almost illegible) handwriting I have to wonder what sort of a sermon there is in verse 11 "See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand!".......


And then there is the Gospel reading.  12 years ago, in my first sermon in my settlement charge, I preached on this text about the sending out of the 70.  I wonder what I said??? For those of us in traditions that have not spent a great deal of time talking about being sent out or evangelism, much less going 2x2 from town to town, what is the message for us here?  Is it a challenge we need to hear anew?

Is this what Evangelism feels like?

But of course I know not everyone in on the RCL.  Some of our group are using the Narrative Lectionary and it appears they would be reading Proverbs 3:1-8 or 1-18 and Luke 12:29-31this week.

Or maybe some of our USan members will feel pressure to do something patriotically themed this weekend?  (Or was that this past Sunday like some Canadian churches did?)

Or maybe you are off on your own path for worship this summer.  A sermon series perhaps?  I know of some colleagues who are doing "Sermon by Request" during the summer.

Wherever you are headed, whatever questions you have, any wisdom to share, any ranting you need to vent...share them in the comments.

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings~~Foxes have holes edition

• Beckoning God,
  as you moved in the lives of Elijah and Elisha,
  move in our lives,
  inviting us to journey to unknown territory,
  to listen for your voice,
  and to speak your prophetic word
  in a world that does not want to hear.
  empowered by your Spirit,
  grant us the courage we need
  to journey, trust, listen, speak,
  and accept your commission
                                                to be your faithful servant people. Amen

• It finally feels like summer here, and this week is the last week of school for the town kids (who got whomped with a whole lot of hurricane and snow days this year) which likely means small crowds this Sunday. The Word will still be preached, however, for those with ears to hear, and the will to come to church in spite of summer's allure, and this week's readings give us plenty to work with. 
• Our semi-continuous reading from Kings finds Elijah about to be taken up by God, and Elisha sticking with him to the very end, a model of faithfulness. Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah's spirit; one wonders if he really knows what he's in for.  
• Jesus sets his face towards Jerusalem in our gospel from Luke, and we know what that means, but it's less clear that those around him get it.  Jesus responds to their somewhat conditional responses to his "Come and follow me" with a series of enigmatic replies..."Foxes have holes, birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." "Let the dead bury their own dead.""No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." 

• 
  
  
  Paul's letter to the Galatians reminds us of the great commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. The part of the reading that is so often quoted, however, is the part about not gratifying the desires of the flesh, with its list of unacceptable behaviors (fornication, impurity, licentiousness etc.) Where I sit we need to be far more concerned with the embodying the fruits of the spirit -- things like love, patience, kindness, generosity and self-control. 
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If you are a Buechner fan and thinking about Galatians, here's a link that might help you. 
• Where is the Word calling you this week, preachers? Are you invigorated and inspired by these readings or stuck in the summer doldrums? Going off lectionary, or on the narrative lectionary? Join the conversation and let us know what you are thinking/wondering/feeling. As always, this group is a great place to stir things up a bit and get the preaching mojo going.
  
  

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings~~Seeing the power of God edition

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving­ kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer, Collect for Proper 7


This week's readings offer us rich stories and images to work with. I mean, how can you go wrong with Jesus driving the demons from the Gerasene man into a herd of pigs that then run over the cliff and into a river. Did you ever wonder about the poor farmer who lost his livestock? And what about  Elijah, after acting so bravely, hiding from the wrath of Jezebel, and then standing on the mountain waiting for God to pass by? These encounters with the raw and magnificent power of God provide us with a wonderful opportunity to think both about that power, and about how we experience in our own lives. 

The power of God is found in the words of Isaiah as well, perhaps not so forcefully, but just as real, as he speaks of a God who offers hope to the people of Israel, even in the face of the suffering they have experienced during their long exile. How much do we need that hope in the face of pain and sorrow even today!

Paul's letter to the Galatians speaks to the power of God to bring unity to all of God's children through Jesus Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. But how do these words play out in our multi-cultural world, in a world that can seem increasingly fragmented into "them" and "us." 

Lots of good stuff here, preachers. Do you know where you are headed? Are you doing a special series for summer?  Following the narrative lectionary?  Where ever the Word is calling you, join the discussion,. We're here for questions, ideas, pondering, and even rants, should you need to do so. Always someone to listen amongst the RevGals!

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings~~Sinners and faith and forgiveness edition

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  Collect for Proper 6



With the weather we've been having it feels like I should be preaching on Noah and the ark, but this week's readings take us in a different direction. In our reading from 1 Kings, Ahab is having a bad day. He wants to buy a vineyard next to his palace, but much to his dismay, the vineyard's owner refuses to sell and gives God as his excuse ("The Lord forbids that I should give you my ancestral inheritance.") Ahab is distraught and Jezebel decides to take matters into her own hands, arranging for the vineyard's owner to be killed. When she is sure that he is dead, Jezebel urges Ahab to take the vineyard for himself. God, however, sends Elijah to meet him, and when Ahab goes to claim the vineyard, Elijah delivers God's message of displeasure at what has taken place. Ahab has sold his soul to obtain the land. Not good. 

2 Samuel gives us another story of one acting to get what he wants and displeasing God along the way. The lectionary leaves out the backstory--David sees and desires Bathsheba, and sleeps with her despite knowing that she is married;  then he arranges to have Uriah, her husband, killed in battle. After Uriah's death, David takes Bathsheba as his wife. In our reading, Nathan comes and tells David a parable to clue him into the evil he has done. Once again, getting what you want at any cost can have drastic consequences. 

Paul's letter to the Galatians provides a more positive text as Paul reminds his audience that they (and we) are in fact saved by faith, not works. Although this message is a familiar one to those in the reformed traditions, it can still be hard to grasp and can seem at odds with Jesus' gospel imperatives. A challenging text to preach...but a good one. 

Finally our gospel finds Jesus in the house of Simon the Pharisee, where an uninvited woman anoints his feet with perfume and her tears. The woman's actions provide Jesus an opening to talk about forgiveness of sins, and to highlight his concern not only for sinners but also for those overlooked by society, including women. 

Do you have a homiletical direction for the week, or are you still searching? On lectionary or off? Summer series? Narrative lectionary?  Wherever you're headed, join the discussion with your questions, inspirations, frustrations, insights, or just to let us know you're here!

Readings found here or here.

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings~~Raising the widows' sons edition

• 
  
• Healing and compassionate God,
  your hands hold gently all creation,
  your touch brings life in the face of death,
  your love transforms destruction into grace.
  Touch our lives with your Spirit,
  brining new life and hope,
  so that we may live and serve you with joy and praise. Amen.

Welcome to Proper 5, preachers. Two of this week's readings (found here) are resurrection stories, narratives that demonstrate God's compassion as well as God's power and authority in the world, even in the face of death. These tales are rich with possibility: widows as representatives of the poor and oppressed who receive God's favor,  God acting in the world to relieve their suffering, Elijah and Jesus as agents of God's power, Jesus's demonstration of  his own authority.

Our first reading (whether you choose the long version of the short) is the story of Elijah's raising of the widow's son at Zarapheth. If you choose the longer reading, you also get the story of Elijah's sojourn with the widow, and the abundance he brings in the face of famine. Together these acts demonstrate to the widow that Elijah is indeed a "man of God."

Our gospel reading from Luke finds Jesus and his followers entering Nain when they encounter a funeral procession. Jesus is filled with pity for the plight of the widow returns her son to life, causing a great stir among the onlookers.

If resurrection stories aren't speaking to you this week, you might chose the passage from Galatians, in which Paul describes his credentials for preaching and teaching the gospel; the commentary at Working Preacher has some great suggestions for how to approach this text, if you, like me, find preaching Paul challenging.

We're only three weeks into the loooooong season of Pentecost and already I'm seeing comments about "Pentecost fatigue" over on Facebook.  Where are this week's readings leading you? Are you loving Luke or longing for Advent already? Doing something different for summer? Share your ideas, inspirations, questions and frustrations wherever you might be headed, on lectionary or off.

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings: The Long Season Begins..... Edition

AS we gather our thoughts for the week (hope all our USan friends had a good Memorial Day Holiday yesterday) shall we pray?

O Singer, your song is welcome and holiness,
healing and trust.
Teach us a new song to sing your praise,
and tune our ears to melodies we have never heard,
that we may add our voices to the harmony
uniting all creation as one
in adoration and thanksgiving of you,
through Christ, your all-embracing song. Amen.
(prayer from here)

AS we move into the first Sunday of Ordinary Time, what are you doing for worship over this long season?  Are you striking out on your own with a summer sermon series (or maybe a series of series)?  Staying on Lectionary?  Choosing to follow one strand of the Lectionary readings and ignoring the others? 

 

Does worship become more relaxed between now and September and the restart of the program year?  OR maybe you keep going full tilt all summer long?  Some places in vacation country are actually busier in the next few months than during the winter...

At any rate, the RCL readings for this week (Proper 4c, 2nd After Pentecost) are here

I remember books like this...

I see we have Elijah's odd approach to firestarting.  But you know, whatever works for you.

Or as an alternate we could visit the dedication of Solomon's temple.

Or we could hear the Psalmist exhorting us to sing a new song.  Because we know that church folk are always so excited about singing new songs.  Right???  No???????

ANd another book!

Turning to the Christian Scriptures...

WE find a piece from Galatians where Paul pushes that the Gospel he shares is from God.  But apparently the gospel shared by Joe down the road has problems.....

OR Luke tells us about the healing of a centurion's slave.  And maybe it is just my anti-authoritarian streak but is the centurion's faith pretty similar to giving orders?

Wherever you find yourself leaning, or falling, or being led/pulled this week share your wisdom, queries, frustrations in the comments....

And now I see lightning flashing and hear thunder rumbling.  Guess I should turn off the computer (and won't get the garden in tonight...)

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings: 3-is-1, 1-is-3, Say WHAT?? New Math?? Edition

I once remember a joke about a gentlemen who much preferred attending worship on Trinity Sunday than Easter.  Why?  Because he figured any preacher worth her salt could try and explain the Resurrection.  But to explain the Trinity on the other hand........

Here is one attempt

As we approach Trinity Sunday, I suggest we need to start with prayer (OK I suggest we should always start with prayer, but when needing to preach on the unexplainable and seemingly nonsensical we REALLY should):

Holy God, Creation's Artist:
tiny infants
babble your praises,
     as you reach out
     and heal us with
          the touch of your fingertips.
We worship you.

Jesus Christ, Gateway to grace:
you make right
     what we have messed up;
you build your kingdom
     on the foundation of our faltering faith;
you stand with us
     in the midst of our suffering.
We adore you.

Holy Spirit, Playmate of justice:
you splash through
the sea-puddles
     in Eden's backyard,
tracking the mud
into Kingdom's kitchen,
     leading us to the Table.
We open our hearts to you.

God in Community, Holy in One,
hear us as we pray as Jesus taught us, saying,
Our Father. . .

(prayer source)

And now, back to planning worship...

The RCL readings for Trinity Sunday Year C can be found here

Where do you go with Trinity Sunday?  It is an odd thing.  The ecumenical community does not seem to have Sundays dedicated to other doctrines (although there are some that have given a whole chunk of Ordinary Time to Creation).  And frankly there are lots of other doctrines that are easier to preach and teach about than the Trinity.  Do you preach on the passages and ignore the idea of the doctrine?  DO you try to preach about what the doctrine means?  And what if you are not strongly Trinitarian???

Well that clarifies it....

The passages this year give us Proverbs and the nature of Wisdom/Sophia.  Or a Psalm about God's Sovereignty.  Or Paul talking about endurance and hope.  Or John's Jesus promising the gift of the Spirit at some future time.

Where is the Spirit that blew into our lectionary so noisily last Sunday blowing you this week?  What word of hope and Gospel do you have to share with folks this week?  What questions, ponderings, rants do you need to share with a supportive community?  Any of those and more can be found in the comments---but only if y'all put them there!

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings: Many Tongues Edition

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear (divided, fractious, sometimes [often?] disappointing) church.

Happy birthday to you!!!!

OR maybe a more formal prayer?

Spirit God,

blow into our lives,

move us to action,

break down the walls that separate us.

Where our language divides, offer us translation.

Where our fear overcomes, fill us with the fire of courage.

Where our lives are becalmed, fill our sails with wind,

moving us forward into the unknown future.

Fill us with the hope and promise of Pentecost!

Amen.

 Yes indeed we have reached the end of the Easter season.  The great 50 days are over (or will be soon anyway).  And it is time for the early church to move from a small private movement sharing their stories and memories to a quickly growing movement that will, eventually, conquer the Empire [only to become a new Empire itself, but  perhaps that is a chapter for another day].  Pentecost is here!

You can read the Pentecost readings for Year C here.

The powers that be give us an interesting pairing of readings this year in the RCL cycle.  The tower of Babel and the Pentecost story.  Language divided and the divisions of language overcome.  Is this the equation the writer of Luke-Acts was intending?  Or is this an overlay we have added in later years?

or the same language as usual--just louder

As I write this I remember the role of the Babel-fish plays in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (and of course the website of the same name)  Surely there is a sermonic connection to be made there????

Or maybe you are tired of hearing (and preaching) about people speaking in many tongues every year.  So is this the year you preach on John's Jesus promising to send the spirit of truth that the world can not receive?

WE could use some peace

What does Pentecost worship look like in your context?  Will people wear red?  Wave ribbons?  Will you open the windows and let the wind blow through?  Last Sunday after worship this area was hit by a microburst with winds up to 102 kph (about 64 moh) which left a trail of destruction in its wake.  Is that the sort of wind that blows through the church on Pentecost?  (and what about the fire....)

Share ideas, ponderings, confusions et al in the comments...

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings -- Risin' Up Edition

Happy Tuesday Y'all!

Shall we pray??? (prayer source)

God of boundless grace,
you call us to drink freely of the well of life
and to share the love of your holy being.
May the glory of your love,
made known in the victory of Jesus Christ, our Savior,
transform our lives and the world he lived and died to save.
We ask this in his name and for his sake. Amen.

Bristol Cross

So this week are you going with the Ascension readings or with the readings for Easter 7C?  Jesus rising up toward Jupiter and the outer planets of the solar system (a story the writer of Luke-Acts liked so
much he had to tell 2 versions of it).  Then again, it is possible that imposing modern cosmology on the story is not so great an idea.

John Lennon was a prophet

Jesus praying that his followers would not be divided?

For those of us in the UCCan this Gospel reading has a special place as we took our denominational motto Ut Onmnes Unum Sint--That All May Be One (or is that maybe one?) from it.  Mind you I think that phrase has a very different resonance now than it did decades ago.

Or maybe Paul caring so much about the health and safety of his jailor he chooses not to break out of the newly opened prison?  Or the Paul who got into prison for healing in the first place?

Or the last few verses of the Canon? (it always amuses me that in building that reading the RCL omits the verse that calls curses on any who would omit words from the book...even more amusing was the mis-print of the NRSV that was available [for free] at the local Bible Society bookstore when I started seminary that had omitted that verse)

Agnus Day

And then there is the potential landmine of Mother's Day to step on, or avoid, or dismantle...

Wherever worship planning is taking you, whatever questions the text raise for you, however the Spirit is singing to your heart, feel free to share in the comments.

Tuesday Lectionary Leanings~Peace I leave with you edition

Living God,
long ago, faithful women
proclaimed the good news
of Jesus' resurrection,
and the world was changed forever.
Teach us to keep faith with them,
that our witness may be as bold,
our love as deep,
and our faith as true. Amen.

 By the time we actually preach this week's sermon it will be May, and hopefully spring, but liturgically we are still in the midst of Easter, which means our lectionary readings continue to be drawn from Acts, Revelation and John.  This week in Acts we find an account of Paul and his traveling companions in the act of discerning what Paul's vision means; They set out for Philippi, a Roman colony, where they encounter the faithful Lydia. journeying, ending up in the house of Lydia.

Our reading from the Revelation of John presents us with a vivid picture of the New Jerusalem. I cannot hear this reading without also hearing, "Shall we gather at the river?" My favorite rendition by the Miserable Offenders is now available on iTunes, but this version by Anonymous 4 is hauntingly beautiful as well.




The lectionary provides us with a choice of gospel readings this week. Our first option continues Jesus' farewell discourse to his disciples. Jesus reassures his faithful followers that that he will send an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to empower them, and he promises them peace even as he leaves them behind. The alternative gospel reading, also from John finds Jesus outside the Sheep Gate going in to Jerusalem where he heals a lame man who lies by the gate, telling him to "Stand up, take your mat and walk."

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Where is the Spirit leading you this week?Will you explore Lydia and the ministry of women in the early church? Are you drawn by the images of paradise in the form of the New Jerusalem? Perhaps you are seeking the peace Jesus promises. Share your ponderings, your inspiration, your questions with us.