This is Daisy. She is our puppy dog. She really needs everyone to get their sermons written so that we can play with her, take her for a w-a-l-k, get the t-r-e-a-t-s from the magic drawer, and maybe, if she’s very good, go for a r-i-d-e in the car. Don’t disappoint Daisy!
At our place, we’re in the midst of a series on parables (Good Samaritan is this week). It’s more likely that you are following either the Revised Common Lectionary or Narrative Lectionary (posts for pondering at the links). Or it could be that it’s stewardship time in your congregation. Whatever the situation, ask questions, share ideas, give support!
Monica Thompson Smith is a Presbyterian Church (USA) minister, serving as stated supply pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Luling, TX. She is a contributor to There’s a Woman in the Pulpit.
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Anyone thinking about Jeremiah?
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Preaching through Jeremiah with connection to Luke – longing for the “good ol’ days” when change happens. “And when in our life’s journeys we are in the place of unseeing, of unhearing, of unknown future and good old days past and gone – let us still turn and Give thanks to the Giver of the breath of life… “
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I am. Preaching to a congregation in transition/their own version of exile…so going with a “keep being church” in the midst of what feels like hopelessness.
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But I have no idea what to do for a children’s sermon.
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Will be asking people “What is something we can see right now that we are thankful for?”, that we can praise God for. And will sing “Halle, halle, halle – lu-jah”.
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NL with Ruth and it is week two of Stewardship which I am reframing as A Community of Generosity. I was struck by the beginning words…there was a famine. I do not know what that is like to flee due to famine. My grandparents lived through the depression and the Dirty Thirties…did they think of relocating? Somehow we will get to generosity. I am just back from a Presbytery meeting and glad it was in the same city as I live.
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We were studying the Prodigal Son last week, and there’s a famine in it too, which I realized I am quick to skim over. Sometimes I forget just how far removed my comfortable life is.
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I’m doing a series on the RCL readings in 2 Timothy this month, so we will be wrangling over words. But the children are following the gospel readings, so they will be talking about gratitude. I’m going to pull out my favorite Parable of the ten apples (https://pastorsings.com/2013/10/13/the-parable-of-the-ten-apples/) for the children’s message, which means I had to go to the store to buy apples. I also bought Halloween candy (it was in the next aisle), so help yourself to some!
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We’re in Narrative. Here’s my sermon on Ruth 1.
I’ve been laid low with a fever the past 48 or more hours, and thought I’d be fine to preach tonight. I was fine. Until I wasn’t. And I had to sit down to preach the last half of the sermon. I had to call up someone else to help with communion. I could not stand. Zero energy.
I hate being sick. I take it as a personal affront. (Enneagram 8, much?) Glad I sat down before I passed out.
Now I’m home and planning on sleeping it off.
https://marciglass.com/2019/10/12/each-others-people/
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Oof! Hope you feel better soon.
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Yeah, this one’s a doozy. I woke up this morning, fed the cats, ate half a banana, and had to go lie down again.
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Hi there – anyone still up? I’m pondering Luke and Jeremiah. Thinking about being in in-between places (Border of Galilee and Samaria, exile in Babylon) and how we thrive in those inbetween places. But that’s sort of all I’ve got. Hope you feel better soon, Marci! I’m a 2 and also affronted by illness.
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JenniferGBrownell! I am just wrapping up a sermon on Luke and the great good news that the people from the “wrong” side of the border have gifts and graces so share with us,
(been reading Barbara Brown Taylor’s “Holy Envy”)
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The night owl preachers were busy (night owl in my time zone, anyway). Blessings to all this morning.
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LOL. It WAS late — but not as late as the time stamp. I wrapped up at midnight out here on the US west coast. 🙂
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