It’s long been my experience that October and February are the busiest months in church world. I think it’s the preparation work for Advent and Lent, respectively. Also an element of “let’s schedule things now, before Advent/Lent.” This October has further confirmed that my theory holds true, even in pandemic-tide. Somehow, it’s already mid-October, and another Sunday preaching occasion is here (or a Thursday recording session, or whatever your practice has come to be).
We have help! Lectionary posts for RCL and Narrative Lectionary. Worship words for liturgy and prayers, when your own are faltering. And the Preacher Party, to share ideas and encouragement. Welcome, one and all.
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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Going with Moses this week. Sermon title: “Negotiating with God.”
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I like that…sometimes people don’t think they have permission to negotiate with God.
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Working with the Matthew text this week. It’s my first week preaching after 12 weeks out of the pulpit! I’m trying to come back in with a more systematic approach…I’d kind of gotten lazy in my prep work.
Right now I’m thinking about how Jesus thwarts the 2 groups trying to trap him, and kind of forces us to do our own work of thinking theologically about our lives and politics. In our current climate, I’d kind of see this passage as encouraging creative, theological thinking that transcends political parties, but I want to be careful not to imply that that no matter what side you come out on, as long as you’ve thought about it then you’ve made the right decision.
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Careful thinking about possible implications has ruined many what-I-thought-were-brilliant sermon ideas! Good for you for thinking it all the way through as you get back in the saddle.
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