We find ourselves once again in Lent. Though it kind of feels like Lent 2020 never ended, we have made it through an entire church year since then, many of us figuring out ways to celebrate the seasons in new and different ways. Once we have an entire years worth of recordings, can we just… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Calling All Disciples
Here we are in Ordinary Time or Weeks after the Epiphany. Being in the US, today was rather extraordinary as a new President and Vice President have been sworn in. I am filled with emotion. And sermons still need to be preached. Disciples are being called. What will your call be? In the Narrative Lectionary… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Advent 4 Edition
The year continues to move on. Here we are at Advent 4. Are you lighting the candle for Love? We are doing Peace at our place. Whether you are preaching Narrative Lectionary, Revised Common Lectionary, or something else altogether, we are here to help. What do you need? Sermon illustrations? Time with the Children? A… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: New Year’s Eve
Here we are at our last Sunday before the Liturgical Year begins again. Will you do Christ the King or Reign of Christ? This is one of the years that US Thanksgiving comes between this week and Advent 1. Will you be thinking about gratitude? I spoke Monday to a women’s group about Gratitude in… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Change and Legacy
This week many Protestant congregations celebrate Reformation Sunday. For my congregation, I think it’s third only after Christmas Eve and Easter. It’s important enough that we have planned a 2-week experiment in gathering outside just in time for Reformation Sunday (and rain is forecast for the first time in months for exactly and only that… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Laboring in the Vineyard
As September continues, we may feel like we’ve been laboring a long time in the Vineyard. I preached this text 3 years ago for my congregation and the Committee on Preparation for Ministry. I preached “The Parable of the Generous Landowner” or “The Parable of Radical Equality.” They passed it, but the all older male… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Back to School Edition
While it might not be back to school for anyone else, as for me and my household it surely is. I think teachers and preachers (and I’m sure many others) are sharing many of the lessons of our new way of being (even in places where people are carefully returning). So what can we learn… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Sowing Seeds on Sunday
Welcome back to the sermon party. This summer seems to be flying by. Pentecost was 7 weeks ago?!? So here we are in the midst of Ordinary Time. Are you sowing seeds with the sower (Matthew 13)? Traveling with Jacob (Genesis 28)? Reminding folks that no matter where we are, God is there (Psalm 139)?… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Changing Seasons
This week the solstice occurs. Whether you are moving into Summer or Winter, what does the change in seasons mean this year? In the Liturgical calendar we have moved into the long green season of Ordinary Time (12th Ordinary, Proper 7, 3rd Sunday after Pentecost). As we continue to record services in my Southern California… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Love Is Love Is Love
The photo is my favorite insulated portable tea mug. It reminds me of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony award acceptance speech right after the Orlando massacre. “Love is love is love is love.” Whether you are in the RCL or the Narrative lectionary, there is lots of love talk this week. In the RCL gospel Jesus promises… Read More