All Good Friday, I thought about you, preachers. We know what the women who followed Jesus were doing on Friday. “Some women were watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James (the younger one) and Joses, and Salome. When Jesus was in Galilee, these women had followed and supported him, along with… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Maintaining Stamina Edition
The end is in sight – or is it the beginning? As Lent draws out to Holy Week, many preachers are submerged in bits and pieces – of lots of different service elements. But, first, we have to get through this Sunday. Will it be Palms or Passion for you – or both? Or do you have… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Changing Seasons
Seasons are changing! Lent is drawing to a close (well, closer to a close, anyway). Spring is coming in the Northern Hemisphere, and Fall arrives in the Southern. At our church, we’re journeying through Holy Week for all the Sundays of Lent, and this week brings Thursday (Mark’s account includes a Last Supper, Jesus’ arrest,… Read More
11th Hour Preacher’s Party: Prayer
In the Episcopal Church one is invited to observe a Holy Lent by self-examination and repentance through prayer, fasting, self denial, and meditating on God’s holy Word. Each time I’ve preached I have focused on one of the above: fasting, self-examination, self-denial, and this Sunday, prayer. There has always been a connection to readings for… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: from the howling wilderness
Happy weekend, preaching friends! We are at the midpoint of Lent, Sunday-wise…how are you doing? Are you preaching a series you’re still really enjoying, or one that seemed like a good idea at the time? Are you in the wilderness with Moses and the voice on the mountain, or with Jesus flipping tables in a… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: a party of preachers edition
Hello, preachers! At my house, three preachers are heading out to meet a fourth for dinner. We have Preacher Party host Liz Crumlish from Scotland visiting at the Manse where my wife and live in South Central Pennsylvania, and I am filling in for her this week. Liz will be preaching for the congregation kathrynzj… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: Observing a Holy Lent, the covenant edition
Photo by Terri C. Pilarski What does it mean to observe a Holy Lent? Does one give something up or take something on? I’m thinking about giving something up. Or, maybe it’s taking something on? Which ever, it began on Ash Wednesday when I threw out the sermon I wrote and preached from my heart,… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Edition!
That’s right! It’s Transfiguration Sunday! (Confession: I’m being completely sarcastic. I find Transfiguration one of the most difficult Sundays to preach; in fact, I’m ignoring it and preaching on Mark 2:1-12, which doesn’t make it into the RCL this year). But, if you love Transfiguration, or are preaching about it anyway, Rachael Keefe’s reflection will… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party
Hello folks, I confess to putting up an 11 and 1/2 hour preacher party today. I lost track of what day it was yesterday. How is it going for your? Are you seeking the Living Water with the Samaritan woman in Narrative Lectionary? Are you searching for the cure to an illness with Mark or… Read More
11th Hour Preacher Party: The offer of life
As ever, our texts this week, offer many opportunities to speak into the life of our world and the communities we serve. Discussions on the Narrative Lectionary Text can be found here, and on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings here. How about you? Where are you going with the word of life? Where are you… Read More
