For many, the first Sunday in Advent is a time to talk about hope. What kind of hope will sustain us in our present? The troubles in the world and in our lives are real. God’s hope is also real. I come alongside individuals, groups and communities in the context of natural and unnatural disasters.… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Unveiling
As we approach the end of a calendar year, this week’s lectionary readings reference the end of time. At least, that’s what the apocalyptic readings of Daniel and Revelation seem to be about, at first blush. The Ancient One takes the throne, and Jesus arrives on the clouds. What we forget sometimes is that “apocalypse”… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary – Nov. 14
As I reviewed the readings for this week one theme rang out, accompanied by a visceral image of robed people crossing a field at dusk toward a church that glows. A wondering of mine is how to find the right words to convince people to be true disciples of Jesus, to undertake a painful and… Read More
RCL: All Saints Sunday Jesus Wept
Jesus Wept When Jesus arrived too late to say goodbye to his beloved Lazarus, his found family, one of his closest friends. When he comes too late, he does the truly human thing, he weeps. And some say, see he truly loved Lazarus, some cannot keep their mouths shut and have to admonish Jesus even… Read More
RCL. October 31, 2021. How Will We Find A Way: Take These Questions With You
Some preachers may choose to work with this Sunday as Reformation Sunday and can do an internet search for working with those texts or search this site for such material. The material below, however, fits perfectly with the dynamics of Reformers searching for a new way, as well, even though the regular texts are used.… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Listening before Giving
Jesus demonstrates a beautiful lesson in this week’s Gospel reading: do not assume that you know the needs or desires of another person. Bartimaeus called out to Jesus for mercy. He could have asked Jesus for any number of things. Though he’s known to us now simply as a blind beggar, certainly there was more… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary – Why?
Proper 24, Year B: Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Hebrews 5: 10-10, Mark 10:35-45 Track one lectionary preachers are continuing the story of Job this week, after being left last week with Job’s lament. Job has spent the last 37 chapters asking why, defending himself as his friends pose theology after theology all ending in what Job… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: What does God want to say to people walking by?
A colleague observed after leading outdoor worship for a few months that taking our “in-house” worship conversations outside to the church lawn where others could overhear them as they walked by has made her listen to those conversations differently. She was acutely aware of what came out of her mouth and how it might sound… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Prayers and Whining
If you were ever going to have a “superheroes of the Bible” series in worship, this would be a great week to start! Esther saves the lives of an entire nation. And Harbona the eunuch gives a solid assist. A woman as a superhero with a queer sidekick? This Bible reading pushes more boundaries than… Read More
RCL – Proper 20, Year B – Resist
As I studied up on the readings for Sunday one common theme emerged: Resist. The resist I speak of is a resistance to the stuff we are told will make us feel better if only we can accumulate enough of it. A resistance to running after power, status and ambition; resistance to serving only ourselves.… Read More
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