Preaching this week & beyond

Thanks to the folks at A Sermon for Every Sunday for including the sermon below on this week’s Old Testament text from the lectionary, Isaiah 58:1-9a(9b-12).

https://asermonforeverysunday.com/sermons/a11-the-fifth-sunday-after-the-epiphany-year-a-2023/

In addition to sermons posted with A Sermon for Every Sunday, I’ve got a weekly preaching toolkit titled “Pulpit Resource” from Ministry Matters. I walk through an encounter with a given text and look towards relating and proclaiming that text each week. If you’re looking for a lectionary-based preaching resource, check it out. You can subscribe here: https://www.ministrymatters.com/pr_subscribe.

Why are they staying?

“It’s easy to come up with reasons for displeasure with the state of the church. Low hanging fruit. Only Christ gives us the inspiration and chutzpa to stick with the beleaguered body of Christ.”

Take a minute to read and see why folks are staying in the UMC.I trust you’ll be encouraged for your own work in ministry to which God has called you.

https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/11484/why-are-they-staying

A Service of Death and Resurrection for Patrick White

Just before Christmas, Patrick White was murdered in his law office by a client. Molly Brock White, my student, teaching assistant, Methodist preacher and Patrick’s spouse asked me to preach at Patrick’s Service of Death and Resurrection that was held at Hays Barton UMC in Raleigh on The Epiphany. Molly offered a wonderful prayer and I preached. A number of you have asked to see the service.

Will

Pulpit Resource for Christmas Sunday

Ministry Matters published my sermon resource for the upcoming Christmas Sunday. In a world all-too-full of sad chidings, let us join the heavenly hosts in proclaiming good tidings: “Rejoice! For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior—Christ the Lord.”

“The good news is that Jesus wants more than a “personal relationship” with you. He is Lord, satisfied with nothing less than being light for the whole darkened world. The good news we’ve heard in Jesus Christ this day is good news for all. Therefore, our gospel word to the world is not one of condemnation, judgement, or criticism. It’s a word that enables us to say to the whole, fallen, suffering, hurting, fearful world, ‘Rejoice!'”

https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/11467/rejoice

Covenanting Service for Dr. Jason Byassee

It was a joy to preach at the Covenanting Service for Dr. Jason Byassee at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto. After a distinguished career teaching at Vancouver School of Theology, Jason has come to this historic Canadian congregation to give them leadership into the future. Taking John 3 as my text, I reflected about some of the challenges the church faces in the future and how the Holy Spirit helps us to meet those challenge.