This week I’m working with the Gospel lectionary reading, Matthew 14:13-21–the feeding of the 5,000+. We will be talking about the abundance of God, which also ties in nicely with the Isaiah 55 reading. Here are a couple of pieces I have written for Sunday’s worship: Call to Worship Come, all you who are thirsty!…
Since my “pre-sermon ponderings” ended on an ambiguous–yet hopeful–note, I thought some folks might like to see the finished sermon manuscript. The manuscript, of course, is not the sermon. It is what I intended to say. And it is pretty close, I think, to what I actually said. And I can hope that it’s somewhat…
Here is a call to worship I wrote for this week. Our focus scripture is Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-46. The kingdoms of the world value large structures imposed from above, benefiting the elite.The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that grows into a bush where all kinds of birds can build their nests.The…
If you are following the Revised Common Lectionary, the Gospel reading for this coming Sunday is Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52. This passage consists of five brief parables that all begin with, “The kingdom of heaven is like . . .”. That’s right, five parables. So as I look toward preaching this Sunday, my first consideration is…
My devotional scripture reading for this morning was Matthew 11: 28-30: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.…
This Call to Worship is based on Psalm 98 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. The plain text is to be spoken by the leader, and the bold to be proclaimed by the congregation. As always, you are welcome to use all or part of this liturgy in your own worship context. Sing a new song! For…
Last week I attended the Mennonite Church USA biennial convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Thanks to recent articles in The Mennonite and the Mennonite Weekly Review, I found myself in many discussions about the inclusion of sexual minorities in the church. I’d like to highlight three of the lessons I learned (or re-learned) about “the dialogue”…
I am away at a conference this week, and the congregation will have a hymn sing during worship. Here are some worship pieces that will be used during the hymn sing service. (For the record, I hate to miss a hymn sing. My consolation is that I am worshiping and singing with thousands of Mennonites in…
Rather than share a liturgy that I have written this week, I want to share an on-line resource that I use frequently. The Seekers Church in Washington, D.C. has a lovely website. If you click on “Worship” and “Liturgies ” you will find a listing of many of their worship services. You can see the…
In preparing for my sermon this week, I came across a beautiful dialog sermon by Martin Marty and his son, Micah. The sermon emerged out of a book they have done together called, When True Simplicity is Gained. The book contains striking photographs by Micah, along with commentary by his father. (My copy is on…
Spacious Faith 