Before I Go through the Gate

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. – Psalm 118:19 (NRSV)  I did not grow up in a “come forward” church. Our weekly worship did not include a routine in which people came from their seats to the front...

The Breaks

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, so far from the words of my groaning? Yet you are holy … and sovereignty belongs to you, the ruler over all the earth. All families and all nations worship before you; all who sleep in the...

How Shall I Receive You?

As an ass, playing the role of jester? As the outlandish actor in the scene, cast to make the comfortable laugh and the disenchanted daydream? As a stone, the unseen understudy? As the patient watcher in the wings, ready to leap up and shout one line if only the leads...

Preaching in Lent: Mark My Words

If you’re prepping to preach in Lent, I’ve outlined a variety of ideas for sermon series, including: Journey to the Cross, loosely modeled on Stations of the Cross; A Word for “You” sermon series on the Year B Gospel readings; a sermon series...

Preaching in Lent: Journey to the Cross

With the turn of the civic calendar to a new year, the appearance of Lent is quickly on the horizon of the liturgical year—beginning with Ash Wednesday on February 14th. I’ve outlined a variety of Lenten sermon series in past years, including: A Word for...

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