Dear Brother Jon and Other Preacher-Servants, This concern/question ("What to preach on?") and the accomanying angst is a distracting thing that can easily be eliminated by charting a "preaching path" whereby we determine which text/Bible Reading we will preach for a given set of Sundays ... and discipline outselves to stick to it. That's what I remember the venerable Dr. Henry "Pappa Bear" Eggold instructing us in our very first/basic preaching course at then-Springfield (1974-75). It has served me will over the years.
When texts come up that speak pointedly to issues in the congregation or with specific people I never have to worry about whether or not I am "picking on" them. I inform the Elders and various Bible study groups of the "plan" so they can advocate for me with the sermon contents hit issues and people close to home. Of course, there are times when I have to really struggle with a text and it would be much easier to acquiesce to an easier one, but the discipline pays rich dividends in the end. As I have announced before, I have devised a chart that rotates the readings by liturgical calendar quarter whereby I (we ... my brother-pastor and I) will preach on all the Three-Years Series of readings over a nine-year period of time . If interested, contact me off-list. Also, in response to some of the responses, it's perfectly okay to repeat sermons. How many of us truly remember what we said in a past sermon? That doesn't negate its spiritual value or benefit just like not remembering what I ate weeks/months ago doesn't negate its nutritional value or benefit. Repition is the mother of learning. I remember an aged lady in my last congregation who, upon leaving church one Sunday, declared that my sermons are boring because they all say the same thing ... JESUS! That's perhaps the best compliment I ever received. At least she got the point. God be with and bless all of us as we continue to serve our Savior by being His physical/visible representation through the proclamation of His Word and the celebration of His Sacraments. Fellow struggling preacher, Tom Handrick Spring-Wayne '78 ----- Original Message ----- From: Jon Bischof To: peric...@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, May 07, 2010 4:05 PM Subject: [pericope] What to preach on? Well, it is Friday...I have studied all four text for Easter 6 in the LSB 3YR but I still don't know what I should preach on. The Lord opened Lydia's heart...I mention that all the time in connection with conversion--because that is the only way it happens. I can't really see a sermon in the gates of pear. (although Jesus is the Pearl of Greatest Worth) or the Lamb's book of Life (I don't want to preach a sermon on 'election' this Sunday). I know that John 16 is about prayer, but I would rather pray than preach about prayer. What to do, what to do? __________________________________________________________ The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multicalendar&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_5 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: a.. New Members 1 Visit Your Group -------------------------------------- Looking for a place to post your sermons online and link from your congregational website to your sermon archive? Check out our sermon resource at http://lcmssermons.com PERICOPE is a discussion list for pastors and other interested persons concerning upcoming sermons and readings. To unsubscribe, send a message to pericope-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com Visit us on the web! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pericope http://www.pericope.org Questions? Write the moderator! pericope-ow...@yahoogroups.com Please report abuse to this list to pericope-ow...@yahoogroups.com -------------------------------------- MARKETPLACE Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get great advice about dogs and cats. Visit the Dog & Cat Answers Center. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hobbies & Activities Zone: Find others who share your passions! Explore new interests. Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest . Unsubscribe . Terms of Use. __,_._,___