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]



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