Category Archives: sermon

Unsolicited advice

Because I know that you all love to receive unsolicited advice, and pearls of wisdom from one who has been ordained all of five minutes and just can’t help herself, here it is: If you are already committed to preaching … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Comfortably numb

We all know that feeling. When we’ve been resting on our laurels – or our haunches, more likely – for a little too long, and things – feet, other extremities – have ‘fallen asleep. ‘ Gone numb. That was the … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Year B Proper 12 – Mission Elyria

A homily for the Saturday Eucharist at the end of Mission Week Elyria Tomorrow, our mission youth will give the sermon at Sunday’s service. They will talk about the loaves and the fishes, about making do with what they had … Continue reading →

Posted in homily | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cliff song

From this morning’s Psalm: I waited patiently upon the Lord. He stooped to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; he set my feet upon a high cliff … Continue reading →

Posted in image, lectionary reflection | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The wellness gospel

Last week, driving a bunch of overtired teens back from a rollercoaster day (literally; they were at Cedar Point), my car flashed me a warning light. Well-trained in the vagaries of overworked technology, I ignored it until it went away. … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God-check

A first glance at this week’s lectionary readings: IN 2 Samuel, David, still high on his worship of the living God last week, wants to take things a step or three further, and build a temple in which to house … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herodias’ Revenge

“Revenge is a dish best served cold,” someone said; but it burns in your veins, beating you without remorse until the heat sears out sweet reason, with its cool, calm attempts at peace; its urgent rationale adds fuel to the … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Despicable dancing?

There is a theme of dance, loss, enmity, and faithfulness running from the Old Testament lesson to the gospel. I don’t know quite what to make of it, because it keeps twirling away every time I think I’ve caught the … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thinking out loud

Since yesterday, I’ve seen a number of emails, tweets and Facebook posts along the lines of “What are you going to say on Sunday?” It’s a little bit like the supreme court affirmation of affordable care all over again. I … Continue reading →

Posted in sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Year B, Proper 9: Hometown preaching

July7/8th, 2012, St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Elyria, Ohio One summer, my son wanted to buy me a gift. All through our vacation, whenever there was a gift shop or stall, he asked to buy me something, and I kept saying … Continue reading →

Posted in sermon | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment