What was the sermon about today?

NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
This is intended as a sister thread to "What did you sing at church today?" It's not intended as Bible exposition (that would be Kerygmania) nor a critique of the sermon (that would be Purgatory or, possibly, Epiphanies), just a simple summary of what the sermon was about. Let's start by keeping to three sentences.

If the sermon was based on a Bible passage a link to it would be helpful, using a site such as Bible Gateway .


At Our Place yesterday the passage was Romans 1:18-32 and entitled "Sin and the Wrath of God" - we all know God is nice and loving but he has another side to him because we are all depraved, miserable sinners. It was, almost literally, a case of "Oh, look, a Dead Horse... let's not talk about that." Step over said Horse and carry on.
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Comments

  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate, Heaven Host
    We had one on forgiveness, based on the Gospel reading from Matthew. I struggle with the principle of forgiveness a bit these days, not so much on my own account, with the petty and trivial slights in my own life, but having heard from too many survivors of abuse about how forgiveness was coerced and demanded from them, and the fear it generated when they found themselves unable to forgive their abuser I felt it was treated a bit too lightly by the preacher. I found myself wondering how it would be "heard" by a survivor and cringed inwardly.
  • We follow the lectionary so the gospel was Matthew 18.21-35
    (should I confess I was the preacher?) I used material from the Bible Society's Navigating Trauma course to talk about how to go about forgiving. Church is great at telling us we must forgive, but rarely talks about what forgiveness is (and is not ie doesn't mean allowing it to happen again/ glossing over pain/ escaping consequences etc) or how to go about the process of forgiving someone/thing.
  • Yes, we used the same passage. I suggested that Jesus' stand on forgiveness is challenging. How are we able to forgive when someone has done us a great wrong and refused to apologise? Is forgiveness sometimes simply impossible? How can we forgive organisations that have grievously failed us, even if they issue an apology? Can we make apologies and restitution for the iniquities of Empire and slavery? What do we do if we feel God himself has wronged us - can we forgive him? Big questions but no easy answers!
  • We had one on forgiveness, based on the Gospel reading from Matthew. I struggle with the principle of forgiveness a bit these days, not so much on my own account, with the petty and trivial slights in my own life, but having heard from too many survivors of abuse about how forgiveness was coerced and demanded from them, and the fear it generated when they found themselves unable to forgive their abuser I felt it was treated a bit too lightly by the preacher. I found myself wondering how it would be "heard" by a survivor and cringed inwardly.

    We had the same subject with a story about Metropolitan Antony which acknowledged that forgiveness, while held up as an ideal for us to aim for, is something we have to be able to forgive ourselves for not always being able to do. Or not do yet. Some mention of Gordon Wilson also in the context of forgiveness as a source of strength and hope for the forgiver.
  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate, Heaven Host
    Sounds like at least some preachers were trauma-informed in their preaching. That's good to hear.
  • Outs was about the Season of Creation, with a side order of forgiveness.
  • We deviated from the lectionary yesterday. Our pastor has just returned from a 3-month sabbatical. Thanks to a very generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, not only were she and her family to do some significant traveling related to the theme of truth-telling and reconciliation (South Africa, Germany and Ireland), but the congregation was also able to have its own version of sabbatical time, and to engage in a number of opportunities that reflected and complimented what our pastor was doing. Much of the activities of the three months were cast in terms of “pilgrimage.”

    The sermon drew from Psalm 46 and John 14:18–27. The sermon was about returning from pilgrimage and continuing to live as a pilgrim.

  • Last Sunday was the baptism of our Grandson. There were members from the United Church of Christ, Methodist, and Lutheran churches in attendance with one Christian Scientist Great Aunt thrown in as well. The preacher talked about how God continues to break down barriers every time we try to put them up. We all have different backgrounds, but the one thing that unites us is Jesus. Sermon was based on Philip and the Eunuch.
  • Alan Cresswell Alan Cresswell Admin, 8th Day Host
    We had 2 Kings 4:1-7 (the widow's oil) and 2 Timothy 2:20.

    Our new minister (his first service with us) talked about growing up in Zimbabwe, where his mother had a set of crockery reserved for special visitors. But, her children were not special enough to eat from those plates, she made sure he was well fed using the ordinary plates. Most of the plates in our churches are ordinary, but it's those that God uses to feed others, the "special plates" reserved for best are rarely used and don't feed many. Coupled to the widow's oil, it was the ordinary jars of the poor neighbours of the widow that were miraculously filled with oil, a call for God to fill us (ordinary plates) that the people around us may be fed.
  • The "forgiveness as a weapon" in the hands of perpetrators is a deeply disturbing theme. "Coercive forgiveness," if you like. It had never occurred to me until I was accused, rightly I think, of engaging in just that manouvre.

    Since then, learning from my own mistakes, I have tried to address the question whenever preaching on the theme, yet it is so hard to get it right. Jesus forgiving the perpetrators from the Cross is hardly manipulative, but the context is everything. He was powerless. I suspect. I hope inadvertently, I was still in a position of power when I played that card. It's not the same.

    On the other hand, in the NZ Eucharistic liturgies we have the overused quasi-absolution "God forgives you, forgive others, forgive yourself." Does s/he? Can we? Do we? Should we?

    I guess it's more a purgatorial theme, but it weighs heavily on my shoulders when I hear of it again and again.
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Hostly Hint
    Zappa wrote: »
    I guess it's more a purgatorial theme,

    More likely to be Epiphanies, I think.

    What was the sermon about at your place this week @Zappa ?

    /Hostly Hint

  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Continuing the series in Romans, the text today was Romans 3:19-27 . We all fall short of God's glorious standard and this is God's answer to the universal problem of sin. We have been made right with God through Jesus' atoning sacrifice on the cross.
  • Harvest Thanksgiving today, so the Faithful were encouraged to be thankful for all God's provision for us in the way of food etc., not to waste it, and to help those in need...
  • Not going to church today. I have a cold. Good news is, it is not COVID.
  • Matthew 5:13-16
    We are all responsible for mission. We need to make the most of opportunities to share the gospel, doing this with salt (which represents wisdom).
  • FrolloFrollo Shipmate Posts: 10
    Exodus 16:2-15;
    God understands and supplies our needs, regardless of how we may perceive them to be different or convince ourselves that 'things would be so much better if only...'

  • Your 'today" being yesterday here, we can best answer this by saying that neither of us can remember.
  • Gee D wrote: »
    Your 'today" being yesterday here, we can best answer this by saying that neither of us can remember.
    Oh dear.

  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited September 2023
    Hmm.

    It's salutary to reflect on how many sermons we don't remember...this applies particularly to those of us who have (or once had) a licence to preach...

    Offhand, I can recall two or three from the past 60 years or so, but, oddly, three I've heard in the past few months have stuck in my mind - or at least, their general purport has.

    One was on the Ascension of Jesus, the next on the Dormition of Mary, and the most recent was at the (Roman Catholic) funeral of my Auntie S...see if you can spot a possible link, the link which is now fixed in my head...

  • Hmm.

    It's salutary to reflect on how many sermons we don't remember...this applies particularly to those of us who have (or once had) a licence to preach...

    Offhand, I can recall two or three from the past 60 years or so, but, oddly, three I've heard in the past few months have stuck in my mind - or at least, their general purport has.
    Was it @Cathscats who remarked from time to time that a good sermon is like a good meal? It’s the rare meal that you remember years or even weeks later, but without the countless meals you’ve forgotten, you couldn’t remain nourished and healthy.

  • Nick Tamen wrote: »
    Hmm.

    It's salutary to reflect on how many sermons we don't remember...this applies particularly to those of us who have (or once had) a licence to preach...

    Offhand, I can recall two or three from the past 60 years or so, but, oddly, three I've heard in the past few months have stuck in my mind - or at least, their general purport has.
    Was it @Cathscats who remarked from time to time that a good sermon is like a good meal? It’s the rare meal that you remember years or even weeks later, but without the countless meals you’ve forgotten, you couldn’t remain nourished and healthy.

    Sounds like Cathscats' sort of wise words, indeed, with much truth in them.
  • BroJamesBroJames Purgatory Host
    It may well have been, but it is a sentiment I also have expressed.
  • Either way, wise words, I think.

  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    edited September 2023
    This isn't how I think of sermons at all. They're someone's thoughts on a passage or concept which I might agree with or not or not have thought of before or which set me off on some thoughts of my own.

    I don't really grasp this nourishment or food analogy at all, unless I was also "fed" by biology lectures at University. And I can't see what advantage that metaphor would have over just saying "learnt".
  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate, Heaven Host
    I think the idea is that sermons should be edifying rather than merely educational - they should promote "growth in holiness" and fortify us to live more like Christ. And because we are still sinners we need that prompt regularly, to nudge us towards the good and away from our habitual sins. We need spiritual food to keep us alive in Christ just as we need physical food to keep the body alive. The staple spiritual diet is the ministry of word and sacrament, with the sermon being part of the former.
  • I think the idea is that sermons should be edifying rather than merely educational - they should promote "growth in holiness" and fortify us to live more like Christ. And because we are still sinners we need that prompt regularly, to nudge us towards the good and away from our habitual sins. We need spiritual food to keep us alive in Christ just as we need physical food to keep the body alive. The staple spiritual diet is the ministry of word and sacrament, with the sermon being part of the former.

    I've never grasped this "spiritual food" thing. It just doesn't connect with anything in my brain. This may be a me thing.
  • Nick Tamen wrote: »
    Gee D wrote: »
    Your 'today" being yesterday here, we can best answer this by saying that neither of us can remember.
    Oh dear.

    And as I suspect you meant, I don't think our failure to remember is due to our advancing age.
  • Gee D wrote: »
    Nick Tamen wrote: »
    Gee D wrote: »
    Your 'today" being yesterday here, we can best answer this by saying that neither of us can remember.
    Oh dear.

    And as I suspect you meant, I don't think our failure to remember is due to our advancing age.
    Oh no, it didn’t even occur to me that your increasing maturity was a factor.

  • I take the *spiritual food* point, and also the fact that it doesn't work for everyone. I'm not sure how well-fed I've been over the years, but I do nowadays feel sympathetic to Thomas Hardy, who wrote:

    On afternoons of drowsy calm
    We stood in the panelled pew,
    Singing one-voiced a Tate-and-Brady psalm
    To the tune of "Cambridge New."

    We watched the elms, we watched the rooks,
    The clouds upon the breeze,
    Between the whiles of glancing at our books,
    And swaying like the trees.

    So mindless were those outpourings! -
    Though I am not aware
    That I have gained by subtle thought on things
    Since we stood psalming there.


    (Afternoon Service at Mellstock)

    Hardy is clearly referring to the act of worship as a whole, without singling out the sermon, but, as @Arethosemyfeet points out, worship consists of word and sacrament.
  • KarlLB wrote: »
    I think the idea is that sermons should be edifying rather than merely educational - they should promote "growth in holiness" and fortify us to live more like Christ. And because we are still sinners we need that prompt regularly, to nudge us towards the good and away from our habitual sins. We need spiritual food to keep us alive in Christ just as we need physical food to keep the body alive. The staple spiritual diet is the ministry of word and sacrament, with the sermon being part of the former.

    I've never grasped this "spiritual food" thing. It just doesn't connect with anything in my brain. This may be a me thing.

    They're taking it from the place in John where Jesus tells Peter to "Feed my sheep." Which they take to mean primarily "Preach to them."
  • KarlLB wrote: »
    I think the idea is that sermons should be edifying rather than merely educational - they should promote "growth in holiness" and fortify us to live more like Christ. And because we are still sinners we need that prompt regularly, to nudge us towards the good and away from our habitual sins. We need spiritual food to keep us alive in Christ just as we need physical food to keep the body alive. The staple spiritual diet is the ministry of word and sacrament, with the sermon being part of the former.

    I've never grasped this "spiritual food" thing. It just doesn't connect with anything in my brain. This may be a me thing.

    They're taking it from the place in John where Jesus tells Peter to "Feed my sheep." Which they take to mean primarily "Preach to them."

    Yeah, I get the references and wotnot but I can't make the link to anything I actually see or experience happening day to day or week to week. I'm not sure what it would look like.
  • KarlLB wrote: »
    KarlLB wrote: »
    I think the idea is that sermons should be edifying rather than merely educational - they should promote "growth in holiness" and fortify us to live more like Christ. And because we are still sinners we need that prompt regularly, to nudge us towards the good and away from our habitual sins. We need spiritual food to keep us alive in Christ just as we need physical food to keep the body alive. The staple spiritual diet is the ministry of word and sacrament, with the sermon being part of the former.

    I've never grasped this "spiritual food" thing. It just doesn't connect with anything in my brain. This may be a me thing.

    They're taking it from the place in John where Jesus tells Peter to "Feed my sheep." Which they take to mean primarily "Preach to them."

    Yeah, I get the references and wotnot but I can't make the link to anything I actually see or experience happening day to day or week to week. I'm not sure what it would look like.

    The term "Spiritual Food" could be considered as a catch all for anything that strikes us as important and/ or resonates with us. We're all different in this respect and it might be something said in a sermon that really gets us thinking and exploring a concept. Or a story told that perhaps challenges an ingrained attitude. Or perhaps a few words that produce hope where it was lacking. Recognising these things ime requires self reflection and what I call "allowing them to do their work"
  • I think of it differently, because in the last few years I have found a congregation in which I actually feel at home. For me, "spiritual food" happens very specifically in the context of the Eucharist (but then I am a sacramentalist, by temperament and psychological leanings, as well as by conscious conviction). It's what happens when a community gathers to nourish each other and be nourished by the Eucharist - the communion itself and all the attendant aspects. As with a good multi-course meal, the courses are all distinct, but they add up to a whole. A sermon in that context is doing a specific thing in sharpening the appetite for the sacrament itself, and providing a different course in the meal overall. It is the most intellectual element, but it still about the community and liturgical context in which it is happening, as much as it is about the content or indeed the delivery of the sermon itself.

    I'm sorry if that doesn't mean anything to people. In different places and at different times, it hasn't meant much to me, especially where I have felt alienated from those around me. But this is what the term meansto me now.
  • I think of it differently, because in the last few years I have found a congregation in which I actually feel at home. For me, "spiritual food" happens very specifically in the context of the Eucharist (but then I am a sacramentalist, by temperament and psychological leanings, as well as by conscious conviction). It's what happens when a community gathers to nourish each other and be nourished by the Eucharist - the communion itself and all the attendant aspects. As with a good multi-course meal, the courses are all distinct, but they add up to a whole. A sermon in that context is doing a specific thing in sharpening the appetite for the sacrament itself, and providing a different course in the meal overall. It is the most intellectual element, but it still about the community and liturgical context in which it is happening, as much as it is about the content or indeed the delivery of the sermon itself.

    I'm sorry if that doesn't mean anything to people. In different places and at different times, it hasn't meant much to me, especially where I have felt alienated from those around me. But this is what the term meansto me now.

    Yes, indeed! I mentioned the things I did as this thread is about the sermon but I too find the Eucharist deeply enriching. I'd also add that sometimes the music, the words of the liturgy or even a conversation have all contributed something for me as spiritual food.
  • This is all like another reality that I have no access to.
  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate, Heaven Host
    KarlLB wrote: »
    This is all like another reality that I have no access to.

    :heartbreak: I wish there was something I could do or say to change that. I do believe that God loves you all the more for your perseverance despite what you do not experience.
  • KarlLB wrote: »
    This is all like another reality that I have no access to.

    I'm honestly in awe of your perseverance in the face of all of this stuff. My one observation based solely on some of the great things you post is that you think really deeply. That thinking is possibly how you connect. So to return to the spiritual food analogy, anything you encounter in a church service that leads you into such rich thinking could be considered as such food. Leaving all that aside, I'm simply grateful that you are here. Thank you
  • MrsBeaky wrote: »
    KarlLB wrote: »
    This is all like another reality that I have no access to.

    I'm honestly in awe of your perseverance in the face of all of this stuff. My one observation based solely on some of the great things you post is that you think really deeply. That thinking is possibly how you connect. So to return to the spiritual food analogy, anything you encounter in a church service that leads you into such rich thinking could be considered as such food. Leaving all that aside, I'm simply grateful that you are here. Thank you

    It's funny you should say that about thinking. I feel like I exist in my thoughts, which include my emotions, and my physical presence. I don't feel like there's a third "spiritual" element. I don't know what it would look like if it existed.

    That's "look like" in the metaphorical sense, of course.

    Perhaps it exists if it does in the emotional part of my thoughts. I was recently moved by a reading of Love Bade me Welcome by George Herbert. But it didn't feel qualitatively different to how I felt at Cropredy when Fairport played to a recording of Sandy Denny singing*

    *I hate the phrase, but 'if you know, you know'.
  • Nick Tamen wrote: »
    Gee D wrote: »
    Nick Tamen wrote: »
    Gee D wrote: »
    Your 'today" being yesterday here, we can best answer this by saying that neither of us can remember.
    Oh dear.

    And as I suspect you meant, I don't think our failure to remember is due to our advancing age.
    Oh no, it didn’t even occur to me that your increasing maturity was a factor.

    I like "increasing maturity" and am sure that I'll use it at least once before the end of the week.
  • KarlLB wrote: »
    MrsBeaky wrote: »
    KarlLB wrote: »
    This is all like another reality that I have no access to.

    I'm honestly in awe of your perseverance in the face of all of this stuff. My one observation based solely on some of the great things you post is that you think really deeply. That thinking is possibly how you connect. So to return to the spiritual food analogy, anything you encounter in a church service that leads you into such rich thinking could be considered as such food. Leaving all that aside, I'm simply grateful that you are here. Thank you

    It's funny you should say that about thinking. I feel like I exist in my thoughts, which include my emotions, and my physical presence. I don't feel like there's a third "spiritual" element. I don't know what it would look like if it existed.

    That's "look like" in the metaphorical sense, of course.

    Perhaps it exists if it does in the emotional part of my thoughts. I was recently moved by a reading of Love Bade me Welcome by George Herbert. But it didn't feel qualitatively different to how I felt at Cropredy when Fairport played to a recording of Sandy Denny singing*

    *I hate the phrase, but 'if you know, you know'.

    I too find Love Bade me Welcome deeply moving. I also (I think!) see what you're getting at with the Fairport reference. As regards the third spiritual element, the observation that comes to mind is that perhaps those thoughts are a spiritual thing in themselves?
  • MrsBeaky wrote: »
    KarlLB wrote: »
    MrsBeaky wrote: »
    KarlLB wrote: »
    This is all like another reality that I have no access to.

    I'm honestly in awe of your perseverance in the face of all of this stuff. My one observation based solely on some of the great things you post is that you think really deeply. That thinking is possibly how you connect. So to return to the spiritual food analogy, anything you encounter in a church service that leads you into such rich thinking could be considered as such food. Leaving all that aside, I'm simply grateful that you are here. Thank you

    It's funny you should say that about thinking. I feel like I exist in my thoughts, which include my emotions, and my physical presence. I don't feel like there's a third "spiritual" element. I don't know what it would look like if it existed.

    That's "look like" in the metaphorical sense, of course.

    Perhaps it exists if it does in the emotional part of my thoughts. I was recently moved by a reading of Love Bade me Welcome by George Herbert. But it didn't feel qualitatively different to how I felt at Cropredy when Fairport played to a recording of Sandy Denny singing*

    *I hate the phrase, but 'if you know, you know'.

    I too find Love Bade me Welcome deeply moving. I also (I think!) see what you're getting at with the Fairport reference. As regards the third spiritual element, the observation that comes to mind is that perhaps those thoughts are a spiritual thing in themselves?

    Maybe, but God as a thing separate from creation seems superfluous for that, if a long dead singer can do the same thing.
  • KarlLB wrote: »
    MrsBeaky wrote: »
    KarlLB wrote: »
    MrsBeaky wrote: »
    KarlLB wrote: »
    This is all like another reality that I have no access to.

    I'm honestly in awe of your perseverance in the face of all of this stuff. My one observation based solely on some of the great things you post is that you think really deeply. That thinking is possibly how you connect. So to return to the spiritual food analogy, anything you encounter in a church service that leads you into such rich thinking could be considered as such food. Leaving all that aside, I'm simply grateful that you are here. Thank you

    It's funny you should say that about thinking. I feel like I exist in my thoughts, which include my emotions, and my physical presence. I don't feel like there's a third "spiritual" element. I don't know what it would look like if it existed.

    That's "look like" in the metaphorical sense, of course.

    Perhaps it exists if it does in the emotional part of my thoughts. I was recently moved by a reading of Love Bade me Welcome by George Herbert. But it didn't feel qualitatively different to how I felt at Cropredy when Fairport played to a recording of Sandy Denny singing*

    *I hate the phrase, but 'if you know, you know'.

    I too find Love Bade me Welcome deeply moving. I also (I think!) see what you're getting at with the Fairport reference. As regards the third spiritual element, the observation that comes to mind is that perhaps those thoughts are a spiritual thing in themselves?

    Maybe, but God as a thing separate from creation seems superfluous for that, if a long dead singer can do the same thing.

    Phew, I'm glad I got the right end of the stick re the Fairport thing and didn't embarrass myself publicly!
    Father Richard Rohr, true to his Franciscan roots, has said on more than one occasion that God is not separate from creation but rather that creation was God's first act of incarnation. I can spend many happy hours pondering that thought 😍
  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate, Heaven Host
    KarlLB wrote: »
    MrsBeaky wrote: »
    KarlLB wrote: »
    MrsBeaky wrote: »
    KarlLB wrote: »
    This is all like another reality that I have no access to.

    I'm honestly in awe of your perseverance in the face of all of this stuff. My one observation based solely on some of the great things you post is that you think really deeply. That thinking is possibly how you connect. So to return to the spiritual food analogy, anything you encounter in a church service that leads you into such rich thinking could be considered as such food. Leaving all that aside, I'm simply grateful that you are here. Thank you

    It's funny you should say that about thinking. I feel like I exist in my thoughts, which include my emotions, and my physical presence. I don't feel like there's a third "spiritual" element. I don't know what it would look like if it existed.

    That's "look like" in the metaphorical sense, of course.

    Perhaps it exists if it does in the emotional part of my thoughts. I was recently moved by a reading of Love Bade me Welcome by George Herbert. But it didn't feel qualitatively different to how I felt at Cropredy when Fairport played to a recording of Sandy Denny singing*

    *I hate the phrase, but 'if you know, you know'.

    I too find Love Bade me Welcome deeply moving. I also (I think!) see what you're getting at with the Fairport reference. As regards the third spiritual element, the observation that comes to mind is that perhaps those thoughts are a spiritual thing in themselves?

    Maybe, but God as a thing separate from creation seems superfluous for that, if a long dead singer can do the same thing.

    Do you think this is "joy" as described by C S Lewis?
  • KarlLB wrote: »
    MrsBeaky wrote: »
    KarlLB wrote: »
    MrsBeaky wrote: »
    KarlLB wrote: »
    This is all like another reality that I have no access to.

    I'm honestly in awe of your perseverance in the face of all of this stuff. My one observation based solely on some of the great things you post is that you think really deeply. That thinking is possibly how you connect. So to return to the spiritual food analogy, anything you encounter in a church service that leads you into such rich thinking could be considered as such food. Leaving all that aside, I'm simply grateful that you are here. Thank you

    It's funny you should say that about thinking. I feel like I exist in my thoughts, which include my emotions, and my physical presence. I don't feel like there's a third "spiritual" element. I don't know what it would look like if it existed.

    That's "look like" in the metaphorical sense, of course.

    Perhaps it exists if it does in the emotional part of my thoughts. I was recently moved by a reading of Love Bade me Welcome by George Herbert. But it didn't feel qualitatively different to how I felt at Cropredy when Fairport played to a recording of Sandy Denny singing*

    *I hate the phrase, but 'if you know, you know'.

    I too find Love Bade me Welcome deeply moving. I also (I think!) see what you're getting at with the Fairport reference. As regards the third spiritual element, the observation that comes to mind is that perhaps those thoughts are a spiritual thing in themselves?

    Maybe, but God as a thing separate from creation seems superfluous for that, if a long dead singer can do the same thing.

    Do you think this is "joy" as described by C S Lewis?

    It's not the word I'd use.
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Our sermon today was based on Psalm 126 and was about being thankful (as it was Harvest). How good are we at giving thanks and at giving back to God, joyfully and thankfully, because all we have is his anyway? Three reasons why the psalmist is so happy and grateful: for God's rescue from exile, for restoration, for resurrection.
  • The Council of Nicea. St. Nicholas punching Arius in the face. The passage today from Philippians (Philippians 2:1-13) tells the Philippians how they should treat their neighbors.
  • We use a Narrative Lectionary apart from the RCL. Today's lesson was about Moses as a baby. Pastor talked about how many times we look at the Bible stories as good v bad, but he says he thinks God wants us to be pointless people in that we don't count anyone as good or bad because God loves all.
  • More Sermon on the Mount. It was about 30 minutes.
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    30 minutes!
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    edited October 2023
    Gee D wrote: »
    30 minutes!

    You can get almost invisible ear buds these days.

    Me and Mrs LB were responsible for the "pew sheet" (weekly bulletin) at a church many years ago. One particularly slow news week we had a space so just put an empty square there labelled "sermon doodling space". The vicar was only moderately amused.

    Probably didn't help that I'd been playing Tubular Bells on the piano shortly before as a dexterity exercise but he mostly knew it as the theme music for The Exorcist
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