Once again, the pulpit beckons. November 9, the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, I will be in front of the congregation of Old Pine, preaching, proclaiming, heralding and calling. The road from here to there, though, is long and crowded. I thought I should get a head start.
I invite our regular and irregular readers to join me on this journey again. The texts for this sermon are:
- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
- I Thessalonians 4:13-18
- Matthew 25:1-13
Read 'em. Pray 'em. Think about 'em. Get back to me. Comment, email or Facebook message your thoughts (you can phone it in, too, if you need another option).
I will ask the standard questions. What stands out to you? What do you see and hear in these words of Scripture? And what are the implications for the Church (capitalized or not, however you understand it) in this time and this nation/world?
Let me add also two bits of context. First, Old Pine is currently between pastors. The Pastor/Head of Staff recently left and no interim has been selected (though the search committee is hard at work finding one). Second, that Sunday will be Stewardship Commitment Sunday. People will come forward for the offering and deliver enveloped pledges for their weekly offering next year. There is a theme to this year's stewardship campaign, and I believe it is "Thankfulness", but I am not certain.
Ok, that's it. Thank you to all who take the time to walk this journey with me.
Update: The stewardship campaign uses the metaphor of music to express thankfulness. Here is a line from the congregational letter: "The melodies of thanksgiving and praise remind us of the certainty of God's steadfast love for us, and drown out those ghosts of fear and doubt." May that add a new harmonic theme to your thoughtful reflection.
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