preaching – Page 11

Faith, Forgiveness & Lavish Love

February 15, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany, Narrative Lectionary, Year 3, February 19, 2017
Why it is SO tough to extend the same unmerited grace, love, and forgiveness to others that Jesus extends to us? Is it because we are constantly told that there are limited resources, and if we don’t “get ours first” there may not be enough to meet our needs? Does it have more to do with our need to judge others to justify our own brokenness? This week’s lesson from Luke’s gospel has a lot to say about faith, forgiveness, and lavish love.

Be a Good Steward: Love your Neighbor!

February 14, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard 3 Comments

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany, Year A, February 19, 2017
Most people pride themselves on being good, law-abiding citizens, but it’s not enough to simply avoid doing harm to one’s neighbor. Jesus calls us also to work actively on behalf of our neighbors, to seek their good, and even to pray for those who torment or would harm us. This is one tall order, but it is integral to being a good steward of God’s abundance. (Photo: Alisdare Hickson, Creative Commons)

Who are You?

February 9, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, Narrative Lectionary, Year 3, February 12, 2017
Who do you think the people in your faith community are looking for, hoping for, and longing for? Are they staking their claim on a false vision of the Messiah? Are blinders preventing a clear vision for mission and ministry? What does it take to really see Jesus in these confusing and anxious times? (Photo: Edith Soto, Creative Commons)

How Does Your Faith Garden Grow?

February 8, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Revised Common Lectionary Reflection for the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A, February 12, 2017
God’s faithful and generous people are workers in God’s garden of this world–tending, cultivating, and equipping one another for growth and life. It’s an ongoing process depends on our willingness, both as individuals and faith communities–to let God control our plans and direction. How will your garden grow? (Photo: Roxanne Ready, Creative Commons)

Jesus, Faith & Healing

February 3, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection, Year 3, February 5, 2017
Even though Jesus no longer walks this earth in flesh and bone, he is still very much in the business of raising the dead and healing the dying. And, we are called to nurture and cultivate the gift of faith with which we have been entrusted. (Photo: S Blezard, Creative Commons)

Salt, Light, and the Fast God Chooses

February 2, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Lectionary Reflection, 5th Sunday after Epiphany, Year A, Feb. 5, 2017
If we really want to spread the love of God and the good news of Jesus Christ, then we must quit being so stingy with it. We need to be lavish and prodigal in our sharing of that with which we have been so graciously entrusted. This is the fast God desires for us. (Photo: Amir Farshad Ebrahimi, Creative Commons)

We are Called

January 23, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, January 29, 2017.
God’s faithful and generous people are called to follow and serve. We may feel like we are ill-equipped or not “enough” to respond to God’s call, but in this week’s lessons we hear affirmation that God requires simple yet profound action and calls everyone to use his or her gifts and talents in the process. (Photo: gilliu00, Creative Commons)

17 Ways to be an Ecopreacher in 2017

January 23, 2017 By Rob Blezard Leave a Comment

Here are 17 ideas excerpted from the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade’s book Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology and the Pulpit (Chalice Press, 2015) for helping you become an ecopreacher in 2017. (Photo: aussiegall, Creative Commons)

Fishin’ for Folk

January 19, 2017 By Sharron R. Blezard Leave a Comment

Narrative Lectionary Reflection, Third Sunday after Epiphany, Year 3, January 22, 2017
Is responding to Jesus’ call to discipleship a stewardship issue? More specifically, does it make a difference how we respond to Jesus’ call? We’ve heard the “fish for people” lesson; it’s not a new story, and it still has meaning today.

Called Together