So what’s a saint to do?

Date: October 30, 2011

Liturgical Sunday: Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

RCL Scripture: Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37; Joshua 3:7-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:1-12

Sermon Title: So what’s a saint to do?

Knox Presbyterian [audio:https://wordsfromthemiddle.ca/wp-content/uploads/111030_-_Knox.mp3|titles=So what’s a saint to do?]

[audio:https://wordsfromthemiddle.ca/wp-content/uploads/111030_-_St_Marks.mp3|titles=So what’s a saint to do?]

As I mention in the introductions to both sermons, ordinarily I preach on All Saints Day on the Sunday closest to November 1 – using the All Saints Day lectionary texts. However, this year I thought that I would instead stay with the lectionary as I have done for a number of months. But!!!

But what you may ask? I really, really don’t like to miss the high holy days in the church calendar that just happen to not occur on a Sunday! So what to do? Well I set the task for myself to see how the Pentecost 20 texts relate to us being saints (not capital S “Saints” but the more common scriptural use of that venerable word). I hasten add that I did not set this for myself as a theoretical, homiletical exercise in preaching skill but rather as an authentic attempt to bring the church calendar into these two faith communities regardless of the civic calendar.

I leave it up to you listeners to let me know if I was able to accomplish this. For this Sunday’s sermon(s) I strongly recommend you read the texts, at least the New Testament texts, before you listen to the sermon(s). Just use the helpful link above. If you are really struggling to get them read, let me know and I’ll read them into a microphone and forward them to you in your choice of MP3 or WAV format . . . and NO I am not kidding.

For that matter, if you (a plural “you”) would like the texts added as a downloadabe or listenable file, please let me know, I would be very happy to make that happen.

Blessings on you in another week,

Barry