Unknown no longer!

Date: May 29, 2011

Liturgical Sunday: Sixth Sunday of Easter

RCL Scripture: Psalm 66:8-20; Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21

Sermon Title: Unknown no longer!

Knox Presbyterian [audio:https://wordsfromthemiddle.ca/wp-content/uploads/110529_-_Knox.mp3|titles=Unknown no longer!]

St. Mark’s Presbyterian [audio:https://wordsfromthemiddle.ca/wp-content/uploads/110529_-_St_Marks.mp3|titles=Unknown no longer!]

Well here we are, almost at the end of the Easter season. As I have mentioned before, my tradition never had much to do with the “seasons” of the church year other than Advent-lite, I must say I prefer this system.

First, a brief “house keeping” note. I have finally switched the email addresses and all from my brother (may his tribe increase for all the work he has done to make this happen) to me. So, you should no longer see his email if you try to respond to a post or anything like that, it wasn’t all that much work for him but he was authentically more concerned about confusing someone so we have changed it. Thanks Gord, you are, and remain, the best!

Second, I am always interested in feedback on the sermons that are uploaded here but I am even more interested this week. To explain why I am so interested will take a bit of a digression (please suppress your snickers all of you who know about me and digressing!).

One of the peculiarities of preaching is that when it is . . . okay (?), good (?), does-the-job(?) . . . not sure what to call it, is that it is no more work than making a speech or addressing any group of people [which as you know is not an issue nor a problem for me]. However, when the sermon(s) are awful, not enough preparation, not enough study, not enough thought, they are just terrible they are exhausting. This should surprise no one who does anything “up front” what makes this interesting is . . . when the sermon is unusually “good”; when it connects people to God; when there is a palpable sense of God at work in the room . . . it is just as exhausting!

So, back to today’s sermon(s). I can always, trust me ALWAYS, tell when sermons are awful and today’s work is not awful [forgive the lack of humility or modesty but they weren’t]. I can usually tell when a sermon is unusually “good” as defined above . . . but not always, hence my interest in your response to one or both of these sermons. Am I deluded and they are awful, which explains why I am so tired? or did I just miss noticing a good sermon (maybe even two).

One more thing, it may not be especially discernible but perhaps part of the explanation is that there is quite a lot of “me” in these sermons, more than there often is.

As always, let me know what you think as you are willing and able.

Blessings,

Barry