Lent is a great time to hold weeknight short meditative services with brief meditations on Lenten scriptures or thoughts. Instead of your usual sermon, perhaps try telling one of Jesus’ final parables, updating it within a 21st century context. Or try writing your...
Don’t be afraid of sadness. Often, we as parishioners (and pastors too) love to celebrate the happy times in the body of Christ but edge away from the times of mourning, sadness, and heartbreak. But no one can possibly understand the impact of Easter and the...
Whenever you “preach” Ash Wednesday, the ashes take precedent. Sometimes, it isn’t so much what we say, as what people “do” to embody their faith. The use of a liturgy or sacred time of ashes can be supplemented by an elaboration of the scriptures and the ritual with...
I remember once preaching about Light, and just when I mentioned it, by chance, the sun came out and began streaming through the stained glass. People gasped. You can’t get better than God’s intervention. But you can use your own means to help people experience and...
Sometimes, we forget that children can be involved in worship as much as anyone else. Let them read the scriptures, even if it means keeping a stepping stool at the lectern. Allow them to help collect the offerings. Let young people join in the music...
Involve your people in your sermon. If you are talking about bells, mention your bell choir, knowing they will understand intimately what you are referring to. If you are talking about basketball, mention that young man or woman in the congregation who plays the...
