Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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Anointing
Anointing someone is a very beautiful act. In the time of David, to anoint was to claim healing and good health on them. Anointing was a sign of love. Anointing is an intimate act. It requires touching. It says, “you are special and loved”. When God anoints someone, it is indeed a special act.
But, to anoint the Son of God? Mary dared to touch the feet of The Master. She ministered to Him. She was telling Him he was loved. She was, in her own way saying through you, we all will be anointed with the His grace. Through Christ there is eternal anointing.
“Broken and Spilled out” by Steve Green
“Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful” by Keith Green
Just listen to this song
Worship is Your Rest Stop
Worship is Your Rest StopStory Sermon1 September 2019God’s Creative Power and Rest / All Things in Relationship (Genesis 1:1-2:3)Keeping the Sabbath (Exodus 16:22-20; 20:8-11; 31:13-14)Psalm 92: The Song of the SabbathPsalm 23: God’s RestPsalm 104: God’s CreationBlessings to Those Who Keep the Sabbath and Delight in it (Isaiah 56:1-8; 58:13-14)Warning…
True Hospitality
True HospitalityLectionary1 September 201912th Sunday After PentecostStartText to LifeIt is almost Labor Day. Can you believe it? Where has the summer gone? Labor Day is unlike other “holidays” because it is both a celebration and a sadness. On the one hand it is a holiday that creates a blessed three-day…
Sing! Preaching Tip for 1 September 2019
Music is a kind of metaphor that can’t be described in words. But music is powerful. Try bringing music into your sermon, into your holy communion liturgy, into your worship in new and exciting ways.
Pastor’s Prayer for 1 September 2019
Now concerning the eucharist, give thanks in this manner:
2First, concerning the cup:
We give thanks to you, our Father, for the holy vine of your servant David, which you have revealed to us through your servant Jesus. To you be the glory forever. Amen
3And concerning the broken bread:
We give thanks to you, our Father, for the life and knowledge, which you have revealed to us through your servant Jesus. To you be the glory forever. Amen
4As this broken bread was scattered upon the hills and, having been gathered together, became one, so may your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. For yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever. Amen
(5But let no one eat or drink from your eucharist, except those who have been baptized in the name of the Lord, for concerning this, the Lord has likewise said, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs.”)
10:1Now after being filled, give thanks in this manner:
2We give thanks to you, holy Father, for your holy name, which you have caused to dwell in our hearts and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which you have revealed to us through your servant Jesus. To you be the glory forever. Amen
3You, almighty Master, created all things for your name’s sake. To all people, you have given both food and drink to enjoy, in order that they might give you thanks. But to us, you have freely given spiritual food and drink and eternal life through your servant Jesus.
4Above all, we give you thanks because you are mighty. To you be the glory forever. Amen
5Remember your church, O Lord, to deliver her from all evil and to perfect her in your love and to gather her together as the holy one from the four winds into your kingdom which you have prepared for her. For yours is the power and the glory forever. Amen
6May grace come, and may this world pass away. Hosanna to the son of David! If anyone is holy, let him come. If anyone is not, let him repent. Come, Lord! Amen.
–Didache 9-10
The Creation
In Beginning God. These are the first words of the story of our creation. These words point out that God devised it, designed it, performed it, and still maintains it. This story of the beginning is not over. We are a part of it! When God spoke creation into existence, it was only the first note in a symphony that God is still playing. In fact, I would like to believe that He did not just speak us into existence, He sang us into being! Now we sing to Him!
Mt Zion’s “Yes!”
Mt. Zion’s “Yes!” Lectionary25 August 201911th Sunday After PentecostJeremiah 1:4-10Psalm 71:1-6Hebrews 12:18-29Luke 13:10-17Text to LifeIt is getting to be the time for the “turning over of the closets” and the “changing of the guard.” You know, time for shorts, swimsuits, tank tops, and flip-flops to make way for “acceptable” school…
Serpentine Soul
Serpentine SoulStory Lectionary25 August 2019The First Covenant Given to Moses (Exodus 34)The Story of the Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21)Psalm 41: God’s Grace Toward Those Who SinPsalm 103: The Lord’s CompassionPsalm 116: The Lord is GraciousPsalm 147: The Lord Gathers the Outcasts of IsraelThe Scripture Jesus References as a Warning to…
Using Props –Preaching Tip for 25 August 2019
Using props can add not only visuals but fun to your sermon. For example, in the story sermon for this week, try using a rubber snake. I guarantee it will bring your sermon to life, even if it’s not real. Sometimes tangibles can help people connect with your message.
Pastor’s Prayer for 25 August 2019
O Sacred Head surrounded
By crown of piercing thorn!
O bleeding Head, so wounded,
Reviled and put to scorn!
Death’s pallid hue comes o’er Thee,
The glow of life decays,
Yet angel hosts adore Thee
And tremble as they gaze.
I see Thy strength and vigor
All fading in the strife,
And death, with cruel vigor,
Bereaving Thee of life;
O agony and dying!
O love to sinners free!
Jesus, all grace supplying,
O turn Thy face on me!
In this Thy bitter Passion,
Good Shepherd, think. of me,
With Thy most sweet compassion,
Unworthy though I be;
Beneath Thy Cross abiding,
‘Forever would I rest,
In Thy dear love confiding,
And wilth Thy presence blest.
–Bernard de Clairvaux