Advent Readings and Lightings: Pastoral Preparations for the Coming Season

I wanted to give an aid for congregations and pastors, particularly those in free church backgrounds, who want to move away from the commercialization of the season to focus on the Incarnation. That is a hard sell to be sure. But the way to do it is Continue Reading

Let Us Wake Before We Die: Saying Your Prayers on Easter Sunday

And so it is Easter. We read from the familiar passages, but may the Lord of life come upon us in a surprisingly new way this year! Listen as if for the first time for the inerrant,infallible Word of the living God! But as you listen, it is this Continue Reading

Christmas Eve Order and Bulletin Sample

Christmas Eve worship is one of the most beautiful and inspiring times in the life of a congregation and in the ministry of a pastor. The service may be seen by the pastor as challenging because everyone knows that you are going to say something about Continue Reading

Little Girl Arise! How Jesus Ministers to Women Today

I offer this sermon, preached on a Mother's Day Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, as "sermon fodder" for preachers as well as for devotional reading for all.   Mark 5.22-43 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, Continue Reading

How I Want our Beginning to be Remembered

On December 9, 2007, I gave my farewell sermon to First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, in order to go on a sabbatical and then prepare to assume duties as the President of Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina. I entitled the Continue Reading

Longing to Believe: An Advent Sermon (Genesis 15.1-6; Luke 1.46-55)

Existentialist Jean-Paul Satre may have been speaking for many in today’s world, when he wrote about the human being possessing a desire to be satisfied and fulfilled, but nothing in this world being able to fill the bill. So we settle for a “Happy Continue Reading

“Why Do You Give the Baby Gold?” A Christmas Poem

The following poem is a beautiful expression of the heart concerning the Incarnation. Perhaps it could be used for your Christmas Eve bulletins. The poem was found on the bulletin of King's College, Cambridge, for their Lessons and Carols service, Continue Reading

An Unexpected Christmas: An Unexpected Family (Matthew 1.1-16)

This message was part of a series I called "An Unexpected Christmas." I offer it here as fodder for faithful pastors who are preparing to feed the flock of Jesus as we move into the Second Sunday in Advent. I pray you all had a wonderful time of worship Continue Reading