The Episcopal Church came up with a wonderful discipleship program, “The Way of Love.” The folks at Virginia Theolgical Seminary’s Lifelong Learning team offer resources and strategies to implement it in your congregation. (Photo: Marco Verch, Creative Commons)
A giving challenge is an ideal way to invite hesitant members to commit to giving for a specified period of time and to re-engage those who may have fallen off. Raising money and disciples at the same time. (Photo: Yevkusa, Creative Commons)
Lectionary Reflection for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
June 27, 2021
This week’s epistle lesson offers an excellent chance to talk about stewardship and generosity. After all, every sermon should be a stewardship sermon. Read on for ideas for preaching and teaching, worship, and time with youth and children.
RCL Reflection for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year B, March 21, 2021
Lots of people are drawn to Jesus, but to what degree? How many are willing to do what it takes to be a disciple? So tell me, dear friends, do you find Jesus irresistible? Has he opened your eyes, heart, and mind to new possibilities and ways of being? Will you follow him no matter what or where? (mage: Pezibear from Pixabay)
RCL Reflection, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Year A, February 16, 2020
This week’s lessons give us the opportunity to lay out the path of the choices God offers and to describe the elements that a life of deep discipleship. More than that, friends, we have the privilege of telling the story of how radical discipleship changes lives. (Photo: Quinn Dombrowski, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, July 15, 2018
What is the cost of discipleship? Are you willing to go there? Are you willing to speak out, stand up, and move your feet for justice and love of neighbor? What are you willing to lose? This Sunday’s gospel is a great springboard for discussing discipleship and taking a stand. (Photo: Keith Bacongo, Creative Commons)
Holy Trinity Sunday, Year B, May 27, 2018
The good news of Holy Trinity Sunday is that we have a highly relational God who desires us to have real life, and have it abundantly. We are, according to Paul, “adopted as God’s children,” no longer slaves destined to be fearful. How much our world needs this message of hope today! Let’s be good stewards and share liberally. (Photo: Larry Koester, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, 6th Sunday of Easter, Year B, May 6, 2018
This week continues the theme of love as the hallmark of Jesus followers, but we are now called to “lay it all down” for the sake of the love we first experienced in Christ Jesus. The lessons call us to an active faith model: breaking down barriers (Acts 10:47-48) and laying down our very lives for our friends (John 15:12-13).
(Photo: Timetrius, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, 5th Sunday in Lent, Year B, March 18, 2018
Jesus announces that he is drawing all people to himself in a most humble and unexpected way. There is no fanfare, no empty promises, and no shortcut around the reality of what it means to love God, serve Jesus, and love neighbor. Only through death can we experience real and lasting life. (Photo: Charles Knowles, Creative Commons)
Here’s a site for you if your congregation has been intending to get busy with planned and legacy giving. From the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, this site covers the issue well and provides solid resources to get you going with a planned giving program. Check out its link to the PDF “Planned Giving Guide […]
