With these introductory words, E. Carver McGriff sets forth to provide some of the most timely and thought-provoking research on the lectionary texts ever made available. Included for each Sunday in the lectionary are: - A listing of the applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts. - Commentary that is more than academic exegesis -- McGriff brings to the forefront those points in the text that relate most poignantly to our contemporary reality. - Suggested sermon titles for each of the three texts for each Sunday. - Themes and suggested directions for preaching on each text. - Several additional illustrations to enliven your preaching. - A description of the Psalm of the day. - A prayer for the day. E. Carver McGriff is one of America's premiere preachers. His introduction details the personal tragedy he has suffered. But through it all Dr. McGriff was able to expand his congregation from 900 members to 4,400 members. Sunday attendance increased from 300 to over 1,850. As a teenager Carver McGriff was wounded and captured by a German SS parachute battalion during World War II. He received a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts and returned home to earn a degree in business administration from Butler University. Following a career as a salesman and business owner, McGriff entered Garrett Theological Seminary, where he was voted Best Preacher by the faculty and graduated with distinction. He was then appointed by the Bishop of Indiana to start a new congregation on the northeast side of Indianapolis. During his ministry at St. Luke's, McGriff received an honorary degree from the University of Indianapolis and the Outstanding Alumnus award from Butler University and was voted the Distinguished Alumnus of the year by Christian Theological Seminary. McGriff was also honored with the Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Evan Bayh. His sermons have been distributed nationwide by the Methodist Publishing Company.

I would like to enter a partnership with you, sharing what these assigned passages say to me, setting forth what I might do with each assigned text, hopefully igniting ideas in your busy and at times overburdened mind and spirit, so that together we may bring that word from the Lord. ... My hope is not to take the work entirely out of sermon preparation, but to generate a process whereby the busy -- sometimes overworked -- preacher can get off to a running start.

Preachers must understand the teaching techniques of parable and hyperbole, not to mention having a good background in systematic theology, in order to understand what the Bible's writers really meant.... But our responsibility is also to reduce the complexities of Bible study to such simplicities that our many listeners, ranging from busy young professional people to aging men and women of failing health to youngsters facing a variety of new temptations, can take away a saving word. (from the Preface) E. Carver McGriff provides the tools preachers need for their daunting task with some of the most timely and thought-provoking research on the lectionary texts ever made available. Included for each scriptural lesson in the lectionary are: - A listing of the applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts. - A description of the Psalm of the day. - A prayer for the day. - Commentary that is more than academic exegesis -- McGriff brings to the forefront those points in the lessons that relate most poignantly to our contemporary reality. - Suggested sermon titles for each of the three texts for each Sunday. - Themes and suggested directions for preaching on each text. - Several additional illustrations to enliven your preaching. Known in the Indianapolis community as a preacher with extraordinary gifts, it is no surprise at all that this work by Carver McGriff brings remarkable insights to those who look for integrity in their preaching. Carver looks at the texts with a freshness that is sure to stimulate the thought process.... Careful use of these suggestions will bring serendipities to preacher and congregation. George H. Tooze Senior Minister, First Baptist Church Indianapolis, Indiana One of America's premiere preachers, E. Carver McGriff returned home after earning two Purple Hearts during World War II to earn a degree in business administration from Butler University. Following a career as a salesman and business owner, McGriff entered Garrett Theological Seminary, where he was voted Best Preacher by the faculty and graduated with distinction. During his 26-year ministry at St. Luke's Methodist Church in Indianapolis, McGriff spearheaded his congregation's remarkable growth in membership from 900 to 4,400, with average Sunday attendance increasing from 300 to over 1,850. McGriff received an honorary degree from the University of Indianapolis and the Outstanding Alumnus award from Butler University and was voted the Distinguished Alumnus of the year by Christian Theological Seminary. McGriff was also honored in 1993 by the Governor of Indiana with the "Sagamore of the Wabash." His sermons have been distributed nationwide by the United Methodist Publishing House.

Bigger, stronger, better! This newly revised edition of Anderson's best-seller retains all of the great features that have made it an indispensable tool for busy pastors. Combining concise but insightful textual notes with a wide range of creative preaching ideas, each chapter provides plenty of starting points for developing stimulating sermons that make the scriptures come alive for the people in the pews. In addition to a convenient sermon planning template plus overviews of Matthew (the featured Gospel narrator in Cycle A) and each liturgical season, every week's material includes: a listing of applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts; a theme for the day; brief commentary on the Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel lessons; a prayer for the day; theological reflections reflections exploring relationships between the texts; possible preaching approaches with suggested titles and sermon angles; additional illustrations to flesh out the message.

Providing a fresh, timely reflection every week on assigned scripture passages can be one of a pastor's most daunting tasks. But when time or inspiration is flagging and you need the jump-start of creative ideas, the latest edition of the classic CSS resource Lectionary Preaching Workbook is just what the doctor ordered! Prominent pastor, former seminary president, and prolific author Jerry Schmalenberger draws upon the experiences of a lifetime in the ministry to help readers effectively share God's word with crisply written insights. He's created an outstanding set of practical aids to help preachers with their weekly sermons. Each chapter includes: - a listing of the applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts; - a theme for the day's service; - commentary on the Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel lessons; - suggestions on preaching possibilities; - an outline of possible sermon moves; and - additional illustrations to flesh out the message. Recently retired as the president of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California, Jerry L. Schmalenberger served some of the largest Lutheran congregations in the United States during 29 years as a parish pastor. A graduate of Wittenberg University and Hamma School of Theology in Springfield, Ohio (where he received his D.Min. degree), Schmalenberger was awarded an honorary D.Div. degree by Wittenberg. Schmalenberger, who continues to teach parish ministry at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, has also taught speech and communication at Urbana College and Wittenberg University. As a Global Mission Volunteer for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, he now preaches and teaches throughout the world, appearing in such varied locations as Germany, Jamaica, Argentina, Uruguay, Suriname, Liberia, Indonesia, and China. His most recent teaching stint was at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Hong Kong.

The challenge of creating a fresh, incisive sermon every Sunday can sometimes seem overwhelming -- but if you have the all-new edition of CSS' acclaimed Lectionary Preaching Workbook at your fingertips, you'll never feel that way again! With penetrating reflections on Cycle B lectionary passages and a thorough discussion of preaching themes plus a treasure trove of supporting illustrations, this comprehensive volume is the perfect starting point for your weekly homiletic research. Carlos Wilton combines a scholar's deep insight into the biblical texts with a pastor's practical understanding of how to make them come alive for the people in your pews, and his astute commentary is sure to stimulate your thought process and provide plenty of seeds for developing messages with maximum impact. A handy, easy-to-use sermon planning template is also included to facilitate the process of building your sermon. The Lectionary Preaching Workbook is an indispensable tool that helps you to powerfully proclaim God's Word while getting the most out of your limited preparation time. Each Sunday's material includes: * a listing of applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts * a theme for the day * commentary on the Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel lessons * possible preaching approaches * a pastoral prayer * numerous illustrations to flesh out the message Carlos E. Wilton has been the pastor since 1990 of Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church, in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. He previously served as assistant dean and director of admissions at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Wilton is a graduate of Washington College (B.A.), Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and the University of St. Andrews, Scotland (M.Phil. and Ph.D.). In addition to his parish responsibilities, Wilton is also an adjunct professor at New Brunswick Theological Seminary and a member of the writing team for the online preaching resource The Immediate Word (www.csspub.com).