Sermons on the First Readings, Series II, Cycle B - Softcover

Rhodes, Schuyler; Lavin, Ron; Purdum, Stan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0788023683 ISBN 13: 9780788023682

Publisher: CSS Publishing Company, 2005

Synopsis

The Old Testament details the epic faith story of ancient people who, just like us today, seek God's answers to complex problems. Yet because pastors sometimes overlook this rich source of preaching texts, many people in the pews are not fully aware of the Hebrew Scriptures and their profound lessons for modern living. In this inspiring collection of spiritually enlightening messages based on the First Readings from Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary, four master preachers insightfully demonstrate the continuing relevance of passages from the Old Testament and the book of Acts. Building on stories in which God moves ordinary people to extraordinary heights, these sermons powerfully proclaim timeless themes of justice and righteousness while reminding us that God's grace is the model for the Christian community's core values of self-giving love and forgiveness. Each thought-provoking message is filled with compelling stories and illustrations from everyday life, and challenges readers to love and serve the Lord, trusting in divine providence even in the midst of a world that sometimes seems cruel and senseless.

This essential resource is useful for:
• Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts
• Preaching illustrations
• Understanding scripture passages
• Bible study and discussion groups
• Personal devotions and inspirational reading

About this title

About the Author

Schuyler Rhodes is the pastor of Temple United Methodist Church in San Francisco, California. Prior to that he was the executive director of the Wesley Foundation, a broad-based campus ministry at the University of California, Berkeley. Rhodes has served as a delegate to several consultations of the World Council of Churches, secretary of the Social and International Affairs Committee of the World Methodist Council, and chair of the board of directors for Pastors for Peace and the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organizing. He has also been a consultant on Peace and Justice Ministries for the United Methodist Church's General Board of Global Ministries. Rhodes is currently the "Preaching the Psalms" columnist for Emphasis (www.sermonsuite.com). He is an honors graduate of the State University of New York at Potsdam and Drew University Theological School.

Ron Lavin is the award-winning author of 25 books, including Turning Griping Into Gratitude, Way To Grow!, and the popular Another Look series. The former Pastor-Director of Evangelical Outreach for the Lutheran Church in America, Lavin also served as the pastor of five thriving congregations which grew substantially under his leadership. He is a popular speaker and church consultant on evangelism and small groups.

Mary S. Lautensleger is the pastor of Stony Hill United Methodist Church in Albemarle, North Carolina. Prior to entering the ordained ministry, she served for many years as music minister and parish educator in Lutheran, United Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations in southwestern Ohio. Lautensleger is a graduate of the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati (B.M., M.M), United Theological Seminary (M.A. in theological studies), and Trinity Lutheran Seminary (M.Div.), and she is a D.Min. candidate at Hood Theological Seminary. She is a contributing author to Sermons on the First Readings (Series II, Cycle B) and Sermons on the First Readings (Series II, Cycle C).

Stan Purdum was a parish minister in Ohio for several years. He currently works as a freelance writer and editor. He writes curriculum for Cokesbury and edits "Emphasis" and "Proclaim", both nationally circulated preaching journals. He formerly was executive editor of "Homiletics", the most widely used preaching resource in America. He has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University Theological School. Stan's other books include "Roll Around Heaven All Day" and "Playing in Traffic", both accounts of his long distance bicycle journeys, as well as "New Mercies I See", a collection of parish stories of God's grace. Stan and his wife live in North Canton, Ohio. They have three grown children.

Edition details

• Publisher: CSS Publishing Company
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0788023683
• ISBN 13: 9780788023682
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 426