Sermon Group

In the spirit of living out our baptismal call to ministry, we support lay preaching at St. John’s. All sermons are lectionary-based, following the scriptures appointed for the day. The Sermon Group meets a few weeks prior to a sermon to discuss and discern the readings, and to provide the preacher with ideas and perspectives to consider when preparing their sermon. They also meet afterwards to debrief the sermon and to provide feedback.

Preaching asks us to juxtapose scripture with modern events and values, an important, difficult, and rewarding task. A good sermon is not necessarily a comforting message, but one that challenges norms and strengthens our faith. Preaching from the pulpit is not a requirement to participate in the Sermon group; we welcome diverse knowledge, perspectives, and insights as we apply biblical scriptures to today’s world.

Sermon Archive

A Hope Greater Than Pity

April 1, 2013
Text: 1 Corinthians 15:19: “Truly, if our hope in Christ were limited only to this life we should, of all people, be the most to be pitied!” (J.B. Phillips) I just have…

Walking Our Talk

March 26, 2013
To read the lessons for this day, click here. Now that a new pope has been seated in Rome, and a new Archbishop of Canterbury has been seated in England,…

Doing a New Thing

March 26, 2013
To read the lessons for this morning, click here. Text for this sermon is being prepared and will be available soon.

A Shift in Perspective

March 14, 2013
To see the readings for this day, click here. Text: 2 Corinthans 5:16: “From now on, we regard no one from a human point of view.” This is a sermon…

The Waiting Year

March 4, 2013
Lessons for this day are found at this link. Text: Luke 13:9: “If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” Out at…