Sunday, April 4, 2010

The Tale of Two Sermons

When I realized that I could choose the Lukan resurrection story, I new that I had a good sermon in the bag, one that I'd preached about six years ago. 

I read through it and thought that I could update it for 2010.  However, when I read through it, I didn't really see anything to change.  So, I really had second thoughts about using it. It's a sermon called "An Amazing Day," and is basically the Lukan resurrection story told in a new way. 

So, last Thursday I decided that I couldn't preach this sermon and sat down to write a new one.  I wrote a new one with the same title (because the title had already gotten into the bulletin) and talked about how we read scripture and what it means for us on Easter.

I thought it was pretty good but I was still undecided about which sermon to preach.  So, I asked my husband, who is also a United Church minister, if he'd read both and advise me in terms of which one he felt would be the better sermon to preach on Easter Sunday.  Hands down, he said the first sermon.  His perspective was "tell the story," don't explain the story.  If you'd like to read it, check out the web site at www.glebestjames.ca.

He told me that I could use the second sermon for the first Sunday after Easter.  Well, I'm not sure about that but we'll see as the days unfold toward next week. 

I have to admit that part of me felt guilty using an older sermon.  And yet, it's only every three years that you have a chance to use the Lukan resurrection story.  I guess when it comes down to it...a sermon has power as long as you believe in every word you say.  And that's absolutely true in this case. 

Happy Easter everyone.  Christ is risen!  He is risen, indeed!

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