#sermonating

[buggie-hagen]

• The pulpit is not the place for an ostentatious display of one’s skill. It is rather the place to preach the Word of the Lord plainly and powerfully. Preaching should be the divine means to save the people, and so it is proper that everything be directed to this end.

Philip Jacob Spener

[revjss]

Evening Prayer - 5 Jul 2026

It’s not like you tell me what to say each week, God, but I know you are in the mix, that you are helping me make connections and see possibilities and gather up resources, and that you are inspiring basic ideas. And most weeks, working with you, I end up with a sermon that feels real and helpful and even inspirational (at least sometimes). Thank you. Amen.

[revjss]

Evening Prayer - 7 Jun 2026

It’s a nice feeling, God, to go to bed on Saturday night thinking that tomorrow’s sermon will be good. It’s an even better feeling to finish the worship service knowing that it was a worthwhile sermon that had integrity and good news. I had both of those feelings in the past 24 hours and I know it wouldn’t have happened without you. I felt your guidance in the germinating idea for the sermon and in the crafting of the sermon. Thank you for that. And, after an intense week and busy weekend, thank you for the gift of a Sunday afternoon nap. Amen.

[revjss]

Evening Prayer - 16 May 2026

I’ve left SO much on the cutting room, God, so many ideas and possible directions for tomorrow’s sermon. I like what I have. I just hope I haven’t left out something you were hoping I was going to say. There’s still time, you know. You can give me a nudge tonight or tomorrow morning. I’d welcome that!

Thank you that there were so many ideas I could go with. Thank you for the resources I sought out and the resources I stumbled onto. (I always feel like you’re intimately involved when I stumble across something really helpful.) May my preaching, our worship, and all the activities we do tomorrow as an expression of your church give you honor and glory. Amen.

[revjss]

Evening Prayer - 6 May 2026

I’m still waiting, God. I’m still waiting for some greater clarity about what to say this Sunday in my sermon. I have a kernel of an idea, enough that I was about to put the order of worship together today. That’s a start, and I appreciate it. And I really could use some more clarity about were to go with this idea. I don’t mean to be a nag, but you know how busy the next three days are going to be, so I need to get the sermon roughed out tomorrow. I’m just sayin’. Amen.

[revjss]

Evening Prayer - 4 Apr 2026

Thank you, God, for resources and ideas and memories and creativity, all of which have helped me prepare for tomorrow. Amen.

[revjss]

Evening Prayer - 14 Mar 2026

Thank you, God, once again, for helping me finalize what I’m going to say in tomorrow’s sermon. I know I need to hear it; I hope others do, too. Amen.

[revjss]

Evening Prayer - 5 Mar 2026

God, you know how important this Sunday’s sermon is to me. And you know how I have tons of ideas crashing around in my head. Please help them come together coherently.

I know you are with me. I know your grace is sufficient. I know you ask only one simple yet demanding thing of me: love. And those are three reasons I am grateful. 

Still, I want to make sense on Sunday. And I know I need your help for that. Amen.