The 2022 Canterbury Preacher's Companion: 150 complete sermons for Sundays, Festivals and Special Occasions – Year C

A longstanding annual favourite has a new editor and a new, refreshed look. What hasn’t changed is its year-long reliability as a resource for preaching at the principal and the second service (for which preaching resources are scarce) every Sunday of the coming year.



Ideal for preachers in all churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary, it also includes sermons for holy days, major saints’ days and special occasions such as Mothering Sunday, harvest, rogation and Christmas services. If preparation time is short, the sermons are complete and can be used as they are, but they will also act as a framework for creating your own sermon texts.



It also includes:



- an introductory essay for preachers

- all-age talks for special occasions

- hymn suggestions throughout the year

- an index of topics and names



A boon for hard-pressed clergy, readers and local preachers everywhere.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Canterbury Press Norwich
• Release date: Jun 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781786223289

Book preview

The Canterbury Preacher’s Companion 2022

The Canterbury Preacher’s Companion 2022

Sermons for Sundays, Holy Days, Festivals and Special Occasions

Year C

Edited by Catherine Williams

Canterbury_logo_fmt.gif

© the Contributors, 2021

First published in 2021 by the Canterbury Press Norwich

Editorial office

3rd Floor, Invicta House

108–114 Golden Lane

London

ec1y 0tg

, UK

www.canterburypress.co.uk

Canterbury Press is an imprint of Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd (a registered charity)

HAM.jpg

Hymns Ancient & Modern® is a registered trademark of Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd

13A Hellesdon Park Road, Norwich,

Norfolk

nr6 5dr

, UK

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, Canterbury Press.

The Authors have asserted their right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the Authors of this Work

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

978 1 78622 326 5

Typeset by Regent Typesetting

Printed and bound by CPI Group (UK) Ltd

Contents

Preface

Preaching as a Spiritual Discipline

Contributors

sundays and major festivals

Unless otherwise stated, the readings and the verse numbers of the psalms are taken from Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (Church House Publishing, 2000), with revisions, and are for Year C.

2021

28 Nov. First Sunday of Advent

Principal Service: Luke 21.25–36 God’s Local Branch

Second Service: Rev. 14.13—15.4 Coming to the Kingdom

5 Dec. Second Sunday of Advent

Principal Service: Luke 3.1–6 The Adventure of Advent

Second Service: Isa. 40.1–11 Make Straight a Highway

12 Dec. Third Sunday of Advent

Principal Service: Phil. 4.4–7 Joy in Midwinter

Second Service: Isa. 35 Surprised by Joy

19 Dec. Fourth Sunday of Advent

Principal Service: Luke 1.39–45 [46–55] Redemption Song

Second Service: Isa. 10.33—11.10 Look and See! Rest and Act!

25 Dec. Christmas Day

Set I: Luke 2.1–14 [15–20] The Song of the Angels

Set II: Luke 2.[1–7] 8–20 A Quiet Christmas

Set III: John 1.1–14 Because We are Worth It

Second Service: Sermon from Set I or II above

26 Dec. First Sunday of Christmas

Principal Service: Col. 3.12–17; Luke 2.41–end Clothed in Love

Second Service: Gal. 3.27—4.7; Children of God

2022

2 Jan. Second Sunday of Christmas

Principal Service: John 1.[1–9] 10–18 Jesus, the Verb of God

Second Service: 1 Sam. 1.20–end God’s Top Ten

9 Jan. Baptism of Christ (First Sunday of Epiphany)

Principal Service: Luke 3.15–17, 21–22 Through the Deep Waters

Second Service: Isa. 55.1–11 Shall We Gather at the River?

16 Jan. Second Sunday of Epiphany

Principal Service: John 2.1–11 Jesus on the Guest List

Second Service: Eph. 4.1–16 Try a Little Tenderness

23 Jan. Third Sunday of Epiphany

Principal Service: Luke 4.14–21 Drama in the Synagogue

Second Service: Ps. 33 [or 33.1–12] How Shall We Praise God?

30 Jan. Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

Principal Service: Luke 2.22–40 Jesus Comes Close

Second Service: 1 Chron. 29.6–19 Building God’s Home

6 Feb. Fourth Sunday before Lent (Proper 1)

Principal Service: Luke 5.1–11 Called by Name

Second Service: Col. 3.1–22; Matt. 5.13–20 Keeping Life Tasty

13 Feb. Third Sunday before Lent (Proper 2)

Principal Service: Luke 6.17–26 Who to Please?

Second Service: Gal. 4.8–20 Out with the Old and in with the New

20 Feb. Second Sunday before Lent

Principal Service: Luke 8.22–25 The Heart of the Storm

Second Service: Matt. 6.25–end Letting Go of Worry

27 Feb. Sunday next before Lent

Principal Service: Luke 9.28–36 [37–43a] Meeting with God

Second Service: Ex. 3.1–6 Meeting God on the Mountain Top or in Daily Life?

2 Mar. Ash Wednesday

Principal Service: Ps. 51.1–18 Wipe the Slate Clean

6 Mar. First Sunday of Lent

Principal Service: Luke 4.1–13 Who Do You Think You Are?

Second Service: Luke 18.9–14 Peeling the Onion

13 Mar. Second Sunday of Lent

Principal Service: Phil. 3.17—4.1 Citizens of Heaven

Second Service: Luke 14.27–33 Waiting for the Kingdom

20 Mar. Third Sunday of Lent

Principal Service: Luke 13.1–9 Life-giving Manure!

Second Service: Gen. 28.10–19a God’s Encountering

27 Mar. Fourth Sunday of Lent (Mothering Sunday)

Principal Service: Luke 15.1–3, 11b–end Tenderness of the Father

Mothering Sunday: 1 Sam. 1.20–end Motherhood Quest – Honouring the Journey

3 Apr. Fifth Sunday of Lent (Passiontide)

Principal Service: John 12.1–8 Passionate Humility

Second Service: 2 Chron. 35.1–6, 10–16 Revolutionary Eating

10 Apr. Palm Sunday

Principal Service: Luke 19.28–40; Luke 22.14—end of 23, or Luke 23.1–49 ‘Hosanna’ and ‘Crucify’

Second Service: Isa. 5.1–7 Cry for Justice

11–13 Apr. First three days of Holy Week

John 12.20–36 The Journey of Healing

14 Apr. Maundy Thursday

John 13.1–17, 31b–35 Washing Clean

15 Apr. Good Friday

John 18.1—end of 19 We Have No King but the Emperor

16–17 Apr. Easter Vigil

Luke 24.1–12 What’s in an Empty Tomb?

17 Apr. Easter Day

Principal Service: John 20.1–18 The Dawn from on High Shall Break Upon Us

Second Service: John 20.19–23 Peace Be with You!

24 Apr. Second Sunday of Easter

Principal Service: John 20.19–end Blessed are Those Who Have Not Seen

Second Service: Luke 24.13–35 An Amazing Meal

1 May Third Sunday of Easter

Principal Service: John 21.1–19 Changing Tack

Second Service: Isa. 38.9–20 Whose Story is it Anyway?

8 May Fourth Sunday of Easter

Principal Service: John 10.22–30 Vocation

Second Service: Luke 24.36–49 Peace, Proof, Purpose

15 May Fifth Sunday of Easter

Principal Service: Acts 11.1–18 Lighting Beacons

Second Service: Dan 6.[1–5] 6–23 The Lions’ Dinner

22 May Sixth Sunday of Easter (Rogation Sunday)

Principal Service: Acts 16.9–15; John 14.23–29 Sou’westers and Mitres

Second Service: Matt. 28.1–10, 16–end You are Hired!

26 May Ascension Day

Principal Service: Acts 1.1–11 A Wider Perspective

Second Service: Rev. 5 Risen, Ascended, Glorified with all Creation

29 May Seventh Sunday of Easter (Sunday after Ascension Day)

Principal Service: Acts 16.16–34 Speaking the Word of God

Second Service: Isa. 44.1–8 (Our) God Will Do Great Things

5 June Day of Pentecost (Whit Sunday)

Principal Service: Acts 2.1–21 Bring Them Home

Second Service: Ex. 33.7–20 Let Me See Your Glory

12 June Trinity Sunday

Principal Service: John 16.12–15 The God who Reaches Out

Second Service: John 3.1–17 Moving Deeper into God

19 June First Sunday after Trinity (Proper 7)

Principal Service: Luke 8.26–39 Who am I?

Second Service: Mark 5.21–end Enfolded in Love

26 June Second Sunday after Trinity (Proper 8)

Principal Service: Luke 9.51–end Full-time Faith

Second Service: Gen. 27.1–40 The Trickster

3 July Third Sunday after Trinity (Proper 9)

Principal Service: Luke 10.1–11, 16–20 Use Me, God

Second Service: Mark 6.7–29 Partners in the Gospel

10 July Fourth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 10)

Principal Service: Luke 10.25–37 The Word is Very Near

Second Service: Gen. 32.9–30 Wounds and Blessing

17 July Fifth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 11)

Principal Service: Luke 10.38–end Stand Up for Sitting

Second Service: Gen. 41.1–16, 25–37 Prophets Not Fortune-Tellers

24 July Sixth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 12)

Principal Service: Luke 11.1–13 Who is God to You?

Second Service: Gen. 42.1–25 Can We Change Our Past?

31 July Seventh Sunday after Trinity (Proper 13)

Principal Service: Luke 12.13–21 Taking Stock

Second Service: Gen. 50.4–end The Prospect of Death

7 Aug. Eighth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 14)

Principal Service: Luke 12.32–40 Do Not Be Afraid

Second Service: 2 Cor. 1.1–22 Yes and No

14 Aug. Ninth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 15)

Principal Service: Luke 12.49–56 Divisive Peace?

Second Service: Isa. 28.9–22 Not Getting the Message

21 Aug. Tenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 16)

Principal Service: Luke 13.10–17 Procrast-ina(c)tion?

Second Service: Isa. 30.8–21 This is the Way; Walk in It

28 Aug. Eleventh Sunday after Trinity (Proper 17)

Principal Service: Luke 14.1, 7–14 The Hospitality of God

Second Service: Ps. 119.81–96 Delighting in God’s Law

4 Sept. Twelfth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 18)

Principal Service: Philemon 1–21 A New Social Order

Second Service: John 5.30–end Following the Source in the Spirit of Adventure

11 Sept. Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 19)

Principal Service: Luke 15.1–10 Why the Sunday Assembly?

Second Service: Isa. 60 Promises that Deliver

18 Sept. Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 20)

Principal Service: Luke 16.1–13 Stewardship of God’s Creation

Second Service: Ezra 1 Returning Home

25 Sept. Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 21)

Principal Service: Luke 16.19–end A Sacred Duty to the Poor

Second Service: Ps. 135 The Sound of Psalms

2 Oct. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 22)

Principal Service: Luke 17.5–10 Small Faith and Sharp Focus

Second Service: Neh. 5.1–13 Hear the Cry of the Oppressed

9 Oct. Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 23)

Principal Service: Luke 17.11–19 A Life of Gratitude

Second Service: Neh. 6.1–16 A Call to Liturgy

16 Oct. Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity (Proper 24)

Principal Service: Luke 18.1–8 The Prayer of a Woman

Second Service: Neh. 8.9–end The Church God Calls Us to Be

23 Oct. Last Sunday after Trinity (Proper 25)

Principal Service: Luke 18.9–14 Lord have Mercy

Second Service: Eccles. 11 and 12 Eeyore’s Wisdom

23 Oct. Bible Sunday

Luke 4.16–24 Shaped by the Scriptures

30 Oct. Fourth Sunday before Advent

Principal Service: Luke 19.1–10 One Link at a Time

Second Service: Lam. 3.22–33 God is Good, All the Time!

6 Nov. Third Sunday before Advent

Principal Service: Luke 20.27–38 Are We Nearly There Yet?

Second Service: Rom. 8.31–end The Cosmic ‘We’

13 Nov. Second Sunday before Advent

Principal Service: Luke 21.5–19 God’s Dwelling Place

Second Service: Ps. [93] 97 Clouds and Thick Darkness

13 Nov. Remembrance Sunday

Luke 21.5–19 Hope out of Grief

20 Nov. Christ the King (Sunday next before Advent)

Principal Service: Luke 23.33–43 Another Realm of Love and Truth

Second Service: John 18.33–37 The Holy Crown

SERMONS FOR SAINTS’ DAYS AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS

2021

30 Nov. St Andrew the Apostle

Matt. 4.18–22 The Cost of Discipleship

26 Dec. St Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr

Acts 7.51–end Are We Ready to be God’s Witnesses?

27 Dec. St John, Apostle and Evangelist

John 21.19b–end Christ’s Shining Footsteps

28 Dec. The Holy Innocents

Matt. 2.13–18 Surviving Genocidal Journeys

2022

1 Jan. Naming and Circumcision of Jesus

Luke 2.15–21 ‘In the Name of God …’

6 Jan. Epiphany

Matt. 2.1–12 A Clean Sweep

18–25 Jan. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Deut. 16.9–20 The Call to Eco-Stewardship, Peace and Unity

25 Jan. Conversion of St Paul

Gal. 1.11–16a Are We Ready to Share Our Faith?

2 Feb. Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)

Luke 2.22–40 A Touching Place

19 Mar. St Joseph of Nazareth

Matt. 1.18–end Learning from the Carpenter

25 Mar. Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Luke 1.26–38 Invitations

25 Apr. St Mark the Evangelist

Mark 13.5–13 Proclaiming the Good News

2 May SS Philip and James, Apostles

John 14.1–14 Show Us the Father

14 May St Matthias the Apostle

Acts 1.15–end Did You Meet My Predecessor?

31 May Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth

Luke 1.39–49 [50–56] Female Friendship and the Power of Jubilation

11 June St Barnabas the Apostle

Acts 11.19–end Goodness, Gracious Joe

16 June Day of Thanksgiving for the Institution of Holy Communion (Corpus Christi)

1 Cor. 11.23–26 The Presence

24 June Birth of John the Baptist

Luke 1.57–66, 80 A Blank Piece of Paper

29 June SS Peter and Paul, Apostles

Matt. 16.13–19 The Church and Fallible Humanity

3 July St Thomas the Apostle

John 20.24–29 Thomas and the Jesus of the Scars

22 July St Mary Magdalene

John 20.1–2, 11–18 Apostle to the Apostles

25 July St James the Apostle

Matt. 20.20–28 Pilgrim People

6 Aug. Transfiguration of Our Lord

Luke 9.28–36 Coming Down the Mountain

15 Aug. The Blessed Virgin Mary

Luke 1.46–55 A Song of Deliverance

24 Aug. St Bartholomew the Apostle

Luke 22.24–30 Servants and Serving

14 Sept. Holy Cross Day

John 3.13–17 The Value of the Cross

21 Sept. St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Matt. 9.9–13 Follow Me

29 Sept. St Michael and All Angels

John 1.47–end I Believe in Angels

18 Oct. St Luke the Evangelist

Luke 10.1–9 Stand by Me

28 Oct. SS Simon and Jude, Apostles

Eph. 2.19–end Faithful Witnesses

1 Nov. All Saints’ Day

Luke 6.20–31 No Plaster Saints Here!

2 Nov. Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)

John 6.37–40 I Don’t Know How You Feel

Harvest Festival

John 6.25–35 A Fruitful Life

Dedication Festival

Eph. 2.19–end Christ the Cornerstone

All-Age Services

Christmas

Luke 2.1–14 [15–20] How far is it to Bethlehem?

Easter Day Eucharist

John 20.1–18 I’m Not Finished Yet!

Harvest Thanksgiving

Phil. 4.4–9 Everybody and Everything Matters

Advertisements

Preface

Several years ago, Roger Spiller asked me to contribute to The Canterbury Preacher’s Companion. Accepting that first commission, I had no idea that I might in time pick up the baton of editing this important resource for the next three-year lectionary cycle. Surprised and delighted, I find myself occupying the editor’s chair, and from here I pay tribute to Roger’s significant contribution to this publication over the last few years.

Those called to preach the word of God are called to work in partnership with the Holy Spirit to develop their unique voice, not to mimic another’s. Sermons are to be preached in context – at a particular time, to a certain group of people. Sermons, therefore, are not readily transferable. So, a book of other people’s sermons might seem an odd resource in which to invest. However, the body of Christ is a community in which we journey together, learning from one another and delighting in the discoveries of God that our fellow pilgrims have made.

Though some of the sermons presented here have been commissioned, the majority have already been preached to congregations. They have been ‘road tested’ if you like. The authors know that their sermons have landed well. We offer them to you not to be preached verbatim but as a resource to show you how the lectionary readings have been used on particular occasions, and how preachers have explored the Scriptures in the light of their own situations, passions, politics and life experiences. We trust these examples will spark your imagination, aid your exploration of the Scriptures and fuel your ministry of preaching God’s word in your current context.

It has been a delight to work with a gifted, diverse and diligent group of preachers, who demonstrate the creativity, energy and counsel of the Holy Spirit in their work. Writing and preaching in the maelstrom of a global pandemic, at times in lockdown, and living with uncertainty and ongoing anxiety has made for a rich and generative backdrop to scriptural exegesis. Preaching the good news of Jesus Christ in season and out of season is a significant and weighty task, to be embraced with the joy and commitment of those who know and love God and long for others to do so too.

In the article that follows we are invited to approach the practice of preaching as a spiritual discipline; one that takes seriously the time and dedication required to allow the Holy Spirit to inspire preacher and listeners alike. May we each be made worthy of the calling God has placed on our heart.

Catherine William

Preaching as a Spiritual Discipline

‘The unfolding of your words gives light …’ (Ps. 119.130)

The call to preach the word of God to God’s people is not something any of us should take lightly. It’s an awesome task, requiring training, discipline and ongoing development. We don’t undertake this task in our own strength, but through the calling, equipping and guidance of the Holy Spirit working within us. It’s a gift and responsibility that we are to keep nourished and stirred up throughout our ministries.

Preaching is part of the worship of God. At its best, it is liturgical, prophetic, exegetical and sacramental. In the Eucharist, we break bread to feed on Christ. In preaching, we break open the Scriptures to feed on Jesus the Word. Preaching should lead to an encounter with the living God. Preaching changes us, whether we are preaching the sermon or receiving it. Our minds stretched and our hearts transformed through engaging with Jesus the Word, we grow in discipleship and are led out into kingdom living.

One of the saddest things I find as a visiting preacher is standing in front of a congregation I haven’t met before and seeing them switch off before I’ve even begun. Clearly, they are not expecting anything of worth to be said; they seem to have little idea that this is a holy moment, that together we are on holy ground preparing and expectant to meet with the living God, Creator of the cosmos, who walks beside us in Jesus and dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. Perhaps they have been continually disappointed, perhaps they have stopped listening, perhaps they never realized that they might meet with God in this way.

The call to preach

The fear of standing before God’s people in a pulpit, or at the front of church and preaching sermons was something that held me back, for some years, from responding to God’s calling to authorized ministry. I just couldn’t see myself in that place. I was terrified! What if I got it wrong? What if I led people astray, preached heresy or damaged others’ faith? What if people asked me things afterwards that I couldn’t answer, or they challenged what I’d said? Would I look a fool? Would I bring the Church into disrepute? How could I possibly serve God in this way? Despite having a theology degree, I felt I knew nothing and had nothing to say that would be of any use to others. God was asking too much – I must have misheard. Like Jonah, I wanted to run and hide. With wise and gentle guidance from the holy people around me, I eventually grasped that it really wasn’t about me and that if God was calling then my task was to trust that God knew God’s business and all would be well – a huge leap of faith was called for. I bundled up my courage and leapt!

In what seemed my weakest area – the area in which I was most fearful – God has worked and continues to work powerfully. I’ve had to lean heavily, to allow the Holy Spirit to do the heavy lifting, to trust again and again and to keep returning to the source for guidance, wisdom and strength. Through the years, God has called me to preach in churches and cathedrals, at tiny midweek services, at diocesan and national events, even live on the BBC, on Christmas Day. Some of my sermons have been published and now I’m called to edit this book, as an ongoing resource and encouragement for others. Never underestimate what God can enable and bring to fruition! Because of this extraordinary journey, I know at first hand that preaching is a spiritual discipline – something that takes patience and practice, in which there are rarely shortcuts, and where we need to be heavily reliant on the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and inspiration, rather than on our own ability.

Disciplined preparation

Because I was initially so fearful about preaching it was helpful to be given a structured and systematic method for preparing sermons. I was taught to preach by Canon John Armson, then Residentiary Canon at Rochester Cathedral. That was 25 years ago and his teaching has stood me in good stead ever since. So good was his teaching, culminating in a long residential weekend at Aylesford Priory, that I still remember large parts of it, and it continues to shape my practice.

Our preaching, he instilled in us, is not a series of one-off events. Our preaching is a reflection of our ongoing daily walk with Jesus. What we say as preachers, whether it’s in conversation, in the pulpit, in study groups, or wherever, comes from our being God’s beloved child. The closer our relationship with God, the deeper our discipleship to Jesus, the more likely people are to encounter God through our words and actions, as we allow the Holy Spirit to mould and flow through us. So, preaching always begins with and is enveloped by prayer. Prayer is essential.

Beginning with prayer

To be a responsible and responsive preacher requires a lively, committed and disciplined life of prayer. Developing our prayer life is a lifelong activity, of getting to know Jesus through a variety of practices that bring us into communion with the living God. We might be committed to the daily offices, a daily quiet time, regular Bible study, times of meditation, contemplation, Centering Prayer, silence, fasting or mindfulness. We might go for regular prayer walks or runs, pray the rosary, have charismatic praise sessions, serve the needy, or all manner of different ways of coming into the presence of God, spending time with God: waiting, listening, gazing and loving. This is the bedrock of our preaching life. Our relationship with God day by day is the solid foundation on which we stand when we prepare, preach, publish or film a sermon.

This comes more sharply into focus as we settle to prepare. It takes time for us to listen to the Holy Spirit and for her inspiration to bubble up through us. So, it’s good to start preparation about a week before we are due to preach – perhaps on Sunday afternoon or evening, on the first day of the week. We might light a candle, pray the Lord’s Prayer or the Collect, praying for insight, and then we start by reading prayerfully the passages set. It is good practice to read them aloud because that’s how the majority of the congregation will hear them. Then we might use the practice of lectio divina – holy reading. In this, we are entering the text, imagining ourselves there, listening for a sentence or phrase that catches our attention – makes us want to explore further, makes us ask questions, or disturbs our equilibrium. We might note that down. At this point in the process, it’s a conversation between us, the texts and God. And that’s enough for now. Having read the passages slowly and prayerfully we put them away and carry on with our day.

Consulting others

On the next day – Monday, or maybe Tuesday – it’s time to consult others. This is the moment to get out the commentaries, Bible dictionaries, preaching aids and other resources we may have, and do some serious hermeneutical study with the texts. This is the time to grapple with the language, context, genre and other people’s interpretations. This might include looking at the relevant sermons in this book or others, not to poach a sermon but to see how someone else has tackled this particular week in the lectionary. We might find a ‘spark’ or ‘hook’, or we might say, ‘I don’t agree with that’, or, ‘Well, I wouldn’t do it that way’ – this is all good resourcing!

We explore deeply, make notes, ask questions, enjoy engaging with the word of God and learning more. If we have the opportunity it’s really good practice to take our exploration into a home group or online forum, and with those around us. Children are often brilliant biblical commentators. All of these ways of working ensure that what we are doing is exegesis – objectively starting with and drawing out of the biblical text, rather than the more subjective eisegesis – deciding what we’re going to say and then trying to impose it or find it in the text. We are hoping for a deep engagement with Jesus the Word made flesh, through the word of Scripture, thereby creating an intimacy with Christ that we carry into our preaching. When we’ve done that hard graft with the texts, we put away all the resources – back on the shelf – and we resist the temptation to look at them again.

Percolation

For the rest of the week, we carry the texts within us, brewing away inside like a good cup of tea or a fine wine. We allow our day-to-day encounters with people, the media, books, movies, music, nature, local issues, together with wherever we find ourselves, to feed and dialogue with the texts within us. This is a remarkable process, sometimes wonderfully playful, often feeling precarious, which works so much better and more deeply if we’ve done the spiritual and academic work with the texts early on. Slow cooking is required for rich, tender and flavoursome meals. The microwave is handy and quick – but fast food rarely produces an original meal.

Slowly, slowly our sermon will emerge as the Holy Spirit helps us make intuitive connections, leaps of faith and surprising but relevant and original discoveries. This is what allows our voice to develop its particular tone and confidence. We are not quoting others, we are finding our unique voice in consultation with those who have gone before or walk alongside, underpinned by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. But it takes time; it’s not for rushing or leaving to the last minute. We’re like an athlete – doing months, even years, of training for one short race. I haven’t got time to do all that, I hear you mutter. Really? The Holy Spirit offers to partner with us as together we create words and images to enable people to encounter the living God. We have time for this! Remember, the Holy Spirit is doing the heavy lifting, longing to inspire us if we will only listen and trust.

Writing

What we produce in terms of a sermon will be different for each of us, depending on personality, working practices, confidence with words and so on. But at some point, we have to write something – even if it’s only a series of bullet points or a route map. It’s good to wait until what’s inside has bubbled up and is ready to emerge. There comes a moment when we suddenly know what we’re going to say and we’re then ready to write. If we sit down to write before that moment we won’t get anywhere. And sometimes the Holy Spirit’s inspiration comes very late in the day. Trust is essential at this point. We have to trust that God really will inspire us if we wait patiently. Dependence on God is an essential part of this spiritual discipline.

If we are writing a full text, then it shouldn’t take any longer to write than it does to preach. When we are alive with the Spirit’s inspiration, then we can preach into our computer through our fingers, or on to paper through the pen, and ten or twelve minutes later – half an hour at most – we’re done. There will, of course, be tweaking of words and ideas, checking of facts and quotes, and general tidying up. But if we write in a single sitting as if we were preaching right there, then the words will flow, the sentences won’t be too long, we won’t repeat ourselves, and the ideas will make sense for our listeners. As we write, it’s good to pray for those who will receive the sermon, praying that they will encounter God through the words we deliver.

Content

We’re called to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. It’s good news – not insipid news, fake news, miserable news, half-hearted news or bad news. Where is the good news in the texts we’re tackling? Where is the good news of Jesus Christ in our national life or local context? What is God’s good news for me personally? What is God’s good news for these people, in this place, at this time? What does God want to communicate to us all today? Are we preaching the good news of Jesus Christ? This doesn’t mean the message will be simplistic, fluffy or avoid hard and complex issues, but it does mean that hope, resurrection and a way to find life in all its fullness will shape what we bring.

We’re also called to preach God who is revealed as Trinity. How does God as Trinity feature in our preaching? How do we refer to God? Do we focus on one person of the Trinity to the detriment of others? If so, why might that be? Might we need to expand our image of God in order to preach a deeper and richer expression of God for others? What have we said about God as Creator? Have we mentioned Jesus? Has the Holy Spirit made an appearance? Is our sermon trinitarian? Preaching God who is Trinity is not just for Trinity Sunday and, contrary to popular belief, finding oneself on the preaching rota on Trinity Sunday is not picking the short straw! Our daily relationship with the mystery of God revealed as Trinity shapes and informs all our preaching.

And how are we catering for different personalities and learning styles in our congregations? If we are fortunate to be preaching to a congregation we know, we might imagine them in front of us as we write. We know that this person enjoys facts and figures, this one likes a good story, another needs suggestions for practical application, and another will value the spirituality, or the language, a good image or a line of poetry. Some enjoy good exegesis and others appreciate links to their weekday context. Of course, it’s impossible to cater to everyone, but ringing the changes and checking for a balance of ideas and styles honours a diverse group of worshippers. If we’re preaching in a context we don’t know, or if our sermon is being broadcast online, we have no idea who may be listening in – potentially from anywhere in the world. It’s important that we keep our ears open to the language we are using and that we don’t fall into the trap of ‘othering’ those who are different from us. It’s also important to keep up with developments in language – words are powerful and they change their meaning from time to time. Words and images are to be chosen carefully so as not to exclude, offend or mislead.

Delivery

There’s no point writing a beautiful sermon inspired by the Holy Spirit if we can’t deliver it. This is where we may have to learn and practise techniques for good communication. Different contexts require a different level of speaking, pace, tone and eye contact. Preaching in a very large building is quite different from an intimate chapel, or on a television or computer screen. Understanding how microphones work, looking at the congregation or the camera, speaking clearly and using accessible language are all our responsibility. Einstein famously remarked that if we can’t explain something to a six-year-old we probably haven’t understood it ourselves! If we’re using visual images, PowerPoint or slides, they need careful choosing and designing, and we need to have confidence that the technology will work.

Requesting feedback on performance (as well as content), asking for advice in new settings, checking the technical equipment and so on are important too, and part of the spiritual discipline of preaching. When I’m preaching in a new setting I have to check a pulpit or lectern as I almost always need to have a box to stand on. We’re not acting when we preach – we are most definitely ourselves, and our integrity is key if our words are to be received – but we can use some of the techniques of an actor to communicate well.

One of the big learning curves of the pandemic for me has been the need to preach a message online that is short, simple, comforting and direct to camera. The twelve-minute sermon has become a five-minute homily in this context. While people rarely walk out of church during a sermon, it’s very easy for people to switch off, go for a coffee break or fast-forward the sermon when it’s delivered online. As with any spiritual discipline, we need to keep growing and developing in our practice, trying new things, learning new techniques, taking a few risks, stretching ourselves, trusting that Christ is before, beside and behind us as our preaching evolves.

Releasing

It’s generally thought that people retain only around 20 per cent of what they hear. The chances are that those listening to our sermons will take away only one thought, if that, and they may not remember it for very long. It’s helpful therefore to use a word picture, analogy or visual aid that helps trigger thoughts or fixes an idea in people’s minds. Regularly, people will hear words that we haven’t said, sometimes life-changing words. Sometimes people will think we were saying something directed solely at them when we hadn’t even realized they were there. Much of this is the encounter with God that is hopefully occurring as we preach. Listeners receive the words not just into ears but into hearts and minds, which may be transformed or renewed at that moment, and that is sufficient. We must expect and allow God to do God’s work, making sure that we are not getting in the way. It’s important not to allow our own agenda or neediness to block the Holy Spirit’s work of building up, counselling, comforting and liberating.

Once we’ve preached, it’s time to let it go, trusting the sermon has done its work preparing people to meet with God in the Eucharist or go out into the world renewed. Our sermon is released, we thank God, and we turn our attention to our next preaching adventure with the Holy Spirit.

Staying alive

When we’ve been preaching for many years and are practised and confident, it’s easy to begin to cut corners, to rely on past efforts, to know we can pull it off without engaging as deeply as in the past or leaning so heavily on the Holy Spirit. It can be a gradual process of spending less time preparing, less time in prayer, less time exploring, less time listening. As with all spiritual disciplines, we can become rather cosy, a little complacent – we know what works and we begin to do it in our own strength. Oh – I know this passage, we may think – I’ve preached on it many times before – I know just what to say. Preaching becomes less of an adventure and more of a chore. The discipline required seems unnecessary and the spirituality becomes tired. It may be a subtle slide – of which we are barely aware. Our congregations might not be able to put their finger on it, but they sense something isn’t quite right. The balance of grace and truth has shifted. The preacher has gently eased out the divine and replaced the Holy Spirit with their own highly developed skills and experience. We are in danger of giving people who hunger for God stones rather than bread, snakes instead of fish. Preaching will become a burden and our joy will fade.

But as with all things godly, a fresh start is not only possible but right there for the taking. Resurrection is only a breath away. Time to assess the situation, humbly confess our lack of engagement and resolve to pick up our adventuring with the Spirit again, who has waited patiently for our return, and is ready to resume the partnership. Back to basics! Perhaps we might invest in some new and up-to-date commentaries, go to a festival of preaching or access an online homiletics course, listen to others’ sermons and refuel our motivation. It’s time to remember our calling and ask God to make us worthy of it, to be excited and humbled by God’s word in season and out of season. It’s time to engage once again prayerfully with the texts, make time for serious study and leave generous spaces for the Holy Spirit’s inspiration to emerge from deep within and grace our preaching, with the fragrance of Christ. May the Lord who has called you, guide, grace and bless your preaching.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by [God], a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2.15)

Contributors

The Revd Dr Kate Bruce is an RAF Chaplain. She has spent many years teaching preachers, running training events and writing books and articles on preaching. She has recently published a book on preaching women of the Bible. She preaches regularly in a wide range of contexts. Alongside her love of preaching she has an interest in performing stand-up comedy.

The Revd Kat Campion-Spall is an Anglican parish priest currently serving as Associate Vicar at St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol, and Dean of Women’s Ministry for Bristol Diocese. Kat, influenced by feminist biblical interpretation, tries to listen carefully for, and bring to light, the voices that have been silenced by received interpretations of the Scriptures.

The Revd Dr Tom Clammer ministered in suburban and rural posts in the diocese of Gloucester before serving as Canon Precentor at Salisbury Cathedral. He is now a freelance theologian, educator and spiritual director. Used to preaching in full cathedrals, or to half a dozen in a rural church, Tom preaches regularly, mostly in the dioceses of Salisbury and Gloucester.

The Revd Dr Mary Cotes is a Baptist minister. Having served as Ecumenical Moderator in Milton Keynes, she now exercises an itinerant ministry through preaching, teaching and writing. She is an editor of servirensemble.com, a French website supporting women’s leadership in the churches.

The Rt Revd Dr Christopher Herbert, former Bishop of St Albans and currently a trustee of the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Putney, is a lecturer for the Arts Society and Visiting Professor of Christian Ethics in the University of Surrey.

The Revd Tricia Hillas, Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, was previously Canon Pastor of St Paul’s Cathedral. Tricia treasures Scripture as a means to encounter God, while also looking for God’s presence made manifest in the world. Preaching in various settings, for a range of people and situations, is an honour and responsibility that challenges and stimulates her faith.

The Revd Dr Wendy Kilworth-Mason is a Methodist presbyter, mission partner and theological tutor who has served in the UK, USA, Zambia, Kenya and Sierra Leone. Currently appointed to Kenya Methodist University, she has an interest in teaching church history and preaching the Old Testament.

The Revd Jonathan Lawson is Vicar of St Gabriel’s Church in Newcastle upon Tyne. He has served and preached in many different contexts, from retreat houses to cathedrals, and ministered for ten years as a university chaplain. He has a particular interest in vocation and spiritual direction.

The Revd Canon Rachel Mann is a parish priest, poet, novelist and broadcaster. Author of 11 books, she is passionate about literature, every aspect of culture, as well as ensuring that those traditionally excluded from the life of the Church have an honoured place. Her preaching reflects these passions and commitments.

The Revd Dr Sandra Millar heads up national work for the Church of England around life events, and preaches in a wide range of contexts from cathedrals to country churches. She is interested in making Scripture connect to the realities of contemporary culture and everyday life.

Father Andrew Mumby is Rector of St Peter’s, Walworth, a diverse, black-majority congregation of all ages. Andrew, Jamaican-born and Lincolnshire-raised, is passionate about evangelism, racial justice and inclusion in the Church and the world. He has three amazing daughters and prays they will grow up in a better Church and world!

The Revd Canon Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy is the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Mission and Ministry Enabler in Leicester Diocese. He is originally from the DR Congo and is a Belgian citizen. He is committed to amplifying global voices in theological discourse and ministry. He shares a particular interest in storytelling, with a commitment to racial equity.

The Revd Dr Carrie Pemberton Ford is a feminist theologian, counter-trafficking specialist, and writer. She has worked in Central Africa, South India, Romania, in the UN and the UK as a priest, educator and consultant. She is Senior Fellow of Ethics and Public Life at the Margaret Beaufort Institute in the University of Cambridge and co-founded the One Boat Chaplaincy for Covid Times in 2020, with an international crew.

The Revd Carey Saleh is a parish priest in the Worcester Diocese and preaches regularly. Her published writings include liturgy for Wild Goose and a play addressing dementia and memory. She has a strong interest in Celtic spirituality, and in the use of metaphor and story to help in understanding God.

The Revd Canon Roger Spiller was Director of Ministry in the Coventry Diocese. He is Chair of the Trustees and Tutor for the College of Preachers. Roger has led seminars and preaching workshops for many years and preaches regularly in different contexts.

The Very Revd Dr Frances Ward was the Dean of St Edmundsbury from 2010 to 2017 and is now a parish priest in Cumbria, theologian, teacher and writer. Her wide interests, including the climate crisis, are reflected in her preaching, ongoing academic studies and published works.

The Revd Catherine Williams, former National Adviser for Selection in the Church of England, now has a portfolio ministry as a Christian writer, retreat leader and spiritual director. Licensed to the Bishop of Gloucester as a public preacher, Catherine preaches regularly in a variety of contexts.

The Revd Canon Paul Williams is Vicar of Tewkesbury and regularly preaches in and around Tewkesbury Abbey. He is researching the Virgin Mary and the English Reformation. Paul is a Commander of the Order of St John and Vice Dean of the Priory of England and the Islands. These and other settings provide stimulating contexts in which to preach.

Year C, the Year of Luke

(Year C begins on Advent Sundayin 2021, 2024, 2027, etc.)

Advent

First Sunday of Advent 28 November

Principal Service God’s Local Branch

Jer. 33.14–16; Ps. 25.1–9; 1 Thess. 3.9–end; Luke 21.25–36

A new branch

Jeremiah the prophet stayed hopeful in the midst of a very difficult time in the history of Israel. Disaster was all around. Everywhere was laid waste, was desolate and desperate. It’s as if a great tree had been felled. But Jeremiah points to a new shoot that will grow – a new branch – a sign that God is at work amid the chaos. The righteous branch will be the Messiah: the chosen