February, 2017
Have you ever wondered how sermon topics are chosen? Well I did too until it was my job to make these decisions. Pastors from many denominations use what is called the Revised Common Lectionary to determine their sermon topic. The Revised Common Lectionary is a three-year cycle of weekly scripture readings used by many of the mainline churches in Canada and the United States and the sermon topic theme is commonly taken from that week’s scripture.
Many United Methodist Churches also use the Lectionary but no one dictates what must be preached nor when something should be the topic. The pastors and/or worship team have significant freedom in making this decision. At Mora and Ogilvie, we are currently using hymns to determine the sermon topic.
The United Methodist Hymnal, The Faith We Sing and the Praise Chorus Book, used by our churches, have wonderful hymns and praise music. The first Sunday of 2017 Val Prax presented a sermon for us using the hymn Another Year is Dawning for her inspiration. How appropriate to use this hymn to begin the year. Although I did not hear this sermon I did hear it was very good. Thanks Val.
The first Sunday in February we are talking about and learning from the hymn I Need Thee Every Hour. Oh, how I need God every hour! As I dig into the words to the song and the related scripture I am excited to see where God leads me in writing the sermon.
If you have a favorite hymn you would like to be the focus for a future sermon, please let me know. I have one Sunday yet to fill before we begin the season of Lent.
Your Sister in Christ,
Pastor Deb