Well, it’s summer! Many of you who read this will be in the middle of Vacation Bible School, or maybe off on your own much-needed vacation, or perhaps you’re trying to do ministry with fewer volunteers because of travel schedules, Covid-19, etc.

Wherever you are in your journey, don’t forget that the church calendar always has ups and downs, and that’s a good thing. There are seasons that are hectic, followed by seasons of rest, and that creates a rhythm that allows us to prepare for whatever is next along the way.

If you have some extra time, I would encourage you to check out a new tool that I think is an awesome resource for pastors and church communications professionals: SermonShots!

I’m going to write more about it soon, but essentially, it allows you to upload (or import from Youtube) your latest message video and clip short pieces from it to use in social media posts.

It has tremendous potential as a video-based social media tool and, best of all, you can jump in and try it for free!

Check Out SermonShots!

And here are this week’s sermon ideas…

 

Sermon Ideas Based on the Lectionary

For July 24, 2022
Year C – Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

 

First Reading and Psalm

 

Hosea 1:2-10

WORKING TITLE: God Never Gives Up on His People

Your life is a lesson to others about what it looks like to follow Jesus. There are TWO big lessons Hosea’s life teaches everyone else. 1. Rebellion leads to ruin. 2. Repentance leads to renewal.

Read: God Never Gives Up On His People

 

Psalm 85

WORKING TITLE: Oh God of Our Salvation

At the end of the day, we need to be healed and made whole, restored to the condition in which God intended us to thrive, surrounded by his peace, assured by his love, and blessed by his righteousness.

Read: Oh God of Our Salvation

 

Alternate First Reading and Psalm

 

Genesis 18:20-32

WORKING TITLE: Raising an Outcry to God for Justice

For every outcry of pain and oppression, Christians should be raising an outcry to God for justice and mercy. We can call out to God, boldly, on the basis of what we know about his character as he has revealed himself.

Read: Raising an Outcry to God for Justice

 

Psalm 138

WORKING TITLE: Keep Going, Remembering What God Has Told You

Spiritual growth isn’t always about observing rituals or collecting more knowledge. Some of our greatest growth will happen as we personally encounter God and experience him making himself known to us.

Read: Keep Going, Remembering What God Has Told You

 

Second Reading

 

Colossians 2:6-16

WORKING TITLE: Reasons to Keep Going in Your Faith

Wherever you are in your Christian walk, keep going! There’s never been a better decision anyone could have made. No matter what new philosophy may come your way, remember that your faith rests in the person and work of Jesus Christ, not any tradition or innovation.

Read: Reasons to Keep Going in Your Faith

 

Gospel Reading

 

Luke 11:1-13

WORKING TITLE: Prayer: How to Keep Holding On

Prayer is easy enough. It’s just a matter of having a conversation with God. What’s hard is continuing the conversation with God when you’re just not sure if he’s listening. Don’t give up on prayer! God may be saying YesNo, or Wait, but prayer is never wasted. We grow spiritually anytime we’re talking to God about our lives and our world.

Read: Prayer: How to Keep Holding On

 

Creative Sermon Series Ideas from MinistryPass

My favorite resource for sermon series and message ideas, complete series graphics, and video bumpers (but NOT full notes or sermon outlines) to get you started is MinistryPass! Each week, I’ll feature a series I would recommend checking out for the upcoming season of the church year. This week:

Sermon Series Idea: To My Friend Who Left the Faith

From the Description:

Based on the book To My Friend Who Left the Faith by Wade Bearden, this series addresses four reasons that so many individuals have abandoned church in recent years. Bearden asks, “Does doubt have a place in church? How do I know that Christianity is true? If God is so good, why do some Christians act so terribly? How can a good God allow so much pain and suffering?” Examined with empathy and grace, this series empowers pastors to address and support both believers and nonbelievers in their congregation. This series can be used in conjunction with Wade’s book, as well as in small groups and Sunday School classes.

Check Out This Sermon Series »

 

Books, Links, and Resources for Pastors and Church Leaders

 

A Conference for Church Communications Leaders

The Church Communicator Conference is specially designed for the accidental church communicator, the one that wears many hats and may have stumbled upon this role without a plan. Lead pastors and executive pastors will also benefit from this conference as it will introduce principles and concepts that will assist with creating a unified communication strategy that aligns with the vision and mission of the church.

Register for The Church Communicator Conference

 

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About the Art: Oaks at Mamre, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.