Providing a fresh, timely reflection "every week" on assigned scripture passages can be one of a pastor's most daunting tasks. But when time or inspiration is flagging and you need the jump-start of creative ideas, the latest edition of the classic CSS resource "Lectionary Preaching Workbook" is just what the doctor ordered Prominent pastor, former seminary president, and prolific author Jerry Schmalenberger draws upon the experiences of a lifetime in the ministry to help readers effectively share God's word with crisply written insights. He's created an outstanding set of practical aids to help preachers with their weekly sermons.
Each chapter includes:
- a listing of the applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts;
- a theme for the day's service;
- commentary on the Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel lessons;
- suggestions on preaching possibilities;
- an outline of possible sermon moves; and
- additional illustrations to flesh out the message.
Recently retired as the president of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California, Jerry L. Schmalenberger served some of the largest Lutheran congregations in the United States during 29 years as a parish pastor. A graduate of Wittenberg University and Hamma School of Theology in Springfield, Ohio (where he received his D.Min. degree), Schmalenberger was awarded an honorary D.Div. degree by Wittenberg. Schmalenberger, who continues to teach parish ministry at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, has also taught speech and communication at Urbana College and Wittenberg University. As a Global Mission Volunteer for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, he now preaches and teaches throughout the world, appearing in such varied locations as Germany, Jamaica, Argentina, Uruguay, Suriname, Liberia, Indonesia, and China. His most recent teaching stint was at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Hong Kong.