YOU CHOOSE!

Recently, some of you received an email from me asking for suggestions for my summersermon series. Realizing that not all of you have email and not all of you who do read all youremails, I thought I would put out my request once more here in this month’s Coop’s Cornercolumn.

As those of you who were with us last year know, during the summer we rather dramatically change the format of our worship service. Our summer worship schedule ismuch more relaxed (how can we be more relaxed you ask?). Well, for one, I don’t wear a robeand often (dramatic pause) not even a tie! We also lose most of the responsive liturgy. And wesingmore songs. (Are you tired of my never choosing your favorite hymn?

Well, the summeris your chance to remedy the situation. During summer worship we will sing the songs andhymns that YOU choose.) Of course, we will always pray together, read scripture, and then Ipreach – usually something different than the norm.

In the past I have preached on stories from Genesis, examined different spiritual gifts,looked at the Movies and our Faith, the Ten Commandments, and the last two years I haveassumed various characters from both the Old and New Testaments and told their story in thefirst person.

This year, when I asked for suggestions on what they'd like to hear from me thissummer, the Session thought it might be "interesting" to open it up to you all."How about if you let the congregation suggest topics/scripture texts they would like tohear/learn about?"

I gulped, that is surely taking a leap of faith ... but what the heck - I think it might befun ... SO ... I am asking you for your suggestions. What would you like me to preach onthis summer?

Let me give you a taste of what has come in so far: Sermons on the lesser known booksof the New Testament (Timothy, Titus, Philemon, etc.); Is there really a Devil?; History of thePresbyterian Church; Science and Religion; The stories behind our favorite hymns… Theseare just a few of what I have received so far. It is not too late. You still have a chance to beheard.

I will take the top eleven suggestions and use them for our summer's sermon series. Sothat means ... it is up to you! Just email me your suggestions OR put them in my box in the church office OR leave them in the offering plate on Sunday. I can't promise I will get tothem all - especially if we have more than eleven, but I do promise I won't duck awayfrom challenging texts or controversial subjects. Just be careful what you ask for.Looking forward to seeing what you all come up with!

Have a great month, and as always, I hope to see you on Sunday!

Pastor Tom