Preaching at the beginning of a new year always presents some challenges. This year is no exception. It’s difficult enough to deal with the stress of having sermons and worship services that follow the excitement and anticipation of Christmas. Add to that the stress of finding words that convey the hope of a new year amidst all the challenges that new year presents and it is enough to cause a preacher to throw in the towel until the Season of Lent.
If you follow the lectionary and are disciplined enough to stay with it I have found it to be a good resource for sermon material for the first several weeks of the year. Of course it is always a good source for each week, but it is especially helpful to the preacher in the winter. While I have use the lectionary I haven’t, or at least have chosen not to, use it as my preaching guide each year.
Sometimes I have chosen a brief series of sermons that can capture the hope and anticipation of a new year without falling into the trap of preaching a series of new year’s resolutions. I would most certainly break them anyway so best to avoid that trap all together. A series of prayers for the new year is always a good place to start. Truthfully I would preach that series each year, of course I would change the text and the title and the prayer and the content of the sermon. It would be fun to do. I would just hope that my church members would recognize that they are new sermons each year!! A series on the promise of God would bring something special to a new year as well.
This year, though, demands a bit more flexibility on my part. The reason—we have some special events coming up in January. I would like for the sermon to further emphasize their significance to our faith community and open our lives to what God may be saying to us through them. The events include a commissioning and dedication service for a new ministry our church is undertaking. It involves a large number within our church and brings a lot of energy to what we are doing.
The other event is a deacon ordination service. And again, I would like to use the opportunity to explore the Scriptures and hear what God has to say on the ministry of deacons in the life of the church.
Whether it’s a disciplined approached following a lectionary or well-planned sermon series or a flexible approach that allows the church to reflect on what God is doing through specific events, preaching adds much to the beginnings of a new year. I’m looking forward to it already.
